blackthorn

A dull, wet day…

~ Ashley ~ 40 Comments

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First blossoms;
Flowers before leaves,
Blackthorn.

The Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) that grows through the hedge in my garden is flowering and on this dull wet day, the flowers shine brightly.  It’s only a few days since the Spring Equinox!

Blackthorn is the fourteenth tree in the Celtic Tree Ogham, STRAIPH.  It is symbolised in the balance between light and dark.  Physically, the tree is challenging as it grows into an impenetrable thicket.  Its thorns being very sharp, the tree is a safe haven for nesting birds.

blackthorn

 

Ashley

Spring Equinox 2023

~ Ashley ~ 50 Comments

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Delicate white blossoms
Cluster around dark needles -
Blackthorn in flower.

It’s the Spring Equinox, when day and night are of equal length.  A celebration of balance, of light and dark, inner and outer, of female and male.

I’ve written about the flowering stems of Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa).  Hidden by the small, dainty white flowers are sharp needle-like thorns on dark branches: light and dark, beauty and armour.  This small native tree has far-reaching roots which produce many suckers creating impenetrable wide thickets, a natural guardian tree from which we learn to respect boundaries.

I give thanks to Mother Earth: in my hands, my heart, and my mind, are all the elements of the Universe.

Ashley