Thresholds | Plants and Stones at the Door

Two beneficial plants and minerals for your front door.

I think about doors a lot. Too much, really. But more than that, I think about thresholds — both physical and… well, the invisible ones too.

In my book Matter Matters, I write about the power of the threshold. Becoming aware of the thresholds we cross in life important. And adding intention to the physical thresholds of our homes matters.

That spot where we step across — from errands, noise, weather, and the outside world — into the home we’ve made. What if our front step or porch was more than just a place to drop shoes and keys? What if it was a quiet reminder of the container that holds us, that holds our peace?

I use plants and stones at my doors not only for energetic protection but as physical reminders of the sacredness of this often overlooked little space.

Here are two of my favorites:

Yarrow

You could call this your “energetic bouncer” — gentle but strong.

Yarrow is known for healing and protection. It has long been used to keep out unwanted energies and help people return home safely. It helps you set firm boundaries, which now that I am writing this I realize I taught a class about making yarrow oil as well as picked yarrow bouquets for my friends wedding this week - and I have also had to hold my boundaries with multiple people.

I’ve tucked dried yarrow into wreaths, hung drying bouquets near the door, and made oils to use on my skin to add a layer of protection physically and energetically.

It holds the message:
You’re home. You’re safe.

Suggestion - make a yarrow infusion and put it in a spray bottle to mist around your entry.

Obsidian

This stone lives just outside my doorway.

Obsidian is deep, glassy volcanic rock that is found where I live, in Oregon. Black as night and smooth to the touch. It’s a stone of sharp clarity and fierce protection, known for its ability to soak up and reflect away negative energy.

It’s like a shield, blocking what doesn’t belong and grounding everyone who walks in.

When life feels chaotic or overwhelming, obsidian is a powerful reminder to pause. To shed what no longer serves us, and to release the weight we carry from the outside world.

It invites us to step back into our own center — calm, clear, and rooted — before moving into the next moment.

I keep a piece just outside my door as a quiet guardian that helps me leave behind the noise and stress of the day.

I share more about stones and plants in my book, Matter Matters. I will be talking about it even more deeply in my community membership space, where we will explore homemaking in a new but old way.

If that sounds like something you’d like, you’re warmly invited to join the waitlist.

Thanks for being here,

Amanda