The Celtic month Alder celebrates rebirth, resurrection, and sunrise as it heralds spring with new leaves. The alder symbolizes rebirth possibly because alder buds grow in a spiral pattern.

In Gaelic, the month of Alder is referred to as Fearn (pronounced fa-rin), and it is the 5th month in the Ogham calendar. 

In Celtic legend, the alder is most closely associated with the deity Bran, a Welsh king of Britain. He carried its twigs into battle. Because of this, the alder has been a sign of protection for the Celts. Not only did it symbolize a warrior’s strength, the alder was also a symbol of wonder and mystery. After all, alder is the tree that fairies love. 

There is a riddle about Bran’s famed connection to this beautiful tree:

Talisan the Poet: Why is the alder tree purple?

Gwydion the hero: Because Bran wore purple.

Also known as Bran the Blessed, the name “Brân” is Welsh for raven. 

Irish creation myths tell of how the first man was made from alder. This association has lasted, and even today the alder is associated with masculine energy.

People believe that the alder tree is actually bleeding when cut because its wood would change from a pale white to dark orange. 

Alder Associations

Planets – Mars

Element – Fire, Water

Stone – Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli

Birds – Hawk, Raven, Seagull

Animals – Snake, Fox

Color – Purple

Gemstone – Yellow Chrysolite

Deities – Apollo, Bran, Branwyn, Wotan, King Arthur, Ares, Pan

Sabbat – Ostara

ALDER MAGIC

Alder magic restores balance and inspires harmony, clarity, and confidence. Calling on the spirits of the tree can restore your inner strength.

Druids use alder cuttings to invoke air elementals. Specifically, they hollow out the tree’s green shoots to make whistles.  Thus, the alder balanced Bran’s power with the fairies’ magic. This balance gives protective powers.

The timing of its month just before the spring equinox reminds us that we all need protection and balance in our own lives to face the trials ahead.

FAIRY MAGIC

The strongest magic comes from the alder’s associations with fairies. Alder flowers and twigs are invaluable when communicating with a fairy, and alder fairies are certainly interesting creatures: they’re

protective and cooperative. You need to approach fairies with alder twigs.

Alder fairies are also water spirits. Of course, this makes sense. The Alder trees are usually growing besides rivers or lakes.

Alders symbolize balance most of all, and there’s no better balance than continuing the cycle of rebirth. 

If you find a spring running by an alder’s roots, ask a permission to drink. The fairies might grant you a gift of a foresight, and clarity when making decisions. Alder water can stabilize and reinvigorate you.

Alder fairies travel in the form of ravens. Make sure to pay the birds extra respects if you’re planning to do alder magic.