I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa

 Among the Bosniak people, common rue or herb-of-grace (Ruta graveolens) is a cult plant that accompanies an individual from birth to death. Namely, it is well known that pregnant women carried the stem of the common rue with them to protect them from miscarriages and it was also placed near a young child as a countermeasure to evil eyes and diseases. Probably because of this, old women have always warned that "common rue is better protected than a child!", wanting to emphasize its importance in the traditional life of our people. Furthermore, people would reach out for the common rue whenever peace and harmony was needed in their marriage, bring prosperity, create love luck, cure diseases. Common rue is also traditionally planted in cemeteries and it used to be customary to place the stem of the common rue above the head of a woman or a man who had passed away as a symbol of their innocence and purity, while the sweet wormwood plant (Artemisia annua) was used for the rest.

During the weddings a bouquet of common rue had a strong place in this ceremony, it was used in order to protect the bride and the groom from all evil.

It is notable that the aforementioned plant has connections with Holy authorities, in the Mawlid chapter “Birth of the Prophet” in the first verse we can read the following:

Amina, majka Muhamed-pejgambera,
ona sedef rodi zrno bisera…

But the connections of the plant with Holy elements does not stop here which, after all, is shown by the magic formula which is pronounced aloud upon picking out this plant: “I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa…” It is interesting to note how there are a few version of this short fable dedicated to the common rue but they all have the same beginning, while the second part is changed, but in essence it is all similar such as the following:

I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa

 to give me the medicine that she knows.

or:

I picked this plant from the garden of Hazrat Hawwa, 

to be of use and remedy to me until the Day of Judgment.

Other than that, it is custom among women to pick out 33 hard seeds of common rue each year right before fall and line them on a thread, that way they create the so-called common "rue rosary" (sedef-tasbih), which is then placed on a wall so it attracts prosperity into the house.

According to some folk healers, every man can independently get rid of sorcery and negative energy on their own using the apotropaic power of this natural amulet and the destroyer of evil. In a bowl filled with spring water place nine flowers, nine leaves and nine twigs of common rue and then, while standing above the bowl, chant nine time each of these prayers: El-Fatiha, Ihlas, Falaq, En-Nas and El-Leheb. After that blow on the water three times. Leave the bowl of water outside overnight under the stars, but be careful so that a dog or a cat doesn’t come near it, tomorrow morning before the Sun is out, pour the water on yourself from head to toe. Dirty water, alongside with the remains of the plant, is scooped up from the bottom of the bathtub and is then spilled somewhere where humans do not cross, usually underneath some hedge. Afterwards one slice of bread is crumbled up into that bowl that was used for the ritual and placed outside so that birds can eat out of it.

Angel’s blessing

Other than Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it comes to this plant a lot of beliefs and practices can be found in Latin America. Women there, much like the Bosnian ones, have the established practice of placing a twig of common rue underneath the sheets after giving birth, this is done in order to protect themselves from envy and evil eyes. The local people of Latin America associate this plant a lot with fertility which is demonstrated by the practice of the natives where if a woman cannot conceive a child she should eat two leaves of basil, a three centimeter long branch leaf of common rue and boiled chocolate every morning on an empty stomach.

In addition to this information, the old healers record an important recommendation which reads that at the time of a plague there is nothing better for a man than to take a stem of common rue and sniff it. It is noticeable that a great deal of attention is given to the unusual smell of the plant, which not only has the ability to scare away evil spirits, it also heals diseases. In the old book from the year 1722 under the name of “Book about the secrets of agriculture” written by Miguel Agustin, in one part of his description of the common rue he advises the following: “In order for the common rue to be beautiful, aromatic and have a seductive smell, it needs be planted under a fig tree or put in its bark, as its sweetness diminishes the sour smell of the common rue.”

Common rue is well known even dating back to the antic times when it was widely used as a reliable tool but also as an amulet against evil eyes, spirits, diseases and magic. It is written that Roman judges would carry the stalk of common rue with them when going to trial to criminals and wrongdoers. Namely, at that time it was believed that individuals from those social miles possessed evil eyes so they used this method to defend themselves. The bouquet of this plant was also hung above the entrance door, not only to repel witches and evil, but also due to the old common belief that says “ an angel will stop and bless the house that has common rue inside it”. 

Based on a presented belief which is probably based on the saying that goes that this plant is a plant of positive mood, in other words this plant creates positive energy in its surroundings, which is the best recommendation to have it planted in your house, in some flowerpot which you will place in the corner of your room or at your window.

It is very good and useful to cultivate this plant in your yard especially at the front door. It is an old rule that the common rue must be planted on the right side of your door which allows the plant to soak up all the envy, in other words all the negative vibes which certain visitor radiate. All individuals who suffer from the lack of positive mood and spiritual energy, who look at life and reality in a highly pessimistic way or are filled with issues and frustrations fall into this category of a visitor with negative vibes. There are a lot of people like this today which is in itself a good enough reason to sincerely take in the advice and cultivate common rue at your house.

