St. Lucy's Day is currently most often associated with Sweden, one of the celebrations of light in the midst of winter's darkness. Little Christmas, or the Feats of Saint Lucy, is a favorite advent celebration. In the early morning, the Lucia Bride, usually the youngest daughter, is dressed in a long white gown with a myrtle or bilberry crown and lighted candles. She awakens the family, often bringing coffee and tea, and braided Lucia twists, flavored with saffron and cardamon. After the family is served, she visits the barns, taking food to the animals.

In addition to the home celebration, the young girls attend services at the church dressed in their lighted crowns. St. Lucy represents the promise of the light in the darkness and the sun's return. 

Saint Lucy is the patron saint of the blind and those with visual challenges. Lucy was born in Syracuse, Sicily in the 3rd century. She was born to wealthy Christian parents and at an early age she secretly vowed to remain a virgin and serve God by helping others. 

Her father died when she was young. When she came of age, her mother arranged her marriage to a pagan but Lucy rejected him. It was the time of the Diocletian persecutions and when her suitor denounced her as a Christian, she seemed destined to death by burning or life in the brothels. Her fate was to be martyred by a sword through her throat. 

In another story she escapes the marriage by tearing her eyes out in frightful desperation. She is often depicted carrying her eyes on a tray. 
Miraculously, her sight was restored and she was able to serve God and mankind as she has intended. She is celebrated for giving sight to the blind, food to the hungry, and light to the darkness. The name Lucy comes from the root word Lux, meaning light. 

Bread

I teaspoon saffron, soaked in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes. Let cool

2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
4 T softened butter
3 eggs
3 T sugar
1 teaspoon salt
I cup slivered almonds
1 cup dried bilberries (blueberries) or raisins
5 to 6 cups unbleached flour

1. Prepare saffron.
2. Dissolve yeast in water. 
3. Mix the butter with eggs, sugar and salt in a large bowl. 
4. Add milk to butter and eggs.
5. Add almonds and dried fruit
6. Stir in saffron mixture.
7. Add flour gradually and stir with wooden spoon until it is is smooth and forms a ball. 
8. Place on floured board or counter and knead until smooth - about 5 minutes.
9.Put into a greased bowl, turn it over and cover with a towel in a warm place until double, about an hour and a half. 
10. Punch down dough, divide into 3 sections. Braid and form into a circle shape. 
11. Place on cookie sheet and let rise until double - about 30 minutes.
12. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
13. Bake about 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
14. Remove from oven, cool and ice.

Icing

2 cups confectioner's sugar 
1 teaspoon almond extract
Combine and gradually add water until it is the consistency of icing. 
Drizzle on to bread. 
Decorate with slivered toasted almonds and/or dried fruit if desired. 
Top with candles

St. Nicholas was born in the 4th Century in Lycia, Asia Minor to very wealthy parents. Even as a child he was very religious. He was very young when he became a priest and he went on to become a bishop. Sadly, his parents died shortly after he was ordained. He inherited a great fortune, and he shared it generously with people in need. His giving was from the heart - he was not interested in credit or compensation. He often gave unanimously. He was dedicated to common people and emperors alike.

St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children, laborers, merchants, pawn brokers, and particularly sailors and those who work near water. 

There are many stories describing his generosity. A nobleman who had lost his fortune was unable to provide dowries for his three daughters so planned to sell them into slavery. St. Nicholas galloped by their castle in the dark of night and threw a bag of gold in the window. He did this three nights in a row, providing each daughter with a dowry. Eventually, it was discovered that he had been the generous benefactor. His fame as a gift giver spread through out many lands and he has been credited with the concepts of Father Christmas and Santa Claus.

The three bags of gold represent the three golden balls found on the signage outside pawn broker's shops.

In another more gruesome story, he saved three babies, often pictured beside him. During a famine, an inn keeper had no meat to feed his customers so he cut up three children and tossed them into a brine filled pickling tub. Thankfully, St. Nicholas walked in just in time to bless the boys and bring them back to life!

