The Ash Tree (Fraxinus) holds a special place in the magic and myth of Germany and the rest of Europe. In pagan nature lore, tree spirits are commonplace. They're known to inhabit a wide range of trees including beech, elm, hazel, fruit trees, oak and ash.
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Tribal Germanic people are animists. Spirits inhabit all living things: trees, plants, moss, even rocks, who live slowly. Tree spirits have properties of masculine, feminine, both or neither.
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They may have bird, insect or other hybrid animal qualities, or appear as a bird or animal itself. Their specific qualities pertain to the ecology of the tree. Some are benevolent to mortals, others less so.
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Tree spirits protect and nourish the trees they inhabit. If an inhabited tree is felled, the spirit must find another tree or perish.
Tree spirits are often beautiful, with ethereal qualities. Some like the oak are more rugged. They can be enchanting, wise, helpful or mischievous ... but there is nothing like the wicked ash tree woman.
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In German tree lore, the Eschenfrau is no weeping willow. She doesn't like human people and can summon diverse magical energies to torment them.
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She's abrasive, hostile and steals silver or personal items from those taking a rest in the shade. If a person harms her tree, even breaking a twig, she rises in righteous wrath to make the culprit physically sick.
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While some Germanic tree spirits have traits similar to dryads of Greek lore and Celtic nature spirits, the Ash Woman or Eschenfrau has her own nefarious nature. She can throw curses and also cast the evil eye on people passing by.
She might snatch a person's cap as if by an errant gust, or send red fire ants to inflict painful bites. She screams like the wind. There's no pacifying this woman. It's best to find a different tree. Elms are nice.
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Despite the vitriol of the Eschenfrau she loves her Ash Tree. She defends it with all her mischievous, deceitful, sickness-causing elemental magic. Ash makes the best spear hafts and bows, so people often try to cut down the trees.
She intuitively cares for the ash tree and tends it with healing and nurturing energy. She's like an overprotective mother. In her opinion the best defense is a good offense.
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The Ash tree is a nourishing place. Each tree cultivates its own ecosystem including birds, lichen, moss, fungus, micro-organisms, small mammals and insects. Birds and beneficial bugs come to prey on harmful invaders.
If ash leaves fall in the water, they're a favorite food of tadpoles. Vulnerable to the emerald ash borer beetle, the ash tree may also be home to tiny wasps who feed on the destructive pest.
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An ash tree can support a vast variety of birds such as wood ducks and sapsuckers as well as hibernating creatures like frogs, salamanders and beneficial insects. Fungi and earthworms break down soil and release nutrients into the ecological sphere of the tree.
In Nibelung, Book 2 of the Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction series, the elm tree spirit Ulme is a minor character. Her tree is destroyed in the war between Romans and Burgundians and she needs help to find a new home.
The word ash goes back to Old English æsc, which relates to the Proto-Indo-European for the tree, meaning spear. In folklore of Italy, a stake of ash wood is needed to kill a vampire.
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Ash is a strong, resilient hardwood good for tool handles, bows and baseball bats, resonant for use in drums and electric guitars. Due to flexibility ash was used in early motor vehicle frames.
The wood also curves well when soaked, making it a good choice for moldings and bannisters. Ash is used extensively in making stairs as the wood can take a lot of wear.
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In natural health and folk medicine, bark, seeds and leaves of the ash tree are used. Ash and ash poultice, tea or tonic is a folk remedy for fever, arthritis, swollen joints, irregularity, gout, fluid retention and bladder ailments.
Magic ascribed to the ash includes powers of healing and rejuvenation. It's thought an ash leaf in pocket can attract money. If your local ash is inhabited by Eschenfrau, picking an ash leaf is more likely to attract a need for medical attention.
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Common manifestations of the Eschenfrau's virulent displeasure include allergic reactions such as swollen itchy eyes, headache, sinus problems, sore or itchy throat.
An intense red rash could afflict the victim. Blurriness, dizziness and vertigo are also symptoms of the tree woman's malevolent powers. If her curse is not reversed, it can cause serious accidents.
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If a traveler is extra resistant to her magic or doesn't get the hint, she pulls out the heavy equipment. The offender might get sharp pains in the side, swollen feet, breathing problems or worsening nausea.
Alternately the Eschenfrau shows herself and demands payment to heal the sick person. Like most spirits she likes silver. She's also curious about what objects the traveler might have in pockets, bags or purse.
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Even if she stays unseen, one still feels the poke of her greedy fingers. She can throw curses and has evil eye powers. Her laugh is like the cry of an angry bird.
Fortunately not every Ash Tree has an Eschenfrau. If the tree is dead it has no spirit residing within. Thriving trees are different. Best to find out if the ash tree's inhabited before using it.
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One way is to leave a bit of silver by the tree roots or trunk. If it's gone the next day, the tree may be home to a wicked ash tree woman. Making friends with her is out of the question. She's likely to spit venom in your drinking flask.
To keep Eschenfrau placated, it's customary to spread wood ash on the roots of her tree. In modern times this is done on Ash Wednesday, a Christian observance.
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On that day adherents go forth in sack-cloth and ashes to show public penitence for sins. A priest puts a cross of ashes on the penitent's forehead, usually saying something like, "Remember you come from dust and to dust you will return."
In traditions of pagan nature worship, ashes spread on the roots of a tree represent vitality and rebirth from death. The ash tree itself is a sign of life and longevity. Symbolically the tree is reborn every year as its trademark black buds appear and the Sun warms the earth.
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Wood ash makes nutritious fertilizer for various trees. It's a good source of lime and potassium, especially beneficial to treating acidic soils, and gives the tree a stimulating boost in spring. Ash tree ashes can be used on ash trees.
Sharing this gift of health, life and joy with her treasured tree doesn't make Eschenfrau like people any better, but she may withhold her evil magic.
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