Rowan: Mythology, Magic, and Folklore of the Witch Tree (Luis) 

Happy Lughnasadh folks - it’s ROWAN time! Let me know what tree you lot want next To support me as a folklorist, Mythologist and Storyteller, you can also find me on Patreon: patreon.com/TheStoryCrow?

Here in the Highlands, folk used to protect their homes by having a pair of rowans planted, one on each side of the door to bar entry (through the doorway). You can still sometimes find surviving rowans at the doors of deserted and ruined houses in abandoned fields and steadings.

I had a large rowan tree overlooking the conifer hedge beyond my rented home. Found a little sapling growing on my side so I took it and potted it. I was moving out in a few months and liked having a souvenir. For the first month or two it died off to a twig but then developed a little crown of new growth. I've now moved and treasure the 18" rowan and am pondering a permanent position to plant it in the back garden. There's a road nearby called Rowan Way and a large 35' rowan tree which in August was a spectacular tower of red berries, on a grassy area there.

Don't worry, I'm sure the witches in your area hold you in high esteem. This witch certainly does. I was drawn to rowan in an interesting way. I bought a rowan cross (from England of course!) to hang on my door for protection. One night, a fire started in the apartment next to mine and I had to leave with what I could grab (my cat). After the firefighters left, I went back to my apartment expecting to find a pile of ashes. Other than some water pooling on the floor, my possessions were intact. I went to my door and there was the rowan cross covered with soot. I still have it. Now, whoever reads this can draw their own conclusion or call it a coincidence, but in my experience the coincidences keep stacking up. My only regret is that I can't grow a rowan tree in California so I have to settle for the charms. Great video, keep 'em coming.

Love it, thank you so much! I've always felt a connection to the rowan tree. As a kid I learned a Manx lullaby about birds and rowan trees, and somehow that song never left me. I ended up singing it in the wee hours of many nights when my own kids were babies.

Hello. Just discovered you! LOVE LOVE LOVE your channel. I'm a 65 year old woman living in Washington state USA. I was lucky enough to be able to visit your wonderful Island twice and it was such a home coming for me, spiritually. I visited Stonehenge, climbed Glastonbury tor, hugged every big oak I saw LOL and also drove up to Wales to see the place where Patrick McGoohan's The Prisoner was filmed! My four grandparent names are Jessup, Jenkins, Clark and Foster, so you can see I am UK genetics. I think this is why the countryside spoke to me. I did not want to spend anytime in the city LOL, I just spent time out in the countryside. Anyway, thank you for keeping our ancient ways alive in such a fantastic way. You are a treasure!

I have always known that there was some mystic linked to the Rowan tree, without looking into it's history. That is why I watched this video. Having watched it I am fascinated by it's story. I must say the the enthusiasm and explanations offered by the presenter have made me realise how interesting mythology is and the importance of the subject. Well done and thank you.

I had zero knowledge of the meaning of Rowan or anything about the tree. I had a celestial trip where I saw this red tree, still no clue what it was. Then many years later I was blessed to find out I was having a baby girl. I knew she would be strong like a tree. Then two weeks into the pregnancy I decided her name would be Rowen. I have had some sort of protector keeping me safe through quite a wild life. Almost taking off this plane several times. Then Rowen was born, she has a red birthmark on her head that looks like the leaf. I can’t help but think I was kept safe all these years so she could come into this plane. Truly has me bewildered of how her name came to me, did I mention how big and strong she is.

Very interesting, I live in the south west of Ireland and directly behind my very old stone cottage there is a fairy fort and standing stones, and its surrounded by Rowan trees. My first granddaughter is called Rowan ..

Brilliant! Thankyou so much for bringing a bit of realism to you tube these days, keep them Coming.

Settled down to watch one of your videos whilst threading my rowan berries for the coming year and this was perfect!!

