Hawthorn Also known as hagthorn (due to its long association with Witches), the hawthorn is a very magickal tree that is said to be sacred to the Pagan deities Cardea, Flora, and Hymen. In England it was once believed that the hawthorn was one of the three trees most sacred to the fairy-folk (the others being the oak and the ash). It is customary for many modern Witches to decorate their Beltane altars and May poles with hawthorn. In ancient times, many a superstitious soul believed that hawthorns were actually Witches in disguise. Many Witches were thought to have been able to transform themselves into trees at will by means of magickal spells, or (according to Christians) through the aid of the devil. Others were said to have danced so wildly around the hawthorns in their frenzied rites that they permanently became as one with the tree. Take care not to sit beneath the boughs of a hawthorn tree on Halloween (the time of year when the invisible veil between the human and supernatural realms is thinnest), otherwise, you may fall under a fairy enchantment. Cutting down a hawthorn tree is said to greatly anger the fairies, and therefore brings the worst of luck to the one who fells it. There exist contradicting legends concerning the bringing of hawthorn blossoms into the house. One holds that the blossoms are beneficial, offering the household protection against evil, sorcery, and lightning. Another claims that they are extremely unlucky and may even bring about a death in the family. [Source:Gerina Dunwich - Herbal Magick]