Herbs in Witchcraft - Blackberries

Herbs in witchcraft often incorporates all parts of the plant for different purposes. Blackberries have strong magical ties both for their thorny vines and their juicy fruit. It's a powerful little plant.

Blackberries, with their twisted and thorny vines have a rather romantic quality to them. To get to the sweet fruit, you have to break through the plant's protective defenses, but if you're willing to brave it, the reward is truly sweet.

These luscious, dark berries have many medicinal and magical properties far beyond being delicious. Let's get into it.

Healing Properties of Blackberries

While the fruit of the blackberry plant is common in the culinary world, the leaves and roots are more often used in herbalism. Ancient Greeks used the plant to treat gout. It is also used for things like fluid retention and inflamation, amongt other things. It's antioxidant properties may also help prevent cancer.

Blackberry vinegar is said to be good for coughs. Mix it with hot water and honey.

In skincare, blackberry makes an excellent astringer and toner.

They're also packed with vitamin C, which helps heal wounds, regenerate skin, and shorten the common cold.

As always, be sure to consult a professional before using any herbal remedies.

Magical & Spiritual Properties of Blackberries

Blackberry plants have both healing and protective qualities. Also known as brambles, this plant is synonymous with being trapped, so it's ideal for keeping away unwanted visitors. It may have been a blackberry bush that surrounded Sleeping Beauty's castle.

They're also sacred to the goddess Brighid. Ancient Celts believed they belonged to the fairies. This fruit is ruled by Venus, the elements of water and earth, and the astrological sign of Aries.

Because it's one of the few berries still in season into the autumn, they can be used to celebrate Mabon or the Autumn Equionox. They can be used to symbolize the harvest and call in abundance.

Witchcraft Uses

Blackberry plants can sometimes form an archway when one of the long brambles reaches the ground and takes root from the tip. This archway was used in folk medicine as a sort of healing spell. Healers would pass the patient through the archway to symbolize a new beginning. This spell used to treat things like boils, rheumatism, whooping cough, and hernias.

Blackberry bushes were also used for home protection under the legendary assumption that any malevolent spirits would be compelled to count all the berries, and that would prevent them from entering your home.

Offer blackberry wine to the fairy folk.

Use the wood or leaves for loose incense, particularly to honor Brighid or the Cailleach

Recipes for the Kitchen Witch

Blackberry jam is my absolute favorite. Sadly, it's difficult to procure in the UK. You can work blackberries into so many kitchen spells, both sweet and savoury. Serve them alongside cakes, as part of a cheese plate, or just perfectly ripe with some whipped cream. Invite in abundance and protection with their magical energy.

Here are a few recipes to add some blackberry energy into your life.

• Brie & Blackberry Grilled Cheese
• Cinnamon Whole Wheat Pancakes with Blackberry Brown Butter Syrup
• Sour Cream Scones with Blackberry Jam
• Old Fashioned Pound Cake with blackberries and cream

I hope this has inspired you to use blackberries more, both in your kitchen and your witchcraft practice. Leave a comment below to let me know how you love to work with this beautiful fruit.

Sources:

• Hearth Witch's Compendium by Anna Franklin
• The Hedgerow Apothecary by Christina Iverson
• WebMD