Rowan & Hawthorn Protection Amulet Reliquary

DescriptionMuch folklore and myth in Slavic Lands surrounds Hawthorn & Rowan trees some people considered it bad luck to cut hawthorn & that the sprigs of this magical tree should not be brought into the house. Others believed them to be protective and that a cross made of two thorns from a hawthorn tied together with red thread would offer protective powers. Amulets that were crafted from Hawthorn tree would grant the person spiritual powers but because Hawthorn was a “neutral tree” it was also considered to be very dangerous. It could aid in protection or spells but it was also a safe haven for demons that are spreading illness and other misfortunes. They were stuck in the fields as protection against bad weather and hail, placed on the windowsill or nailed near the windows and doors to protect the house against lightning; they could be blessed and kept for protection against natural disasters and epidemics, stuck under the roof, at the corners of the house, and on the opposite sides of the roof for protection against house-fires and was also used as a medium for spell crafting and bewitching.Rowan is mentioned in a few incantations recorded in Northern Russia in XVII century. One of them was a “spell against hex, jinx, and ghosts”. It was recited in spring near a Rowan tree that grew on an ant mound. It was used to protect the house from magical attack and evil spirits. For this, a rowan tree was planted near the porch or the front gates or not far from the house as it would protect the inhabitants  from troubles and sorrows. It protects against malevolent witchcraft and evil spirits. Even a branch from this tree is an amulet, especially if it bears bright-red berries. A twig of rowan with berries was hung over the front door, where it protected the house and its inhabitants against evil spirits. and it  was also alleged to be a charm against evil people and bad news.One of the oldest traditions in Slavic worship was considered the Cult of the Trees. Dated back to some sources from the 10th century, the ritual was practiced honoring life and death. The Slavs back then worshiped trees that had ties with some form of deity in them. The prayed to them, made sacrifices and even went in confession in front of the roots with a silent whisper. As with all things religious, the Slavs made a separation between good and evil trees, where characteristics were given to them on the individual level. Some trees, that were considered holy (good). They listened to people but could not speak back. The fact that they communicated with trees indicates a form of meditation and a psychological release of the troubled person. Where the people could unpack all their deepest and darkest secrets in confidentiality and hope for an answer.More of the rustic magical traditions surrounding these trees (and others) from western and northern Europe and north America can be in Under the Witching Tree ~ A Folk Grimoire of Tree Lore and Practicum.This magical amulet was inspired during a Polish Slavic Magic classes I took with Gabriela Sarna Wiraszka at All Gates Within. As she was speaking about Hawthorn needles being placed in windows to aid the home in protection an image of this talisman appeared in my minds eye. Later that evening I went for a walk in a new area in magical river valley near my home and I came across a Hawthorn tree, this tree had one completely dead branch that just beckoned me to it offering up its charred spiny needles. It was meant to be. This amulet was created with whispered spells and prayers and then placed in a bottle and sealed with wax. This amulet has been made in a Reliquary Style Bottle since it is so delicate and I would not want you to lose it!Place in the home (preferably in a window) to protect the home, stop misfortune, prevent malevolent witchcraft, guard against evil spirits, and use as a charm against evil people and bad news.