POISONOUS PLANTS

 

Any poisonous plant gathered at midnight during a full moon has strong magical connections.

 

Belladonna

Belladonna also known as Deadly Nightshade was originally introduced as a drug. All portions including the leaves, berries and especially the root system, are extremely poisonous. Belladonna is Italian meaning "beautiful woman". During the Renaissance women applied an extract of this plant to their eyes to dilate their pupils, giving them a wide and beautiful gaze. Nightshade can be used in a poppet to enhance beauty. In banishing, keep in mind it's toxicity level, belladonna's reaction time is several hours to several days. At one time it was used medicinally to treat ring worm and running sores, or to cool inflammations. It is not recommended for this sort of use today. Astrological correspondence: Saturn

 

Black Locust

The black locust is very poisonous and messy tree with a reaction time of one hour, it is found from Georgia, through the Ozark mountains and into Pennsylvania. Legend says that the black locust is the burial place for all things evil. If someone has wronged you, bury that person's name a the foot of the tree and let the black locust take care of the situation.

 

Celandine

A poisonous plant used in magic to break hexes. It is deadly and has a reaction time of approximately fourteen hours. Celandine is still used medicinally by herbalists. There are two types of celandine, greater and lesser. Greater celandine is associated with the Sun and Leo, lesser celandine is associated with Mars.

 

Elderberry

Although cooked elder berries are fine, the leaves, bark, roots and raw berries are considered poisonous. The American Medical Association has documented cases of poisoning from this plant. Reaction time is several hours. Elder berries are great for Elder magic  (times you wish to call the Ancients). An offering of elder berries on the Altar is an appropriate form of Elder magic. There is a difference between the elder and the dwarf elder the latter is most poisonous. Astrological correspondence: Venus

 

Hemlock

This plant grows along the road side in the U.S. All parts of hemlock, especially it's fruits are considered lethal. It works to paralyse muscles, therefore in magic, if you wish to paralyse a situation, a bit of hemlock could be used. Hemlock's reaction time is a few hours and is a fast acting banishing plant. At one time hemlock was used as a sedative but is no longer recommended for domestic use. Astrological correspondence: Saturn

 

Lily of the Valley

This beautiful spring plant is actually a deadly beauty found in North America, Canada and Britain. Reaction is immediate, causing intense irritability. It is used in magic to stop harassment. Lilly of the Valley is used by drug companies for medicinal purposes and was at one time used extensively in medical cures. Couples plant lilly of the valley in their first garden to promote the longevity of the marriage, it is also recommended for use in a bridal bouquet. Astrological correspondence: Mercury

 Morning Glory                                  

All parts of this plant are poisonous, and has the nick name of "devil's guts". Morning glories come in a variety of colors and are fairly drought resistant. Legend has it that you can wrap the morning glory vine around a poppet nine times to banish someone. This is especially effective if done three days before the New Moon. In magic the morning glory can be used to bind, banish or promote attraction to someone or something. Astrological correspondence: The Moon

 

Straw Flowers

Although poisonous straw flowers are a plant of longevity, these plants like sunny dry spots and hold out until last frost. Want something to last? Use straw flowers in your magic. At one time this plant was used medicinally but is not suggested for domestic use today. This is the flower of Samhain or Halloween as I prefer to call it, the flower of the dead, signifying the transition from one type of life to another. Astrological correspondence: The Sun

 

Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane is also known as Moonkshood, several varieties are found in the U.S. and in Canada. The entire plant is poisonous, especially the leaves and roots. When drying the roots give off fumes that cause giddiness, it is suggested to use only the flowers in magic. Wolfsbane is excellent for redirecting predators that may come after you. When Wolfsbane blooms on a full moon beware.. It is a very magical plant, old werewolf movies featured it's legend. Astrological correspondence: Saturn

 

Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Mountain Laurel

You can find these plants everywhere, these bushes have a reaction time of six hours. The Greeks found that honey from bees that fed on Azaleas and Rhododendrons to be poisonous. Astrological correspondence: Venus