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Post by artanaro on Dec 6, 2005 15:40:33 GMT -5
Here goes the information from various cultures on the Elm tree. Also put results of communications with trees and shamanic journeys here.
QUENYA = ALALME
SINDARIN = LALWEN
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Post by artanaro on Dec 26, 2005 17:04:47 GMT -5
FROM: A MODERN HERBAL, Vol. I by Mrs. M. Grieve
Common Elm
Description. The Elms belong to the natural order Ulmacae and to the genus Ulmus, which contains sixteen species, widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone, extending southwards as far as Mexico in the New World and the Sikkim Himalayas in the Old World
The Common Elm (U. campestris, Linn.) is a doubtful native of England, found throughout the greater part of Europe, in North Africa, Asia Minor and eastwards to Japan.
It grows in woods and hedgerows, especially in the southern part of Britain and on almost all soils, thriving even in the smoky atmosphere of a city, but on a rich loam, in open, low-lying situations, attaining a height of 60 to 100 feet, even rising to 130 and 150 feet. In the first ten years of its growth the tree grows to 25 or 30 feet.
The branches are numerous and spreading, the bark rugged, the leaves alternate, ovate, rough, doubly toothed and unequal at the base. The flowers are small and numerous, appearing in March and April before the leaves, in purplish-brown tufts. If one of these tufts be examined, it will be found to be a short axis with a number of leaves, beginning two-ranked at the base, and going over to five-ranked above. There are no flowers in the axils of the lowest ten or twelve; in the axils of the upper leaves are flowers arranged in small cymes (in some species), but in U campestris reduced to the one central flower. Each flower has a four-toothed, bell-shaped calyx, surrounding four stamens and a one-celled ovary bearing two spreading hairy styles.
The seed vessels are green, membraneous, one-seeded and deeply cleft, but the tree seldom perfects its seed in England, being propagated by root-suckers from old trees, or by layers from stools.
In age and size, the Elm closely approaches the Oak, but is more varied, a large number of named varieties being grown.
Medicinal Action and Uses. Tonic, desmulcent, astringent and diuretic. Was formerly employed for the preparation of an antiscorbutic decoction recommended in cutaneous diseases of a leprous character, such as ringworm. It was applied both externally and internally. Under the title of Ulmus, the dried inner bark was official in the British Pharmacopoeia of Decoc. Ulmi being as follows: Elm Bark 1 part, water 8 parts; boil for 10 minutes, strain, make up to 8 parts.
A homeopathic tincture is made of the inner bark, and used as an astringent.
Fluid extract, dose 2 to 4 oz. three or four times daily.
A medicinal tea was also formerly made from the flowers.
In Persia, Italy and the south of France, galls, sometimes the size of a fist, are frequently produced on the leaves. They contain a clear water called eau d’orme, which is sweet and viscid, and has been recommended to wash wounds, contusions and sore eyes. Culpepper tells us:
"the water that is found in the bladders on the leaves of the elm-tree is very effectual to cleanse the skin and make it fair."
Towards autumn, these galls dry, and the insects in the die and there is found a residue in the form of a yellow or blackish balsam, called beaume d’ormeau, which has been recommended for diseases of the chest.
FROM: TREE WISDOM The definitive guidebook to the myth, folklore and healing power of Trees by Jacqueline Memory Paterson
Ancient elms were part of the superstructure of the massive forests which once covered England. They dominated the landscape, standing proud and tall. Even as late as the seventeenth century, when the forests had all but disappeared, Culpeper stated elms were one of the “most commonest English trees, overlooking Nature’s seasons.”
In legend the elm has always been associated with death, the grave and theories of rebirth. In the Greek legend of Orpheus, when he returned to the upper world from Hades he began to play a love-song to his Lady Eurydice, whereupon the first elm-grove sprang into existence:
The Thracian bard a pleasing elm-tree chose,
Nor thought it was beneath him to repose
Beneath its shade,
When he from hell returned.
ANON
European legends concerning elms often refer to their associations with elves. If we look at the elven world we can touch the magical atmosphere that our ancestors associated with both them and the elm tree.
Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” depicts the atmosphere of elves and their magical realms particularly well, and it weaves such a descriptively rich tapestry that we are inclined to wonder how much elf and how much man was within Tolkien himself:
And see ye not yon bonny road
That winds about yon fernie brae?
