I thought it would be fun posting information about different herbs in one spot as a kind of Herbal Grimoire.
I'm starting off with Sage! Feel free to add any info, especially about cooking or baking with the herbs!
http://www.angelfire.com/ns/LadyNimoway/sage.html
Aromatherapy Uses = Avoid if epileptic, produces vivid dreams, eases migraines, balances female hormones, eases menstrual discomfort/PMS/menopause, retards excessive perspiration.
Flower Meaning & Use = Artistic ability.
Herb Meanings & Uses = Health, beauty, protection, wisdom, wishes, longevity, increase lust, purification, hunting, menopause, fortune, long life, removes negative energies.
Ailment Uses = Blood clots, blood impurities, dandruff, dehydration, eczema, insect bites, poison ivy/oak rash, sore throats.
Cleansing = Burn sage, using the smoke to remove negative energies.
Yule(Oil/Incense) = Use this in celebrating the birth of the sun/any work where light overcoming dark is an issue-Chamomile, ginger, sage, pine needles/bark.
Pluto(Oil/Incense) = Use this for overcoming difficulties of a personal nature- Cinnamon and sage.
Samhain(Oil/Incense) = Use this for tapping into the spirit world-Nutmeg, bay leaves and sage.
Autumn Equinox(Oil/Incense) = Use in celebrating Thanks Giving-Hibiscus, rose petals and sage.
Happy House Charm = Make a small pillow, stuff it with; Sage and sandalwood (for blessing & protection), Lavender(for domestic tranquility), Rose petals (for to honor love), Vervain(for bright witchery) and a couple drops cinnamon oil.
* Sage (White) *
http://www.moonsmuses.com/magicgarden.html
Burn to purify a ritual area or magical tools. Used as a main ingredient in"Smudgesticks"and "herb bundles". Put in with "Tarot" cards or "Runes" to protect and keep clean. Sage is used for fertility, longevity, wishes, wisdom, protection, money attraction, purification, healing, and health magick. Sage that is being gathered for magickal use should not be cut with a metal knife known as a Boline. It is said that if you eat Sage you will become more wise and also immortal. Sage is often an herb used at handfastings since it will help bring about a long life and domestic virtue for the happy couple. Sage can be added to almost any healing spell. A good healing amulet may be made by putting a clove of Garlic, a bit of Eucalyptus and Cinnamon, two pinches of Sage and one pinch of Saffron into a small blue bag. This bag can then be worn or carried to promote healing. Sage can be used for attracting money and for wish manifestations.
http://www.ecauldron.com/herblesson.php
Sage helps to promote wisdom. It can also be used for wishes and protection. Carrying sage is said to bring you wisdom. Some traditions say it is bad luck to plant sage in your own garden; instead, you should have someone else do it for you. If you take a sage leaf and write your fondest wish upon it, then place it under your pillow for three nights, it is said you'll dream of what you wish, and your dream will come true. I use sage in incense to help with learning.
http://wiccaweb.com/herbs.php
Used for self purification and dealing with grief and loss. Carried to improve mental ability and bring wisdom. Used in healing sachets & incense. Promotes spiritual, mental, emotional & physical health and longevity. Removes negative energy. Place near a personal object of a person who is ailing when performing healing spells or rituals. Write a wish on a sage leaf and place it under your pillow for 3 nights -- if you dream of your wish, it will come true; if not, bury the leaf in the ground so that no bad will come to you.
Mugwort
Scientific and medicinal info
Mugwort is a shrubby perennial that can grow up to 6 feet high and it loves direct sun. Its leaves are dark green on top and whitish underneath. Though it is closely related to tarragon, they are NOT the same plant. Mugwort is also related to wormwood (which will be covered in a future lesson). Mugwort is somewhat toxic and should not be taken internally until you have done further research on the effects it can have on your body, especially pregnant women. When it is used medicinally, mugwort isused to ease menstrual problems in women, and as a liver stimulant.
Also Known As....
Other names
Latin: Artemisia vulgaris
Common Names: Artemis, witch herb, felon herb, old man, old uncle Henry
Magickal Properties
Using mugwort in rituals
Mugwort is best known for its effect on psychic ability, astral travel and divination. It can used as an incense (on charcoal) and burned while you are scrying or meditating. Crystals or other divination tools could be stored with dried mugwort to enhance their power.It's often used (alone or with other herbs) when stuffing herbal dream pillows. These herbal pillows are tucked under your pillow while you sleep to encourage psychic or prophetic dreams.
