Sara C. Snider's Blog, page 5

A to Z Herbarium: Yarrow

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Yarrow

Courage, Love, Psychic Powers, Exorcism

 

Yarrow offers protection when worn, and courage when held in the hand. Carrying yarrow will also attract the attention of those you most want to see. Dried yarrow hung over the bed or used in wedding decorations ensures that love will last for at least seven years.

Yarrow can be used to exorcise evil and negativity from people, places, or things. (Basically, all nouns.)

Drink yarrow flower tea to improve psychic powers. Washing one’s head...

Hazel and Holly — An Unadorned End

Previous: A Return to Light

 

Hazel moved as if within a dark and disturbing dream. It was like she had become trapped in a net of iron-bound mist. And she wasn’t alone. There were others here with her, whispering against her skin, drawing long, shadowed fingers across her mind.

They desired things of her, wordless pleas that pulled on her thoughts and crawled over her skin. The men in black robes needed to die—they told her this. And they gave her a soulless dragon as her vessel.

Yet, at the...

A to Z Herbarium: Xue Jie

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Xue Jie 

Love, Protection, Exorcism, Potency

Ok, so I had to use the Chinese name for this herb, as herbs starting with X in either English or Latin are seemingly non-existent.

Anywho, turns out that xue jie, in English, is dragon’s blood (from the Latin sanguis draconis). It’s the resin from a number of different plants belonging to genera Croton, Dracaena, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus. That all seems terribly complicated, so let’s just say it comes from the dragon tree (...

A to Z Herbarium: Wormwood

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Wormwood

Psychic Powers, Protection, Love, Calling Spirits

 

Wormwood is used in incenses intended to develop psychic powers. Carrying wormwood will protect against bewitchment and bites from sea serpents. According to ancient tradition, wormwood will also counteract poisoning by hemlock and toadstools (take this advice with an epic-sized grain of salt).

Burning wormwood will summon spirits, and is sometimes mixed with sandalwood for this purpose. If burned in graveyards, it’s said that...

A to Z Herbarium: Violet

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Violet

Protection, Luck, Love, Lust, Wishes, Peace, Healing

 

Carrying violet will protect one against wicked spirits, and bring about a change in luck and fortune. When mixed with lavender, violets stimulate love and lust. Gathering the first violet in spring means your greatest wish will be granted.

In ancient Greece, violets were worn to cool tempers and bring about sleep. Ancient Romans made wine out of violet blossoms. A wreath of violets worn on the head was believed to cure headac...

A to Z Herbarium: Uva Ursi

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Uva Ursi

Psychic Workings

Also known as bearberry, because apparently bears enjoy eating the fruit. Can be used in sachets to increase psychic powers. It’s also used in ceremonial smoking mixtures among a number of Native American tribes.

In Iceland, uva ursi was used to make ink, tan leather, and dye yarn. A tonic made from the berries was used to stimulate the blood and increase appetite. It was also believed carrying bearberry would protect one against evil spirits and ghosts.

Uva urs...

A to Z Herbarium: Thistle

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Thistle

Strength, Protection, Healing, Exorcism, Hex-Breaking

 

When grown in the garden, thistles protect against thieves. When grown in a pot on the doorstep, they protect against evil. Throw thistle onto a fire to protect the house from lightning. Carrying a thistle blossom will protect the bearer. Carrying any part of the thistle will provide energy and strength, and stave off melancholy. Men who carry thistles will apparently become better lovers.

If a spell has been cast against yo...

A to Z Herbarium: Sunflower

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Sunflower

Fertility, Wishes, Health, Wisdom

Women wishing to conceive should apparently eat sunflower seeds. A necklace made out of the seeds will protect against smallpox.

If you cut a sunflower at sunset while making a wish, then the wish is supposed to come true before the following sunset. This apparently will only work within reason—so no wishing for 5 million puppies or anything like that.

If you sleep with a sunflower under the bed, then you will be able to see the truth in a mat...

Hazel and Holly — A Return to Light

Previous: Before the Fall

 

Holly gripped the skirts of her dress so tightly that her hands had turned numb. Her whole body tensed; she wanted to run. But she couldn’t—not with that dragon with its creepy, blinking scales and fetid breath blocking the way forward. Nor could she go back. Her mother stood right behind her, exuding a chill that made Holly’s skin prick and the hair on her neck stand on end. It was too much, being wedged between a necromantic dragon and a dead mother. It was wrong...

A to Z Herbarium: Rosemary

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Rosemary

Protection, Love, Lust, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Purification, Healing, Sleep, Youth

 

Placed under the pillow, rosemary promotes good sleep and keeps away nightmares. Placed under the bed it protects the sleeper from harm. Hang rosemary at the door to keep away thieves, and carry it with you to remain healthy and keep your memory sharp. When placed in a bath, it purifies and preserves youth.

Rosemary is one of the oldest incenses and has cleansing and purifying qualities that w...