Post by wren on Oct 4, 2006 17:20:57 GMT -5
Acacia (Acacia senegal) is produced by a tree that grows in northern Africa. The species of acacia which produce gum arabic and gum acacia are so closely related that one product is often substituted for the other.
Parts used: Twigs, wood
Folk names: Cape gum, Egyptian thorn, gum arabic tree, kikwata, mkwatia, mgunga, mokala
Gender: Masculine or hot
Planet: Sun
Element: Air
Deities: Osiris, Astarte, Ishtar, Diana, Ra
Powers: Protection, psychic powers, purification, clairvoyance
Ritual uses: The wood is used as fuel in sacred fires in India and is also used in building temples
Magic and healing: This herb possesses high spiritual vibrations, the oil is worn to aid meditation and to develop psychic powers, some also use it to anoint their altars, censers and candles. Add to incense for good vibrations or smoulder alone on charcoal. Purifies area of negativity and evil. A sprig of the tree placed over the bed wards off evil, as it does when tucked into the turban in Eastern countries. When the wood is burned with sandalwood, the psychic powers are stimulated. Use this combination during meditation to seek illumination and to develop psychic powers. Acacia is also used in money and love spells, although in the latter case the outcome would be a platonic love. Carry the wood as a protective amulet.
Aconite (Aconitum Napellus) Poisonous!
Folk names: Wolf’s Bane, wolfbane
Perennial herb, with a smooth, round, leafy stem. Violet-blue flowers in late summer or early fall. Grows to 2-4 ft in France, Switzerland, and Germany, Europe and North America. Easily grown from seed sown in early April. Propagate from root division. Prune after heads killed by frost.
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities: Cerberus, Hecate, Medea
Powers:
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Witches, during the Middle Ages, mixed with aconite with belladonna in ointments that they rubbed on their bodies as flying ointments. The poison derived from aconite was used in euthanasia on the island of Ceos, for old men too old and ill to hunt. Arrow tips were rubbed with aconite when hunting wolves. Soldiers of old dropped aconite in the water sources of their enemies. Used in salves due to painkilling abilities on neuralgia, lumbago, and rheumatism. Homeopaths use aconite (very diluted amounts) for mental and physical restlessness, fear and shock, a great fear of death, sudden acute and violent fevers, conditions brought on by dry and cold weather; and influenza. Aconite root carried brings protection from werewolves and vampires. Death and the dead are honored by burning aconite as funeral incense and by planting it on a loved one’s grave.
Acorns
Folk names:
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities: Bridget, Taranis
Powers:
Ritual uses: Acorns are symbols of immortality.
Magic and healing: An acorn in your pocket will bring fertility to your creative acts and for good luck. Wear them, carry them, use them to decorate an altar; acorns are particularly sacred to Samhain. Can also be carried to ward off pain. They are planted in the dark of the moon to bring financial prosperity. To divine whether you will marry your lover, drop two acorns into a pan of water. If they come together, a match is certain.. Dried and ground, they can be added to bread dough (some must be leached in water first). Always plant an acorn nearby before cutting down an oak tree, so the tree’s spirit has a new home.
Adam and Eve Roots (Orchis spp.) POISONOUS
Folk names:
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Love, Happiness
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Carry the two roots in a small bag at all times to attract a love. If you wish to be free from amatory competitors, also carry the two roots sewn into a small bag. Given to a couple they ensure continued happiness.
Adder’s Tongue (Erythronium americanum)
Folk names: American Adder’s Tongue, Serpent’s tongue, Adder’s mouth, yellow snowdrop, dog’s tooth violet
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Healing
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Soak some adder’s tongue in cold water and apply it to a wound or bruise (wrap in a piece of cloth) until the herb grows warm. Next, bury the wet herb in a muddy place. The wound will be cured.
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Folk names:
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Spirituality, Protection
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: the purple flowers and plants are grown in the home to promote spirituality within it. The plants are also slightly protective when grown.
