The Nightshades
- Deadly Nightshade: Atropa belladonna
- AKA: Belladonna, Dwale
- Origin: Native of southern England and central Europe, southern and western Asia. Rare in Scotland.
- Toxicity: All parts poisonous, especially roots.
- Part Used: Berries
- Lore: Named after Bellona [war goddess.] At certain times it takes the form of a beautiful enchantress whom any that look upon her will die.
- Plant belongs to the devil who tends to it all year long, except on Walpurgis when he is preparing for Witches' Sabbat.
- Atropa comes from Greek Atropos, one of the Fates who held the scissors to cut the thread of human life.
- Magick: Beauty magick. To consecrate ritual tools made of lead. Has affinity with Onyx. Lunar magick. Spell workings related to Death.
- Other: Berries are black.
- Bittersweet: Solanum dulcamara
- AKA: Woody Nightshade, Felonwort
- Origin: All over.
- Toxicity: Slightly poisonous.
- Part Used: Berries.
- Lore: Shepherds hung it as a charm around the necks of their animals as protection from evil.
- Other: Berries are red.
- Black Nightshade: Solanum nigrum
- AKA: Garden Nightshade, Petty Morel
- Toxicity: Berries are poisonous, especially to children.
- Origin: All over.
- Other: Berries are black.
- Note: Bittersweet and Black Nightshade are of the Solanacae family and related to Henbane, Datura, Mandrake, Capsicum [Red Pepper], Tomato, Potato.
- In magick, all Nightshades may be used interchangeably.
BACK