Hawthorne, The May Day Flower by Willow Hawthorn bears a special relationship to May Day, the ancient cross quarter day known as Beltane to the ancients in honor of the sun God Belenos. The true date for this festival was reckoned as the first morning that the Hawthorn blossoms opened. It is part of the sacred three of British and Celtic antiquity: "Oak, and Ash, and Thorn." These three are said to be a favorite haunt of Fairies when they grow together. To this day in Ireland it is considered a woeful thing to cut down a "Fairy tree." The Latin name for Hawthorn is Crataegus oxyacantha which comes to us from the Greek kratos (hardness), oxus (sharp), and akantha (a thorn). Haw is an ancient word for hedge and in Germany and the British Isles it was commonly used to separate fields. The wood of Hawthorn is fine grained and suitable for use in inlays and delicate carvings. Gunstocks are sometimes made of it. The rootwood is finer still and is used to make boxes and combs. Hawthorn makes the hottest wood-fire known. It was more highly prized than Oak for oven heating in former days and the charcoal made from it produced a fire that would melt pig iron. HERBAL USES Hawthorn berry is one of the finest cardiac tonics available in the Western herbal pharmacopoeia. According to the literature it seems to benefit almost all heart related conditions. It normalizes blood pressure (but can produce low blood pressure if used over a long time). Functional heart problems such as murmurs, leaky valves, inflammation of heart muscles, arteriosclerosis, fatty degeneration of vessels, dropsy of cardiac origin, and aortic diseases of all kinds will all benefit from the use of Hawthorn berry. Of course when undertaking the management or cure of a complex condition such as a heart ailment it is wise to take additional steps such as changing the diet, exercise, and sleep patterns. A health professional should monitor the progress of the case as it changes. Another benefit of the use of the berries is in the prevention of possible future problems. They help tone the heart and will improve resistance in the face of infections such as strep, rheumatic fever, and tonsilitis which have been known to injure the heart. Nervous states and insomnia will be benefited as well. It is wise not to use Hawthorn alone as it is a powerful herb. Mix it with Borage, Motherwort, Cayenne, Garlic, and Dandelion flowers for a long term heart program. For short term use (two to three weeks) steep one teaspoon of the flowers in 1/2 cup of water for 20 minutes. Drink 1-1 1/2 cups per day taken in teaspoonful doses. You may steep one teaspoon of the crushed fruit (berries) in 1/2 cup of water for 20 minutes and drink 1 1/2 cups a day in teaspoonful doses. If you wish to use cold water place one teaspoon of the crushed fruit in 1/2 cup and let it stand for 7-8 hours. Boil briefly and strain. The dose is 1 1/2 cups per day taken in repeated small quantities. Hawthorn leaves have been used as a substitute for Oriental green tea and the seeds cam be roasted and used as a type of coffee. For those attempting to break the tobacco habit, the young leaves can be smoked as a nicotine-free cigarette. Mix in Yarrow, Mint, Coltsfoot, and Mullein for added interest and to heal the throat. MAGICAL USES In ancient Greece and Rome, Hawthorn was employed in celebrations and rituals involving fertility magic. It was associated with marriage and babies and was sacred to Hymen, the God of marriage. Bridal attendants wore its blossoms and brides carried whole branches. Torches used in wedding processions were made of Hawthorn. At the birth of a child Hawthorn leaves were placed in the cradle as a protective charm. Medieval European tradition held that Hawthorn was a favorite tree of Witches and that they could transform themselves into one at will. When you consider the value of Hawthorn as a healing agent there is probably some truth to that assertion. Many Witches were known to be practitioners of "green magic" or healing arts and they would certainly have been seen in the vicinity of the trees gathering their useful gifts! Hawthorn is a tree of Mars and of the Fire element. It is sacred to Cardea, Flora, Hymen, and Thor. It's powers are those of fertility, chastity, fishing magic, and joyful celebration. At Beltane (May Day) it is customary to decorate the top of a May Pole with its boughs. Magical rites of all kinds can be performed under a "thorn" and perhaps it is best used for fertility rituals. Interestingly its leaves are placed under the bed or around the bedroom as an aid in preserving chastity! Carry a piece of "thorn" in a pouch to bring good luck when fishing. Use it as an amulet to ward off depression and restore happiness to the troubled. Hawthorn will protect a house from lightning when hung from the high point of the building. Always trim your Hawthorn hedges from East to West in a sunwise direction. And never cut a blooming tree (it angers the Fairies). There are elaborate legends surrounding the Hawthorn. One is the story of the "Glastonbury Thorn" that used to grow on the island of Avalon in Somerset, England. The great reverence in which this tree was held was probably a remnant of the ancient respect given these trees in pre-Christian times which then carried over into the middle ages. The legend tells that Joseph of Arimathea brought a staff of Hawthorn from Palestine when he travelled to England to proselytize. Avalon was at that time by the sea and when he landed at Glastonbury he thrust his staff into the ground where^¿ it miraculously rooted and flowered. Joseph decided to build a church at the site. Eventually the abbey of Glastonbury was built there and the famous tree was venerated by pilgrims until 1750 when it's stump was replaced by a stone marker. To the ancient Teutons, Hawthorn was sacred to Thor, the storm God. They made funeral pyres of the wood believing that the souls of the dead would escape via the burning thorns and thus ascend to the sky. To them the sacred Hawthorn fire was a mirror of the celestial fire-lightning. A Scottish legend tells of two boys who were plowing a field in which grew an ancient Hawthorn. One of the boys drew a circle around the "Fairy tree" to protect it from the plow. As soon as he did so a table covered with delicious food appeared in the circle. The boy who had drawn the circle ate the food but the other boy refused it. The one who ate the fairy offerings became wise ever-after. The destruction of a Hawthorn tree was held to be a dangerous thing in ancient Ireland. The results could be the death of one's cattle and children and the loss of all one's money. Holy thorns grew near sacred wells where pilgrims would tear off bits of their clothing and hang them on the trees (a practice that continues to this day). Hawthorn Jam (Gather the fruits after the first frost.) 