Parting the Mists

Since the last post discussing shoes in folk magic, there’s been another incidence of old shoes found used for such a purpose – this time in Australia.

But I’m really in the mood to go in depth on another favorite plant – you might remember the post on rosemary last fall. A few weeks ago, spring officially started and kicked off the annual event that is one of the prettiest sites in my humble yard: the forsythia arching golden branches over the rich green and violet blooms of the periwinkle ground cover that lies beneath the bushes.

Branches of forsythia flowers flow onto a growth of Vinca minor, also known as Periwinkle.

To be clear, the variety of periwinkle I have and am most familiar with has the Latin name of Vinca minor, or Lesser Periwinkle. Other varieties include Vinca major (Greater Periwinkle) and Vinca rosea (Madagascar Periwinkle). This lush green plant is found in Europe, Asia, and North America.

I just adore this plant. The way it fills in a shady spot with green and glossy leaves and bestows tiny violet blue flowers in spring are the obvious reasons. The less obvious reason is that once it has a good start, this plant is extremely low maintenance. The perennial only needs watered if a severe drought occurs and stays rich and green – even in winter! It spreads by growing long stems that take root, making it very good at pushing out weeds. These stems inspired its name, which is taken from the Latin vincio, or “to bind.”

If the number of nicknames a plant has is indicative of its popularity, I’m not the only one who likes it. Periwinkle has also been called Ground Ivy, Pennywinkle, Blue Buttons, Joy on the Ground, Devil’s Eye, Pucellage (French for Virginflower), and more.

In folk medicine, it was used as an astringent, to stop bleeding, to clear mucus, to stop muscle cramps, and more. In today’s medicine, the alkaloids in Madagascar Vinca are used to treat diabetes and high blood pressure. Medicinally, this variety is best known as a cancer fighter. Caution: Some Vinca can be slightly poisonous, so don’t ingest it as a folk remedy without serious research and do not let pets chew on it.

Another folk name is Sorcerer’s Violet, and clearly connects to the plant’s use in folk magic for charms and to get rid of evil spirits. The folk magic uses of the plant are contingent upon it being gathered under very specific conditions including cleanliness, specific lunar times, and with an incantation. These being met, the plant could be used to attract money and for protection against everything from wild beasts to the evil eye. Some place it over their doors to protect the home.

Some Periwinkle blooms hide under the evergreen foliage.

It can also be used in love spells as well. According to hoodoo expert Catherine Yronwode, the five-petaled flowers symbolize spiritual peace and harmony. In the Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells, the Bouquet Spell – Sorcerer’s Violet says that adding Vinca will turn “any bouquet into an instrument of seduction.” It then says to sprinkle a bouquet of romantic flowers with dried Vinca flowers and then give them to the woman of your desire.

Whether this lovely plant brings me some amore or not, I still love it!

Until next time, bright blessings.

Thistle

Sources:

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/periwi27.html

http://www.cancerquest.org/chemotherapy-vinca-alkaloids.html

Cunningham’s Enclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

The Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judicka Illes

Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic by Catherine Yronwode

© 2012 PJ Graham