Plant of the week: Belladonna

Belladonna: The Deadly Nightshade

Feminine, Saturn, Water
Deity: Hecate and Belona 

USE WITH EXTRA CAUTION!!

Atropa belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade or simply belladonna, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Solanaceae family, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and tobacco.  Native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, it thrives in calcareous soils and wooded areas, often growing to about 1-2 meters tall with oval leaves, bell-shaped purple flowers, and shiny black berries that resemble cherries but are highly toxic.  The name “belladonna” comes from Italian, meaning “beautiful lady,” referencing its historical use by women to dilate pupils for a more alluring appearance.

The plant’s toxicity stems from alkaloids like atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, which can cause delirium, hallucinations, and even death if ingested in large amounts—all parts are poisonous, but the berries are especially dangerous to children.  Despite this, belladonna has a long history of medicinal applications when used in controlled doses.

Medicinal Qualities

Belladonna has been employed in medicine since ancient times, particularly for its anticholinergic properties, which block certain nerve impulses.  In the 19th century, it was a staple in Civil War-era treatments, used as a pain reliever, antispasmodic, and to treat conditions like whooping cough or neuralgia.  Modern medicine extracts atropine from belladonna for eye exams to dilate pupils, reducing saliva during surgery, and treating bradycardia (slow heart rate).  Scopolamine, another key compound, is used in patches for motion sickness and as a sedative.  Historically, it served as an antidote to some poisons and even as a tool in poisonings itself, highlighting its dual role as both healer and killer.  However, due to its narrow therapeutic window, it’s rarely used in whole-plant form today, with synthetic alternatives preferred to avoid overdose risks.

Magical Properties and Folklore

In folklore and occult traditions, belladonna is revered as a “baneful herb” with potent magical associations, often linked to witchcraft, divination, and the underworld.  Named after Atropos, one of the Greek Fates who cuts the thread of life, or possibly the Roman war goddess Bellona, it symbolizes power over life, death, and transformation.  Medieval witches reportedly used it in “flying ointments”—mixtures applied to the skin that induced hallucinations, a sensation of flight, and altered states of consciousness, possibly explaining tales of witches on broomsticks.   As a gatekeeper plant, it’s believed to open energy centers, enhance spiritual awareness, and facilitate communication with other realms or the dead.  In magical practices, its juice or extracts might anoint tools for protection, necromancy, or visionary work, invoking battle frenzy or prophetic visions.   Folklore also ties it to the devil, with beliefs that it grows where blood was spilled or that it screams when uprooted, adding to its mystical allure.  

Belladonna’s blend of danger and utility has cemented its place in both science and myth, a plant that demands respect for its power to heal, harm, or transcend.

Belladonna in Witchcraft Rituals

Atropa belladonna, known as deadly nightshade or belladonna, has a profound and enduring association with witchcraft, spanning historical folklore, medieval accusations, and modern occult practices. Its tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) induce powerful hallucinations, delirium, and sensations of flight, making it a staple in legends of sorcery. Important warning: All parts of the plant are highly toxic and can cause severe poisoning or death. Historical uses involved direct application or ingestion, which is extremely dangerous and not recommended. Modern practitioners overwhelmingly advise against internal or topical use, favoring symbolic or safer alternatives.

Historical Uses in Witchcraft

Belladonna’s role in European witchcraft is iconic, particularly in “flying ointments”—fat-based salves mixed with belladonna, henbane, mandrake, and other nightshades. Applied to the skin (often mucous membranes or broom handles), these ointments caused intense hallucinations, including the sensation of flying to sabbats (witches’ gatherings), shape-shifting, or communing with spirits. This likely explains folklore of witches riding broomsticks.

•  During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was linked to Walpurgis Night rituals and accused witches’ preparations.

•  Associated with goddesses like Hecate (witchcraft, crossroads, underworld), Circe (sorcery), and Bellona (war). Named after Atropos, the Fate who cuts the thread of life, symbolizing death and transformation.

•  Used in brews for astral projection, necromancy, hexes, curses, or invoking battle frenzy. Folklore claimed it aided communication with the dead or the devil.