The Rowan , great info Story Crow. I have a Rowan that dominates my small front garden. All the properties on the row of semi detached new builds had one. Ours is the last survivor. At 25 yrs old it is a quite a size over 35 ft. tall with quite a girth. It was tipped out a couple of times in its youth to promote spreading so it would have been a lot taller if left to its own devices. Not a week goes by without some tree surgeon or landscape gardener sticking a leaflet through the door asking if we want it felled. That aint going to happen. We will do a bit of judicious pruning this Winter to give ourselves and next door a bit more light. Our neighbour even loves the tree and asked us to leave the branches in place that are inches away from her bedroom windows. Why do we love it, for the birds. My favorite time Rowan tree watching is late Autumn early Winter when a pair of Mistle Thrushes claim ownership of my tree and berries. Woe betide any Blackbird Robin or Greenfinch that lands in the tree they will be bullied off straight away. If a single Magpie lands it is like MMA and feathers will fly. If a group of Maggie's land the Mizzies sit off and complain till they leave. On returning the Thrushes carefully inspect the tree and count how many their berries have been stolen. Pure soap opera and only inches away from my bedroom window. Every Season the cast of players using the tree changes and there is always something to find pleasure in when observing.

Always a pleasure to see one of yours uploaded ✨

That was "berry" interesting! 😂 I only have a courtyard, can't live without my Rowan. So, bought a 1x1m tub! It's doing really well!

You are a very good story teller. Happy i found you.

Well done for sharing.

I only came across your channel recently, and as a UK pagan who's lived in Italy for 20+ years, in the land of catholics (although they are pretty pagan in terms of seasonal festivals...if only they knew), I am loving hearing your bardic approach to folklore and sacred trees. I recently visited friends in the UK and was able to persuade them to go to Glastonbury, and after spending time at the Chalice well, I feel more reconnected to the land, and the energy of Britain. My non pagan Irish husband also listens along... although of course he has differing opinions on a lot of pronunciations!

A superb video. Thank you.

Planning to plant at least one rowan tree on my property. There was a rowan tree on the school grounds where I work. I regularly visited it all year and watched such a variety of different birds enjoy it throuout the year. I came to work one day a few months back and it had been removed. I was so upset. The birds loved that tree. I will plant one for them to visit. Love your channel and I'm spreading the word about you in some facebook channels I visit. Keep up the good work!

just dressed a willow this evening...Happy Lammas eve everyone..Hxx

Love your folktales, outdoor settings and nice dog. Binge watching all dayI don't have Rowan trees in Kansas, but I love learning about ancestral lands and lore.

Respect the Rowan 🌳

We have the Lammas fair every 2nd weekend of August up in St Andrews in fife, Scotland. Harvest time, i see the connection.

Mother's side of the family is surname Rowan. Always found this very interesting as soon as I discovered the very rich mythological mysteries behind the Rowan tree. Still wonder about that pentagram on the berry - Venus comes to mind for some reason. Put one in my front yard. Was the only one I could find in a nursery around here and it was oldish, maybe 2 metres high and rootbound when I got it. Has been stunted in its growth which I have put down to being rootbound when I got it. Grown about a metre at least in 6 years but not filled out yet. Maybe it does not like the more Mediterranean climate of NW Tasmania. Long, dry summer days most likely. Surface alluvial soil before clay loam at about a 1/2 metre deep may have something to do with it. But very highly reliable in going through its yearly cycle and lovely to observe that unfold. Foliage comes out later than pretty much everything else and then the last of deciduous trees to lose its leaves. Makes me feel connected with ancestors particularly with its flowering and berry development. Gives that protective, looked after feel from the encroaching domestication. I like it, and remain confident it will mature well but slowly. Says to the outside world magic lies within - keep your distance - enter at own risk and value nature ☺ Thanks very much for the always excellent and enjoyable mythological overview 🕯

Your story telling is next level 😂 and the laugh gets me everytime ❤🇮🇪

I walked by one of these trees a couple days ago and stopped because I was strangely captivated by the aura of it. I put my hand on the tree and it almost felt like I could hear the tree. I thought hmm it seems like there is something to this tree. Now two days latter this random video pops up. Interesting.

Very informative .. Interesting… Love nature

Brilliant story telling ,very entertaining and informative.thanks x❤

Just discovered your channel as a keen outdoors person ,I think the knowledge we have is little in comparison on what our Ancestors knew about trees ,tracks and healing .I saw this video about the Rowan tree because me being Scottish Robert Burns write a very good poem about it (in old Scots language) wasn't sure if you heard about this ,Burns often wrote poems that involved traditional ways of the land and people who worked on the land ,before becoming a poet he was. A farmer so he would have knew exactly what you spoke about in this video 100% it is usually sang or played at traditional Scottish music fairs .Thank you for your knowledge on this .

We have many Rowans around our garden here in North Wales, our cottage is at the base of a small mountain/hill - very rocky covered in heather & bracken some of the trees have red berries and a couple have yellow berries, the Blackbirds love the berries and strip the trees bare, love hearing your stories.

