My mom had sayings. She had little rituals. I grew up with these and never thought much
about it. As a crone, I now see myself
doing, or at least remembering, these bits of wisdom.
Quite a while back I was plant
shopping with a friend. We were
marveling at the lush red geraniums. “A
witch lives there.” I remembered. I
smiled and explained that my mom used to tell me that many witches grew bright
red geraniums by their front door.
“Never knew that,” my friend replied.
This spring I headed to the garden
center and bought a red geranium. I
would think of my mom whenever I walked in or out of the front door. Hmmm…..I wondered if any one else had ever
heard this story. I decided to dig around to see what I might
find. The mystical language of flowers!
Harper Lee realized how the vibrant
red geranium was a sign of hope and light.
In To Kill a Mockingbird Mayella tends to these beautiful flowers.
She appears to have little reason to be optimistic
yet amid all the ugliness of her life she tends her beloved geraniums.
Red geraniums are said to be
protective plants. It is thought that planting a red geranium near the front door warns
you when strangers are approaching because (according to legend) the flowers will
turn and point to visitors when they get near your home.
And yes, folklore tells us that witches feel that red
geraniums planted near your doorway will turn away illness since the flowers
are a symbol of good health.
So I have red geraniums blooming by my front door. And so does my friend!
