- Magickal
Herb Attributes
- A
-
- ACACIA:Acacia senegal and other species.
- Masculine, Sun, Air
- Origin: Trees and shrubs
scattered over the warmer regions of Australia, Egypt,
the Amazon and South America. Acacia senegal is native to
tropical Africa, including the upper Nile area.
- Part Used: Flowers,
essential oil, wood.
- Uses: Annointing,
divination, inspiration, insure agreements, love,
meditation, peace, platonic love, prosperity, protection,
psychic, purification, wisdom.
- Other: Petitions to the
Goddess, Sacred fires, Buddhist incense, sacred to
Hebrews. Thought to have been used in Christ's crown of
thorns. Used to increase power of spells. See Arabic,
Gum.
- Sabbat: Lughnassadh.
- AGRIMONY: Agrimonia eupatoria.
- Masculine, Jupiter, Air/Fire.
- Origin: Found abundantly
throughout Europe, Britain and North America.
- Part Used: Leaves, root.
- Uses: Banishment, luck,
prosperity, protection, to keep secrets, send-back
spells.
- Other: Once mixed with
pounded frogs and human blood as a cure for internal
hemorrhaging.
- ALLSPICE: Pimenta officinalis.
- Masculine, Mars/Venus, Fire/Earth.
- Origin: An evergreen tree
from the West Indies, Central and South America, mainly
Jamaica. Called Allspice because it tastes like a
combination of clove, juniper, cinnamon and pepper.
- Part Used: Fruit, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animal healing,
compassion, courage, determination, fertility, healing,
love, luck, physical energy, power, prosperity, renewal.
- Other: Said to improve
school and job performance due to its ability to aid
willpower and concentration.
- AMARANTH: Amaranthus hypochondriacus and other
species.
- Femine, Saturn, Fire.
- AKA: Cockscomb.
- Origin: Native to the
tropics of both hemispheres.
- Part Used: Leaves and
flowers.
- Uses: Ancestor contact,
invisibility, love, peace.
- Other: Sacred to the Horned
God. Native American herb.
- ANGELICA: Angelica archangelica, over 30
species.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: Believed by some to
be a native of Syria; others feel it is from Northern
Europe. Found in cool, moist areas of Scotland and
Iceland, said to have come to England in the mid 1500's.
- Part Used: Root, seeds,
essential oil.
- Uses: Annointing, exorcism,
healing, hex-breaking, inspiration, knowledge, love,
meditation, prosperity, protection, renewal, success,
visions, wisdom.
- Other: Used as a fixative.
Said to be the most effective plant against evil.
Associated with early Norse magick.
- Sabbat: Imbolc, Beltane.
- ANISE: Pimpinella anisum.
- Masculine, Jupiter/Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Native of Egypt,
Greece and Asia Minor. Spread to central Europe in middle
ages.
- Part Used: Seed, essential
oil.
- Uses: Consecration,
divination, fertility, love, good luck, happiness, luck
(to newlyweds), lust, meditation, mental, to banish
nightmares, prosperity, protection, psychic, purification
(with Bay), to call spirits, youth.
- Other: Not related to Star
Anise. Used at Roman wedding feasts. Use with Bay for
purification. Used in dream pillows.
- APPLE: Pyrus species.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Native to temperate
regions of Northern Hemisphere.
- Part Used: Fruit, flower,
wood.
- Uses: Binding, divination,
happiness, healing, immortality, longevity, love
(blossoms), peace wisdom.
- Other: Used to confer the
wisdom of Aphrodite. Unicorns. Cider is a substitute for
blood in rites. Said to be the passport to the
Otherworlds; a food of the Sidhe Folk and burned as an
offering to them. A Druid sacred tree. Symbolizes
choices.
- Sabbat: Samhain, Beltane
(blossom).
- ARABIC, GUM: Acacia vera, A. arabica.
- Masculine, Sun, Air.
- Origin: See Acacia.
- Part Used: Resinous gum.
- Uses: High vibrations,
protection, purification, spirituality. See Acacia.
- ASAFOETIDA: Ferula foetide.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- AKA: Devil's Dung.