Agaric (amanita muscaria) VIRULENTLY POISONOUS
Folk names: Death angel, death cap, magic mushroom, redcap mushroom, sacred mushroom, fly fungus
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Deities: Dionysus
Powers: Fertility
Ritual uses: There is speculation that at least some of the mystery religions of classical times centered their secret rituals around the use of the amanita.
Magic and healing: Place on altar or in the bedroom to increase fertility.
Agrimony (agrimonia eupatoria) Native to Europe, now common in the US and parts of Asia. Found in woods, sides of fields, waste places, along roadsides and fences. Height to five feet. Easily started from seed and will self-seed once established. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Folk names: church steeples, cocklebur, garclive, philanthropos, sticklewort, stickwort, umakhuthula, ntola
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Deities:
Powers: protection, sleep
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Use in all protection sachets and spells, also to banish negative and spirits. It protects against goblins, evil and poison. Agrimony has long been used to reverse spells sent against the magician; it not only breaks hexes, it also sends them back to the hexer. Placed under the head it will make one sleep as if dead, according to ancient lore, but don’t use for insomnia as the sleeper will not awaken until the herb is removed. At one time, Agrimony was used to detect the presence of witches. Agrimony water is gargled for clearing the throat for singing, sore throats and colds or flu. The tea made from Agrimony is not only pleasant but may offer some health benefits. A poultice of fresh leaves soothes external sores, however the treated area may be sensitive to sunlight. Agrimony also makes an astringent lotion for the skin. Dyes made from Agrimony stems and leaves are yellow, the best color obtained if the plants are harvested late in the fall.
Ague Root (Aletris farinosa) Drug interactions are possible with some oxytocins (pitocin)
Folk names: Ague grass, bitter grass, black-root, crow corn, stargrass, starwort, true unicorn root, unicorn root, aletris, blazing star
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities:
Powers: Protection
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Sprinkle around your home to keep evil at bay or carry in a sachet for the same purpose. Also use in hex-breaking and uncrossing rituals and mixtures.
Alder (Alnus glutinosa) A water loving tree, often found on the banks of streams and rivers, providing shade for plants and fish. Its nitrogen-salt-forming root system also benefits the surrounding soil. In winter – after it has shed its leaves – black cones from the previous season and unopened catkins adorn the tree. Alder is a hardwood employed in the making of shields. Alder is a hard wood that was especially employed in the making of shields.
Folk names:
Gender:
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities: Bran
Ogham: Fearn, chieftain tree, F
Powers:
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing:
Alfalfa (Meidcago saliva)
Folk names: Buffalo herb, lucerne, purple medic, jat, qadb
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Deities:
Powers: Prosperity, Ant-hunger, money
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Keep in the home to protect from poverty and hunger. It is best placed in a small jar in the cupboard or pantry. Also, burn alfalfa and scatter the ashes around the property for this purpose. Alfalfa is also used in money spells.
Alkanet (Alkanet tinctoria, anchusa spp.) Not recommended for internal use
Folk names: Dyer’s Bugloss, Orcanet, Dyer’s alkanet
Gender: Feminine
Planet:
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Purification, Prosperity
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Alkanet is burned as an incense to purify the area of negativity and is also used to attract prosperity in all its forms.
Allspice (Pimenta officinalis or P. dioica)
Folk names: Eddo, madere, basheen, kouroubaga
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Deities:
Powers: Money, luck, healing
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Allspice is burned as an incense to attract money or luck and is also added to such mixtures. Allspice is also used to promote healing.
Almond (Amygdalus communis, Prunus communis, P. dulcis) P. dulcis, bitter almond, is not for internal use as it contains cyanogenic gycosides.
