Magickal Herbalism and Superstitions

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Questions and Answers

What was a primary reason ancient civilizations sought to harness the powers of plants?

For curing diseases and connecting with Deity (correct)

To develop agricultural techniques

To create new plant species

For recreational purposes

Ancient Egyptians burned myrrh as a pleasing offering to the gods.

True

Name one plant that was revered in ancient Egypt.

Lotus

The practice of using plants for ________ and spiritual connections dates back to ancient civilizations.

healing Signup and view all the answers

Match the ancient civilization with their plant-related beliefs:

Ancient Egypt = Plants had spiritual virtues Ancient Greece = Deities were associated with trees Ancient Rome = Plant myths were common Ancient Civilization = Plants used for healing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plants was commonly associated with offerings to the gods in ancient Egypt?

Onion Signup and view all the answers

Many poisonous plants were believed to possess a spirit, while non-poisonous plants were not thought to have spirits.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the papyrus reed in ancient Egyptian culture?

It was revered and had spiritual importance. Signup and view all the answers

What should a female do to divine her future husband on Halloween?

Pick 12 sage leaves at the stroke of midnight Signup and view all the answers

The appearance of a coffin while performing the Halloween divination indicates an upcoming marriage.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if a bay leaf turns brown after being pinned to a person's heart at bedtime?

It indicates that the lover has been true. Signup and view all the answers

To divine if your sweetheart will marry you, place a bay leaf with their initials in your ______.

left shoe Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its purpose:

Picking 12 sage leaves on Halloween = To see the face of your future husband Pricking a name on a bay leaf = To check if a lover has been faithful Placing a bay leaf in your left shoe = To find out if a sweetheart will marry you Pinning a bay leaf to your pillow = To experience a prophetic dream of a future spouse Signup and view all the answers

Which flower is considered unlucky if brought into a house during the month of May?

Dog Rose Signup and view all the answers

Bringing any type of white flowers into a house is believed to result in death in the family.

True Signup and view all the answers

What plant is known for causing children to be warned not to gather it due to its association with bad luck?

Speedwell Signup and view all the answers

Many people believe that bringing ______ indoors at Christmas will lead to a family member's demise within the next 12 months.

yew Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated belief:

Speedwell = Warning against gathering Yew = Unlucky at Christmas Hawthorn = Fills a house with evil powers White flowers = Causing death in the family Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the beliefs surrounding the speedwell flower?

It will cause one's eyes to be pecked out by birds. Signup and view all the answers

Witches in the Middle Ages were believed to derive their powers from the Christian's devil.

True Signup and view all the answers

Name one flower that invites bad luck when it blooms out of season.

Any fruit-bearing flowers Signup and view all the answers

An old English saying goes, 'Hawthorn blooms and elder flowers, fill a house with ______ powers.'

evil Signup and view all the answers

Match the flower with what it is associated with:

Ivy = Bringing bad luck Pussy Willow = Unlucky flower Snowdrops = Bringing death Lilac = Bad luck if sick Signup and view all the answers

What does the smoke of incense that gathers like a date-palm signify?

Hard times ahead Signup and view all the answers

What form of herbal divination did the ancient Celts primarily practice?

Dendromancy Signup and view all the answers

Phyllorhodomancy is a form of divination that involves interpreting the sounds produced by rose petals.

True Signup and view all the answers

What will indicate an affirmative response in the rose petal divination method?

The petal bursts when hands are clapped together Signup and view all the answers

The smoke that touched the earth was interpreted as a favorable omen.

False Signup and view all the answers

What plant was specifically mentioned as being used in the practice of dendromancy?

Oak branches or mistletoe Signup and view all the answers

A petal with a ______ form is selected for phyllorhodomancy.

concave Signup and view all the answers

The fabled Greek nymph Daphne was changed into a ______ tree.

laurel Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its corresponding description:

Phyllorhodomancy = Divination using rose petals Botanomancy = Divination using plants Cherry Tree Divination = Determining lifespan using a cherry tree Daisy Petal Picking = Determining feelings of a beloved Signup and view all the answers

Which flower is historically associated with phyllorhodomancy in ancient Greece?

Rosa gallica Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its origin:

Dendromancy = Ancient Celts Daphnomancy = Pre-Christian Rome Phyllorhodomancy = Ancient Greece Libanomancy = Ancient Babylonia Signup and view all the answers

Counting the number of breaths needed to blow seeds off a dandelion is an example of phyllorhodomancy.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which direction of smoke indicates that you will prevail over your adversary in libanomancy?

Right Signup and view all the answers

Herbal divination was solely practiced by the Druids.

False Signup and view all the answers

On which occasion should you perform the cherry tree divination?

Midsummer Eve Signup and view all the answers

In Cherry Tree Divination, the number of cherries that fall while shaking the tree will tell you how many ______ you will live.

years Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the laurel grove in Roman divination?

It was connected to the augurs and foretold events. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of shaking the cherry tree in the divination process?

To reveal lifespan Signup and view all the answers

Priests skilled in the reading of ______ interpreted the smoke from burning herbs.

omens Signup and view all the answers

What omen was interpreted if the smoke from burning plants hung close to the altar?