Thanks for that! We grow rowans around our land for protection from evil spells. We are Christian but still enjoy all the pre-Christian traditions here in Perthshire.

*Story Crow* I'm sold, i'm subscribing your channel!

Fascinating and what a wonderful story teller you are! Thankyou

Thank you for the wonderful stories and a very happy Lughnasadh my friend

Thank you once again all the way from bonnie Scotland. I love listening to your brilliant videos x

Thank you for this. It's continuity from ancient times that keeps me hopeful.

Wow I’ve been waiting for this tree! This is my Celtic tree according to its mythology. Thank you so much for your wisdom and insight my friend! Blessed Be! 🤍🤍🤍✨✨🌳✨

Fantastic. Very interesting. I love Rowan trees. They are abundant in Scotland.

For the algorithm I'll blather on about my thoughts on how I named my children without directly naming them all. Loved the tree and the lore so much, named the first born after it. That and the best Actor and Comedian in the World in my humble opinion, but mainly the first reason. I wanted a strong name for my first child that could be easily shifted to suit any personality, since a child of any sort could grow up and be or do anything. So the names of all of my children are very changeable and could be strong or soft or have nick names that go either way depending on their stages of life. Because magically and psychologically names have meaning. I wanted to consider carefully but not pigeonhole them into roles or even strict genders per se. They're going to have red hair, it's unavoidable. But with each child the goal was a well considered name that gave them a sense of place in family, but not a sense of entrapment. Anyone else like this?

You have Great knowledge. I enjoyed watching this,

Really appreciate that you tell us when a story does, and doesn't, have identified sources.

Another great video 🌿

as soon as you started telling the norse connections, straight to mind came Loki. When you mentioned about it maybe being a Thor's tree or Thor's wife's... I felt a gentle giggle from Loki. And at the end, when you shared your thoughts association it's like I heard him say "of course it's my tree, but I'm not at it for the recognition". Thought you'd appreciate this. Thanks for the video

Very interesting, have always loved rowan trees , just subscribed thankyou

So happy to have stumbled upon your channel. Very interesting and entertaining. Thank you 🙏🏽

Brilliantly told! What a wonderful video. When I moved into my home, there was a wonderful Rowan tree in the middle of our garden! I took it as an omen that it was the right place for us! Sadly it blew down in Storm Desmond. Got one in the hedge at the bottom of the garden. Thankfully never had any issues with witches

Thank you for a fantastic presentation! My first time seeing a video from you, but not the last. I ll be switching from blackberries picking to rowanberries for the next jam batch! So enjoyed your winding between different myths and texts. Been doing this for decades now but wouldn't be able to bring it into such an informative and interesting documentary😊🎉

Great 😊 informative interesting 🧐 conversation and very helpful - thank you 🙏 ❤🎉

love these vids man :)

I've always been drawn to the Rowan but have no idea why. Love this video

"As red as rowans are" comes to mind. Thanks for the video, i really enjoy all the connections, association and full explanations provided. Im in Australia and i previously found a tree that fits this description, so looking forward to visiting it again now.

Absolutely loved your video❤

We have a Sorbus in the highlands of WV (and nearby states as far as NC) and when they are fruiting they are incredibly beautiful.

Thank you so much!!! This is amazing that I came across you. I've been walking past the rowan tree and always bless it. I've had my fair share of nasty energy thrown my way so this is so great to know ❤

I love your tree profiles. Please keep them coming! I wonder if there is any European folklore about maple trees? Norway maples perhaps? Thank you for all the hard work of researching and writing these fascinating posts. Happy Lughnasadh!!

Really interesting & the connections 🤟defo a new sub here !

I have two Rowan trees in my garden plus a crab apple and a Hawthorne. I am growing a golden delicious apple tree and a Chinese maple.

I came across a bunch of these today, and now your video came up on my feed, crazy...

I recently discovered your channel and I'm enjoying your content so much! I really hope you cover the Willow soon ✨

I have always wanted a Rowan for some reason.. Thank you for the fascinating info. Subscribed.

I love being told about trees by the drifter from waterworld. he was my favourite character.

A delightful presentation Sire! 🫡

Awesome! You are very knowledgeable and have a great way of telling and explaining everything, thank you!

