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GLASTONBURY THORN (Crataegus monogyna biflora)
Key: Out of the woods.
The Glastonbury thorn is probably one of the world’s best known trees, so closely linked has it become with the legends of early Christianity, King Arthur and the Grail that surrounds that small Somerset town. The original tree was reputed to have sprung from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea who rested here whilst carrying the Grail of Christ’s blood, and who is said to have chosen Glastonbury as the site of the first church in Britain.
The tree itself has had a chequered history, being the focus of spite for religious fundamentalists of one sort or another, but cuttings have kept the tree and its legend alive. The thorn is thought to be a type of hawthorn found in the eastern Mediterranean, which explains its habit of flowering not only in summer (a little later than common hawthorns), but also around midwinter.
The essence of Glastonbury thorn can help to remove stagnant energy from the circulation and the area of the heart and lungs. This is not so much a physical cleansing as a clearing of subtle energy blocks.
The heart chakra is greatly strengthened. Relaxing and opening up the energy centre, a sense of great weight being lifted from the heart as if a new path opens up before you at a time where all seems to be turmoil and confusion.
At the level of the emotions a peace emerges that allows movement in the right direction for the individual’s own path. This same calmness also clears the thought processes so that information can be understood and properly utilised.
Having achieved a clearer understanding of one’s personal path (“dharma”, duty, destiny, potential etc.), this sense of acceptance and relaxation allows a much deeper level of intuition and information or energy to be perceived and understood. In this state of deep peace advice as to one’s “right action” can be more clearly heard.
Signature: The staff of Joseph of Arimethea: support for the traveller, clarity of purpose, ability to reach the distant goal.
Comment: This essence has many of the characteristic energy of other hawthorns. It is very heart-centred and supportive of self-awareness. The mythic attributions carry this particular tree into higher octaves of energy resonance. Qualities of time, truth and belief – the nature of reality itself as seen through human history – weave around this small tenacious bush. Issues of personal belief, understanding one’s true heart, both its desires and goals, and the nature of personal devotion can be explored through the energy pattern of Glastonbury thorn.