Sloe

Origin: Europe, western Aisa, north-western Africa

Family: Rosaceae
Subfamily: Amygdaloideae
Tribe: Amygdaleae
Scientific Name: Prunus spinosa

Folk Names: Blackthorn, mother of the wood, sloe, wild plum, wishing thorn

Magical

Element: Earth
Day: Saturday
Planet: Saturn
Zodiac: Aries
Associated Celebrations: Shadowfest
Deities: Ceridwen

Parts used: Thorns, berries (sloe)

Magical Properties: Exorcism, protection, divination, wishes, banishing

Lore

• Eighth-century Irish Law Bretha Comaithchesa lists Sloe as one of the eight ‘chieftain’ trees, along with Alder, Hazel, Vine, Ivy, Oak, Furze, and Heath.

Magical Uses

• Carry sloe, or hang over doorways, to ward off evil, negativity, calamity, and demons.
• Sloe wood is sometimes used to make divining rods and ‘wishing rods’ (effectively magic wands).