Hawthorn – Healing
Genus: Crataegus – Family: Rosaceae
Hawthorn offers a time of renewed energy and healing as we begin a new adventure of the heart. By tending to our hearts desire, we will have the strength to follow our dreams.
The common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna has been used for thousands of years to heal a “broken” heart. In folk medicine, the flowers, leaves and fruit are used to help reduce blood pressure, anxiety and inflammation. In Chinese medicine, it is used to improve digestion and cardiovascular function. Modern medicine is now using hawthorn to help treat chronic heart failure, elevated cholesterol and coronary heart disease. It is seen as a tonic for strengthening heart contractions, thereby decreasing fatigue and shortness of breath, all of which helps to improve endurance.
Hawthorn is a tree of springtime and the birth of new possibilities.
The star-like blossoms of hawthorns are one of the last to bud in spring; this is seen as a signal that warm weather has finally arrived as the cycle of life continues. The legendary Glastonbury thorn, Crataegus monogyna ‘biflora’ miraculously blooms twice a year, once in winter and again in spring. According to legend, Joseph of Arimathea visited Glastonbury with the Holy Grail almost 2000 years ago. It was here that he planted his walking stick made of hawthorn in Somerset, England. The original hawthorn tree was cut down and burned in the 1640’s as a relic of superstition. It has since been destroyed and replanted several times in honor of the Holy Grail. In Victorian England, the hawthorn represented hope, based in the “language of flowers.” This language was “spoken” through the art of flower arrangement.
The genus name Crataegus comes from Greek, kratos meaning “strength” and akis “sharp,” referring to the thorns on its branches. The name haw is an Old English term for its edible apple-like fruit. The name hawthorn therefore speaks to both the fruit and the thorn. Hawthorn is also known as the May tree in European legend.
Hawthorn blossoms can be made into teas and tonics. The haw fruit harvested into jam and wine, while the wood can be carved into sacred items and boxes to hold our hopes and dreams.
Message: When hawthorn appears, it brings a message of hope and healing for our heart on both the physical and emotional level. This could signal the beginning of a new relationship or adventure. When we open our hearts and minds to what is possible, we soon discover that we are not alone on our journey. Hawthorn cleanses the heart of negativity and replenishes the body through nourishment. Hawthorn encourages us to feel renewed and refreshed as we venture forward on our journey through life.
Challenge: Being attached to outcomes holds us back from feeling the joy in the present moment. If we are preoccupied by goals we are missing the magic of the present moment.
If you liked what you read and want more... you may be interested in having the actual guidebook and card deck. The 204 page full-color book is sold separately from the cards. My goal is to find a publisher who can offer this as a set. In the meantime, you can purchase either the book or cards via these links. Thank you for your support. Laural
Tree Spirit Tarot – Return to the Garden of our Soul
Tree Spirit Tarot book available at: Amazon
Tree Spirit Tarot deck available at: Printers Studio
For more information visit: lauralwauters.com
Tree Spirit Wisdom 
My son took his life on a Hawthorn Tree. What does this represent please?
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I’m so sorry to hear about your son. The unimaginable loss of a child to suicide is unthinkably sad and confusing on every possible level. What comes to mind is that whatever he was feeling that led him to consciously or unconsciously choose a Hawthorn tree was connected to the hope of healing something that he felt was broken within his heart. There are no easy answers to a question like this. My husband has lost two siblings to suicide and I have lost several friends and my business partner to suicide. The horror, grief, confusion and anger is unbearable and overwhelming at times…I do understand. I sense that your son is a gentle soul and that Hawthorn was a gentle spirit during his transition. This may not offer comfort to you right now, as you seek answers as to why? Ultimately, Hawthorn is about healing a broken heart, I hope in time it can help you as you grieve and heal your broken heart. If you can, I would encourage you to sit with the tree and talk to your son. Allow your emotions to flow into the tree as you process and grieve with it for all that you are feeling. My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. If you want to email me please feel free to reach out: lauralwauters@gmail.com. With love, Laural
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Thank You for this information, today I ran into the word Hawthorn several times, as english is not my native language, I didn’t know what it was, in my language it is called a Wolf’s apple tree (Vilkābele, maybe because the wolf’s claws are like thorns?), but I didn’t know it’s meaning, so thank you for enlightening me. It actually makes sense as to where I am in my life now. This was like a confirmation of my hearts strength and readiness to move forward from a broken childhood and other aches. ❤ Glad I found this page!
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I’m glad you did too. That’s so interesting about Hawthorn being associated with wolves. What is your native language?
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My native language is latvian, im from Latvia!
I actually don’t know why it is named that, but it’s interesting how one plant or thing is named in different languages.
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Hey!
Thanks so much for this post, really interesting!
I am interested in your deck but can’t find pictures of the cards, can you point me in the right direction if you have any? Thank you so much! Blessings
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Hi, thank you for the positive feedback! The cards are available through Printers Studio. This link should provide a preview of some of the cards. You have to scroll down and click on the card that features the Rowan tree. https://www.printerstudio.com/sell/designs/tree-spirit-tarot.html
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I just bought a Hawthorn today and It is being delivered tomorrow. It is interesting that the tree chose me. I had another tree in mind when I went to the garden centre. I feel my ancestors (Irish) led me to it. I wanted something that will grow tall. How wonderful that it flowers as well, and that the blossoms and fruit are consumable! I had heart surgery as a child. I had not clue it is a tonic. I dug a huge hole for it today and it gets delivered tomorrow. I can’t wait!
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Enjoy your beautiful Hawthorn tree ❤
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