Every herb and root has a medicinal and a magical
property of some sort. Each shows its properties by its form, shape and
spirit. It is a part of the Craft to
learn to hear, see, smell and feel these plants so that we may better use and
understand these gifts from the Earth that are all around us.
Herbs typically have an 'essence'. It is this essence, combined with the belief
of the person, will radiate throughout the herb's use. Fresh herbs from a
garden are best, if you are collecting fresh herbs from the garden then make
sure you harvest in the morning on a sunny and clear day. This way you are harvesting
the herbs when they have the highest concentration of the oils that will give
them their flavor. You can freeze them or dry them to store them longer out of
the garden. You can use these in a variety of ways such as sachets, food
preparation, oil and incense. If you use
plants as medicine, see a physician first.
Aloe Water
Aloe is a genus containing about
500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most widely known species is Aloe vera, or "true aloe",
so called because, though probably extinct in the wild, it is cultivated as the
standard source of so-called "aloe vera" for assorted pharmaceutical
purposes. Other species, such
as Aloe ferox also are
cultivated or harvested from the wild for similar applications. Most Aloe
species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves.
Aloe
species are frequently cultivated as ornamental plants both in gardens and in
pots. Aloe vera is used both
internally and externally on humans, and is claimed to have some medicinal
effects, which have been supported by scientific and medical research. They can
also be made into types of special soaps.
Used
for protection and luck. It can be hung in the home as a charm to attract luck
and protection for those who live there. It can also be grown in pots and
placed around the home to provide protection from accidents within the home.
The
apple is the fruit of the apple
tree, species Malus
domestica in the rose family. It
is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits. Apples grow on small, deciduous trees,
originating in Central Asia. Apples have
been grown for thousands of years in Asia and Europe, and were brought to North
America by European colonists. Apples
have been present in the mythology and religions of many cultures, including
Norse, Greek and Christian traditions.
Apples
appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden
fruit. In Norse mythology, the Goddess
Idunn is portrayed as providing golden apples to the Gods that give them
eternal youthfulness. The Goddess Frigg
sent King Rerir an apple after he prays to Odin for a child, Frigg's messenger
(in the guise of a crow) drops the apple in his lap as he sits atop a mound.
Rerir's wife's consumption of the
apple results in a pregnancy and the birth of their son—the hero Völsung. Buckets of apples were found in the Oseberg
ship burial site in Norway, and had been found in the early graves of the
Germanic peoples in England and elsewhere on the continent of Europe.
Apples
are often eaten raw. The whole fruit including the skin is suitable for human
consumption except for the seeds, which are slightly poisonous. Apples can be canned or juiced. They are milled to produce apple cider and
filtered for apple juice.
Ash White Earth
Fraxinus americana (White Ash or American Ash)
is a species of ash native to
eastern North America found in hardwood forests from Minnesota to Florida. The lower sides of the leaves of White Ash
are lighter in color than their upper sides, and the outer surface of the twigs
of White Ash may be flaky or peeling.
It
is the timber of choice for production of baseball bats and tool handles. The
wood is also favorable for furniture and flooring. It is widely grown as an ornamental tree in
North America as well.
The
first man in Norse culture, named Ask, was created from an ash log. Ash was commonly used to make spears because
of its springiness and straight grain.
Basil Air
Basil, or Sweet Basil,
is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum. Basil is originally native to India and other
tropical regions of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000
years. Basil is commonly used fresh in
cooked recipes. In general, it is added at the last moment, as cooking quickly
destroys the flavor.
There
are many rituals and beliefs associated with basil. Jewish folklore suggests it adds strength
while fasting. In Portugal,
dwarf bush basil is traditionally presented in a pot, together with a poem, to
a sweetheart. African legend claims that
basil protects against scorpions. And in
Europe, basil is placed in the hands of the dead to ensure a safe journey.
Betula papyrifera (Paper Birch, White Birch
Tree of Life or Canoe Birch, b) is a species of birch native to northern North
America. It is the provincial tree of
Saskatchewan and the state tree of New Hampshire. It is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching
60 feet tall with a trunk up to 32 inches diameter. They live to about 140 years. The bark is white, commonly brightly so,
flaking in fine horizontal strips and often with small black marks and scars.
