Now is the time of Lughnasa and the Rowan berries are ripe on the trees just waiting to be made into treasures such as the ones here. This is an extract from our new classic, The Children’s Forest, offering stories, songs, wild food, crafts and celebrations for all year round.
A Lughnasa Treasure – Rowan Berries for Protection
The rowan is a tree of great beauty and of magical protection. In Celtic areas, and throughout Britain, rowan berries were used as a powerful amulet against dark enchantments of all kinds.
The berries are ripe from early August onwards and are a gorgeous, glowing orange-red. Ask respectfully for the tree to share some of its berries, which are full of the tree’s magic. Wait for a feeling in response. Offer some grains of oats or barley, or a song in exchange. Feel the clear presence of the tree as you gather the berries and remember to leave plenty for the birds. Rowan berries are great for this activity because they are non-toxic and do not have a stone in the middle.
TO MAKE:
1. Cut a length of thread long enough to make a necklace that easily fits over your head with extra for tying off at the end.
2. Tie a knot towards one end and thread the needle at the other end.
3. Sew the berries on carefully. It works well to pierce the tiny end star of the berry and leave via the stalk end; this gives children an easy central way to thread the berries.
YOU WILL NEED:
- Rowan berries
- Strong thread, preferably red
- Needles suitable for the thread
- Scissors
4. When the child feels there are just the right amount of berries on the thread, which may not be full, remove the needle, join the ends together and tie a knot to complete.
5. Find an open glade in the forest to scatter some of the berries where birds may see them and enjoy a rowan feast. This helps to carry their seeds across the land too.
The Children’s Forest is a marvellous collection of practices and activities that will surely connect people, their places, wild neighbours, friends and families. The elements of this book are woven to produce a tapestry of belonging – any one of these threads can produce amazing results, together something magical emerges.
Jon Young, author of Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature
- The Children’s Forest engages children with nature through play and imagination in the forest.
- Forest know-how through eight seasons for Forest School leaders, teachers and parents of pre-school and primary aged children.
- Identify trees, plants and animals including tracking, foraging, wild plant recipes and crafts to make in the woods.
- Gaelic stories, folklore, songs and imaginary journeys to share.
A rich and abundant treasury in celebration of the forest, this book encourages children’s natural fascination with woodlands and their inhabitants. The authors have produced an enchanting book where imagination, story and play bring alive the world of the forest. Full of games, facts, celebrations, craft activities, recipes, foraging, stories and Forest School skills, The Children’s Forest is much more than a manual: it is an invitation.
Ideal for ages 5-12 it will also be enjoyed by adults, families and younger children.
The book is organised into the eight Celtic seasons of Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Summer, Lughnasa, Autumn, Samhain and Winter. Within each chapter are the following sections: The life of the forest; Plant lore; Imaginary journey; Tree Lore; Activities, crafts and games; Animals; Celebration.
The appendices at the end of the book cover skills, safety, the Ogham alphabet, story sources and further resources.
