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The use of Herbs
By Lady Wilde
There are seven herbs of great value and power; they are ground
ivy, vervain, eyebright, groundsel, foxglove, the bark of the elder-tree,
and the young shoots of the hawthorn.
Nine balls of these mixed together may be taken, and afterwards
a portion made of bog-water and salt, boiled in a vessel, with a
piece of money and an elf-stone. The elf-stone is generally found
near a rath; it has great virtues, but being once lifted up by the
spade it must never touch the earth, or all its virtue is gone.
(This elf-stone is in reality only an ancient stone arrowhead.)
Hazel Tree
The hazel tree has many virtues. It is sacred and powerful against
devils' wiles, and has mysteries and secret properties known to
the wise and the adepts.
It was by the use of a hazel wand that St. Patrick drove out the
serpents from Ireland, one only escaping, who plunged into the Great
Lake at Killarney, and remains there to this day crying to be released.
And with a hazel stick a person can draw a circle around himself,
within which no evil thing can enter - fairy, or demon, or serpent,
or evil spirit. But the stick must be cut on May morning, and before
sunrise, to make it powerful.
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All herbs pulled on May Day Eve have a sacred healing power, if
pulled in the name of the Holy Trinity; but if in the name of Satin,
they work evil. Some herbs are malefic if broken by the hand. So
the plant is tied to a dog's foot, and when he runs it breaks, without
a hand touching it, and may be used with safety.
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It is firmly believed that the herb-women who perform curses receive
their knowledge from the fairies, who impart to them the mystical
secrets of herbs and where to find them; but these secrets must
not be reveled except on the death-bed, and then only to the eldest
of the family. Many mysterious rites are practised in the making
and the giving of potions; and the messenger who carried the draught
to the sufferer must never look behind him nor utter a word till
he hands the medicine to the patient, who instantly swallows a cup
of the mixture before other hands have touched it.
The Willow
The willow is thought to have a soul in it which speaks in music;
for this reason the Irish harps were generally made of the wood.
Brian Borohm's ancient harp, still in existence, is made of the
willow tree.
Four-leaved shamrock
Whoever has the four-leaved shamrock has good luck in all things.
He cannot be cheated in a bargain, nor deceived, and whatever he
undertakes will prosper. It enlightens the brain, and makes one
see and know the truth; and by its aid wondrous things can be done.
So the people say: "Whoever has the four-leaved shamrock can
work miracles." But it must never be shown to man nor mortal,
or the power could exist no more.
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