The Yggdrasil, or Tree of Life, is symbolic of the interconnectedness of all. It is the World Tree of all creation, yet it also links us to the spiritual world, the cosmic centre that lies within everyone and exists everywhere all at once, just as family and friends are attached to our lives.

If you have an Yggdrasil tree anywhere in your garden, then you can create a family or friend tree. Make little cards for your family and friends, with their picture on one side and their name and birth date on the other. Laminate the cards and attach them to the tree. Ancient Celtic ancestors used to tie ribbons round the trees when asking for protection for their loved ones, and each ribbon used represented a member of the family, as they didn’t have photographs.

Here is a specific spell of protection for your family or friends for you to perform. Write out the names of your family and friends, or use your family tree scroll if you have one. Have pictures or the names of your nearest and dearest in view as you safely light a white candle and say these words:

Bless my family, bless my friends,

May their friendship never end.

I send to them the gift of love,

Graced with protection from above.

Now blow out the candle and waft the photos or names through the rising smoke, sending your request of protection to the universe.