Fern Seeds In Celtic Folk-Magic

Fern Seeds in Celtic Folk-Magic

“We have the receipt of fern seed: we walk invisible”

(Shakespeare, Henry IV Part I, Act 2, scene 1)

In Celtic magical and folkloric traditions (among others,) one piece of botanical magic was so widely known that it made casual appearances works like Shakespeare’s Henry IV: the mystical properties of the fabled Fern Seed. Ferns themselves are attributed with a vast array of magical and medicinal capabilities throughout different cultures, such as healing, protection, fertility, and weather magic, but they are, in particular, associated with Faeries and the Faery Realm. However, within the context of Brythonic, Gaelic, and Breton folklore (along with various other cultures across Europe,) there are magical practices specifically associated with Fern Seeds. As put by Thomas Jackson in A Treatise Concerning the Original of Unbelief, 1625:

“It was my happe since I undertook the Ministrie to question an ignorant soule… what he saw or heard when he watch’t the falling of the Ferne-seed at an unseasonable and suspitious houre. Why (quoth he) … doe you think that the devil hath ought to do with that good seed? No: it is in the keeping of the King of Fayries and he, I know, will do me no harm: yet he had utterly forgotten this King’s name until I remembered it unto him out of my reading of Huon of Bordeaux.” (i.e. Alberich/Oberon)

The magical qualities of Fern Seed are recalled even into the modern era, with mainstream representations of the practice recounted as recently as Madison Julius Cawein’s 19th century poem, The Spell:

“St John hath told me what to do

To search and find the ferns that grow

The fern seed that the faeries know;

Then sprinkle fern seed in my shoe,

And haunt the steps of you, my dear,

And haunt the steps of you.”

In other traditions, the seed was said to be capable of disclosing the location of lost things and secreted treasure. This particular belief gave rise to a custom known as “Watching the Fern,” which involved observing ferns (particularly those known as moonworts) on Midsummer Eve in hopes that, if lucky, one would witness the blooming of a rare blue flower that shed seeds which, if properly collected, conferred the collector with the ability to discover lost items and hidden treasures. It was also thought that drinking the sap of these “Blossomed” ferns on Midsummer Eve granted extended longevity or perpetual youth. Elsewhere, they have been used to bring luck, converse with animals, and protect against harmful magic, however, Fern Seeds are probably best known for their purported ability to empart invisibility upon those who obtain them. During the Middle Ages especially, it was widely believed that if one could successfully collect Fern Seeds in the proper manner, they would gain the gift of moving unseen through the world.

The most prominent tradition surrounding the collection and employment of Fern Seeds states that they are shed from their fronds on Midsummer’s Eve at midnight (also venerated as the Eve of the Feast of St. John the Baptist.) It was thought that one could harvest the cryptic fern seeds by stacking twelve pewter plates beneath a fern frond. At midnight, a brilliant blue blossom opened, producing a single golden seed. The seed would then pass through eleven of the pewter plates and come to rest on the twelfth. Aside from this, various other requirements for successful harvesting of the Fern Seed have been observed, such as the need for the seeker to go collecting bare-footed, and in a spiritual state of mind. However, even adhering to any and all of these conditions, the seeker still often found their Fern Seeds stolen by wandering Faeries, who also relied on the magics of the Midsummer Seed. Other myths stated that the flower was bright crimson, and would light up the darkness when it unfurled its petals at midnight. At this point, if the seed wasn’t harvested immediately, the Devil was said to claim the flower for himself.

As attested to by Richard Bovet in his 1684 treatise on demonology, Pandaemonium:

“Much discourse about the gathering of Fern-seed (which is looked upon as a Magical herb) on the night of Midsummer’s Eve, and I remember I was told of one that went to gather it, and the Spirits whistlit by his ears like bullets and sometimes struck his Hat or other parts of his Body. In fine: though that he had gotten a quantity of it, and secured it in papers and a Box besides, when he came home he found it all empty. But probably this appointing of times and hours is the Devil’s institution.”

