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Allium Sativum

In almost every culture in every country, garlic (Allium sativum; the pungent rose) has been considered a remedy against evil and protection from curses. For example, in ancient Egyptian artwork, garlic is depicted as an offering to the gods. In Tibet, monks are not allowed to enter a monastery if they have consumed garlic, and in Islam, there is a legend that suggests garlic grows where Satan touched the ground with his feet while leaving the Garden of Eden. In a Slavic proverb, it is roughly stated that someone who eats garlic every day for 40 consecutive days can see the stars even in daylight. During times of war, garlic was used as medicine due to its antiseptic properties.

Compared to other plants, garlic still plays a significant role in present-day superstitions. Besides its direct use as medicine, carrying garlic is considered an ongoing insurance against negative influences, and it still symbolizes protection.

Instructions:

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  • Hanging garlic on the right side of the entrance door wards off enemies and resolves disputes.

  •  Hanging it on the left side of the entrance door keeps demons at bay and creates spiritual peace and happiness.

  •  Placing it above the door deters thieves and envy, while also increasing luck (replace it annually!). 

  • Hanging garlic above the entrance to the bedroom attracts love affairs.

  • To deter unwanted love affairs, place garlic along the paths of the respective individuals. When they pass by, they lose interest.

  •  Hanging it in a barn protects the animals. Burying it in a field safeguards the crops.

  •  Carrying garlic in a pouch protects against nausea and dizziness. • Wearing it under a hat reduces the frequency of migraines and dispels curses.

  • Crossing waters with garlic ensures safety from drowning.

  • Sensitive individuals should have it in their pillows.

  • Placing it above the head of a dying person protects against vampires and other beings that might hinder the transition to the afterlife.

  • When traveling, it shields against elves, demons, and bandits.

  • It protects children and wedding couples when fashioned into a wreath.

  • Its scent repels snakes.

  • Pregnant women should place it on their foreheads to protect themselves and their child.

  • Furthermore, they should sew it into a sheet in which the child is wrapped after the first nursing.

  • At the grave of a deceased person, garlic repels evil spirits for the first 40 days, who might otherwise awaken the dead.

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1) "Kolo", porcelain, cotton, diameter 1m, 2017

2) porcelain in vending machines, dimensions vary, 2017

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