Rowan is a perennial plant with bright red berries, prominently on the usual green-yellow background of autumn nature. Rowan is widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia and North America. In this regard, the signs associated with rowan are very diverse, because virtually every people of the Indo-European language family had to deal with this plant and described it in its folklore. According to some folk beliefs, the mountain ash plant has an analogue of the human soul, and, accordingly, serves to connect man with nature. So, for example, the self-grown shoot of mountain ash in the house is one of the good signs. On the other hand, the strictest is not recommended to cause damage to the plant, in particular, it is unacceptable to damage the trunk of a tree, or to break off several branches without an informed purpose. And if this had to be done, then you need to ask the tree for forgiveness.
Rowan is considered a powerful amulet against witchcraft practically throughout Europe - from Russia in the east to Britain in the west.
Folk features about rowan
Often in the mountain ash, in particular, the number of berries on it was judged on what will be winter or autumn. So, according to folk signs - a lot of mountain ash - to a rainy, soft autumn, favorable for nature, and also a sign - a lot of berries on mountain ash - to a cold winter. In the beliefs of the Slavic peoples it is believed that the ashberry worries about birds and small animals of the forest, and thus helps them survive the winter cold.
However, in fact, the climatic conditions that cause a cold winter (the formation of cyclones and anticyclones, respectively, high humidity, favorable for the ripening of berries) are extremely successful for the plant, and therefore the sign according to which: "a lot of mountain ash - to a frosty winter"
Ritualistic signs
Popular signs about mountain ash are associated not only with the weather, but also with the occult significance of this plant. In connection with the unusual, bright red coloring of fruits and the time of their ripening (late autumn, after the first frosts), many peoples attributed mysticism to mountain ash, used it in funeral rituals.
According to the beliefs of Scots, rowan in the house - protects from witches, and signs advised the Novgorod peasants to protect their houses from the dead with the help of twigs of mountain ash above the front door.