That is the road to fair elfland,
Where thou and I this night maun gae.
Elves have always been acknowledged in Scandinavian and Celtic countries, and the myths and legends of northern Europe are full of reference to them, especially their intimate associations with burial mounds. This is particularly interesting, for it connects with the later English tradition of using elm wood for coffins; and as there are few remaining legends about the elm itself, it also gives clues to the position the tree held in our ancestors’ lives.
In Britain elves were believed to give protection against lightning strikes and to help attract love. Such was their connection to elms that the trees gained the folk-name of “elven” and such was their association with burial mounds that elms became incorporated into the death cycle, being literally made into coffins which housed the bodies of the dead.
In magical work today meditation with elm aids the development of our communication with the devas, the spirits of the herbs, and by pricking an elm-leaf with a pin before placing it under a bed pillow, divinatory dreams can be obtained. Through meditation with the elm tree we can also contact the elves, who, whilst they guard the dead, also have a lighter side which attracts love, luck and merriment. For this reason, elm leaves and twigs were carried by people when such qualities were needed in their lives.
The light elves are best contacted in the light part of the year, from the Spring to the Autumn Equinox, and they are friendly, tolerant and gentle. Not so the dark elves, who show no tolerance, are harsh and often ferocious. They are best contacted during the winter months and great care must be observed if you do, for psychic if not physical harm may ensue through calling on such forces. This is no doubt why severe sacrifices were used to appease them in the past.
Through its association with funerary matters the elm was regarded as a tree that ultimately all would have to face – a tree of destiny. Possibly this is the origin of the saying that ‘elm hateth man, and waiteth’, or perhaps it came from the elm’s habit of dropping branches suddenly and without warning, and that accidents happen around elm trees. Or maybe such superstition arose from deliberate manipulation designed to keep people away from all contact with Nature and their native traditions. Whichever, in the following quote Kipling did little to allay it:
Ellum she hateth man and waiteth
Till every gust be laid.
To drop a limb on the head of him
That anyway trusts her shade.
Yet to those who understand the ways of the natural world, death was regarded as a doorway to birth in another way of life, which is a far less sinister theory than that of Christian hell and d**nation. Thus the elm tree, whilst being approached with respect, was also approached with reverence, hope and humbleness, for in the minds of the people any communication set up with the tree would be reflected in their passage from one life to another. No doubt in this context the elm also provided a “confessional” quality, giving rise to the role which was later taken over by the Roman Catholic Church. This may explain why the elm and the theories of rebirth around it were particularly outlawed by those who ruled by the fear of death.
The elm trees and their elven companions watched over great realms in ancient days, for there were vast areas of growing trees. As the land was cleared and the fields were born, so the elms became integrated into the agricultural cycles, becoming guardians of the fields.
In the Irish Brehon Law, elm was referred to as a “peasant” tree, one round which country people lived and which became part of their lives. Elm was also connected to the afterlife, as the bridge between lives.
This was obtained from the OBOD message board and contains interesting material.
Artanaro
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Post by artanaro on Dec 26, 2005 17:05:13 GMT -5
Norse Runic Lore concerning the Elm
"The Elm (Ulmus procera) is a stately and graceful tree whose branches fan out to provide shade and replenishment on hot, sunny days. It was sometimes referred to as "the tree of trust and compassion." Trust is a confident reliance on an inexhaustible Source that is contactable within, and an expectation that energy exerted will be returned in full measure through the natural process of giving and receiving. Compassion is a supportive energy that strengthens endurance and projects empathy.
Runic shamans associated the Elm tree with caring - not only in the sense of concern for others, but also of attending to our own personal needs, which is another facet of caring. So the Elm and its associated Rune Gifu can help you to attain balance and equilibrium in your life and a sense of self-esteem, which is a recognition of your own value and need to nurture the light that is within you."
From Rune Power by Kenneth Meadows
I love this description!
Namarie
Artanaro
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Post by artanaro on Dec 26, 2005 17:11:01 GMT -5
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ElmThis gives a list of all the different species of Elm throughout the world. You may look up the different species for pics. Please feel free to put up links to pictures of the various types of elm in your area!!! Hantale Artanaro
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