Superstitions - Herbs

  Greetings, my dear friends! Much time has passed since I last wrote, and my what an adventure that time has been! One thing that I thought I would share with you was a peculiar book that I found in the back of an oddity shop near where I was staying last. "Cassell Dictionary of Superstitions" is its title, and it was collected and compiled rather smartly by a Mr. David Pickering. I was flicking through the pages when I found a fascinating entry on Opals, the birthstone of those born in October. Unfortunately, I plan to save what it has to say on the gem for a later letter, but I did find another intriguing handful of facts on superstitions which sealed my mind as to buying the book for myself. Later, when I had the time to read the pages more properly, I noticed that there were many plants and herbs of interest which I had not thought to consider before, therefore I will share some of these with you so as to be educational, as well as to memorize them myself (I have included page numbers incase should you ever come across the book yourself and wish to look up more about these herbs).

Mistletoe [173-174, Pickering] - Fortune or Fallen?

  I thought it would be appropriate to start with this peculiar plant because it will be much adorned during the upcoming Christmas season. The superstitions that surround this plant, as with any other superstitions, are quite various and bring to question modern behaviors associated with the evergreen. Quite unpopular with Christian churches throughout history for its pagan origins, mistletoe was actually barred from churches. Yet despite this it was allowed to be carried to the altar at York Minster in medieval times and was let to remain there throughout the Christmas season as a symbol of the general pardon that was then in force. And although kissing under the mistletoe is commonplace today, the tradition did not originate until Saxon times. During that era a man was believed to have the right to demand a kiss from any woman who passed beneath the branch, no matter how purposely or accidentally their path may have brought them there. Until recently, the men plucked a berry from the branch with each kiss. When the branch was bare no more kisses could be claimed.

  Once Christmas is over some people insist on burning the mistletoe on the grounds that if it is not burned on Twelfth Night the couples who kissed under its leafy branches are fated to quarrel before the year is out. Others, however, believe that keeping the bough carefully in place until the next Christmas can preserve its luck-giving traits.

Yarrow [292, Pickering] - The Judge of Hearts

  This herb comes by a variety of names throughout different regions of the world as well as throughout history, but the most commonplace for it today is yarrow. Yarrow, with its long stalky stems and clusters of flowers, is thought to safeguard one's luck and repel witches if carried on one's person. Yet sleeping with a portion of the herb underneath one's pillow is thought to bring the sleeper dreams of his or her future partner. To establish whether a current lover is true, a yarrow seed is pushed into the enquirer's nose in the hope that it will cause the nose to bleed - if it does not, the lover in question is unfaithful. And whilst carried at a wedding it will ensure that the newly-weds remain faithful to each other for at least seven years.

Birch [32, Pickering] - Witch Repellent

  Asides being among the more ideal of woods to stake a vampire, birch trees have their fair share of history with witches as well. Putting birch springs in places where witches are said to convene will oblige them to hold their covens elsewhere, and adorning this branch to livestock will similarly protect the animals from any baleful influences. As with vampires and millet seeds, planting a birch next to a front door will prevent the witch from entering until she has counted all of the tree's leaves (for a very determined witch, I myself would suggest the more trees the better). The tree must not be allowed to touch or overhang the house, however, as this will only bring sickness and bad luck to those within. To some people, the birch tree continues to be treated with healthy respect, and it is recommended that any persons passing beneath such trees should cross their fingers to be on the safe side.

Basil [22, Pickering] - The Very Edible

  This tasty herb is one that I myself have found to be very popular with the more exotic birds that I have happened to come across, and I carry it on my person mostly for the purposes of being eaten. However, in superstition this plant has far more purpose than simply being eaten. To the Greeks the herb is a symbol of hatred and bad luck, whilst to the Italians it is considered a token of love. Hindus, meanwhile, believe that a leaf of Basil placed on a corpse will help the spirit of the person to reach Heaven. Yet still elsewhere the plant is said to give birth to scorpions.

  Ah, this will be a fascinating book to give a thorough read! Perhaps after I have read a little more I will share my findings once again. On a sadder note, however, I must conclude this correspondence as I have been called away from my pen and paper once again. The game is afoot!

       Until quieter times,  

              The Friendly Steampunk

Credits to Google Images for the picture

Credits to Sir David Pickering for the material from which this post was based on