Its
bark is an excellent fire starter, burning at high temperatures even when it's
wet. The sap is boiled down to produce
birch syrup. While a paper birch does
not have a very high overall economic value, it is used in furniture and
flooring.
In
ancient traditions, Birch twigs were used to bring prosperity and to encourage
conception. The branches represent fertility. In European folklore and tradition,
Birch twigs were fixed above a sweetheart’s door on May Day, and were placed in
stables and houses to promote fertility. Young men, women and cattle were
struck with Birch twigs for this same purpose, and young boys would be sent out
into the fields and around the town, to ‘beat the bounds of the parish’ with
branches of Birch to ensure prosperity in the coming year.
Use
for protection, exorcism and purification. A birch planted close to the home is said to
protect against lightning, infertility and the evil eye. Cradles were once made from birch so that the
infant within would be protected. Burn birch
for protection and to banish negative energies.
Cactus Fire
A cactus (cacti, cactuses
or cactus) is a member of the
plant family Cactaceae. Most cacti live in habitats subject to
at least some drought. Many live in extremely dry environments, even being
found in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. Most species of cacti have lost true leaves,
retaining only spines, which are highly modified leaves. Cacti have a variety of uses: many species
are used as ornamental plants, others are grown for fodder or forage, and
others for food.
Opuntias
(prickly pears) were used for a variety of purposes by the Aztecs. The Aztecs symbolically linked the ripe red
fruits of an opuntia to human hearts; just as the fruit quenches thirst, so
offering human hearts to the Sun God ensured the Sun would keep moving. The very fine spines and hairs of some cacti
were used as a source of fiber for filling pillows and in weaving. The coat
of arms of Mexico shows an eagle perched on a cactus while holding a snake.
Used
for chastity, banishing and protection. Bury with other banishing symbols for
protection. Grow in the home or garden to prevent unwanted intrusions. Place in
all directions of the home (north, south, east, and west) for full protection.
Cedar
White Water
Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen coniferous
tree. It is native to the northeast of
the United States and the southeast of Canada, but widely cultivated as an
ornamental plant. Common names include
white cedar, swamp cedar, false cedar, arborvitae or hackmatack.
The
name Arborvitae is particularly
used in the horticultural trade in the United States. It is Latin for "tree of life" - due
to the supposed medicinal properties of the sap, bark and twigs. Despite its
common names, it does not belong to the cedar genus.
T. occidentalis has fan-like branches and scaly leaves. It is only a small tree, growing to a height
of 33–66 feet tall with a 1.3 foot trunk diameter. The bark is red-brown,
furrowed and peels in narrow, longitudinal strips. The cones are slender, yellow-green ripening
brown with overlapping scales. The
branches may take root if the tree falls
White
Cedar is a tree with important uses in traditional Ojibwa culture. Honored with the name Nookomis Giizhik (Grandmother Cedar), the tree is the subject of
sacred legends and is considered a gift to humanity for its myriad uses, among
them crafts, construction and medicine.
Use
in spells and charms to promote strength, wealth, protection, healing and
purification. Carry a small piece of
cedar in wallet or near money to attract wealth. Hang in the home to protect against lightning.
Use in sachets to promote calmness.
Chamomile Water
Chamomile or camomile
is a common name for several daisy-like plants.
These plants are best known for their ability to be made into an
infusion which is commonly used to help with sleep and is often served with
honey or lemon or both.
Used
for love, healing and reducing stress. Add
to a sachet or spell to increase the chances of its success. Sprinkle an infusion of chamomile around the
house to remove hexes, curses and spells. Burn or add to prosperity bags to increase
money. Burn as incense for de-stressing,
meditation and restful sleep. Wash hands in an infusion of chamomile for luck
before gambling or playing cards. Use in
bath
magic to attract love. Keep a
packet of the herb with lottery tickets for luck.
