Hawthorn - The♡of May

There’s much magic this time of year - as we move beyond the blushing beginnings into the pulsing fullness of fervour and nature's flirting. It's been a remarkable year for Hawthorn; her heady blooms still linger in the hedgerows, sweet and tempting.

Known as the May Tree or Beltane’s Breath, Hawthorn has long been entwined with the festival of fertility and spring rites, symbolising the sensual sweetness and alluring promise of the summer ahead. She is also the tree of the Fairy and Fae keeper of the gateways between worlds - the earthly and mystical realms. Said to be a potent ally and witness for intentions, spells and rekindling playful wonder.

But beneath the folklore and amorous beauty, Hawthorn offers much medicine for the physical and emotional core. A heart herb revered throughout the ages, it has since been affirmed by modern medicine to increase coronary artery flow, steady the heartbeat, improve circulation and lower blood pressure.

But beneath the folklore and amorous beauty, Hawthorn offers much medicine for the physical heart and emotional core. Something ancient and familiar stirs when we sit with Hawthorn. She brings resilience to the heart—not by armouring it but by offering a nurturing presence to remind us of the place within that has never been hurt or broken. A deep sureness. A steady presence. A blissful tranquillity.

In this tender terrain, few allies are as faithful. As a member of the rose family, Hawthorn is a balm for grief and longing. In my own experience, she relaxes the entire chest area, inviting me to soften—and let the love that is always present rise to the fore. 

She helps us remember that we are held, so that we can soften. She gives us the strength of heart needed to stay open to the unknown... to touch a memory we may not even have from this lifetime, a memory of complete trust. It feels like coming home.