A Witch's Garden: Trees

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.

Trees

As a Ward

Certain trees were believed to protect against misfortune and evil. Ash, rowan, birch, hazel, holly, oak, hawthorn, and bay were believed to repel evil, faeries, and witches. In Russia, aspen was laid on the grave of a witch to prevent her ghost from riding out at night to terrorize people (Guiley 1989 344).

One Old English charm against witches goes as follows:

Black-luggie, hammer-head,
Rowan-tree, and red thread
Put the warlocks to their speed (Wedeck 43).

Lost?

A Witch's Garden is copyright 1997-1998 to Shantell Powell.