Ask A Witch: Raven NiteStorm of Wilmington, NC
Dear Alexandra...
This is a simple request, I have recently moved to an apartment with a fireplace and I remember reading an old blessing in which you put several different types of wood into the first fire of each year, for several qualities... I believe it starts "10 woods into the fireplace go...." and it lists each type and quality. If you can tell me who wrote it or where I might find a copy, I would truly appreciate your help....so that I might use it to bless my hearth.
Sincerely,
Raven NiteStorm in Wilmington NC
__________
Dear Raven NiteStorm,
I believe the poem you are referring to is "The Nine Woods" by an unknown author that names: birch, oak, Rowan, willow, hawthorn, hazel, apple, vine, and fir. Some have been known to use some substitutes that are more common to North America such as: dogwood, mesquite, poplar, juniper, pine, and cedar
NINE WOODS
Nine woods in the Cauldron go,
Burn them fast and burn them slow
Birch in the fire goes
To represent what the Lady knows
Oak gives the forest towers might
In the fire brings the God's insight
Rowan is the tree of power
Causing life and magick to flower
Willows at the waterside stand
To aid the journey to the Summerland
Hawthorn is burned to purify
And draw faerie to your eye
Hazel, the tree of wisdom and learning
Adds its strength to the bright fire burning
White are the flowers of Apple tree
That brings us fruits of fertility
Grapes that grow upon the vine
Giving us both joy and wine
Fir does mark the evergreen
To represent immortality seen
Elder is the Lady's tree
Burn it not or cursed you'll be
Light!
Alexandra
19 Dec 2002
About the "Ask A Witch" Column