In many regions, great precautions were taken to protect would-be-collectors with charms and spellcraft as well. An account by English author, Samuel Bamford, describes incanting and rituals meant to accompany all attempts made to gather the Fern Seed, as well as the grim consequences that could befall any seeker who blundered in their supplications, or was judged as unworthy by the Resident Wights. The fern was said to be located in a Faery Clough (Narrow Valley,) and the collectors traveled there armed with multiple items, including a pewter platter, an earthenware dish, and a skull lined with clay and moss, adorned with a tress of the hair of a loved one. Numerous orisons were recited whilst the seed was gently scraped onto the plates through use of a Hazel Rod.

Now, it is worth noting that, while societies of antiquity believed that all plants must reproduce by seeds, Fern’s are actually one of a few extant plant spieces that reproduces through the process of sporulation. This misunderstanding led many people to believe that fern seeds were merely invisible, since the plants still managed to reproduce despite having no visible means of reproduction that lined up with the contemporary botany of the time. However, given that many varieties of fern do produce spores visible to the naked eye, despite their diminutive nature, many people did claim to have seen the elusive “seeds” at one time or another. All of this lent itself then to the belief that, if a person obtained one of these invisible seeds, they too could become invisible. That said, the practice lives on to this day, with those who partake in the tradition of “Watching the Fern,” observing to see if any of these spore should form at midnight on midsummer Eve—bringing with them the magic of the Faeries.

Intent and Spell Writing

What is Intent in witchcraft?

Simply put intent is what result you wish to get from your spell or ritual. It is the energy you will be using to get results. Intent is extremely important for any spell. What do you wish to happen when you cast it? Do you wish to improve your studying or do you wish to banish something negative from your life? That is intent. It is the end goal. 

Examples of Intent:

Banishment: keeping away negativity and negative energies

Beauty: for looking, expressing and feeling lovely and attractive

Binding: prevent harm, avoid danger, stop someone from performing a particular act; restriction

Business/Career: for success in one’s career, job hunting

Calming: relieve stress

Catalyst: stimulating a spell

Charge: store energy into something

Chasity: celibacy, innocence

Confidence: courage, self assurance and empowerment

Creativity: expression, imagination and improving artistic skills

Communication: improving communications and understandings with friends, family, spouses, etc; communicating with other forces

Cleanse: removing unclean energies and presences from self, objects or areas

Curse: bring negative energy into something or into someone’s life

Desire: gaining what one has strong feelings of want for or seeking to be wanted by others

Divination: clairvoyance, gaining insight

Discourage: prevent something from occurring

Dreams: bring dreams, relates to the dream realm

Emotional: spells focused on certain emotions

Encouragement: supporting and influencing something to happen

Exorcism: expelling evil spirits

Fertility: for conception

Fidelity: loyalty and faithfulness

Friendship: bonding and connections

Fortune: good luck

Forgotten: leave memories behind

Frugality: saving money

Glamour: illusions and perception

Generosity: kindness and good will

Happiness: joy and merriment

Healing: recovery and repair

Inspiration: gaining ideas and drive

Invisibility: going unnoticed, stealth

Judgment: improving decision making and choices

Longevity: increasing length/duration of things

Love: Romance

Lust: Libido and sex drive

Memory: remembrance

Motivation: determination

Patience: tolerance

Peace: tranquility

Prosperity: well-being

Protection: guarding, safety and warding

Psychic: improving any psychic ability or connection

Purification: purifying an object or space

Guidance: spiritual, mental, supernatural guidance, advice and bonds

Severing: cutting ties from others

Spirituality: for belief

Strength: brawn, endurance; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual

Truth: honesty with self and others

Wealth: increasing money and physical possessions

Wisdom: decisions, intelligence, learning

Wish: gaining things and desires

I have my intent now what?

