First visit to Avebury — question

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tjj T
tjj Aug 29, 2012 13:25:49
Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:
marinade wrote:
Hello. First post in this bit of the forum.

I visited the Avebury area for the first time the other week. Taking the path over Waden Hill to Silbury Hill, I passed a tree festooned with ribbons. I just wondered what the significance of this tree is.

Ta.

Hello and welcome to the Forum. I know that tree quite well - it's a hawthorn I believe and yes, for some reason people have tied ribbons to it. They do the same to an oak on the path up to West Kennett Long Barrow and also over at Swallowhead Springs. Why? I don't know, some sort misguided neo-pagan custom I should think. I don't mind really ... live and let live, me.
Would like to just add that trees are considered sacred by pagans, druids and lots of other people who don't necessarily call themselves anything - the hawthorn, oak and willow (the trees chosen) are all said to have certain spiritual attributes. I think the ribbons are something to do with healing.

S Sanctuary
Sanctuary Aug 29, 2012 13:36:39
Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:
tjj wrote:
marinade wrote:
Hello. First post in this bit of the forum.

I visited the Avebury area for the first time the other week. Taking the path over Waden Hill to Silbury Hill, I passed a tree festooned with ribbons. I just wondered what the significance of this tree is.

Ta.

Hello and welcome to the Forum. I know that tree quite well - it's a hawthorn I believe and yes, for some reason people have tied ribbons to it. They do the same to an oak on the path up to West Kennett Long Barrow and also over at Swallowhead Springs. Why? I don't know, some sort misguided neo-pagan custom I should think. I don't mind really ... live and let live, me.
Would like to just add that trees are considered sacred by pagans, druids and lots of other people who don't necessarily call themselves anything - the hawthorn, oak and willow (the trees chosen) are all said to have certain spiritual attributes. I think the ribbons are something to do with healing.
You will be more right than wrong June I'm sure. I think over the years it has become a way of paying your respects in the only way you feel you can. Yes it may look tatty but at least it isn't doing much harm and neither are the people who leave them and more importantly, not damaging any of the monuments.

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