Juniper berries are actually the fleshy seed cones of Juniperus communis. Explore their unusual development, dusty blue bloom, concentrated fragrance and long associations with smoke, protection and purification.
Illicium verum produces the woody star shaped fruits known as star anise. Explore how its unusual fruit develops, why it smells like unrelated anise and the symbolism gathered around its naturally distinctive shape.
Black obsidian is volcanic glass that cooled before crystals could develop. Explore its remarkably sharp fracture, ancient trade, dark mirrors, slowly changing structure and modern associations with protection and introspection.
