Hawthorn, Quickthorn, May, Mayblossom, Whitethorn, Haw, Faery Tree…
Inspirational Hawthorn.
‘Just’ one of the things that I love about Dartmoor – are the small, hardy Hawthorns that grow amid the granite clitter of the moorland slopes…
New life under the May.
With sturdy, gnarled trunks – and thick, thorny tangles, of wind-sculpted branches – they give shelter from the biting chill of a Dartmoor Winter – to animals and birds that inhabit the Moor. And in Summer – their dense canopies of dark, green foliage provide a cool refuge – shielding sheep and wild ponies – and even a weary wayfarer – from the heat of the day.
Sheep under the Quickthorn.
Protection.
Gnarled and knobbly…and as old as the hills!
Dartmoor Hawthorn and waxing gibbous Moon.
Anytime now, Hawthorns will be budding with soft, new leaves – heralding longer, warmer days ahead – and Mayblossom…
Faery Tree near Burrator.
For me though – Autumn is the time when the Hawthorn is at its zenith – laden with blood-red berries – it presents the crowning glory of the turning year.
Hawthorn near Lanehead, Dartmoor.
A glut of berries help sustain the bird population throughout the harshest season…
Winter Haws – beside the B3357 Tavistock to Pricetown Rd – Dartmoor.
The ‘humble’ Dartmoor Hawthorn – and its holy cousin, the fabled Thorn of Glastonbury – both grow upon sites that are linked by an invisible energy – a mystical ley line that tracks across ancient and sacred places – from Cornwall to the Norfolk coast – and beyond…
Several Dartmoor Tors – most notably Brentor…
Rock of ages. St. Michael de Rupe – Brentor – Dartmoor.
– are directly linked by the Saint Michael Alignment…
Glastonbury Tor –
Pilgrimage. And did those feet in ancient time…
St. Michael’s Tower atop Glastonbury Tor.
as are Glastonbury Tor – and the Hurlers stone circle, near Pensilva – the place where I was born! (The haunted house that I was born in is listed here on the Pensilva History Group website.)
Touchstone. Hurlers – Bodmin Moor.
It is probably no coincidence then – that I always feel energised by the simple act of touching a Hawthorn tree – or an ancient stone – when visiting these sacred places and when walking on the hills…
Hawthorn near Rowtor.
Wind-sculpted Hawthorn on Stowe’s Hill (Cheesewring right). Near site of Hurlers – Bodmin Moor.
Om. (Cheesewring detail.)
Strokeable. Huggable. Tappable. Weathered Hawthorn – Dartmoor.
Ancient bole in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey.
Inspired by Hawthorns here, there and everywhere – and especially those closest to my heart – on Dartmoor, Bodmin and at Glastonbury – I made a token sprig to hang within my home – to me it symbolises the powerful, magical, inspirational – and everyday practical virtues of this most characterful of native trees…
Life-giving host; Mistletoe and Swallows. Hawthorn on Glastonbury Tor.
In tree lore – it is considered unlucky to bring real Hawthorn inside – so a small sprig crafted from glass, copper and lead is a wise precaution…
In-fused; glass, copper and lead.
In situ.
Dryad; the living tree – Dartmoor.
Shadowland. Hawthorn at Hurlers, Bodmin Moor.
Saint Michael Alignment. Avebury ‘eye’ and beyond…