Hawthorn Moon - May 13 to June 9th
Called Huath by the ancient Celts, pronounced Hoh-uh, the Hawthorn month is a time of fertility, masculine energy, and fire.
The Hawthorn is also associated with the realm of Faerie, and when the Hawthorn grows with an Ash and Oak, it is said to attract the Fae, unknowing travellers, who fall asleep under its branches, may find themselves lured into their enchanting world - only to realise upon their return that years instead of hours passed while they were dreaming.
Hawthorn is a thorny bush, a traditional hedgerow plant, it protects many species of insects, birds and animals that make their home amongst its tangle of branches and knotted roots. Hawthorn is strongly connected to the Goddess, especially Earth Goddesses, as the bushes forbidding thorn covered branches are used to mark the boundary between what is cultivated and the wilderness beyond, both physically and metaphorically.
The white blossom exudes an interesting scent – some find it an irresistible, almost intoxicating scent that diffuses through the warm spring air, some describe the scent as erotic, whilst others find it reminds them of rotting flesh!
My lovely friend Sue has written an in-depth blog about Hawthorn here –
Hawthorn Tea Recipes
To drink hawthorn blossom fresh
Place one fresh sprig in a cup of boiled water, and brew for a few minutes. It’s fun to drink while the sprig is still in the cup. If wished, add a squeeze of lemon and a small teaspoon of honey.
To drink hawthorn blossom dried
Place your sprigs of hawthorn blossom complete with their leaves on a tray in a well-ventilated place to dry. Cover with paper if you need to protect your harvest. If you have a dehydrator, you can speed up the process and produce dried sprigs on a gentle setting in just a few hours.
Happy Hawthorn Leaf Tea
Mix equal quantities of black tea with dried hawthorn leaves. Add hot water and allow to steep for 3 -5 minutes, then strain and enjoy.
Sources –
A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Plants & Herbs by Rachel Patterson
The Woodland Trust
