Iron hard in the magic
Iron hard or Verbena officinalis was an indispensable component of magic herbs in ancient herbal books. Witches and other magicians wore hard as garter as they set out on their way to the witch's abbat.Also sorcerers could not miss garters made of iron hard, simply because this spice made tireless. Worn like a rope around the waist, the forces of this plant were even strengthened.
Garters and herbalists
Not only witches were aware of the power of iron hard. In many regions of our country and in Germany, young people used to wear hard-iron garters or put a piece of the plant in their shoes. In times when distances were indicated with so many hours of going, that was a useful tool. The witches, who were also herbalists, managed to use iron hard as a medicinal herb, but the common people also had confidence in this plant. The Verbena was even called sacred and was considered Venuswort with miraculous powers, especially in the field of love. But then one had to pick the plant before it was shined by sun or moon and especially before the rise of Sirius, the Dog Star.
The plant harvested in this way had special powers. Whoever rubbed himself with the juice received everything he wished for, not only the beloved wife or husband, but also monetary benefits.
Iron hard as a lucky charm
Iron hard, dried and hung in the house would bring prosperity. Sprinkled on field or vineyard, it brought a good harvest. The root planted with the grapes guaranteed a fine grape year and children who wore hard around the neck as an amulet, got a 'awake spirit and a good chest'. Also, the Verbena was used in ancient times to keep evil spirits out of the house
In Greece you can still find Verbena hanging on the door as a lucky herb. Armed with a Verbena that was picked correctly, at the right moon phase, the treasure seeker could easily find a treasure in St George's Night. Thieves generally do not wait for treasures that can be found during one night of the year. They go in search of their own and use Verbena as a herb that opens all the doors. Better yet, they go out armed with a so-called thief hand. Now in our time it will not be so easy to find a real, dead thief hand. That was still true in times when people were brought to the gallows. Whoever dared cut off a hand from the hanged one, then put it in a clay pot with a mixture of cinnamon, saltpeter, salt and pepper. After fourteen days the hand was removed and dried in the sun. But apparently, at the time of these horrific practices, the summers were as unreliable as they are today. So the hand was allowed to dry because of lack of sun in an oven that was fired with fern seeds and iron-hard. It all seems a little laborious, but the thief who knew about such a hand could get in anywhere. And that, of course, is every thief's dream.
