Mardi: Herbal-Wise

Primroses, usually thought of as an old-time flower favored by the Victorians, has a history in magick as well. It is said to be particularly helpful with obstreperous children. In Wicca, primroses are often used in love sachets.

Scott Cunningham notes that some practitioners warn that primrose can bring on wantonness, and this is probably an old wives’ tale that has something to do with their heady scent. All the same, a little wantonness in love can’t be all bad, can it? The blue and red varieties are said to be protective when planted in the garden. Cunningham mentions that they will also draw fairies; but take care on that account.

In hoodoo, primroses are trained around garden gates and front doors to provide not only general protection but keep away unwanted visitors. If you cannot grow a primrose near your front door, the dried flower petals and/or leaves scattered under the front mat or at the base of the door will have the same effect. Taking root anywhere in the garden, a primrose is thought to bring peace to the home.

Both Wiccans and root workers agree that primrose is the herb to use when seeking to raise respectful and well mannered children. For this purpose the flowers are steeped in a tea that is then added to a child’s bath, sewn into clothing or tied up in a mojo bag and placed in the little one’s pillowcase. A little more of this kind of working might help to ease the current epidemic of ill-tempered, self-centered brats I seem to perceive all over the place. But maybe that’s just me. Bonne chance ~  

Header: Nanny and Child by Margaret E. Browne