There has been a lot of articles and discussions in the New Age magazines about nature spirits, fairies and so on, and I know that there has also been a renewed interest in gemstones and their healing and spiritual qualities that they bring.  But what about wood, and the furniture that we invite into our homes?

It is good to welcome new things into our home as if they are a new friend, especially second hand things.  This is because many objects are capable of resonating the energies from their owners; there a number of gifted psychic / spiritualist readers who can tune in to spiritual energies and offer readings simply by holding a piece of jewelery, a photo, or even a flower.  This is called "Psychometry".  Flowers and trees are said to offer their own energies, and there are several flower divination cards on the market today and even a few tree oracle decks around that many readers use for readings. We bring flowers and gem stones into our home to bring in new energies, but can we do the same when we are choosing furniture?

I was interested in getting a spinning wheel recently. I spent several months looking at the wheels I wanted.  The majority are made out of wood. I had never used a wheel and so at first was awash with the different advice around about the type of wheel. Being a great lover of crystals, I wondered about the properties that wood had. I did a little research and came up with the following:-

Beech wood. Brings: confidence, hope, self expression, so it seems to be a good wood to have around you if for example you are a student or a teacher, a leader or to aid you if  you need to take more control of things.   Relaxation, releasing any inner trauma. Helps you to connect with the higher self. In tarot, perhaps the Beech could be linked to the Magician! Interestingly it is often used for charms, so the Magician link seems to be well suited to this tree!!!

Birch wood: Symbolic of new starts and new beginnings. So Birch is a bit like the Fool in the tarot, or the Ace cards. It is good for healing and encourages feelings of tranquility and an appreciation of the beauty of life. It encourages tolerance and  helps with expression of self and of ideas. Birch is known as the "Lady of the Wood" and is linked to the Earth Mother Goddess, Gaia.  Some also suggest that the The lady of the Wood is also linked to Thor, a strong God or preservation and protection; truth, self preservation, freedom and happiness; however Thor is also linked to the Oak. My way of thinking is that the femininity of the Birch is much more suited to Gaia, than it is to Thor. Interestingly, Birch is often used for making cradles *new beginnings, new life*! It is also linked to friendship, and to the moon cycles; again the "moon" in Tarot springs to mind when thinking of this tree.

Elder: On a negative note, the Elder is thought by some to be unlucky. It is said to be the wood that was used for the cross of Jesus. On the positive side, the main quality of this wood seems to be regeneration and Healing. It was used by many ancient Brits, Celts and Romans in cures for various ailments; it is also linked to stability, love and forgiveness, therefore it is good for calming anger or aggression.  It helps to bring a sense of self worth, and is brilliant for bringing in or working with, transformation and change in a positive way.  It is linked to water spirits and the unicorn. To me the Judgment card in tarot seems linked to the qualities of this tree.        

Mahogany: I had a problem with this wood. There are several different types of mahogany trees and each has a different link to a healing quality. So it seems that it is important to know which mahogany wood the object is made from. The other bit to add in here as a bit of a tip is to make sure that the wood is from a certain tree; for example, I came across Beech and Birch spinning wheels that had a mahogany finish to them.  The general qualities of mahogany WOOD though seem to be emotional and spiritual healing, guidance and spiritual growth; to me mahogany is a bit like the tree version of the High Priestess in tarot. Others relate Mahogany to protection and strength.

As most wheels are made from the above, this is as far as my list goes.   However, if you do a search on the net for healing qualities or properties of wood, you can easily research the other woods used in furniture yourself. For example,  Ivy, Juniper, Mistletoe, Redwood, Rosewood, and Willow are listed as having qualities good for improving or inviting in love and relationships.  

I wonder what an impact it would make in our lives if we could surround ourselves at home and at work with the wood, flowers, pebbles and crystals that we can relate to!  I finally went with a wheel that I could afford and that I could collect. The wheel initially heralds from Scotland, and is from the 50's. As it turns out, it is said to be a mahogany wheel, (although which mahogany, I don't know). I am very happy with it, and as it turns out, seems to be the most appropriate wheel for a tarot reader!