As we approach Halloween, I thought I’d share historical myths and superstitions involving blackberries. There are more than you might imagine.

Blackberries and the Devil

The most well-known superstition is: Don’t eat fresh blackberries after “Michaelmas day.” (For simplicity, let’s go with September 29.) According to this belief, the result can be anything from the berries being inedible, to poisonous, to bringing death by year’s end. If that isn’t enough, they may also bring bad luck.

Michaelmas day—named for the archangel St. Michael—was the day the devil was thrown out of Heaven. His fall supposedly came to a painful end in the thorny embrace of a blackberry bush, which explains his hatred of the poor blackberry and why he cursed it.

Other Blackberry Myths and Superstitions

In DYK Some Places Have More Than One Winter, I mentioned Blackberry Winter. Until now, though, I thought it was called that because blackberries happened to be in bloom when the late winter snap hit. Actually, the myth is that blackberries blooming in May bring the cold weather. (This myth is most common in America.)

According to Celtic lore, blackberries were the fruit of fairies, and eating them would bring bad luck to humans.

One head-scratching myth claims anytime blackberries are ripe, babies, horses, and cats never feel well. Why and why specifically those three? I haven’t a clue. The only danger I found—other than the thorns—is the fact that the berries can get lodged in a grazing animal’s nose.

If you thought ‘witch’ hysteria died out with the Puritans, think again. As more and more people celebrated Halloween in the second half of the nineteenth century, the belief that witches disguised themselves as beautiful women and gave poisoned blackberries to unsuspecting children grew. And if you baked a fresh blackberry pie during that time, you might as well have hung an “I’m a witch!” sign around your neck.

The Good

Blackberries do have many good points. According to one ancient historian, the medicinal use of blackberries included treating ulcers, bleeding wounds, and snake bites. If you lost a tooth, the ancient Britons believed you could re-affix it by eating a salad made with blackberry leaves. For boils, rheumatism, whooping cough, blackheads, or bruises, receive magical healing by crawling through a blackberry bush that has grown into a natural arch. It’s preferred that it have an east to west orientation, but regardless, crawl through the arch back and forth three times to be cured.

Have a problem with vampires or earthbound spirits? According to Celtic lore, plant blackberry bushes near your home for protection. Need that exorcism to be successful? Place blackberry juice on the victim’s forehead before starting.

Final Thoughts

The much-maligned blackberry is blamed for all types of calamities and illnesses. If you’re the suspicious sort, play it safe this Halloween season and heed the warnings. Leave those fresh blackberries alone.

On the other hand, unlike the folks of yesteryear, we can freeze blackberries picked throughout the summer. So, tempt fate. Go ahead and bake your blackberry pie or cobbler with frozen summer berries.

To be honest, I believe enterprising individuals made up those eating-blackberries-is-bad-luck narratives to cut down on the competition for late-season fresh berries. Today, we know blackberries are very good for our health. Click here for ten reasons you should eat them.