Mugwort is also considered good for protection during travel, and the ancient Romans used to put sprigs of mugwort in their shoes to prevent exhaustion on long journeys. Its also used for protection, and bundles of it are sometimes hung over doors to keep out unwanted spirits.
For most magickal purposes, the leaves and stems of mugwort are used.
More Correspondences:
Other properties
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Associated Deities: Diana, Artemis
Basil is also used for winter blues banishment in a meditation or spell. Using a yellow and a blue candle, carve the word "light" into the yellow candle and the word "peace" into the blue candle. Light the yellow candle and visualize the first rays of sunlight warming your face. Light the blue candle and breathe deeply of peace and tranquillity. Say the word serenity three times.
In a sidebar, the practical steps for growing this herb are given: full sun and regular watering; sow seed in early Spring, planting successively two weeks apart; pinch out the flower spikes to keep from setting seed.
Basil
Mars Fire Masculine
Use in love and prosperity spells. Carry to attract wealth. Sprinkle basil over your sleeping lover to assure fidelity. Use it in a ritual bath to bring new love in, or to free yourself of an old love. Also used for purification baths. Sprinkle on the floor for protection, and burn as an exorcism incense.
Basil
It protects your lover from fear, no matter how perilous the dangers. Many people grow this herb to provide protection for loved ones in the home. The scent of sweet basil invokes the elemental creatures of fire called salamanders and also mighty dragon energies. These powers are called upon for courage, strength, and fortitude.
To make the basil water, simply steep a pinch of sweet basil in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Draw a sacred circle, sprinkling the basil water around it’s edges in a clockwise motion. Then call in your dream guardians. Light the candle and incense. Next sprinkle the basil water around your bedroom, on your bedcovers and sheets, under your bed, in your hair, and everywhere.
BASIL
The warm, spicy taste of this popular herb's leaf combines well with garlic, tomatoes, eggplant, and Italian dishes; Basil flavors vinegar, pesto sauce, and oil. The essential oil flavors condiments and liqueurs, and scents soaps and perfumes. Inhaling the essential oil refreshes the mind and stimulates a sense of smell dulled by viral infection. The infusion relieves gas and stomach pains. Reputedly abortive, it can help expel the placenta. A warming herb, it is used for colds and flu, constipation, vomiting, headaches, and menstrual cramps. Steep two teaspoons per cup of water for twenty minutes; take up to one and a half cups per day.
Parts Used: Leaf and stem
Magical Uses: Burn basil to exorcise negativity from the home. To do a really thorough cleansing and protection of yourself and your home, also sprinkle a little basil in each corner of each room in the house and add to your bathwater. Basil is used to mend lovers' quarrels and brings good luck to a new home. The scent of basil causes sympathy between two people and so is worn to avoid major clashes. Basil Use it in rites of exorcism and in the ritual bath. Sprinkle to powder over the area of your heart to promote fidelity. The scent brings happiness to the home and will protect you in crowds.
Aromatherapy Uses: Bronchitis; Fatigue; Colds; Loss of Concentration; Migraine; Gout; Aches and Pains; Insect bites; Insect Repellent; Coughs; Migraine; Insomnia; Anxiety; Depression; Infectious Disease. Key
Qualities: Restorative; Tonic; Antidepressant; Refreshing; Uplifting; Fortifying; Purifying; Clearing; Warming; Cephalic; Stupefying in excess.
Basil in Magic & Superstition
Basil is bound to Jupiter and Fire. It is an herb thought to offer protection, purification, love, wealth and prosperity.
The Italians have believed for years that Basil is the herb of love. It is said that if a woman puts a pot of basil outside her room, she is ready to receive her suitor. Burn crushed, dried basil while you announce your desire.
It is said that if you want to prosper in business, place basil near the doorway to the business or in the cash register, and the business will come to you.
For protection and purification of home and family, place Basil in all four corners of the house, and replace every month or so.
