Witch Garters

The magical garter has significance dating back to prehistoric times. Cave art in eastern Spain that dates to the Paleolithic period shows a sorcerer performing in a ritual while wearing nothing but a pair of garters just below his knees.

In many traditions the garter is worn only by a Witch Queen, or Queen of the Sabbat. However, the traditional dress of Morris dancers consists of garters, usually red, and "Green Garters" is a traditional Morris Dancer tune.  

In the trial recond of Margaret Johnson (Lancshsire 1633) the Devil was said to wear: "a suite of black, tyed about with silke pointes (garters)."  If we take the position that the "Devil" was the Magister of the coven, then we see that the garter is not the sole province of the Queen of the Sabbat, but was also worn by men.

Red garters were said to be worn by a witchcraft coven Summoner. The Summoner's job was to advise members on meeting days and times. The red garters signified to others that s/he was genuine.  Gerald Gardner used the red garters as a plot device to this effect in his novel about the witch cult, High Magic's Aid.

In some traditions the garter is prepared with green leather or velvet with a lining made of blue silk. In others the garter is made of red leather or snakeskin. There is usually one large, silver or gold buckle on the garter, representing the Queen's own coven, with additional, smaller, silver buckles for each of the other covens under her authority. The garter is worn on the left leg, just above the knee.  It may be fastened with the large buckle or with silk ribbons.

Queens stitch garters, circa 1753. Wintertur Museum

Pennethorne Hughes states that when a tortured witch was likely to reveal others, he or she may be murdered in jail by the other witches to avoid further arrests and tortures. To prove that the murder had been done under those circumstances, a garter would be left tied loosely around the victim's throat. Such a potential informant would be known as a "warlock," meaning traitor. The case of John Stewart of Irving in 1618 is one such example. John Reid, of Renfrewshire in 1696, is another. Many legends and folk tales have a garter as the leitmotif.

The Witch Garter is found in English history as being linked to the creation of the Order of the Garter. This order is Great Britain's highest and most ancient order of knighthood. The most widespread story states that the countess of Salisbury was dancing with King Edward III at a court function. As they danced, the countess's garter fell to the ground. The king picked it up and, to save her embarrassment, put it on his own leg with the words, "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (Shame be to him who thinks evil of it.") He went on to found the Order of the Garter, with that phrase as its slogan. The precise date for the founding of the order is not known, since the records have been destroyed, but it is thought to be 1344 or 1350. The most likely date, however, appears to be 1348.

Margaret Alice Murray mentions that it took more than a dropped garter to embarrass a lady in the 14th century, even a lady of the court. However, if the garter dropped was a ritual one, demonstrating that its owner was in fact a leader of the Old Religion, then there would be very real embarrassment, particularly since there were high personages of the Christian Church in attendance at the event. Edward's action, then, was incredibly smart thinking, for in placing the garter on his own leg, he not only saved face for the countess, but also proclaimed himself prepared to be a leader of the Pagan population as well as the Christian. This was a clever move taking into account that a large portion of his subjects were still Pagan at that point in time. Murray is puzzled by Edward's words, but if deemed as referring to the Old Religion itself, rather than the action or the garter, then they make very good sense. Edward then went on to form the Order of the Garter with twenty-four knights, himself, and the Prince of Wales-a total of twenty-six, or the number of two traditional covens. As Chief of the Order, the king wore a blue velvet mantle powdered over with 168 tiny garters. Along with the one on his leg, that made 169, or 13 times 13.

According to the Key of Solomon by Mathers this is the proper procedure for making magical garters:

HOW TO MAKE THE MAGIC GARTERS

TAKE enough of the skin of a stag to make two hollow tubular Garters, but before stitching them up thou shalt write on the side of the skin which was next the flesh the words and characters shown in Figure 8, with the blood of a hare killed on the 25th of June, and having filled the said Garters with green mugwort gathered also on the 25th of June before sunrise, thou shalt put in the two ends of each the eye of the fish called barbel; and when thou shalt wish to use them thou shalt get up before sunrise and wash them in a brook of running water, and place them one on each leg above the knee. After this thou shalt take a short rod of holm-oak cut on the same 25th of June, turn in the direction thou wishest to go, write upon the ground the name of the place, and commencing thy journey thou wilt find it accomplished in a few days and without fatigue. When thou wishest to stop thou hast only to say AMECH and beat the air with the aforesaid wand, and incontinently thou shalt be on firm ground.

Fig 8. "The Magick Garter" From the Key of Solomon

Festival Vending ... Just Around the Corner

Natalie with our coven sister at a psychic fair in Indianapolis

Blade & Broom takes the show on the road in the warm summer months as we go out to festivals in southern Indiana and surrounding areas. Natalie and I set up shop, visit with friends new and old, and offer readings. In some venues, we also host a class or two.

We only set up a booth and vend at a handful of events each year, so our display is relatively small; but we try to bring all our goodies with us.

We also love sharing space with our coven sister, the Hearth Keeper. She is a reflexologist and an AMAZING healer.

Myrtle

photo by H. Zell

MYRTLE  (Myrtus communis)

Folk Names:  Bayberry, Candleberry, Hadassim, Tallow Shrub, Wax Berry, Wax Myrtle.

