Wolvesbane has no practical uses as it is deadly posion, and should not be touched with the hands or burned in recels. Its posion was once used to posion arrow heads, and for other rather deadly purposes. Sometimes, it was used in love potions, but probabally not as an aphrodistiac, but to induce paralysis, or numb the cognitive senses. Its victims usually went mad or died. Do not use it under any conditions! Another name for this wort is Tyr's helm, linking it to Tiw (Tyr), and unforgiving justice. A second name auld wife's hood could link it to Holde or the Norns. According to a medieval source, wolvesbane was one of the nine plants used in Midsummer garlands, but somehow this is doubtful. There are truly no practical uses for it in modern Asatru.
Agrimony/Sticklewort/Cockleburr Agrimonia euporia
Also
called burrdock, it is known for its burrs or fruits. These "fruits"
are known for their ability to cling to clothes, tennis shoes, and just
about anything else (the plant by the way, inspired the creator of
velcro with its burrs). It is used to heal sores and pimples in
poultice form and the leaves can be ground up and used in a tonic to
purify the blood. According to English folklore, Burrdock kept near
allowed one to see evil witches on their nightly rides. A word of
warning, this plant when green is extremely poisonous to pigs, so it is
best to keep our swine friends away from it. Good runes to use with
burrdock may be Laguz, Dagaz, and Sowilo.
Angelica/Masterwort/Kex Anglica archangelica
Masterwort was used as a ward against witchcraft and its Latin name may indicate a link to the god Hama (Heimdal) as Christianity commonly associated him with the archangel Michael. The name may also suggest a link to the Waelcyrgie though. Masterwort can be candied and eaten, while the seeds can be used in pastries. The stems are said to make good preserves while the leaves, seeds, and roots were used against insomnia, jaundice and the common cold. Some have even tried it as a tobacco substitute. A good rune to use with masterwort may be Elh-secg
Alder Alnus glutinosa
This tree is linked throughout folklore to rebirth and strength. Some even believe Embla, the first woman according to the Eddas was made from an Alder and not an Elm. Its wood has been used in love charms, while its bark and leaves was used in dyes. Combined with copper it can be made into a red dye for wools. Alder has been linked by some to the rune Is, but just as ice must eventually thaw, there is always a chance for rebirth. A better rune to use with alder may be Daeg.
Apple Pyrus malus
One of the most important fruits of Northern Europe, the apple was deliberately breed from the rather smallish crabapple to the fruit we know today. It is has perhaps more mentions throughout Germanic folklore and mythology than any other plant. Idunna's apples gave the gods eternal youth, while Frea (Frey) had his man servant offer apples to Gerd for her hand in marriage. Buckets of what could be apples appear on the altars dedicated to the cult of mothers, and therefore may be linked to such goddesses as Fr¡ge (Frigg) and Holde as well. In the Middle Ages, apples were used in love charms, and as talismans against various evils. They were used in magical tests of fidelity as well. At Yule time apples saved from the fall were eaten and the apple trees wassailed so that they would produce a good crop of apples that year. Apples work well with Jera, Lagu, Giefu, Ing, and Beorc depending on what you wish to do. No other fruit is as of much use to Asatru adherants and Heathens as the apple.
Ash Fraxinus excelsior
According to the Eddas, the first man was made from an ash, and some say Yggdrasil is an ash (see rowan and yew as well). As such it is a symbol of mankind and anything dealing with man. Ash combined with elm makes a very potent love charm, while folklore gives it warding powers against black magic, as well as indicates its possible use with "limb runes." These runes were carved on the limb of a tree in order to transfer worts from a man to the tree (the tree being stronger and more capable of dealing with the worts.) The ash is hallowed to Woden (Odin) and Eostre. The twenty-sixth rune of the Anglo-Frisian futhork is named for the ash, and its verse in the "Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem" speaks of its steadfastness in the face of attacks by many men. This may be a veiled Heathen reference to atrocities like that committed by Charlemagne when he ordered the Irminsul, symbol of Heathen Saxon independence cut down. Like the ash, Heathenry or Asatru was dear to man, and held its own despite attacks by many. Ash was also the favored wood for spear and arrows due to its strength and straightness. Good runes to use with ash may be Ur, Os, Wynn, Mann, and Giefu.