During that same famine, he convinced sailors on a ship filled with grain to unload some of their cargo to feed those who were starving. They were initially reluctant since the grain had been weighed and they wanted to deliver the entire shipment. He assured them that the cargo would weigh exactly the same amount when it was delivered. It did.

As you celebrate St. Nicholas Day, give a gift from the heart. It doesn't need to be expensive. It could be a kind word, a quote that would make someone feel valued, a thank you. Or is could be a poem, or a recipe! Here's my gift to you!

Golden Bishop's Tea

4 cups black or green tea
4 cups apricot nectar
Serve hot with a honey if desired and a sprig of rosemary 
and a sprinkling of nutmeg

Optional: 1 Tablespoon apricot brandy per cup

As you celebrate St. Nicholas Day, think gold! Decorate with golden wheat and tansy! Serve apricot or orange nut bread with Golden Bishop's Tea. Create your own golden delights! 

Wheat and roses are both beautiful additions to the Feast of Saint Barbara for decorations and for your meal. Freshly baked bread with rose petal jelly is sublime!

Folk names for aconite - blue rocket devil's helmet, leopard's mane,
monkshood, mousebane, wolf's bane, woman's bane, 
​

A thirty-three year old gardener, Nathan Greenaway, died of multiple organ failures after touching monkshood. If that doesn't convince you to keep your distance, there is no hope.

Wolf's bane is a member of the Ranunculus family, as is the seemingly innocent buttercup. But beware. All members of this family, over 500 varieties, are poisonous. 

Aconite, from the Greek work akon, meaning dart or javelin, was used on the tips of arrows to kill wolves. Legend states that the arrows never missed their mark and death from the plant's poison was immediate. I can't help but wonder who gathered and prepared the arrows, as all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous even to the the touch. 

Monkshood remind me of delphiniums - same family - and both are grown in gardens as ornamental flowers. You won't find them in mine. The story of the gardener is more than enough to deter me.  The original headline was that he had merely brushed past the plant and the result was death, The reputation for the herb's toxicity is enough to convince me to keep my distance. 
​

Most beautiful of poisons,
border-plant,
wearing your small green cowl,
little friar, little murderer,
aconitine flows
from your roots
to your deep purple flowers,
small deceiver,
centerpiece
for a poisonous
feast.

A few leaves
in the salad,
a few seeds
in the soup,
a thick root
to flavor
the stock--
& it is all over.
Let the lover beware
who buys you
for love philters;
the dose is deceptive.
One pinch may lead to passion
but two will surely lead
to death.
Yet you twinkle
little blue bell
at the edge
of the garden,
wearing no warning
about your slim green neck.
Wolfbane, Friar’s cap,
Chariot of Venus--
how many may claim
to be poisonous
head to toe?
That honor--
Friar Death--
belongs to you.

The seeds are poisonous to chickens, giving Henbane its common name,. The Latin name, Hyoscyamus - from the Greek 'hous' meaning pig and kuamos meaning bean -  has been interpreted as a reference to the noxious smell, but it could well be, as Erica Jong notes below, that the 'sickly flowers turn men into swine."  Turning men into pigs must have been more common in the past than it is presently.. In addition to Henbane's special powers, changing men into hogs was also attributed to mandrake - check my 10-6-2019 post.

With the current misogyny in the U.S., it seems some men don't need any herbal assistance. Fortunately in my recent travels, this hasn't been a concern but I have no plans to move to D.C. or Hollywood so maybe my geographical location has spared me. Ha!

Henbane is not used often because it is so highly poisonous. As with some of the other members of the Solanaceae family, it contains the propane alkaloids and it best left alone..
(Note: Non-poisonous tomatoes and potatoes are in the Solanaceae family.)

Simply smelling the herb can have derogatory effects. Legend states the dead who wander along the banks of the river Styx wear wreathes of henbane flowers to prevent them from remembering their previous lives, according to Greek mythology. 

