Blackthorn in Bloom

githeach-dubh / droighnean/straif in Gaelic (prunus spinossa in latin).

It seems appropriate to post about Blackthorn today as we have had a wee taste of another blackthorn winter or blackthorn hatch it is sometimes known as. There is said to be a wee blackthorn winter in the second week of may to and said to fall on the festival of the ice saints like St Mamertus, St. Pancras and St Servitus and their fest days are the 11th , 12th and 13th of May respectively interestingly enough these are also the old dates for Bealtainn before the calendars changed.

The more berries the worse the winter would be Many nuts many pits many stones many groans. As the saying goes.

This plant has so much folklore and folk magic associated with it it is a really good idea to read more about it for example the thorns of the plant were used to stick in wax images to curse folk, (interestingly enough you can get sepsis very easily from a scratch of a blackthorn bush) and Major Weirs staff ( Major weir. Famous Edinburgh sorcerer) was made of blackthorn wood and the tree itself was buried with people in both Scotland and Ireland. We also have the shillelagh made of blackthorn to ward off evil spirits.

The plant gives a slate blue dye from the fruit and a black dye from the bark ( I seem to remember) The leaves were once used as an adulterant for tea and were used as a tobacco substitute.

Medicinally blackthorn has astringent, mildly diuretic, laxative and anti-inflammatory action. An infusion made from the dried flowers is used for blood cleansing in skin diseases and rheumatic complaints and as a gargle for mild inflammation of the mouth and throat. A compote/jam made from the berries combats poor appetite.

Blackthorn only ever fully displays its beauty once a year, during its flamboyant blooming season. It shrinks away for the rest of the year, as evidenced by the dark wood’s thorns and tiny, sour fruits. These hold the fire of the blackthorn, which it only gradually releases to us. Blackthorns warmth comes from a lengthy, radiant glow rather than a quick “flash in the pan”

Bee Balm

Greeting card perfect. Monarda didyma. purple bee balm with bokeh background

Although Bee Balm is somewhat of a giant in medicine and aromatherapy applications, uses in folklore and magic are surprisingly rather sketchy and hard to find for this herb. Of course, for purifying and relaxation spells, Bee Balm is top notch when leaves and flowers are tied in a cloth and placed under hot running bathwater, and as such, this is considered a good addition to spells or rituals concerning peace, happiness, contentment, restfulness, and ridding oneself of negative energies or hexes.

Bee Balm is bound to Air and Mercury, and due to the influence of both of these (Air for intellect and Mercury for success), it is believed to be a good herb for money and success in business-related spells. Carry a few leaves in your wallet to attract money, or rub leaves on the skin before a business meeting or job interview for success.

Of course, Bee balm is an excellent herb either alone or combined with other herbs for any spell or ritual that calls for a tea or infusion, and it tastes good too!

Willow Herb Epilobium

Epilobium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Onagraceae, containing about 197 species.

The genus has a worldwide distribution.

It is most prevalent in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and tropics Epilobium species are restricted to the cool montane biomes, such as the New Guinea Highlands.

The taxonomy of the genus has varied between different botanists, but the modern trend is to include the previously recognised genera Boisduvalia, Pyrogennema and Zauschneria within Epilobium. Chamaenerion, (previously Chamerion), is considered distinct, however,[2] according to Peter H. Raven, who has extensively studied the willowherbs and merges the other segregate genera into Epilobium.

Fringed willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) is likely a cryptic species complex; apparently these plants also commonly hybridize with their congeners.

Most species are known by the common name willowherbs for their willow-like leaves.

Those that were once separated in Boisduvalia are called spike-primroses or boisduvalias.

Those Epilobium species previously placed in the Chamaenerion group and known as fireweeds are now segregated into the genus Chamaenerion.

Plant and Herb Magick

Plant magic is an age old tradition dating back to ancient Egyptian times,

it has been used for many purposes, such as healing, self empowerment, love spells and protection.

Each plant has its own magical properties and strengths and can be used to add power to any kind of spell.

Plant magic will have the desired result regardless of the strength of the caster,

due to the fact the plants themselves have high levels of magical properties contained within.

With its multiple uses, the speed and effectiveness of its power, plant magic is one of the most popular arts used today.

Witches are not the only ones who have been using herbs and plants for healing,

nowadays it is common practice in most alternative medicines to use a variety of herbs and plants for healing,

most dietary products or heath food supplements used today are based around certain plants and herbs, eucalyptus for a sore throat, coffee beans for a headache.

A simple method to enhance any spell is to sprinkle specific herbs into the flame of a candle during your ritual, this will add extra power to your spells.

