Blackthorn
Ogham Letter: Z Ogham Name: Straif Ogham Tree Meaning: Discipline, Control, Perspective Animal: Wolf, Black cat Color: Purple Planet: Saturn, Mars Element: Fire
Symbolizes:
Inevitability
Preparation
Constraint
Strife
To the Celts the Blackthorn was considered a portent of challenges ahead, but with the promise of improvement once we push through those challenges. The Druids used the blackthorn tree’s growth as intuitive signs. The tree has some nasty thorns on them, and if you are cut by one your flesh can get infected fairly easily. In autumn it turns a sulfur yellow color and when the leaves fall off they expose a contorted body. This mangled imagery brought the concept of strife and suffering to the Druids mind. This visual observation made the blackthorn a symbol of the other half of life that we often shrink back from. When the blackthorn first showed up in Ogham oracle practices, it could be considered a omen of war, illness or discouragement. it was a sign that you need to get ready and brace yourself for whats coming. But don't worry, the blackthorn is not all bad. The Celts observed that this tree produced some of the sweetest berries among the sacred tribe of trees. These berries were at their most succulent and sweetest after a hard frost. Again, here we see the symbolism of strife, but this time we are shown that the blessing comes after the challenge. This represents that our sweetest fruit sometimes come after trials and setbacks. If we keep this in mind as we are in the middle of our challenges, we will know that when we come out on the other side of our challenges better and sweeter than we were before. The blackthorn is a message that preparation is often the best solution for any difficulty. When we encounter the blackthorn in our life, whether its out in nature or by oracle, its a time to honor the bounty we already have and take practical measures to tie up any loose ends we might trip over in the future. It can also be a message of opportunity is we embrace our experiences as an avenue for growth. The blackthorn teaches us to learn when not to fight against fate and find strength and opportunity in adversity.
The blackthorn is such a power for magic, in Irish folklore it has its own faery tribe to guard it. The Irish believed it was protected by the Lunantishee fairies, who are spiky, angry creatures who will curse you should you be foolish enough to try to cut wood from the trees on Samhain or Beltane. A blackthorn rod is used for shapeshifting magic and is believed to confer the ability to bring about change. The tree is sacred to the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, known in different guises as Morrighan or Cailleach or Beira, all associations with the waning of life, the waning year and the waning moon. She is sometimes depicted carrying a staff of blackthorn wood and often accompanied by her pathfinder crow or raven. Pop a thorn or Dried berry into your sachet for added protection from negative spirits an to attract positive powers.
The blackthorn has a harsh energy, which may seem unpleasant or even hostile but definitely challenging. You can use the dried wood, thorns and berries in an herbal incense to banish negativity and in ceremonies of purification. If the negative influences are very strong, burn the incense for seven days at noon and midnight. They say you can make a tea out of the flower and fruit that is good for diarrhea and can help with bladder and kidney problems BUT the leaves and seeds contain cyanide, so it can only be taken in small doses so please be careful.
~CelticMagic