Basil (Ocymum basilium)
Magickally: Basil is a good oil for protection, sympathy, wealth, prosperity, and love. Basil can be worn to attract money. Basil is widely associated with rituals of initiation, and the sabbat frequently associated with Basil is Candlemas. It is an herb of purification and courage, for it helps one move forward in a positive manner no matter how perilous the dangers. Basil is known for protecting a seeker from fears one encounters when moving along a spiritual path. It's old association with the basilisk explains Sweet Basil's contemporary correspondences with salamanders (elemental creatures of fire) and dragons. (The basilisk was a mythological reptile).
Other Uses: One of Basil's medicinal properties is it can be used to draw out poison from insect bites. Basil is anti-bacterial and fungicide action, and Basil oil can be used on itching skin. It's also used for ringworm and internal parasites. Can be used to relieve stress conditions and joint pain.
Basil Cooking Oil
Make Basil Oil: Separate basil leaves from stems. Blanch the leaves in boiling water until they wilt, then drain and plunge into ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and squeeze dry. In a blender, blend leaves and olive oil on high. Let stand for 2 hours, then press mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. The basil oil will keep for a week in the refrigerator.
Chamomile
Scientific and medicinal info
There are two different kinds of chamomile (their common names are Roman chamomile and German chamomile). They are different species but are considered to be alike in their magickal properties. The chamomile plant has fine feathery leaves, and small white flowers with yellow centers (much like tiny daisies). The dried flowers smell strongly of apple. When brewed in tea, chamomile is known to calm and relax the nerves and settle upset stomachs. Chamomile (both species) are closely related to ragweed and anyone with a strong allergy to ragweed should avoid chamomile.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Anthemis noblis or Chamaemelum noblis (Roman), Matricaria recutita (German)
Common Names: Ground apple, white star, whig plant, scented mayweed
Magickal Properties
Using chamomile in rituals
The principle use for chamomile is in rituals or teas for relaxation, peace or healing. It can also be used in love or abundance magick. Keep in mind that if you burn chamomile as an incense, it won't have that characteristic apple smell when burning. A few chamomile flowers in your wallet can help attract money. A handful of flowers in your bath water will create a peaceful bath that could be used for pre-ritual cleansing or anytime. If you don't like herbs floating around in the water, use a cloth pouch or a tea ball.
An herbal dream pilllow filled with chamomile can help induce a more restful night's sleep and alleviate nightmares.
The chamomile flowers are typically for both medicinal and magickal purposes.
More Correspondences:
Other properties
Planet: Sun
Element: Water
Associated Deities: Apollo, Ra
Patchouli
Scientific and medicinal info
Patchouli is very aromatic both fresh and dried. It grows about 3 feet tall and is a tropical perennial. The flowers bloom in a spiked formation, and are white or light purple.Though a common herb amongst Pagans, patchouli is not often used in the medicinal arena. The essential oil can be used on the skin as an insect repellent.
Also Known As .....
Other names
Latin: Pogostemon cablin
Common Names: Pucha pot
Magickal Properties
Using patchouli in rituals
Patchouli has a deep and dusky smell that clearly marks it as an herb of the Earth. It's a perfect herb for any rituals that involve sensual love, lust or passion. Patchouli can also be used for spell-breaking, fertility, money or protection as wellThough patchouli works well in sachets or pouches, you may not want to create a spell where you need to carry it with you. The smell will be quite noticeable. But if you like the smell, a bit of the essential oil on the skin can help you attract a mate.
Money spells that use patchouli and green candles are very powerful. I've had success with such spells myself.
Patchouli is sometimes considered a substitute for 'graveyard dirt' because of it's heavy earthy smell. Graveyard dirt is an ingredient in some Voodoo or Santerian magick.
Chopped pieces of stems and the leaves are used in magick.
More Correspondences:
Other properties
Planet: Pluto, Saturn
Element: Earth
Associated Deities: Gaia, Pan
Carnation
Scientific and medicinal info
Carnation flowers are as popular as roses in cut bouquets, but they can last for weeks once cut. Carnations grow in low shrubs, and are native to the Mediterranean area. These plants are quite hardy and have a clove-like aroma when fresh and growing. Colours range from white to many shades of pink, red and yellow.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Dianthus carophyllus Common Names: Gilliflower, Jove's flower, sops-in-wine, pinks, pagiants
Magickal Properties
Using carnation in rituals
Carnation is not as common an herb for spellcraft as the others we've looked at so far. At least not on it's own. Carnation is frequently used in herbal or oil blends. Carnation is usually used in oil form for healing, strength and blessings. The oil can be used for general candle annointing as well.Traditionally, red carnation blossoms represent unrequited love, pink blossoms mean deep love and white carnations stand for purity and chastity.
