As the car engine grew louder, the sound of raised voices echoed across the graveyard and I realized it was too late to make it over to the gum trees. So, grabbing my iPod, I headed for the grave of Charlotte Pyke, who had passed away in 1876. Although the weathered stone angel on top of her headstone had lost one of its wings long ago, the stone statue was the tallest in the graveyard and I figured it would be plenty tall enough to keep me hidden from view. Sinking down onto the cold concrete, I turned up the collar of my coat and prayed that my black hair and dark clothes would help me blend into the night.

From Where the Moths Dance

There is something about angel headstones that draw me to them when wandering around old graveyards.

In the nineteenth century, when elaborate headstones became popular…

When I saw Violet in the school cafeteria the next day, I couldn’t help staring at the arrangement of threaded, holly berries that adorned her head. The bright red berries looked striking against her black hair.

“You’re looking very festive,” I said, slipping into the empty seat beside her.

“Holly is the sacred tree of protection,” she replied matter-of-factly.

“Oh?” I straightened, my curiosity aroused. “Protection against what?”

She shrugged. “Protection against evil influences or negative energies.It’s been used for centuries. Holly trees planted outside the home help to ward off evil and keep away unwanted visitors.”

From Where the Moths Dance

Ancient tree lore tells us that our ancestors held strong beliefs in the magical and spiritual properties of trees. Our relationship with trees was, and still is, of particular importance to the Celts, the Druids, and Wiccans.

Certain trees have long been revered for their protective properties. They…

For centuries people have been aware of the healing power of crystals and the energy they emit. Each crystal has its own distinct characteristics and properties, working through the resonance and vibration of their crystalline structure to heal and bring balance.

But as well as their power to heal, some crystals have the ability to protect from negative energies, and also from electromagnetic radiation. I keep a piece of amazonite beside my computer to absorb electromagnetic emanations. Other crystals that can protect against electromagnetic smog include smoky quartz, black tourmaline, amethyst, fluorite, amber, lepidolite, jasper, malachite, and aventurine.

In ancient times charms, amulets, and talismans made from crystals were carried or worn for spiritual protection or protection against negative energies. Amber was commonly used for protection by the ancient Romans, while jet was used in olden times to protect from entities of darkness.

Crystals that are known for their strong…

Through the centuries there have been many herbs steeped in myth and magic. Certain herbs were considered to have strong protective properties and people would grow them outside their houses, hang bunches or wreaths around doorways and in their homes, sprinkle them in the corners of rooms, or carry them on their person in sachets to protect them from evil spirits, ghosts, witchcraft, or black magic.

In the Middle Ages, vervain was used as an ingredient in a holy salve to protect against demons and disease, while nettles provided protection against sorcery.

Vervain

Stinging nettle

In past times, many people believed that certain herbs, such as bay, elder, rue and basil could provide protection against witchcraft. Nicholas Culpeper, a well-known English botanist, herbalist, and physician in the 17th century, wrote that the bay tree ‘resisteth witchcraft very potently,’ and ‘neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightening, will hurt a man…

Ornithogalum thyrsoides is a bulbous plant species that is endemic to the Cape Province in South Africa. It is also known by the common names of chinkerinchee or chincherinchee, star-of-Bethlehem or wonder-flower.

FOTD