Faery Charms 3: Plants

Athair Talman: Death of the Earth Athair thalún: The Death Flower: Yarrow, sprigs of yew and box are funeral tokens in Wales. The yarrow, sometimes named ‘boy’s love,’ is called the ‘death flower’ in Wales, where it is considered a token of death if brought into the house.

Faechóg: Periwinkle, Gwichiad: The Plant of the Dead: It is unlucky to uproot a periwinkle from a grave, or pluck a flower, because the dead will appear to the person and their dreams for the next twelve months will be ‘wretched and miserable’.
Bainne Bó Bleachtáin: Cowslips: When worn in the hair they will preserve youth Cowslip-tea and cowslip-wine strengthen the senses. Children in Wales make the blossoms into flower-balls. Toss into the air, catch with the right hand only, while repeating the following rhyme until the ball falls at the fateful number.

Pistey, postey, four-and-forty,
How many years shall I live?
One, two, three, four,