A Witch's Garden: Vervain

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.

Vervain

Witches were thought to have used vervain liberally. For Italian witches, vervain was considered sacred to Diana. Vervain was a necessary part to many an ointment, brew, and love philtre, and was also necessary in the preparation of a hand of glory. Vervain was also associated with invisibility (Guiley 1989 349).

"Vervain was said to give strength ('tough as iron', 'hard as steel') and to act as an aphrodisiac (the hardness of iron was said to be transferred to the penis)" (Rätsch 172).

Vervain was also considered a "lightning plant" and was sacred to Thor. It was also sacred to the Druids, "and was only gathered by them, 'when the dog-star arose, from unsunned spots'" (Thiselton-Dyer 56).

Vervain is also known as Dragon's Claw (in Scotland), Common Vervain, Verbena, Simpler's Joy, Holy Herb, Tears of Isis, Tears of Juno, Persephonion, Demetria, Frog-foot, Verbinaca, Peristerium, Juno's Tears, Mercury's Moist Blood, Pigeon's Grass, Columbine, and Sagmina (Miller - Vervain).

As a Ward

Vervain is an herb diametrically associated with Christianity and with witchcraft. Early Christians referred to vervain as "herb-of-the-cross" because they believed it was used to staunch Jesus' blood as he was being crucified. Because of this Christian association, vervain was long said to work as an effective charm against incubi, demons, evil spells, and witches. During the Middle Ages, vervain was hung in homes, over stable doors, among crops, and around people's necks (Guiley 1989 349).

"The Germans used vervain as an amulet during peace treaties and to protect against the evil eye and the temptations of witches" (Rätsch 172).

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).

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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.