Herbal Magick - Small Farm, Permaculture, and Sustainable Living
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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