Cinnamomum verum, Ceylon cinnamon or Sri
Lanka cinnamon is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family
Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. Among other species, its inner bark is used to
make cinnamon. Cinnamon has been known
from remote antiquity. It was imported
to Egypt as early as 2000 BC.
Cinnamon
bark is widely used as a spice. It is
principally employed in cookery as a condiment and flavoring material. It is
used in the preparation of chocolate, especially in Mexico. It is also used in many dessert recipes, such
as apple pie, doughnuts and cinnamon buns.
Use
in spells and charms to draw money & prosperity. Also used to raise spirituality and promote
healing, success, protection and luck.
Can be burned and an incense to promote protection, wealth and raise
spirituality.
Corn Earth
Maize, known in some English-speaking countries as corn, is a large grain plant
domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain the
grain, which are seeds called kernels.
Maize kernels are used in cooking as a starch.
Beginning
about 2500 BC, the crop spread through much of the Americas. The region developed a trade network based on
surplus and varieties of maize crops.
After European contact with the Americas in the late 15th and early 16th
centuries, explorers and traders carried maize back to Europe and introduced it
to other countries. Maize spread to the rest of the world because of its
ability to grow in diverse climates.
Maize
and cornmeal (ground dried maize) constitute a staple food in many regions of
the world. Starch from maize can also be
made into plastics, fabrics, adhesives and many other chemical products. It is increasingly used as a feedstock for
the production of ethanol fuel. Maize is also used as a fish bait.
Dandelion Fire
Taraxacum is a large genus of
flowering plants in the family Asteraceae.
They are native to Eurasia, North and South America, and are found as
weeds worldwide. Both species
are edible in their entirety. The common name dandelion (meaning "lion's tooth") is given to members
of the genus, and like other members of the Asteraceae family, they have very
small flowers collected together into a composite flower head. The plant is also known as blowball, milk witch, lion's-tooth,
Irish daisy, monks-head and puff-ball.
Dandelions
are thought to have evolved about thirty million years ago in Eurasia. They have been used by humans for food and as
a herb for much of recorded history. They were introduced to North America by early
European immigrants.
To
summon the spirits and help with divination, take the root and place it in your
wish box. If you rub the plant's sap on
a wart, the wart will disappear.
Dandelion magic can also be used for healing, grounding, prosperity and
cleansing.
Elder Box Earth
Acer negundo is a species of maple
native to North America. Box elder, box elder maple, and maple
ash are its most common names in the United States. Acer
negundo is a small, usually fast-growing and fairly short-lived tree
that grows up to 33–82 feet tall, with a trunk diameter of 12–20 inches.
This
species prefers bright sunlight. It often grows on flood plains and other
disturbed areas with ample water supply.
Human influence has greatly favored this species; it grows around houses
and in hedges, as well as on disturbed ground and vacant lots. Several birds and some squirrels feed on the
seeds. The evening grosbeak uses them extensively. The Maple Bug (also known as
the Boxelder Bug) lays its eggs on all maples, but prefers this species.
The
Navajo use the wood make tubes for flutes. The Cheyenne
burn the wood as incense for making spiritual medicines and during Sun Dance
ceremonies. They also mix the
boiled sap with shavings from the inner sides of animal hides and eat them as
candy. In Norse mythology, the Goddess
Freya chose the elder as her home.
Myosotis is a genus of flowering
plants in the family Boraginaceae, that are commonly called Forget-me-nots. There are approximately 50 species in the
genus, with much variation. Most have
small, flat, 5-lobed blue, pink or white flowers with yellow centers, growing
on scorpioid cymes. They bloom in spring.
Leaves are alternate. Popular in
gardens, Forget-me-nots prefer moist habitats and where they are not native,
they have escaped to wetlands and riverbanks.
They can tolerate partial Sun and shade.
In
a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out,
"Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your
name". In 15th-century Germany, it
was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers.
Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along
the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of
his armor he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved
one and shouted "Forget-me-not." It was often worn by ladies as a
sign of faithfulness and enduring love.
