The custom of decorating a Christmas tree is rooted in antiquity. There was such a custom among the ancient Celts, and this ritual carried a sacred meaning. How to decorate a tree according to the doctrine of the druids?
Instructions
Step 1
Even in ancient times, in order to appease the sacred spirits of the forest, druids decorated growing trees with all kinds of gifts. By the way, the statement that the druids decorated any trees for the new year is a modern fiction, as well as the fact that Stonehenge is a druidic sanctuary. By the way, this round stone structure was considered by the druids to be a cursed place and a den of dark forces.
Step 2
First tier
A totem of a clan or a druid clan, in the form of the head of an animal or a bird, was placed on the very top. But most often the tree was decorated with deer antlers, as the main totem, symbolizing the spirit of all nature as a whole.
Over time, the totem was replaced by the Druidic five-pointed star, or the octogram - the cross-arrow. These symbols were designed to protect the family and home, and they also served as amulets from dark and evil forces.
Step 3
Second tier
The next, from top to bottom, tier should be decorated with three candles at an equal distance from each other. Candles are symbols corresponding to Knowledge, Nature and Truth. These symbols are discussed in one of the ancient Celtic triads "There are three candles that will dispel any darkness …"
Step 4
Third tier
The third tier was decorated with hexagons in the form of transparent cubes made of thin sticks with a bottom. The length of the edge was about 25 cm. They were hung at an equal distance from each other and symbolized the elements subject to the druids. In the "cube" of the element of water there was a small bowl with water, fire - a lighted candle, earth - a handful of black earth or sand, and only the "cube" of the element of air was empty.
Step 5
Fourth tier
The fourth tier was abundantly decorated with fruits of nature - apples, nuts, bunches of dried berries. Bubbles of various wines were hung on the branches. Wines were a very expensive drink, since the Druids themselves did not make wine, but bought it or exchanged it from other peoples. Thus, the druids brought gifts to their patron spirits.
Step 6
Fifth tier
On the fifth tier, there were numerous magical symbols of the Druids, usually carved from soft woods.
The most popular were:
Thumb (human) - it symbolized the gift of foresight, a butterfly - the heat of the sun, a Celtic hatchet (a miniature wooden copy of Celtic weapons) - a symbol of blessed rain, intricate rope knots - symbols of longevity, as well as an incredible number of amulets carved with famous Celtic ornaments for all occasions life.
Step 7
Sixth tier
The sixth, lowest, tier was decorated with zodiacal signs - symbols of the constellations, or dry twigs tied in bunches of plant symbols. If the celebration was in a narrow circle, then only those symbols were used that corresponded to the birthdays of those who were present in the house.
Step 8
Date of birth. Signs. Trees
03.15 - 03.24 King. Elder
03.25 - 04.04 Princess in chains. Pear
5.04 - 14.04 Queen. Elm
15.04 - 24.04 Triangle. Oak
04.25 - 04.05 The river of life. Linden
05.05 - 15.05 Sunny Hero. Fir
16.05 - 25.05 Hare. Beech
26.05 - 5.06 Hunter. Cherry
06.06 - 15.06 Charioteer. Mistletoe
16.06 - 25.06 Bear cub. Spruce
26.06 - 5.07 Big Dog. Fig
6.07 - 16.07 Ursa Major. Chestnut
17.07 - 26.07 Puppy. Nut
27.07 - 6.08 Hydra. Willow
7.08 - 17.08 Ship. Yew
18.08 - 27.08 Boiler. Rowan
28.08 - 6.09 Centaur. Quince
7.09 - 17.09 Raven. Juniper
18.09 - 27.09 Bootes. Elm
28.09 - 7.10 Earth Hero. Poplar
8.10 - 17.10 Crown of the Hyperboreans. Hazelnut
18.10 - 27.10 Snake. Birch
28.10 - 6.11 Dragon. Dogwood
7.11 - 16.11 Wolf. Alder
17.11 - 26.11 Serpent-Man. Pine
27.11 - 6.12 Altar. Boxwood
7.12 - 16.12 South Crown. Hawthorn
17.12 - 26.12 Lear. Hornbeam
27.12 - 5.01 Eagle. Ash
6.01 - 14.01 Arrow. Plum
15.01 - 24.01 Swan. Apple tree
01.25 - 3.02 Dolphin. Larch
4.02 - 13.02 Southern Fish. Maple
14.02 - 23.02 Foal. Cypress
24.02 - 4.03 Winged Horse. Medlar
5.03 - 14.03 Kit. Wild chestnut
The meanings of these symbols can be easily found in numerous publications on the Internet.
Step 9
Decorating a Christmas tree "in a Druidic way" is a fascinating and educational activity that will bring a lot of pleasure and unforgettable impressions from the New Year.
It is noteworthy that the druids tried to keep fresh needles in their homes all year round. This promoted good healthy sleep, quick recovery in case of illness and - an unconditional cure for headaches, which has been confirmed by modern medicine.
