Granny
Eldrum's Lughnasadh 1999 |
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| Hello again dearie... did you have
an eventful beginning to 1999? Will you look at that! My beans are climbing beyond the
trellis I made for them. They certainly are wondeful spirits beans, full of vigour and
vitality, acepting few if any limitations as they grasp indiscriminately onward and
upward. "Strive to fulfill your highest aspirations; strive with sincerity and with
constancy..." Hedge-witches are sometimes loathe to pillage the path of another Witch through the study of books, for after all, who but the Grand Mother Herself has birthed and guided us in the ways of our Craft thus far? Personally I think a little book-learning is in order now and then, but then I like reading. Did you know that the bean's white flower is sacred to the Goddesses of ancient Europe? According to that master herbalist and Witch (bless his departed spirit) Scott Cunningham, only the highest ranking priestess (?) in Scotland could either plant or cook the bean. Beans are of course associated with the Underworld and the dead. They can be used as potent charms against 'evil sorcerers' by being spat at the 'enemy'. To avert 'evil spirits' it is customary to enchant thrice quickly "Three blue beans in a blue bladder. Rattle, bladder, rattle." My beans seem completely unconcerned by either the Underworld of the dead or of evil spirits. Perhaps the only 'evil' they are likely to encounter will be beetles, strong wind (I live quite close to the sea) and my greedy little hands come harvest. Beans, like peas and other legumes improve the fertility of the soil in which they grow and they will grow just about anywhere provided their soil is well drained. Do you grow anything yourself dearie? You should you know. You can learn a lot from watching a plant grow. A Witch without green-fingers, even if it only be skill at planting poisonous herbs, is a Witch without roots I always say. The first story that always springs to mind when I think of the bean is Jack and the Beanstalk. A very profound experience had Jack? Almost like a Shaman he scaled the magic bean until he reached a world wrapped in clouds and gaurded by a fierce giant who possessed many wonderful magic items. But I'm also reminded of another tale. A blessed Lughnasadh and Autumn Equinox to you dearie... come and see me again just before Samhain in May won't you?!
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