Carnations are also representative of motherhood, and legend has it that pink carnations bloomed where Mary's tears landed when Jesus was cruxified.
Orris Root
Scientific and medicinal info
Orris root is actually the root (or rhizome, to be more precise) from the Florentine iris. The root is lightly scented, a little like violet. Ancient Romans used orris root as the base for many perfumes and decorative scents. The flowers of the iris are usually white or pale mauve. There isn't really any medicinal usage for orris root. Ideal growing conditions for the Florentine iris would be dry soil and plenty of sun.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Iris germanica var. florentina
Common Names: Florentine iris, Queen Elizabeth root
Magickal Properties
Using orris root in rituals
Orris root is typically used for one thing and one thing only: love magick. A simple orris root charm would be to just carry a piece of root with you to attract new love. Orris root powder is often sprinkled onto the bed sheets for the same purpose.A large piece of the root strung onto a cord can be used as a pendulum, for divination into love-related matters.
As the name suggests, it's the root of the iris plant that is used in magick.
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Venus, the Moon
Element: Water
Associated Deities: The root is associated with Aphrodite, but the Iris flower was sacred to Juno
Hello, I just bought myself one of these plants and it is wonderful smelling. I love it!!! I hadn't heard of it before , and I was reading the book Practical Magic and they had it in their garden. I can't wait to use it in something. Dawn
History
Lemon Verbena was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 17th century from Argentina and Chile. There it was grown for its fabulous lemony oil that was used in perfume and beverages until cheaper Lemon Grass oil replaced it. Aloysia triphylla is named after Maria Louisa the princess of Parma and wife of King Carlos IV King of Spain and that it has whorls of three (tri) leaves (phylla).
Culture
Lemon Verbena is a rapidly growing elegant shrub that can reach 15 feet with tropical conditions. More likely it will reach 4 to 5 feet. Cutting the main stems will force side branching and produce a shrubby form faster.
This spindly main stem was topped, which forced the side branches to grow.
The resulting plant is a healthy, more balanced shrub.
Lemon Verbena likes warm moist conditions with plenty of sunlight. In frost free areas, it is an evergreen perennial. When exposed to frost, it becomes deciduous. Mature plants well mulched in the field can survive brief temperatures as low as 6 degrees, at which point it becomes herbaceous (dies back to the ground). Cold area planting should be done at the earliest possible time in spring so it can become well established deep in the soil and develop the largest caliper trunk possible. After a mature plant has gone through a cold winter, trim off all the dead branches. They are an ugly nuisance when tangled up with the new growth. You can tell if a branch is alive by scratching some bark off with your fingernail. If it is green beneath, it is alive; if not, cut it off.
Flowers
They are small, white, single and inconspicuous. Their airy feel is an elegant crowning point for the open form of the plant. The fragrant flowers are also used in tea and culinary concoctions.
Cooking
Use anywhere you want to add a lemony taste. Lemon Verbena makes tasty tea both by itself and in combination with other herbs.
It can be steeped in milk and added to puddings, ice creams, sorbets (like the Lemon Tarragon Sorbet below) or any baked goodies calling for milk.
Lavender
Scientific and medicinal info
Lavender flowers grow in purple spikes atop tall stems, and are common in household gardens. Sandy or even rocky soil will support lavender well. A lavender infusion can be used to relieve the itch of insect bites or to help heal small cuts and bruises. The small flowers have a subtle flavour to them and are sometimes used in baking, teas or other cooking as seasoning.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Lavendula officinalis
Common Names: Elf leaf, nardus
Magickal Properties
Using lavender in rituals
While chamomile is ingested to utilize its calming properties, lavender is simply inhaled. The strong scent of lavender is recognized by aromatherapists and Pagans alike to calm the nerves and help encourage restful sleep. Lavender blends well with chamomile in herbal dream pillows.The ancient Romans used lavender often in baths and perfumes, mainly for the wonderful scent rather than the magickal attributes.
The flowers are used in magick, for love, peace, friendship and sometimes protection. Showing its Mercurial side, lavender is also good for encouraging mental abilities, concentration and communication. I find it helps to focus my mind before mediation.
