The magickal May tree

Trees have always been held in high regard by all cultures, but in the month of May, there’s one in particular which is seen as fundamental to the season.

The hawthorn tree goes by many names - the May tree, hag thorn, fairy bush, May blossom, May bush, ladies meat, white thorn and the chastity tree among others.

But whatever it’s known by, all of its names are deeply rooted in folklore, magick and witchcraft.

The hawthorn tree is the stuff of the Fae and is often thought to be a doorway from this realm to the realm of the fae folk.

It’s a spiritual and magickal tree of power, connected to life and renewal and as a symbol of abundance and fertility, hawthorn blooms were used in Celtic fertility rituals as symbols of rebirth and renewal.

They’re also trees of luck and good fortune. In fact, to cut a hawthorn tree down in the month of May is to cut your luck and risk an entire month of bad fortune.

The tree is also connected to the element of air, as it’s a tree of communication with both this world and the hidden realms.

In magickal practise it’s used in spell work of a transformative or protective nature. It’s a powerful talisman of protection and great when used for banishing, setting boundaries, fostering spiritual growth, removing negative or harmful energies, attracting love and improving communications in relationships.

You can use the berries or blossom of the hawthorn in spell bags and charms to amplify the protective power, and invoke the luck of the hawthorn.

But aside from its folkloric, magickal and spiritual value, the humble hawthorn is also a medicinal tree.

It’s a tree of the heart, both in folklore and in its medicinal properties.

Hawthorn is about the stabilising of systems. If blood pressure is too high, it’ll help lower it, and if too low, it’ll increase it.

Hawthorn contains complex flavonoids, which help to support the circulatory systems and cardiovascular system, and bitter alkaloids in the leaves and flowers, which help stabilise the digestive system.

The presence of the antioxidant flavonoid catechin, which is anti-inflammatory and astringent, means that it’s also one to take if you have a bad tummy.

It’s a great tree to use for reducing the arrhythmic heartbeat associated with stress and panic attacks. Hawthorn is an adaptagen, so it's best used over several weeks or months to get the best results.

It’s a gentle and effective herb and one which really can help stabilise the important bodily systems.

As with all herbals, please make sure to research your specific condition first, and ensure you know what you’re picking, how to prepare, store and use it, and as with all herbs, if you’re taking pharmaceuticals, they can react.

So there we go, the magickal and medicinal humble hawthorn.

Connect with this wonderful May tree and reap its many benefits.

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