Author: A Solitary Pagan
Benandanti 3 The Church
The benandanti came to the attention of the church in 1575, when a priest in Brazzano heard rumors of a man in Civdale, Paolo Gasparutto, who could cure bewitched persons and who “roamed about at night with witches and goblins.” Summoned and questioned by the priest, Gasparutto admitted the Ember Days’ outings, adding that in addition to fighting, there was leaping about, dancing and riding on ani...
Lucius Apuleius1
Lucius Apuleius is best known to us as the author of The Golden Ass, one of the most famous romances in the world, containing as it does the story of Cupid and Psyche. His importance to the study of witchcraft rests on the fact that The Golden Ass is a romance of witchcraft, and illustrates the beliefs which were held about witches in the pre-Christian world. This work of Apuleius proves that witc...
Lucius Apuleius2 The Golden Ass
His book The Golden Ass was translated into English by William Adlington in 1 566 (Simpkin Marshall, London, 1 930 and AMS Press, New York, 1 893), and in our own day by Robert Graves in 1 950. It pretends to be an autobiography, telling how Lucius as an adventurous young man found himself in Thessaly, a region in Greece notorious for witchcraft. After hearing from his traveling companions various...
Lucius Apuleius3 The witches in The Golden Ass
The witches in The Golden Ass have many of the characteristics attributed to those of the Middle Ages. They can change their shape by means of magic unguents; they steal parts from corpses to use in their spells; they bewitch men by obtaining pieces of their hair; they can cast a glamour over the senses, and charm people asleep; they can pass through a hole in a door by changing themselves into a ...
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Thyme.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Thyme. Burning thyme gets rid of insects in your house. A bed of thyme was thought to be a home for fairies.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Tarragon.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Tarragon. Put in shoes before long walking trips to give strength. It has been used to relieve toothache and as an antifungal.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Summer Savory.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Summer Savory. It was believed to be an aphrodisiac. Some thought it was a cure for deafness.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Sage.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Sage. Thought to promote strength and longevity and believed to cure warts. American Indians used it as a toothbrush.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Rosemary
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Rosemary. Rosemary in your hair will improve your memory. It will protect you from evil spirits if you put a sprig under your pillow.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Mint.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Mint. It was believed to cure hiccups and counteract sea-serpent stings. The Romans wore peppermint wreaths on their heads. It was added to bathwater for its fragrance.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Parsley
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Parsley. Used for wreaths and in funeral ceremonies. Believed to repel head lice and attract rabbits.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Oregano.
Herbal Folklore & Old Fashioned Tips, Oregano.Used for “sour humours” that plagued old farmers. Also used for scorpion and spider bites.