Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham 1985

Gourd
The Herbs

(Curcurbita spp.) Some gourds are

poisonous, eat only those sold for food.

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Moon

Element: Water

Powers: Protection

Magical Uses: Gourds hung at the front door are a protection against fascination. Pieces of gourds carried in the pocket or purse ward off evil.

Gourds are used to make rattles (place dried beans inside) which scare evil spirits; and a dried gourd, its top cut off, is filled with water and used as a scrying bowl.