Another very important detail which discovers the wonderous prophylactic properties of the aforementioned plant is the fact that Chango sorcerers, which rule the African black magic, one of the most dangerous forms next to voodoo, hate and call this plant their worst enemy. A House that has this plant growing in the yard or simply placed on their balcony, their witchcraft which is also known as Nfoki cannot penetrate it. It is also believed that it’s very preferable to have the common rue on your balcony, especially if you live in an apartment, since you can never know who’s living right next to you. This rule is especially applied to families that have young children.

Although it is considered the most powerful plant against negative energy, it can also be teamed up with basil and rosemary, they are considered to have similar powers. Therefore, in the ritual of sweeping the sick with a bouquet made of common rue, basil and rosemary, a prayer known as the "Blessing of the Three Grasses" is said. Its power is to help you heal or cleanse your body of negative energy for nine days. The prayer reads:

Common rue, basil and rosemary, from the ground and the Holy God in all its virtues, you were not planted by human hands. Common rue, basil and rosemary, because of the secret that God bestow upon you, remove all that is enchanted in my home and bring the health that God gave us. Common rue, basil and rosemary, with your first smoke cast out all evil spirits.

This prayer is also used to protect the home from black magic and evil spirits, it is chanted on two holy days, Wednesday and Friday, it is also a well known method of bringing in positive energy. 

Amulet against black magic

 Amulets have, since the dawn of time, been famous and popular among people in all countries around the world and are worn by young and old, rich and poor. It’s name derives from the Latin word “amuletum” which signifies an object that is carried and protects a person from trouble. An amulet is an object which you carry with yourself in order to prevent or cure diseases, in order to defend yourself from danger such as firearms, evil spirits or magic. There are many types of amulets, plant based, animal based, amulets made from semi-precious or precious stones, metal and even textual.

In this day and age there are many different functions of the amulet for starters there are many pendants, tattoos, fashion accessories, jewelry, religious symbols, objects to take on a pilgrimage etc. The reason for this is the innate human need for protection and security. Many people who carry an amulet with them admit that even just the thought of owning one boosts their confidence, that means it affects humans on a psychological level as well.

Amulets are especially popular among all peoples in the Middle East, so it is believed that the Messenger of God Muhammad himself wore a ring with the name Buduh, which is believed that the owner of that ring was the first man in the world, Adam. A holy, protective power was attached to that ring. Among Iranians and other Shiites, it is narrated that Imam Hussein had an amulet hung around his neck with the prayers of Falaq and Nas. The same is believed for Aliya, the husband of Hazrat Fatima.

Even though Islam forbids magic, they still allow the usage of amulets and some ritual procedures that fight against evil eyes and malicious impact of evil spirits. The amulets that are allowed, in most cases, are comprised exclusively from sacral texts, whether its selected verses from Quran or an entire printout of a specific prayer. If, on the other hand, an amulet deviates from the above rule in its content, then it emphasizes the firm teaching of Islam by invoking one of the 99 names of God or the fundamental principle of the faith itself, which reads: "There is no god but Allah", or something else, under whose patronage the amulet text gained its religious weight and clearly proclaimed its affiliation with monotheism.

If the printer of the amulet does not state the names of the seven angels and the king of demons, then at the end or in the margins of the text must be found the names of the four archangels, ie Jibril, Israfil, Mikail and Azrail. Their role is to provide spiritual protection to the bearer of the amulet by their presence, expressed in this way, and to connect it with God himself, since the angels mentioned above have the function of mediation between the Creator and men. Sometimes it is enough to write the name Allah in the corners of the amulet because that word contains every healing and gives divine power.

One of the most famous amulets of the Arab world, right after the Hand of Fatima, is the “Duat es-shams” or “ Sun Prayer” (du-uat of sun) which is comprised of a square with seven rows, in which there are seven houses (7x7). In them are written seven letters that are not in the first Qur'anic prayer, seven names of Allah, seven names of angels, seven names of demonic rulers, names of all days of the week and seven planets, including the Sun and the Moon. Duat es-shams is very often an integral part of large or small amulets because of its undoubted spiritual strength.

Before putting on the amulet, a person must first clean the negative energy off. Namely, it is believed that the person who is under spells, sorcery, or the action of evil spirits, no prayer will be answered, which is clearly seen by the fact that nothing in their lives is going according to plan.

Therefore, in order to annul the evil action and prepare the body to wear the amulet, short talismans, so-called records, saffron ink and rose water are written which are then dissolved in water. As soon as the text melts, the paper is taken out and the person drinks the water and bathes in part, in order to purify it completely.

This clearly shows the difference between an amulet and a talisman because the former is carried with and the latter is used to heal or cleans off negative energy. Also, it is believed that only those talismans that are printed with spiritual ink, that is, made of saffron and rose water, have this purpose. The reason for such a rule lies in the tradition of the Arab people who attach special powers of nullifying evil to saffron.

In addition to being made for an individual, amulets are written for the whole family, protection of the house and property, and business facilities. It is considered that the amulet is best worn close to the heart, since all black magic attacks are aimed mostly at that part of the body, while amulets that protect the house or other facilities are placed above the door. Namely, every spell is brought to the front door, whether it is something that needs to be spilled, poured or buried. Likewise, out of each amulet, alms in the form of money should be shared with the poor from time to time in order to strengthen its prophylactic powers.