Herbs and Old Wives Tales

Herbs and Old Wives Tales
~author unknown
Bluebells have both a good and bad magical reputation. Long associated as harbingers of death, it is said that if you hear bluebells ringing someone close to you will die. Nevertheless, bluebells are commonly thought to be lucky. Carrying bluebells compels you to tell the truth.
Cedar branches hung around your house protects it against lightning strikes. Cedar, in your wallet, attracts money. This spell really works. For years, I've had cedar in my wallet. No matter what the situation or circumstance, somehow or other, money comes my way.
If you've been cursed, scatter chili pepper {or seeds} around your house to break the spell. This also is a great spell for kids who are afraid of the boogey man. Put the chili peppers in a child's room, tell the child about the spell, and watch the nightmares and "afraid ness" start to disappear.
Growing elder trees near your house will bring you prosperity in addition to delightful elder flower champagne, elderberry jam, and a plethora of hungry birds. Elder branches and twigs make perfect wands.
Garlic is nature's antibiotic and an excellent pest control in the garden. It's also a protection against shipwrecks for sailors, against foul weather and monsters for mountaineers, and against assaults by bullies. Garlic rubbed into your pots and pans gets rid of negative vibrations that might ruin your food, and if you eat garlic, you'll become lusty.
If you're a witch, plant geraniums around your house to foretell coming visitors.
Grapes have long been considered symbols of fertility and money. Wine, which is made from grapes, was often treated as sacred in ancient cultures. In Tarot, the Ace of Cups can mean possible wealth - both money-wise and for new friends.
Gather holly leaves on a Friday night - but beware, make absolutely no sound when you pick the holly leaves or this spell will not work. Wrap the leaves in a white cloth, knot the cloth nine times, and place it under your pillow. Your dreams will come true!
Honesty or money plants {and chili peppers} when scattered about your house will repel all monsters.
Finding the first white lily of the season will give you strength. Wearing a fresh lily will break any love spells cast against you, particularly when the love is unwanted.
Marigold and/or orange flowers added to your bath will make you respected, admired, and attractive. Hang marigolds on your doorpost to stop evil from entering your house (and stop those evil pests from entering your garden)!
Mint is not just any ordinary garden herb used for mint juleps in summer and relaxing teas in winter. Mint kept in the house protects you and your loved ones. Putting a few leaves of mint in your wallet will attract money. And mint leaves rubbed against your temples will relieve headaches {same as smelling peppermint essential oil}.
If you catch a falling oak leaf, you won't have a cold in the winter.
Onions protect against venomous beasts and grown in your garden protects your plants (against those venomous pests!). Quarter an onion and place the quarters in the four corners of your house, you'll get rid of any disease. Replace the onion quarters when they turn black.
Pick pansies or johnny-jump-ups, when the dew is still on them and it will soon rain.
Eating parsley makes you lusty but wearing parsley on your head stops you from getting drunk.
Roses and myrtle stand for love. Red roses mean passion, pink roses - friendship, and white roses - pure love.
Rowan planted on a grave stops Hauntings and planted around your house protects you and planted in stone circle makes the protection stronger. (Too, rowanberries make wicked jam and wine.) {Ditto for flint {a crystal} - both rowan and flint were used in ancient rituals.}
Rue grows best when stolen and then makes your garden grow better. Toads don't like rue. Romans used to drink rue juice to guard against werewolves.
Thyme placed beneath a pillow ensures a pleasant night's sleep. Thyme worn in a woman's hair will make her irresistible, and if you both carry and smell thyme, you'll gain courage, but if you wear thyme, then you'll see faeries.
On New Year's Eve, cast one of the shoes you're wearing up into a willow tree {you have 9 tries}. If your shoe stays up in the tree, then you'll be married within the year. To complete the spell, you need to climb up into the willow tree and retrieve your shoe.
That horrid witch grass of garden wrecking fame, scattered under your bed, attracts new lovers. An infusion of witch grass sprinkled around your house repels depression (probably because you'll have lots of new lovers!).
Washing your head with a yarrow infusion will prevent baldness, and carrying it, will attract love and friendship.
Yew (poison) will help you raise the dead.