The Oak

The Oak is the seventh month on the Celtic Tree Calendar. The Oak represents power, protection, strength, endurance, triumph, dominion, prosperity, sacrifice, guardian, liberator, success and stability. The Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but the Norse and Celts held it in particular esteem because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The Greeks, the Romans, the Germanic cultures, Anglo-Saxons and some northern European cultures all revered the oak. The oak has a strong association with weather magic. It is the moon of strength and security also known as bear moon, the oak symbolizes positive purposes, magic for men and fidelity. It is the tree of endurance and triumph. The Oak is the tree of endurance and triumph, and like the Ash, is said to count the lightings' flash. The midsummer fire was traditionally kindled with an Oak log. The oak tree is the tree of Zeus, Jupiter, Herne, Hercules, Wodin, The Dagda (The Chief of the Elder Irish gods), Thor, the Lithuanian God Perkunas, and all other Thunder Gods.

The oak can be found in both deciduous varieties and evergreen. Evergreen varieties are found mainly in the southeastern part of the United States. Acorns are the fruit of the oak and are said to be man's first food. Often stately, tall trees of noble and majestic habit with massive trunk and stout spreading limbs. Oaks can weather many weather calamities including lightning and survive. There are over 200 varieties of Oaks. They can grow to be 50 to 150 feet tall. And can live over 1000 years. Most oaks are mature at 200 years old. It can be found in colors ranging from red to white and dark brown in wood color. Oak is used for a variety of uses depending on size and quality and is used for sawn timber, veneer, building timber, hardwood pulp, poles, fencing, firewood and charcoal. Coppicing of woodland used to produce stakes. Tannin used to be produced from bark for tanning leather. Acorns formerly used to feed pigs. Flour can also be made from roasted and ground acorns.

Oak people are robust, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, do not love changes, keep its feet on the ground, and is a person of action. Even when faced with over riding stressors, the oak person comes out on top better and stronger and more grounded than before. Instead of bending under stress and hurts, Oak people adapt and grow until they overcome the hurts, pains or stressors.

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