Blackthorn is depicted in many fairytales throughout Europe as a tree of ill omen. Called Straif in the Ogham, this tree has the most sinister reputation in Celtic tree lore. The English word “strife” is said to derive from this Celtic word. A long hard winter is referred to as a Blackthorn Winter.

To Witches, it often represents the dark side of the Craft. It is a sacred tree to the Dark, or Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess, and represents the Waning and Dark Moons. Blackthorn is known as “the increaser and keeper of dark secrets”. The tree is linked with warfare, wounding and death, associated with the Scottish Cailleach - the Crone of Death, and the Irish Morrigan. In Scotland, winter begins when the Cailleach (also the Goddess of Winter) strikes the ground with Her Blackthorn staff.

Blackthorn was often used for “binding and blasting.” A black rod is a Blackthorn wand with fixed thorns on the end, used to cause harm to others. In British folklore, a Witch will use a Blackthorn in rituals of cursing. The sharp thorns were reputedly used by English witches to pierce poppets in their curses, called the “pins of slumber”.

Blackthorn can be used in spells of protection as well. In Irish tales, heroes were aided by the Blackthorn tree - if they threw a twig of Blackthorn after them, it would take root and form an impenetrable hedge or woods, thwarting the pursuing giant. In England Witches would carve the Norse rune thorn on a Blackthorn stave for protection.

Guild Promotions

by Gothyelk, 36 days ago

Fiends and citizens, join me in congratulating both Sowhat and Terp for their promotions within Blackthorn.

Sowhat, who joined us from Praetorian recently, has been promoted to the rank of Harbinger and has sworn oath to uphold the ideals of that office and of Blackthorn. We are pleased that she accepts this position and begins her duties.

Master Terp has been promoted from Harbinger to Shield of Truth and is now the acting second-in-command for Blackthorn. Terp is a loyal, courageous and inspirational part of our family and I am pleased that he will be standing by my side as we move Blackthorn forward.

Please salute these members when you see them.

All power and honor to the Guild,
Gothyelk, Warden of Omens

Farewell, Friends

by Rashalduran, 47 days ago

Friends,

Nimowyn and I have officially left the World of Warcraft. I apologize for anyone I was unable to tell personally but I felt it would be nice to post a goodbye here.

We have some RL things keeping us busy and in order to ensure that we can focus on them we've decided the best thing we can do is to halt the time we spend playing the game. We will miss all of you dearly and hope the best for you in the future. We haven't quite decided whether or not the expansion will bring us back to the game yet. We will have to evaluate what our lives look like at that point and decided whether or not we can spare the time, though I'm sure it'll be at a very casual level.

Listen for us on vent here and there. I'm sure we'll visit when we can.

So now Nimowyn and the three of me below say "Good Luck!" and "Farewell!" to our friends. May the Light shine upon you always and guide your path.

~Ra'Shalduran