End of Reed Celtic Tree Month

Identified with the submerged or hidden dryad, The Reed represents the mysteries of death. In fact the Fire Feast of Samhain celebrates the dead and on Samhain, the boundary between the Otherworld and this world dissolve. It is a night of great divination. Or in another fashion, it represents the hidden roots to all life. The Reed is associated with with being both a savior and custodian. Pwyll, the Celtic ruler of the Otherworld was given "The Stone" , one of four treasures given to him for safekeeping. The Stone represents the right of the kings and queen to have divine power. Thus the Reed is also the symbol of Royalty. The White Hounds represent the dogs that guard the lunar mysteries. This Tree is the Tree of Doom. It is a time of prophecy, communication with spirits, and the ability to face one's shadow. Its symbols are crows, black cats, and horses. Symbolized by The Morrigan, Hecate, Rhiannon, and Neb-Het - 'Lady of the (Great) House' also known as Nephthys who was represented by a black cat or vulture. Kali, the Hindu goddess of Time, also has frightening forms as well as benevolent, queenly ones.

The reed is a giant grass, with stems as high as 12 feet. It grows in marshy areas, where it often forms dense stands. The dead stems rattle and whisper in late autumn winds. The young stems of the reed can be dried and pounded into a fine powder, which when moistened, can be roasted like marshmallow; the rootstocks can be made into flour; and the tiny reddish seeds can be ground into flour or made into gruel.

The reed becomes ready to cut in November. The Egyptian canna-reed which grows from thick roots like a tree was an ancient symbol for royalty in the eastern Mediterranean. In Egypt the reed was used to make scepters and arrows hence the Pharaohs of Egypt would should arrows in every direction to symbolism the Sun-god and their own sovernty. If the scepter broke the kind was believed to have lost his virility and vitality. The Irish used the reeds for thatching of roofs. A house was not completed or established until the roof was thatched. The dead stems rattle in the wind and are commonly referred to commonly as broom. The broom is a wide, bushy shrub that grows in abundance in the British Isles, and blooms in yellow pod-shaped flowers. It can grow to seven feet in height, and its stem can grow very thick and strong. . Its branches are often dried and used as brooms (as the name suggests,) and a decoction of young branches and seeds can be used to treat malaria, gout and painful joints. It is also a good diuretic. Oil drawn from the stems (by heating them over and open fire,) can be used to treat toothaches, and for the removal parasites such as lice.The Reed is used to make pens, thatching, mats, and baskets.

The broom is a wide, bushy shrub that grows in abundance in the British Isles, and blooms in yellow pod-shaped flowers. It can grow to seven feet in height, and its stem can grow very thick and strong. Its branches are often dried and used as brooms (as the name suggests,) and a decoction of young branches and seeds can be used to treat malaria, gout and painful joints. It is also a good diuretic. Oil drawn from the stems (by heating them over and open fire,) can be used to treat toothaches, and for the removal parasites such as lice.

Traditionally the Celts were a nomadic people. They camped on one place throughout the cold winter months, and would break camp in the spring when the first yellow blooms appeared on the broom. Although it has associations with spring, broom stands for the month of October in the Ogham Calendar.