Part used: nut
Folk names: greek nuts
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury, Sun with Jupiter
Element: Air
Deities: Attis, Mercury, Thoth, Hermes, Demophoon
Powers: Money, prosperity, wisdom
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Almonds, as well as the leaves and wood of the tree, are used in prosperity and money spells. Additionally, climbing an almond tree is said to ensure success in business ventures. Eating almonds will cure or combat fevers as well as give the partaker wisdom. Five almonds eaten before drinking prevents intoxication. Magical wands are made of almond wood, for it is the element of air, which is the elemental ruler of the magic wand, in some traditions. Placing almonds in your pocket will lead you to treasures. One ounce of almonds can be soaked overnight in four ounces of water to make a milk substitute. Peeled almonds can relieve heartburn. Ground almonds make a wonderful facial scrub. Almond oil relieves coughs and hoarseness.
Aloe (Aloe vera, A. spp.) Should not be taken internally. Grow above 41*F, easily propagated from suckers or offshoots at base of plant when they are about 1-2” long. Full sun, fertile soil, good drainage.
Folk names: Burn plant, medicine plant, aqal, zabila
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Luck
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: The aloe, a popular house plant, is also protective. It guards against evil influences and prevents household accidents. In Africa, the aloe is hung over houses and doors to drive away evil, as well as to bring good luck. In Mexico, large wreaths of whole garlic bulbs strung on wire are festooned with pictures of saints, packets of magical herbs, lodestones, rock salt, pine nuts as well as clumps of freshly cut aloe. These are hung up in the home for protection, luck, money and so on. Trees and other plants with woody bark benefit from a bit of aloe rubbed on areas where they have been trimmed and pruned. Burns, sores and poison ivy benefit from fresh aloe applied to the wound. The gel also soothes itching and irritated skin from other causes. If used consistently, a less significant scar will appear from the wound. Aloe can also be added to a benzoin tincture for an antiseptic and protective coating on abraded, blistered skin and cold sores.
Aloes, Wood (Cardia dichotoma, Quilaria agallocha) is a tree native to India. The odor of the wood is described as a combination of ambergris and sandalwood. If this wood is unavailable, try substituting it with the same amount of sandalwood sprinkled with a few drops of synthetic ambergris for incense use.
Folk names: Lignum Aloes, Lolu, Mapou
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Love, Spirituality
Ritual uses: incense for protection, consecration, success and prosperity
Magic and healing: Increasingly available today, after a long period of unavailability, wood aloes have been used in magic for many centuries. Anciently, it was used to attract good fortune in Egypt and burned as incense in magical evocatory rites during the Renaissance. It possesses high spiritual vibrations and will bring love if carried or worn. Magical herbalists use wood aloes as a strengthening herb, by adding a small amount to other mixtures to intensify their powers.
Althea (Althea officinalis)
Folk names: marshmallow, mortification root, sweet weed, wymote, heemst, slaz
Gender: Feminine
Planet:
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Psychic Powers
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Althea has long been used in protection rites, and it also is a good psychic power-stimulator. Burn as an incense for this purpose or carry in a sachet. Althea is also known to be a good ‘spirit-puller’ as it brings good spirits in during rituals when placed on the altar. This is a popular voodoo practice.
Alyssum (Alyssum spp.)
Folk names: Alison, Madwort
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Moderating anger
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Dioscorides recommended the alyssum as an amulet, for it has the power to ‘expel charms.’ Hung up in the house it protects against fascination, that magical process known as glamour. Alyssum also has the power to cool down an angry person if placed in the hand or on the body and was once said to cure rabies (hydrophobia).
Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)
Folk names: Flower of Immortality, Huauhtli (Aztec), Love-Lies-Bleeding, Red Cockscomb, Velvet flower, Princess Feather, Floramon
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: fire
Deities: Artemis
Powers: Healing, Protection, Invisibility
Ritual uses: The amaranth was used in pagan burial rituals. It was also once outlawed by Spanish colonial authorities in Mexico because it was used by the Aztecs in their rituals.
