What’s in a name?
The name Rowanwood is derived from the Rowan tree, which is viewed by many Northern European cultures as the tree of knowledge.
Since antiquity, the tree has been notable for inspiring people and offering practical solutions to unique challenges — just like our organization.
Here’s some interesting facts about the Rowan tree:
- The North American version of the Rowan tree is commonly called the Mountain Ash.
- Historically, the Rowan tree has been seen as the tree of life, the Quickbeam – a tree of protection and of quickening.
- Since very early time, the tree was used in oracles as there was likely an abundance of rowan trees around megalithic monuments and other sacred places.
- The old Gaelic name for the Rowan tree comes from the ancient Ogham script and was called Luis.
- The month of the Rowan is thought to be from January 21st to February 17th.
- The density of the rowan wood makes it very usable for walking sticks and magician’s staves. This is why druid staffs, for example, have traditionally been made out of rowan wood, while the tree’s branches were often used in dowsing rods and magic wands.
- Rowan wood was carried on vessels to avoid storms, kept in houses to guard against lightning, and even planted on graves to keep the deceased from haunting. It was also used to protect one from witches.
- As the saying goes, “In Danaan Ireland, a rowan stake hammered through the corpse immobilize to its ghost.” – Robert Graves, The White Goddess
