(Rubus villosus) G
Folk Names: Bly, Bramble, Bramble-Kite,
Bumble-Kite, Cloudberry, Dewberry,
Goutberry, High Blackberry, Thimbleberry
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deity: Brigit
Powers: Healing, Money, Protection
Ritual Uses: Blackberry was considered to
be sacred to some of the old Pagan deities
of Europe, and was used in worship.
To the present day, blackberry pies are
baked on Lughnasadh (August 2) by some
of the Wiccans in commemoration of the
harvest, seen poetically as the death of the
God.
Magical Uses: A bramble bush that forms a
natural arch is a great aid to magical healing.
On a sunny day, crawl through the
arch backward and then forward three
times, going as nearly east to west as possible.
This will cause boils, rheumatism,
whooping cough and even blackheads to
disappear.
The blackberry leaves are used in spells
of wealth, as are the berries themselves,
and the vines are protective if grown.
The blackberry plant is also used to heal
scalds by dipping nine blackberry leaves in
spring water and then laying them against
the wound gently, while saying the following
chant three times to each leaf (27 times
in all):
Three ladies came from the east,
One with fire and two with frost.
Out with fire, in with frost.
This is an old invocation to Brigit, the
ancient Celtic Goddess of poetry, healing,
and smithcraft.
