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MEADOW SWEET GROVE
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Bibliography: The Language of Flowers, Penhaligon's Scented Treasury of Verse and Prose, Sheila Pickles, 1989
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
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St. Patrick's Day brings popular images of leprechauns - cute, comical and dancing about ... jealously protecting their pots o' gold. They are seen as "fiercely" sweet but being oh so terribly tiny, can only trick human beings, rather than fighting a fair fight. But don't forget that leprechauns are of the same ilk as banshees (who foretell death), changelings (ancient creatures who secretly take the place of human babies) and also of béfinds? Remember fairy godmother #13 who cursed Sleeping Beauty to die? Yeah, you want to keep on the good side of a béfind. Also, what we mortals call fairies were gods and goddesses; once upon a long time ago. Most are part of the Tuatha Dé Danann, an ancient race that arrived in Ireland many eons ago, or they are at least descended from them. So in order to please a leprechaun, we need to replace the current cute image and replace it with one that garners respect. He is a very small, old and wizened fairy who makes his home under hills or in fairy mounds. He smokes his pipe for pleasure and works diligently at repairing shoes ... or at least one shoe - why only one? I think it's because it is a "smoke screen". The leprechaun is working ... but it is appearance only. He is actually waiting, observing, contemplating and if we wait long enough, this wise old fellow might remove the pipe from his mouth and let us in on a few secrets about the world. If you would like to gain favour with a leprechaun, I suggest the following:
May you secure the good luck blessings of your local leprechaun this St. Paddy's Day! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2019
Apparently, there is a folklore tradition, in Britain and North America, wherein it is very good luck to say "white rabbits" or "rabbits" or "rabbits, rabbits, rabbits!", or any combination of these words three times, on the 1st day of any month. Three's the charm as they say and is always an important component to the success of any spell. They must be your first spoken words upon waking on the 1st day of the month. I've never heard of it before but am going to give it a go this Sunday! How auspicious is it that the first day of our next month this year (April), is not only April's Fool's Day but also Easter Sunday. Can't get much luckier than that! There are so many diverse symbolic meanings attached to the rabbit - and often contradictory ones. But if you think of both the prolific nature of bunnies and also the common "trickster" aspect of the rabbit - the above charm makes a lot of sense. It both invites bounty and good fortune for the month ... while at the same time stymieing the possibility of silly tricks those cunning characters might play! Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits! Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018
Isn't it charming that many people throughout time have had or carried good luck charms? Four leaf clovers, pebbles and coins - anything really that symbolizes good fortune to the holder. The four leaf clover is considered lucky because they grow few and far between in any bed of clover. The odds of finding one are stacked against the seeker, so it follows that the finder is inherently "lucky" to spot one. Any stone can be considered lucky - they are too numerous to mention. But the one I remember most from childhood was the "wishing stone". Usually found by the ocean, the wishing stone is a smooth black rock, with a single white line running in a complete, unbroken circle around it - hold it in your hand and make a wish. A hag or "holey" stone (pictured above) is said to offer the wearer protection -- and sometimes offers a view to unseen worlds. Both are relatively easy to find so I think the magic is less in the finding but rather in the vast symbolism of the circle..... And of course, lucky coins need no explanation - they are a very tangible symbol of wealth! By the by, did you hear that Lucky Charms cereal has added a new Magical Unicorn charm to their cereal? The fairies in Meadow Sweet Grove are very excited - it is, quite understandably, their favourite cereal.  Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018  Want a fun way to rid yourself of a bad habit this New Year? Why not try a little bit of sympathetic magic. Cut an apple in half, and "pour" in that bad habit, worry or negative feeling right into the apple's core. Put the two halves back together tightly. Tie with string, tape, or anything that works for you. Bury the apple in your back yard.
The reason this works, is because you are consciously identifying the problem, making a choice to remove it from yourself, and then discarding it into another space. Works best for little things. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2018  Vintage "A Little Golden Book" Mother Goose, 1942 A Rainy Day Spell from Mother Goose While some nursery rhymes and poems are noodle-scratchers that puzzle us and beg to be deciphered ... this one speaks plain and simple. Or does it? A spell to charm away the rain:
1st: The wish is clearly stated, "Rain, rain, go away;" 2nd: To ensure no curse or unwanted consequence, a caveat is placed, "Come again another day;" 3rd: The emotional charge/feeling needed to put heart into the spell is evident - "Little Johnny wants to play." The whole thing rhymes, is easy to remember and 3's the charm in the amount of lines, intentions ... and ducklings. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017  "Church in the Cotswolds", S. Buchanan, 1993 This bit of magic comes from Derbyshire, England.
On St. Valentine's Day eve, walk in a clockwise circle around your local church, scattering a handful of hempseed behind you. Whilst scattering, make sure you chant: "I sow a hempseed, Hempseed I sow. He who loves me best, Come after and mow." Run home quickly now and look over your shoulder. If a man begins to follow the path you made ... you will be married within the year. Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017  Image from vintage trinket dish All Hallow's Eve is on the way - and here's a little charm to keep unwanted guests away! It's a useful old chant, charm, spell, prayer, petition or ... litany (you name it!) to recite if you hear a disturbing bump in the night! I have seen this poem in so many different versions that I'm afraid I can't credit the original author, but here is Dartmoor's Litany to keep away the creatures of the night. Give this little protection charm a try .... and best to say it three times.
Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2016 / edited 2019
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