Strangely, May blossom is widely regarded as unlucky. And some say it smells of decaying flesh. Hmmm. I'll have to think about that next time I'm near a hawthorn. That said, I can't exactly say I know what decaying flesh smells like.
The blossoms fall like snow or confetti, lending a strange magic to the breeze. But what is most remarkable to me is that they come so early, before the leaves are out on any of the deciduous plants. That blaze of pure white in a subdued scene is stunning.
Maybe that's why the hawthorn plays an important role in myth and folklore. Thomas the Rhymer apparently met the Faery Queen by a hawthorn and they are the most common haunt of the 'Wee Folk'.
The horses used to love the tender shoots from hawthorn bushes and it seems that there are medicinal properties - helping the heart and lowering cholesterol. Those who believe in homeopathy cite even more beneficial effects - related to digestion, diabetes, cold extremities and for those who are 'Apprehensive, despondent. Very nervous and irritable, with pain in back of head and neck.' I'm going to buy some tincture of hawthorn, I think. Can't do any harm.
In fact, people used to eat the leaves, which they called 'bread and cheese'.
The Internet has its uses.
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