Beyond the grove visible from your window lies far more than just the delightful sight of fresh or golden foliage, depending on the season. Throughout world mythology and in the folklore of any nation, we find wonderful trees, plants, and herbs. As a huge fan of both the plant world and the magical, I simply cannot resist telling you about the amazing connection between the fairies and different plants and herbs. So, here are the most magical trees and plants that fairies adore:
Nothing is more associated with these mystical folk than certain types of trees. As soon as you venture away from the big city, you’re bound to stumble upon a lone hawthorn bush in the middle of a field.
Favorite magical trees and plants of the fairies.
But I would like to start my story with one of the most powerful trees found in Scandinavian mythology – the ash tree Yggdrasil. This is the World Tree, the tree of knowledge, and the tree of life. Yggdrasil connects nine worlds, with a wise eagle sitting at its top, while its roots are gnawed by serpents and the dragon Nidhogg. The three roots of Yggdrasil extend into the underworld, and beneath them lie springs, one of which is where the Norns dwell. The “Prose Edda” states that it is “the greatest and most beautiful of all trees. Its branches stretch out over the world and rise above the heavens. Three roots support the tree, and these roots are far apart. One root is among the gods, another among the frost giants, where the World Abyss once was. The third extends to Niflheim…”
Did you know that ordinary trees can also be imbued with magical properties? The hawthorn, oak, and ash are just such trees. The hawthorn is especially loved by fairies and often mentioned in fairy tales and ballads. Rudyard Kipling mentions them in Puck of Pook’s Hill, as he was well-acquainted with this world.
Fairies live in oak trees, particularly the Oakman, who offers food to passing people, which must never be accepted as it is poisoned. The oak, a tree sacred to druids, was revered throughout England, especially in Wales. In some villages, there was a belief that during summer or early autumn, oak leaves would whisper ancient prophecies.
What about elder? The elder tree, often dismissed as a mere weed, also possesses many valuable qualities and deserves respect. Its leaves, berries, and other parts are used in folk medicine more than any other plant or tree. And elderberries make a fine wine, a true treat in winter for the celestial beings that elves and fairies adore—birds.
The English believe that birches are home to a fairy known as the White Hand. If this fairy touches someone’s head, it leaves a mark on their face, and the unfortunate person loses their mind. In Wales, birch was used to make Maypoles. Moreover, Welsh girls would use birch to express their feelings to suitors—if she accepted the proposal, she would send him a wreath of birch leaves; if she rejected him, a wreath of hazel.
Special magic resides in apple trees and hazelnuts. If a salmon swallows a hazelnut, it gains great wisdom, and if someone eats that salmon, all that wisdom is transferred to them. Apple orchards are guarded by an apple fairy, who lives in the oldest, most gnarled tree. It is said that this fairy controls the harvest. To ensure apples grow next year, the last apple from the current crop should be left for the apple fairy.
Willow trees have long served people—they provide us with baskets and shelters for roofs thatch with reeds and straw, and the elves and fairies themselves are skilled at weaving with willow branches. The alder tree, one of those that bears catkins in spring, is resistant to water and rot, and in the past, lake dwellers greatly relied on it. In the magical world of fairies and elves, alder trees are protected by marvelous white horses that emerge from lakes and riverbanks.
Fae love flowers, especially forget-me-nots. They often use these flowers as gloves. It’s also known as the goblin thimble. It is said that goblins drink the juice from the forget-me-nots, which is more fun than alcohol. Primroses are also considered the magical flower of the fae. If you touch the slope of an elven hill with a bouquet of primroses (there must be a strictly defined number of flowers), you can get in. But if a mistake happens, the consequences can be very sad.
To see fairies, simply brew a soup from the tops of wild thyme gathered from an elf hill. But the soup must be cooked outdoors.
As for mushrooms, it’s no wonder many bear names like “Elf’s Cap,” “Pixie’s Cap,” and “Fairy’s Stick.” The most famous magical mushroom is the fly agaric. In Scandinavian belief, fly agarics originated from the foam that flew from the mouth of Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse.
How do magic trees grow and where can you find them?
Fairies pay particular attention to trees that grow at the base of hills or in groups of three or four. If a tree grows inside a fairy ring, you can be sure it has special significance to fairies. The same applies to hawthorn, elder, hazel, holly, or willow trees that grow near such a circle or on a rocky meadow with tough grass, near a large boulder, or by a spring—this is an even clearer sign.
Fairies and elves are very picky about their favorite trees, and where a tree grows is of great importance. No mortal can say whether the seed fell naturally or was planted supernaturally for the needs of the magical folk. Nevertheless, there are many signs that can help an interested person understand, or even clearly indicate, which trees are favored by elves and fairies. But the final word always lies with local legends.
If you’re interested in folklore about magical plants or flowers and want to know more, check out my other posts: Wolf flowers, folklore and legends and Scandinavian herbs.
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