Warning from spirits Signup and view all the answers

What does a white Molukka bean turn into when it identifies a sorcerer or evil eye?

Black Signup and view all the answers

Mugwort is considered sacred to the Pagan goddesses Artemis and Diana.

True Signup and view all the answers

What ancient tradition is associated with the proper activation of a mugwort's magical properties?

Picking it on the eve of the Summer Solstice Signup and view all the answers

According to superstition, cutting down a mistletoe-bearing tree is believed to result in a most ______ situation.

unlucky Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated beliefs:

Mistletoe = Unlucky to cut down Molukka bean = Turns black to indicate sorcery Moonwort = Can open locks Mugwort = Activated on Summer Solstice Signup and view all the answers

Which herb was believed to grant woodpeckers the strength to pierce iron?

Moonwort Signup and view all the answers

Christians in the Middle Ages avoided uprooting mugwort without making the sign of the cross.

True Signup and view all the answers

What unusual belief surrounds the Molukka bean regarding childbirth?

It guards against death in childbirth Signup and view all the answers

Moonwort was believed to possess the power to ______ or break locks.

open Signup and view all the answers

Mugwort is primarily used in culinary dishes and has no association with magical properties.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the appearance of a moon symbol in tea leaves indicate?

Change soon to take place Signup and view all the answers

A coffin seen in tea leaves signifies a warning of treachery and betrayal.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does a star symbolize in tea leaf readings?

Fortune or good luck Signup and view all the answers

A ______ represents a faithful friend in tea leaf readings.

dog Signup and view all the answers

Match the symbols with their meanings in tea leaf reading:

Heart = Future happiness Triangle = Great success Snake = Treachery and betrayal Horseshoe = Good luck Signup and view all the answers

What was believed to be the method for cutting mistletoe for effective magickal spells?

With a gold sickle on specific dates Signup and view all the answers

Mistletoe was thought to bring bad luck if it touched the earth after being cut.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the beliefs surrounding mistletoe in ancient Celtic tradition?

It has the power to heal and promote fertility. Signup and view all the answers

The druids sacrificed a pair of white _____ during the mistletoe-cutting ritual.

bulls Signup and view all the answers

Match the plant with its associated belief:

Mistletoe = Ward off lightning strikes Mandrake = Screams when uprooted Oak = Sacred to deities Bay Leaf = If turned brown, it predicts an unsatisfactory outcome Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following deities is mistletoe said to be sacred to?

Apollo Signup and view all the answers

In England, it was believed that kissing under the mistletoe was a sign of fertility for women.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of hanging mistletoe over doors and windows, according to old Pagan herb lore?

To ward off lightning strikes and storms. Signup and view all the answers

What is dendromancy primarily associated with?

Interpretation of smoke from burning plants Signup and view all the answers

Smoke that rises straight up is interpreted as an unfavorable omen.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which plant was ritually cut with a golden sickle for divination?

Oak Signup and view all the answers

The practice of oracle readings through smoke interpretation is known as ______.

capnomancy Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its origin:

Dendromancy = Celtic traditions Daphnomancy = Roman augurs Libanomancy = Babylonian magicians Phyllorhodomancy = Greek mythology Signup and view all the answers

What does it signify if incense smoke drifts to the left during libanomancy?

Adversary will prevail Signup and view all the answers

The early Greeks practiced a form of herbal divination known as phyllorhodomancy.

True Signup and view all the answers

What was believed to be a warning sign during divination?

Smoke touching the earth Signup and view all the answers

The death of Emperor Nero in 68 A.D. was foretold by the withering of a sacred grove of ______ trees.

laurel Signup and view all the answers

What was a favorable sign in libanomancy regarding incense smoke?

Drifting to the right Signup and view all the answers

What flower should be gathered during the divination ritual performed on Midsummer Eve?

Red rose Signup and view all the answers

According to the divination practice on Saint Agnes' Day, it matters which sprig of rosemary and thyme goes in which shoe.

False Signup and view all the answers

What incantation is recited during the Saint Agnes' Day divination?

Saint Agnes that’s to lovers kind, Come ease the trouble of my mind. Signup and view all the answers

On Christmas Eve or Midsummer Eve, the seeds of the ______ plant are used in a divinatory ritual.

hemp Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its corresponding occasion:

Gather a red rose = Midsummer Eve Place sprigs in shoes = Saint Agnes’ Day Use hemp seeds = Christmas Eve Sprinkle herbs with urine = Saint Agnes’ Day Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of removing the rose from the paper at sunrise on December 25th?

To have it snatched away by the destined husband Signup and view all the answers

The legend about the rose divination occurs on Midsummer Night.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the two herbs used in the Saint Agnes’ Day divination ritual?

Rosemary and thyme Signup and view all the answers

To divine her future husband, a woman must use ______ at the witching hour.

hemp seeds Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to happen if the hemp divination is performed correctly?

The image of the future husband will manifest Signup and view all the answers

What day is associated with the legend of the devil going 'nutting'?

September 14th Signup and view all the answers

Ague root is commonly known as unicorn root.