Other magic that can be done with herbs is to leave small amounts of herbs around your home,

this can remove negative energies,

offer protection, bring happiness, promote good heath and bring a peaceful energy.

It was a common practice to carry a charm bag with a variety of herbs to bring about many things, such as a protection or to attract love.

The best time to perform plant magic or collect herbs is at night, especially under the full moon,

it said the plants and herbs are at their most powerful at these times.

All herbs have a particular vibration and are mixed in such a way that when they are used they bring the body into balance,

as all ailments occur when your body is out of balance,

the possibilities when using herbal magic is unlimited, or only limited by your imagination.

It is also important when using herbs to use your intuition, to be guided by what is right for you,

much like the crystal chooses you, so there are certain herbs that will work well with your biological makeup.

If you are ingesting herbs such as in herbal tea, make sure that you know that the herb you are using is actually edible.

Create a magical, spiritual garden for yourself and practice the witches traditional magic, using the plants and herbs from your garden,

write in your “Book of Shadows” and create recipes for healing, love, happiness and abundance.

Learn to understand how each plant and herb and how it is used.

You will begin to feel the energy of each flower and plant that you use and be able to understand the alchemy of each one,

you will gain hours of pleasure from your magical garden.

The lore of each herb and plant must be understood to create your powerful magic.

The power of plants and herbs enhance the power of your spells and rituals,

you will be able to make love potions, money spells, happiness spells, luck spells and healing spells.

The mere act of keeping a living plant helps to increase your energy.

The main methods of using plants and herbs for protection are, carrying a small amount of the plant or herb in a small container,

it can be carried in a handbag, pocket, or in a locket or pouch, t

he herb or plant can also be boiled, and with the help of a small watering can, may be be sprinkled around the home.

A sprig when placed under your pillow or bed can offer protection and induce restful sleep.

Plant and herb magic has been used for decades and it is again enjoying a resurgence as people want to use more natural therapies, you will attune to the herb that is right for you at any particular time.

Your plant and herb magic practices will become more powerful and potent as you begin to understand the frequency of each plan and herb you use.

You need to learn and understand the smell, texture and properties of all the ingredients you will be using.

Don’t ever use anything until you have first got the go ahead from a medical practitioner, as plants and herbs can also be used in conjunction with more mainstream medicinal practices.

You can also use plant and herb magic with crystal

Rose

Rose

rosa species

PARTS USED

Flowers, petals, leaves

GENDER: Feminine

ELEMENTS: Fire and Water

PLANETS: Mars and Venus

POWERS

Healing

Love

Love Divination

Luck

Protection

Psychic Powers

Ultimate Love

DEITIES

Adonis

Aurora

Cupid

Demeter

Eros

Harpocrates

Hathor

Hulda

Isis

Magical Uses

The ultimate in love wishes,

this will aid in bringing a true lasting

love and help to mend any spats

between you in an already committed relationship.

The petals can be bathed with

while thinking a new love to you,

the dried flowers are burned in love wishes.

Sleeping with the flowers will

protect your dreams.

Carry a sachet or amulet for protection against

bodily injury or when working healing wishes.

Roses have long been used in love mixtures,

owing to the flowers’ association with the emotions.

A chaplet of roses worn when performing love spells

(remove the thorns), or a single rose in a vase

on the alter, are powerful love magic aids.

Rose water distilled from the petals

is added to love baths.

Rose Hips (the fruit of the rose) are

strung and worn as love-attracting beads.

A tea of rosebuds drunk before sleep

induces prophetic dreams.

To discover their romantic future,

women used to take three green rose leaves

and name each for one of their lovers.

The one that stayed green the longest answered

the question of “Which One?”

Rose petals and hips are used in healing spells

and mixtures, and rosewater saturated cloth

laid to the temples will relieve headache pain.

Roses are added to fast-luck mixtures and, when

carried, act as personal protectants.

Rose petals sprinkled around the house

calm personal stress and household upheavals.

Roses planted in the garden attract fairies, and

are said to grow best when stolen.

Fox Glove

“The plant has been particularly associated with midwifery and women’s magick”

The foxgloves are back.

“In Roman times, foxglove was a flower sacred to the goddess Flora, who touched Hera on her breasts and belly with foxglove in order to impregnate her with the god Mars. The plant has been particularly associated with midwifery and women’s magick ever since.”

“Some stories have told that the word ‘foxglove’ is merely a misrepresentation of ‘folk’s glove’, ie gloves little people might wear.”

“Another says that the gloves do indeed belong to foxes and that fairies gave them to the foxes to put on their paws to enable them to sneak silently into the hen house without being heard.This story is echoed in the belief that the mottled spots inside the flowers are actually fairy handprints.”