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BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa)
Key: circulation
Blackthorn is commonly found in hedgerows and at the edge of scrub woodland. Each plant suckers freely to produce dense masses of impenetrable thornbushes. Blackthorn can become a small tree but never grows much more than 15 feet (4m). It has black, shiny bark with strong sharp spines and a hard orange wood – traditionally the material of cudgels (“shillelagh”) because of its heaviness and strength. The densely packed white flowers open in spring before the small leaves appear. The earliest white blossom in the British countryside is cherry plum, followed by blackthorn, then wild cherry in April, then hawthorn in May. The fruits “sloes” are blue-black and very sour, becoming fully ripened after the first frosts.
There is an energising of the physical body with this essence. It can be of use to help improve oxygenation and efficiency of the blood supply. This can increase the amount of nutrition available to the body. Because of these qualities blackthorn can be helpful with migraine, PMT, menstrual cramps and poor circulation.
Hope and joy increases with the lively energising of the Small Intestine and Triple Warmer meridians.
The root chakra (survival issues, manifestation, physical skill), and the heart chakra (balancing, integrating, understanding) are positively influenced. A small chakra at the base of the arch of the foot which relates to the functions of the small intestine, is stimulated and this helps the absorption of various minerals that stabilise emotional states. The emotions are not strongly affected by blackthorn except when they directly relate to energy levels, chemical balances and nutrition. In these cases other appropriate essences may be one of the maples (Silver, Field, Sycamore). The increase of energy levels helps to counter the effects of sadness, solitude and hopelessness.
Blackthorn is a very protective essence particularly from non-physical entities and energy patterns that may weaken or infiltrate the subtle spiritual body. There is an overall spiritualisation and integration of fine level energy, a rooting of the spirit into matter.
Signature: The white frosting of blackthorn across the countryside in early spring is sign of returning energy and life to the land. The sharp, spiky thorns emphasise the here-and-now of physical existence. The velvety-purple sloes: spirit growing from the energy of form.
Comment: Blackthorn epitomises the delicacy and strength of the force of life. I once saw the spirit of blackthorn as a young warrior girl guided and perhaps guarded by a surly looking, cudgel-wielding dwarf.