A Treatise Regarding
The Seven Sacred Trees of Albion

by Lady Amadea Shirrell, Ghille Dhu of the District of Greens, Borough of Graves, City of the Tower

At the mystical Heart of Albion stand seven Trees, which are the Sacred Guardians of Albion itself. Their lesser Cousins are many, being Trees such as the Ash, the Hawthorn, the Rowan, or the Yew, and each of these serveth a noble Purpose, but they are Secondary to the Seven of Albion. Herewith shall I list, for the Edification of the Kithain, the Seven and their Properties in the Dreaming.

Holly

The Holly is the most Ancient and Venerable of trees. The Holly King ruleth the dark days of Winter, for his green Leaves are a sign of Life, and his Red Berries promise the Rebirth that Spring will bring. Thus the Holly is a token one form of Immortality, being that which the Changeling Way giveth to us; it is the Immortality of Death and Rebirth.

Oak

The Oak is the King of the bright days of Summer, the Royal Tree of Sovereignty. His tall Crown attracteth the Power of Lightning, against which he standeth Strong. The Oak is the Tree of Kingship, and thrones are made from his Wood.

Alder

Most Warlike of the Trees, Alder standeth in the front line of Battle. Tree of Ravens, his Hidden Fire resisteth Water, so that houses on a Lake-Shore may be built upon his Bones, and Ships be crafted of his Arms; his Fire doth free the Earth from Water. He bleedeth as does a Man, when his flesh is cut, and so he is the Pre-Eminent Tree of War.

Birch

Youngest of the Trees, the Birch, Lady of the Woods, keepeth her Youthful Grace eternally. Her branches Dancing speak of Innocence, Beauty, and Hope; she is a healer and restorer of Health.

Hazel

When the nuts of this Tree drop into Water, then he who Drinketh of it gaineth Enlightenment and Wisdom. Thus is the Hazel honored as the tree of Poets, who keep the Knowledge of their People. The Hazel doth remind us, however, that Wisdom, in the hands of the Adept, may be used both as a Shield and as a Weapon.

Willow

This elegant Lady is the Queen of the Waters and a sacred tree to Poets. Her power is that of the Moon, governing Madness and the Heart. She giveth Inspiration and Dreams to those whom she Favors.

Apple

Third and Chiefest of the Lady Trees is the Apple, Queen of Immortal Beauty. Where her brother tree the Holly granteth an Immortality which Dies and is Reborn, the Apple granteth an Eternity that never Fades, which is the Eternity of the Dreaming itself.

Addendum to
A Treatise Regarding
The Seven Sacred Trees of Albion,
being a Discourse on
the Alchemical Properties of the Trees

by Horatia Agnetha Opaline, Boggan Alchemist of the District of Mysteries, Borough of Angels, City of the Tower

The alchemical Process beginneth with the State of Blackness, the dark, corrupted stage in which matter is at its most Impure. This is the Alchemical Metal of Lead, which lieth the Furthest from the Purity of Gold. It is the metal of the Holly, first and Eldest of the Trees. From this Blackness the Substance will lighten and pass through many Colors on its Journey. In Lead's wake cometh Tin, the Metal of the Oak, which in alloy with Copper formeth Bronze, the metal of the earliest Weapons. It is a close Brother to Iron, which maketh Men to Bleed; therefore Iron is the metal of Alder, that most Warlike of trees. The advent of Copper in the alchemical Process is an Omen of Progress, as Copper, Birch's metal, is of all things most like unto Gold, but it lacketh the incorruptible Purity of its sister. The color of Copper soon Fadeth into the lightness of Quicksilver, the metal of Hazel, that most Fleeting of substances. When its fluidity be Fixed, Quicksilver becometh Silver, which is the Metal of Willow. This is the state of Whiteness in the alchemical Process, as the Substance is washed Clean. Purification is not far off. The final state is one of Redness, which leadeth to the immortal Purity of Gold. As Holly and Apple rule the Trees in opposition, so too do Lead and Gold.