Coll The Hazel

poem dedicated to when I first explored Nature Folklore

For my first Substack post it seems appropriate to open with how I entered into ‘Nature Folklore’ 65 years ago.

This poem is from memory of an uncle of mine, Uncle Cecil, who used to join me on bicycle rides, when I was a young lad,

As a young child I was much more interested in Ordnance Survey maps than books, even though I was already a fluid reader by the time I was 5 years old.

On Sundays, we visited ancient sites such as ancient cairns, stone circles, and holy wells that I had plotted on OS maps.

At holy wells, in particular, my uncle would pick up a willow or hazel stick and create a divining dowsing rod, and would use it to discover water flow and other things at these sites.

In mythology the Hazel is symbolic of wisdom and nourishment. Within some controversial pseudo mythology writings Hazel is also linked with the metal mercury, also known as quicksilver, which is sometimes linked to the astrology sign Virgo.

This happens to be what my sun birth sign is. I make subtle references to this in this poem too.

So here is the ‘Coll The Hazel’ poem that is dedicated to my childhood folklore discovery times with Uncle Cecil, how it affected me and certainly very related to my beliefs and ‘Nature Folklore’ of the seasons passions I carry today :-)

Now, the poem …

In a wise diviner's hand,
The forked hazel stretched apart,
Feeling, sensing what's beneath our vibrant land.
Sensing living waters carving an alignment chart
Of its flow from the divine earthly heart

Hazel-wand tracing the thread of the veil,
Guiding, the diviner's trust as it casts its spell.
We pass slowly, silently though this dara vale,
Trusting, anticipating, this old ways miracle,
Finding that point where the living waters becomes a well.

Hazel is of a mercurial spirit,
A wise sprite, bringer of insight. 
Flashes of inspiration, invites us to discover many things.
 
Entering into the dreaming within the forest
A hazel tree sang to me.
Touched me with its fragrant fingers,
Stroking my dream, calming my dream
Closing the wounds of blood that had clouded my dream.
 
Breathing air, touched by the hazel, 
Charged with quicksilver energy, 
Charging me with exhilaration and inspiration.

Hazel charged my spirit to pulsate,
A catalyst, a transformer, a bard to relate
Ways to crack any situation: 
Like cracking a hazel nut shell 
To feed from its nourishment inside.  

Pure nourishment,
Pure goodness,
Pure knowledge,
In a nutshell,
All of the ways of wisdom, we can pass on.

I was now the diviner, I had discovered my source,
Of language, poetry, and music, of course

Mystics say anyone born under the sign of the hazel 
Must never ever hoard their treasure.
Its nuts, the fruits of knowledge, 
Must be shared for learning, and for pleasure. 

Play with the thoughts and dreams of others
From social causes, to capricious lovers,
But be careful! Word wizardry can cut.
Remember your wisdom is inspired by a nut.