Duir

Deities Lugh, God of the Sun and Light. The Thunder God.	Color Ogham Dub (Black)	Bird Ogham Doren (Wren)
Class Chieftain	Flower Coltsfoot Mistletoe	Animals White Horse, Lion, Salamander
Magical Uses Doors. Building timber. Cleansing. Strengthening.	Gemstone Diamond	Planet Jupiter
Equivalent tree for Pacific Northwest	Tree Month Dates June 10 to July 7 containing the Summer Solstice, esoterically known as the door of the year

Tree: The Oak is the tree of endurance and triumph, and it is said to "court the lightning flash." Its roots are said to extend as deep underground as its branches rise into the air, which makes it emblematic of a God whose law runs both in the Upperworld and in the Underworld. It was one of the most sacred trees to the Druids, who gave particular attention to its parasite, the mistletoe. At the winter season, the mistletoe could be found hanging throughout its branches. The Oak symbolized life, endurance, and strength, and the Mistletoe, though beautiful, is poisonous; thus the combination was that of Life and Death. It was once thought that the Bard or Druid could gain special inspiration by eating the acorns of and Oak. Oak Groves were most often used for magical and divinatory workings by both the Druids and Witches of Ireland. Its name has to do with hardness and steadfastness as it is derived from the root word deru, which means to be firm and steadfast. This root word also gives us the words tree, truth, and troth. The Oak can reach a great age and an enormous size. King Arthur's Round Table at Winchester was cut from a single slice of an Oak tree.

Expression: Oak is a sign of strength and endurance. It is the power needed to overcome all tests- even if the tests prove too great, the power of the Oak will make a victor of the one who knows how to tap into its pool. The Oak is a gateway to inner realms, a sign that reveals the truth in a very brutal, cold, and honest manner. This revelation gives strength and vision to the person who would try to see beyond the horizons of time both into the dim past and into the far future. In fact, the Oak (as a sign for the balanced) empowers synthesis of all opposites. The Oak is also the doorway to Midsummer, when the power of the sun is at its greatest.

Divination: Duir advises that strength and endurance are yours in the situation. Certainty and security saturate everything that you do. Personal will-power and strength is available to face a difficult situation. You should look to that strength to gain vision in order to overcome all obstacles. You may be called upon to defend what is rightfully yours. Virile, positive influences are at work in your life. Doubt and insecurity are things of the past. There may also be some indication of your role as a leader or of fulfilling an executive position. A gateway to new understanding is opening if you will be strong and truthful.

The Challenge of the Oak Ogham is the need to pull courage and strength from within when it seems that those forces have been exhausted. Lack of courage and energy or loss of will and persistence will bring closed doors as well as obstacles which seem to be very obvious. There is a need to assert oneself and exert full authority over a situation. Also, there is a need for protection, a need to shelter yourself so that strengthening can take place. You may be pursued by unwanted and undesirable forces or persons- but strength and endurance must be drawn from the Oak.

Your own inner and outer strength and endurance are in focus right now. You are beginning to realize that your strength in reserve is needed to overcome an obstacle you are faced with. Or you may be realizing that persistence and endurance are needed to finish the road to victory.

(P) Abilities. What you need to learn, or be aware of, are your own abilities. Discover your abilities now so that when they will be needed, you will have already mastered them. You will have the strength and endurance needed to bring your creative urges to fruition.

(N) Lack of strength and endurance in a project or endeavor. You will not have the strength to manifest your creative ideas at this time.

What you need to do to regain balance and harmony is to remain honest, trustworthy, and truthful. It may become very important for you to remain faithful to a lover, a project, or a job.

Great stability is about to manifest in your life. Your home, job, relationships, and finances will become more stable and will rest on a more solid foundation. But not only are you in a good and stable position, you are able to defend your position with the strength of the Oak.

When strength, endurance, and perseverance are applied to a conflict or battle, victory is the result. If you are in a conflict or are having to endure hardship, you have the strength in reserve needed to finish and reach victory. Do not give up or give in, victory is at hand and it will be yours.