Lunantishees Day

Also known as Celtic Faery Day, Faeries called Lunantishees are honored on November 11. Lunantishees were believed to be a tribe of fairies and guardians of the blackthorn tree, and so on this day, these trees or branches from these trees must not be cut. Should on person manage to cut a stick, some misfortune will surely befall him or her.

To honor these fairies on this day, tie a black ribbon around the trunk of a blackthorn tree and wish them well.

In celebration of this day, here’s a nice little poem from Flower Fairies:

The Sloe Fairy

When Blackthorn blossoms leap to sight,
They deck the hedge with starry light,
In early Spring
When rough winds blow,
Each promising
A purple sloe.

And now is Autumn here, and lo,
The Blackthorn bears the purple sloe!
But ah, how much
Too sharp these plums,
Until the touch
Of Winter comes!

Note:

The sloe is a wild plum. One bite will set your teeth on edge until it has been mellowed by frost; but it is not poisonous.