Forests of Imagination

The Tree Alphabet from The White Goddess

Robert Graves.

Robert Graves writes that he first found the Beth-Luis-Nion tree alphabet in the Ogygia by Roderick O Flaherty. The names or the letters of the modern Irish alphabet are also those of the trees, Robert Graves says. Though T has become gorse; O, broom and A elm.

In this chapter, robert Graves writes that he noticed almost at once that the consonants of this alphabet form a calendar of seasonal tree magic and that all the trees figure predominantly in European folklore.

He goes on to describe the associations and links in history and folklore with these trees.

The Alphabet

Beth B Birch
Luis L Rowan
Nion N Ash
Fearn F Alder
Saille S Willow
Uath H Hawthorn
Duir D Oak
Tinne T Holly
Coll C Hazel
Muin M Vine
Gort G Ivy
Pethboc P Dwarf Elder
Ruis R Elder

Ailm A Silver Fir
Onn O Furze
Ur U Heather
Eadha E White Poplar
Idho I Yew.