Thistles Provide Magical Protection and More

Thistles are unmistakable with prickly stems, leaves with spines, and pointed bracts (modified leaves) around the flowers. The bracts eventually turn into tufts of white fibers known as thistledown. The Scottish thistle (Onopordum acanthium) grows about five feet tall and has flat, spiny wings along the stems. It has silvery-green leaves and dark pink to violet flowers. Reaching up to six feet tall, the spear thistle (Cirsium vulgare) has purplish pink or purple flowers and lance-shaped leaves that sport sharp spines. Growing about two feet tall, the blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) has red stems and reddish bracts surrounding the yellow flowers.

During medieval times, blessed thistle was believed to counteract poisons, heal the bites of mad dogs, and even ward off the plague. Often used as animal fodder, young stems and leaves (shorn of their sharp spines, of course) were also consumed by people and not just in times of famine. The soft thistledown was used to stuff pillows and mattresses.

Thistles were scattered around grain fields to drive away demons. The seeds were burned to cure illness caused by evil spirits. In addition to warding off evil, a thistle flower carried in the pocket was said to avert melancholy. Thistles were believed to be so powerful that when planted in a garden they could prevent thieves from entering a house.

Women on trial for witchcraft were given a potion made of thistle seed and St. John’s wort to make them tell the truth. Oddly enough, it was commonly believed that witches mixed thistles with the spit of toads as part of a spell to become invisible. Just how that was supposed to work is unknown. In Essex, England, warlocks reputedly used the tall stems as walking sticks. Elsewhere, wizards were said to use them as wands.

In Ireland, thistles were regarded as faery plants. After casting a travel spell, they were said to use thistledown like hang gliders and ride home to faeryland. Pixies reputedly use thistle spines of spear thistle as swords.

Magically, if you find a thistle flower that’s going to seed, hold some of the thistledown in your hand, make a wish, and then blow it to the wind. Use the spines in protection spells or to break a hex. Thistles also aid in working with spirit guides, dealing with challenges, and releasing anything unwanted from your life.

If you would like to read more about plants, magic, and faeries, check out my books The Witches’ Encyclopedia of Magical Plants and Magical Faery Plants.