Astrid

Astrid: a Ghost for protection against the plague, insomnia, love, and taming tigers.

Lavender held a meaningful place in Regency England. It was a valuable cash crop which would grow in even poor, dry soil, and could attract insects which would pollinate other profitable crops. It could also add beauty and scent to a pleasure garden. Along with its practical applications both cosmetic and culinary, lavender was also believed to have potent magical powers, particularly with regard to love and romance.

Queen Elizabeth I was known to be particularly partial to lavender and enjoyed both a special tea and a conserve which were made from lavender flowers. Many people in her realm became interested in using lavender for a wide range of applications. It must be noted that during that period, some people believed that weaving sprigs of lavender in their hair enabled them to see ghosts, and while others thought lavender was useful for taming lions and tigers. Lavender was hung above doors to prevent evil spirits from entering the home.

Sixteenth-century glovemakers who perfumed their ware with the herb were said to not catch cholera. Seventh-century thieves who washed in lavender after robbing graves didn’t get the plague. In the 19th century. English herbalist John Parkinson wrote that lavender was “especially good use for all griefes and paines of the head and brain,” and Charles VI of France insisted his pillow always contain lavender to promote a good night’s sleep. People still use lavender in pillows today. Young women and girls sold sprigs of lavender (6 sprigs for a penny) from baskets on the streets of London and were well known for their songs and cries, and gypsy travellers sold lavender bunches to bring good fortune and protect from evil.

We have scented our Little Astrid (a name derived from the Asterid plant family to which lavender belongs) with a drop of pure organic lavender oil. This Ghost, the colour of faded lavender fields, is the first York Ghost with a scent of its own.

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