Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Wednesday Wives Tales~Spices & Herbs


Wives tales involving spices were very common in Elizabethan times. Here are a few.

1. Accidentally omitting spices when mixing a recipe means that trouble is coming your way.

2. If you pin bay leaves on each corner of your pillow on St. Valentine's Eve, you will dream of your future husband.

3. A basil leaf left under a pot will turn into a scorpion.

4. During Elizabethan times it was considered good luck for a bachelor to wear a sprig of basil on his collar. It would bring the luck of finding a bride.

5. Sprigs of mint tied around the wrist is good for stomach ailments.

6. Oregano is put in a bride's shoes and in her bouquet for good luck.

7. Lemon balm planted next to the front door will drive away evil. Also, lemon balm is said to cause the heart to be merry.

8. If you spill pepper, you will have an argument with your best friend.

5 comments:

  1. You had me at herbs! I'm sure there are tons of these, very interesting!

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  2. I planted herbs this year... first time I've ever tried any from seeds. I'm still waiting for them to sprout. Since reading this, I need to get some lemon balm for the front door. (and I saw some on Monday, but didn't buy it!)

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  3. I read these wives-tales, and I get to thinking that it must have been pretty hard finding someone to marry. So many of the wives-tales are about finding a mate!
    Hope you are having a great week, Rose Mary! I love your babies in the previous post. :)
    Hugs,
    Zuzu

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  4. I've never heard any of them-except the mint for stomach aches. I actually use that one : )

    (love the dolls below)

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  5. I haven't heard of these, either. But I did know that mint was good for the stomach.

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