A Quiet Guest in My Garden
In my garden, a small bunch of ragwort started growing. I have warned everyone to leave it well alone. To me it is most certainly a precious fairy flower.
Favoured by the Fae
In fairy lore, ragwort has long been considered a plant of the Otherworld. It’s said the fae favour it, and not just for its colour. Some stories claim fairies ride their tall, hollow stalks like horses through the night,swift, invisible, and wild. Others whisper that carrying ragwort could help us mere mortals slip into the fairy realm, whether by accident or design. But such crossings are no small thing. The path between realms is tangled and strange, and those who return often come back… different.
Be warned, though,if you must pull it up, be polite. Folklore insists you should apologise to the fairies first, or they may not take the insult kindly. Better to speak softly and not disturb what might be watching.
A Dangerous Reputation in the Witch Hunts
During the 16th-century witch hunts, ragwort’s reputation turned dark. Its links to spirit travel, mystery, and power made it a plant of suspicion. It was said to appear in flying ointments used by witches to travel beyond the veil—and became associated with summoning spirits, or worse, the devil himself. In some places, simply growing it in your garden was enough to earn a charge of witchcraft. There are grim tales of women being burned for less. Good job; times have changed.
Modern Witchcraft and Magical Use
In modern witchcraft, ragwort is still quietly respected. It’s sometimes used in spells for protection, love, or hedge-riding—the practice of spirit travel or moving between worlds.
Some witches hang it above thresholds to ward off negative energy or keep unwanted spirits at bay. Others include it in charm bags or burn it as part of protective workings. Personally, I prefer to leave it where it is. Sometimes it’s not worth the risk of offending the fairyfolk. Some plants guard more than just themselves.
Toxicity and Caution
⚠️ Caution: Ragwort is mildly toxic to humans and more seriously toxic to animals, especially livestock like horses and cows. The danger increases when the plant is dried, as it becomes harder for animals to avoid.
The Final Word
Not just a weed, but a sentinel of old paths and hidden places. You don’t have to believe the stories… but it’s probably wiser if you act like you do.
Pagan Portals – Living Fairy: Fairy Witchcraft and Star Worship by Morgan Daimler
I highly recommend reading any of the Pagan Portal Books. There are so many topics. I will slowly list the ones I have read. The good thing about them is that they are informative but not too long.