Hazel Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Common hazel, Cobnut, Filbert, Corylus
The tree of wisdom and inspiration, favored for wands and divining rods.
- Intentions
- Wisdom, Divination, Creativity, Luck
- Element
- Air
- Planet
- Mercury
- Day
- Wednesday
- Parts used
- Nuts, twigs, wood
How to use it
- Dowsing rod
Cut a forked hazel twig with permission and hold the two ends lightly. Walk slowly with a question in mind, the traditional way of dowsing for water or answers.
- Wisdom nut
Carry a whole hazelnut in its shell before an exam or creative project as a charm for clear thinking and inspiration. Crack and plant it in spring if it still feels right, or return it to the woods.
- Hazel wand
Hazel makes a light, straight wand that suits divination, study and creative spellwork. Thank the tree and choose a fallen or coppiced rod. Sand it smooth.
History and folklore
In Irish legend, nine hazel trees dropped their nuts into the Well of Wisdom, where the salmon who ate them gained all knowledge. When young Fionn mac Cumhaill burned his thumb cooking that salmon and sucked it, the wisdom passed to him. Hazel has long been the favored wood for dowsing rods and for the wands of poets and seers. Witches use hazel for wisdom, inspiration, divination and luck.
The tree of wisdom and inspiration, favored for wands and divining rods.
- Intentions: Wisdom, Divination, Creativity, Luck
- Element: Air
- Planet: Mercury
- Zodiac: Gemini, Virgo
- Day: Wednesday
- Parts used: Nuts, twigs, wood
Safety: Hazelnuts are a common food allergen. Anyone with a nut allergy should avoid eating or handling the nuts.
How to use it
- Dowsing rod. Cut a forked hazel twig with permission and hold the two ends lightly. Walk slowly with a question in mind, the traditional way of dowsing for water or answers.
- Wisdom nut. Carry a whole hazelnut in its shell before an exam or creative project as a charm for clear thinking and inspiration. Crack and plant it in spring if it still feels right, or return it to the woods.
- Hazel wand. Hazel makes a light, straight wand that suits divination, study and creative spellwork. Thank the tree and choose a fallen or coppiced rod. Sand it smooth.
Works well with: Wednesday, Mercury, Yellow Candle, Ansuz, Sodalite
Folklore
In Irish legend, nine hazel trees dropped their nuts into the Well of Wisdom, where the salmon who ate them gained all knowledge. When young Fionn mac Cumhaill burned his thumb cooking that salmon and sucked it, the wisdom passed to him. Hazel has long been the favored wood for dowsing rods and for the wands of poets and seers. Witches use hazel for wisdom, inspiration, divination and luck.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.