Iâm sure weâve all seen the Celtic Tree of Life, right? If you havenât, hereâs a pictureâŚ
Image from Mythologian
There isnât a lot of historical context or information regarding what we see as the Celtic Tree of Life - only speculation about where it comes from and why it is important. However, in Irish Paganism, culture, and history, trees are extremely important.
According to Lora OâBrien, an Irish draoĂ and Priestess of The MorrĂgan, early Irish law was decided upon by the Gaelic Brehons. These were well-educated men and women of Old Irish society. It was originally an oral tradition, but the rulings were later written down by Christian Monks. You can find more information about the Brehon Law down below.
During the times of Brehon / Gael Law / Celtic Irish Law, there was no police force or prisons in Ireland. The Brehons (male and female) were arbitrators who remembered the laws in poems and had to be able to recite them when needed. A Brehon is not really a judge - its more like an arbitrator whose responsibilities included preservation and relevant interpretation of existing laws. Their status was displayed by the wearing of a torque around their necks. We are told in the old manuscripts that it would tighten chocking them if they told untruths and it would only loosen when the truth was told in place of falsehoods. Their interpretations were made public and could be challenged, so they had to stick to truth. This is very unlike the English Law system we suffer at present because today the âlegal wigsâ stick only to the word of law as written and not to the intention of the wrongdoer. [1]
Image from Pixabay
Now you might be wondering what the heck any of that has to do with trees. Well, trees were so sacred to the Old Irish that they had laws regarding specific trees. These trees were also broken down into sub-sections based on the importance of the particular tree. If someone were to harm the tree in question, there would be payment required. The more important the tree, the higher the payment.
The 28 Principal Irish Trees
The categories of trees were broken down as follows, and these are considered to be the 28 principal Irish trees. [2]
The most valuable and noble are the airig fedo â âlords of the woodâ.
- Dair âoakâ (Quercus robur, Quercus petraea)
- Coll âhazelâ (Corylus avellana)
- Cuilenn âhollyâ (Ilex aquifolium)
- Ibar âyewâ (Taxus baccata)
- Uinnius âashâ (Fraxinus excelsior)
- Ochtach âScots pineâ (Pinus sylvestris)
- Aball âwild apple-treeâ (Malus pumila)
Then the aithig fhedo â âcommoners of the woodâ.
- Fern âalderâ (Alnus glutinosa)
- Sail âwillow, sallyâ (Salix caprea, Salix cinerea)
- ScĂŠ âwhitethorn, hawthornâ (Crataegus monogyna)
- CĂĄerthann ârowan, mountain ashâ (Sorbus aucuparia)
- Beithe âbirchâ (Betula pubescens, Betula pendula)
- Lem âelmâ (Ulmus glabra)
- Idath âwild cherryâ (Prunus avium)
The fodla fedo are the âlower divisions of the woodâ.
- Draigen âblackthornâ (Prunus spinosa)
- Trom âelderâ (Sambucus nigra)
- FĂŠorus âspindle-treeâ (Euonymus europaeus)
- Findcholl âwhitebeamâ (Sorbus aria)
- Caithne âarbutus, strawberry treeâ (Arbutus unedo)
- Crithach âaspenâ (Populus tremula)
- Crann fir âjuniperâ (Juniperus communis)
And least valuable are the losa fedo â âbushes of the woodâ.
- Raith âbrackenâ (Pteridium aquilinum)
- Rait âbog-myrtleâ (Myrica gale)
- Aitenn âfurze, gorse, whinâ (Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii)
- Dris âbrambleâ (Rubus fruticosus aggregate)
- FrĂłech âheatherâ (Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea)
- Gilcach âbroomâ (Sarothamnus scoparius)
- SpĂn âwild roseâ (Rosa canina)
Again, it can only be speculated why these trees were considered sacred to the Old Irish community. Maybe they were sacred for their crop-producing ability like the Oak. Maybe there were sacred for their religious ability like the Juniper. We canât know for sure, but what this goes to show us is how the Old Irish lived in connection with the land. This is something that I am trying to bring back into my own life and religious practice, and I think everyone can benefit from that same idea.
So, why is the Tree of Life significant?
It probably has something to do with the idea of all realms being connected - land, sea, and sky. The roots of the tree dig deep, and the branches of the tree reach tall. Trees are a representation of life around us and we can easily connect to them. They can offer healing, grounding, and energy to us. They can also offer us mundane things like shade, food, and structure. Whatever the case may be, the Tree of Life has a different significance for everyone.
[1] Brehon Law
[2] Sacred Irish Trees - Lora O'Brien - Irish Author & Guide
[3] The Brehon Laws: A Legal Handbook
my ancestors are Irish and I feel a large calling to that part of the world.
Iâm actually an Irish pagan, so my practice stems from Irish spirituality in general and not Wicca. I actually have a YouTube channel, podcast, and website that has some info on it. Iâm currently driving across the country right now because weâre moving lol but it is something I talk about often. Iâll post the links here if youâre interested.
with lots of Pine trees 
all around and I love trees too. I just wanted to welcome 
you since this is the first time you have posted!
and magick 
always
Iâm not in the forest but I am surrounded by huge Southern Live Oak trees and youâre right, itâs such a magical experience!