Oak: Duir

By S.F. Skyheart - April 18, 2024

The names of the Celtic tree months come from some of the letters of the Ogham. The Ogham is an ancient alphabet believed to have originated in the 4th century (possibly as early as the 1st) in what is now the southwest region of Ireland.

The Celtic month of Oak, April 18 - May 15, is associated with:

Ogham: Duir – (doo-er) represents strength, resilience, protection, grounding, fertility, spring, survival, longevity, magickal thresholds and mystical doorways, ancestry (familial and spiritual), tree of life (in some mythology), and ancient knowledge.

The energy of Duir is self-empowerment and knowing whose shoulders we stand upon. If not for our ancestors--both our blood line and our spiritual lineage--where would we be today? We can access tremendous inner strength and center ourselves by honoring those who came before us through gratitude and offerings. It amazes me to look back at ancestors who survived wars, famine, disasters, misfortune, and living conditions without any of our modern education, technology, plumbing, or medicine. It's not to dismiss our current challenges, but more to appreciate the chain of people and events that led us to this moment in time.

Consider Duir's connection to the Oak tree, which grows in nearly every part of the world, adapts to climate and weather, outlives many other species, and provides a key role in the ecosystem. It beckons us to know our own strength, which helps us to adapt and maintain balance no matter what comes our way. Remember that all of that strength and potential starts within the acorn.

Do what lights you up,
Sadie

Please note: Some people start the tree calendar with Birch in January, which follows the solar calendar. However, I learned them in an older tradition, which aligns with the 13-month lunar calendar. It's up to you to discern what feels right for you, of course.