Well you have just taken your first step to spell writing. Now that you have your intent, your goal, you can can start researching. What relates and corresponds to your intent and what ingredients do you have available? Some things you could research:

Gemstones

Herbs and flowers

Types of Water (spring, rain, ocean, etc)

Colors

Candles

Oils

Incense

Animal Symbolism

Time of Day

Planets and Cosmic Bodies

Fruits

Vegetables

Metals

Emotional, Psychic and Physical Energies

Classic Witches Tools (besom, wands, etc)

Divination Tools (pendulums, tarot cards, scrying mirrors, etc)

Mythology and Mythical Creatures

Once you have researched and found the ingredients and objects you wish to use, even if you decide to only use your own energy and voice that is fine. You don’t absolutely need to use anything specific. It is your spell and your intent, choose what you feel will work best for you.

How are you going to use these things you have researched and obtained? This will require more research on your part, witchcraft requires a lot of research. Some ideas:

Bath mix/salts

Tea and infusions (if ingredients are safe to ingest)

Gem Elixir (research to ensure your gemstone(s) is safe to use in water or safe methods to make it without submerging the gemstone)

Jar or Bottle Spell

Sigil Spell

Burning

Shredding/Cutting

Burying

Spoken

Painted/drawn

Crafted or Molded

The possibilities are truly endless. All I can say you have just taken your first steps for writing a spell! Once you have decided your intent and the process you wish to use, it is time to begin trials. Everything takes practice. It may not work at first but that is alright. Take notes and observe results. Just be safe with what you are doing. Happy Spell Writing!

Seasoning Blends

A lot of spells call for singular herbs like basil or cinnamon, but seasoning blends often get overlooked! Especially because these blends tend to be easier and more affordable in the kitchen. Let’s break a few down.

Pumpkin Spice- (Allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg.) MONEY MONEY MONEY and also luck.

Five Spice Powder-  (Cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, pepper.) Protection, banishing/exorcism, probably especially so for things related to psychic powers and abilities.

Italian Seasoning- (Thyme, oregano, garlic, basil, marjoram, rosemary, savory, sage) Cleansing, purifying, and consecrating spaces, protection. Combined, this probably makes it great for warding.

Creole Seasoning- (Paprika, garlic, onion, pepper, cayenne, thyme, oregano.) Hella banishing power, with a kick. May also help start patching up any spiritual wounds, afterwards. But mostly banishing.

Tajin- (Chili peppers, salt, lime) Cleansing! Burn out/erode all that gunk.

Old Bay- (Mustard, paprika, celery salt, bay leaf, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, mace, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger.) Can be used as a general enhancer to the power, strength, or success of a spell. Banishing.

Cheese Curse

I initially got the idea for this curse from a tumblr post about sealing a piece of cheese in a jar and letting it rot. I have no idea where this post went but this is my highly effective cheese curse that I’ve used a few times now.

Components:

A piece of cheese

A coffee filter (or otherwise biodegradable piece of paper like newspaper, tissue paper, etc).

Black string

Baneful ingredients like chili peppers

A taglock of the target (I get a piece of paper and write their names on it or their screen name etc. Do not obtain saliva, hair, or any other physical things through force.)

Optional: a plant (especially aloe vera)

Directions

Take your piece of cheese. It can be any type of cheese. I’ve used gruyere, mozzarella, etc. Any cheese works! Place it on your coffee filter and add your baneful ingredients. Then add your taglock. As you fold your coffee filter around your components, whisper an incantation along the lines of “your power and influence will rot as this cheese does. May you harm no one else with your actions. The world will know your treachery.”

After I’ve finished speaking, I tie up the coffee filter and then I buried it in my aloe vera plant and I whispered “may the energy of your wrongdoing against all the people that you’ve harmed be transformed into healing energy for those affected but your influence.” And then I walk away and grab a snack.

Note: this is a HIGHLY effective curse. I cast this on an abusive couple in an Overwatch server I was in and two months later, they were divorcing and it was revealed that he was a pedophile. Only cast this curse if you are absolutely sure you want to do it!

Witch Tips for City Witches

City Witch Tips for all of my fellow witches stuck in apartments, dorms or other city areas.