Magic and healing: The crown of the amaranth are worn on the head to speed healing. To make sure you are never struck by a bullet, pull up an entire plant (including the roots), preferably on a Friday during the Full Moon. Leave an offering to the plant and then fold it, roots and all, in a piece of white cloth. Wear this against your breast and you will be ‘bullet-proof’. The dried flowers have been used to call forth the dead and are also carried to cure the affections by mending a broken heart. A wreath of amaranth confers invisibility.
Anemone (Anemone pulsatilla)
Parts used: Flowers
Folk names: Meadow anemone, Pasque flower, passe flower, wind flowers
Gender: Masculine or Hot
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Deities: Adonis, Venus
Powers: Health, Protection, Healing
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Gather the perfect blossoms when first seen in the spring, wrap them up in a red cloth and wear or carry to prevent disease. Grow red anemones in the garden to protect it and the home. Use the blossoms in healing rituals, healing charms and rituals.
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) Suspected carcinogen. May increase sensitivity to sunlight. Native of Europe and Asia, widely cultivated worldwide. Found by the sea and streams, in marshes, swamps and moist meadows and by mountain brooks. Grows 5-8’ tall. Flowers in June and July. Easily grown from seed and best grown from seed as well. Seeds need light to germinate. Short-term viability. Biennial but, if seeds are cut each year, will live longer.
Parts used: Leaves, root
Folk names: Archangel, masterwort, garden angelica
Gender: Masculine or Hot
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Deities: Venus
Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Visions
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Grown, the plant is protective. Use dried leaves in all protection and exorcism incenses. Said to ward off witches and evils spirits. Necklaces are made of the leaves to protect children. Sprinkle the four corners of the house with angelica to ward off evil or do this around the perimeter of the house. In infusion or tincture, the root raises body temperature and promotes digestion. Also helps brings down menses. In fever it brings on sweating. A decoction is said to the decrease one’s taste for alcohol. The root is used in salves for skin problems and rheumatic pains. Added to the bath, angelica removes curses, hexes and any spells that may have been cast against you. The root was carried in the pocket as a gambling talisman among some American Indian tribes. Angelica is also used in healing incenses and mixtures, and smoking the leaves is said to cure visions. Native Americans mixed poultices from angelica and the leaves of artemisia canadensis, a sagebrush, to place on the side of the body opposite a pain in order to relieve that pain. These poultices were also applied to swellings. Oil of the root is relaxing in the bath, as well as providing the magical properties above.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum) Do not take internally if pregnant. Best grown from seed due to long taproot. Annual resembling Queen Anne’s lace. Flowers in summer.
Part used: Seeds
Folk names: Anneys, Aniseseed, Yanisin, sweet cumin
Gender: Masculine or Hot
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Purification, Youth
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Fill a small pillowcase with anise seeds and sleep on it. This will ensure you have no nightmares. Use in protection and meditation incenses. Fresh anise leaves placed in a room will drive off evil, and they are sometimes placed around the magic circle to protect the magician from evil spirits. It also averts the evil eye. Anise seed is also used in purification baths, especially with bay leaves (especially effective if you’ve accidentally or intentionally killed something). It is used to call forth spirits to aid in magical operations and a sprig hung on the bedpost will restore lost youth. Excellent for mousetraps. Chewed seeds cleanse the palate and breath. Anise tea aids digestion and prevents flatulence. (Crush seeds and steep one teaspoon in a cup of boiled water for ten minutes. Drink one sip at a time) The essential oil is said to work as a mild expectorant. In tea or lozenges, the seeds cure a hard cough. Epilepsy, colic and smoker’s cough are treated with anise. Oil of anise is a natural insecticide.
Anise, Star (Illicium anisatum, I. Verum) Native to China, the star-shaped fruit contains essential oil with very similar properties and uses to Anise. Often used as a substitute.
Part used: Seeds
Folk names:
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities:
Powers: improves psychic awareness
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: use to make a sassafrass-scented tincture. Sniff to improve psychic awareness, especially before working with tarot cards, rune stones, or other divinitory tools.