Part Used - Incense:  Leaves, essence

Scent:  Semisweet, Herby, leafy

Gender:  Feminine

Planet:  Venus

Element:  Water, (Earth)

Deities:  Venus, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hathor, Astarte, Ashtoreth, Marian

Powers:  Love, fertility, youth, peace, money

Magical Uses:  Myrtle has long been considered a `love' herb.  A chaplet of fresh leaves and flowers worm on the head while performing love spells is highly appropriate.  Myrtle is added to all love sachets and spells, especially those designed to keep love alive and exciting.

Myrtle is also worn to increase fertility, but interestingly enough it is also worn at weddings by brides to ensure that they do no quickly become pregnant!

Myrtle wood, when carried, preserves youthfulness.  A cup of myrtle tea, drunk every three days, will do the same, but it must be drunk every three days without fail.

When carried, myrtle preserves love.  If grown on each side of the house, love and peace will reside within, and it is a lucky plant to grow in window-boxes if it is planted there by a woman.  Myrtle is also used in money spells.

Aphrodisiac, to brighten disposition, compassion, fertility, happiness, longevity, love, magic, material objects, money, prosperity, wealth, wedding.

Myrtle at Blade & Broom

Healing Uses:  In the era of the Roman Empire, myrtle was used to treat urinary and respiratory ailments. Egyptians used the plant to treat nervous afflictions. French women drank tea made from crushed myrtle leaves, believing that it would help to preserve their youthful appearance and overall vigor. Some actually believed myrtle to hold a cure for cancer, but little evidence was found to prove the theory. 

Myrtle has been conventionally used to treat coughs, bronchitis and other respiratory infections. The astringent properties of myrtle have also earned the reputation for promoting good digestion, treating urinary tract disorders, and preventing wound infections. Recent laboratory studies suggest that the herb contains anti-inflammatory substances, making it a viable astringent compound. This finding accounts for the plant's enduring popularity as a wound and cough treatment.

There are other health benefits of myrtle. It is believed to be anti-infective, and can be used as a tonic to hasten the healing process. Healers in Middle Eastern countries have traditionally used myrtle as a treatment for diabetes.

The 1980s saw scientists putting the myrtle herb under the microscope in an attempt to identify the active ingredients that lends it its various medicinal properties. Results of one study indicated that extract from the herb can decrease blood sugar in mice. This explains the association associating myrtle with diabetes. However, there is still no concrete proof that the herb is safe to use and effective for people who have the disease.

The above medicinal information is taken from: Disabled World - Disability News for all the Family: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/myrtle.shtml#ixzz2NaMkFQPx

Mugwort

MUGWORT  (Artemisia vulgaris)

Folk Names:  Artemis Herb, Artemisia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant, Moxa, Witch Herb

Part Used - Incense:  Leaves

Scent:  Bitter, tart, hint of sage

Substitute:  Wormwood

Gender:  Feminine

Planet:  Venus

Element:  Earth, (Air)

Deities:  Artemis, Diana

Powers:  Strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, astral projection.

Magical Uses:  Place mugwort in the shoes to gain strength during long walks or runs.  For this purpose pick mugwort before sunrise, saying: 

Tollam to artemesia, ne lassus sim in via.

A pillow stuffed with mugwort and slept upon will produce prophetic dreams.  Mugwort is also burned with sandalwood or wormwood during scrying rituals, and a mugwort infusion is drunk (sweetened with honey) before divination.

The infusion is also used to wash crystal balls and magic mirrors, and mugwort leaves are placed around the base of the ball ( or beneath it) to aid in psychic workings.

When carrying mugwort you cannot be harmed by poison, wild beasts or sunstroke, according to ancient tradition.  In a building, mugwort prevent elves and `evil thynges' from entering, and bunches of mugwort are used in Japan by the Ainus to exorcise spirits of disease who are thought to hate the odor.  In China, it is hung over doors to keep evil spirits from buildings.

Mugwort is also carried to increase lust and fertility, to prevent backache, and to cure disease and madness.  Placed next to the bed it aids in achieving astral projection.

Aphrodisiac, clairvoyance, consecration, divination, dreams, longevity, magic, to prevent theft, protection, psychic development and growth, psychic protection, rest, sleep, strength.

Mugwort at Blade & Broom

Healing Uses

Part Used:  Rootstock, herb

Properties and Uses:  Appetizer, digestive, cholagogue, purgative.  Mugwort promotes the appetite and proper digestion by its beneficial effect on bile production, and it acts as a mild purgative.  A decoction is sometimes used to regulate menstruation.  It has also been used as a bath additive for gout, rheumatism, and tired legs.  The fresh juice is helpful in relieving the itching of poison oak irritation.  CAUTION:  Excessive doses can lead to symptoms of poisoning but nothing is to be feared from normal use.

Preparation and Dosage:  Collect the herb when in flower, the rootstock in the fall.

Infusion:  Steep 1 tbsp dried herb in 1/2 cup water.  Take during the day, a mouthful at a time.

