Ancient English traditions and beliefs continue to captivate, showcasing the reverence our ancestors had for nature, a sentiment often overlooked in modern times. Among these enduring myths is the superstition surrounding the sight of a lone magpie, a symbol of unease in folklore.
An intriguing superstition that was once widespread across Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland revolves around a specific shrub – the Blackthorn. This native British tree, known for its wild growth and sloe-bearing capabilities in autumn, was deemed ‘forbidden’ to be cut down on two specific dates each year.
In the past, both May 11 and November 11 were deemed unlucky days for harvesting Blackthorn due to its mystical significance in Celtic mythology. Referred to as the ‘wishing thorn’ and wild plum, this tree stands out with its distinct appearance in hedgerows, urban woodlands, and parks.
According to Irish Stick folklore, Blackthorn was believed to offer protection against fairies, particularly the moon fairies known as lunantishees. Cutting down a Blackthorn on November 11 or May 11 was thought to bring curses from these beings, while harvesting the tree during a full moon was considered auspicious, granting inspiration to musicians, poets, and strength to warriors.
Similar enchanting tales surround the Hawthorn tree, often seen as a ‘cousin’ to the Blackthorn. Hawthorns, also known as May trees or whitethorns, were planted as living memorials and were linked to fairy folklore, believed to be gateways to the ‘Otherworld’.
Despite its beautiful spring blossoms, cutting down a Hawthorn was believed to result in immediate death according to ancient superstitions. The superstition of incurring a curse from fairy folk by cutting Blackthorn on certain dates has contributed to the continued abundance of these trees in the countryside, standing in seemingly random locations.
Even during the spring bloom when Hawthorns showcase stunning white or pink blossoms, taking a flower-bearing branch indoors was considered extremely unlucky in the past, a belief that may still deter many from tempting fate today.