The Clearing
Description of The Clearing and Central Shrine
Nestled deep in a secluded part of the ancient Ellarwood forest lies a mystical grove, a place where nature’s energy converges in harmony. A place of ancient power and serenity, protected by a ring of twelve trees, each tied to a distinct magical essence.
The ground around the shrine is uneven, knotted with the intertwined roots. These converge beneath the shrine, forming an intricate network of connections that channels their combined energy into the sacred space, and the wider environment. The air around the shrine always feels charged, as if the power of the entire grove gathers there, waiting to be called upon. The air still, oxygen rich. Breath too deeply and one can almost feel giddy.
The Shrine
At the centre of this grove is a sacred shrine, a stone structure carved with intricate runes and covered with soft moss. On certain moonlight nights the runes appear almost to faintly glow or glimmer.
This shrine stands as a powerful symbol of the connection between the mortal world and the spirit realm, a place where the energies of nature, the elements, and the divine converge, making it a favoured place for rituals, meditation.
The Sentinel Trees
The central shrine is surrounded by the twelve trees, each contributing its unique power to create a place of profound magic. The energies of the twelve ancient trees, and others in the surrounding wood, create a powerful spiritual atmosphere where rituals are performed to bring balance to nature, seek guidance, and honour the cycle of life and death. The trees symbolize strength, wisdom, protection, transformation, and renewal, creating a harmonious cycle of life and magic within the grove. Here, the energies of each tree intermingle, amplifying their properties and forming a nexus of power where nature's cycles are celebrated.
Visitors to the grove come seeking wisdom from the Eldertree, emotional release beneath the branches of the Heartbloom Willow, and protection from the Flamebark Rowan. Each tree offers a distinct blessing: the purity of the Silverleaf Birch, the strength of the Stormroot Ash, and the abundance of the Goldenfruit Apple, The Dreamwhisper Elm bridges the gap between dreams and reality, whilst the Eldertree Oak is said to provides counsel to those in need of wisdom. Together, the twelve trees form a sacred circle, reinforcing the connection between the mortal and spirit realms.
Caretakers and Guardians
The Elven elders and wise ones of the forest tend to the shrine, performing rituals that draw upon the power of each tree, ensuring that the grove remains a place of sanctuary and magic. The synergy between the shrine and its guardians ensures that no dark force can enter this sacred space without first contending with the combined strength of these ancient sentinels.
Ancient law has it that in time past, those energies could be drawn on, focused and channelled, imbuing the target of the ritual with a range of long-lost powers and capabilities.
The Twelve Sentinel Trees:
The twelve trees, some towering and majestic, others gnarled and twisted with age, form a protective and mystical barrier around the central shrine. Each tree is unique, representing a different aspect of nature. The interconnected roots, almost enchanted, pulsing with mystical energies.
1. Eldertree of Wisdom (Oak)
The oak, known as the "King of the Forest," symbolizes strength, wisdom, and endurance. It stands at the northernmost point of the grove, representing protection and guidance. In many traditions, oak is sacred, often used in rituals for strength and blessings, as well as a focal point for gathering the wisdom of ancestors.
2. Heartbloom Willow
The willow represents healing, intuition, and the moon. Positioned to the southwest of the shrine, its branches sway gently, as if whispering secrets of the waters and the unseen world. In folklore, the willow’s ability to thrive near water represents adaptability, renewal, and the strength to release emotions.
3. Flamebark Rowan
The rowan stands to the northeast of the shrine and embodies protection, magic, and transformation. Known as a powerful ward against evil, rowan trees are said to guard the gateway between realms. Their red berries are seen as symbols of life and were often used to create protective charms.
4. Shadowpine (Yew)
The yew, located to the southwest of the shrine, symbolizes death, rebirth, and immortality. In folklore, yews have long been planted in graveyards, believed to guard the boundary between the living and the dead. Its dark, evergreen branches are said to protect and guide the spirits of those who have passed.
5. Silverleaf Birch
The birch stands to the east of the shrine and symbolizes new beginnings, purity, and renewal. Often called the "Lady of the Woods," birch marks the start of new cycles and is associated with blessings and fertility. Its silvery bark shines bright, even in the moonlight, signalling the promise of hope.
6. Stormroot Ash
The ash tree is found to the southeast of the shrine and represents strength, connection, and protection. In Norse mythology, the ash tree connects all realms, embodying the cosmic axis of existence. The ash’s presence in the grove offers resilience, and its branches are believed to protect the living from the malevolent forces of the otherworld.
7. Goldenfruit Apple
To the south of the shrine stands the apple tree, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and the connection to the fae realm. The apple is revered as a fruit of the otherworld, representing love and longevity. Its fruits are used in ceremonies to honour the divine, and its blossoms carry the essence of joy.
