Petite hoop earrings composed of a life cast thorny twig harvested from a lone Hawthorn tree near the border Mima mounds in Washington.

Belonging to the rose family ( Roseaceae ), the Ancient Hawthorn tree, sister to the Blackthorn, has been utilized as a protective hedge for thousands of years as well as being steeped in folklore for just as long. Also known as the Whitethorn, the May tree and The Fairy Tree, Hawthorn has long been considered to be a portal to the Otherworld where the ‘bright ones’ live, namely the Queen of the Faeries. 

Used as hedges due to its thorny branches, it was often planted with Blackthorn to create dense thickets to create land and livestock boundaries. These thorny entanglements would subsequently create protection for wildlife as well, harboring birds and other animals while fencing in livestock. Their thorns, while not inherently poisonous, are sharp enough to penetrate the skin and carry a bacteria that can cause sepsis and death. 

Named the May Tree for its early Spring blossoming, ( though due to changes in seasons this may shift from year to year ), the blooms have an unusual scent of rotting meat and were prohibited from being brought into the homes due to bad luck. However, it was considered apotropaic to decorate the outside of homes and barns with garlands of the flowers to ward against negative energies. Interestingly, the blooms were associated with love and fertility and brides wore them in their hair. 

Once the flowers dropped, the haws or fruits would begin to appear. These shiny red berries provided nutrients that supported the heart and are still used in modern tea blends you can purchase at the grocery store today. In folk magic, the berries would also be used as beads for love and protection talismans.

Known also as the 'Wishing Tree', people would tie 'wish-rags' gently to the branches of the Hawthorn in search of knowledge or wishes. Hawthorn, unlike Blackthorn is a deeply healing tree, otherworldly, intense, but gentler than its darker sister. The lone Hawthorns, not planted as hedges, were considered to be the sacred homes of the Fey and were fiercely protected as portals to the Otherworld. 

The proximity to pain while wearing Hawthorn suggests being mindful to the emotional realms of it: our ability to stay present and persevere during intense times as well as the hope for healing psychic wounds by piercing them-facing them, allowing them to drain and heal.

While some wounds may never be healed : the presence of  thorns over our wounds protects from further damage : a guardianship.

Wear these earrings are protective talismans, tiny liminal hedges kept close to your skin.

*Details* : 

- 28 mm tall

- 34 mm wide

- Earrings, posts, and earring backs are all solid Sterling Silver  

-  Hand oxidized to achieve our favorite shade of stormy gray and then highlighted to reveal the bright luminous silver beneath

***IMPORTANT***

This jewel is handmade to order, just for you, with care and focus. Please allow approximately 6-8 weeks for creation before shipping.                   

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