True Signup and view all the answers

What tree is said to be disliked by 'Old Scratch'?

monkey puzzle tree Signup and view all the answers

According to tradition, a bonfire during the Beltane celebration must be made from ___ different kinds of wood.

nine Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated beliefs:

Foxglove = fairy fingers; fairy petticoats Lavender = elf leaf; silver ghost Datura = ghost flower Eucalyptus papuana = ghost gum Signup and view all the answers

Which plant is called 'dragon’s blood'?

Dracaena spp. Signup and view all the answers

The devil is believed to accompany anyone gathering nuts on a Sunday.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the nickname for the plant Calliandra eriophylla?

fairy duster Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the practice of divination by plants?

Botanomancy Signup and view all the answers

White Witches were generally more respected than Black Witches during the Middle Ages.

True Signup and view all the answers

Name the two types of Witches mentioned in historical beliefs regarding their use of herbal magick.

White Witches and Black Witches Signup and view all the answers

Many accused Witches needed to practice their craft in the shadows to avoid ______ from witch trials.

persecution Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Black Witches = Witches who used poisonous plants for curses White Witches = Witches who practiced herbalism for good Gray Witches = Witches who practiced a mix of both good and evil Herbalism = The practice of using plants for magical purposes Signup and view all the answers

Which plant was mentioned as being used by Rachel to increase her fertility?

Mandrake Signup and view all the answers

Herbal magick has no relation to contemporary practices and is solely rooted in ancient civilizations.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for herbal magick that emphasizes healing?

White Witchcraft Signup and view all the answers

The practice of using various plants for evil deeds was associated with ______ Witches.

Black Signup and view all the answers

Which group of individuals brought European botanical lore to the United States?

European immigrants Signup and view all the answers

What should a female do to divine her future husband on Halloween?

Pick 12 sage leaves in silence. Signup and view all the answers

If the bay leaf remains the same color after being pinned over the heart, it indicates that the lover has been faithful.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of seeing a coffin during the Halloween divination?

An omen of an early death Signup and view all the answers

To learn if her sweetheart will marry her, a female must place a bay leaf in her ______ and observe it the next morning.

shoe Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its associated outcome:

Picking sage leaves = Divine face of future husband Pricking a bay leaf with initials = Testing love's fidelity Placing a bay leaf in the shoe = Determining marriage prospects Pinning a bay leaf to the pillow = Revealing future spouse's identity Signup and view all the answers

What does the number of fallen cherries indicate in divination?

Number of additional years one has to live Signup and view all the answers

In ribwort divination, the initials of your future spouse will appear on the root if you are destined to marry within the next 12 months.

True Signup and view all the answers

During which time of year should the ribwort divination be performed?

On the eve of Johnsmas or when the moon is full. Signup and view all the answers

To perform a divination regarding future children, go to a field of oats at ______ hour on Halloween.

the witching Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination method with its purpose:

Cherry Tree Divination = Years left to live Acorn Divination = Wedding predictions Ribwort Divination = Future spouse initials Oat Stalk Divination = Children predictions Signup and view all the answers

What should you observe during acorn divination?

Their movements in water Signup and view all the answers

If the acorns remain stationary during the divination, you should not repeat the process.

False Signup and view all the answers

What will happen to indicate that you will not marry your fiancée according to acorn divination?

The acorns will drift apart. Signup and view all the answers

A woman's good name is associated with the ______ being attached to the oat stalk in divination.

top grain Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if the top of the oat stalk is missing?

The woman will lose her virginity before marriage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plants is considered unlucky to bring into the house?

Parsley Signup and view all the answers

It is considered lucky to bring a bunch of primroses totaling any number less than 13 into the house.

False Signup and view all the answers

What belief exists regarding picking a leaf or flower from a plant growing atop a grave?

Bad luck will befall the person who picks it. Signup and view all the answers

Bringing a blossoming branch from the ______ plant is believed to cause illness or death in the family.

blackthorn Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated meanings:

Oak = Lucky plant to bring indoors Hydrangea = Curses daughters with spinsterhood Rosemary = Drives out demons and ghosts White Heather = Considered very lucky Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following plants is known to attract good luck according to herb lore?

Cotton Signup and view all the answers

Rosemary is exclusively known for attracting bad luck.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which two plants are cited as the luckiest to bring indoors according to English herb lore?

White heather and rowan tree. Signup and view all the answers

An old belief states that bringing ______ indoors will cause a family member's demise within the next 12 months.

mistletoe Signup and view all the answers

Match the following herbs with their effects on luck:

St. John's wort = Drives out demons Job's tears = Attracts good luck Cabbage = Attracts good luck Hydrangea = Curses daughters Signup and view all the answers

What does a girl reportedly see when performing the hemp seed divination if she is destined for marriage?

A man with a scythe Signup and view all the answers

Hearing a bell while performing the hemp seed divination is a sign of an upcoming marriage.

False Signup and view all the answers

What should the girl do to see the image of her husband-to-be during the hemp seed divination?

