"The swift pursuing Reed."

To see the complete version of the poem from which the
above lines are taken, click on the pentacle symbol below

The Druids believed the Reed to be a tree because of its dense system of roots. Cut reeds were used as pens and symbolized wisdom and scholarship. Identified with the submerged or hidden Dryad, the Reed was representative of the mysteries of death. It was associated with being both a saviour and a custodian as well as a symbol of royalty. It was used in the making of instruments such as flutes and pipes. Pan, the Greek God of Herds, Fertility and Male Sexuality (whose name is the root word of "panic"), is often depicted playing a syrinx...a pipe comprised of seven reeds. Traditionally a nomadic people, the Celts camped in one area throughout the Winter months and would break camp in the Spring when the first yellow blooms appeared on the Reed. The Reed was once believed to bring order out of chaos and legend holds that a Reed was thrust into Christ's hand when he was mockingly robed in purple.

The Reed grows in silence, thin and slender, by watersides and marshlands, standing in clumps at the edge of rivers. It is representative of arrows that fly up into the unknown air to land at the very source of that which is being sought, symbolic of the direct approach required when confronting a dilemma...whether that dilemma comes from within or without. The Reed expressed the desire to search out basic truths and was also symbolic of music. Within many woodwind instruments, the Reed will create a balance. Even in today's world, the Reed is often used to thatch the roofs of houses, once being representative of the protection it offered to all of Nature's creatures, whether domestic or wild. Weavers often used the Reed to separate the threads they once spun and its leaves were frequently used to fashion baskets and floor mats. Some cultures (such as the Marsh Arabs of the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates) built entire houses and even mosques from Reeds. Natives of the American SouthWest once made arrow shafts from the Reed's woody culms and, in more modern times, small beds of Reeds are sometimes planted to purify domestic sewage.

Though often used with great imprecision, the term "Reed" as it applies to the Ogham is the Common Reed or Broom, a giant grass with stems which can grow to be 12 feet tall. It is found in abundance in the British Isles, usually in marshy areas where it often forms dense stands and blooms with yellow pod-shaped flowers. As with most other grasses, the vertical stems of the Reed (which can be very thick and strong) live only for a single year, dying in the Autumn to be replaced with new green shoots in the Spring. The dead stems have a tendency to rattle and whisper in late Autumn winds. The Common Reed has spread in weed-like fashion throughout most of the world but is more widespread in cooler climates. As its alternative name suggests, the branches of the Reed are often dried and used as brooms. A decoction of young branches and seeds was once used to treat malaria, gout and painful joints. Oil drawn from the stems by heating them over an open fire was formerly employed to treat toothache and for the removal of parasites (such as lice). The genus name of the Common Reed (Phragmites) is derived from the Greek meaning "growing in hedges." A member of the Grass family, the Reed offers protection for Ducks during their flightless molting period of late Summer and also serves as a Winter cover for resident wildlife species such as Deer, Pheasants, Foxes, Coyotes and Raccoons. In addition, it creates an excellent nesting site for several non-game marsh birds including the yellow-headed and red-winged Blackbird. The shoots of the Reed are a favored food of Muskrats.

There are two distinct types of Reed individuals (a division which relates to all Celtic Tree Signs). The "new moon" character is associated with the first two weeks of a sign and the "full moon" character is associated with the last two weeks.

The "new moon" Reed individual make both powerful friends and powerful enemies, given his or her initial response of impatience and impulsiveness. Even so, such people will usually maintain their positions of power and achieve a great deal of respect, particularly from their adversaries. The "full moon" Reed individual plans his or her moves with more sublety and will probably achieve more public recognition. However, such people are inclined to want to move onto other things...an action which can often undermine their true sense of purpose.

In general, Reed individuals are imaginative with a clear view of complex matters. They make for powerful friends but can also be powerfully jealous...a jealousy which is prone to turn to violence if not held in careful check. Reed people constantly strive for complete power, both within as well as without. They are wonderful leaders but often fall victim to the "Peter Pan" syndrome. They make for immensely caring and passionate mates as long as their jealous streak can be kept under control. Reed people are usually the catalysts of life rather than the competitors, being more concerned with changing the entire formula of life instead of simply certain aspects. They are known as the great survivors of life but often meet with the hostility of others rather than the offer of a helping hand. It is necessary for Reed individuals to unite a sense of purpose with their strong will in order to prevent a path toward self-destruction.

