Rip Me Open and Rain Inside

Pteris and Pteridium

Pteris are perfect for getting rid of an abusive person in your life. Poisoning takes a bit of sadism, especially slow poisoning, but as you watch your victim suffer and die, try to keep your chin up and think of all the good times you’ll have when they’re gone. The most common chemical found in Pteris ferns is arsenic, to test for it you can either buy a water testing kit, or ask the fern. Ferns are an ancient lineage and the elderly always to love to talk. There’s no secret to this, just ask and listen. Before you pull them up, of course. Dead plants do talk, but they say very different things.

And never take murder lightly, it is an affront to the Universe to take an innocent life and you will pay for it if you do, etc.

Pteridium are also quite dangerous. If you cut them they release hydrogen cyanide, so I try to harvest them on windy days. Uncooked they are carcinogenic, if you ever need to give anyone cancer, dried and powdered and slipped into food would be the best way. May or may not be fatal, it’s a bit of a gamble, but serious illness and crippling medical debt are heavy burdens to lay on a victim if they are deserving. It’s a judgment call on a witch’s part.

And now for something infinitely more interesting, molting.