“The leaues of the Bay tre are…blackishe grene, namely when they are olde. They are curled about the edges, they smell well. And when they are casten vnto the fyre, they crake wonderfully.” 'A New herball’, William Turner, 1551.
There are many traditions of ritualistic burning of herbs for the cleansing & aromatic power of their fire & smoke. In ‘A Modern Herbal’ 1931 Maud Grieve writes that in medieval times 'It was an old custom to burn Rosemary in sick chambers, and in French hospitals it is customary to burn Rosemary with Juniper berries to purify the air and prevent infection.' Rosemary's longstanding use in fumigation has its basis in the plant's potent antiseptic properties. In the 'Grete Herball' of 1529 it is advised to use rosemary "Agaynst weyknesse of the brayne and coldenesse thereof, sethe (boil) rosmarin in wyne and lete the pacyent (patient) receye the smoke at his nose and kepe his heed warme." This likely refers to ‘smoke’ as the steam vapours from the simmering decoction, but it could also be smoke from burning the dried wine infused herb. I’ll do another post about the ritual use of fire & smoke.
Herbal Remnants Pendant 5, now added to the shop. Cast directly from the leaves, stems or berries of Bay Laurel, Rosemary & Ivy, they’re burnt away during the casting process leaving in its place a solid silver wraith. 100% recycled sterling silver hallmarked at the London Assay office. The pendant comes with a 45cm sterling silver chain.
The cut-off time to place orders in time to receive them before the holiday is Thursday 19th Dec at 3pm. A midwinter 12% discount is offered on items until 24/12/24
Images
- Herbs rosemary & bay laurel burning in a vessel with a plume of fire, a silver pendant in the flames & ashes
- Video of burning rosemary & laurel, in a vessel with dancing flames. A silver pendant emerges from the aftermath of the fire
- ‘Witches' Sabbath’ Salvator Rosa, 1640–1649, pen & brown ink, brush & brown wash. Metropolitan Museum of Art
- ‘Scenes of Witchcraft: Evening’ c. 1645–49. Salvator Rosa. Oil on canvas. The Cleveland Museum of Art