Rue, Ruta graveolens (evil eye ward)

Rue has been used to ward the evil eye for hundreds of years.

The word Rue, on its own, means to bitterly regret

In Sephardic traditions, rue is considered The Queen of Herbs; referred to by a Ladino poem that sings “one who guards the soul of those who wear it.”

Rue is associated with the hamsa, as the leaves resemble a hand. It is often hung outside doorways, on the altar, or above the birthing bed. 

The bundle may be hung as a ward or burned in an act of exorcism. The bundle is tied with red cotton cord by Wade Vetiver with respect to European lore, to activate it as a ward against the enemy.