The yew (Taxus baccata) has traditionally been regarded as the tree of eternal life. A yew can grow very old. The one at Crowhurst in Surrey is said to be 4,000 years old. Old impressive yew trees can sometimes still be found in estates or parks. In the Netherlands, only Winterswijk has a few natural habitats of some size. The yew is also used for hedges and is often planted in cemeteries as a tree of death and rebirth. This tree species has a pedigree dating back at least two hundred million years, because it has continually managed to adapt to changing circumstances. The yew is green all year round, the entire tree is poisonous. The yew appears frequently in myths, including as a tree of life. To the Druids, the yew was considered a sacred tree, which was included in the Ogham alphabet. One of the runes, the sign system of the Vikings, among others, is dedicated to the yew. In all these cases the yew is the tree of death and resurrection.
- The regenerative capacity of the yew
- The yew in sacred places
- The yew as a tree of life
- The yew in Scandinavian mythology
- The arch of yew wood
- Sober and focused in strength
- The symbolism of the yew in the Ogham: Ioho
- The symbolism of the yew as a rune: Eihwaz
- The yew as a lunar tree
- Sitting under a yew
The regenerative capacity of the yew
The yew germinates and grows slowly, but it has an enormous regenerative capacity. Sometimes it does not grow for years and does not form new annual rings and then suddenly it starts to sprout again with all its strength. The wood is very hard and strong. It is one of the few conifers that has male and female trees. The female trees with the red berries were dedicated to the Goddess.
The yew in sacred places
Places where yews grew were considered sacred places. Yews were also often planted in sacred places by the Druids. These were places where multiple energy lines crossed. These places were suitable for rituals and contact with the higher and other dimensions. Later, as Christianity expanded, churches were often built on these sacred sites. Later the graves came here, the yew was already there. This is how the yew got the name of death tree.
The yew as a tree of life
Many trees have been referred to as trees of life. In our northern countries it is the ash, in more southern countries, the olive or the cedar, but also the yew with its long lifespan and evergreen needles was considered the tree of life. The tree of life acts as the connecting link between heaven and earth, it is the axis around which all life revolves and comes into being. The vital fluids flow from top to bottom and bottom to top. Everything around the tree is brought to life. Life renews itself.
The yew in Scandinavian mythology
The yew was considered a tree of life and associated with the tree of life Yggdrasil. The Scandinavian deity Ull or Ullr was feared for his yew bow. According to the Edda, Ull resided in the yew valley. Ull was often depicted as a winter god who walked through the mountains on skis. Presumably Ull was considered one of the Delusions, just like Frya for example. They were fertility gods who were worshiped long before the Aesir, such as Odin. Ullr meant the beautiful one, which made him a sky god. He was probably the predecessor from whom Wodan and Odin later emerged. Ullr also symbolized dying nature, which has given its gifts and is now entering a period of rest. At midwinter, the time when the evergreen yew makes an extra impression, Ullr, the fertility god with his yew bow, is worshipped.
The arch of yew wood
In addition to being strong, yew wood is also flexible and as such very suitable for making longbows. The Greek word yew means: arch. The image of the bow can be associated with: tenacity and purposefulness, fearlessly reaching one’s goal.
Sober and focused in strength
The impressive venerable dark green yew creates a serious atmosphere around it. Anyone who walks under a yew becomes a bit quieter and gradually feels more sober, more sober but not necessarily more somber. The effect of the yew is such that whoever needs strength will certainly find it. Anyone who wants to achieve his goal can call on the help of the yew. You are less susceptible to distraction and your attention becomes better directed and focused. Stamina and physical and mental strength strengthen. If you have to let go of certain things to achieve your goal, the yew will help you make this sacrifice.
The symbolism of the yew in the Ogham: Ioho
(Everything said here about the yew applies to both ogham and rune.) In the Druid alphabet, the ogham (pronounced owam), the yew brings you into contact with your past, you understand what is and what will be. Your strength is renewed, your endurance is great and your goal is achieved. Your contact with the spiritual world is always subtly present, you realize this in peace. Rebirth. Everlasting. The yew can indicate loss, the end of a situation, but gives hope for a new beginning. Transformation.
The symbolism of the yew as a rune: Eihwaz
(Here too, the classification into ogham or rune actually makes no difference, it is and remains the yew that gives these signs their strength and character.) In the rune system, the yew is referred to as a tree of life, in connection with the tree of life Yggdrasil. The resinous wood burns well and this way the inner fire can be kept burning. You pursue your ideals and are goal-oriented. Achieving your goal at the cost of a sacrifice. A trial. If you feel backed into a corner, know that you have enough strength to counter the opposing forces. Don’t let yourself get discouraged. Taking the time to achieve your goal. Resilience. The search for the truth. Take some rest to help you make the right decision.
The yew as a lunar tree
Maja Kooistra, who has written two beautiful books about trees and has a website with images of very old trees, divides the trees into solar and lunar trees. With a solar tree the most dominant energy goes from top to bottom and with a lunar or moon tree the most dominant energy goes from bottom to top, i.e. away from the earth. The yew is a lunar tree. In her book: “The Power of Trees”, Maja describes her experience with the yew, which she believes has the strongest energy flow.
Sitting under a yew
To experience the power of a tree you have to relax for a while, become quiet. Then you can experience under the yew how, according to Maja, a healing current flows up through you: “Blockages vibrate loose and you start to flow. It calms you down and gives you a clear head with which you can oversee or understand everything.”
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