The Damballa heart talisman is a sacred amulet that holds significant spiritual significance in the religion of Vodou. Vodou is a syncretic belief system that combines elements of West African religions with Catholicism. In Vodou, Damballa is considered a powerful and benevolent spirit, often associated with creation, healing, and providing guidance. The heart talisman is commonly used as a symbol and vessel of Damballa's energy and protection. The Damballa heart talisman is typically made of materials such as clay, metal, or wood, with intricate carvings and designs. It is designed in the shape of a heart, symbolizing love, compassion, and the sacred energy of Damballa.
Freshly harvested branches of Hamamelis vernalis cut for forcing indoors
And then there are years when March is soft; weeks of misty skies, melty temperatures and warm sunshine dancing on snow banks as they slowly disappear. Intermediate Collection 8 moderately difficult plants for the Witch s Garden Belladonna, Clary Sage, Foxglove, Henbane, Hyssop, Rowan, Rue, Wormwood 29.
It is designed in the shape of a heart, symbolizing love, compassion, and the sacred energy of Damballa. The talisman is often worn as a necklace or amulet, close to the heart, to ensure its power and energy are always present. Vodou practitioners believe that the Damballa heart talisman not only provides protection from physical harm but also helps with emotional and spiritual healing.
Keep an Eye Out for Witch Hazel Flowers!
It’s early November, and although colorful leaves are the stars of the show, there’s still time to find flowers in the woods. You may know witch-hazel as a liquid you can by in the first aid or beauty section of a pharmacy – but did you know it comes from a locally native plant?
Witch hazels are shrubs and small trees in the genus Hamamelis. Of the five existing species, two are native to Asia and three are native to North America. American witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is the species native to the Triangle and it grows all along the East Coast from Canada to Mexico. Witch hazels are woodland understory plants, they usually grow to about 15 feet tall and can spread their branches out, seeking the light that filters through the canopy of taller trees. Forked and zig-zagging twigs are one of the tell-tale signs for identifying these plants in the wild.
The leaves and bark of Hamamelis virginiana have been used medicinally for a long time. Native Americans made witch hazel poultices and teas to reduce inflammation and fever, as well as for eye and skin irritation. A series of compounds in the leaves and bark (mainly tannins) have antiseptic and astringent properties, so today witch hazel extract continues to be used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to reduce skin irritation (including bug-bites and poison ivy rashes), itching, and bruising.
Having it just been Halloween, you might be wondering what all this has to do with witches, but the answer might not be quite what you expect. Rather than anything related to casting spells, the name “witch hazel” probably comes from Europeans using the forked witch hazel branches to dowse for water. Also known as water-witching, the term comes form the Old English “wych” (or ‘wiche’) in reference to bending branches while dowsing.
Witch hazels flower in the fall and winter, which makes them an important source of food for pollinators (like winter moths) during these times of year. Each flower has four long, ribbon-like, wrinkly petals, and they grow in clusters on the stems, which makes them look like little fireworks or sunbursts. Some people say the flowers are “spidery,” but somehow, they always make me think of butterfly wings that are fresh out of the chrysalis and haven’t had time to iron themselves out. American witch hazel has bright yellow flowers that appear in October and November, sometimes even before all the leaves (which also turn yellow) have finished falling off the branches.
Witch hazel fruits, photo: TLC Staff
Once they are pollinated, the flowers go dormant and the seeds develop in little woody fruits that will take a year to mature. Unlike many temperate plants, this means that witch hazels bear fruits and flowers, as well as fuzzy leaf buds all at the same time. When the seedpods dry out, they literally pop open loudly, and the seeds are shot out – up to 30 feet away from the tree – a process biologists call “ballistic dispersal.”
Because witch hazels bloom so late (early?) in the year and are such hardy plants, they are quite popular as garden shrubs, and there are over 25 varieties available for sale. Other common names for these plants include Winterbloom, Snapping Hazelnut, and Striped Alder. Often the commercially available witch hazels are a hybrid of the Asian species, so it’s good to be on the lookout for the native species instead. One of the best ways to tell them all apart is that American witch hazel blooms yellow and in fall, while the Asian species bloom later in winter. Hamamelis vernalis, the Ozark witch hazel, grows further West than NC, and has red-to-orange blooms from January to March. If you are trying to replace non-native plants in your garden with native species, witch hazel is a great replacement for Forsythia, which is not native and can become invasive.
Fruit and gall of witch hazel, photo: TLC Staff
Lastly, if you are out in the woods and come across a clump of witch hazel, take a close look at the branches, and you might find some spiny growths in addition to the woody fruits and the flowers. Spiny witch hazel fall aphids lay their eggs in dormant flower buds, which causes the plant to create the galls.
It’s a great time of year to go out and look for blooming witch hazels – and to see if you can find aphid galls as well. See you out there!
Please note that we have a limited stock of collections available each growing season. If you see something marked as "Sold Out" try buying the seeds separately by clicking their links. We try to keep individual seed packets in stock throughout the year.
It is believed to bring peace, harmony, and balance to those who wear it or keep it close. The talisman is often used in rituals and ceremonies, where it is believed to attract the blessings and guidance of Damballa. In addition to its protective qualities, the Damballa heart talisman is also associated with fertility and abundance. It is said to enhance creativity, draw positive energy, and bring about prosperity and good fortune. Many Vodou practitioners use the talisman as a tool for manifesting their desires and intentions. Overall, the Damballa heart talisman holds great importance and reverence in Vodou. It is seen as a sacred symbol of Damballa's presence and power, offering protection, healing, and spiritual blessings to those who seek its energy..
Reviews for "Exploring the Healing Properties of the Damballa Heart Talisman"
1. Mia - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Damballa heart talisman. The quality of the pendant was not what I expected. It looked very cheap and the paint was already starting to chip off after just a few days of wearing it. The chain that came with it was also incredibly flimsy and broke after only a week. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this product and I would not recommend it to others.
2. Ryan - 1/5 - This talisman was a complete joke. I bought it thinking it would be a nice addition to my collection, but I couldn't have been more wrong. The design looked promising in the pictures, but in person it was poorly made and the colors were dull and faded. The pendant also felt very lightweight, almost like it was made of plastic instead of the advertised metal. Definitely not worth the price and not something I would wear.
3. Emily - 3/5 - I have mixed feelings about the Damballa heart talisman. While I appreciated the unique design, I found the pendant to be much smaller than expected. The chain was also quite short and felt uncomfortable around my neck. The overall quality was decent, but I can't say I was wowed by this product. It might be suitable for someone looking for a smaller and more subtle talisman, but for me, it just didn't meet my expectations.
4. Alex - 2/5 - The Damballa heart talisman was a letdown for me. The pendant arrived with scratches and blemishes all over it, making it look cheap and used. The color was also not as vibrant as shown in the pictures. On top of that, the chain was poorly constructed and broke after only a couple of wearings. I was really hoping for a unique and well-crafted piece, but unfortunately, this product fell short.