​Blackthorn - Straif

Bruce Clifton

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Blackthorn - Straif

​​​Pronounciation: Str ee f - Str eye f
Moon Phase: New Moon  
Moon Name:  Not Applicable 
Letter: Ss Z St
Title:  Chieftain
Height: (mature) up to 24ft 6mtr
Influence:  Masculine
Age: 1 Generation but continual rebirth
Legend:  Straif/strife. Inevitable Decision. Authority, Respect, Enforcement.
Deity: Thor
Element: Water
Chakra: Throat Chakra
Aura: Blue Aura
Medicinal Qualities:  Fruits stop "Old Hag." Berries or Sloes ease stress. The flowers can be made into a tonic.
Totem Entities: The Seal, Magpie, Thrush, Fox.

The spirit of the Blackthorn is one of decision making, a wand made from Blackthorn will encourage positivity, using the essence of Blackthorn will prevent confusion, the Blackthorn brings forward the harsh reality of truth.

Sister to the Hawthorn the Blackthorn looks after the other half of the year. The Huathe the light side with Straif the dark side. The berries are surrounded by dense thorn it is believed that the thorns induce "Old Hag syndrome" whilst the berries contain the remedy. Sleep paralysis being caused by the refusal to accept a problem, or to deny the problem exists and for as long as you continue your path of denial Old Hag will haunt you. As soon as you accept the problem and skilfully negotiate the thorns then the sloes or berries will become yours. To place a sprig of Blackthorn within the room under the light of the moon will encourage quality sleep, with the nights drawing in, the days getting shorter, a sprig of Blackthorn in the bedroom will encourage the the energy to slow and calm and be restful. Old Hag, disturbed sleep, unsolved problems will disappear.

The Blackthorn tree once mature has a broad trunk that is easily shaped into a cudgel and comes the word cudgelled. To be cudgelled is to be given no option but to do as told, the subtle art of persuasion is lost with this tree. Many a mariner has awoken at sea after being cudgelled onto a ship. Also many a one legged mariner has had a new leg shaped from the trunk of the blackthorn.

The berries also known as sloes have a single pip and are known for their distinct flavouring of gin. To pour gin over sloes will enhance any fine gin, once the gin has been flavoured the sloes can be made into jelly and used to flavour poultry. The time of year bares heavily on this plant as it's berries do not sweeten until after the first frost, to find fruit that ripens with the cold northern climates is a rarity. It is understandable why the druids held it such high esteem placing it before the end of their year almost as a last obstacle. Before the Birch-Beth brings rebirth and new adventure.

The Seal who brings a steadfast determination to abide by his rules and a rigid defence of his family and his values commands a respect from all who dare to come near. The magpie who will not surrender and is fearless when faced with adversity and the common thrush who is not so common any more. All carry the traits of the blackthorn and all face fear needlessly, the courage, determination and persona of no matter what happens "keep calm and carry on", has graced them with the authority and respect to do just that.
The wiley fox will face strife many times before learning it can be avoided, an old fox is respected by all and listened to by most.​

Ogham Tree Lore

Bruce Clifton

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