Barley Hordeum distichon
Long before hops were used to brew beer, barley formed the main ingredient, and is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. It even has a couple of mentions in Germanic folklore and myth. Byggvir, Frea's (Frey)'s valet is believed by some scholars to be a personification of Barley much as John Barleycorn was in the later Middle Ages. The hero Sceaf mentioned in some parts of the lore fell asleep as a child on a sheaf of barley, and floated across the sea on it to the kingdom he came to rule. Similar stories were told of Skjoldr as well as Scyld in Beowulf. Grimm believed these tales to be related to the legends of the Swan Knights, and interpreted them as the dead hero returning to help his homeland and folk. Thus barley may be a symbol of rebirth, or perhaps of birth period. Good runes to use with barley may be Ing, Beorc, and Thorn.
Beech Fagus sylvatica
In the Heathen Era, thin strips of this tree's bark were used to carve the runes into. The word book (AS bece) comes from beech (AS boc). The same is true for several other Germanic languages. Rune lots for divination may have also been made from this nut bearing tree's branches. Folklore has it that snakes fear this tree, and that it can ward off lightning. The leaves were often chewed for chapped lips, and in a decoction, they were used to treat cold sores. Beechmast (nuts) were feed to deer up until recent times in England. Peorth, Giefu, and Elh-secg are all good runes to use with beech.
Betony Betonica officinallis
An Anglo-Saxon herbal said betony was good for body and soul. In folklore it is said to shield against visions and dreams, get rid of worms, and aid in childbirth. As a tea or mixed with wine many have used it to ease headaches and toothaches. Old folk wisdom claims wounded harts ate it for healing. A good rune to use with betony may be Ing.
Birch Betula alba
Along with the oak, ash, and elm, birch was among the most important of trees to the ancient Germanic Heathens. It was considered hallowed to Thunor (Thor) and various goddesses such as Holda. Folklore holds that it can ward off the evil eye and along with besom, its branches were used to beat evil wights out of lunatics. It has been used not only as a symbol of spring, birth, and new life, but also of death and rebirth. These attributes should not be seen as contradictory, but as symbolic of the cycle of life as seen in such birth/death goddesses as Holda. Like beech, birch can be used for chapped lips and cold sores, and its oil is said to be good for skin afflictions. Among the many uses of its wood, was the construction of the Norwegian lure, which is similar to the Swiss alphorn, and used to signal sunset. Some scholars believe A.S. beorgan "to protect" was derived from the birch's name. A good rune to use with birch is its name sake, Beorc.
Blackberry/Bramble Genus:Rubus
Bramble or the vines of the blackberry has been attributed with various magical abilities since some of the earliest recordings of Heathenry. Passing through blackberry brambles was said to reduce swelling, get rid of warts, and rid one of unwanted wights. It was even said to be effective against evil witches. To dream of getting cut when going through a blackberry bramble, meant an unknown foe is trying to hurt you, but if you make it through unscathed, you will win the struggle. Blackberries contain tannic acid and therefore make a good natural dye (giving anywhere from a violet to deep purple coloring). The berries are a good source of vitamin C and can be used to fight the common cold, and their juice was once drank for dysentery. Thorn and Cén are perhaps good runes to use with bramble.
Box Buxus sempervirens
In Germany, twigs of box were thrown into graves, after the coffin was lowered during the Middle Ages, and it often decorated fireplaces on Waelburges as well. To dream of box, was said to foretell a long life. Some have used its bark in tonic as a wormer. Éoh or Beorc are good runes to use with box.
Broom/Besom Cytissus scosrius
Broom is the grass that produces the straws for the common house cleaning tool. Broom was used in house decorations at W‘lburges, and along with birch formed part of the "Besoms" or switches used to beat away unwanted wights. If broom plants have a lot of blooms it is said to foretell a good harvest, although it is bad luck to use a broom made of broom to sweep when the plant is in bloom. Cén is a good rune to use with broom.
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