Oh my! It's been
months since I posted anything on my blog.
I do have an excuse though not only has it been an extremely busy year so far.
We've also moved house. But not just a small move we've moved all the way from
Reading to Norfolk. So after a lot of upheaval we're finally all settled in and the cats have also found their feet, or should I say paws, in their new territories. Life is starting to return to normal ... whatever that is :-)
Today we went for a ramble around the country lanes. We were looking for blackberries to make some
wine and maybe a crumble or two. A few
hundred yards outside our front door we were gifted with hundreds of bramble bushes heavily laden with juicy ripe berries.
It was so relaxing to be out in the fresh air, listening to the birds
singing and picking the fruits that had been gently warmed by the autumn sun.
As we picked I couldn't help but think back to our ancestors
who picked the succulent berries thousands of years ago, suffering the same
scratches as a sacrifice for reaching between the thorns to grab the most luscious
looking berry. Blackberries were eaten
in Britain as far back as Neolithic times as pips have been found in the
stomach of a Stone Age man that was found buried in clay on the Essex coast.
There is a lot of folklore that surrounds the
blackberry. Some tales say that you
should not pick the first fruits of the season but leave them for the fae
instead. If you've ever picked the
fruit early in the season you will know how bitter they can taste. It is also said to be unlucky to harvest
them after a certain date. From
childhood I always remember being told you couldn't pick them after 1st
November because the devil has touched them.
In other parts of the country it is unlucky to pick them after St
Michaelmas Day , 29th September or 11th October because the Devil would have
spit on them. The connection with the
devil and the blackberry comes from the tale that when he was expelled from
heaven he landed in blackberry bush on his way to hell.
Magically blackberry can be used for protection. Just think of those thorns! Planted around the boundaries of your home is
obviously a natural deterrent again burglary but the thorns can also be added
to mojo and charm bags for protection too.
The leaves of the
blackberry can be added to incense and charm bags for wealth and prosperity.
Passing beneath a natural arch of brambles is said to cure
hernias, rheumatism, whooping cough and boils.
We did this today so we will wait and see if it has an effect on hubby's
hernia.
Blackberries are classed as a superfood. They are rich in vitamin C, Potassium and
Calcuim. Making a tea using the leaves
is helpful for colds, or use as a gargle for sore throats or a mouthwash.
Blackberry
Correspondences
Blackberry - Rubus
fruticosus
Folk names – bly, bramble, bramble-kite, bumble-kite, cloudberry, dewberry, goutberry, high blackberry, thimbleberry.
Gender – feminine
Planet – Venus
Element – Water
Deity – Brigit
Powers – healing, money, protection
Folk names – bly, bramble, bramble-kite, bumble-kite, cloudberry, dewberry, goutberry, high blackberry, thimbleberry.
Gender – feminine
Planet – Venus
Element – Water
Deity – Brigit
Powers – healing, money, protection