If you can’t burn incense you can make your own sprayable incense by mixing alcohol (usually vodka or rubbing) with essential oils and a bit of oil, spray in the air to act like incense

If you are unable to go outside for whatever reason to get rain water (in my case just no where to collect it safely), fill a jar or glass with regular water and keep it near a cracked window to charge it with the wind, sound and scent of the rain outside. Same goes for storm water

Trapped in city and unable to get ocean water? Sea salt mixed with rain/storm water can be an excellent substitute

To continue on with water substitutes, if you can’t collect snow crushed ice from your fridge will suffice

Low key warding/protection you can use: spray moon water, salt water or sprayable incense about your apartment or dorm, place sigils under doormats, furniture, inside cupboards, etc; place crystals about hidden or out in the open, sweep and dust out the door or towards windows

If you need melted wax to seal a jar or for any other magical purpose, but can’t burn candles, by a wax melter and melt that wax and imagine the light from the burner acting like a flame (plus they are rather cheap, I got mine for 25 bucks)

Need stars in your craft but too much light pollution? Glow in the dark stars on your ceiling or wall can work just as well for visualization. Print out pictures of your favorite constellations or planets and place them up on your walls or on your altar. Live video feed of the night sky can also be easily found on the internet

Bath magic is amazing for low-key ‘in the woods’ witches. Use teas, milk, oils, herbs, bath bombs, bubble baths, salts, etc that relate to your intent. It is also a good place to meditate if you have roommates or family around that would disturb you otherwise

If you do for whatever reason need to burn a candle, birthday candles are small, melt fast, and don’t create a lot of smoke or smokey scent

Sigils are another great low-key form of magic. To boost them up, use color magic related to the color you draw them in, write them using quills made of feathers related to your intent, use colored paper, rub a drop of essential oil on them, charge them with crystals or in your windowsill

You don’t have to burn sigils to activate them, which is hardly an option when you are in a dorm or apartment. Other options are: Shredding them, erasing them, soaking them in a bath or shower, using body heat or your own pulse, etc

Miss having the outdoors and plants around? Windowsill gardens can really help. Small plants you can consider keeping in your windowsill or counter-tops: succulents, cacti, bamboo, lemongrass, basic, rosemary, mint, rosemary, mosses, aloe, snake plant, pothos (and other vines), carrots, beets, shallots, lettuce, spinach, garlic, chives, parsley, oregano, thyme, and marigold

Open your window to let the wind and air from outside to help energize you and clear out negative energies inside

Fun places to put sigils: under furniture, carved into soap, onto shampoo/conditioner bottles, on your make up, inside phone cases, in shoes, under bandages, sewn into pillow cases and blankets, behind pictures in frames, underside of nail polish, carved into wax squares for your wax melter, keys and keychains, behind mirrors or in medicine cabinets, on bookmarks, on or in binders and pencil cases, on medicine bottles, and water bottles/travel mugs

Easy to make and dispose of poppets: carrot sticks (one of my personal favorites), apples or other fruit, clothe, paper, popsicle sticks, paper towels/napkins, toilet paper rolls, eggs, celery stocks, and cotton balls

The internet is an amazing thing. Need some sounds to help you focus or meditate? Easily look up the sounds of rain, storms, wind, ocean waves, jungles, forests, etc

Christmas lights are fun and great way to use discrete witchcraft. Select ones in the colors you wish for them to bring ie green for growth, yellow for inspiration, white for protection, purple for psychic abilities, etc. 

Some everyday things you can use for discrete witchcraft that don’t cost much at all or that you most likely already have: water, table salt, black pepper, paper, crayons/pencils/pens/markers, vinegar, milk, tea, highlighters, make up and beauty supplies, shampoo and conditioner, rubber bands, paperclips, thumbtacks, computer/phone/tablet, music/music player, playing cards, dice, air freshener, perfumes, toothpaste, rice, flour, sugar, honey, and all kitchen herbs and seasonings.

Can’t afford gemstones or crystals on college budget? Crackle and dyed quartz you can find super cheap at craftstores and online. I bought a whole bag for 4 bucks. Use them based on their colors and shapes. Can’t afford that but still want to use rocks in your craft? Find some rocks you like outside, again use their colors and shapes to determine their correspondences. Want to use them for a specific purpose? Paint sigils on them in the color that corresponds with what you want! Charge them in your windowsill or with your own energy and intent. There you go!

