Holythorn Press is a small publishing company based in Ireland and London. Our emphasis is on esoteric books which are not only informative, but also well-designed and high quality. We are passionate about bringing to the public books and ideas which were previously kept private, or, have been forgotten and are deserving of a new generation of readers. In addition we will be publishing new writing on esotericism and culture, including, but not limited to: history, poetry, art, and philosophy.

 

The founders of Holythorn Press:

Sally North was born and grew up in Ireland. She is a graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where she obtained a BA (Hons.) in the History and Archaeology of Africa and Asia. She went on to obtain a PhD in History (London University of the Arts). Her particular interests are in the history of magic, Irish myth and legend, the Celtic Revival, nationalism and occultism, and the history of the Golden Dawn. Her leisure activities include playing the harp, gardening and metalwork. She is an accomplished silversmith and jewellery maker.

​

James North is a graduate of the University of Oxford (Magdalen) in Classics and Philosophy. He went on to acquire two MAs, in computer science from Queen Mary College, London and in Renaissance Studies from the Warburg Institute. He lectures and teaches on subjects as diverse as traditional astronomy and star lore, 17th century science, philosophy, mythology and alchemy, with particular expertise in the works of Francis Bacon, and the Cambridge neo-Platonists. He is a professional-level musician in several stringed instruments and in styles from medieval/classical to jazz and rock.

 

The name Holythorn Press was inspired by our time in Glastonbury, Somerset. According to legend, the tree was the flowering staff of Joseph of Arimathea who came to Glastonbury after the Crucifixion.  Unlike all other hawthorn trees the Glastonbury Thorn flowers twice a year, at Christmas and Easter. The trees continue to propagate from each other down to the present day, each one a descendent of the original.

​

We had a Holy Thorn tree in our garden in Glastonbury which did indeed flower twice a year; at the winter flowering, leaves, haws, buds and flowers are all on the branches at the same time. A little winter miracle.

​

​

​

​