3 qt. berries 5 cups honey 1 cup water 1 box sure-jell 1/2 lemon sliced Simmer the berries and lemon until they are soft. Squeeze out the juice, ad the sure-jell and mix. Bring to a quick boil over a high heat. Add the honey and boil for one minute. Remove from heat and pour into glasses leaving half the jar empty. Cover with paraffin and seal. May Brandy Fill a jar with Hawthorn flowers (be sure not to include the stems). Cover with whiskey or brandy and allow to sit for 2-3 months. Strain and rebottle. Hawthorn Cocktail 1 bottle white wine sprig of lemon Thyme 1/2 bottle red wine two sprigs of Borage 1 orange, sliced a handful of Hawthorn flowers Pour the wine into a bowl. Add orange slices, herbs and flowers. Cover with a cloth and let stand for a day and a half. Strain and shake with ice in a cocktail shaker. Decorate glasses with Borage flowers. Celebrating Beltane By Jill Yarnall Beltane marks the beginning of Summer and care-free living. Try incorporating some the ideas listed below to help create a meaningful Beltane celebration. Maypole Dance: The Maypole dance, long a focal-point for Beltane celebrations, can continue to be an important element to modern ceremonies. Slender dead or cut trees may be used. Simply sink the bottom into soft dirt or sand. A Yule tree stand can also be used. The easiest method is to use a tall staff held in place by two people. Curling ribbon found in the wrapping paper section of any store works well for the pole ribbons. Tie as many ribbons onto the pole as participants in the dance (for the dance to work correctly, there must be an even number). Make sure each ribbon is several feet longer than the pole. When it is time for the dance, separate the dancers into sets of two, facing each other and holding a ribbon. Those dancing clockwise will begin by lifting their ribbon over the facing dancer, while those dancing clockwise will begin by lifting their ribbon under the facing dancer. Each dancer must then alternate going over or under as they meet the next dancer: over, under, over, under, etc. Continue the process under the Maypole is braided. Bel Fires: It is customary to light a bonfire on Beltane. It is thought to bring good luck and prosperity to anyone who can jump over the fire. Couples who jump the fire holding hands are granted fertility. The Bel Fire holds one other purpose: the corn dollies made at Lammas and dressed as brides at Imbolc are now cast into the flames. The ashes then can be spread into gardens or fields to complete the cycle and renew the plants for another year of growth. If a bonfire isn't a logical solution in your situation, you can make a small Bel Fire in a cast-iron cauldron using equal parts rubbing alcohol and salt. Light carefully. This fire will burn for several minutes. Sexual Unions: Beltane has long been recognized and celebrated as the day when the Maiden and the young God marry and first consummate their relationship which brings forth new life on Earth It is because of this sacred sexuality and the human desire to imitate it that Beltane has become the sabbat for frivolity, sexuality, and sensuality. It is the most appropriate holiday for consenting adults to share sexual unions in honor of the God and Goddess. Be sure both partners are protected from disease and pregnancy. Worry-free sex is much more fun! Beltane Dew: It is thought that if women wash with dew gathered from grass, flowers, and tree buds on May 1, they will have a beautiful complexion. Go out early on Beltane, and gather dew in a wash cloth and rinse your face with the dew. A refreshing way to start the day! May Flowers: Until the 1960s in the United States, people celebrated May Day with flowers. Children decorated small baskets or construction paper horns and filled them with flowers to take to neighbors and friends. Then, hanging the May basket on the door knob, the child would knock, run, and hide leaving the anonymous gift behind. I remember the great thrill of doing this in elementary school. Why not revive this lovely custom as a part of Beltane celebrations today? The traditional English chant to speak when handing out the baskets is: "Good morning, Mistress and Master, I wish you happy day. Please to smell my garland cause it is the first of May. A branch of May I have brought you, and at your door I stand; it is but a sprout, but it's well budded out...the work of our Lady's hand." (Thanks to Jill Pederson-Myer for this information.) ============================ The Maypole By Jill Yarnall The Maypole, focal point of the traditional Beltane celebration, has a long and interesting history. It is believed that the original Maypoles were fir trees or small oak trees which had been stripped of their bark and branches. It was generally cut by young men and erected in the village square or in the consecrated ritual circle on May Eve. Some were left up permanently. The Maypole represented the erect phallus of the male principle in the Divine marriage. The women who danced around it, adorning it with ribbons and flowers, represented the female principle in the Divine marriage. Sometimes, men and women danced together to represent the balance of male and female in the natural world. This dance and other festivities of the May Day celebrations were an important part of European villages' welcoming of Summer. Often the celebrations were beautiful, elaborate, and large: one Maypole erected in London in 1661 was 134 feet tall! Today, Beltane holds many of the original festivities and meanings, but it has also taken on refreshed meanings as well. The Maypole may represent the World Tree (Axis Mundi) by which the Goddess descends during the dance to contact Her devotees. The clockwise and counterclockwise dance also represents the spiral of death and rebirth.