Look over her left shoulder. Signup and view all the answers

The number of _____ on a holly tree is examined to predict winter weather.

berries Signup and view all the answers

Match the following divination methods with their purpose:

Hemp seed divination = To find a future husband Holly berry counting = To predict winter weather Tasseography = To read tea leaves Cherry tree divination = To predict life span Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary functions of herbal magick?

To attract a compatible lover Signup and view all the answers

Herbs can only be used for healing purposes.

False Signup and view all the answers

What can the parts of a plant (roots, buds, flowers, stems, bark) be considered in the context of herbal magick?

magickally significant Signup and view all the answers

Herbal magick can connect humans with ______ and the Divine.

Mother Nature Signup and view all the answers

Match the following uses of herbs with their corresponding purposes:

Cure = Healing Curse = Harmful intentions Conjure = Summoning energies or spirits Banish = Removing negative influences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a way herbs have been used?

For cooking only Signup and view all the answers

Only certain cultures believe in the magickal properties of herbs.

False Signup and view all the answers

What did Grandma Rose bring with her from Italy that became significant in the content?

Herb lore Signup and view all the answers

Herbs can assist in transforming bad luck into ______.

good luck Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of influence with its associated outcome through the use of herbs:

Attract = Finding love Protect = Against evil Increase = Wealth and fortune Banish = Negative energies Signup and view all the answers

Which plant is associated with the nickname 'unicorn root'?

Ague root Signup and view all the answers

It is said that the devil enjoys gathering nuts on Sundays.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which day is known as 'Holy-Rood Day'?

September 14th Signup and view all the answers

The plant known as 'dragon's blood' is associated with the species ______.

Dracaena Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their nicknames:

Datura = ghost flower Cowslip = fairy cup Elecampane = elf dock Foxglove = fairy fingers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of monkey puzzle trees in folklore?

To repel the devil from burial grounds Signup and view all the answers

A bonfire during Beltane must be made from six different kinds of wood.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is one plant associated with dragons in herb lore?

Bistort Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of placing a two-leaved clover inside a right shoe?

To predict the initial of a future spouse Signup and view all the answers

An unmarried woman can dream about her future husband by placing nine ivy leaves under her pillow.

True Signup and view all the answers

What should a person do if the apple peel breaks upon falling?

It portends that they will never wed. Signup and view all the answers

To dream of their future spouse, a woman may sleep with a sprig of ______ under her pillow.

mistletoe Signup and view all the answers

Match the divination practice with its description:

Bay-leaves = Used to see the true love in dreams Apple peel = Reveals the initial of a future spouse's surname Clover = Indicates the name of a future partner Holly leaves = Knotting them leads to dreaming of a destined partner Signup and view all the answers

On what day and time is it suggested to perform the holly leaf divination?

Friday at the witching hour Signup and view all the answers

The chant recited while peeling the apple is supposed to help reveal the initials.

True Signup and view all the answers

What object should a woman wear in her bosom throughout the day to dream of her future husband?

a sprig of myrtle Signup and view all the answers

When performing the apple peel divination, the peel should be cast over the ______ shoulder.

left Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of leaves to their associated divination:

Ivy Leaves = Dreaming of future husband Holly Leaves = Knotting into a handkerchief Mistletoe = Symbol of love and dreams Bay-leaves = Crossed under the pillow Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to happen if ivy grows near a house?

Curses the daughters with loneliness Signup and view all the answers

Catching a falling autumn leaf is believed to bring good luck.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is said to happen when a mandrake plant is pulled from the ground?

It emits a scream and sweats blood. Signup and view all the answers

Picking a leaf from an ivy plant growing on a church wall will cause you to fall _____ .

ill Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated beliefs:

Hydrangea = Curses daughters with loneliness Ivy = Bringing bad luck Mandrake = Screams when pulled Leaves = Brings good luck when caught Signup and view all the answers

What does it signify if a mandrake plant's shriek is heard?

Madness or death may occur Signup and view all the answers

Bringing home a hydrangea plant is considered an omen of good luck for young women.

False Signup and view all the answers

According to superstition, how many leaves must you catch in October to receive a year of good luck?

12 Signup and view all the answers

When ivy withers for no reason, it's said to indicate a forthcoming _____ .

death Signup and view all the answers

What does catching a falling leaf while making a wish on Halloween guarantee?

The wish will definitely come true Signup and view all the answers

What does the smoke of incense that gathers like a date-palm signify?

Hard times to come Signup and view all the answers

Phyllorhodomancy involves interpreting the sounds produced by rose petals during clapping.

True Signup and view all the answers

What age will the cherry tree divination indicate?

The number of years a person will live Signup and view all the answers

In phyllorhodomancy, a rose petal with a ______ form is selected.

concave Signup and view all the answers

Match the following divination methods with their characteristics:

Phyllorhodomancy = Interpreting sounds from rose petals Dendromancy = Divination using tree methods Botanomancy = Using plants and herbs to gain insight Libanomancy = Interpreting smoke from burning plants Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods is commonly used by Italians to combat the evil eye?

Spitting on the ground Signup and view all the answers

Eating rue was believed by ancient Romans to provide immunity against the evil eye.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is one method that involves herbs to protect against the evil eye?

