Silver Branches
Searles

Thu Aug  6 15:12:28 1998
Mention is made of Magical Silver Branches that were shaken to open the ways to the Otherworld in the ancient traditions.  There is also mention of a "Branch of Peace" that was shaken at assemblies (so that silence would occur for a person to speak).  The primary way that I've seen the branches used among the ancient Irish is as an insignia of Poets and Druids.*p*Most of the references I've seen to wands among Druids indicate that they are made from Rowan or Hazel.  In _A Social History of Ancient Ireland_, P.W. Joyce says that the branches of the Filidh were gold for an Ollamh (a master Filidh of the first order), a silver branch for the Anruth, and a bronze branch for all other grades.  I see this as also being a mark of the Druids.  IMO it is the bells that are of these metals while the branches themselves are finished Rowan or Hazel (Magick or Wisdom).*p*Searles*br*