Properties: Rebirth, mysticism, magic, enchantment, transformation, destiny, femininity, balance, the ocean, prophetic dreams, weaving, prosperity, protection, healing, love, the world tree, Amirdrassil
Deities: Mother Moon, Mu'sha, Aviana, Aessina, Ohn’ahra, Q’onzu, Shadra, Mazu
Elements: Water, Air, Spirit
Guardians: Dryads, owls, ravens, spiders, faerie dragons, wildkin, wisps
Moon Phase: Waxing
The World Mother
Ash is one of the most sacred trees to Druids. It forms a triad with Oak and Thorn (often represented by Hawthorn or Blackthorn or both depending on practice). It is also considered by many to be the divine feminine counterpart to the divine masculine Oak in this triad and thus is heavily associated with the Mother Moon and G’hanir. In some Kaldorei Druidic theories of thought the Ash represents the greater cosmic world tree or the center of the universe by which all planes of reality connect. Some Druids of the Moon take this theory further still and claim that Elune Herself is this center figure of the universe through which all planes are connected thereby making Her the cosmic world tree itself through which all things are balanced.
In this practice, invoking the phases of Elune allows druids to “traverse” the cosmic world tree. By invoking her brightest phases one may travel up into the Dream or the boughs of this cosmic world tree or access the plane of water or air. In theory, invoking Elune’s darker phases may allow one to access the darker realms of the Dream like the Blighted Lands by descending this cosmic tree to the darker roots of Death, Shadow, and Decay. Since the blooming of Amirdrassil, the new world tree’s connections between life and death has reinvigorated this discussion of the cosmic world tree model as the tree serves as a perfect example for the theory by linking two realms to one another through reality itself.
Since the Nightmare’s defeat in the Legion invasion and the Cenarion Circle’s ongoing talks with the Thornspeakers of Kul Tiras, discussion of these darker branches and roots of the tree of life are becoming more common while still hushed in Nighthaven. Especially with these new reports of this “Unseeming” from the Isle of Dorn. Many fear it may be yet another dark root of the cosmic world tree that has remained undiscovered or the possibility that the Nightmare was much more deeply rooted in the Dream far earlier than we first believed.
Some scholars of this theory speculate that Lake Elune’ara or the Rift of Aln may be the transition point to the “darker” roots of the cosmos or to areas of the Dream like Thros. The Lake and its pure waters serve as the reflection of Elune’s brightest phases and the Rift its counter reflection in shadow. It’s speculated then that the presence of the Twisting Nether and the Great Dark Beyond in the Rift serves as the chaotic flow of spirit and decay through the cosmos as the two elements do in the trees of reality - the macro scale of the cosmos reflected in the trees of our world. In both Shamanic tradition and the magical study of Telemancy the Twisting Nether serves as a method to travel between the planes therefore in the cosmic world tree model the Twisting Nether may serve as its branches, trunk, and roots through which the cosmos may be explored and similarly with the Great Dark Beyond. While a somewhat heretical thought to those of the Eluntie faith, this model of thought suggests that the Twisting Nether and Great Dark Beyond are just as much a part of Elune Herself as any other force. Just as She shifts between light and dark so too is the Twisting Nether a place where Light and Void clash and as a Goddess of Balance the Great Dark Beyond would be yet another reflection still.
The curious Loa Q’onzu has seen a slight rise in worship in Nighthaven. Their claimed ability to traverse between planes has given them a new association with the Ashwood tree as this symbol of the great cosmic world tree.
Ashwood Lumber Properties and Uses
Because of these associations with Elune and the cosmos some Ashwood trees are considered to be “moontouched” or “star touched.” Wildkin, wisps, dryads, and faerie dragons are often drawn to old growth Ashwood trees. When any of these gather in great numbers around an Ashwood or a grove this is how woodworkers know the tree and area is “moontouched” or “star touched.” The wood of these trees naturally retains astral and restorative magics absorbed from the environment and requires almost no enchantment to access this magic. Because of this the lumber is used in the creation of wands, magical staves, enchanted bows,and in other magical and ceremonial uses. The preferred Kaldorei method of harvesting the wood is from already fallen Ashwood trees or through the help of wisps to harvest wood without hurting the tree.
Because of these natural astral and restorative qualities many associate the tree with G’hanir, the Mother Tree, Aviana, and Aessina. Many druidic healers and Sisters of Elune chose to have staves or other instruments crafted from Moontouched or Startouched Ashwood because it serves as a natural powerful focus to the power of the Dream or the Goddess and is seen as natural source of power and a gift of the Goddess. Ashwood seeds may also be used by powerful druidic healers to bring the spirit back to fallen party member in battle. In doing so the seed and its latent restorative magic is consumed.
Kaldorei Sailors often widdle effigies or idols of a crescent moon from Ashwood to protect them while at sea. The token is either left at a moonwell, a temple, or worn on their person in hopes that the Goddess grants them calm seas.
Effigies of Ohn’ahra or Mu’sha are also carved from limbs of Ashwood trees that have fallen in storms or great gusts of wind. The fallen wood is said to capture that potent energy and channel the power of the Loa or the whispers of Mu’sha for the Earth Mother to hear.
The wood of an ash tree can be woven into baskets, dreamcatchers, and many other wards, runes, etc. Because of this weaving quality many associate it with Lady Sathrah and in some Troll traditions it is associated with the spider Loa Shadra as well.
Rituals of the Ashwood
- In many groves the Ashwood is carved with spirals to symbolize the tree's connection to the Dream and possibly to the greater cosmos.
- Sleep with fresh Ashwood leaves to stimulate prophetic dreams or to aid in accessing the Dream or or to dreamwalk.
- Wood from an Ashwood tree is used to create wards against scrying, divination, or dreamwalking.
- Incense created from this wood is used in rituals related to astral projection in reality or to other planes through the Twisting Nether.
- Water collected from beneath an Ash tree is said to be protective against negative energies, enchantments while raising healing ones and fight off illness.
- Tonics and beverages can be made from Ashwood and take on many of its properties.
