The Faerie Tree

In the Celtic lands, no tree is more respected—or feared—than the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Known simply as "The May," its explosion of white blossoms marks the beginning of summer (Beltane). But it is its connection to the Otherworld that commands respect.

A Portal to the Sidhe

A lone Hawthorn tree growing in a field is often considered a "Faerie Tree," a gateway to the realm of the Sidhe (Faeries). Farmers will plow around them for centuries rather than risk cutting one down. Legends abound of men who fell asleep under a Hawthorn and woke up 100 years later—or never woke up at all.

The Rag Trees (Clootie Wells)

Despite the danger, Hawthorn is a tree of deep healing. In Ireland and Scotland, you might find a "Rag Tree"—a Hawthorn near a holy well, covered in scraps of cloth. The cloth is dipped in the well and rubbed on a wound or ailing body part, then tied to the tree. As the cloth rots away, the illness is said to fade with it.

Medicine for the Heart

Spiritually, it heals the heart of grief. Physically, modern science confirms it is one of the supreme tonics the cardiovascular system. The berries, flowers, and leaves are used to strengthen the heart muscle, regulate rhythm, and improve blood flow. It is a tree that literally and metaphorically keeps the heart beating.