Burning anise seeds Signup and view all the answers

A popular charm among Italians to combat the evil eye is shaped like a ______.

horn Signup and view all the answers

Match the following herbs with their protective qualities against the evil eye:

Rue = Immunity against the evil eye Anise = Burning or strewing wards off evil eye Lavender = Mojo bag herb Sage = Charm filler for protection Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of the ritual burning of frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood?

Divert the evil eye Signup and view all the answers

Wearing red ribbons is not considered a method of combating the evil eye in Italian culture.

False Signup and view all the answers

What charm do some Italians wear as a preventive measure against the evil eye?

Golden horn charm Signup and view all the answers

What event is associated with bad luck concerning blackberries?

The 11th of October Signup and view all the answers

Garlic is known for its ability to repel vampires and evil spirits.

True Signup and view all the answers

What legendary curse is associated with the blackberry plant?

The devil's curse after he fell into a blackberry thicket. Signup and view all the answers

In England, it's believed that sweeping the house with blossomed ______ in May brings bad luck.

broom Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated beliefs:

Daffodil = Bad luck omen if it hangs its head Hawthorn = Sacred to fairy-folk Garlic = Repels vampires Broom = Ill omen in May Signup and view all the answers

What is said to happen if the first daffodil you see hangs its head towards you?

It is an omen of bad luck Signup and view all the answers

Only garlic harvested in May is considered effective against evil spirits.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which plant is traditionally associated with witches and is named 'hagthorn'?

Hawthorn Signup and view all the answers

The consumption of ______ is believed to trap and destroy negative vibrations.

garlic Signup and view all the answers

Match the plant with its legend:

Garlic = Devil's first footstep in Eden Daffodil = Omen of bad luck Broom = Whipping a boy stunts growth Hawthorn = Sacred to Pagan deities Signup and view all the answers

What was the method called that involved the burning of oak branches or mistletoe plants for divination by the ancient Celts?

Dendromancy Signup and view all the answers

Smoke that rises straight up to the heavens was interpreted as an unfavorable omen.

False Signup and view all the answers

What substance was believed to bring bad luck if brought indoors during May?

white flowers Signup and view all the answers

Daphnomancy is connected to a sacred grove of ______ trees.

laurel Signup and view all the answers

Match the following divination methods with their descriptions:

Dendromancy = Divination using smoke from burning oak and mistletoe Libanomancy = Divination through incense smoke interpretation Daphnomancy = Divination connected to laurel trees Phyllorhodomancy = Divination involving the rose petals Signup and view all the answers

What does it signify if the incense smoke drifts to the left in libanomancy?

Your adversary will prevail Signup and view all the answers

The color and direction of smoke from burning plants were not considered important in divination practices.

False Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome believed from the Libanomancy practice if the incense smoke clusters?

favorable omen of success and financial gain Signup and view all the answers

In the practice of dendromancy, priests used a ______ sickle to cut plants.

golden Signup and view all the answers

What tree was notably important to the Druids in their herbal divination practices?

Oak Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to offer protection against venomous beasts?

Mugwort Signup and view all the answers

Finding a peapod containing nine peas is considered a good luck sign.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the old Scottish rhyme associated with mugwort?

If they would drink nettles in March, and eat muggons in May, so many fine maidens would go not to the clay. Signup and view all the answers

A wart could be cured by rubbing it with a pod of nine peas while reciting a special ______.

incantation Signup and view all the answers

Match the following plants with their associated belief:

Peas = Wish fulfillment when thrown over shoulder Mugwort = Protection against sorcery and evil eye Willow = Brings bad luck if burned on Bonfire Night Shrew-ash = Healing powers for man and beast Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a grim omen in farming superstitions?

Leaving earth unsown in a field Signup and view all the answers

Driving a horse with a stick of willow is believed to induce good luck.

False Signup and view all the answers

What magical properties were attributed to the shrew-ash tree?

Incredible magical powers to heal ailments, including shrew bites. Signup and view all the answers

The act of throwing a pod of nine peas over the right shoulder is associated with making a ______.

wish Signup and view all the answers

Match the belief with the related plant:

Mugwort = Inspires feelings of lust Willow = Stunts growth when used to swat Peas = Good luck sign with nine peas Shrew-ash = Believed to heal from various ailments Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Magickal Herbalism Across Cultures

Ancient civilizations used plants for healing, divination, spellcasting, and connecting with deities.
Many cultures believed plants possessed spirits, both benevolent and malevolent (poisonous plants).
Ancient Egyptians revered plants like lotus, papyrus, and onion, using them in religious and magickal ceremonies.
Myrrh, though not native to Egypt, was burned daily as an offering to the sun god Ra and in Isis temples.
Ancient Greeks and Romans linked plants and trees to their gods and goddesses, with many myths surrounding plant transformations.

Plants Associated with Bad Luck

Certain plants were believed to bring misfortune if brought indoors, including broom (especially in May), dog rose, elder, gorse, hawthorn, heather (except white), ivy, lilac, lily-of-the-valley, pussy willow, snowdrops, and out-of-season blossoms.
Speedwell was considered unlucky, with some believing it caused blindness.
White flowers were associated with death and were not to be given to the ill.
Yew brought indoors at Christmas was believed to foretell a family death within the year.

