Pumpkin

• Latin name: Cucurbita pepo
• Folk or Common names: Melon Pumpkin, Pompion, English Melons, Millions.
• Parts Used: seeds, fruit.
• Herbal usage: A treatment made from Pumpkin is a good vermicide, which have long been a popular worm remedy for tapeworm. An infusion of the seeds, prepared by pouring a pint of boiling water on 1 OZ. of seeds, has been used in treating urinary complaints. The ‘meat’ of the Pumpkin can be used cut up in soups and also makes excellent pies, either alone or mixed with other fruit, and their pulp is also utilized as a basis by jam manufacturers, as it takes the flavor of any fruit juice mixed with it, and adds bulk without imparting any flavor of its own.
• Magical History & Associations: The Pumpkin is sacred to the Moon. The Pumpkin is also associated with vampires…. The Islamic gypsies of Bosnia (Kosovo-Metohija region) believe that pumpkins, if kept too long in the house, can become “vampires”. These vampire vegetables might show a b
• Magickal usage: Pumpkins can be used to represent the spirit in magick, plus they can be used in moon magick. Pumpkin seeds can be used for divination. At the time of year that Samhain occurs, Pumpkins are commonly used in many magickal spells and rituals. They can be used to decorate the altar to represent the harvest, the spirit and the moon. When carved, the Pumpkin becomes a Jack’O Lantern which is the modern offspring of an ancient custom of lighting candles in the windows to help guide the spirits of the recently departed along their way.