- Origin: Originally from
Afghanistan, Persia and southwestern Asia.
- Part Used: Root, leaves.
- Uses: Exorcism,
purification, protection.
- Other: Has fallen out of use
due to its particularly horrible odor. Use with care -
better yet, substitute a better-smelling herb.
- ASH: Fraxinus excelsion, F. americana.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: Common in Britain.
Tall trees to shrubs, native to north temperate zones -
N. America, Europe and Asia.
- Part Used: Leaves, wood.
- Uses: Healing, love,
prophetic dreams, prosperity, protection.
- Other: A Druid sacred tree.
Druid wands were often made of Ash. Sacred to the peoples
of Scandinavia and Germany. Yggdrasill, a representation
of the cosmos, was an Ash tree. Indicates linking of
inner and outer worlds. Useful for absorbing sickness.
Used in spells requiring focus.
- Sabbat: Yule, Beltane.
- ASPEN: Populus species. (See Poplar).
- Masculine, Mercury, Air.
- Part Used: Leaves, wood.
- Uses: Anti-theft, eloquence.
- Other: Helps in past-life
regression and recall.
B
- BALM OF
GILEAD: Commiphora
opobalsamum.
- Femine, Venus/Jupiter, Water/Fire.
- Origin: Native to countries
around the Red Sea.
- Part Used: Buds.
- Uses: Healing, inspiration,
knowledge, love, manifestations, protection, strength,
virility, wisdom.
- Other: The true Balm of
Gilead is a rare desert shrub; other plants share the
name: 1. Cedronella canariensis, C. triphylla. A shrub
with leaves that smell like lemon and coriander. 2. Abies
balsamea. AKA Balsam Fir, which grows in eastern North
America. Its leaves smell like spicy strawberries. 3.
Populus balsamifera. A specia of Poplar. Its sticky buds
have a heady aroma and are used in healing incenses, for
protection and to mend a broken heart.
- Sabbat: Mabon.
- BASIL: Ocium basilicum.
- Masculine, Mars/Jupiter, Fire.
- Origin: Native to India.
Other varieties found in W. Africa, India, Japan, Persia,
Egypt, Greece, Rome.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Anti-theft, business
success, confidence, exorcism, fidelity, happiness, hex-
breaking, love, luck to new home (if a gift), mental,
peace, prosperity, protection, purification.
- Other: Associated with
dragons, salamanders and other fire beings. A Druid
sacred herb. Use during meditation and ritual to
regenerate yourself. Sacred to Vishnu and Krishna. Used
to protect the dead from evil and to offer them entrance
into the Summerland. Sacred to Haitian goddess of love,
Erzulie.
- Sabbat: Midsummer, Imbolc.
- BAY: Laurus nobilis.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- AKA: Laurel, Bay Laurel.
- Origin: Native to
Mediterranean. Grows in Britain, but is a small tree;
much larger in warmer climates.
- Part Used: Leaves, wood,
essential oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
concentration, consecration, divination, endings,
exorcism, healing, hex-breaking (with Sandalwood),
inspiration, justice, knowledge, love, luck, lust,
meditation, memory, peace, physical strength, power,
prophetic dreams, prosperity, protection, psychic,
purification (excellent), release, transformation,
victory, wisdom, wishes.
- Other: Symbol of glory and
reward, leaves were woven into victory wreaths. The death
of a Bay tree was considered a bad omen.
- Sabbat: Yule, Imbolc.
- BEEBALM: Monarda didyma.
- Sun, Fire.
- AKA: Bergamot (not to be
confused with Orange Bergamot), Oswego Tea.
- Origin: Indigenous to N.
America.
- Part Used: Leaves, flower.
- Uses: Love, lust,
protection, success.
- BENZOIN: Styrax benzoin.
- Masculine, Sun/Venus, Air.
- Origin: Tree native to E.
Indies, China, Sumatra, and Sri Lanka.
- Part Used: Resin, tincture,
essential oil.
- Uses: Astral projection,
banishment, to attract customers (with Cinnamon and
Basil), exorcism, inspiration, knowledge, love (with
Sandalwood and Rose), memory, peace, power (mental and
personal), protection, purification, spell- breaking,
visions, wisdom.
