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The black berry has had a bad reputation in many cultures. The Celts
considered them taboo, although they did drink blackberry wine. In Greek mythology, when Bellerophon dared to ride Pegasus to Olympus, he falls off into a blackberry bramble, which blinds and maims him. He becomes an outcast and is shunned by all for the rest of his life.
One Christian folktale maintains that the Crown of Thorns was made of
brambles, and that blackberries are so dark to symbolize Christ's blood.
Another tale says that the blackberry was cursed by Lucifer when he fell
from heaven and fell on the brambles; before that it was supposed to
have been beautiful. The devil is also known to stamp on the
blackberries on Michaelmas Day, and after that day it is unlucky to
gather them. Other folklore states that the blackberries become unlucky
after Halloween. Christian art uses blackberries to symbolize spiritual
neglect or ignorance, and Matthew uses brambles in a warning about false prophets.
European folklore considers blackberries to be death fruits. In
Brittany, it was considered a fairy fruit and consequently was
untouchable. Dreaming of brambles is an omen of future troubles; 'if
they prick you, secret enemies will do you an injury with your friends;
if they draw blood, expect heavy losses in trade.' Blackberries
symbolize sorrow, remorse, and the painful side of the affairs of the
heart.
Blackberries are considered remedy against all sort of earthbound,
"physical" spirits (such as vampires); this lore is much older than the
garlic one. The reason lies in the assumed fanatism of all physical
demons to count things. When you put blackberries on a threshold or
windowsill, you can force a vampire to count over the thorns and berries until morning comes. The same is true for elder.
Gothic Gardening is copyright (c) 1995-2001 by Alice Day (mAlice).
All Rights Reserved.
Blackberry Brambles
Gothic Gardening:
Ye Olde Gothick Herball
There is a great pleasure in working in the soil, apart from the ownership of it. The [person] who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world.
~ Charles Dudley Warner
Repot houseplants now. Remove plants, clean pots with a 1% bleach solution or buy a new pot one size larger than the old one. Fill with fresh potting soil and water well.
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