Ogham Tuesday: Hawthorn

In every divinatory system I’ve studied, there are some readings that are more uncomfortable than others. Hawthorn can be a little bit like that. Boundaries aren’t always comfortable, are they?

Hawthorn is a traditional hedge tree, with a more shrubby growth habit, though it can expand enormously over time. With several hundred species in the genus, its appearance on the landscape can vary widely, but in general terms it’s a sturdy, living fence that provides habitat, protection, and food for pollinators and critters alike. (The brambly hedge from Peter Rabbit stories might have been one of these.) Hawthorn protects you when you stay on the inside; it hurts only if you try to push through. 

In an emotional sense, how much does it harm us when we violate our own boundaries? This is why I ~love~ Hawthorn. As a kid who grew up in a threatening environment, where boundaries were not respected or rewarded, this ogham assures me that protections are in place (strongly!) and all I need to do to remain safe is to respect them. 

When you receive Hawthorn in a reading, understand that things will probably move slowly for a bit, or you’ll need to take the long way ‘round an obstacle, but you aren’t at risk of harm as long as you move lightly and with great patience inside your circumstance. It’s a great example of the saying, “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” All will be back on pace soon enough. 

The Ogham Tuesday series started in 2023 and focused first on introducing each of the standard ogham alphabet in order. We're moving those posts to the blog now, so they can be more easily searched.

#omens #ogham #oghambingo #divination #9firespress #druidry #pagan #witchtok