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grew apples, nuts and acorns. As he shook the branch the different fruits and nuts landed in the four corners and in the center of Ireland, where they grew into five sacred trees. These trees became the great guardians of the land, which the Oak considered to be the most magical.

Since trees were well rooted into the unseen world of spirit, they were seen as doorways to the Otherworld. In fact, many scholars believe that the world Druid is derived from the word duir or door and the world wid which means to know.. Hence the world Druid means "Wise Ones of the Oakwoods."

Even after the Druids of old vanished into the mists of time, the tree lore still continues as a part of Celtic folklore and myth. There are dozens of Irish legends that revolve around trees. There are tales of those who feel asleep under a particular tree and awoke in the fairy realm. Thomas the Rhymer, for instance, a bard who lived in 13th century Scotland was sitting under a Eildon (Hawthorn) tree when he was spirited away by the Queen of Elfland. Hawthorn trees have long been believed to be sacred to the fairy folk.

Trees guarded sacred wells and provided healing, shelter and wisdom. Trees were the messengers to the Otherworld and conferred blessings. To this day, ribbons and pleas for love, healing and prosperity festoon the trees of the Irish countryside.

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