Sometimes referred to as the "Duality of the Ivy," Reed individuals are complex, tenacious and fearless. Proud and independent, they have great strength of character and will rarely compromise, believing they have a role to play which excludes any signs of weakness or the luxury of "sitting on the fence." Reed people are forceful and thrive on challenges, holding an innate belief in their own destiny. Possessed with a powerful presence and a great deal of personal magnetism, Reed individuals attract most people but tend to repel the overly-sensitive. They are never found lacking in the ability to surmount even the most overwhelming odds. Due to their power, however, they must follow a narrow line of virtuous morals. If that line is strayed from, then they can become very dangerous people.

Physical Goal: To find order where others find and create only chaos...to put this skill to work and take charge.

Mental Goal: To keep any given target in sight and not be distracted...results are only as sure as the intentions with which they are begun.

Spiritual Goal: To expect surprise encounters and upsets...the skills which will overcome such obstacles are as valuable teaching tools as the journey itself.

Amergin Verse: "I am a Threatening Noise from the Sea"

Ogham Association: Ngetal

Polarity: Feminine

Color: Grass Green

Class: Shrub

Letter Character: "NG"

Month: October...twelfth month in the Celtic Ogham. Between October and November, Druids would celebrate their thirteenth month known as Samhain, a period for welcoming the ancestors and spirits who would walk between the Realms at this time. October comes from the word Octo (Roman for "eight"). Octo or Octem was the eighth month in the oldest Roman calendar. It was a time for Druids to embrace the Goddess.

Alias: "Moon of the Home," "Hearth Moon," Winter Moon" and "Moon Which Manifests Truth"

Magickal Properties: Fertility, Protection, Love and Family Concerns

Some Famous Reed People: Cleopatra, Marie Curie, Jaime Lee Curtis, Leonardo DiCaprio, King Edward VII, Bill Gates, Tonya Harding and Demi Moore

Gemstone: The Reed gemstone is the Jasper, also known as the "Supreme Nurturer." The stone is an opaque, impure Chalcedony, usually red in color but may also be found in brown, green, greyish-blue and yellow. It is also often multi-colored. A very pretty and inexpensive earth stone, Jasper is usually worn in the form of beads or cabochons. The gem was once believed to drive away evil spirits and offer protection from the bites of Snakes and Spiders. Jasper has been a valued stone since the earliest days of mankind, particularly since it lent itself so suitably for carving. Seals were often fashioned from Jasper and it was the chosen jewel for the Emperor of China's personal such emblem. To the Assyrians, the red Jasper was especially treasured since it was said to bring everlasting protection and offer medicinal properties. In the Fourth Century, Jasper was known as the great "Rain-Bringer." It served as a reminder that an individual was not on the physical plane merely for himself or herself, but to also bring joy and substance to others and assist in releasing the bonds of constraint. Jasper was used by Native American shamans to provide protection during their journeys into the Spirit Worlds, being believed to protect against negativity and aid in grounding an individual to the stabilizing energy of the Earth. Red Jasper was once engraved with images of Lions or Archers and carried to guard against poison and to cure fever. Many carvings of Jasper have been found in Egyptian tombs and parts of the Book of the Dead were inscribed on tablets made from this stone. There are many references to Jasper in the Bible and it was one of the twelve sacred stones in the Breastplate of the High Priest. Saint Peter is believed by some cultures to have derived his name from the Jasper, since it was the rock on which Christ said, "I will build my Church." One of history's most exceptional Jaspers was etched with a profile of Louis XVI of France and displayed a blood-red steak across his throat. This symbolizm (King Louis eventually meeting his death by execution at the guillotine during the French Revolution) made it a gemstone of rare worth. Traditionally, the Jasper was employed in defensive magick because it was said to return negativity to the original sender.

Flower: The flower of the Reed is the Water Mint, a low-growing, rather coarse perennial, also known as Wild Mint or Marsh Mint. It belongs to a group known as marginal, bog or shallow water plants and is common in the British Isles and Northern Europe. Typically, marginals like to have their roots constantly wet, but most of the plant is held above water level. The Water Mint, which can grow to be a little over three feet tall, bears a perfume similar to that of the Bergamot Orange. When crushed, it produces a highly aromatic and minty scent. Its pinkish-lilac flowers, which bloom from July to October, attract many species of Butterflies. Medicinally, the Water Mint was considered to have emetic, stimulant and astringent qualities. It was closely linked to the Celtic guardians of sacred springs and streams and was used in the Middle Ages as a strewing herb.