Powder:  Take 1/2 tsp powdered rootstock with water, two times a day.

Lemongrass

Photo by Yosri

LEMONGRASS  (Cymbopogon citratus)

Folk Names:  Serai, Camel’s Hay, Citronella, Geranium Grass, Cochin Grass

Part Used - Incense:  Leaves, essence

Scent:  Dry, grassy, tingles

Substitute:  Lemon Peel

Gender:  Masculine

Planet:  Mercury, (Sun)

Element:  Air, (Fire)

Powers:  Repel snakes, lust, psychic powers

Magical Uses:  Lemongrass planted around the home and in the garden will repel snakes.

It is also used in some lust potions, as well as in an infusion to aid in developing psychic powers.

It is also a key ingredient in New Orleans style Van Van Oil and is used in many preparations to ward against bad luck, jinxes, and magical messes. In some traditions, it used to protect against the Evil Eye.

Clairvoyance, contact other planes, divination, fidelity, honesty, psychic development & growth, strength.

Healing Uses: Lemongrass has many health benefits and healing properties containing many compounds, oils, minerals and vitamins that are known to have anti-oxidant and disease preventing properties.

The primary chemical component in lemongrass is citral which has strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
Lemongrass therefore inhibits microbial and bacterial growth in the body, both internally and externally, helping to prevent and cure bacterial infections in the colon, stomach, urinary tract and respiratory system.

Its leaves and stems are high in folic acid and essential vitamins such as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and thiamin (vitamin B-1).

Lemongrass also contains many anti-oxidant minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

Lemongrass oil when used in aromatherapy restores and revitalizes the whole body, helping to relieve the symptoms of headaches, body-aches, nervous exhaustion and stress-related conditions.

Lemongrass tea can act as a diuretic and is highly effective in flushing toxins and waste out of the body; improving the function of many different organs including the liver, spleen and kidneys.

It can help you lose weight by shedding unnecessary water along with the impurities. This allows you to have more energy and process fat more effectively.

Many people use lemongrass as a calmative agent; to help them deal with anxiety and nervousness People who suffer from Insomnia report its ability to help them rest and sleep deeply.

Lemongrass may also have effects on cancer cells. There are many studies online and in medical journals illustrating how lemongrass kills cancer cells without harming normal cells.

WARNINGS:  It is UNSAFE to take lemongrass during pregnancy. Lemongrass seems to be able to start menstrual flow, so there is a concern that it might cause a miscarriage.

It’s also best to avoid lemongrass if you are breast-feeding. Not enough is known about its possible effects on the nursing infant.

Lavender

LAVENDER  (Lavendula officinale or L. vera)

Folk Names:  Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike, Asarum, Khezama

Part Used - Incense:  Flowers, essence

Scent:  Bittersweet, flowery, different

Substitute:  Rose

Gender:  Masculine

Planet:  Mercury

Element:  Air

Powers:  Love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, peace.

Magical Uses:  Lavender has long been used in love spells and sachets.  Clothing rubbed with the fragrant flowers (or lavender placed in drawers with clothes) attracts love.  A piece of paper on which you're rubbed lavender is excellent for writing love notes.  The scent of lavender particularly attract men, and lavender water or the essential oil was worn by prostitutes several centuries ago to both advertise their profession as well as to attract (through magic) customers.  Lavender also protects against cruel treatment at the hands of a spouse if worn.

These flowers are also burned or smoldered to induce sleep and rest, and are scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness.  The plant is so powerful that, if when depressed, one gazes upon the plant all sorrow will depart and a joyous feeling will settle upon the observe.

Indeed, the odor of lavender is conductive to long life, and so should be smelled as often as possible if this is a concern.

Lavender is also used in healing mixtures, carried to see ghosts, and worn to protect against evil eye.  It is added to purification baths.  Despite lavender's love associations, in the Renaissance it was believed that lavender together with rosemary, if worn, would preserve a woman's chastity.

A wish divination: place lavender under your pillow while thinking of your wish.  Do this just prior to retiring for the night.  In the morning, if you have dreamt of anything relating to your wish, it will come true.  However, if you did not dream, or if they were unconnected with your wish, it will not manifest.

Aphrodisiac, clairvoyance, consecration, divination, gentleness, good luck, harmony, to keep secrets, love, magic, memory, money, peace, peace of mind, protection, psychic development and growth, retention, tranquility, virility.

Photo by Luc Viatour

Healing Uses: Lavender has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy, and does indeed appear to have antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsive, and last but certainly not least - anti-depressant properties.

Internally, Lavender is believed to be of benefit for a multitude of problems, including stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression, colds, digestion, flatulence, upset stomach, liver and gallbladder problems, nervousness, loss of appetite, and as a breath freshener and mouthwash.  Aromatherapists also use lavender in inhalation therapy to treat headaches, nervous disorders, and exhaustion. Herbalists treat skin ailments, such as fungal infections (like candidiasis), wounds, eczema, and acne, with lavender oil. It is also used in a healing bath for joint and muscle pain.

WARNING: Although lavender oil is widely used in perfumes and sprays; it can cause minor skin irritation or allergic reactions when exposed to direct sunlight.