Herbal Folklore and the Devil

Medieval Christians associated witchcraft with the devil, influencing herbal folklore.
Plants used by witches were linked to the devil and given diabolical nicknames.

Celtic Herbal Divination (Dendromancy)

Druids practiced herbal divination, particularly with oak, vervain, and mistletoe.
Dendromancy involved burning ritually cut oak branches or mistletoe and interpreting the smoke's direction and color.
Upright smoke was favorable; smoke near the altar was less so; smoke touching the earth indicated a needed course correction.

Roman and Greek Herbal Divination

Romans used daphnomancy (with laurel branches) and Greeks used phyllorhodomancy (rose petals).
The death of a laurel grove in 68 A.D. was seen as foreshadowing Nero's death.
Phyllorhodomancy involved clapping a rose petal to get yes/no answers based on whether it burst.
Rosa gallica (autumn damask rose) was a common flower for phyllorhodomancy.

Libanomancy (Incense Divination)

Ancient Babylonian magicians used incense smoke direction to predict outcomes.
Smoke to the right meant victory; to the left, defeat.
Clustered smoke favored success; fragmented smoke indicated financial loss.
Other smoke patterns predicted hard times or insanity.

Modern Herbal Divination

Modern practices include daisy petal plucking, four-leaf clover finding, and dandelion seed blowing.

Cherry Tree Divination

On Midsummer Eve, running around a cherry tree three times, shaking it while reciting a rhyme to determine lifespan based on fallen cherries.

Sage Marriage Divination

On Halloween, silently picking twelve sage leaves at each hour reveals the face of your future spouse (or indicates no marriage within twelve months).
Seeing a coffin during this divination foretells an early death.

Bay Leaf Divinations for Lovers

On St. John's Eve, pricking a lover's name on a bay leaf and pinning it to one's clothing; browning indicates their faithfulness.
Placing the leaf in a shoe overnight; darkening indicates marriage, fading indicates no marriage.
Pinning a bay leaf to one's pillow on St. Valentine's Eve reveals the future spouse in a dream.

Mandrake

The legend of the screaming mandrake may originate from psychically sensitive individuals experiencing the plant's distress during harvesting.
This experience could cause intense fear, potentially leading to insanity or heart failure in vulnerable individuals.

Mistletoe

For magical effectiveness, mistletoe must be cut with a single gold sickle stroke during the Summer Solstice, Winter Solstice, or sixth day after the new moon.
It mustn't touch the ground to maintain magical potency.
Celts believed oak-growing mistletoe promoted healing, fertility, and protection from evil; rituals involved sacrificing white bulls.
Also known as all heal, devil's fuge, golden bough, and Witches' broom, it's sacred to Apollo, Freya, Frigga, Odin, and Venus.
Hung from chimneys or doorways, it wards off lightning and storms; it repels fairies.
In England, unmarried individuals not kissed under mistletoe before marriage faced infertility.
Cutting down mistletoe-bearing trees is considered unlucky, sometimes linked to violent death.

Molukka Bean

A nut from the Molukka Islands, used as an amulet in Scotland's Western Isles.
When worn, a white bean turning black indicates nearby sorcerers or those with the evil eye.
Believed to protect against death during childbirth and drowning.

Moonwort

Medieval Europeans believed it opened locks, loosened nails, and unshod horses that trod upon it.
Woodpeckers rubbing beaks on its leaves supposedly gained the power to pierce iron.

Mugwort

Sacred to Artemis and Diana, it's a significant magical herb with occult folklore connections.
For optimal magical properties, it must be picked on Summer Solstice eve.
Medieval Christians made the sign of the cross before harvesting to ward off evil spirits.
A "coal" (old acid roots) found beneath its roots is considered a powerful amulet.
Must be uprooted at noon or midnight on St. John's Day for full magical potency.

Herbal Divination - General Practices

Druids performed dendromancy, interpreting smoke from burning oak branches or mistletoe to divine omens.
Straight upward smoke was favorable; smoke near the altar less so; smoke touching the earth indicated a needed course change.
Romans used daphnomancy (laurel branches) and Greeks used phyllorhodomancy. Daphnomancy's connection to a Roman laurel grove's death in 68 A.D. is noted.
Libanomancy involved incense smoke interpretation: right drift meant victory, left drift meant adversary's victory, clustering smoke indicated success and financial gain.

Rose Divination

On Midsummer Eve at midnight, gather the reddest rose silently, wrap it in white paper, and hide it.
On the Winter Solstice, place it on your chest; your future husband will take it.

Saint Agnes' Day Divination

On Saint Agnes' Day, sprinkle rosemary and thyme with urine thrice, place one sprig in each shoe, and position the shoes by your bed's head.
Recite "Saint Agnes that's to lovers kind, Come ease the trouble of my mind" thrice before sleep to dream of your future spouse.

Hemp Seed Divination

On Midsummer Eve or Christmas Eve, use hemp seeds to divine the appearance of one's future husband.

