A plant that even witches fear- Cleanse the aura and attract
Sedef trava or Sedefil (Ruta graveolens) is a plant with a characteristic smell and specific appearance, which I have already written about twice. But she is also, very miraculous, so she rightly deserves more attention and time. It is extremely popular in the folklore of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal, but also throughout Latin America, and as such it is accompanied by many beliefs and ritual practices. Among the many examples, we can mention Mexico, where sedefil is used to treat various diseases, from headaches, menstrual cramps, epilepsy to ailments that can be caused by evil eyes.
It is a well-established rule of the local folk healers (curandero) that in the rituals of annulment, the consequence of enchanting eyes, the patient is first "swept" with a fresh hen's egg, and a bouquet of rosemary, sedefil and basil just before the massage. In this way, the bouquet accumulates a good part of the negative energy and weakens it in the patient's body while the egg absorbs the rest.
lso, it is known that with a bouquet of freshly picked sedefil grass, the aura is cleaned so that a person "sweeps" it from head to toe, and then goes to a river or stream, turns his back on it, and throws the used bouquet over his head into the water. After that, the person goes home without turning back.
Due to its natural prophylactic appearance, sedefil leaves in Brazil are considered the perfect amulet against black magic and evil eye attacks. This knowledge is shared by those Bosnian hodjas who make amulets. Namely, traditionally, when packing amulets, a sheet of sedef trave is placed in it, in order to double the strength of protection. In addition, if its leaf is carried in a wallet, it attracts happiness and well-being, while if it is kept and carried in a small canvas bag, it protects against witchcraft.
In a house where there is no progress and bad things are happening, it is recommended that a friend or relative give a sedefil as a gift to any member of that family. If the donated plant in the pot remains healthy, that is, it does not dry out, which can happen despite the care around it, it is a sign that bad luck has been expelled from that house and from the family.
The only rule that should be followed in the described ritual is that no one from the household had had contact with the donated sedefil before, that is, that he did not touch it with his hands, bought or watered it. In addition to this, it is interesting to say that in Bosnia it is believed that sedefil only grows, that is, it takes root only in a pious or good-natured person, which in addition to alluding to its sanctity, shows how the plant responds exclusively to positive energy.
The fear that makes witches tremble
The people of Puerto Rico traditionally have great respect for sedef trava because of the belief that it can save a person from witches and black magic. According to the island's tradition, the Virgin Mary ascended to heaven, climbing a bush of mother-of-pearl, and for this service to the Mother of God she was blessed and endowed with divine virtues. Respect for it is argued in the general belief that the plant should not be treated badly under any circumstances, breaking its branches or pruning it unnecessarily. Furthermore, it is believed that its leaves or stems in the preparation of medicines should not be boiled, which is a common practice in Puerto Rican folk medicine, because if this is done the plant is depleted or literally - killed.
The people there also believe that if a few twigs of sedef trava, on which there are hard fruits of seeds, are placed under a pillow or under the bed, it prevents any negative entity from approaching the sleeper during the night. For the same purpose, old people in that part of the world used to carry a twig of sedefil with them, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays. Also, in the past, it was not uncommon to use small branches of this plant to maintain a home fireplace. Usually a twig was hung above the front door, or in the immediate vicinity of the front door, with the aim of mortally intimidating witches and evil spirits, who then should not dare to step into such a sheltered house.
According to folklore, several witches once talked about things that spoil and prevent their spells, not realizing that a village girl was listening to them from the sidelines, who then revealed herself to them in the middle of the conversation and asked them what good sedef trava is for. The witches, frightened that the girl had heard and recognized them, and thus deprived them of the power to harm her, replied that they would reveal it to her, but only if she promised not to reveal their identity to other villagers. After the girl swore to keep the secret, the eldest of the witches said, "It is good to keep a sedef in a crib against witches, it is good for the mother to burn incense with it, it is also good for women's diseases, as well as for the woman not to lose her fetus ". This is why the saying is often heard in other Latin American countries: "If there were no sedef trave, there would be no children."
There is even a story about how the witches themselves sing this saying while dancing at their nightly meetings, and the devil replies, "The organ is good, the organ is good," revealing to them that the evil forces prefer church singing to the leaf of sedef trave. Elsewhere it is said: "If the barracuda did not speak, it would not know what sedefil is good for", like a curious witch who once complained to the people, pretending to be good, in order to persuade them to reveal to her the virtues of this miraculous plant.
