Succisa
pratensis
Devil's Bit
According to folklore,
the devil got so angry at how helpful this plant was to humans that he
took a bite out of its root. Nevertheless, the plant survived, and that
is the key to its use in magic: its connection to surviving
violent attack. Devil's bit is spiritually healing for those
those who have lived through such attack. It drives out all poisons on
the spiritual plane and thus is a plant for survivors and for those who
weather extreme adversity. This strongly Venus herb protects especially
against violent attacks, which would be categorized as Mars. I think of
this plant also as dedicated to those who have survived war or have
experienced a serious physical diminishment, such as amputation.
Devil's bit is protective in Hoodoo magic as well. Pieces of the root
are added to incense burned to repel negative magic, put into
protective mojo bags along with herbs like rue, and placed around
the house or under the stoop for protection from baneful work. Growing
some by your steps is a great way of protecting your home from violent
magical attack. Some consider this a good candidate for use in
exorcism. Top
Oddly enough, there is
another much less known folk belief about devil's bit--that it was once
used extensively by the devil for baneful magic until the Virgin Mary
took away its banefulness. In anger, the devil bit the plant's root
off. This makes me wonder if this plant was actually used for magical
or spiritual purposes prior to the introduction
of Christianity. Top
This plant grows all over
Europe, preferring watery places like fens and bogs. It's an excellent
hedgrow plant. The leaves and shoots are edible, and the leaves also
provide a green dye traditionally used for tartans. Bees, butterflies,
and caterpillars love the flowers, which have a light honey scent.
Flowers are usually bluish purple but can be white or pink; they appear
from midsummer till frost. Although it likes to grow in or around
water, like a Moon herb, it is traditionally considered a Venus plant because of
its use in treating bruises and wounds caused by illness, and because
of its effectiveness against venomous bites, which are thought to be
ruled by Mars. Devil's bit is also known as blue tops, pin cushions,
blue button, blue heads, bluebonnet, and forebitten more. Top
How to Grow Devil's Bit.
You can try
germinating this seed like an annual (some of its seeds can germinate
in 3 weeks at room temperature), but you will get dependable results by
using cold stratification. Sprinkle seeds over a paper towel that has
been wet and wrung out. Fold in quarters and press gently against the
seeds to make good contact. Put in a thin plastic bag, leaving the top
open (cheap fold-over sandwich bags work well). Either put in the
refrigerator for 3 months or put in an unheated shed or garage over the
winter. Expose to indirect light in the spring, checking regularly for
germination, and then sow. Transplant to full sun or partial shade in
moist or wet soil. It gets 1-4ft/25-100cm tall and is hardy down to
-20F/-29C (zone 5). This plant partners well with yarrow, harebells, and cowslip. It will slowly
colonize areas where other plants don't succeed well on account of damp
clay or peat. In the wild, it prefers unused pastures and bogs.
Top
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Succisa
pratensis
Devil's Bit
20 seeds $3.75
Uses
in Witchcraft & Magic:
Protection
Venus Herb
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2008, 2018 Alchemy Works; No reproduction without permission
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