Tasseography (Tea Leaf Reading)

Examine tea leaves for symbols; hearts indicate happiness (two hearts mean upcoming marriage), churches, rings, or bride and groom symbols signify marriage, daggers represent danger, coffins indicate death, moons represent life changes, rings (or circles) signify changes (sometimes failure), snakes warn against betrayal, birds indicate news or journeys, dogs represent faithful friendship, cats represent false friends, dots or dollar signs represent money, brooms represent moving, stars are fortunate, horseshoes indicate good luck, triangles or pyramids predict great success.
Evenly scattered leaves are a good omen; leaves concentrated at the bottom are bad.
Symbol interpretation is subjective; intuitive skills matter greatly.

Devil's Dislike of Trees and Nuts

Monkey puzzle trees are believed to deter the devil from entering burial grounds.
The devil is said to go "nutting" on Holy-Rood Day (September 14th).
According to Poor Richard's Almanack (1670), children should avoid nutting on Holy-Rood Day to avoid encountering the devil.
Nutting on a Sunday is also associated with the devil's companionship.

Plants Associated with Supernatural Creatures

Numerous plants have nicknames relating to fairies, dragons, and other mythical creatures. Examples include: Ague root (unicorn root), Arisaema (dragon tail), Calliandra eriophylla (fairy duster), Cowslip (fairy cup), Foxglove (fairy fingers, fairy petticoats), and many others.

Beltane Bonfires and Herbal Magick

Beltane bonfires traditionally use nine different kinds of wood, three pieces of each.
The Bible contains numerous references to herbal magic and botanomancy.
During the Middle Ages, witches were believed to use plants for both good and evil.
"Black Witches" used poisonous plants for curses, while "White Witches" used herbs for healing and love magic.
"Gray Witches" practiced both.
Much botanical witch lore comes from witchcraft trial transcripts.
American magical herbalism combines European, Native American, and African traditions.

Lucky and Unlucky Herbs

Plants considered lucky include: allspice, aloe vera, bamboo, rosemary, St. John’s wort, white heather, and rowan tree.
Rosemary and St. John's wort are also believed to repel demons and ghosts.
Unlucky plants include blackthorn (believed to cause illness or death if brought indoors), primrose and daffodil (less than 13 is considered unlucky), hydrangea (curses daughters with spinsterhood), and parsley (brings bad luck to giver and receiver).
Picking plants from a grave is considered unlucky.

Herbal Divination: Determining the Number of Children

A Scottish divination method uses oat stalks to determine the number of children one will have.
The number of grains on the third stalk represents the number of children.
A missing top grain on the stalk for a woman signifies loss of virginity before marriage.

Herbal Divination: Determining Marital Fate

Acorn divination uses two acorns, marked with initials, floated in water to predict marriage.
Acorns drifting together signify marriage. Acorns drifting apart signify separation. Stationary acorns require a repeat divination.
Ribwort divination involves placing a ribwort root under a stone overnight. The initials of a future spouse will be found on the root the next morning, if a wedding is to occur in the next 12 months. A dark ribwort is traditionally for women, light for men.
Sage divination involves picking 12 sage leaves at the witching hour on Halloween. Seeing a man's face shows marriage; a coffin signifies an early death; no vision means no marriage in the following year.
Bay leaf divination pricking lover's name or initials on leaf signifies a test of fidelity, turning brown signifies truth, staying the same means deception. A bay leaf in shoe confirms marriage or not depending on the change in appearance of the name. A bay leaf pinned to pillow on Saint Valentine's Day reveals future spouse in a dream.

Devil's Dislike of Trees and Nuts

Monkey puzzle trees are believed to repel the devil, preventing him from entering burial grounds.
Conversely, the devil is said to enjoy nuts, particularly on Holy Rood Day (September 14th).
A 1670 Poor Richard's Almanack entry warns against nutting on Holy Rood Day due to potential devil encounters.
Nutting on Sundays is also associated with the devil's companionship.

Herbs Associated with Supernatural Creatures

Numerous plants are linked to fairies, dragons, and other mythical creatures. Examples include:
- Ague root (unicorn root)
- Arisaema (dragon tail, dragon's head)
- Bistort (dragonwort)
- Calliandra eriophylla (fairy duster)
- Calochortus (fairy lantern)
- Calypso bulbosa (fairy slipper)
- Cat tail (fairy woman's spindle)
- Cephalanthera austiniae (phantom orchid)
- Ceratopteris spp (water sprite)
- Cowslip (fairy cup)
- Daemomorops draco (dragon's blood)
- Datura (ghost flower)
- Devil's bit (false unicorn root)
- Digitalis (foxglove; fairy fingers, petticoats, thimbles, weed)
- Disporum smithii (coast fairy bells)
- Dracaena spp (dragon's blood)
- Dracunulus vulgaris (dragon root)
- Elecampane (elf dock, elfwort)
- Elm (elven)
- Epipogium aphyllum (ghost orchid)
- Eucalyptus papuana (ghost gum)
- Juncus effuses (unicorn)
- Lavender (elf leaf, silver ghost)
- Molukka bean (fairy's eggs)
- Moringa ovalifolia (phantom tree)
- Mohavea confertiflora (ghost flower)
- Peristeria elata (ghost orchid)
- Polypompholyx (fairy aprons)
- Primula malacoides (fairy primrose)
- Proboscidea louisianica (unicorn plant)
- Proserpinaca pectinata (mermaid-weed)
- Ragwort (fairies' horses)
- Rosemary (elf leaf)
- Toadflax (dragon bushes)
- Wood sorrel (fairy bells)
- Zephyranthes (fairy lily)

