Bats

 This is the season associated with bats. What many people don't understand about bats, they rely on myths and superstitions. I plan to talk about them quickly in this October post for the hallowed season of Winter Finding and Samhain. 

Do bats get stuck in hair? No. It's a myth that this happens. 

Are bats really blood sucking vampires? No they're not, Some bats living in tropical regions in South American sip a little blood of small creatures. The majority of bats eat fruit and insects, and they drink water, sometimes nectar. Vampire bat saliva produces an enzyme or anticoagulant that is used as medicine to treat people with heart problems.    

Are bats blind? No this is false. Bats are able to see perfectly clearly. They are also nocturnal and use their own signals to focus in the dark.

Are bats really flying rats? No. Bats are winged mammals of the Chiroptera genus, They're not rodents. 

Can bats carry diseases and rabies? Only 5 % tested caught wild bats have had rabies. Its not true that all of them have rabies. Just under 10 people have caught rabies from bats in 50 years in the USA. And it isn't true that bats spread diseases. 

More interesting fun facts about bats!

They're pollinators. They can spread a number of seeds that grow into fruit. Bats are good at keeping bug population down which is great news for farmers. Bats are able to eat so many insects that it saves plants and crops. Its important to view bats as a friend instead of a villain. 

Bats are able to outlive domestic cats and dogs. They can live up to 30 years. What is more interesting is that bats hibernate during Winter and can sleep in cold temperatures in caves. 

They're the ONLY mammals who can fly.

There's over 1,400 different kinds of bats! However, sadly some of those are endangered. 

My conclusion is, be kind to bats. Respect all wild animals. Farmers need to stop chemical insecticides and use natural insecticides such as bats!

Storm Valkyrie 🌹

The dark side of healing herbs

 

While October is the season when the veil lowers, when the nights get longer and days turn colder, we're encouraged to eat healthy healing foods with medicine qualities to boost immune system during this spooky time of year. I don't disagree with that. I've been mentioning the importance of good edibles and nice berries, flowers and herbs for ages. However, some of these medicines don't work for some people. I will mention some of the plants of Halloween/Samhain/Winter nights healing and darkness.

1. Garlic. This helps increase blood circulation and gives strength to hydrogen sulphide within the body. A bad smelling bulb rich in goodness. It also acts as a protection against evil spirits, especially vampires. However, its harmful to people with blood conditions like porphyria. Garlic won't be kind to all.

2. Mugwort. This perfume flower has used as an ingredient in food and drinks for centuries. It was often used to repel insects, including moths. Mugwort has been used as a medicine across Europe and Asia for a long time. There is a dark side to it. It's a poison. Some of the dried leaves of the plant was used to create teas that have caused miscarriages and allergic reactions. 

3. Hawthorn. This edible plant flowers and grows fruit made into wine or sometimes as food dressing. Medicines using hawthorn is part of traditional healing remedies. It's also another plant that protects against vampires. There is a dark side also to the plant. Hawthorn can bring on a heart attack, and it's an extremely dangerous herb. A tiny amount used with professional and medical guidance is essential. 

4. Winter Rose. This herb is also mainly called Hellebore. There are different types, including hybrids, but mostly the oldest includes the Black Hellebore and the White Hellebore. Since ancient times, the "Winter Rose" Hellebore has been medicine to treat arthritis and mental illness. It has also treated kidney diseases and included in medicine. However the dark side is too much darkness for this is a toxic plant and can kill. This is a dangerous herb if not taken properly.

5. St. John's wort. This is a hardy seed and grows into thick branches in the wild, or cultivated. Its a medicine and has been used for centuries to treat wounds, as an oil, and herb. The dark side of this plant is that it can kill other plants, sickness in patients and even poisons animals. It can undo the benefits of other medications. Women who are breastfeeding should avoid taking St. John's wort, and people who are sensitive to the sunlight should also avoid St. John's wort. 

I hope that my scary plant warnings was enough to make you understand that you should be careful when seeking natural herbs and remedies. Always seek medical expert advice first from your doctor. Never take it upon yourself to try these age-old herbal medicines. 

Storm Valkyrie         

Arkan Sonney

 

Sometimes Autumn will deliver cute nocturnal guests, such as hedgehogs. They appear in the garden at night, and they like apples and milk. There is a magical hedgehog creature that I wanted to post about, mainly because I've been reading about them. It's called the Arkan Sonney. The term Arkan Sonney is Manx for "lucky urchin" that refers to a "lucky hedgehog". The Manx language is a form of Gaelic from the Isle of Man, located in the Irish Sea. The Arkan Sonney is a fairy creature that looks like a white hedgehog. These creatures are shape shifters that can change their size and turn into white pigs. If anyone is able to catch one, it will bring good luck in the form of silver coins. In the English language, there is a "hog" in Hedgehog! 

Storm Valkyrie 🍎 🌹 💖