Parts used: Twigs, wood
Folk names: Cape gum, Egyptian thorn, gum arabic tree, kikwata, mkwatia, mgunga, mokala
Gender: Masculine or hot
Planet: Sun
Element: Air
Deities: Osiris, Astarte, Ishtar, Diana, Ra
Powers: Protection, psychic powers, purification, clairvoyance
Ritual uses: The wood is used as fuel in sacred fires in India and is also used in building temples
Magic and healing: This herb possesses high spiritual vibrations, the oil is worn to aid meditation and to develop psychic powers, some also use it to anoint their altars, censers and candles. Add to incense for good vibrations or smoulder alone on charcoal. Purifies area of negativity and evil. A sprig of the tree placed over the bed wards off evil, as it does when tucked into the turban in Eastern countries. When the wood is burned with sandalwood, the psychic powers are stimulated. Use this combination during meditation to seek illumination and to develop psychic powers. Acacia is also used in money and love spells, although in the latter case the outcome would be a platonic love. Carry the wood as a protective amulet.
Aconite (Aconitum Napellus) Poisonous!
Folk names: Wolf’s Bane, wolfbane
Perennial herb, with a smooth, round, leafy stem. Violet-blue flowers in late summer or early fall. Grows to 2-4 ft in France, Switzerland, and Germany, Europe and North America. Easily grown from seed sown in early April. Propagate from root division. Prune after heads killed by frost.
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities: Cerberus, Hecate, Medea
Powers:
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Witches, during the Middle Ages, mixed with aconite with belladonna in ointments that they rubbed on their bodies as flying ointments. The poison derived from aconite was used in euthanasia on the island of Ceos, for old men too old and ill to hunt. Arrow tips were rubbed with aconite when hunting wolves. Soldiers of old dropped aconite in the water sources of their enemies. Used in salves due to painkilling abilities on neuralgia, lumbago, and rheumatism. Homeopaths use aconite (very diluted amounts) for mental and physical restlessness, fear and shock, a great fear of death, sudden acute and violent fevers, conditions brought on by dry and cold weather; and influenza. Aconite root carried brings protection from werewolves and vampires. Death and the dead are honored by burning aconite as funeral incense and by planting it on a loved one’s grave.
Acorns
Folk names:
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities: Bridget, Taranis
Powers:
Ritual uses: Acorns are symbols of immortality.
Magic and healing: An acorn in your pocket will bring fertility to your creative acts and for good luck. Wear them, carry them, use them to decorate an altar; acorns are particularly sacred to Samhain. Can also be carried to ward off pain. They are planted in the dark of the moon to bring financial prosperity. To divine whether you will marry your lover, drop two acorns into a pan of water. If they come together, a match is certain.. Dried and ground, they can be added to bread dough (some must be leached in water first). Always plant an acorn nearby before cutting down an oak tree, so the tree’s spirit has a new home.
Adam and Eve Roots (Orchis spp.) POISONOUS
Folk names:
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Love, Happiness
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Carry the two roots in a small bag at all times to attract a love. If you wish to be free from amatory competitors, also carry the two roots sewn into a small bag. Given to a couple they ensure continued happiness.
Adder’s Tongue (Erythronium americanum)
Folk names: American Adder’s Tongue, Serpent’s tongue, Adder’s mouth, yellow snowdrop, dog’s tooth violet
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Healing
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Soak some adder’s tongue in cold water and apply it to a wound or bruise (wrap in a piece of cloth) until the herb grows warm. Next, bury the wet herb in a muddy place. The wound will be cured.
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Folk names:
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Spirituality, Protection
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: the purple flowers and plants are grown in the home to promote spirituality within it. The plants are also slightly protective when grown.
Agaric (amanita muscaria) VIRULENTLY POISONOUS
Folk names: Death angel, death cap, magic mushroom, redcap mushroom, sacred mushroom, fly fungus
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Deities: Dionysus
Powers: Fertility
Ritual uses: There is speculation that at least some of the mystery religions of classical times centered their secret rituals around the use of the amanita.
