#blackhaw

The amelanchier arborea (common/downy serviceberry) is one of those niche Missouri trees that almost no one has written witchcraft correspondences for, so this is gonna be a super short one. It's edible though!

ASSOCIATIONS

Animals

birds broadly

Correspondences

fishing

hunting

love

merriment

well-being

Because this post is very short and I have a few other extremely short ones, have some bonus trees too!

Privet Correspondences & Associations

The forestiera acuminata (eastern swamp privet) is native to Missouri. It's very good at withstanding flooding, and wild ducks love its fruit.

ASSOCIATIONS

Animals

duck

CORRESPONDENCES

communication

resolving arguments

smoothing

soothing

Blackhaw Correspondences

There are two blackhaws (or black haws) that are native to Missouri - the viburnum prunifolium (blackhaw/black haw, blackhaw viburnum, sweet haw, or stag bush) and the viburnum rufidulum (blue haw, rusty/southern blackhaw/black haw, or rusty nanny-berry).

Correspondences

business

employment

gambling

invisibility

luck

manifestation

money

power

protection

(from this source)

3 1/2 pounds blackhaw berries, stemmed and washed

4 1/2 quarts water 

1 pound sugar

1 cake yeast

Crush berries and remove seeds and skins with a strainer or food mill. Place the pulp into a deep pan and add 1 quart cooled water. Mix well, cover, and allow to sit for one hour.

Add 1 pound sugar to 1 1/2 quarts water and bring to boil for two minutes. Place sugar mixture into a large crock and add fruit pulp mixture and one cake of yeast. Cover the crock and allow pulp to ferment for seven days.

Strain mixture through a jelly bag and squeeze completely. Recover at least one gallon of strained fermented juice. Boil 1 pound sugar in another quart water. Cool and add to mixture. Mix thoroughly, then pour it off into a sterile gallon jug and place a balloon over the mouth of the jug. Place in a warm dark place for about 8 to 10 days.

(from this source)

1 quart blackhaw berries, washed and stemmed

1 cup sugar per cup juice

1/2 cup water

3 ounces pectin

Place berries in a deep saucepan, add water, and cook until fruit pops. Crush fruit completely with a masher and strain to remove skins and seeds. 

Measure out the juicy pulp and place in a saucepan with the appropriate amount of sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then add three ounces liquid pectin. Boil and stir for one full minute, then remove from heat and skim off foam. 

Rusty Blackhaw

Viburnum rufidulum

A small tree found throughout the upland woods of the southeastern United States, the rusty blackhaw bears thick, glossy, dark green leaves and large clusters of white flowers which appear in the spring. The flowers are followed by deep blue haws, or fruits, ripening from September to October, which are favoured by birds. 

Compounds in the bark of this tree and others in the genus Viburnum appear to have spasmolytic effects and have been historically used as abortifactients. For this reason, I suggest you not ingest any bark, root, or leaf decoctions of this plant if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. There is more ethnobotanical information on the rusty blackhaw’s closest cousin, V. prunifolium. The Cherokee used infusions of the bark for sore tongue, as a diaphoretic, and for fever. The Delaware used the root bark for the ‘female generative organs.’ 

The ripe berries are edible and sweet, even when wrinkled and old. There is one large seed in the centre of each haw. The haws may be eaten raw or made into a sweet jelly (they are rich in pectin). 

As for its magical uses, it has been recorded as a lucky plant, which should be carried in the pocket when employment or payment is sought. Its association with the female reproductive system also links it to the relief of menstrual pains. In hoodoo and rootwork, its roots are called Devil’s Shoestring, and is used for protection, especially against the effects of goofer dust.