When you think of blackberries you probably picture sweet summer pies, stained fingers and sunny afternoons. But beneath those delicious fruits and tangled thorns lies a rich history of ancient myths, dark curses and healing magic. For centuries, European folklore has treated the humble blackberry bush with a mix of deep respect and genuine fear.
Here is a look into the mysterious, magical world of blackberry folklore.
Why You Should Never Eat Blackberries After September 29th
If you follow traditional British and Germanic folklore there is a very strict expiration date for picking blackberries: Michaelmas (September 29th).
According to legend, this is the exact day Archangel Michael cast Lucifer out of heaven. The fallen angel plummeted to Earth and landed straight into a sharp, thorny blackberry bush. Furious and scratched the Devil cursed the bush. Depending on the local tale he either spat on the berries, stomped on them or threw his cloak over them.
As a result folklore dictates that any blackberry picked after Michaelmas is possessed by the Devil, toxic or deeply unlucky to eat.
The Scientific Truth:
Like most folklore this myth has a practical origin. By late September the damp autumn weather causes a rapid spread of molds and fungi on the berries making them taste bitter and causing potential stomach aches.
Passing Through the Healing Arch
In ancient times the blackberry bush was not just a source of superstition; it was a powerful tool for folk medicine.
One of the most famous rituals involved the "Heilsbogen" (Healing Arch). Blackberry brambles often grow so long that the tips bend over and take root back into the soil creating a natural hoop.
People believed that crawling through this natural arch could cure ailments, particularly:
- Cough
- Ruptures and hernias
- Boils and rheumatism
To make the magic work, a sick child had to be passed through the arch three or nine times, usually traveling from East to West (following the sun). The symbolic idea was that the sharp thorns would literally "scrape" the sickness away from the person and trap it in the earth.
- The Witches' Bed: In German folklore these thick, tangled brambles were believed to be the nocturnal resting places of forest witches.
- Sleeping Beauty: The famous fairy tale barrier that grew around the sleeping castle was inspired by wild, thorny briars like the blackberry, meant to keep out anyone who was unworthy.
- Property Protection: Planting blackberry bushes near windows and gates was a common practice to keep out both physical thieves and evil spirits, as malicious entities were believed to get easily tangled in the loops.
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