HAWTHORN

HAWTHORN
Generally seen as a tree which brings good luck to the owner and prosperity to the land where it stands.

The 'Glastonbury Thorn' (aka Monogyna Praecox) is a type of Hawthorn found in England (UK) and believed to originate from Palestine/Middle East, also referred to as the 'Holy Thorn'. The tree is said to have been brought by Joseph Arimathea on a visit to England. Wherever Joseph travelled spreading the word of God, he carried a staff which he had acquired in Palestine. Legend tells that he visited the Isle of Avalon, (Glastonbury) Somerset (UK), which at one time was surrounded by water. Tired from travelling he sought rest and sat down upon 'Weary-all Hill' now called 'Worral Hill'. Joseph stuck the staff into the ground, and legend says that it took root and a tree grew. Within the area there are now trees that are said to have been grown from the original cuttings one in the grounds of 'Glastonbury Abbey' and another in the church yard of St. John's Church. The tree was seen as sacred and blossom at Christmas (See also Mystical WWW : Christmas and Easter (See also Mystical WWW : Easter). (Marking the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ). The flowers are highly prized and at one time exported around the world. It is believed that the Hawthorn had two trunks, but one was cut down. The perpetrator was revenged according to legend having one of his eyes taken out by the thorns in the process.

'He was well serv'd for his blind Zeale, who going to cut doune an ancient white Hauthorne-tree, which, because she budded before others, might be an occasion of Superstition, had some of the prickles flew into his eye, and made him Monocular.'

A stone marked the spot amongst the ruins of the Abbey in 1750 with an inscription reading 'I.A.A.D. XXXI', the translation of which is 'Joseph of Arimathea, A.D. 31'.

Cuttings are said to have been taken around Britain which still flower at Christmas. Although Hawthorn Trees can still be found in the abbey these are said to be cuttings of the tree as it believed to have been cut down during the English Civil War (the reign of King Charles II).

Yet the Hawthorn is also considered to be a tree destined to bring bad fortune to the owner, as this is the thorny tree that some believe was made into the crown of thorns used at Christ's Crucifixion. It naturally follows that to bring any part of the tree into a house but most importantly the flowers, will result in someone in the house dieing. Attacking or cutting down a Hawthorn tree should not be attempted for the same reason. One contradiction to this belief is that to place a Hawthorn branch above the door will warn negative forces not to enter. Some believe that the Hawthorn is a holy plant which is why no negative energies will find peace by it.

Glastonbury Thorn can only be grown by grafting in onto a native Hawthorn and will not flower twice a year if grown from seed. When grafted it tree lives for about 100 years.

A spray of the flowers that grows only at Christmas time is sent to the Queen and the Queen Mother every Christmas and palced on the queens table on Christmas Day.