Book of Witchery by Ellen Dugan Page B

plants, and when you apply a little practical witchery and common sense with their magickal qualities, you get an unbeatable combination.
    Thistle
    Also known as the bull thistle ( Cirsium vulgare ), this wildflower has the elemental association of fire. According to herbal folklore, when thistles are allowed to grow in the garden, it is thought to protect the home from burglary. Thistles grown in containers by the front or back door are supposed to have the power to ward off evil and negativity. If you feel the need to break up any negative energy or manipulative intentions that you believe may have been sent your way, then thistle is the plant to work with. Thistle is a wildflower and often volunteers in the garden. If you have a sunny spot well out of the way of young children, who need to watch out for the thorny leaves and prickly stems, consider letting it grow wild. In the language of flowers, thistle symbolizes independence and austerity.
    Holly
    The holly ( Ilex ) comes in many varieties and species. Its elemental association is fire. Not all hollies bear fruit (in other words, berries). The female holly will produce the berries, while the male produces small greenish flowers for pollination and a few berries. One male holly will pollinate many female hollies. Check with your neighbors and see if they have a male variety; if not, you will have to pick one up so they can pollinate, and the female holly will then produce lots of pretty berries for you. The holly has the charming folk name of “bat’s wings.” If you take a good look at most modern varieties of holly, you can see how those leaves look a bit like the shape of a bat’s wing.
    When the holly shrub is grown in the garden, it is thought to protect the home from lightning and roguish magicians. Classically, the holly plant is partnered up with the ivy for Yule celebrations. In this scenario, the holly is considered to have masculine qualities, and the ivy, feminine ones. According to the language of flowers, the holly symbolizes good will, foresight, and a happy home.
    If you feel that you might have fallen under the crossfire of a less-than-ethical practitioner, a problematic coworker, or (more likely) a meddling relative, then try adding holly leaves to your spellwork.
    Snapdragon
    Snapdragons ( Antirrhinum ) are also linked to the element of fire, and they are a very protective flower. They have the adorable folk names of “calf’s snout” and “dragon’s snout,” and are a great magickal flower. They grow happily in most gardens and thrive in containers. If you pinch off the flowering tops after they fade, they will keep blooming for you all season long, until bitter cold sets in. As a matter of fact, as I write this, it is November, the local temperatures are in the high thirties, and my red and yellow snaps are happily blooming away in my Witch’s garden.
    Snapdragons can break any manipulative intentions or bad mojo that might be tossed your way. Try a little flower magick on those problematic relatives or nosy neighbors and give them a small container planted full of red snapdragons. That should help to break the animosity between the two of you. As a cut flower, snapdragons are available at most florists year-round and come in many colors. Try red for protection and yellow for wisdom. Look for orange colors for energy and passion. In the language of flowers, the snapdragon says you are beautiful but dangerous. Well, doesn’t that floral definition go along nicely with the theme of this chapter?
    If you feel the need for a little reinforced protection at work, then arrange a couple of snapdragon stems in a vase and set them on your desk. Not only will the flowers perk you up, but they will create a sort of no-fly zone around you, where other people’s head games and office dramas will pass you right by. If you are not allowed to have flowers at work, try picking up a few packages of snapdragon seeds