Beltane Bonfire and Herbal Magick

Beltane bonfires traditionally use nine different kinds of wood, three pieces of each.
Herbs are used in various magical practices: amulets, incense, ointments, and potions.
Their uses range from protection against evil to conjuring or banishing supernatural entities.
All parts of a plant are considered magically significant.

Herbal Superstitions

Hydrangeas are considered unlucky for young women seeking husbands.
Ivy is associated with bad luck, especially if it withers unexpectedly near a house.
Finding leaves blown into one's house or catching falling leaves is considered good luck; catching 12 leaves in October promises 12 months of good luck.

Mandrake and its Legends

Mandrakes were believed to be inhabited by "mandragoras" (man-dragons).
Pulling a mandrake from the ground was said to cause an ear-piercing scream and bleeding.
Hearing the scream supposedly led to madness or death, leading sorcerers to use dogs for uprooting.

Divination Methods

Bay leaves: Placed under a pillow on St. Valentine's Eve to dream of one's future spouse.
Apple peeling: Peeling an apple in one strip and examining its shape to reveal the initial of a future spouse's last name. A broken peel suggests remaining unmarried.
Two-leaved clover: Placed in a shoe, revealing the first name or initials of one's future spouse based on the next young person encountered.
Ivy, mistletoe, or myrtle: Placed under the pillow of an unmarried woman to dream about her future husband.
Holly leaves: Plucking nine leaves from a female holly plant and knotting them in a handkerchief to dream of a future spouse. Failure to see a spouse's image might indicate spinsterhood or even death. Many berries on a holly indicate severe winter weather.
Hemp seeds: Tossing hemp seeds over one's shoulder while reciting a rhyme to materialize one's future spouse.

Tasseography (Tea Leaf Reading)

Tasseography, or tasseomancy, is divination through tea leaves.
Also known as "reading the cups," it's practiced by various fortune-tellers and witches.
It's an ancient method of divination.

Combating the Evil Eye (Malocchio)

Italians use various methods to combat the evil eye, including spitting, wearing red ribbons, reciting biblical passages, and making phallic hand gestures.
A popular charm is a golden horn filled with sage, worn as a necklace.
Herbs like anise seeds (burned or strewn), and rue (eaten or used in eye baths) were believed to ward off or cure the evil eye.
Frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood were burned or strewn to prevent entry and harm from those with the evil eye.
Mojo bags containing angelica, betony, anise, castor beans, henna, lady's slipper, lavender, lime twigs, pennyroyal, periwinkle, rue, and sage offer protection.

Herbal Superstitions and Omens

Picking blackberries after October 11th (Michaelmas) was considered bad luck in England.
Sweeping with a blossomed broom in May was believed to cause harm to the head of the house.
Whipping a boy with green broom stunted his growth (England).
A drooping daffodil is a bad omen (Great Britain).
May-gathered garlic is most effective against evil spirits.
Garlic and onions are believed to absorb disease and negative vibrations.
Hawthorn was considered sacred to pagan deities and associated with fairies and witches.
Mugwort "coal" offered protection, healed ailments, and induced prophetic dreams.
Finding a nine-pea pod is good luck; a single-pea pod, even luckier. A wish made while throwing a nine-pea pod over your right shoulder might come true (if not repeated).
Leaving unsown earth in a field predicted a family death.
Imprisoning a shrew in an ash tree created a “shrew-ash” with healing powers.
Burning willow wood on Bonfire Night invites bad luck; using willow to strike a horse or child stunts their growth. Willow branches offer protection.

Herbal Divination

Divination using smoke from burning herbs (capnomancy, dendromancy) was practiced by Druids and others. Oak branches and mistletoe were commonly used. Straight-rising smoke was favorable; smoke touching the earth was a warning.
Libanomancy (incense divination) indicates success with rightward smoke, and failure with leftward smoke. Clustering smoke is favorable financially. A date-palm shaped divided smoke warned of hard times and loss of sanity.
Phyllorhodomancy used rose petals to answer yes/no questions. A bursting petal meant yes; a non-bursting petal meant no. Sound variations were also significant.
Modern botanomancy includes daisy petal plucking, four-leaf clover finding, and dandelion seed-blowing.
Cherry tree divination on Midsummer Eve. Running thrice around a cherry tree, shaking it, and counting fallen cherries reveals one's lifespan.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of magickal herbalism across cultures, focusing on how ancient civilizations utilized plants for healing and spiritual practices. Discover the plants associated with bad luck and understand the beliefs surrounding them in different traditions. Delve into the magical and superstitious properties of various herbs and their significance.