Ireland's Trees & Mythology

Vampires have left their blood soaked mark across the expanses of European folklore and there is always much debate in literature as to how they should be dispatched 🦇 In ancient Slavic society, the Hawthorn tree, loved above all others by the magical folk of Ireland, was…

New Oak leaves, especially those on saplings, are often a rich reddy brown colour 🌿 The cells of new leaves are delicate and in need of protection and the red colour is caused by the presence of 'anthocyanins'. These protect the developing leaves against damage from UV light…

When a little girl makes and wears a "daisy chain" little does she know that she is rendering herself immune to the attention of fairies 💮🧚🏻‍♂️ The 'flower' of the Daisy is actually made up of lots of little individual flowers and it is an important & rich source of pollen to for…

Often mistaken for a thistle, Knapweed speckles Ireland's meadows with its stunning amethyst-like flowers 💜 It was once used in love magic whereby a woman would place a Knapweed bud in the pocket if her blouse or coat 🌿 If the bud bloomed then she would surely soon meet her…

Meadowsweet growing in, and protecting, the graveyard in the ruins of Dunlewey Church in the Poisoned Glen, Donegal 💮🤍 When a person in #Ireland became bedridden, and was wasting away due to the malign influence of fairies, it was believed that if Meadowsweet was placed…

Fairies are known to reward those creatures that cause mischief 🧚🏻‍♂️🤍 Known as "Coinnle Corra" in Irish, the lovely Bluebell is associated with Springtime and beauty 🌱💜 Once known as "Cuckoo's Boots" they were gifted to the bird by the fairies in order to allow the Cuckoo to…

The Victorian Owls pictures may seem innocent but in Ireland they were known as Scréachog Reilige "the Cemetery Screamer" and Owls were viewed through a lens of fear & curiosity 🦉🪦 It was once believed that as they silently swooped through the night sky that they were…

And people say X is bad . This has made my day! Thankyou 🌳💪🏻

The "Dark Mother of the Woods" with her vicious thorned limbs keeps wildlife safe from harm and makes sure that we know our boundaries ❄️ The darker sibling of the Hawthorn, the Blackthorn was believed in medieval times, to have been used by the Devil to prick, and draw blood…

A great account & really worth a follow if you don't already. Similar to mine but eloquent, knowledgeable and minus the rage 🌿 Brilliant photography and tonnes of plant lore and knowledge 📖 🪄 #FollowFriday

In Irish the Hazel tree is known as "Coll" 🌰🌿 NoLeft alone they live for about the same length of time as we do, but when coppiced, either naturally or by humans, they regenerate, their hourglass refills, and they simply do not grow old ⏳ They are potent when it comes to…

In Ireland fairies delight in the song of the Thrush 🎶✨ The wee folk encourage the Thrush to build its nest low in the branches so that they may best hear it's music 🪺🎵 When a Thrush builds it's nest high up in a tree it is a sure sign that the fairies have been angered…

Bees do so much for us and they are very much loved by the fairy folk 🐝✨ In Ireland, the Goddess who cares for these wonderful creatures is named "Gobnait" and just like Brigid she was made a Saint by the Church during the Christian conquest of Ireland ☘️🧚🏻‍♂️ Whilst Gobnait…

For the ancient Norse, Oak trees were sacred, As they were for most other European people 🌳🙏🏻 The Oak is closely linked with Thor, the God of Thunder and protector of mankind. The association with Thor made the Oak a symbol of protection against the fierce Winter storms that…

Sometimes the Irish coast is beautiful in its cloak of green and grey 🌨️💚 But it isn't. When we stop to take a look amongst the rocks and the grass it is awash with every colour of the rainbow 🌈

As well as providing a lifeline for wildlife in the form of sanctuary and food when they need it most, a cloak of Ivy on your home is believed to prevent evil spirits and creatures from entering 🏡👹 And inside the home, Ivy is used in the divination of both love and death 💀💜…