Bluebells, a Witchy Wednesday article.
Bluebells in April
 |
| One of my own photos taken at a local graveyard near to our home. Often you will see beautiful English Bluebells and other wild flowers quietly growing in local Churchyards and Graveyards as well a ancient woodlands. |
The Bluebell flower fairy by Cicely Mary Barker.
First published in 1923.
 |
| Bluebells growing in my little garden. April 2024. Spring is definitely in the air with April showers, a good mix of sunshine, rain, hail, thunder storms and not so inviting gales! Also at long last the flowers are appearing and in my little garden the arrival of my Bluebells which bring me so much joy! Bluebells are definitely a magical flower with folklore stories and tales going back centuries. From being used by fairies as bells to call together gatherings, from fairy hats, to being used in Witchcraft. Some stories are light hearted and others very dark warning off disrespecting them! To tread on Bluebells is extremely back luck and to be honest I agree keep off the Bluebells!!! Actually it does damage Bluebells so don't walk on them and that way you protect the beautiful Bells and also just in case keep the fairies happy! On researching Bluebell folklore I found these beautiful poems by the Brontë sisters. Some historians and writers say that the sisters were actually talking about Harebells Campanula Rotundifolia also known as Scottish Bluebells. But either way I think these poems beautifully describe springtime. 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿 The Bluebell by Anne Brontë A fine and subtle spirit dwells In every little flower, Each one its own sweet feeling breathes With more or less of power. There is a silent eloquence In every wild bluebell That fills my softened heart with bliss That words could never tell. Yet I recall not long ago A bright and sunny day, 'Twas when I led a toilsome life So many leagues away; That day along a sunny road All carelessly I strayed, Between two banks where smiling flowers Their varied hues displayed. Before me rose a lofty hill, Behind me lay the sea, My heart was not so heavy then As it was wont to be. Less harassed than at other times I saw the scene was fair, And spoke and laughed to those around, As if I knew no care. But when I looked upon the bank My wandering glances fell Upon a little trembling flower, A single sweet bluebell. Whence came that rising in my throat, That dimness in my eye? Why did those burning drops distil — Those bitter feelings rise? O, that lone flower recalled to me My happy childhood's hours When bluebells seemed like fairy gifts A prize among the flowers, Those sunny days of merriment When heart and soul were free, And when I dwelt with kindred hearts That loved and cared for me. I had not then mid heartless crowds To spend a thankless life In seeking after others' weal With anxious toil and strife. 'Sad wanderer, weep those blissful times That never may return!' The lovely floweret seemed to say, And thus it made me mourn. 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿 To a Bluebell by Emily Brontë The blue bell is the sweetest flower That waves in summer air; Its blossoms have the mightiest power To soothe my spirit’s care. There is a spell in purple heath Too wildly, sadly dear; The violet has a fragrant breath But fragrance will not cheer. The trees are bare, the sun is cold; And seldom, seldom seen; The heavens have lost their zone of gold The earth its robe of green; And ice upon the glancing stream Has cast its sombre shade And distant hills and valleys seem In frozen mist arrayed — The blue bell cannot charm me now The heath has lost its bloom, The violets in the glen below They yield no sweet perfume. But though I mourn the heather—bell ‘Tis better far, away; I know how fast my tears would swell To see it smile today; And that wood flower that hides so shy Beneath the mossy stone Its balmy scent and dewy eye: ’Tis not for them I moan. It is the slight and stately stem, The blossom’s silvery blue, The buds hid like a sapphire gem In sheaths of emerald hue. ‘Tis these that breathe upon my heart A calm and softening spell That if it makes the tear—drop start Has power to soothe as well. For these I weep, so long divided Through winter’s dreary day, In longing weep—but most when guided On withered banks to stray. If chilly then the light should fall Adown the dreary sky And gild the dank and darkened wall With transient brilliancy, How do I yearn, how do I pine For the time of flowers to come, And turn me from that fading shine To mourn the fields of home —” In folklore, bluebells were said to ring when fairies were summoning their kin to a gathering; but it would be deadly if a human heard the sound! It was also considered bad luck to trample on a bed of bluebells because you would anger the fairies! The truth be told walking on Bluebells can seriously damage them so please keep to paths and respect them! Plus it might be wise not to upset the fairies just in case!!!!!! The bluebell also has many nicknames such as wood bell, lady’s nightcap and Witches thimbles! Here are some links to some interesting articles on Bluebells. https://nelliecole.com/2020/05/08/folkdays-bluebells/ https://annafranklinhearthwitch.wordpress.com/2021/05/03/bluebell-the-fairy-flower/ https://hypnogoria.blogspot.com/2016/07/folklore-on-friday-bluebells-and-fairies.html?m=1 https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/nature/trees-plants/a-guide-to-bluebells-in-the-uk https://www.hypnogoria.com/folklore_bluebells.html https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/plants/wild-flowers/bluebell/ Back soon ........ remember to pop by on Wednesday for my Witchy Wednesday articles! 🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌿🌸🌿🌸 Some website links listed may contain Adult material which may not be suitable for children so I would advise visiting them before showing or allowing access to younger viewers. 🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🌿 |
