by Jackie Hardin
Through time herbs have been used in mystical charms and spells. Secret combinations of leaves, roots and seeds, blended together along with the chanting of magic incantations, were used to cast spells, exorcise a spirit or even see into the future.
Halloween, associated with witches and warlocks, began as a festival of the Celtics. These pagan people lived in England, Ireland and Northern France over 2,000 years ago. On the last day of their year, October 31, a festival was held to honor Sambaun, Lord of Death. On this day it was believed the souls of the dead would return home.
Herbs were an intricate part of the pagans' religion and festivals and, because of this, early Christians were forbidden from growing them.
Centuries later, mandrake, hen bane, bella donna, aconite (sometimes called wolf bane or monkshood) , verbain, mugwort, dill, valerian, betony, henbane, St. John's wort, scopolia, larkspur, and wormseed would be linked with sorcery.
Spirits of witches and others were thought to be invoked by combining mandrake, hen bane and bella donna. Coriander mixed with fennel was once used to conjure up the devil. Mugwort supposedly increased or even induced clairvoyance.
One legend tells that when Satan left the Garden of Eden, garlic sprung up in one of his footprints and onions in the other.
The witch hazel tree at one time was shrouded in mystery because of its use by water diviners and others with "special powers". Such acts were thought to be works of the devil.
Parsley seed was said to travel to see Satan nine times before it would sprout and then could only be grown by a witch.
Many of the same herbs used to cast a spell were also used as protection against enchantments and evil spirits.
Dill, used in witchcraft, was also used as protection against witches. A sprig of dill hung in the home was believed to "hinder witches of their will." Wood betony, employed in magical rites, was also worn around the neck as a charm and planted in church yards to keep the devil away.
Garlic was once thought of as a poison in Elizabethan times, but later in India it was worn around the neck as protection against evil spirits. Still later in parts of Europe, garlic was used as protection against vampires.
St. John's wort was believed to exorcise evil spirits, and its botanical name comes from the Greek word for "over apparition".
Juniper, considered a magical shrub, was used to safeguard one from devils, evil spirits and...wild animals. It is mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of protection.