Carrying a small charm bag with lavender is a good way to use its energy, but as with other potent herbs, the smell may be too obvious.
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Associated Deities: Hecate
oops, forgot this in my first post on l.v.
Magical properties of:
Lemon Verbena: Purification, Love. Burn to purify an area or add to purification baths. Often added to other mixtures to increase thier strength and potency. To become attractive to the opposite gender carry the herb or use in love incenses and mixtures.
Eugenia caryophyllata
MEDICINAL: Clove oil will stop a toothache when it is applied directly to the cavity. It is very warm and stimulating to the system, and is very useful with people who have cold extremities. Cloves will promote sweating with fevers, colds, and flu. It is often used in remedies for whooping cough. Cloves are also safe and effective for relieving vomiting during pregnancy.
RELIGIOUS: Cloves worn in an amulet will drive away negativity and hostility, and stop gossip. It is often carried to stimulate the memory, and can be added to attraction sachets. Clove oil is also worn as an aphrodisiac, and the buds when eaten are said to stir up bodily lusts. It is placed in sachets with mint and rose to chase away melancholy and to help one sleep soundly. Carried, it can also bring comfort to the bereaved and mourning.
Latin Name: Syzygium aromaticum
Plant Family: Myrtaceae, myrtle plant family
Homeland: Native to some of the Molucca or Spice Islands (today the islands are part of Indonesia)
Lands of Cultivation: Malaysia, Zanzibar, Tansania, Madagascar, West Indies
Plant Information:
Cloves are the unopened flower buds of a small evergreen tree, they form in clusters at the ends of the branches. Clove trees take 20 years to reach full bearing and bear fruit for about 50 years. They thrive in a tropical maritime environment. The buds are nipped off when they have turned from green to yellow to light pink. This color change does not happen all at once in the same flower cluster, so every tree must be harvested at least four times a season.
Medicinal Folklore:
The name for this spice comes from the Latin clavus, meaning "a nail". The earliest references to cloves are from Chinese literature in the 3rd century B.C. The writers were Chinese healers promoting cloves as an aphrodisiac. When addressing the Emperor, courtiers and officers of the state were required to have a few cloves in their mouths to keep their breath sweet.
India's Sanskrit literature praised cloves calling them katukaphalah, "the strong-scented". It was said that clove trees were so hot that nothing could grow under them.
The quest for this spice has provoked incredible bloodshed and crime against both plants and people. For ages, the exact location of where cloves grew was a secret. As Portuguese sailors like Vasco da Gama moved ever farther east, so did the mysterious spice's homeland. The secret leaked in 1511 when Francisco Serrao reached the Moluccas and settled on the clove island of Ternate. He told his relative, Ferdinand Magellan, the clove's location and ships brought the first description of a clove tree around the world. The Portuguese, English and the Dutch exploited the Spice Islands, creating monopolies and sending off ships bulging with spices. Clove was such a valuable spice that the complete domination of production and shipment began.
The Dutch allowed clove to grow only on a couple of small, easily guarded islands. They laid all the other islands to waste by chopping down every single clove tree and burning it. On isle after isle, the East India Company also destroyed the native people because it was easier for them to maintain their monopolies on uninhabited islands. At least 60,000 natives are estimated to have died for the sake of this spice trade. Despite their efforts, the Dutch colonists never quite managed to "pacify" the native peoples. In the mountainous interior of these islands, survivors successfully defended themselves, grew cloves and found ways to smuggle them out.
Traditional herbal books claimed that a man could regain potency by drinking sweet milk garnished with crushed cloves. In the sixteenth century, one of Germany's most respected doctors advised anyone with cold feet to strew clove powder on his head, because it would warm him right down to the toes. Alexander of Tralles, a famous physician, maintained that clove could stimulate the appetite, prevent seasickness and cure gout. People have long believed that cloves work magic against evil. Not long ago in the East Indies, natives still wore cloves stuck into their nostrils and lips, so that demons would not enter the body there.
