Hawthorn

Hawthorn was sacred to the Mother Goddess, fearless hunter and warrior, who maintains and protects the balance of nature. The Celts used to call it Huath, it means “terrible”. It’s name recalled the respectful fear of the unknown that also has a magical Energy. The Hawthorn was believed to be the secret home of fairies, of the woods spirit and all entities that lived in the enchanted world. It was forbidden to cut Hawthorns down, because they were sacred trees due to its connection to the enchanted world.In ancient Rome the Hawthorn was sacred to many female Deities. The nymph Carna used to be depicted holding a branch of Hawthorn. Carna was the nymph of door hinges and it was believed that she used the Hawthorn branches to stop evil spirtis from entering homes.
For Christians the tree is sacred to Virgin Mary, to substitute the ancient cults that dedicated it to female Deities. In the Middle Ages its branches where used as talismans against witches and vampires.