Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020

Fern Polypodiopsida
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

protection, self-awareness, intuition

Ferns grow easily both in the wild and indoors. Their light, airy fronds prefer warm, moist air—you can imagine them along the floors of rain forests or growing near a river. They love shade and can vary from the lightest of maidenhair ferns, growing in the cracks between rocks, to giant tree ferns, towering 20 feet high or more.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The small, nearly open fronds—also known as fiddleheads—of many species of fern can be eaten, and taste something like a combination of asparagus and okra. The tubers of many ferns can also be eaten. Some varieties of fern, including maidenhair, Christmas, and bracken fern can be used to treat rheumatism and asthma.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

While ferns do not reproduce through flowers, but instead through spores like fungi, there are still stories about fern blossoms and seeds. In Finland, it is believed that if anyone finds the seeds of a fern in bloom on the summer solstice, they will be guided by will-o’-the-wisps to hidden treasure—and they will be invisible as they travel. In the U.S. ferns are often tossed onto a fire to invite rain, and to ward off evil spirits. But ferns do not need to be set on fire in order to help you. Simply having ferns on your property will protect your land and home from negativity and those with ill intentions.

PLANT WISDOM

Place a fern frond in your pocket when you’re going somewhere that has lots of energy, like a crowded space—she will protect you from energy vampires. If you wear fern in your hair, she will protect you from those who want to intrude on your mind. She can also help keep you grounded—I have lots of ferns in my bedroom, as they help me calm down and get a good night’s sleep. I also bring them into the bathroom when I want to take a calming, grounding bath. Work with her often, meditate with her, and lovingly care for her, and she will reflect that love back to you.

Fern sparks your senses—invite her into your dreams and she will help you develop your self-awareness and intuition, bringing them to a higher level.