Prunus spinosa, Blackthorn

Today, 11th November is Martinmas. It also marks Old Samhain and a day to remember and respect the Spirits of the blackthorn tree. These spirits are sometimes called the Lunantishee. They are a race of the Fae which guard the blackthorn and their reputation is a dark one. They forbid a person from cutting a branch from the blackthorn on the 11th November (Old Samhain) and 11th May (Old May Day.) So no cutting branches today otherwise misfortune will befall you. To honour the blackthorn spirits offer sloe gin or failing that milk and honey to sweeten their disposition. This is most welcome as quite often they’re neglected by a lot of folks.

Like the Lunantishee the blackthorn has a reputation for magic dark and dangerous. I can’t tell you how many times I saw people when I was on Instagram using the dark aspect of blackthorn for baneful magic. As the wood of blackthorn is traditionally used in the form of a ‘blasting or black rod.’ It’s long spines used for protection magic or repelling negativity. I find there’s tons of stuff out there focusing on the shadow aspect of this tree and by doing so, some see it as being “cool.” There are two sides to everything though. There needs to be balance and I want to focus on the lighter side of the plant. The side which in my opinion is quite often over-looked in favour of its darker aspect.

Botanical

To start lets look at it’s botanical aspects. As from these aspects we can see from where some of its lore is derived.

It’s a native plant to the UK although you can buy a number of cultivated varieties. One which is purple leafed, a pink flowering type and others. The native plant is a bush or small tree growing up to 4.2m. It prefers woodland edges, scrubland and is often found in hedgerows. It likes moist, well drained soil and is not tolerant of water logging. As with most deciduous trees and shrubs it’s best planted in Winter and you can buy it bare root at this time.

It grows densely forming great, impenetrable thickets, having sharp, long thorns. These thorns can often be formed in place of twigs. If you’ve ever been stabbed or scratched, it’s extremely painful and wise to give an injury medical attention. It’s not a plant to be messed with in that regard.

The earliest flowering shrub I know, it begins blossoming in February on bare stems. This is how it can be distinguished from hawthorn which flowers after leafing. Being deciduous, in Autumn it’s leaves turn yellow and fall. It’s then its truly impressive, impenetrable nature is revealed. It’s fruits whilst being mostly unpalatable to eat are much sort after. It makes wonderful sloe gin, quite potent. I’ve also made it using vodka instead. As vodka is tasteless you get more of the flavour of the fruit rather than the juniper of gin. Either way it’s a warming tot after a chilly Winter walk and useful to use as an offering.

Lore and Magic

There is so much lore surrounding this plant that this post could become pages long. Instead I’ve chosen a few which I like and thought would appeal to you. Plus remember I’m focusing on the lighter side of it’s nature which is just as powerful.

At New Year when folks gathered to celebrate, crowns of blackthorn were made and ritually burned as firecharms. The ashes were then gathered and scattered to fertilise the fields. Crowns or garlands were also used to wassail apple trees and if mistletoe was woven into the garland it was hung up to bring luck in the coming year. Now there’s something to think of doing this Wintertide if you have apple trees in your garden. Honour the trees and create a charm.

Have you heard the term “Blackthorn Winter”? This is because of it flowering on bare stems when cold winds still whip across the land. In some areas of Britain this is known as “a blackthorn hatch.” A period of milder weather which makes the blackthorn burst into flower.

In terms of healing there are two potent times of the year blackthorn can aid in cleansing spiritually and emotionally. This is Imbolc and now, Samhain. In spring its flowers defiy Winter and are irrepressible. They help open us to Nature’s vital energies to burst through our wintry state. The thorns can represent our negative attitudes which can scratch and tear at us. Plus those things we need to cast off to become happy and creative. By using blackthorn in meditation or by having it in our sacred space it can aid the process.

In Winter Samhain blackthorn guides us through the darkening weeks to the Winter Solstice. As the solar year wains blackhorn’s strength can help deeply on a psycological level. Just as the tree goes through the ebbs and flows of the cyclic year, so do we. As we adapt to the darker half and withdraw inward into our homes, we also draw inwards into our cerebral, inner world. Facing this world and our shadows is not always an easy task. But it’s something we must do to truly heal and evolve both spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Blackthorn can act as a guide aiding us to burst through any blockages and negativity, to cleanse and heal. In this way just as the year completes its cycle the solar year gains in strength. It is rejuvinated after Yule and so to are we. Overcoming our shadows we face the growing light reawakened and ready to embrace the coming year. Winter blackthorn in this respect can be unrelenting and severe. Using Spring blackthorn with its masses of white blossom give a more gentle, cleansing process.

Being very astringent thick brews of unripe sloes were used in the 17th and 18th centuries as a purgative. These days a small handful of flowers to make a light, weak tea gives a safer cleansing. Sloes give the strongest natural red dye and the juice can be used as a marking ink.

This offers a brief insight into the world of blackthorn and there is more out there to build upon. So happy searching.

A note of caution:

This is a guide to the botanical and magical uses for blackthorn. Always seek medical intervention if you truly need help and support and always check any edibles before ingesting. Having had a severe reaction to a tincture in the past I’m always cautious and you should be too.