A Witch's Garden: St. John's Wort

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.

St. John's Wort

The red sap of this plant resembles blood. "If anyone trod on the plant after sunset a fairy-house would appear and carry them about. Used on Midsummer, when picked under certain conditions and while uttering certain words, for divination" (Miller - St. John's Wort).

As a Ward

Also known by the Italian name of "devil-chaser," St. John's Wort was considered potent against faeries (Britannica Online - Fairy), and was thought to be able to strip a witch of her will.

St. John's wort "was in great request, and hence it was extensively worn as an amulet, especially in Germany of St. John's Eve, a time when not only witches by common report peopled the air, but evil spirits wandered about on no friendly errand" (Thiselton-Dyer 62).

Sir Walter Scott gave a rhyme spoken by a demon lover who could not approach a girl because she was carrying St. John's Wort and vervain:

If you would be true love mine,
Throw away John's Wort and Verbein (K. Briggs 346).

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.