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Herbal Magick - Small Farm, Permaculture, and Sustainable Living

Herbal Magick - Small Farm, Permaculture, and Sustainable Living

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<strong>Herbal</strong> Superstitions A to Z<br />

discarded holly boughs, which some folks believe invites the<br />

Angel of Death to claim a member of the family.<br />

The so-called “male” variety of holly (with prickly leaves)<br />

brings good luck to all persons of the male gender; while the<br />

“female” variety (with smooth leaves) brings good luck to all of<br />

the fairer sex.<br />

An old Christian legend holds that the cross on which<br />

Jesus Christ was crucified was made of holly wood, <strong>and</strong> it was<br />

the blood of Christ that gave the holly berry its deep red color.<br />

It is said that lightning will never strike a holly tree nor<br />

anyone who st<strong>and</strong>s under the branches of one during a storm.<br />

It was a widespread belief in the Middle Ages that the<br />

holly possessed miraculous curative powers. Pricking or thrashing<br />

the feet with holly <strong>and</strong> then walking barefoot in the snow<br />

was once thought to cure chilblains (an inflammatory swelling<br />

caused by cold <strong>and</strong> poor circulation). Another old method<br />

for treating chilblains was to rub the ashes of burnt holly berries<br />

upon the afflicted areas. To prevent a fever, scratch your<br />

legs with a holly branch; <strong>and</strong> to ease a whooping cough, drink<br />

a bit of fresh milk out of a cup or bowl made of holly wood.<br />

Houseleek ou el ek<br />

In many parts of Great Britain it is still believed that houseleeks<br />

growing on the outside walls <strong>and</strong>/or roof of a house bring<br />

phenomenal good luck to all inhabitants of the dwelling. However,<br />

should you purposely or accidentally cut down a houseleek,<br />

you will suffer a streak of bad luck, especially where your<br />

house is concerned.<br />

Houseleeks are also said to protect a house against lightning<br />

strikes, fire, <strong>and</strong> tempests. For this reason, it is traditional<br />

for many folks upon moving into a new home to plant<br />

them as close to the house as possible before doing anything<br />

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