Magic and healing: Place on altar or in the bedroom to increase fertility.
Agrimony (agrimonia eupatoria) Native to Europe, now common in the US and parts of Asia. Found in woods, sides of fields, waste places, along roadsides and fences. Height to five feet. Easily started from seed and will self-seed once established. Susceptible to powdery mildew.
Folk names: church steeples, cocklebur, garclive, philanthropos, sticklewort, stickwort, umakhuthula, ntola
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Deities:
Powers: protection, sleep
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Use in all protection sachets and spells, also to banish negative and spirits. It protects against goblins, evil and poison. Agrimony has long been used to reverse spells sent against the magician; it not only breaks hexes, it also sends them back to the hexer. Placed under the head it will make one sleep as if dead, according to ancient lore, but don’t use for insomnia as the sleeper will not awaken until the herb is removed. At one time, Agrimony was used to detect the presence of witches. Agrimony water is gargled for clearing the throat for singing, sore throats and colds or flu. The tea made from Agrimony is not only pleasant but may offer some health benefits. A poultice of fresh leaves soothes external sores, however the treated area may be sensitive to sunlight. Agrimony also makes an astringent lotion for the skin. Dyes made from Agrimony stems and leaves are yellow, the best color obtained if the plants are harvested late in the fall.
Ague Root (Aletris farinosa) Drug interactions are possible with some oxytocins (pitocin)
Folk names: Ague grass, bitter grass, black-root, crow corn, stargrass, starwort, true unicorn root, unicorn root, aletris, blazing star
Gender:
Planet:
Element:
Deities:
Powers: Protection
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Sprinkle around your home to keep evil at bay or carry in a sachet for the same purpose. Also use in hex-breaking and uncrossing rituals and mixtures.
Alder (Alnus glutinosa) A water loving tree, often found on the banks of streams and rivers, providing shade for plants and fish. Its nitrogen-salt-forming root system also benefits the surrounding soil. In winter – after it has shed its leaves – black cones from the previous season and unopened catkins adorn the tree. Alder is a hardwood employed in the making of shields. Alder is a hard wood that was especially employed in the making of shields.
Folk names:
Gender:
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities: Bran
Ogham: Fearn, chieftain tree, F
Powers:
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing:
Alfalfa (Meidcago saliva)
Folk names: Buffalo herb, lucerne, purple medic, jat, qadb
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Deities:
Powers: Prosperity, Ant-hunger, money
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Keep in the home to protect from poverty and hunger. It is best placed in a small jar in the cupboard or pantry. Also, burn alfalfa and scatter the ashes around the property for this purpose. Alfalfa is also used in money spells.
Alkanet (Alkanet tinctoria, anchusa spp.) Not recommended for internal use
Folk names: Dyer’s Bugloss, Orcanet, Dyer’s alkanet
Gender: Feminine
Planet:
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Purification, Prosperity
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Alkanet is burned as an incense to purify the area of negativity and is also used to attract prosperity in all its forms.
Allspice (Pimenta officinalis or P. dioica)
Folk names: Eddo, madere, basheen, kouroubaga
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Deities:
Powers: Money, luck, healing
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Allspice is burned as an incense to attract money or luck and is also added to such mixtures. Allspice is also used to promote healing.
Almond (Amygdalus communis, Prunus communis, P. dulcis) P. dulcis, bitter almond, is not for internal use as it contains cyanogenic gycosides.
