Spiritual Wellbeing - Learn all about the Hawthorn Moon - Celtic Tree Moon No.6

The Hawthorn Moon 13th May - 9th June

To me, it is clearly the time of the Hawthorn Tree, she is literally bursting out all over the place. I love this tree because she is so edible, whether it be her fresh leaves and buds which taste delicious, or her almondy flowers or her berries for jam.

Huath

Her Celtic name, Huath, is pronounced Hoh-uh, and she is about fertility, masculine energy and fire. Hence, why she is used for the Maypole at Beltane, wink wink! And, her wood burns the hottest…mmmmm. She is the Goddess Brighid’s Tree and ruled by fiery Mars.

A Magical Time of Year

I am really noticing and feeling this, I am seeing nature’s priapus everywhere I look, and enjoying all this male potency. I think this is actually my favourite time of year, everything is so green, buds are erupting, the air is heavily scented, it’s sheer pleasure.

The Faery Tree

This tree, if discovered growing with Oak and Ash, is said to attract the Fae and is considered sacred in Irish trilogy. Indeed, I discovered in Southern Ireland the Irish are so superstitious about the magic of this tree, that they will do everything in their power to protect them. Which, in one case, was to build a motorway around one! Believing to damage one incurs great peril.

Her Looks

It’s not hard to imagine she is of magical origin, with her small, dense and twisted form. She can be impenetrable, perfect for our hedgerows and the lives they contain.

Her Name

This leads me nicely on to the origin of her name, which is the Anglo-Saxon "haegthorn," meaning "hedge-thorn." She has other aliases, “Whitethorn”, for her smooth grey bark and simply May for her being the Queen of May.

Magical Intention

Her sharp protective thorns offer psychic protection. The Celts believed the Hawthorn could assist in releasing negative and/or blocked energy held within.

At Beltane feasts, her flowers are removed from the branches, to symbolise the beauty of the journey and make way for new growth. She represent Summer defeating Winter.

This is the time for healing, hope and stoking your creative fires.

And, do not take her into your house, unless you wish to risk taking in a faery too.

Welsh Folklore

In the romantic story of Kulhwch and Olwen, the chief giant Yspaddaden, who was guardian to Olwen and trying to protect her innocence, is represented by the Hawthorn tree. He gets felled, symbolising the advent of summer.

Traditions

Hawthorn crowns were worn by maidens at hand fasting ceremonies. The white blossoms were used as wedding decorations. An ancient beauty hack was bathing in the morning dew on their flowers, apparently this guaranteed beauty for the coming year.

Famous Hawthorn

The most well known has to the one, according to legend, which sprung from Joseph of Arimathea’s staff and grew at Glastonbury Abbey, flowering only at Christmas. It was said to have been cut down during the English Civil War but you can still find its descendants growing there.

Medical Prowess

Hawthorn rules the Heart Chakra, with her red berries, and is therefore good for your heart, blood pressure and purification.

The twigs would frequently be used as a curative for depression and the powdered seeds used to cure gallstones.

Make a tea from her leaves to relieve any anxiety, loss of appetite or poor circulation.

Character Type

If you are born under a Hawthorn Moon, you possess adaptability, creativity and charisma fire child. A natural performer, influencer and leader though possessed of a fiery temper and easily bored. These characters enjoy a stimulating life and can appear rather ageless as a result.

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