Tag: herbalism
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Herb of Remembrance: Rosemary
“Down with the rosemary, and so, Down with the bays and mistletoe, Down with the holly, ivy, all, Wherewith ye dressed the Christmas hall, That so the superstitious find, No one least branch there left behind, For look, how many leaves there be, Neglected there (maids, trust to me), So many goblins you shall see.”…
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The Fruit of the Otherworld: The Apple Tree
“Seven deer by Slieve Bloom was Finn’s first chase,—a brave and stout exertion— at the end of seven years crowned with honour, at the famous Apple-tree of the fiana. A vessel full of gold, of glorious silver, the woman out of Slieve Slánga gave to him; we know for certain that this was the first…
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Watermint: Mint of the Druids
“When Summer strews its cloak of hues, Then the dells, Yield earth nuts, mint and marjoram And fragrant smells.” George Sigerson, Bards of Gaeilge, 1925
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Dreaming with Mugwort
“On this eve, too, was gathered the Bollan-Feaill-Eoin “John’s Feast-day wort ” (mugwort), which was made into wreaths to be worn on the heads of man and beast to protect them from witchcraft.” A.W. Moore, The Folklore of the Isle of Man 1891 Mugwort is an ancient plant ally which has been held sacred in…
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Uisge Beatha, Life Water: The Birch
“O birch, smooth and blessed, thou melodious, proud one, delightful each entwining branch in the top of thy crown.” Author unknown, Buile Suibhne, 1629 The Silver Birch or Betula pendula and Downy Birch or Betula pubescens are also called European white birch, silver birch, moor birch or hairy birch. It’s called beith or beith gheal…