Boswellia sacra (commonly known as frankincense or olibanum-tree) is a tree in the
Burseraceae family. It is the primary
tree in the genus Boswellia
from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is harvested. It is native to the Arabian Peninsula and
northeastern Africa. This species of Boswellia is a small deciduous tree,
which reaches a height of 2-8 meters, with one or more trunks. Its bark has the
texture of paper and can be removed easily.
Frankincense
has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5000
years. Frankincense is used
in perfumery and aromatherapy. The
charred remains of frankincense, called kohl, was crushed and used to make the
distinctive eyeliner seen on ancient Egyptians.
The resin is edible and is used in traditional medicines in Asia for
digestion and healthy skin.
Can
be used to represent the Divine Masculine. Used as an offering at Beltane,
Lammas and Yule. Often combined with
myrrh to make a temple incense. Used for protection, happiness, cleansing and
purification. Burn as an incense for
protective work, consecration and meditation.
Frankincense shares an affinity with Topaz and either will enhance the
power of the other.
Garlic Fire
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion
genus, Allium. With a history of human use of over
7,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in
the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent seasoning in Asia, Africa and
Europe. The well-known phenomenon of
garlic breath is allegedly alleviated by eating fresh parsley.
The
garlic plant's bulb is the most commonly used part of the plant. Garlic is widely used around the world for
its pungent flavor as a seasoning or condiment.
In some cuisines, the young bulbs are pickled for three to six weeks in
a mixture of sugar, salt, and spices. In
eastern Europe, the shoots are pickled and eaten as an appetizer. When crushed, it yields an antibiotic and antifungal compound.
Garlic
has been regarded as a force for both good and evil. In Europe, many cultures have used garlic for
protection or white magic, perhaps owing to its reputation as a potent
preventative medicine. Central European folk beliefs considered
garlic a powerful ward against demons, werewolves and vampires. To ward off vampires, garlic could be worn,
hung in windows or rubbed on chimneys and keyholes.
Herbology
Herbal medicine (or herbalism)
is the study and use of medicinal properties of plants. The scope of herbal
medicine is sometimes extended to include fungal and bee products, as well as
minerals, shells and certain animal parts.
Plants have the ability to synthesize a wide variety of chemical
compounds that are used to perform important biological functions, and to
defend against attack from predators such as insects, fungi and herbivorous
mammals. Many of these phytochemicals
have beneficial effects on long-term health when consumed by humans, and can be
used to effectively treat human diseases.
The
use of plants as medicines predates written human history. Many of the pharmaceuticals currently available
to physicians have a long history of use as herbal remedies, including aspirin,
digitalis, quinine and opium.
Many
believe that the energy with which the herbs are gathered is also very
important, and should always be done with great spiritual awareness and
prayerful thankfulness. And others feel
that herbs should be handled with reverence and respect.
Lavandula angustifolia (lavender, English
lavender, common lavender,
true lavender, narrow-leaved lavender), is a
flowering plant, native to the western Mediterranean and other mountains in
northern Spain. It is a strongly aromatic
shrub growing as high as 3-6 feet tall.
The
flowers and leaves are used as an herbal medicine, either in the form of
lavender oil or as an herbal tea. The flowers are also used as a culinary herb,
most often as part of the French herb blend.
Used
for protection, healing, love, sleep, purification and peace. Lavender is an excellent aromatic, usually
mixing well with other floral scents. Lavender
is strewn into bonfires at Midsummer as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses. It will protect against cruel treatment by
your spouse when worn and is placed in the ritual cup at Handfastings. Lavender in the home brings peace, joy and
healing. Also a great addition to sleep
pillows and bath spells.
Lemon Water
The
lemon (Citrus) is a small evergreen tree native to Asia and the tree's
ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary
purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, though the pulp and
rind are also used in cooking and baking.
The
leaves of the lemon tree are used to make a tea and for preparing cooked meats
and sea foods. Lemon juice is frequently
used in the United Kingdom to add to pancakes, especially on Shrove Tuesday. Lemon juice is also used as a short-term
preservative on certain foods that tend to oxidize and turn brown after being
sliced, such as apples, bananas and avocados.
