A Witch's Garden: Trailing Pearlwort

Disclaimer

This is NOT a page about Wiccans or neo-pagans, and I do not advocate the belief that Wiccans are Satan-worshippers and/or baby-killers. I am well aware that they are not. This is a starting point for historical research into the great witch craze of 1100-1700 AD. And please, don't ask me for spells.

Trailing Pearlwort

Trailing Pearlwort was used as a love charm; if you pull nine roots and knot them into a ring, then hold the ring in your mouth while seeking a kiss from the man you desire... the man will be yours" (Miller - Trailing Pearlwort).

As a Ward

Trailing pearlwort was carried as a protective herb, and was "believed to relieve labour pains when placed under the right knee of a woman in childbirth. It was traditionally fed to cows to protect both the milk and the calf. The herb prevented the family members from abduction by the Sidhe if place above a home's door" (Miller - Trailing Pearlwort).

Lost?

A Witch's Garden is copyright 1997-1998 to Shantell Powell.
The preceding botanic illustration is from The Virtual Garden Search Engine, part of the Time Life Electronic Encyclopedia.