Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham 1985

Fern
The Herbs

Some ferns are poison

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mercury

Element: Air

Deities: Laka, Puck

Powers: Rain-making, Protection, Luck, Riches, Eternal Youth, Health, Exorcism

Magical Uses: The fern is included in vases of flowers for its protective properties, and is also planted at the doorstep as well. Inside the home, fern is also protective.

Dried fern is thrown upon hot coals to exorcise evil spirits. When burned out of doors, fern causes rain to fall. The smoke from burning fern also drives away snakes or noisome creatures.

Carried or worn, fern has the power to guide its bearer to discover treasures, and the person who breaks the first fern frond of spring will have good luck.

If you ever find yourself in a spot covered with ferns, exactly at midnight, where no sounds of any kind can be heard, Puck will appear and give you a purse of gold. When done intentionally, this is known as “watching the fern.”

If you bite the frond of the first fern of the spring you will be guarded from toothache, at least until the next spring.

Fern sap, if you can obtain any, is said to confer eternal youth if drunk. The seed is carried for invisibility.