Celestial Body: The celestial body associated with the Reed is the planet Pluto ("Pwyll"), Roman God and Ruler of the Dark UnderWorld.

Deity: The Reed deity is Arawen (or Arawn), King of the UnderWorld, also known as "King of Hell" and "God of Annwn." His name means "silver-tongued." Arawen fought alongside Bran in the Battle of the Trees against Amathaon and Gwyddion. Like most Gods of the OtherWorld, Arawen was a master hunter who rode a pale Horse, followed by a pack of white, red-eared Hounds. The traditional purpose of this hunt was to gather souls for the OtherWorld...assuming the quarry did not prove to be clever enough to evade the chase. According to legend, domestic Pigs did not arrive in Britain until they were presented as a gift to Pryderi by Arawen. Arawen was said to have possessed a magickal cauldron of regeneration, later captured by King Arthur. In other Arthurian tales, Arawen is featured as one of Arthur's "Three Counselling Knights." His name was later changed to "Anguish" or "Anguissance" and he was made King of Ireland or Scotland.

Also associated with the Reed is Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed (in what is today known as Wales). His chief court was said to have been at Arbeth. Strongly associated with the OtherWorld, he was the occasional ruler of that Realm (an honor he shared with Arawen), at which times he was bestowed with the title "Lord of Beyond." Pwyll was given "The Stone" (one of four treasures) for safekeeping. "The Stone" symbolized the right of monarchs to possess divine power.

Animals:

The Owl - These birds were most often associated with the Crone aspect of the Goddess. The Owl was often considered a guide to and through the UnderWorld, being a creature of keen sight in darkness and a swiftly-silent hunter. The Owl could help unmask those bent on deception or seeking to take advantage. In the tale of Culhwch and Olwen, Gwrhyr encountered an Owl as one of the oldest creatures in his search for the Mabon (Divine Child). In another Celtic legend, Blodeuwedd, Maiden of Flowers, was transformed into an Owl after plotting to kill her husband Lleu. An Owl before a gateway was once said to be representative of the transformation of the soul.

The White Hound - A title of honor for Celtic chieftains and representative of the Dogs which guarded the lunar mysteries. Hounds in general symbolized enduring loyalty.

October 28-November 11: Those born on this date also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Walnut, whose motto is "Looking for a Homeland" or "The Passion." Walnut individuals are unrelenting, considered somewhat strange by many and full of contrasts. Often egotistical, Walnuts are aggressive and noble with a broad horizon. They are unexpected and sponteneous in their reactions with little or no flexibility. Walnut people possess unlimited ambition and can make for difficult and uncommon partners. Not always liked but often admired, the Walnut individual is an ingenious stategist, who is very jealous and passionate by nature and rarely given to compromise. Walnuts will accept and endure a multitude of troubles in order to satisfy the desire for pleasure. An uncompromising character, the Walnut individual will undertake a project with inexhaustible perseverance and once in love, tends to love until death.

November 12-November 21: Those born between these two dates also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Chestnut, whose motto is "In Quest of the Truth" or "The Honesty." Chestnut individuals usually possess unusual beauty and a tendency to be overly-critical of themselves. With no desire to impress and with an inherent distaste for falsehoods, Chestnuts are blessed with a well-developed sense of justice. They are vivacious by nature and very diplomatic, but tend to be sensitive in company and easily driven to irritation...which can be indicative of a lack of self-confidence. Chestnut people will sometimes act superior but basically feel as though they are misunderstood. They are prone to love only once in their lives and often experience great difficulty in finding a partner.

November 22-November 24: Those born between these two dates also fall under the lesser influence of a secondary tree...the Ash, whose motto is "Always Aiming Higher" or "The Ambition." Ash individuals are uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive and demanding. They do not care for criticism, can be egosistic and love to "play with fire." Ambitious, intelligent and talented, Ash people are prone to allow the brain to rule the head, but they do take partnerships very seriously. It is important to an Ash individual that he or she maintain personal identity, freedom and independence. Nonetheless, Ashes make for trustworthy mates who are faithful, prudent and reliable. Ash people probably care more about the future than those born under any other jurisdiction and are concerned about making progress. If they set themselves a target which requires committment, then they are willing to give up many things in order to reach that goal. At the peak of glory, Ash individuals often prove to possess a genuine greatness and they will undertake tremendous efforts in order to help others.