The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom & Metaphysical Properties - Tess Whitehurst 2017

Larch
The Trees

Adeciduous member of the pine family, the elegant larch (Larix) turns yellow in the fall just before she sheds her needles. While she appears in a more diminutive form in non-native areas, she’s a towering luminary in her sprawling native forests in Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia.

Magical Uses

Confidence

Flower essence pioneer Edward Bach wrote that larch essence (available at most health food stores) is an ideal medicine “for those who do not consider themselves as good or capable as those around them, who expect failure, who feel that they will never be a success, and so do not venture or make a strong enough attempt to succeed.” To remedy this condition, try taking two to three drops under the tongue or in water twice per day for one month.

In addition to or instead of employing the flower essence, try spending time in quiet contemplation with a larch tree, setting the intention to absorb a generous helping of confident and self-assured energy from the tree. Be assured that the tree has an endless supply of such energy and will be quite happy to share.

Protection

Larch pitch literally protects from water when used in waterproofing, and larch wood is also somewhat resistant to fire. Historically, the tree’s been associated with protection from serpents as well as fire and water, and can be employed for a number of protective magical purposes. Associated with the planet Saturn and the element of spirit, the larch is an excellent ally when it’s your intention to set a protective boundary with the help of the Divine.

In The Meaning of Trees, author Fred Hageneder writes:

In Alpine legend, the larch is the abode of the Saeligen, the ’Blessed Ones,’ graceful otherworldly beings who are kind to people and protect animals…[T]he Saeligen maidens have been described as spirit beings dressed in white or silver, dancing under old larch trees and singing the sweetest music.

The Realm of Heaven

Even though Westerners often associate “heaven” with monotheism, virtually every religion and culture has a version of the heavenly realm. For example, Buddhism has Nirvana, Hinduism has Moksha, and Wicca has the Summerland. Because the tree is so potently aligned with the beneficent and loving realm of spirit, and ancient pagans employed larchwood in cremations to help send the transitioning soul to the most beautiful and heavenly of realms.

Magical Correspondences

Element: Spirit

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Saturn