Part used: nut
Folk names: greek nuts
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury, Sun with Jupiter
Element: Air
Deities: Attis, Mercury, Thoth, Hermes, Demophoon
Powers: Money, prosperity, wisdom
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Almonds, as well as the leaves and wood of the tree, are used in prosperity and money spells. Additionally, climbing an almond tree is said to ensure success in business ventures. Eating almonds will cure or combat fevers as well as give the partaker wisdom. Five almonds eaten before drinking prevents intoxication. Magical wands are made of almond wood, for it is the element of air, which is the elemental ruler of the magic wand, in some traditions. Placing almonds in your pocket will lead you to treasures. One ounce of almonds can be soaked overnight in four ounces of water to make a milk substitute. Peeled almonds can relieve heartburn. Ground almonds make a wonderful facial scrub. Almond oil relieves coughs and hoarseness.
Aloe (Aloe vera, A. spp.) Should not be taken internally. Grow above 41*F, easily propagated from suckers or offshoots at base of plant when they are about 1-2” long. Full sun, fertile soil, good drainage.
Folk names: Burn plant, medicine plant, aqal, zabila
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Luck
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: The aloe, a popular house plant, is also protective. It guards against evil influences and prevents household accidents. In Africa, the aloe is hung over houses and doors to drive away evil, as well as to bring good luck. In Mexico, large wreaths of whole garlic bulbs strung on wire are festooned with pictures of saints, packets of magical herbs, lodestones, rock salt, pine nuts as well as clumps of freshly cut aloe. These are hung up in the home for protection, luck, money and so on. Trees and other plants with woody bark benefit from a bit of aloe rubbed on areas where they have been trimmed and pruned. Burns, sores and poison ivy benefit from fresh aloe applied to the wound. The gel also soothes itching and irritated skin from other causes. If used consistently, a less significant scar will appear from the wound. Aloe can also be added to a benzoin tincture for an antiseptic and protective coating on abraded, blistered skin and cold sores.
Aloes, Wood (Cardia dichotoma, Quilaria agallocha) is a tree native to India. The odor of the wood is described as a combination of ambergris and sandalwood. If this wood is unavailable, try substituting it with the same amount of sandalwood sprinkled with a few drops of synthetic ambergris for incense use.
Folk names: Lignum Aloes, Lolu, Mapou
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Love, Spirituality
Ritual uses: incense for protection, consecration, success and prosperity
Magic and healing: Increasingly available today, after a long period of unavailability, wood aloes have been used in magic for many centuries. Anciently, it was used to attract good fortune in Egypt and burned as incense in magical evocatory rites during the Renaissance. It possesses high spiritual vibrations and will bring love if carried or worn. Magical herbalists use wood aloes as a strengthening herb, by adding a small amount to other mixtures to intensify their powers.
Althea (Althea officinalis)
Folk names: marshmallow, mortification root, sweet weed, wymote, heemst, slaz
Gender: Feminine
Planet:
Element: Water
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Psychic Powers
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Althea has long been used in protection rites, and it also is a good psychic power-stimulator. Burn as an incense for this purpose or carry in a sachet. Althea is also known to be a good ‘spirit-puller’ as it brings good spirits in during rituals when placed on the altar. This is a popular voodoo practice.
Alyssum (Alyssum spp.)
Folk names: Alison, Madwort
Gender:
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Powers: Protection, Moderating anger
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Dioscorides recommended the alyssum as an amulet, for it has the power to ‘expel charms.’ Hung up in the house it protects against fascination, that magical process known as glamour. Alyssum also has the power to cool down an angry person if placed in the hand or on the body and was once said to cure rabies (hydrophobia).
Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)
Folk names: Flower of Immortality, Huauhtli (Aztec), Love-Lies-Bleeding, Red Cockscomb, Velvet flower, Princess Feather, Floramon
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: fire
Deities: Artemis
Powers: Healing, Protection, Invisibility
Ritual uses: The amaranth was used in pagan burial rituals. It was also once outlawed by Spanish colonial authorities in Mexico because it was used by the Aztecs in their rituals.
