Hawthorn New Moon
I especially enjoy Hawthorn after early morning summer rain, the scent reminiscent of a man - musky, creamy but with a sweetness and an earthy note in the background.
New moons are always a sign and time of re-birth and re-activation.
They’re the beginning of a new lunar cycle.
Celtic tree astrology and the Celtic tree Calendar are modern constructs, dreamed up by Robert Graves, a poet and mythologist - Thirteen trees, one for each lunar cycle in the year.
Where astrology believes the effect of each new moon takes on the characteristics of astrological transits also occurring at the same time and of the archetypal sign it’s placed in. The tree calendar was developed so that each moon cycle took on the characteristics and archetypes of the tree it was placed in.
Archetypes of planets, the cosmos and nature offer us reflections of consciousness, they reinforce our inter-connective totality to all known and unknown things.
H A W T H O R N
Common Name: Hawthorn
Scientific Name: Crataegus
Irish Name: Sceach gheal
Family: Rosaceae
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Symbolism: Unification of the masculine and feminine, reproduction, fertility and transformation. Emotional and sexual balance.
Hawthorn is the sixth consonant of the Ogham alphabet and sixth moon of the year, representing balance between masculine and feminine energies and highlights the importance of finding equilibrium.
Hawthorn has a unique charm that never fails to make me smile somehow. Its playful yet deeply serious qualities make it stand out from other plants and herbs. It has the power to lead a person into a trance toward the presence of eternal youth, there’s no method to this feeling, just the early summery sensations.
I especially enjoy Hawthorn after early morning summer rain, the scent reminiscent of a man - musky, creamy but with a sweetness and an earthy note in the background. It's amazing how this plant holds such potential as both medicine and ally.
The Hawthorn is native to Ireland and its genus name is Crataegus, from the Greek kratos, which means strength.
It’s like the wilful late teen of the hedgerow, full of life, fertility, longing… energy. Bursting to show itself off to the world.
Showing up every year - without fail - trees are so dependable. Yet they are always somehow, even in a small way, different to how they were previously. I can totally understand why our ancestors named moons and lunar phases after trees, the behaviour between them and us and the cosmos are so similar, another reminder of the interconnectivity.
The combination of Hawthorn and Wild Rose is one of my favourites, when joined they seem to have the ability to unlock the soul in a kind of rapture, working their way down the neck and spine to awaken the core of us and remind us of this connectivity.
The magic of Hawthorn is most evident in how he interacts in his environment. Hawthorn is bushy and spreading, and he’s thorny. He provides some food, especially in late winter when his haws are still edible, but more importantly he provides a hedge of protection to a variety of prey animals, most notably small to medium-sized birds. Birds such as the ruffed grouse, robin, cedar waxwing, fox sparrow, and pine grosbeak seek shelter from hawks and other predators in Hawthorn’s thorny space year-round. This tells us Hawthorn is a protector of the small, the vulnerable, and the weak. Hawthorn magic is the magic of shelter and protection, especially in times of stress.”
The Practical Herbalist’s Herbal Encyclopedia
I only ever take a small amount of hawthorn each season, my favourite way to work with it is on an energetic level as a flower essence using the blossoms, energetically Hawthorn is great for opening the heart space and allowing for emotional healing. I also make tea and a syrup with Hawthorn and distil its essence to infuse into alcohol. For this month’s New Moon Cocktail Club I’ve formulated a Hawthorn syrup, Hawthorn blossom (full moon in Scorpio) essence and a Rose tincture.
New Moon Insights
Be like a wilful teenager this month, transforming and full of life, fertility and energy.
An exciting time full of energy, spaciousness and growth. Allow it to inspire you to do new things, expand your aperture and experience life and humankind through a wider lens. Keeping the balance of grounding yourself amidst all of the outward activity. Remember your roots that are connected to the earth, from this steady foundation allow yourself to rise.
The vibrations are strong, be prepared in a healthy and wholesome way. The most important thing is not to become numb, be curious and notice what you notice. Go with this flow of energy, don’t try to fight it. If it gets too much, ground your body and your mind with practices that suit you.
New Moon Cocktail Club (NMCC)
For those who subscribe to the NMCC you will now find your recipes, plant insights and dark moon meditation here direct to your inbox rather than on the private website page… and for those who don’t, you can subscribe here if you’d like to receive a new moon mixer to your door each month.
This Month’s New Moon Mixer - Hawthorn Syrup, Hawthorn Essence & Rose Tincture
Spine Tingling Hawthorn Rose Whiskey Smash
50ml Whiskey
15ml New Moon Cocktail Club Mixer
3 lemon wedges
4 mint leaves
2 fresh Red Clover flowers or Rose petals
Ice
Muddle the lemon wedges with the Mixer in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
Add the mint leaves and lightly bruise with the muddler.
Add the Whiskey and ice then shake well.
Strain it into a glass and garnish your drink with a Red Clover / Rose petals and Mint.
Hawthorn Happiness Mock-tail
100ml Seasonal Infusion
30ml New Moon Cocktail Club Mixer
Ice
For the seasonal infusion combine a piece of ginger (approx 1 inch), a large handful of strawberries quartered, some fresh thyme, mint, and 4 lemon wedges in approx 500ml of water. Stir, cover and allow to infuse in the fridge overnight.
Add 30ml of New Moon Cocktail Club Mixer to approx 100ml of this infusion with ice as required, garnish with fresh sliced strawberry and a lemon wedge.