Scott Cunningham, herbalist extraordinaire, noted  

​"Henbane, another poisonous plant largely ignored in herb magic today
due to its toxicity, is still sometimes utilized as a love bringing herb in the following 
manner: to bring love, a man should gather henbane, naked, early in the morning
while standing on one foot. Worn, it will bring love."

Once again, I am puzzled. This entire plant is poisonous, yet there are accounts of man gathering this vilely fragranced plant, unprotected by clothes, and then actually wearing it?  (For several reasons, I hope they get dressed first!) 

Cunningham also notes the herb can be burned to attract rain and this should be best done outdoors - they need to tell people this? - as the fumes are poisonous. He then notes that fern can be used as a substitute. Hopefully the fern cam be used in the love spell as well!

Once again I got sidetracked - easy to do with the versatile and many faceted herbs! In reference to Halloween, witches rubbed an ointment which included henbane and other herbs on the handles of their  broom sticks to enable them to fly. And allegedly, there were evil witches  - most aren't, you know - who used the herb to inflict convulsions, delirium and even death on their victims. 

Henbane should best be avoided unless under the supervision of a well trained herbalist,  Witches, Henbane and Brooms, 

​It has inspired American poet and novelist Erica Jong, probably best known for her 1973 novel Fear of Flying. This poem is from her book Witches. 

Herba Apollinaris,
Circe’s herb,
The Delphic Priestesses’
wine--
is it you
with your jagged leaves
& sickly flowers
who turn men
to swine,
is it you
who pluck the prophecies
from smoke,
above the great Omphalos
in the gorge?

Common as the lowly potato,
but with the power
to bring oblivion or death,
Ulysses lost
his sailors
to your spell,
while that mild witch, Circe,
wove harmonies
upon her magic loom
where the fabric
flickered
like firelight.
Sleepy beasts
beneath her shuttlecock,
the wolves & lions loll
like aging dogs;
the witch tickles
their bellies.
Half girl, half goddess,
all enchantress,
Circe dreams of her Odysseus,
luring him
with bright thoughts,
bright threads,
& honeyed wine.
Was it you, Henbane,
turning beastly men
to loving beasts--
is that why Circe
loved you so?
—Until Ulysses
stormed in
with his broadsword,
the master mariner,
the son of gods
of old;
& used
to taming women to his will.
He took the witch
to bed--
not out of lust
for Hermes himself had ordered it--
(& Odysseus always
had a god at hand).
Was it Henbane
they smoked
before they went to bed?
Was it Henbane
that let their loving slip
from one slim night
into a whole fat year?
She sent him home
the long way
from her famous
bed of love,
Through Death’s cold vastnesses,
& pale Persephone’s glacial halls.
Was it you
Henbane
who made the journey slow--
or was it Circe,
half girl, half goddess,
harmonizing on her lovely loom
while men lolled at her feet
like sleepy beasts…
O Circe
you knew
a thing or two!

​Jong, Erica (1997), Witches, Abradale Press

One of the challenges when studying herbs is the confusion that arrises from folk and common names. The nightshades are a perfect example. In this post we will look at two, Both are from the Solanaceae family, as were the previous Deadly Halloween Herbs, excluding Aconite. 

The lesson from this is that it is critical to know the latin name when studying herbs. For that reason I'll list the latin name first, with the paintings, and additional folk names below. Also, please beware of what you find on the internet. I've seen sketches with black berries on the bittersweet night shade and I have never seen the plant or a photo of the plant with black berries. They can be green, yellow, orange or red, but I've never seen black. 

Both of the herbs are poisonous and all parts should be avoided.. They have both been attributed to enabling witches to fly. "Bella Donna" means beautiful lady in Italian and at one time women were rumored to use the herb to enlarge their pupils so they would look more desirable. Sadly as with many herbs, the amount needed was almost the same as the lethal dose so there were accidental deaths as a result. I'll stick with eyeliner and mascara for my eye make up. If that's not good enough, the guy can take a hike!  
​

When the Deadly Nightshade flowers,
dreamy-eyed girls
open their lids
for their lovers;
Maenads fall upon men
dripping with dreams;
& children die
from the sweetest
of inky fruits.

