Tree: The Blackthorn is a shrub that produces suckers which can make a single plant the nucleus of an impenetrable thorny thicket. The thorns of this shrub provide a valuable defense in hedging. The Blackthorn is generally considered to be an expression of forces detrimental to humankind for its name means punishment and strife. It is the plant of slumber and death and a symbol of both punishment and protection, representing the struggle of new life arising from the breakdown of old things. It is protected by spiritual beings called Lunantishees. Esoterically, it has its useful sides as well. The Blackthorn is known as the Black Rod, or Blasting Rod, of the malevolent Mage or Witch. They would carry staves of this wood as a walking stick, club, or weapon. These staves were renowned for their great magical power. It was also the magical weapon used to wound poppets and effigies of one's enemies.

Expression: In the main, the Blackthorn is a sign of external control; that is, a control exerted from the outside on a person or thing. This is usually an unwanted sort of control, but not always. Besides, this ability or power is oftentimes the operative principle in magic. The key then becomes learning how to make use of this force without being used by it. Straif also carries the connotation of another sort of control: attacks, struggles, and conflict.

Divination: Straif may mean that it seems that there are forces at work which are compelling and controlling you from beyond your present level of understanding. These may be hidden forces from deep within you, or from without. They are probably not beneficial, however, as they are presently being made manifest in your life. You may be under the control of forces beyond your grasp. You may be suffering from attacks or struggling against difficult conditions, conflicts, outside control, or resentment. It may seem that the more negative aspects of destiny are controlling you. There is a need for you to control these forces and use them to your advantage. You may be able to turn the very power of destruction against these obstacles. It may be time to use magical, mental, or psychological means to deal with a problem.

The Challenge of the Blackthorn Ogham is the necessity of turning what might be an initially negative experience into a positive one through control: knowledge and understanding. The key is to be found in not striving against the experience, but controlling and directing the energy produced to positive ends. Here can be the beginning of true spiritual understanding. The solution to a problem bound up with Straif may be to play it away and even learn to indulge them. Be sure you are learning from your mistakes and not holding on to an attitude which may eventually make matters worse.

STraif in The Fifths

Mide, Center: Straif in Focus is Control.

Controlling forces are in focus right now. There is the need to use will power or coercion to regain control over a situation. It may be time for you to begin forcing your life to go the way you wish it to.

Seis, South: Straif in Fire is Testing.

What you need to learn or be aware of is when to control the situation and when to allow to be controlled. From your viewpoint, it may seem as though the Universe itself is exerting force upon your life in some sort of test. Often, the tests that make us stronger and wiser arise from situations where we have absolutely no control over the outcome.

Fis, West: Straif in Water is Vehemence.

What you need to do to regain balance and harmony is to be like the Magi: vehemently exert control over your life, your position, and your immediate environment. It seems that in your present situation, balance is to be gained by force and coercion.

Cath, North: Straif in Earth is Burden.

Control exerted on the material plane creates some type of burden. It seems that someone or something is in the position to exert control over another. If too many outside forces seem to be controlling you, this can lead to a burden.

Blath, East: Straif in Air is Persuasion.

In conflict at the present time are ideas, thought, or things that seem terribly out of control. This may create a feeling of panic, or you may feel you are in some type of crisis. There will be the need to regain control over a situation and rather than use brute force, it will be necessary to use tactics, persuasion, and coercion.