Holly Tree - Garden Spells The Magic of Herbs, Trees and Flowers

As well as The Potted Bay I blogged about yesterday I have a holly bush. This what Claire Nahmad, whose states her great-grandmother was a wise woman, writes in her book, Garden Bells The Magic of Herbs, Trees and Flowers, about holly.


"The handsome holly is a lucky tree, for it affirms life, and is a symbol of undiminishing vitality. Ensure that it has a place in your garden for its glowing green presence wards of unfriendly spirits. The Holly man lives in the tree that bears prickly holly, and the Holly Woman dwells within that which gives forth smooth and variegated leaves. The first is lucky for men, the second for women. Do not burn holly branches unless they are well and truly dead, for this is unlucky."


An Ale and Holly spell follows.


As I read this I imagined a young married couple in times past planting two holly trees and then casting the spell.


To be on the safe side I might be cautious when disposing of holly branches.

Bay - The Herb

Whenever I re-arrange books on their shelves, it's often  a pleasant surprise to find one I've forgotten about. I collect non-fiction on many subjects because, as an author, I never know when they might come in useful.


Today, I found Garden Spells:The Magic of Herbs, Trees and Flowers by Clare Nahmad.


I have a potted Bay Tree that my daughter bought me last Christmas that is flourishing, so I enjoyed the following quote.


"Wherever the bay flourishes, that garden and the dwelling it graces are protected from flash and flood. It is a tree of the old gods, a tree of the Lord, and its spirit is valiant. Its fragrance and essence celebrate holy valour and human triumph. Take bay leaves in your food or make of them a tisane (one teaspoon of the herb to a cup of boiling water) for they have properties which heal and restore."


I frequently make tea from herbs in my garden. So far I haven't made bay tea but I shall try it.