tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post6287087910151499860..comments2024-03-23T13:48:38.305+00:00Comments on The Ever-Living Ones: Blackthorn, dark sister of the May.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-15060104704922149152017-04-24T17:46:52.388+01:002017-04-24T17:46:52.388+01:00Thanks for the information Popeye Kahn.Thanks for the information Popeye Kahn.Jane Bridesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884080979254453834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-86362837388687214932017-04-23T17:42:22.224+01:002017-04-23T17:42:22.224+01:00Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) was jncluded in domest...Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) was jncluded in domestic horticultural plantings in Reno, Nevada during the early part of the 20th century, as was English hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata). In Reno, English hawthorns 100+ years in age have deeply fluted trunks and include a cultivar with shocking pink blossoms. I believe the blackthorn is now considered to be an invasive, and is banned from plantings in many states. It is likely that P. spinosa is present in many backyards of older houses in California, throughout the zone that will support it.Popeye Kahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00663295097741473289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-42977506897524847142017-04-19T11:02:08.062+01:002017-04-19T11:02:08.062+01:00Thanks - I agree with you!Thanks - I agree with you!Jane Bridesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884080979254453834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-37784999100617204012017-04-19T11:01:39.760+01:002017-04-19T11:01:39.760+01:00So it does Freespiral - isn't Paddy the Sticks...So it does Freespiral - isn't Paddy the Sticks great?Jane Bridesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884080979254453834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-48004986992300499392017-04-19T06:46:22.165+01:002017-04-19T06:46:22.165+01:00Love all these stories its so good to keep them al...Love all these stories its so good to keep them alive for the young people Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-41136519688241757212017-04-18T19:17:33.050+01:002017-04-18T19:17:33.050+01:00And the blackthorn seems especially exuberant this...And the blackthorn seems especially exuberant this year. I love the photo of Paddy the Sticks. Freespiralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16489741429474840031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-78086209136902338452016-04-20T13:48:30.567+01:002016-04-20T13:48:30.567+01:00Hello Valerie & thank you for your lovely comm...Hello Valerie & thank you for your lovely comment. I don't think the blackthorn is in your part of the world but great to hear you have a whitethorn! Congratulations on keeping the officials at bay & your offerings to the Good People are perfect. Over here the time we do not cut the whitethorn is at Bealtaine - when the energy of the tree is rising to blossom & if it is known as a fairy bush then it is left at that time too. The best time to prune I think is after the leaves have fallen when the sap is low & the tree is 'resting'. <br />I hope to post a blog soon about the May bush - which may be of interest to you.<br />Blessings<br />JaneJane Bridesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884080979254453834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-37981737931547959502016-04-19T20:51:47.679+01:002016-04-19T20:51:47.679+01:00I don't believe I've seen Blackthorn here ...I don't believe I've seen Blackthorn here in California, but for many years I lived in a house with a Whitethorn in the yard at the edge of the street. I was told many years ago that the Whitethorn should ONLY be cut on Bealtainne, which in the USA is usually celebrated on May 1. Accordingly, I resisted the haranguing by the city trying to get me to prune the tree, and I insisted that the tree was sacred and that I would prune it ONLY on May 1. City officials grumbled but did not try to force me, nor send a crew to do the job themselves. When on May 1 I pruned the tree, I spoke to the tree and explained the situation. I apologized for what I had to do, and promised that the prunings would all be used for making charms and wands (a Whitethorn wand being especially prized here, provided it has been respectfully made). I gave two bowls of milk: one for the Good Folk and one for the tree itself. This was my habit for all the years I lived there. I never suffered any ill for it--indeed, the Good Folk did me some favors, probably saving my life on one occasion. So I believe they accepted my apologies and my offerings. Valerie Voigthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079446169152862513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-87660169859443618302016-04-19T09:55:50.504+01:002016-04-19T09:55:50.504+01:00So glad you found this interesting Elaine - thank ...So glad you found this interesting Elaine - thank you for your comment!Jane Bridesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884080979254453834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-53573529530523501692016-04-18T23:03:13.532+01:002016-04-18T23:03:13.532+01:00delight with this.. my mum went to school in Shill...delight with this.. my mum went to school in Shillelagh.and I never knew about the blackthorn sticks coming from there. but also this is very relevant to my work on Ogham and my own work with trees. thank youElaine gardenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-4457617387005908052016-04-18T08:41:10.533+01:002016-04-18T08:41:10.533+01:00Thank you Val - glad you enjoyed it! Heading over ...Thank you Val - glad you enjoyed it! Heading over to you to have a catch up! xxJane Bridesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884080979254453834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3487544455243599988.post-77996947951468410672016-04-18T07:58:37.070+01:002016-04-18T07:58:37.070+01:00I love your posts, Jane. I learn so much about Iri...I love your posts, Jane. I learn so much about Irish mythology and legend from them. This is wonderful. I knew the Blackthorn had special magical powers, but not to what extent!Vallypeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08309284606572565277noreply@blogger.com