Page 42 - September 2022 Magazine - Bumper Edition

The Hazel (Coll)
5th August - 1st September
Star Sign: The Salmon
Governing Planet: The Earth
Ruling Element: Mercury
As was the way with other sacred trees, the felling of a Hazel was deemed by the all powerful Druids to be a crime, and not a petty one resulting in a few lashes of the Birch. Chopping down a Hazel tree (without due respect to the Gods) was only punishable in one way - death.
Not surprisingly, consuming Hazelnuts was believed to enhance knowledge and wisdom.
Whilst first flowering in the early spring, the nuts of the Hazel would very slowly develop and not fall until the Autumnal winds began.
During that time they absorbed knowledge from the earth and formed a hard shell which when broken reveals the edible fruit providing what we would now refer to as nutrients. But to our ancients, the nuts would have been a vital source of nutrition throughout the long and cold winter.
Should you be tempted, they are a rich source of both mono and polyunsaturated fats and contain a good amount of omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids. Sounds good, but means the same to us as it would have done to our ancients. (We are but simple folk)
Water diviners, have throughout time, used Hazel twigs, as the tree itself has long been appreciated for its sensory nature, and whilst it’s an earth element, it has a strong association with flowing water.
Our handsome familiar Obsidian has informed us that sitting under the shade of a Hazel tree will reveal to you the location of items that you had previously thought were lost.
42 | The Flickering Cauldron® Magazine - Ogham Hazel