8. Dreamwhisper Elm
The elm stands to the southwest of the shrine and is associated with dreams, intuition, and the deep subconscious. Its towering trunk connects the physical to the spiritual, offering the power of dreams and visions. In folklore, the elm is seen as a protector of secrets, guiding those who seek deeper understanding.
9. Moonshade Elder
The elder tree, to the southeast of the shrine, is a powerful symbol of protection, magic, and the threshold between worlds. In tradition, the elder’s blossoms and berries are used for both healing and magical workings. The elder serves as a connection to ancestral energies, offering blessings and guarding the living.
10. Hawthorne the Guardian
The hawthorn stands to the west of the shrine, symbolizing balance, protection, and fairy magic. Known as the "fairy tree," it is believed that hawthorn serves as a gateway to the fae. Its flowers bloom as a symbol of hope, love, and the joy of spring, while also offering powerful protective energy.
11. Mystic Hazel
The hazel is found to the northwest of the shrine and is associated with wisdom, inspiration, and divination. In Celtic lore, the hazel tree is revered for its nuts, which contain knowledge and insight. It is said that hazel branches are used to find hidden truths and to inspire poets and seers.
12. Blackthorn of the Veil
The blackthorn tree stands at the northeast edge of the grove, embodying protection, transformation, and overcoming adversity. Known for its sharp thorns, blackthorn is a symbol of strength through hardship. In folklore, it is used in warding spells and represents the darker aspects of life, reminding those who enter the grove of the balance between light and dark.
Rules for Taking Wood from the Grove
The grove is a sacred place, and the trees that surround the shrine are guardians of powerful ancient energies. To take wood from this grove is not an act undertaken lightly; it requires respect, reverence, and adherence to the old laws. Here are the rules that must be followed:
- Permission from the Sentinel Spirit:
- Anyone wishing to take wood from the grove must first seek permission from the Sentinel Spirit of the grove. This is done by making an offering at the central shrine—often a gift of honey, flowers, or a personal item of significance.
- The offering should be placed at dawn or dusk, and the seeker must wait for a sign of approval, such as a rustle of the branches without wind, a bird landing at their feet, or the sudden blooming of a flower.
- Only Fallen Wood:
- No living branches may be cut from any of the sacred trees. Wood can only be taken if it has fallen naturally. This ensures that the natural cycle of growth and decay is respected, and that the guardian trees do not suffer harm.
- One Branch per Visit:
- A visitor may take only one branch or piece of wood per visit, regardless of the tree. This rule prevents excessive harvesting and ensures that the grove remains abundant and protected.
- The visitor must offer thanks before and after taking the wood, acknowledging the tree's sacrifice and promising to use the wood for a worthy and positive purpose.
- Purpose of the Wood:
- The wood taken from the grove must be used for sacred or meaningful purposes—such as the crafting of a staff, a wand, protective charms, or ritual tools. It cannot be used for mundane tasks like firewood or for profit, as this would dishonour the sacred nature of the grove.
- The intent must be aligned with the qualities of the tree. For example:
- Rowan wood may be used for protection charms.
- Willow wood may be used for healing tools.
- Elder wood may be used for divination purposes.
- The wood can only be used for crafting weapons, for example the yew for bows, if those weapons are for the exclusive use of the guardians and their entrusted wider community for us in their own defence and that of the grove. The wood makes fine weapons, but in the wrong hands is said to splinter, crack and fail.
- Ritual of Acknowledgment:
- Before leaving the grove, the visitor must perform a ritual of acknowledgment at the shrine, expressing gratitude for the grove's generosity and reaffirming a commitment to protect the natural world.
- The ritual should also include a promise to plant or care for a tree elsewhere, ensuring that the balance is maintained, and that new life is encouraged to replace what was taken.
- Respect for the Grove:
- The grove must be treated with the utmost respect and care. The visitor must tread lightly, ensuring that no other plants are damaged, and that the wildlife is undisturbed.
- Any broken branches or fallen leaves should be left as they are, unless they are the specific piece of wood being taken. This helps to maintain the natural order and harmony of the grove.
- Sentinel Spirit’s Vigilance:
- It is said that the grove is watched over by a Sentinel Spirit, often taking the form of an animal, such as a deer, an owl, or even a fox. Should a visitor fail to follow the rules, the guardian will mark them—causing misfortune or, in some cases, a mystical marking that identifies them as an oath-breaker.
- Only by making amends—through a significant act of service to the forest or by bringing a worthy offering—can the individual regain the grove’s favour.
