Witchcraft Glossary B!

 Witchcraft Glossary give discussions to myth and ritual,alchemistry and other relatives,witchcraft and witchery!Witchcraft, in various historical, anthropological, religious and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. Historically, it was widely believed that witchcraft involved the use of these powers to inflict harm upon members of a community or their property.

 
 Since the mid 20th century, the term witchcraft has sometimes been used to distinguish between bad witchcraft and good witchcraft, with the latter often involving healing. The concept of witchcraft as harmful is normally treated as a cultural ideology, a means of explaining human misfortune by blaming it either on a supernatural entity or a known person in the community. A witch (from Old English wicce f. / wicca m.) is a practitioner of witchcraft.

 
 The "witch-cult hypothesis", a controversial theory that European witchcraft was a suppressed pagan religion, was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Since the mid-20th century, Witchcraft has become the self-designation of a branch of neopaganism, especially in the Wicca tradition following Gerald Gardner, who claimed a religious tradition of Witchcraft with pre-Christian roots.

 
 Contents: Baneful(Herb) |Biennial |Betony |Birch |Bistort |Blackthorn |Briar(Rosa rubiginosa) |Broom |White Bryony(Bryonia alba,Bryonia dioica) |Burdock |Beech |Bracken |Bramble |Buttercup |Buzina,elder |Broom |Beans |

 Baneful(Herb):A toxic herb.A poisonous herb that causes death if ingested.
 Biennial:A plant that grows vegetatively the first year and then is fruiting or dormant the second year.Foxglove,hollyhocks,mullein,and Queen Anne's lace are prime examples.
 Basil:Basil(Ocimum basilicum) is an annual herb that corresponds to the planet Mars and the element of fire.It is an native of India and is sacred to the Hindu god Vishnu.According to European herbal folklore,basil created sympathy between people and prompted love.Easy to grow in most sunny gardens,basil is wonderful to have on hand to add to culinary dishes.
 The licorice scent of fresh basil encourages loving feelings between two people,which may explain the old herbal folklore that if a man accepts a basil plant from a woman,he will lobe her forever afterward.You may add dried basil leaves to spells and charms designed to keep your lover faithful to you.Plus,sprinkling dried basil leaves around the bedroom will banish any negative emotions and bad feelings after a lover's spat.In herb magic,basil is used to purify sacred spaces.Basil is often used in The Lover's Spat Spell charm.1
 Burn basil to exorcise negativity from the home.To do a really thorough cleansing and protection of yourself and your hone,also sprinkle a little basil in each corner of each room and add to your bathwater.2
 Basil used to create affinities,for love,prosperity,sensuality.Prepare when the moon is in Scorpio.Plant on graves to assure the soul's resurrection.19
 Betony:Betony(Stachys officinalis,Betonica officinalis,Stachys betonica).Also known as Bishopwort,Wood Betony,Purple Betony.A Druid sacred herb.This was a very magical herb to the Druids as it has the power to expel evil spirits,nightmares,and despair.It was burned at Midsummer Solstice for purification and protection.Sprinkle near all doors and windows to form a protective barrier.If troubled by nightmares,fill a small cloth pillow and place it under your regular pillow.3
 Birch:Birch(Betula alba).also known as Lady of the Woods,Paper Birch,White Birch.A Druid sacred tree.Carefully gather strips of the bark at the New Moon.With red ink,write on a birch strip:bring me true love.Burn this along with a love incense,saying:"Goddess of love,God of desire,Bring to me sweet passion's fire."The specific name of a god/goddess may be added.Or cast the bark into a stream or other flowing water,saying:"Message of love,I set you free,to capture a love and return to me."4
 Birch(Betula alba).Also known as White Birch,Canoe Birch,Paper Birch,Lady of the Woods.Gently striking an outdoor ritual area with a birch twig or branch will drive off all negativity.It was also known as the tree of conception and birth to the Norse.12
 Bistort:Bistort(Polygonum bistorta).Also called Snakeweed,Dragonwort,Sweet Dock.Carry a piece of the dried root to conceive.5
 Bistort(Polygonum bistorta).Also known as Patience Dock,Snakeweed,Dragonwort,Red Legs.An herb of psychic powers,it can be added to incenses used during divinations.Sprinkle a little in your purse or wallet to draw money.13
 Blackthorn:Blackthorn(Prunus spinosa).Also called Sloe.A Druid sacred tree.The thorns are used for sticking into black figure candles or poppets of enemies who will not leave you alone.Before burning the candle or poppet,attach the trouble-maker's name to it or carve it into the candle with your knife.Take three thorns and place them in the forehead,heart and abdomen of the image,saying:"Evil,return to the one who sent thee.Me and mine are now set free.No hurt nor harm can enter here.My life and way are now made clear."6
 Blackthorn(Prunus spinosa).Also known as Sloe,Mother of the Wood.Blackthorn wands are all-purpose and can drive out ghosts and negative spirits.The wood makes good walking sticks because of its protective qualities.14
 Briar(Rosa rubiginosa):Also known as Wild Rose,Briar Rose,Sweet Briar,Dog Rose.Hip Fruit.Regular scented roses may be substituted.For clairvoyant dreams,steep two teaspoons fresh or dried rose petals in one cup of boiling water.Cover and let stand five minutes.Drink at bedtime.Burn the petals with love incenses to strengthen love spells.7Its petals can be used in incenses for love.
 Broom:Broom(Cytisus scoparius).Also known as Scotch Broom,Irish Broom.A Druid sacred tree;it can be substituted for furze(gorse) at the Spring Equinox.The Irish called it the "physician's power" bacause of its diuretic shoots.Sweep your outside ritual areas with it to purify and protect.Burning the blooms and shoots calms the wind.8
 White Bryony(Bryonia alba,Bryonia dioica):POISONOUS!Also known as English Mandrake,Briony,Ladies Heal.The roots can be substituted for the rare true mandrake root.Set a piece of the root on your money to increase prosperity.9
 Burdock:Burdock(Arctium lappa).Also known as Cocklebur,Beggar's Buttons.Steep a handful of the herb in a bucket of water for washing floors.This wards off negativity,purifies and protects.10
 Beech:Beech(Fagus sylvatica).Ancient runic tablets were often made of this wood as it represents wisdom and creativity.Oracle messages can be heard by listening to the wind through the leaves.11
 Bracken:Bracken(Pteridium aquilinum).A piece of root under your pillow can bring dreams that help with problems.
 Bramble:Bramble(Rubus fructicosus or R.villosus).Also known as Blackberry,Dewberry,Thimbleberry.Its five leaves,and other five-leafed plants,represent the goddesses,especially Freyja.Its leaves can be used in spells for protection or wealth.
 Buttercup:Buttercup(Ranunculus bulbosus).Also known as Crowfood,King's Cup,Pilewort,Goldcup.The flowers can be floated in the cauldron while doing scrying.15
 Buzina,elder:Sticks of elder were thought protect a traveller from wild animals and evil men.The following extravagant procedure was recommended: on the eve of All Saints' Day cut a suitably sized elder stick,hollow out the soft centre of the bottom end,insert wolf's eyes,the tongues of three green lizards,the hearts of a dog and three swallows,all of which have been pulverized and mixed with powdered ironstone.The stick was then to be furnished with an iron ferrule,and could be used as a magic walking stick.16
 Broom:Broom(Cytisus scoparius):More than 100 species of this attractive shrub grow in Europe,Asia,and Africa.The Scottish Broom,(Cytisus scoparius),is grown in the United States.Many of its branches are leafless or almost without leaves.The showy yellow flowers are shaped like butterflies,the fruit is a pod with one or more seeds in it.The Broom is a member of the pea family.Some types of Broom are used as dyes.Family:Leguminoseae.

