#halloweenherbs, #haunting herbs, #herballegends
If you present a Zombie with pistachio nuts - yeah, YOU do it- I’m not going anywhere near one!!! - after eating the nuts, they will be released from their trance and able to pass on to a peaceful death. Be sure to use the nuts that have been dyed red, as they will be the most effective! 
Pistachios are also reputed to make love spells ineffective! If you are pining for someone you don’t even like, you may want to snack on some! 

 #halloweenherbs, #hauntingherbs, #herballegends
​Juniper, another evergreen, was often planted by the doors of homes, as well as being used in swags and wreaths, for the expulsion of witches, vermin, snakes, fleas and other unwanted pests. Like pine, witches were required under the devil’s law, to count each needle before entering a home. Juniper has been used in exorcism rituals, to guard against theft, and to deter evil forces. If carried, it will prevent the wearer from accidents, illnesses, curses and hexes, and encounters with ghosts! 

Pine is frequently used in making protective  wreaths to hang on doors during the holiday season. Many of the decorating ideas we have today began as protection. At one time, there was no understanding of illness as it related to plants, animals and people. Associating plants with protective properties gave people a sense of safety. Protections and cures were based on observing patterns. Some made sense. Some didn’t. 
Evergreen wreaths and swags were originally placed on doors and windows because it was believed that witches were honor bound to count every pine needle before entering a home. Witches are easily distracted and residents hoped they would lose count and move on to unprotected homes. 

Garlic is associated with the Greek goddess Hecate, representing witchcraft, magic and creatures of the night. It was said she could cause, or cure, a host of banes! Witches are multifaceted!
Garlic will protect you from evil, envious people, disease, vampires, threatening weather and the plague. It is a symbol of courage and strength and volumes have been written about it. When I first started studying herbs, the plague was a foreign concept. After living through the pandemic, my appreciation for some of these herbal associations had increased.
Garlic also increases lust and at one time brides carried garlic on their wedding day for good luck.

If you have an elderberry bush near your house, you are very fortunate! It will protect you and your loved ones from negative energy, sorcery and lightning. Elderberries are used in exorcism rituals and are known for repelling evil of all kinds Witches are known to live in elderberry bushes, which further supports my theory that not all witches are evil. 
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How’s it going? 
You’ve made your broom from the best possible broom making herbs, you have rubbed your handle with a non-poisonous levitation herb . . . but it you’re like many of us, staying seated upright can be a challenge! I’ll never forget my first attempt! I was twirling around in the sky like an autumn leaf in a windstorm. Fortunately, a more experienced rider shared a secret. 
Basil
You thought it was just for pesto, right? 
Drinking 1/2 cup of basil juice before taking off on your broomstick will keep you safely seated in an upright position. I’ve been told chewing celery seeds help too! Have fun!

Now that you’ve created your broom, you’ll need some herbal help getting it off the ground! There are a number of possibilities. Rubbing the ash handle with most of the recommended herbs is dangerous because many are poisonous to touch. Let’s use moonwort, also called the money plant or lunaria. Unlike other recommendations, it’s not poisonous and has the added advantage of turning into silver if you put it in a box! I think it turns back into moonwort every time you open the box though. At least mine has. 

To make a witch’s broom you’ll need:

• ash for the broom handle
• birch twigs for the sweeping part
• willow wands for the binding

If you are planning to make a broom for Halloween, or every day sweeping and travel, I suggest you use ash for the handle. Ash is the wood that was used to build ships because it offers protection against drowning. Using ash will ensure that a witch’s feet will stay dry as she hovers above water! 
Birch twigs are recommended for the sweeping part of the broom as they will capture and hold any evil spirits that need to be exorcised. The birch twigs are attached to the ash broom handle with willow wands.
Done? Let me guess! You can’t get it up in the air, right? Well, you have to rub the handle with magic herbs! Tomorrow I’ll tell you the safest one to use. Many are poisonous to touch!

You’ll find more on Ash on the 10/4/2022 blog post. 

Witches are most comfortable performing their magic rituals  under the  cover of night’s darkness. These bright, wam colors remind them to proceed with caution! Daylight and sunshine make them feel vulnerable and exposed. More terrifying associations are reminders of being burned at the stake by orange and yellow flames.
​We all have  our perceptions of witches, based on the  stories we’ve  been told, and our personal  associations. I encourage you to keep an open mind.  You may discover having them around can be delightful! 
What are your associations? Do you keep your distance? Are you hoping to get to know one better, or is there any chance you are a witch? If so, I’m glad this post didn’t  scare you off!

This is a light hearted look at using herbs 
to solve all of your  concerns related to haunting!
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Do you know what herb to use if a poltergeist has taken up residence in your formerly peaceful home?
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If you have finally figured out how to get that broom up in the air but don’t want to fall off mid-flight, a drink made from this herb will keep you upright. Do you know what it is? 

Have you ever received the “I’ll come back to haunt you!” threat? There is a way to ensure that a person who is buried won’t be able to escape from the grave and cause you undo stress!

What about that glassy eyed zombie that lives next door, stuck in a trance and unable to move on? You can help! (If you dare!)
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For the next 14 days, I’ll be posting information to guide you to the answers to these questions and many more!  
​Check in daily to learn more tips and tricks to maneuver safely through the Halloween season!