There are, in fact, several customs associated
with birth and the surrounding period which
have survived without people today necessarily
appreciating their magical significance. In Celtic
lore, the ‘toadstone’ protected the newborn
from evil spirits and the Virgin Mary nut,
actually the seed of the plant Entada scandens,
counteracted birth pains. The shell of a sea
urchin, known as the ‘cock’s knee stone’ – but
also representative of the Virgin – has also
always been considered to bring good fortune.
Birth and death were, in the minds of people
whose lives depended on the cycles of the
seasons, very closely connected. This led to a
perhaps greater understanding of the two great
events in life than we have today. ‘Primitive’
societies accepted that there would be loss and
deprivation through disease around these
times and the people would use anything that
they considered powerful to help them.
Magical stones were often used as protection
against disease, which was generally believed
to have been brought by demons and evil
spirits. It was said that healing stones could
impart their qualities to water and this ability
can still be seen today when healers use
crystals, or elixirs infused from crystals, in their
healing. In both Scotland and Ireland there are
many tales of the existence of such stones.
Many plants and herbs were also regarded as
specifics against bad spirits. For example, rowan
or mountain ash, even today, is often to be found
close to isolated cottages or near standing stones
as a form of protection. The berries were thought
to be the food of the gods. St John’s Wort was
often carried as a charm against witches and
fairies – in the Isle of Man it is said that a fairy
horse will rise from the earth and carry you
about all night if you tread on the plant.
Incenses are a natural outcome of this use and
today we are fortunate to have relatively easy
access, particularly via the internet, to the
ingredients which are necessary to allow us to
use ancient knowledge. Throughout the book
there are various recipes for incenses which can
be used specifically for protection or as a quick
solution to the various problems which can be
met on a day-to-day basis. As people become
more sophisticated, but equally more aware,
problems such as the evil eye do not seem to be
particularly relevant, yet jealousy and envy can
be a huge cause for concern, both nationally
and globally.
