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    Home » Plantlore-History

    Plant-Lore and Legends for Halloween

    October 30, 2018 by Patti Estep 3 Comments

    Read about the history of Halloween and a few legendary mystical properties of plants to get you into the holiday spirit.

    Pic of the full moon

    Halloween Plant Lore

    We've all heard about Jack O'Lanterns carved out in scary patterns that are meant to ward off evil. This tradition is believed to have started in Ireland with the myth of Stingy Jack.

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    Halloween itself can be traced back to the early Pagans who worshiped nature and the natural order of life. Hundreds of years ago they marked November 1st as the beginning of the new year just after the end of summer and harvest.  

     Bird silhouette craft for Halloween.

    They celebrated the Samhain Festival to mark the end of the season of the sun and the beginning of the season of darkness and cold. They believed that on the eve of the new year (Oct 31) the laws of space and time were suspended allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.

    As the years pass Christian missionaries adopted a lot of the early symbolism as a method of teaching their beliefs. Eventually, the Christians marked November 1st as All Saints Day or All Hallow Day which meant October 31st was All Hallow's Eve which eventually led to Halloween.

    pumpkin gardenAs the traditions were rooted in nature, many superstitious beliefs arose surrounding plants. Although scientists were able to explain the reasoning behind some of their mystical properties some people still continue to believe in them today.

    Below are just a few plants which have long held special meanings because of their medicinal or magical qualities.

    Pile of bay leaves

    Bay Tree

    The renowned herbalist Nicholas Culpepper wrote of bay saying that a man standing near a bay tree could not be hurt by witches, the devil, thunder or lightning. Also, it is said that if you write a wish on a dried bay leaf and burn it your wish will come true.

    Thyme plant in garden

    Thyme

    It is said if you wear thyme in your hair, it will increase your psychic powers. Another says that planting Thyme in your garden will coax fairies out of their hiding places. Also, any place where thyme grows wild is a place blessed by the fairies.

    Lady's Mantle leaf with raindrops plantlore.

    Lady's Mantle

    The latin, Alchemilla, commonly known as Lady's Mantle, comes from the Arabic for alchemy because it was known to have wondrous powers. The foliage was said to impart a subtle influence to the dewdrops that lay in the furrowed leaves. One tale says "drink the dew that gathers on a Lady's Mantle leaf on the 1st of May and you will have eternal youth."

    basilBasil Plants

    Basil was associated with money. Storekeepers scattered basil on their shop floors to chase evil spirits and attract customers. In India Basil was considered to be sacred. A sprig of basil was placed on the breast of the dead to protect the spirit.

    Fall maple tree

    Fall Leaves

    One last bit lore. Some say that on Halloween night if you catch a falling leaf before it lands, you will have good fortune throughout the year. However, if it touches the ground, the magic will be gone forever.

     

    Happy Halloween!

     

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Teresa Jacyszyn

      October 31, 2019 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks

      Reply
    2. Carole West

      October 31, 2018 at 8:16 am

      That was interesting and a good read with my cup of coffee this morning. I've always found it interesting how so many of our holidays have a pagen connection.

      When I changed up my garden I moved my fairies next to my thyme plant so maybe there is something to that.

      My grandmother had a beautiful bay leaf plant in her garden. I always thought it was too hot down south to grow but after doing some research discovered it does well in rich soil and humid climates. I may have to hunt me down a plant this winter because our soil is very rich, in fact I don't think I'm going to fertilize this winter...

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        October 31, 2018 at 8:34 am

        You are so lucky to have such great soil. I'd definitely try to grow a Bay if you can. There's always mail order if you can't find one at a nursery near you.

        Reply

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