Shop » The Wisdom of the Trees

Blackthorn

In ancient times, our Celtic Druid Ancestors devised a system, part alphabet, part calendar/zodiac, to be carved using simple notches onto wood or stone. Each character was a number and a letter. The consonants were time periods – mostly lunar months and the vowels were the solstices or equinoxes. Each symbol represented a tree or shrub, around which grew an extensive mythology, recording historical and religious stories, the uses of each tree both for craftwork and medicinally, and a divinatory system similar to the tarot. To the Celts, the whole landscape was alive with meaning, and wisdom – the wisdom of the trees.

Blackthorn, Ogham name Straif, rules the Dark half of the year. In Divination it represents strife, obstinacy, stand up for your rights, assertiveness. The Blackthorn stick or "Shillelagh" is the traditional walking stick of the Celt, doubling at need as a cudgel, combining supportiveness with the role of a weapon!