Carrying a whitethorn stick brings misfortune during travel, while a hazel switch attracts good luck and protects against evil.

Hazel for Luck, Whitethorn for Woe: Travel Superstition

Details

According to European folk belief, particular types of wood carry metaphysical properties that affect luck and spiritual protection during travel. A person embarking on a journey would avoid bringing a whitethorn (commonly associated with the hawthorn tree), as it was believed to harbor ill omens and attract misfortune. In contrast, carrying a switch or staff made of hazel wood was thought to bring prosperity, safety, and divine protection. Hazel has historically been viewed as sacred and associated with knowledge, clarity, and magical properties. Folk practices might include blessing the hazel stick before departure or using it to touch the ground at crossroads, which were believed to be spiritually charged locations. The belief in hazel’s protective nature also stems from the idea that it can repel malevolent supernatural beings, including the devil.

Historical Context

These beliefs likely arose in Celtic and later Christian-influenced regions in medieval Europe, particularly in the British Isles. Hazel trees held sacred status in Celtic mythology, symbolizing wisdom and connection to the Otherworld. Druids and other ritual specialists used hazel wands in divination and protection rites. Conversely, whitethorn—or hawthorn—was a paradoxical symbol in folklore. While associated with fairies and certain sacred sites, it was also feared due to its connections with curses and untimely death when disturbed. Over time, the wood of these trees took on symbolic roles in traveler protection folklore. The idea of trees possessing positive or negative influence was common across rural folk societies, where surviving a journey was uncertain and imbued with spiritual significance.

Modern Relevance

While no longer widely practiced, remnants of these beliefs linger in European folk traditions, especially in rural Ireland and parts of Britain. Hazel wood remains symbolically positive in crafts and ceremonial uses, including the making of dowsing rods. Whitethorn (hawthorn), however, still plays a role in local lore—it is often left undisturbed in hedgerows because of its ties to fairies and bad luck. Occasionally, modern pagan and neo-Druidic groups revive the symbolic use of hazel in their rituals, referencing historical texts and customs for spiritual affirmation or craftsmanship. On social media, folk magic and hedgewitch practices continue to mention hazel for its protective qualities. The travel-related application specifically, however, requires further ethnographic study to determine its current usage.

Sources

Evans-Wentz, W.Y. (1911). The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries.

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