Fab. Thank you. Hawthorn would be a great tree to discuss. X

Really interesting thank you❤

I found your channel a while back and have watched most of your videos. Thanks for the great content!

The berries are a traditional flavouring for ale. I've made ale with it a fair few times - it produces an ale with a delicious, refreshing and dry flavour.

I just came across your profile. I'm Norwegian, and we have a lot of Rowan trees where I live in Middel-Norway. Both at home and at our summer house, and old farm at an island at the coast of Norway. Our home is the last house in the street, so we live next to the forrest. Loved to hear all about the myths and stories of the rowan tree.

Loved this a new fan here 💚☘️🇮🇪

Really Great! Rowan is a part of my myth. Must be a past life memory. Namaste

Love this video. Rowan is one of my favourite trees. We had one in the garden in our previous rented house. It was beautiful. I also have a handmade Rowan wand 👍

Fascinating. Well presented.

One thing about the berries: they don't fall off the tree as soon as they ripen. They hang on for months, fermenting and becoming quite alcoholic. Could this be one reason for stories about their wonderful, life-enhancing power?

Another enjoyable entertaining and educational video 👍namaste

Just found ypu, love the stories and information thank you. Just struggled with a clicking noise, i thought it was the posca pen i was using to begin with lol. But as you say, you will be getting some new equipment. I will go look at your other videos, love the information you share, thanks once again.

Love from Ireland. Your home looks beautiful!

Very nice. My family and I have the surname Rowan tree or Rountree in our family tree. They were part of the North Carolina settlers from Ireland. 🇮🇪 I have studied the non Christian part of our family heritage for the last few years because of our other indigenous roots and beliefs from another side of our family. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you x

I love the Rowan tree,. ❤

Very interesting video... was out walking today in woods near where I live in Scotland and there must have been about 30 to 40 rowan trees in the area and I asked myself there must be a purpose or a use for all of these berries I'm seeing....lol...and tonight your video popped up on my RU-vid feed fantastic I love how the universe answers the question you ask of it ❤ ....there were crab apple trees growing beside some of the rowan trees which I've been eaten the last few times I've been there I'm now going to forage from them both and have myself some jam 😊 thanks for this ❤

I have a rowan growing in a tub. It was grown from seed around ten years ago by students at the school I worked at. It was students for whom the classroom was not suited to their learning needs. I have a birch too but she needs desperately re potting or moving into a garden. Still under debate. And a lilac though I've no idea how she came to me. Great videos. Will be watching all several times over as a lot to take in. Thank you for doing these😀

This is so great. Thank you.

Thankyou 🌳

All the elders in my Anglo family had a high regard for the Rowan tree. Thank you for telling me why.

Just found you, much appreciated, love to all, many blessings

Just found your videos. I I love all trees. I will try not to complain about the Rowan that my car is parked under now lol. My poor car is covered with the berries. Even the engine when I open my bonnet. I’ll remind myself it’s protection. It’s very full of berries this year so the branches are hanging heavy and low

Delightful spending time here today. ❤❤❤ Dermott... I am a McDermott, daughter of Kings of Connaught. A huge Happy Shazam with my wand! 🎉🎉🎉

Love this!!!!

Came across your channel and wow you are so passionate I could watch you forever Thank you from a Devon pagan Mandy 🌟

Thank you kindly for your Channel ❤❤❤❤❤

Lovely find. Such animated story telling. Brings it all to life. - Maybe worth getting the Irish names in correct pronunciation, not being pedantic. What a wealth of knowledge interwoven with real passion. Thank you. 🙏

Twenty beautiful minutes - many thanks !

The street where I live has a Rowan planted each side of the entrance to keep evil away, not sure it works all the time as I still get bills posted. Like the gathering of tales about the Rowan. I am Lammas born and make a fine loaf in my wood fired stove, but not this month. Subbed and will g through your mix. Cheers

thank you

Thank you for your work! So fun. I don’t know if you are anywhere near each other, but I need a crossover episode where you and Tony Walker from the Classic Ghost Stories podcast take a long walk in the countryside and teach us stuff 😍

Thank you for another superb and spine tingling talk. Have you covered the Aspen Tree?

Love much awen galore

I am reminded of the song, "The Witch of the Westmerland" the first verse is Pale was the wounded knight That bore the rowan shield Loud and cruel were the raven’s cries That feasted on the field

Even in Finland we have mythology of rowan.

Totally brilliant enchanting to hear. X ❤