Scientific and medicinal info
Yarrow is often considered a weed, and can be found growing along roadsides and in empty fields. The leaves are fine and almost feathery, and the white flowers grow in umbrella-shaped clusters. The dry flowers were once used to heal wounds and to staunch blood flow. When brewed as a tea, yarrow can help reduce the symptoms of cold and flu. The leaves and flowers have a bitter and pungent flavour.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Achillea millefolium
Common Names: Hundred leaf grass, milfoil, seven year love, woundwort, thousandseal, old man's pepper, devil's nettle
Magickal Properties
Using yarrow in rituals
Yarrow flowers are used in rituals involving love, courage or healing. Hanging a bundle of dried yarrow flowers over the honeymoon bed is a traditional charm to ensure a long and loving marriage.If you are trying to re-establish contact with long-lost friends or relatives, encorporate yarrow into your spells to draw their attention to you. Carrying yarrow flowers with you will help give you courage and dispel fear. A small charm bag with yarrow might be handy before giving a speech, or going to a job interview.In myth, yarrow was the plant that Achilles used to heal the wounds of his soldiers. The latin name (Achillea) for yarrow comes from this story.
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Venus
Element: Water, Air
Associated Deities: Venus
Broom
Scientific and medicinal info
Broom is a small shrubby plant, with small round leaves and aromatic yellow flowers. The bright flowers are great for attracting bees to your garden. It's sometimes considered a weed plant in fields with sandy soil. When the plant is dried, the long and thin branches stay tough which is why it was used in broom-making (hence the name). Broom is toxic and should not be used in teas, or any other form that requires ingesting the plant.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Cytisus scoparius
Common names: Genestia, Irish broom, scotch broom, bream, broom tops
Magickal Properties
Using broom in rituals
Broom is best known for its use in weather magick, specifically spells involving the wind. Burning broom can ease strong winds.You can also use broom for protection, and could hang bundles of dried broom to keep out negative energy. Broom flowers are also sometimes used when casting your circle. Just sprinkle them on the ground as you cast.
How about using broom as they did in the 'old days'? Make yourself an altar broom (or besom) using bundles of the dried branches. Click on the link below for a page on making altar tools, including besoms.
A bit of historical folklore: The bright flowers of the broom plant caught the eye of many medieval English figures, including Geoffrey of Anjou and King Henry II. They used images of the plant in their heraldic ensignia. In fact, King Henry took the name 'Plantagenet' for the name of the broom plant at the time (Planta genista)
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Mars
Element: Air
Associated Deities: Mars
I picked up some fresh mint the other day and realized I had no idea what to do with it! I put it in a drink of mine but wondered if there was something else I could do with it? Also, what can I do to do some magick with it? This is what I found:
Mint
Folk name: garden mint
Gender: masculine
Planet: mercury
Element: air
Deities: Pluto, Hecate
Powers: lust, money, healing, travel, exorcism, protection
Magical uses: Mint has long been used in healing potions and mixures, and the fresh leaves rubbed against the head are said to relieve headaches. Mint worn at the writst keeps away illness. Stomach problems, indigestion, and heart burn can be relieved by drinking a mint tea, or eating a bit of the leaf.
Mint is used in travel spells, and to invoke lust. Fresh mint can be laid on the altar to call good spirits to be present and aid in magical workings. Mint is also kept in the home for protection.
Properties of Mint:
There are a number of mint varieties, such as: peppermint, spearmint, lemon mint, apple mint and even chocolate mint and they have unique magickal properties. I think the two most common ones are spearmint and peppermint. Because they are so similar, much of the information available is mixed between the two and can be difficult to get a solid idea of which correspondences go with which variety.
Magickally, mint is used for healing and protection. Travel spells often include mint as well. Its association with Venus makes mint a traditional aphrodesiac, and I have always had success using mint in prosperity magick.
The name Mentha comes from the Greek nymph of the same name. Mentha was pursued by the God of the Underworld, Pluto. But his wife, Persephone was jealous of her. She turned Mentha into a plant so that she could stomp on her. Pluto could not undo the magick, but instead gave Mentha a lovely scent.
Protection! Good, I will use it for that. I have been having nightmares lately, I will use it to protect me from horrible dreams.
Dill
Latin: Anethum graveolens
Common names: Dill weed, garden dillBesides its obvious use in the kitchen (what would pickles be without dill!), dill has a number of magickal uses as well. Both the herbal parts and the seeds can be used. It's best known for its protective power, but is also used in spells for love (and lust) as well as money and prosperity.
