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Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal) - card
  • Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal) - card
  • Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal) - card

Hawthorn (Sceach Gheal) - card

€3.00
SKU: NT01

13 May - 9 June

The month of the Hawthorn covers the period from 13th May - June 9th. The Hawthorn or Sceach Gheal in Irish, has a unique place in the folklore of Ireland. On one level it is seen as a tree of the fairies or Sidhe and on another, as a tree connected to sacred wells and healing sites.
As a fairy tree, it is sometimes seen standing alone, or guarding the entrance to an ancient place. These trees are to be respected, left in peace as a mark of respect, and woe betide anyone who dares to cut one down. Even as recently as the late 1990s, a by-pass in Co. Clare was diverted so a fairy tree would not be disturbed.
In so many parts of Ireland today, the lone Hawthorn in a field or Hawthorns ringing a fairy fort remain untouched. The “Rag Tree’’ is a tree, but most commonly a Hawthorn, growing in places associated with healing, such as a Holy Well, but also on ancient sites such as Tara. These wells and sites were places of visitation long before Christianity and it was believed that healing of a sick person could come from an offering of rags from the bed of that person which were tied to the branches of that tree. This practice is still maintained though unfortunately nowadays non-biodegradable offerings are often made, thus damaging the trees and the environment.
The Hawthorn is often called the May Bush, due to the fact that it blooms during this month and as it is regularly planted to divide the land, it creates a beautiful criss-cross of blossom filled hedgerows at this time. Although pretty, it is said that it is bad luck to bring these blossoms into your home.
The Ogham (ancient Irish writing) for Hawthorn is marked by a  single horizontal line on the left face of a stone.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna

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Greetings Cards
Dimension (L x W x H) 148 x 105 x 2 Millimetre
Weight 25 Gram

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