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This slow-growing shrub or small tree is of Saturn and has a special place for me, because it was the first medicinal plant I ever learned about. Its name does not come from wit [knowledge], the root of witch,* but from wyche, as in weak, because its branches are yielding and pliable; they made good bows for archers. It is a good astringent, great for cleaning skin, soothing for bug bites, and has sedative properties. Because it chases water, it finds water; divining rods are usually made from witch hazel. It also considered protective. |
Witch Hazel Bark 
© 2004, 2006 Alchemy Works; No reproduction without permission *Although the dictionary
disagrees, a respected linguist told me about the relationship
between wit and witch. He pointed
out that there were parallels in other Indo-European languages,
such as Russian, where ved' means knowledge and
a ved'ma is a witch (and a medved'--a
honey-knower--is a bear). Ved' and
Wit are linguistic twins. So don't let anyone tell
you that witch has to do with yielding; a witch
is one who has wit. Back |
Witch Hazel