During the Middle Ages, dill was a common ingredient for charms to protect against witches and witchcraft. The most common way to use dill for protection is to hang dried bundles of the herbs around your house.
Crowns of dill were used by Roman emperors to ensure they had a long and prosperous reign.
In very old books of magickal writings, any spells written with ingredients like Hamadryas baboon tears or baboon hair was actually referring to dill seed.
Scientific and medicinal info
Copal is actually a resin, not an herb. Resins are solidified pieces of plant sap, and they are very fragrant when burned. Copal comes from various species of the Bursera tree, in Mexico and South America. There are 3 varities of copal: white, gold and black. Each has its own subtle differences in scent.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Bursera species
Common names: copal
Magickal Properties
Using copal in rituals
Copal (like most resins) are burned or smoldered as incense during ritual. But it needs to be burned on charcoal blocks because it's not flammable on it's own. Don't overdo it! Resins can produce a lot of smoke, so only burn a small amount at a time.Use copal in rituals for spirituality, purification or cleansing. You can utilize the cleansing energy of copal by keeping a few pieces of resin in with your crystals to ward off negative energy.A tincture made with copal has a wonderful aroma, but can leave a sticky residue on surfaces. You can use it for various consecration and annointing purposes.Copal was particularly sacred to the Mayan and Aztec peoples, and was often burned during their ceremonies.If you are unable to find copal, frankincense would make a fine substitution.
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Here's an image of copal, I think I have some:
Fascinating, I like that part about keeping the copal with your other crystals to ward off negative energy.
I need all the help with prosperity I can get. I also sprinkled peppermint leaves in baking soda on my rug and tried to vaccum them up unsuccessfully! Next time, they will be chopped up more finely and totally dried, now I have a big mess. Smells great though, LOL.
Aloe Vera
I have done a lot of research on a lot of herbs for this web site, but when I started looking at the Aloe Vera plant, I was truly amazed. Aloe is one of the true heavyweights in medicinal herbs, and there is a surprising amount of good research regarding its benefits, which is not the case with many of the other herbs. If you don't have an aloe plant sitting on your kitchen windowsill, make it a point to pick one up next time you are out and about, because this is one truly amazing plant!
Aloe has a nauseating bitter taste, rendering it unusable in cooking, but this very property is what protects it in the wild, as animals will move on to tastier treats. It is an easy plant to grow and requires little care, other than protecting it from frost. It resembles a cactus with its spiny, thick leaves, but it is really a member of the lily and onion families.
Aloe requires temperatures above 40 degrees to grow properly, and due to this, most aloe plants are grown in containers that can be moved indoors when the cool weather approaches. It will tolerate poor soil and little water, and the growing conditions very much resemble those used for growing cactus, i.e. good drainage and as much sun as possible. In spring and summer, allow the soil to become moderately dry before watering, but in winter, let the soil dry completely before adding water. An aloe plant will survive in the same pot for many years, and it appears that aloes prefer somewhat crowded roots, so don't think you are doing this plant a favor by potting it up in a big, roomy container. If you must repot this plant, do it in the late winter or spring.
Aloe can be propagated by seed or by removing the offshoots that grow at the base of the plant. The best way to remove these offshoots is to take the entire plant out of the pot, then separate the offshoots from the parent plant (they should have some roots of their own), returning the parent plant to its original container. Harvest the older outer leaves first and use to soothe skin problems. Please see Medicinal Uses below for further details.
Medicinal Uses of Aloe Vera
Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food - Hippocrates
Aloe has been well known for centuries for its healing properties, and both oral intake and topical dressings have been documented to facilitate healing of any kind of skin wound, burn, or scald - even speeding recovery time after surgery. Situations to try it on include blisters, insect bites, rashes, sores, herpes, urticaria, athlete's foot, fungus, vaginal infections, conjunctivitis, sties, allergic reactions, and dry skin. The raw plant is best, but commercial preparations can also be used, especially for taking orally, as this plant tastes horrible. Other topical uses include acne, sunburn, frostbite (it appears to prevent decreased blood flow), shingles, screening out x-ray radiation, psoriasis, preventing scarring, rosacea, warts, wrinkles from aging, and eczema.