- Other: Used as a base for
incense, and as a fixative for oils, incense, and
potpourris.
- Sabbat: Imbolc, Mabon.
- BERGAMOT,
ORANGE: Mentha
citrata.
- Masculine, Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Citrus tree native
to Italy.
- Part Used: Essential oil
from fruit peel.
- Uses: Prosperity, Protection
(physical as well as psychic), success.
- BETONY,
WOOD: Betonica
officinalis, Stachys officinalis.
- Masculine, Jupiter, Fire.
- Origin: Found throughout
Britain, rarely in Scotland. Grows in woods and copses,
sometimes on heaths and moors.
- Part Used: Leaves and
flowers.
- Uses: Banishment,
consecration, love, to banish nightmares, healing
(wounded animals), protection, purification, release.
- Other: Has a long history as
a protective herb. Balefires.
- Sabbat: Midsummer.
- BIRCH: Betula species.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Ancient tree found
all over Europe, N. America and northern Asia.
- Part Used: Leaves, bark,
essential oil, wood.
- Uses: Exorcism, love, new
beginnings, protection, purification.
- Other: Symbol of the return
of spring. Sacred to the Druids. Also known as Lady of
the Woods. Dedicated to Thor. Is used as a substitute for
Pine in incenses.
- BLACKBERRY: Rubus villosus.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- AKA: Bramble.
- Origin: Common everywhere.
- Part Used: Leaves, possibly
dried fruit and wood from the cane.
- Uses: Animal healing,
healing, prosperity, protection.
- Other: Used in invocations
to Brigid.
- Sabbat: Lughnassadh, Imbolc.
- BROOM: Cutisus scoparius.
- Masculine, Mars, Air.
- Origin: Shrub indigenous to
England, grows wild in temperate Europe, northern Asia
and North America on sandy fields and heath.
- Part Used: Leaves and stem.
- Uses: Clairvoyant, exorcism,
love, protection, purification.
- Other: A Druid sacred tree.
It can be substituted for furze (gorse) at Spring
Equinox. Weather magick. CAUTION: POISONOUS!
- Sabbat: Ostara, Samhain.
C
- CALAMUS: Acorus
calamus.
- Feminine, Moon/Venus,
Water/Earth.
- AKA: Sweet Flag.
- Origin: Indigenous
to India, northern U.S.A. and Europe, but rare in
Scotland and Spain.
- Part Used: Root,
essential oil.
- Uses: To strengthen
and bind spells, commanding, healing, love, lust, peace,
protection (from poverty).
- Other Uses:
Strewing herb. Used as a fixative. Mentioned often in the
Old Testament as an incense herb. CAUTION: Toxic.
- CALENDULA: Calendula
officinalis.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- AKA: Marigold.
- Origin: Native of
southern Europe and Egypt.
- Part Used: Flower.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
commanding, divination, happiness, love, luck, prophetic
dreams, legal matters, prosperity, protection, psychic,
renewal, sleep, success, visions.
- Other: To make
faeries visible. Protects and blesses the departed soul.
This flower was highly valued by the ancient Egyptians,
Persians, Greeks and Hindus.
- Sabbat: Beltane,
Mabon, Lughnassadh.
- CARDAMOM:
Elettario cardamomum.
- Feminine, Venus,
Water/Earth.
- Origin: Large
perennial herb of S. India and tropical Asia. Other
species can be found in China.
- Part Used: Seeds,
essential oil.
- Uses: Fertility,
happiness, love, luck, lust.
- Other: Gives energy
to love mixtures. Blends well in most incenses.
- CASSIA:
Cinnamonum cassia.
- Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Evergreen
tree native to China, Sumatra, Japan, India, Mexico and
S. America.
- Part Used: Bark,
essential oil.
- Uses: Consecration,
divination, happiness, knowledge, love, luck, lust,
meditation, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic
dreams, wisdom.
- Other: Considered
an inferior substitute for cinnamon.
- CATNIP: Nepeta
cataria.
- Feminine, Venus,
Water/Air.