Pocket mirrors are cheap, easy to carry around and great for glamours and on the go magic. 

Seriously though, glamour spells are going to be a good option for you. use your make up, skin products, hair care products, brushes/combs, perfume, mirrors, toothbrush/toothepaste and intent. Good to do while you are getting ready for your day

Dream magic is another friend of the city witch! Use crystals, sigils, herbs, etc near your bed before you go to sleep, drink some chamomile, get yourself a dream journal (mine is literally a notebook with construction paper on it), keep it and a pen near you. In the morning write down your dreams, your thoughts, how you feel (tired, refreshed, groggy, etc), and interpret them. 

Can’t afford tarot cards? Print out some, you can usually find them online and they won’t last as long as a real deck but it is a good temporary solution. Want a Ouija board but can’t keep one or need it to be easily hidden? Print one out, draw on one on paper or cardboard, fold it up and store it once you are done. Want a pendulum but can’t afford one? Use your favorite necklace, bracelet or keychain!

Tea and coffee magic is great, make your own tea blends with the herbs you like. Or just buy simple green or black tea and add sugar, milk, etc depending on your intentions

As I said before, crock pot magic. The Modern Cauldron: brew and cook all day with it, fill your apartment with the scent of the herbs and food to fill it with the energies they correspond with and you get a delicious meal to come home to! Most dorms allow them. Rice cookers also work well.

Can’t afford fresh food? Have to survive on ramen, canned soup, and microwaved meals? That is okay! They even correspond with things! Tomato soup for love, beauty and passion. Beef ramen noodles for strength, courage and longevity. Microwave mac n cheese for beauty and feminity. Look at their ingredients and what they correspond with. Sure its not as glamorous as a making a huge made by scratch traditional meal but its kitchen magic none the less. Stir it with your intent while you cook. It isn’t fancy but it works just as well!

Use a notebook or binder for a nice grimoire, decorate it as much as you want on the inside. Print out pictures of nature, animals, planets, stars, places, crystals, etc that you cant’ access/afford and use them in your craft. Spell books and grimoires are powerful tools

Don’t have a wand? Use a wooden spoon. Tie a colored string or ribbon to it to correspond with what energy you want it to have and move and flick it as you would a wand. 

Knitting, crocheting, and knot magic is very apartment friendly. As well as sewing and embroidering plus it is super calming.

Glitter, sequins, and beads are great in witchcraft! Use their colors to determine their correspondences. Put them in spell jars, sachets, bottles, etc. Glitter tip: if you spill any don’t fret, get some packing tape, wrap it around your hand with the sticky part outwards and dab at that glitter spill. You will literally pick up all of the glitter in seconds!

Enchant and charge your pots, pans, skillets, and other cookware to make every meal magical

Make moonwater in your windowsills. Use it for cleansing, beauty, divination, clarity, protection and purification

Take walks. Even if it is a city there is still nature about. Pigeons flying about, potted flowers outside of stores, grass growing in front lawns, etc. Enjoy yourself, even if it is not some wild, vast forest you can still connect with your local nature.

Pick up litter or garbage you see outside, being in the city we all see it. The natural world around you will appreciate you helping out. Bring a bag with you when you take your walks or travel and fill it with wrappers you see on the ground.

I hope this was helpful to all of my fellow city and dorm witches!

Spell to Strengthen a Romantic Relationship

Supplies

Lavender

Cinnamon

Chili Pepper

Fire-safe jar or cup

Red Taper Candle

Lighter

Representation of your lover

Instructions

Mix the herbs together (in the glass) with your finger in a clockwise motion. Visualize their powers of love and strength.

Light the red candle.

Chant:

“Our love is ever strong

By distance short or long

We made homes in each other’s hearts

Souls tied together from the start” x

Burn the symbol of your lover (over the glass) and visualize all the good times you have together: the kisses, the sex, the laughter, etc.

Add the ashes and herbs to the sachet, and place it near your bed, or wherever you interact most with your lover.

Thank any spirits or Gods that may have helped you in the spell.

Let the candle burn down. When it is finished, the spell is activated.

~H