Aelfen-apothecary.com
Salt
Regular price
$2.00
Cultural Context: Salt has long held an important place in religion and culture. Greek worshippers consecrated salt in their rituals. Greek slave traders often bartered salt for slaves, giving rise to the expression that someone was “not worth his salt.” Roman legionnaires were paid in salt—salarium, the Latin origin of the word “salary.”
The informant explained that salt is seen as a powerful and respected commodity. If there is someone in your home who has overstayed their welcome, if you throw salt behind their back it will make them leave. People also sprinkle salt in a new home to ward off unwanted spirits or bad omens. The informant doesn’t use this tradition regularly but sprinkled salt when he bought his first home with his wife.
The informant explained that salt is seen as a powerful and respected commodity. If there is someone in your home who has overstayed their welcome, if you throw salt behind their back it will make them leave. People also sprinkle salt in a new home to ward off unwanted spirits or bad omens. The informant doesn’t use this tradition regularly but sprinkled salt when he bought his first home with his wife.