Rowan, or Mountain Ash, produces large clusters of small red berries, and for this reason, like many trees that produce similar fruit, has been associated with the food of the gods. The base of the berries also bear a small pentagram, a symbol of both life and protection. Both the bark and berries of tree have been put to a variety of medicinal uses, including fighting malaria.
Magically, both the European and American rowan is associated with the faerie folk, and play an important role in the Faerie Faith. M. Grieve also tells us that in the 18th century the American rowan was known as 'witchwood' and was a powerful charm for casting out witches.
We sell twigs of rowan for use in making protective charms useful against both negative magic and mischevious fey. To make such a charm, create an equal-armed cross about 4" square from several small pieces of the twig and bind it together using red string. Then hang it above the doorway or other entrance.
