‘The blackthorn full of spines—but how the child delights in its fruit.’
— ‘Cad Goddeu’, 14th-century Welsh poem
The blackthorn tree fascinates because of its inherent duality. On one hand, a folkloric symbol for strength, overcoming adversity, purification, and protection, it is also considered a trickster, bad luck if crossed, and easily used as a weapon in the wrong hands. Blackthorn has, perhaps, the most sinister reputation in Celtic tree lore.
Continue reading Blackthorn: Dark Mother of the Woods, Crone of the Triple Goddess, Witch Wood