It was under an atmospheric river we circled under the shelter of the Hawthornes and what turned out to be, somewhat leaky tarps. It was a contrary day in so many ways, the expected, was far from what was, and in spite of it all the “Sweetness of Circles” experience proved potent and rich in story, as we met what was head on.

The rally of the participants in this tempest was a true testament to the sincerity and passion to which this intimate group of souls who brought their heartfelt care and a wish to honour the circle and conversation with these rooted ones, whose berries, flowers, and leaves, are known for their heart medicine.

After introducing ourselves to each other and then to the inhabitants of the land upon which we stood, a swirl of sharing occurred. Individuals spoke, many with great affection, about the stones they had brought with them at our prompting. It surprised me at how everyone at the circle had some conscious connection to the mineral realm, and a personally meaningful story attached to the stone they presented.

This sincere sharing drew the hearts of those gathered closer.

(Participants had been asked to bring a stone with them to the workshop that might have some meaning for them. A collection of these stories will be available to read at the “Sweetness of Circles” culminating exhibition in August 2026)

As we dropped to the earth, surrounding the mulberry paper scroll rolled out on the ground, we each found our way to express through mark making. The bright green of spring, that green of the hawthorns that lent us their leafy branches for our cover, and the pulse of the moment we found ourselves spilt out onto the paper.

Placing our stones with reverence on to the scroll, we drew with graphite blended with rain and a ruby coloured dye that Tracie had created from Hawthorne berries. Each one of us became a giver and receiver. Our hands moved the emotions that were in our hearts to the paper, and at the same time we received a healing wash of rain dripping with the presence of these rooted hawthorne beauties.

During the course of the event, a participant who sang with a choir offered to share a Celtic Hawthorne song. Presented in an inclusive call and answer fashion, it became a fitting tribute to this May Flower beauty.

Another participant with crystal bowls coaxed musical tones into the air with her wooden mallet, coalescing a coherence of frequency felt by human and earth alike as our time together drew to a close.

—Teresa Klein, January 15 2026