Magic and healing: The crown of the amaranth are worn on the head to speed healing. To make sure you are never struck by a bullet, pull up an entire plant (including the roots), preferably on a Friday during the Full Moon. Leave an offering to the plant and then fold it, roots and all, in a piece of white cloth. Wear this against your breast and you will be ‘bullet-proof’. The dried flowers have been used to call forth the dead and are also carried to cure the affections by mending a broken heart. A wreath of amaranth confers invisibility.
Anemone (Anemone pulsatilla)
Parts used: Flowers
Folk names: Meadow anemone, Pasque flower, passe flower, wind flowers
Gender: Masculine or Hot
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Deities: Adonis, Venus
Powers: Health, Protection, Healing
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Gather the perfect blossoms when first seen in the spring, wrap them up in a red cloth and wear or carry to prevent disease. Grow red anemones in the garden to protect it and the home. Use the blossoms in healing rituals, healing charms and rituals.
Angelica (Angelica archangelica) Suspected carcinogen. May increase sensitivity to sunlight. Native of Europe and Asia, widely cultivated worldwide. Found by the sea and streams, in marshes, swamps and moist meadows and by mountain brooks. Grows 5-8’ tall. Flowers in June and July. Easily grown from seed and best grown from seed as well. Seeds need light to germinate. Short-term viability. Biennial but, if seeds are cut each year, will live longer.
Parts used: Leaves, root
Folk names: Archangel, masterwort, garden angelica
Gender: Masculine or Hot
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Deities: Venus
Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing, Visions
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Grown, the plant is protective. Use dried leaves in all protection and exorcism incenses. Said to ward off witches and evils spirits. Necklaces are made of the leaves to protect children. Sprinkle the four corners of the house with angelica to ward off evil or do this around the perimeter of the house. In infusion or tincture, the root raises body temperature and promotes digestion. Also helps brings down menses. In fever it brings on sweating. A decoction is said to the decrease one’s taste for alcohol. The root is used in salves for skin problems and rheumatic pains. Added to the bath, angelica removes curses, hexes and any spells that may have been cast against you. The root was carried in the pocket as a gambling talisman among some American Indian tribes. Angelica is also used in healing incenses and mixtures, and smoking the leaves is said to cure visions. Native Americans mixed poultices from angelica and the leaves of artemisia canadensis, a sagebrush, to place on the side of the body opposite a pain in order to relieve that pain. These poultices were also applied to swellings. Oil of the root is relaxing in the bath, as well as providing the magical properties above.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum) Do not take internally if pregnant. Best grown from seed due to long taproot. Annual resembling Queen Anne’s lace. Flowers in summer.
Part used: Seeds
Folk names: Anneys, Aniseseed, Yanisin, sweet cumin
Gender: Masculine or Hot
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Deities:
Powers: Protection, Purification, Youth
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: Fill a small pillowcase with anise seeds and sleep on it. This will ensure you have no nightmares. Use in protection and meditation incenses. Fresh anise leaves placed in a room will drive off evil, and they are sometimes placed around the magic circle to protect the magician from evil spirits. It also averts the evil eye. Anise seed is also used in purification baths, especially with bay leaves (especially effective if you’ve accidentally or intentionally killed something). It is used to call forth spirits to aid in magical operations and a sprig hung on the bedpost will restore lost youth. Excellent for mousetraps. Chewed seeds cleanse the palate and breath. Anise tea aids digestion and prevents flatulence. (Crush seeds and steep one teaspoon in a cup of boiled water for ten minutes. Drink one sip at a time) The essential oil is said to work as a mild expectorant. In tea or lozenges, the seeds cure a hard cough. Epilepsy, colic and smoker’s cough are treated with anise. Oil of anise is a natural insecticide.
Anise, Star (Illicium anisatum, I. Verum) Native to China, the star-shaped fruit contains essential oil with very similar properties and uses to Anise. Often used as a substitute.
Part used: Seeds
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Powers: improves psychic awareness
Ritual uses:
Magic and healing: use to make a sassafrass-scented tincture. Sniff to improve psychic awareness, especially before working with tarot cards, rune stones, or other divinitory tools.