- Protection of the Trees:
- If anyone attempts to harm the grove or take wood without following these sacred rules, the trees themselves will respond. Branches may twist away, roots may rise to trip the offender, or the air will grow thick with an overwhelming sense of dread and fear. These defences are meant to protect the grove from those who lack respect for its sacred nature.
- Harvesting the Grove:
- This is solely permitted to The Guardians of the Grove, who may take more than one item, for example, taking small twigs and fallen wood to craft small items.
- They are the only ones that can harvest the fruits and seeds of the Sentinel trees. Or harvest the fungi and mushrooms, mosses and other plants and herbs that grow in the grove.
- Cuttings can be taken from the trees in the following circumstances.
- Where a branch has been damaged but not otherwise separated from the tree.
- Where a branch has been trained and cultivated for a specific purpose after first following the appropriate rituals to begin and conclude the process.
- Leaves and small clipping in special circumstances, such as for medicines and poultices.
By following these rules, visitors demonstrate their reverence for the grove and its guardian trees, maintaining the balance of nature and ensuring that the sacred space remains a haven of powerful, ancient magic.
Table of Trees
| 1 | Eldertree of Wisdom (Oak)
The oak, known as the "King of the Forest," symbolizes strength, wisdom, and endurance. It stands at the northernmost point of the grove, representing protection and guidance. In many traditions, oak is sacred, often used in rituals for strength and blessings, as well as a focal point for gathering the wisdom of ancestors. |
| 2 | Heartbloom Willow
The willow represents healing, intuition, and the moon. Positioned to the southwest of the shrine, its branches sway gently, as if whispering secrets of the waters and the unseen world. In folklore, the willow’s ability to thrive near water represents adaptability, renewal, and the strength to release emotions. |
| 3 | Flamebark Rowan
The rowan stands to the northeast of the shrine and embodies protection, magic, and transformation. Known as a powerful ward against evil, rowan trees are said to guard the gateway between realms. Their red berries are seen as symbols of life and were often used to create protective charms. |
| 4 | Shadowpine (Yew)
The yew, located to the southwest of the shrine, symbolizes death, rebirth, and immortality. In folklore, yews have long been planted in graveyards, believed to guard the boundary between the living and the dead. Its dark, evergreen branches are said to protect and guide the spirits of those who have passed. |
| 5 | Silverleaf Birch
The birch stands to the east of the shrine and symbolizes new beginnings, purity, and renewal. Often called the "Lady of the Woods," birch marks the start of new cycles and is associated with blessings and fertility. Its silvery bark shines bright, even in the moonlight, signalling the promise of hope. |
| 6 | Stormroot Ash
The ash tree is found to the southeast of the shrine and represents strength, connection, and protection. In Norse mythology, the ash tree connects all realms, embodying the cosmic axis of existence. The ash’s presence in the grove offers resilience, and its branches are believed to protect the living from the malevolent forces of the otherworld. |
| 7 | Goldenfruit Apple
To the south of the shrine stands the apple tree, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and the connection to the fae realm. The apple is revered as a fruit of the otherworld, representing love and longevity. Its fruits are used in ceremonies to honour the divine, and its blossoms carry the essence of joy. |
| 8 | Dreamwhisper Elm
The elm stands to the southwest of the shrine and is associated with dreams, intuition, and the deep subconscious. Its towering trunk connects the physical to the spiritual, offering the power of dreams and visions. In folklore, the elm is seen as a protector of secrets, guiding those who seek deeper understanding. |
| 9 | Moonshade Elder
The elder tree, to the southeast of the shrine, is a powerful symbol of protection, magic, and the threshold between worlds. In tradition, the elder’s blossoms and berries are used for both healing and magical workings. The elder serves as a connection to ancestral energies, offering blessings and guarding the living. |
| 10 | Hawthorne the Guardian
The hawthorn stands to the west of the shrine, symbolizing balance, protection, and fairy magic. Known as the "fairy tree," it is believed that hawthorn serves as a gateway to the fae. Its flowers bloom as a symbol of hope, love, and the joy of spring, while also offering powerful protective energy. |
| 11 | Mystic Hazel
The hazel is found to the northwest of the shrine and is associated with wisdom, inspiration, and divination. In Celtic lore, the hazel tree is revered for its nuts, which contain knowledge and insight. It is said that hazel branches are used to find hidden truths and to inspire poets and seers. |
| 12 | Blackthorn of the Veil
The blackthorn tree stands at the northeast edge of the grove, embodying protection, transformation, and overcoming adversity. Known for its sharp thorns, blackthorn is a symbol of strength through hardship. In folklore, it is used in warding spells and represents the darker aspects of life, reminding those who enter the grove of the balance between light and dark. |