 To the travelling people of Scotland,the sight of the bright yellow blossoms of the Broom,announces the advent of Spring,and,stirs the wandering hearts to move on.

 The Broom's connection with royalty originates from the royal house of the Plantagenet's,whose crest was a genet passing between two sprigs of Broom,and who took their name from the Latin,"Planta genista,"which means "sprig of the broom plant."

 Legend in England states that witches were supposed to love the Broom and to use it riding about at midnight.In some part of Scotland,the golden blooms are considered to be a sign of plentiful crops,when the Broom is fully blossomed early.Beloved by the bee and the butterfly,this glorious golden vision,in its more humble profession,employed as a broom,is symbolic of "humility".17
 Beans:Beans:Romans believed that the spirits of the dead resided in beans.Men were forbidden to eat them,lest they commit murder! A woman could become impregnated by eating a bean inhabited by a ghost.Witches were later thought to ride on beanstalks.18
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 Reference:
 1: see p.46~47.chapter three Herb Magic For Love and Happiness;from Herb Magic for Beginners: Down-to-Earth Enchantments,By Ellen Dugan Published by Llewellyn Worldwide, 2006,ISBN 0738708372, 9780738708379
 2: see p.133~146,chapter 10,Spell work,under title "herb magic",from Celtic Magic,by D. J. Conway,Published by Llewellyn Worldwide,1990,ISBN 0875421369,9780875421360.
 345678910: Ibid.,p.135~136.
 11: See p.164~174,under title "Herb Magic",from Norse Magic,by D.J.Conway.Published by Llewellyn Worldwide, 1990.ISBN 0875421377, 9780875421377
 12131415 Ibid.See 165.
 14: See p.271.3.Herbs and Roots,under title "The Bathhouse at Midnight",from The bathhouse at midnight: an historical survey of magic and divination in Russia,by William Francis Ryan,Published by Penn State Press,1999,ISBN 0271019670, 9780271019673.
 16: See p.272.3.Herbs and Roots,under title "The Bathhouse at Midnight",from The bathhouse at midnight: an historical survey of magic and divination in Russia,by William Francis Ryan,Published by Penn State Press,1999,ISBN 0271019670, 9780271019673.
 17: See p.20~21.from Mythical Flower Stories,By Marilyn Reid,Published by Lulu.com, 2007.ISBN 1847535216,9781847535214
 18: See p.293.chaper "Cycle 11.Plant Magic",from Ariadne's Thread: A Workbook of Goddess Magic,By Shekhinah Mountainwater.Edition: illustrated.Published by The Crossing Press, 1991.ISBN 0895944758, 9780895944757
 19: Ibid.See 296.

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