Belladonna,
wine of the Bacchanals,
you are indeed the witch’s berry,
I look into your open eye & see
Dionysian orgies,
women in love with death,
dying with the widest
& brightest of eyes.
Have you no shame at all
Atropa belladonna?
The other herbs
pretend to be angelic,
but you freely play
the Devil’s part.
Dwaleberry, Sorcerer’s cherry,
Murderer’s berry--
your sweetness bursts
on the tongue,
the lungs relax,
& death comes
merely
from refusing
air.

© Mikell Y. Worley, Jimsonweed, Watercolor, 5" x 7"

Today's herb is Jimsonweed, also called devil's trumpet, Hell's bells, thorn apple and moon flower, from the genus Datura. It belongs to the Solanacease (nightshade) family. Its toxic ingredients include tropane alkaloids, including atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine, and it is particularly dangerous because the amount needed for a high is nearly the same as the lethal over dose which greatly increases the chance of accidental fatal overdose. ​

There are times I simply must pause when I do herbal research. These are the kinds of things that have guided me to avoid deadly herbs for so long. I've been sharing information on haunting herbs for years and it has all been in fun, using only herbs found in the gardens of the white witches. But there can be a dark and serious side to herbal use. The lists of illness and most often death associated with this herb are readily available on the internet so I won't list them here. 

That being said, I have been in awe of the gorgeous Jimsonweed for years and would not be anymore inclined to eat it than I would poison ivy. I can enjoy it at a distance and as with all the deadly herbs, I strongly advise you look but don't touch!

References:
Bliss, M. (2001), Datura Plant Poisoning, Clinical Toxicology Review

Datura stramonium

of the poisonous flowers--
even your smallest buds
are said to cause
madness, sleep & death,
but your spiny ″apples,″
prickly & stiff as porcupines,
are the real villains,
& were much beloved
by Kali’s worshipers,
the Thugs.

(O kill, kill
but kill
in a goddess’ name!)
Deadly poison
for arrow tips
& sacrificial victims’ hearts--
you were also used
in love philters!
The cynic laughs,
knowing that love
is the first poison--
the poison
that takes the soul,
the mind,
& all the organs
down below.
(O kill, kill
but kill
in a goddess’ name!)
Venus, Kali, the Great Mother
the God of the Witches--
what does it matter?
Love potion or poison,
it is the same drink
that brings oblivion
in the end.
Love-will, Sorcerer’s herb,
Jimson weed,
you were used by brothel keepers
to seduce the innocent,
& witches brewed you
for their flying ointments.
The soldiers of Jamestown
made merry with your juice.
It was a new country
but the herbs were old.
The poisons link us
to antiquity--
the poisons & the love philters.
Down through the Ages
we are joined by vines;
we wear garlands
of poisonous berries
like jewels.
Green as innocence,
green as love of death,
we bud, we flower, we fall--
& ancient herbs
grow
out of our blind
eyes.

​
This year I'm featuring the Deadly Herbs of Halloween. We'll begin with Mandrake, the root of Mandragora. Legend states that the plant sprung from the dripping blood and semen of men who were hanged at the gallows. 

​Mandrake, translated as the dragon resembling man,  (Atropa mandragora, Mandragora officinale) is one of the most powerful of the Halloween Herbs. The root, said to resemble the form of a human body, can grow to a length of three or four feet. It is most often associated with males (Man-drake, Mandragan, Mandragor, Mannkin), but other names include a feminine reference (Ladykins and Womandrake).  And there are other folk names including Brain Thief, Wild Lemon, and Raccoon Berry. Do you see why I love herbs?

Another name is Herb of Circe, as it is thought to be the herb used in the brew made by the sorceress Circe (Kirke) to turn Odysseus's trespassing men into swine. And there is more than one herb of Circe. More on that later. 