Used
in cleansing, spiritual opening, purification, and removal of blockages. Add lemon peel to love sachets and mixtures. Soak peel in water and use the mixture as a
wash for magical objects to remove unwanted negativity, especially for objects
received second-hand. Serve lemon pie to
your spouse to ensure faithfulness and a lemon slice placed under a guests
chair brings lasting friendship. Add lemon juice to the full moon ritual bath
for its cleansing properties. Use an infusion of lemon in teas to induce lust.
Lily Of The Valley Water
Convallaria majalis, Lily of the Valley, is a sweetly scented woodland flowering plant
that is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia,
Europe and United States. It is a
perennial plant that forms extensive colonies by spreading underground
stems. The flowers are white tepals,
bell-shaped, 5–10 mm diameter and sweetly scented. In the language of flowers, the lily of the
valley signifies the return of happiness.
In
Germanic mythology lilies are associated with the virgin Goddess of spring
Ostara. The lily symbolizes life to Pagans and the blooming of lily of the
valley flower heralds the feast of Ostara. The sweet fragrance and whiteness of
the flowers symbolize the humility and purity of its patron Goddess. Fortune in love, a symbol of making the right
choice.
Mistletoe is the common name for obligate hemi-parasitic plants
in several families in the order Santalales. These plants attach to and
penetrate the branches of a tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium,
through which they absorb water and nutrients from the host plant.
Mistletoe
plants grow on a wide range of host trees, and commonly reduce their growth and
can kill them with heavy infestation.
Because of the scheming of Loki, the God Baldr is killed by his brother,
the blind God Hodr, by way of a mistletoe projectile, despite the attempts of
Baldr's mother, the Goddess Frigg, to have all living things and inanimate
objects swear an oath not to hurt Baldr after Baldr had troubling dreams of his
death. Frigg was unable to get an oath from mistletoe, because "it seemed
too young" to demand an oath from.
Moonflower Water
Datura is a genus of nine species
of flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets or moonflowers. Its precise and natural distribution is
uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the
temperate and tropical regions of the globe.
Its distribution within the Americas, however, is most likely restricted
to the United States and Mexico, where the highest species diversity occurs.
Datura belongs to the classic "witches' weeds", along
with deadly nightshade, henbane and mandrake.
Most parts of the plants contain toxic hallucinogens and datura has a
long history of use for causing delirious states and death. It was well known
as an essential ingredient of love potions and witches' brews. In traditional cultures, a great deal of
experience with and detailed knowledge of Datura was critical to minimize harm.
Myrrh Fire
Myrrh is the aromatic resin of a number of small, thorny tree
species of the genus Commiphora,
which is an essential oil termed an oleoresin.
Myrrh resin is a natural gum. It can
also be ingested by mixing it with wine.
It has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine. So valuable has it been at times in ancient
history that it has been equal in weight value to gold.
Feminine
herb used to represent the Goddess. Promotes spirituality, health, meditation
and healing. Will enhance any magical
working. Increases the effectiveness of
any incense blend it is added to. Often burned with frankincense as a temple
incense.
Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the pre-eminent
hardwoods of eastern North America.
Specimens have been documented to be over 450 years old. Normally not a very tall tree, typically
reaching 65–85 feet at maturity, it nonetheless becomes quite massive and its
lower branches are apt to extend far out laterally, parallel to the ground.
The
acorns are much less bitter than the acorns of red oaks. They are small relative to most oaks, but are
a valuable wildlife food, notably for turkeys, grackles, jays, nuthatches,
thrushes, squirrels and deer. The tree's
acorns were also used for food by Native Americans.
The
oak tree is the tree of Zeus, Jupiter, Hercules, Thor and other Gods. The most sacred of all trees, its wood is
often used in the making of magical tools. Burn the leaves for purification. Use in fertility amulets. Hang a sprig in the home to ward of negativity
and strengthen family unity. Carry for wisdom
and strength, for luck, to preserve youthfulness and to increase
attractiveness.