Internally, aloe is showing real promise in the fight against AIDS, and the virus has become undetectable in some patients who used it on a regular basis, due to its immune system stimulant properties. It also seems to help prevent opportunistic infections in cases of HIV and AIDS. It appears to be of help in cancer patients (including lung cancer) by activating the white blood cells and promoting growth of non-cancerous cells. The National Cancer Institute has included Aloe Vera in their recommendations for increased testing because of these apparent cancer fighting properties. Taken orally, aloe also appears to work on heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain and asthma, and studies have shown that it has an effect on lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics. Other situations in which it appears to work when taken internally include congestion, intestinal worms, indigestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, liver problems such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, kidney infections, urinary tract infections, prostate problems, and as a general detoxifier. Lastly, many people who take aloe internally report just feeling better overall, which is in and of itself something of a testament to its remarkable properties.
Commercially, aloe can be found in pills, sprays, ointments, lotions, liquids, drinks, jellies, and creams, to name a few of the thousands of products available. Unfortunately, the aloe industry is virtually unregulated, and some products that advertise aloe content actually have little to none. Therefore, if you are embarking on a regimen with aloe, you should become an avid reader of ingredients. Look for the word aloe to appear near the top of the ingredient list first and foremost, then follow the guidelines below:
Sunburn treatments - 20% or more aloe content
Creams & Ointments - 20% or more aloe content
Juices - 95% or more aloe content
Beverages - 50% or more aloe content
Drinks - 10% or more aloe content
Capsules - 5-10% or more aloe content
As far as dosages are concerned, start small and work your way up to a therapeutic dose. Juices are a good way to start, and pills are probably the worst way to go with aloe. Aloe pulp is 95% water, and if you consider the process of drying this, then sticking it back together into a pill form, you can see why pills are probably not the best way to go. Also, give your regimen time to work. Sometimes it takes a couple of months for you to see the real effects of aloe treatments, so don't give up too soon.
Aloe is safe when used in moderation, but there are a few contraindications. If you have a heart problem and use any kind of digitalis medication, consult your doctor before using any aloe product internally, as the interaction may cause irregular heartbeat. Avoid aloe preparations if you are pregnant, breast feeding, or menstruating, as it can cause uterine contractions.
Aloe in Magic & Superstition
Aloe is bound to the Moon and water. In Africa, leaves have traditionally been hung in doorways to attract luck and protect from evil influences. A charged Aloe Vera plant growing in the kitchen is thought to protect against accidents involving fire, burns or heat, particularly in the area of the kitchen. A potted aloe plant growing in the workplace is believed to bring good luck.
Cleopatra is said to have used fresh aloe gel every day to preserve her beauty, and Napoleon's wife, Josephine is reputed to have used a mixture of aloe and milk for her skin. The effects of aloe on the skin for cuts and burns have been known for centuries. No surprise, then, that aloe has been linked magically with beauty and healing. Snap a leaf and slice it open to use for either purpose, or mix with olive oil, milk, or vitamin E.
Vervain
Scientific and medicinal info
Vervain is a perennial plant, with small mauve flowers that bear no scent. The flowers bloom in a spike at the top of the stems. Vervain is sometimes used as a tea to promote sleep and stimulate the liver. This herb should not be taken internally during pregnancy, as it will stimulate the uterus.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Verbena officinalis
Common names: Herb of grace, Juno's tears, pigeon grass
Magickal Properties
Using vervain in rituals
Vervain has many mystical properties, and is often used in blends for divination, dream magick and prophesy. I always thought it was a good compliment to use with mugwort. It can also be used to promote creativity and help get your muse working again.In Egyptian mythology, when Isis wept over her dead husband Osiris, vervain sprung up where her tears fell. Vervain has been a sacred herb to the ancient Celts and Romans, and was often used on altars. It was believed that vervain would protect against headaches and snake bites.The flowers and leaves are used in magick and rituals.
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Mars, Venus
Element: Earth
Associated Deities: Diana, Isis, Cerridwen
Hemlock
(Conium maculatum) Poison
Folk Names: Beaver Poison, Herb Bennet, Keckies, Kex, Musquash Root, Poison Hemlock, Poison Parsley, SpottedCorobane, Spotted Hemlock, Water Parsley
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: Water
Deities: Hecate
Magical Uses: Another poisonous plant, hemlock was once used in magic to induce astral projection, and in spells to destroy sexual drives. Its juice was rubbed onto magical knives and swords to empower and purify them before use.