If  that weren't enough, there are additional benefits! It can protect your home and assure affluence and abundance. Silver coins placed next to this handy root will double in amount over night. Even those  of us who aren't known for our mathematical expertise can see the benefit!

Mandrake can be used to attract love if you hang the root on the headboard of your bed. Keep in mind, this is a three to four foot long hairy root that looks something like a person. I'm just wondering how I'd react if  I woke up in the middle of the night and . . . .oh, never mind. Once true love is guaranteed it will ensure fertility and the scent ensures a peaceful night's sleep - at least until the baby arrives! 

But there is a problem. Mandrake roots are rare and expensive, and, well they should be, considering the challenges involved with obtaining one. To ensure that the magic is intact, there are certain procedures that must be followed. You don't just go out with a shovel to your nearest mandrake patch and start digging.The root must be obtained on a moonless night, ideally yanked out just at the stroke of midnight. 

There is another problem. The mandrake does not want to be removed from the ground. It shrieks in protest. The shrill screams seem to have a derogatory effect on all that hear them and drive them to insanity, so as you can imagine, people aren't lining up to be harvesters of the mandrake root.

There is a solution but Zippy, my Puggle, and I don't like it. "The safest way to secure a mandrake was to tie a dog to the plant on a moonless night. Plugging one's ears with beeswax and blowing a horn to drown out the shrieks, the dog was whipped at the stroke of midnight and the jumping animal pulled the screeching root from the ground and died."

Died. A dog, at least one or we know they wouldn't have given this example, died so that someone could tie a hairy root to their bedpost.

One more thing to keep in mind when considering the use of mandrake is that is is poisonous. It is a member of the Solanaceae family and the berries and roots contain anticholinergic alkaloids such as hyoscyamine and scopolamine.

There is good news though!  If you're looking for a substitute for your spell this Halloween, you can use the root of an ash, which might be even more difficult to dig up than the Mandrake. It is a tree, after all. The root of betony or may apples have also proved to be worthy alternatives. For an even more easily obtainable solution, apples are said to work just as well. I hope you have read this far before running out to dig up a mandrake root. You may even have an apple readily available in your 'fridge!

In addition to it's many attributes, Mandrake inspired poetry from the hauntingly talented Erica Jong. Enjoy. I'm on my way to tie an apple to my bedpost. 

References: 
Lehner, Ernst and Johanna (1960), Folklore and Symbolism of Flowers, Plants and Trees, Tudor Publishing Company
Stories from my grandmother

O Mandragora
herbal puppet,
little man dancing
with your great tap root,
small song-&-dance man
cloven-hoofed as the Devil--
no wonder you make such noise!

O Mandrake
putting out fine root hairs…
for centuries
Pythagoras & Theophrastus
sang your praises--
blessed you as aphrodisiac
& soporific,
blasted your resemblance
to man.
Like man you are tricky, devious,
double-natured;
like man you curse & bless.
Like man you are a poisoner
& a love-bringer;
like man you take
what you can.
O Mandrake
bringer of fruitfulness & potency,
lamp in the darkness,
killer of starving dogs,
shrieker, gallowsman, dragon-doll--
you were once thought beneficent
in Biblical times,
but gradually the Devil claimed you.
You grew at the foot
of the gallows,
lapping up dead men’s sperm,
giving birth only to death.
& yet we all give birth
to only death,
& your other attributes--
O bringer of treasure, sensuality, love,
success in battle--
also lead to death.
So dance little Mandrake
in your doubleness.
Rejoice at the gallows’ foot.
You are indeed a dress rehearsal for man,
& we shall join you underground
soon enough.
© Erica Jong, Witches (1981)
​

Reference:
​Jong, Erica, (1997) Witches, Abradale Press

​

People frequently cringe when I order anchovies on pizza but Caesar salads certainly seem to be popular!  Anchovies add spark to tapenade as well. This one is a favorite!