Plant
Plants are living organisms of the kingdom Plantae including such multicellular groups as flowering plants,
conifers, ferns and mosses. Plants have
cell walls with cellulose and characteristically obtain most of their energy
from sunlight via photosynthesis using chlorophyll.
Green
plants provide most of the world's molecular oxygen and are the basis of most
of the Earth's ecologies, especially on land. Plants described as grains,
fruits and vegetables form mankind's basic foodstuffs, and have been
domesticated for millennia. Plants serve as ornaments and, until recently and
in great variety, they have served as the source of most medicines and drugs.
Rose Wild Fire
Rosa acicularis, also known as the prickly rose, the bristly rose and the Arctic rose, is a species of wild rose
with a distribution in northern regions of Asia, Europe and North America.
The
flower is so popular that it has become associated with Handfastings and
rituals of union, roses fill vases, they are worn by the participants and
guests and are often strewn to bring divine blessings to the couple's love.
Rose
represents all aspects of the Goddess, the ability to love and nurture and to
see beauty in all things. Magical uses
include divine love, close friendships, peace, happiness and lasting relationships.
Great for use in incense, potpourri or
bath magic. A tea of rosebuds drunk
before sleep induces prophetic dreams. Place
around sprains and dark bruises to help them heal faster.
Sage Air
Salvia officinalis (sage, garden sage
or common sage) is a perennial,
evergreen subshrub, with woody stems, grayish leaves and blue to purplish
flowers. It is a member of the family Lamiaceae and is native to the
Mediterranean region, though it has naturalized in many places throughout the
world. It has a long history of medicinal and culinary use and in modern times
as an ornamental garden plant.
It
has been used since ancient times for warding off evil, snakebites, increasing
women's fertility and more. In Britain,
sage has for generations been listed as one of the essential herbs, along with
parsley, rosemary and thyme. In British
and American cooking, it is traditionally served as sage and onion stuffing, an
accompaniment to roast turkey or chicken at Christmas or Thanksgiving Day.
Tradition
holds that those who eat sage become immortal both in wisdom and in years. Burn for self purification and the
purification of an area or ritual space. Most traditions consider sage to be a
masculine, God oriented energy. Bundle
dry leaves or loose leaves to banish negativity and negative spirits from an
area or home. Used in healing charms and
incense. Removes negative energy.
Sandalwood Earth
Sandalwood is the name of a class of fragrant woods from trees
in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained,
and unlike many other aromatic woods they retain their fragrance for decades. As well as using the harvested and cut wood,
essential oils are also extracted from the woods for use. Both the wood and the oil produce a
distinctive fragrance that has been highly valued for centuries. In the Orient, sandalwood is a funereal herb
believed to carry the soul into the next life.
Used
to clear negativity from a home by sprinkling it around the property. Use as an
incense during protection, healing, and exorcism spells. Beads made from sandalwood promote spiritual
awareness. Powdered sandalwood can be
scattered about a place to clear it of negativity. The wood can be used to make healing wands.
Used to help align the chakras for better energy flow. It is a good incense to
burn during meditation.
Sunflower Fire
The
sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an annual plant
native to the Americas. It possesses a
large inflorescence (flowering head), and its name is derived from the flower's
shape and image, which is often used to depict the Sun. The plant has a rough, hairy stem, broad,
coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers. The heads consist
of many individual flowers which mature into seeds, often in the hundreds, on a
receptacle base.
From
the Americas, sunflower seeds were brought to Europe in the 16th century,
where, along with sunflower oil, they became a widespread cooking ingredient. Leaves of the sunflower can be used as cattle
feed, while the stems contain a fiber which may be used in paper production.
The
wild species was already being cultivated by Native Americans 3000 years
BC. Vital source of food, medicine and
oil; a symbol of vitality, loyalty, pride and devotion.
Hierochloe odorata, also known as sweet grass, buffalo grass, holy grass,
sweetgrass, or vanilla grass, is an aromatic herb
which grows in northern Eurasia and in North America. It is used in herbal medicine and in the
production of distilled beverages.
