Mystical Journey: Rediscovering the Rowan Moon - Celtic Tree Moon No.2
Mystical Journey: Rediscovering the Rowan Moon - Celtic Tree Moon No.2
The Rowan Moon – The Fire of Brigid and the Spark of Inspiration
As the Rowan Moon rises, we step into a time of clarity, protection, and fiery inspiration. This is the moon of renewal, where the first whispers of spring stir beneath winter’s icy grip. In the Celtic Tree Calendar, Rowan is known as Luis (pronounced Loush), and its energy aligns with Mercury and the Sun, bringing illumination, communication, and the sharpness of thought needed to clear the mind and make way for inspiration.
The Sacred Fire of Brigid
Rowan is deeply entwined with Brigid, the Celtic goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft. It is her tree—her fire in the heart of winter—blazing with protective and creative power. As the Wheel of the Year turns towards Imbolc, Brigid’s festival, we honour her presence through the Rowan Moon. This is a time to tend our inner flames, to nurture our dreams, and to allow inspiration to flow like a thawing river.
A Guardian Against Dark Forces
Though Rowan is known as a tree of witches, it was paradoxically used as protection against them! In Scottish tradition, rowan was planted near homes, woven into crosses, or carried as charms to ward off malevolent spirits. It was a ceremonial tree, guarding the liminal spaces where the veil between worlds is thin. The five-pointed star found within its berries was seen as a natural talisman of power, reinforcing its role as a guardian against ill intent.
The Quickening of the Mind
Mercury, the planet of intellect and movement, works through the Rowan Moon to sharpen perception and clear the fog of confusion. This is a powerful time for divination, for setting intentions that require strategic thought, and for seeking answers through tarot, astrology, and spiritual guidance. If you have felt stuck in indecision, the Rowan Moon offers a moment of piercing clarity, like the first golden sunlight breaking through grey skies.
The First Breath of Spring
Though winter still holds the land in its grasp, the Rowan Moon carries the promise of new life. It is the sign that spring is coming, that seeds hidden in the dark earth are beginning their journey upwards. In this time, we honour the resilience of nature and our own ability to rise, even after hardship. This moon encourages us to reflect on what we wish to grow in the year ahead and to take those first steps towards manifesting our desires.
Working with Rowan Energy
Protection Magic: Create charms or wear rowan wood for spiritual safeguarding. A small rowan twig, tied with red thread, has long been a potent amulet.
Fire Rituals: Light a candle in Brigid’s honour, asking for her guidance in clearing blockages and inspiring creativity.
Divination & Clarity Work: Use this time for tarot readings, astrology sessions, or meditation to receive insight into the path ahead.
Poetry & Expression: Speak your truth, write, create—let the Mercury influence of this moon open the flow of words and ideas.
Spring Awakening: Spend time outdoors, connecting with the stirrings of the earth. Notice the subtle shifts in light and energy.
The Rowan Moon is a time of fierce protection and bright inspiration. It reminds us that even in the deepest cold, the fire still burns within us. As we honour this moon, may we clear our minds, strengthen our spirits, and open ourselves to the spark of creation that will carry us into the turning of the year.
So Above, So Below.