Plant Folklore

Pumpkin: Protection & Warding

Details the historical and folkloric use of pumpkins as protective charms and wards against bad luck and evil spirits during the harvest season.

Pumpkin: The Jack O'Lantern's Irish Roots

Details the historical and folkloric roots of the Jack O'Lantern, tracing its origin from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack and the carved turnip to the modern use of the pumpkin.

Three Sisters Farming

The traditional Indigenous American companion planting technique known as the Three Sisters, focusing on the pumpkin’s role as the protective, ground-covering sibling.

Samhain: The Witches' New Year and the Final Harvest

A detailed article on the Pagan holiday of Samhain, exploring its role as the Witches' New Year, the thinning of the veil, and the ritualistic use of plants like Rowan, Yew, Apples, and Pumpkins for protection and divination.

Pumpkin: Cendrillon's Golden Carriage (Cinderella)

A short retelling of Cendrillon's transformation, focusing on how the pumpkin became the ultimate symbol of hidden potential and magical metamorphosis in garden lore.

Chili Pepper: Love, Lust, and Fidelity

Uncover the fiery folklore of the chili pepper, detailing its use in love potions, fidelity tests, and passion-inducing spells across cultures thanks to its powerful, stimulating heat.

Chili Pepper: Spiritual Cleansing and Sacrifice

Explore the role of the chili pepper in rituals, where its powerful heat and acrid smoke were used as a spiritual fire to cleanse places, banish bad luck, and serve as an act of penance.

Basil: The Protector's Scent

Discover basil's ancient role as a spiritual guard. This essay explores the widespread folklore of using basil's powerful scent and protective nature to ward off bad luck, the evil eye, and negative energy.

Basil: The Cleansing Ritual

Dive into the folklore of basil as a powerful cleanser. Learn about the rituals involving basil wash

Basil: The Balcony Signal

Explore the romantic side of basil folklore, focusing on the ancient Italian tradition where a woman placed a pot of basil on her balcony as a silent, fragrant signal of love and acceptance for a suitor.

Basil: The Royal Herb

Discover why basil is called the "Royal Herb" (Vasilikos). This essay explores the Orthodox Christian legend of St. Helena and how basil is believed to have marked the discovery of the True Cross.

Basil: The Scorned Gift

Forget pesto and romance. This essay explores the dark and contradictory history of basil, which in medieval Europe was often seen as a symbol of hatred, ill-will, and a plant linked to vipers and scorpions.