Natives
of the Great Plains believe it was the first plant to cover Mother Earth. Kiowa use fragrant leaves as stuffing for
pillows and mattresses. Holy grass was
strewn before church doors on saints' days in northern Europe, presumably
because of the sweet smell that arose when it was trodden on.
Used
for peace, unity and calling spirits. Sweetgrass
is used most often in peace and healing rituals. Many find it to be a useful
aid for entering a meditative state. Native
Americans dry and braid three long grasses and burn them as incense by lighting
one end, gently blowing out the flame and allowing the grass to smolder and
slowly release its scent. The three
pieces of the braid signify the Mind, Body and Spirit. Sweetgrass is a more feminine, Goddess
oriented energy.
Vanilla Bean Water
Vanilla planifolia is a species of vanilla
orchid. It is native to Mexico, and is
one of the primary sources for vanilla flavoring, due to its high vanillin
content. Common names are Flat-leaved Vanilla, Tahitian Vanilla and West Indian Vanilla. Often, it is
simply referred to as "the vanilla".
Fruit
is produced only on mature plants, which are generally over 10 feet long. The
fruits are 6-9 inches long pods (often incorrectly called beans). They mature after about five months, at which point they are harvested and cured.
Curing ferments and dries the pods while minimizing the loss of essential
oils. Vanilla extract is obtained from
this portion of the plant.
Magical uses include love, lust, passion and
restoring lost energy. Carried to
increase energy & strengthen mental abilities.
Violet Wood Air
Viola odorata is a species of the genus Viola native to Europe and Asia, but
has also been introduced to North America and Australia. It is commonly known
as wood violet, sweet violet, common violet or garden
violet. It is the state flower of
Wisconsin.
The
sweet scent of this flower has proved popular throughout the generations
particularly in the late Victorian period and has been used in the production
of many cosmetic fragrances and perfumes.
A symbol of innocent love, humility, modesty and spring.
Willow Black Air
Salix nigra (black willow) is a species of willow native to eastern North
America. It is a medium-sized deciduous
tree, the largest North American species of willow, growing to 33–98 feet tall,
with a trunk 50–80 cm diameter. The bark
is dark brown to blackish, becoming fissured in older trees and frequently
forking near the base. It has been used
by various Native American tribes for basketry, and treatment of fever,
headache and coughs. The bark of the
tree contains salicylic acid, a chemical compound similar to aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid).
In
western tradition it is a symbol of mourning and unlucky love. The Latin name for the weeping willow refers
to the psalm in which the Hebrews mourn their captivity in Babylon by the
willows. Willow indicates cycles,
rhythms and the ebb and flux.
Witch Hazel American Fire
Witch-hazel is a genus of flowering plants. The North American
species are occasionally called winterbloom. The witch-hazels are deciduous shrubs or
small trees growing to 10–26 feet tall.
The leaves are alternately arranged, oval, 2–6 inches long and 1–4
inches broad, with a smooth or wavy margin.
The
leaves and bark of the North American Witch-hazel may be used to produce an
astringent. It's mainly used externally
on sores, bruises, and swelling.
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to
western and southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew (I), though with other related trees becoming known, it may now
be known as English yew or European yew.
It
is relatively slow growing and can be very long-lived. In Great Britain, there are many yews dating
back around the year 1000 and some of them around 500. The Fortingall Yew is
commonly believed to be the oldest one, with an estimated age between 2,000 and
4,000 years old, growing in a Scottish church yard.
Yew
is the wood of choice for longbow making; the bows are constructed so that the
heartwood of yew is on the inside of the bow while the sapwood is on the
outside. The yew was also historically a
prized wood for lute construction. Today
European yew is widely used in landscaping and ornamental horticulture.
Long
associated with magic, death, rebirth and the runes, the yew may be the
oldest-lived tree in the world. There
are some convincing arguments for it being the original 'World-tree' of
Scandinavian mythology. In Europe, yew
wood was used for making bows, while on the northwest coast of North America,
the yew is used by the Haida and other tribes for making masks and boxes. The yew may be used to enhance magical and
psychic abilities and to induce visions.
Blessed Be!
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