I am sure most people know by now that the original Halloween, or Samhain (pronounced Sow-wain) originated in Ireland, with its rich heritage of Celtic traditions and lore. But Samhain actually goes back over 2000 years before the Celts, when nature was revered, and seasons acknowledged. 

If you have not been to this mystical land let me confirm that you can see why. With Ireland’s wealth of misty mountains, glens tumbling down towards the sea, bogs and green pastures, and a small population you can find so many places in Ireland to be alone, surrounded by nature, amongst woods and mists, with an aura of magic in the air.

Our garden has a fence line made entirely of hawthorn trees. For those who do not know these trees are revered in Celtic traditions and folklore. They are seen as a gateway between this world and the next, and at this time of year that veil is at its thinnest. It is believed that the Fae (fairy folk) inhabit and protect these trees – to be fair you are warned to revere them by their huge sharp thorns!  It is suggested that at this time of year if you approach the trees with reverence and sit under them the Fae may give you gifts of love and prosperity. But be warned they may also take you away for years at a time! 

Now it is considered extreme bad luck to damage or cut down these trees. It is believed to bring the Hawthorne into your home means there will be a death in the family. Many people have told me how their mothers or grandmothers would chase them out of the house if they brought Hawthorne blossoms into it. As if to enhance this suspicion it is said that the Hawthorne blossom smells like rotting flesh if cut and brought into the house. But this belief may stem from the churches influence, to stop people revering the Hawthorne, as was the case, from dancing round maypoles to bringing branches in to ward off evil spirits. (Perhaps the church could not get in their houses LOL)

Farmers will not cut Hawthornes down, and when you pass a field and wonder why there is a single tree in the middle – chances are it is a Hawthorne, the farmer will not cut it down, for fear of offending the Fae.

As RD and I turn more and more to the spiritual, to believing that we all live as a collective, I don’t think it is any coincidence that we came to live in a house with a portal between this and the spiritual world. In fact I think that despite enduring a number of ferocious storms those trees have protected us. I have often gone into the garden to just sit and feel at peace, albeit feeling a little bit watched by unseen eyes at times. But I do know we have certainly been blessed since we came to live here in so many ways. 

In addition to the Hawthorne trees we have a Rookery! It appears we are blessed that Rooks have chosen our garden to live. I feel that it does say something about us, we’re giving off the vibes that we respect nature and understand that we are all part of a collective. 

Every year I see their colony grow, watch the adults as they watch over the young rooks. I do count myself blessed that other living things, that are often despised by the thick, (sorry uninitiated!) trust us enough to live with us. Perhaps it is also because they know the Fae are also protecting the garden – I think that may be the case! 

It has all made me understand that RD and I are going in the right direction – re-wilding part of our paddock, giving back to nature, trying to work with it. 

So this Samhain I am going to persuade RD to get our garden chairs – despite the weather and sit out in the garden – with the Hawthorne trees and speak to those we have lost. I am sure that Harley and Wiglet will be there, along with Diddies, who was walking back and forth along the windowsill last night – to the point that RD said ‘I know you’re there Diddies but I cannot let you in even if I open the window for you. I just told her to come in! I have also seen her often over the past few weeks. 

I will open my mind to all possibilities in this world, and I will thank the Fae for protecting us, and for the love we have in our house. 

Have an magical, mystical Samhain everyone. 

Moisy