Belladonna embodies witchcraft’s duality: enchanting yet deadly, empowering yet perilous. Its legacy persists in folklore and practice, but safety is paramount—many substitute mugwort or other herbs for similar effects without risk.

The Devil’s Shoestring

Devil’s Shoestring: A Tangled Tale of Protection and 

Luck in Folklore

Devil’s Shoestring, a name evoking mischief and mystery, refers to the long, stringy roots of certain plants used prominently in American folk magic, particularly Hoodoo traditions. Botanically, it is most commonly associated with Viburnum lantanoides (syn. Viburnum alnifolium), also known as Hobblebush, a shrub native to eastern North America.   It is sometimes confused with Cramp Bark of the same species.

This plant features broad, veined leaves and clusters of white flowers that give way to red berries, but it’s the underground roots—twisted and looping like shoelaces—that earn it the moniker. Other plants, such as Nolina lindheimeriana from the lily family or Tephrosia virginiana (goat’s rue), are sometimes called by the same name in different regions, leading to some variation in identification.    In magical contexts, however, the Viburnum species is the one most tied to folklore, with its roots harvested for their reputed powers. Note that these roots are toxic and should not be ingested or burned. 

Origins and Folklore

The folklore surrounding Devil’s Shoestring is deeply rooted in North American traditions, blending Indigenous uses with African American Hoodoo practices. The name itself stems from the plant’s tangled roots, which sprawl above ground in loops and knots, capable of “hobbling” or tripping unsuspecting walkers—hence names like Hobblebush or Witch Hobble.   This physical trait metaphorically extended to the idea of “tripping up the Devil,” binding or slowing down evil forces to prevent them from causing harm.    In Hoodoo, a spiritual practice developed by enslaved African Americans in the Southern United States, the root became a staple for protection against malevolent spirits, the Evil Eye, and harmful magic.  

Stories abound of its ability to confound enemies or “tie their shoelaces” metaphorically, stopping gossip, jealousy, or ill intentions in their tracks.   Some lore claims it can prevent poisoning by Goofer dust (a harmful powder in Hoodoo) or grant invisibility to evade detection.  Its origins trace back to folk remedies used by Indigenous peoples and early settlers, evolving into a symbol of resilience and cunning against adversity. Associated with the planet Saturn for discipline and boundaries, and the elements Earth and Water for grounding and flow, it embodies themes of protection and hidden power. 

Magical and Spiritual Uses

In magical practices, Devil’s Shoestring is prized for its versatility, often carried as a talisman or incorporated into spells.

Protection: A primary use is warding off negativity. Carry a piece in your pocket or wallet to shield against harm, evil intentions, or the Evil Eye.   Hang roots above doorways, place under doormats, or tie with a red ribbon for home safeguarding.   In mojo bags (small cloth pouches), combine with herbs like basil, black salt, and crystals such as black obsidian for amplified defense.  A traditional gris-gris bag includes Devil’s Shoestring with myrrh, sandalwood, and a Mercury dime, charged under the full moon for warding off negative influences. 

•  Luck and Prosperity: For attracting good fortune, especially in gambling or financial matters, keep it in a green bag or wallet.    It’s said to “keep good luck coming your way” by tripping up obstacles.  Soak roots in whiskey and camphor for a power boost, then rub on hands before games of chance. 

•  Employment and Power: To secure a job, get a raise, or gain control in situations, carry or use in spells.    It’s linked to masculine energies and can enhance intuition or fertility in related workings. 

•  Uncrossing and Binding: For removing hexes or jinxes, perform rituals with black candles and uncrossing oil, writing intentions on parchment and burning with the root.    Bind negative people or energies by tying roots symbolically.

Before use, cleanse with sage to purify.   While powerful in folklore, these practices are cultural and symbolic; consult knowledgeable practitioners for ethical use.

Devil’s Shoestring weaves a rich tapestry in folklore, from tripping supernatural foes to drawing everyday luck. Its enduring role in Hoodoo highlights nature’s blend of the practical and mystical, offering tools for protection in an uncertain world. Whether as a charm or spell ingredient, it reminds us of the power in roots—both literal and metaphorical.