Celtic Moon Teas
 
Willow for Love, Oak for Strength
 
Many mystical and magical uses have been found for the thirteen trees which
symbolize the months of the Celtic lunar year, and it is likely, considering
the popularity of Celtic Paganism, that many more will be discovered. However
you choose to observe the lunar months, it can be helpful to first imbibe a
magical brew designed to attune your body and spirit to the occasion.

Following are the recipes for thirteen teas which will accomplish just that.
The measurements given are approximate, and for making one eight-ounce mug
full you should use no more than a single heaping teaspoon of dry herbs placed
inside a tea ball or cheesecloth strainer. All liquid measurements should be
added to taste. Allow the tea to steep at least two minutes, longer if you
prefer a stronger flavour. As always, when ingesting untried substances, be
sure to test for any allergic reactions first, and remember that no herbal
preparation should ever be taken over the long term without consulting an
expert pharmacologist or botanist.

Though very few of the recipes actually contain any part of the trees to which
they are attributed, they work quite well because their ingredients rely on
using herbs and juices which share magical affinities with the properties of
the tree. These properties are listed after the name of each tree so that, if
you choose to, you can make substitutions based upon this knowledge. Depending
upon the particular Celtic tradition you follow, the lunar year starts with
either the first new moon closest to Samhain or the one just before Yule.

BIRCH MOON
Matters of beginnings and children; purification.
3 parts ginger
1 part lemongrass
pinch of dill
splash of lemon juice

ROWAN MOON
Empowerment, clairvoyance, air magic, exorcism.
1 part valerian root
3 parts peppermint
pinch of eyebright
pinch of ginger
Editors note: Valerian is a powerful sedative that affects each person
differently. You may wish to use a very small amount of this herb at first to
determine how it affects your body chemistry

ASH MOON
Matters of the intellect; magic, healing.
2 parts angelica
1/2 part sage
1/2 part black cohosh
pinch of rosemary

ALDER MOON
Spirituality, wholeness of being.
1 part linden
1 part hibiscus
2 tablespoons of cream or milk
splash of cranberry juice

WILLOW MOON
Matters of the Otherworld; healing, love, water magic, feminine mysteries.
2 parts willow bark
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 part dried apples or a splash of apple juice
pinch of rosemary
HAWTHORN MOON
Peace, sleep, dreams, prosperity, happiness.
1 part hawthorn
1 part catnip
1/2 part rue
1/2 part chamomile
OAK MOON
Lust, strength, energy, endurance, fertility, fire magic, male mysteries. 1
1/2 parts white oak bark 1/2 part mint 1/2 part orange peel pinch of cinnamon
or nutmeg

HOLLY MOON
Matters of animals; magic, prophecy.
1 part kelp
1/2 part rose petals
1/2 part raspberry
pinch of yarrow
HAZEL MOON
Manifestations, protection, healing, fertility.
2 parts ginseng
1/2 part mugwort
pinch of savoury
splash of any non citrus juice
VINE MOON
Earth magic, sex magic, overcoming difficulties.
1 part blackberry
1 part dandelion
splash of currant wine or grape juice
pinch of hibiscus

IVY MOON
Healing, cooperation, binding.
1 part mullein
1/4 part eucalyptus
1/2 part barberry

REED MOON
Fertility, love, protection.
1 part red clover
1 part hyssop
1 part boneset
pinch of slippery elm

ELDER MOON
Exorcism, prosperity, astral travel, finding faeries.
1 part gingko
1 part mugwort
1 part valerian -- (see note under Rowan Moon)
1 part spearmint
pinch of anise (may substitute extract)
 
By Edain McCoy (From the 1997 Llewellyn Magickal Almanac )