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Herb of the Week by Lynn Kirkland for
26th October
Witching Herbs for Halloween
New Zealand seems to be getting more
and more into the celebration of Halloween
although it is a long way from the huge
occasion that it is in countries like
North America and the United Kingdom.
I am not sure if I like the idea of door
knocking and asking for sweets from strangers
but Halloween is interesting and I enjoyed
looking at the herbs that have been associated
with witchcraft or have superstitions
around them.
Some herbs are regarded as having protective
powers and can ward off evil spirits or
protect those dwelling in a home from
lightening or other forces of nature.
One of these is the houseleek which was
often planted on rooves with the belief
that lightening would not strike a home
with this succulent growing on the roof.
Plant a bay tree near your home and this
also gave protection from not only thunder
and lightening but from witches and devils.
A powerful herb indeed and jolly useful
for putting in the corned beef when you
were pickling it!
St Johns Wort and wormwood were herbs
used in spells to protect from the dark
forces of ghosts and witches.
Vervain was a herb revered by the druids
and used for good spells cast to negate
evil ones.
The elder tree which is in full glorious
bloom just now is regarded as having strong
powers to dispel evil. If you need to
cut down an elder tree you must ask permission
as if a witch is living in it and you
cut it down without warning then you will
have a homeless and angry witch to deal
with.
So with Halloween only a few days away
you never know who you could get knocking
at the door and a few protective herbs
could be in order.
Making elderflower champagne with the
creamy blossoms of the elder tree could
be another way top bring some spirits
into the home!
Thanks lynn another great
read.
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