- Origin: A wild
English plant, rare in Ireland. Found in Europe,
temperate Asia, later naturalized in North America.
- Part Used: Leaves
and blossoms.
- Uses: Animals,
binding, cat magick, commanding, dreams, happiness,
healing, love (with Rose), luck, peace, playfulness,
quick action, sleep.
- Other: A Druid
sacred herb. Chewed by warriors for fierceness in battle.
Sacred to Bastet.
- CEDAR: Juniperus
virginiana (American), Cedrus atlantic (Moroccan), Thuja
occidentalis.
- Masculine, Sun./Jupiter,
Fire.
- AKA: Oil of
Unicorn.
- Origin: Many
species of Cedar. Juniperus is not truly a cedar, but has
been used much the same way. Cedrus species are found in
Algeria, N. America, Mexico, Central America. Thuja
species is found in N. Africa, northeastern N. America,
Japan and China.
- Part Used: Wood,
essential oil.
- Uses: Banishment,
clairvoyance, confidence, consecration, divination,
exorcism, happiness, healing, hex-breaking, justice,
longevity, love, luck, peace, prosperity, protection,
psychic power, purification, release, spirituality,
strength, success.
- Other: Majesty,
grandeur. Native American herb. Was Egyptian
mummification ingredient and building material. Sawdust
in incense gives a tangy, resinous aroma. Oil used to
consecrate wands and to invoke Odin. CAUTION: Oil of
Thuja species is toxic.
- Sabbat: Yule.
- CHAMOMILE:
Anthemis nobilis (Roman), Matricaria recutita (German).
- Masculine, Sun,
Water/Fire.
- Origins: Spread
over Europe, N. Africa and temperate regions of Asia.
Naturalized in U.S. from Europe.
- Part Used: Leaves,
flowers, essential oil.
- Uses: Banish
nightmares, beauty, determination, dreams, gentleness,
happiness, healing, justice, love, luck, meditation,
modesty, peace, prosperity, protection, purification,
sleep.
- Other: Roman
Chamomile was used by ancient Egyptians and Moors and was
one of the Saxon's 9 Sacred herbs. Solar incenses.
- Sabbat: Midsummer,
Yule.
- CHERRY: Prunus
serotina, Prunus avium.
- Feminine, Venus,
Water/Air.
- Origin: Probably
native to N. America.
- Part Used: Wood,
Bark.
- Uses: Creativity,
divination, fertility, happiness, idealism, love,
prosperity.
- Other: A Druid
sacred tree. Wood was burned at Celtic festivals. Wood of
the Chokecherry (P. virgiana) was burned in needfires.
Juice can be used as a substitute for blood in rituals.
- CINNAMON:
Cinnamomum zeylanicum.
- Masculine, Sun/Mercury,
Fire/Air.
- Origin: A tropical
evergreen tree native to Ceylon; also grows in India,
Jamaica and Brazil.
- Part Used: Bark,
essential oil.
- Uses: Astral
projection, business success, clairvoyance, consecration,
concentration (with Sandalwood), creativity, divination,
fast luck, happiness, healing, inspiration, invocation,
justice, knowledge, love, luck, lust, meditation, aids
memory, mental, peace, power, prosperity, protection,
psychic, spirituality, success, wisdom.
- Other: Egyptian
embalming and annointing oil. Raises vibrations. Use to
increase the power of your spells. Used as a room
blessing.
- Sabbat: Imbolc.
- CINQUEFOIL:
Potentilla reptans, P. anserina.
- Masculine,
Jupiter/Mercury, Fire/Earth.
- AKA: Five-finger
grass.
- Origin: Common to
U.S. and Europe.
- Part Used: Leaves,
flowers.
- Uses: Annointing,
banishing , clairvoyance, divination, exorcism, healing,
hex-breaking, inspiration, justice, knowledge, love,
luck, offertory, prophetic dreams, prosperity,
protection, purification, wisdom.
- Other: Used in
flying potions. Frogs.
- Sabbat: Ostara,
Midsummer, Beltane.
- CLARY SAGE:
Salvia sclarea.
- Mercury, Earth.
- Origin: Native to
Syria, Italy, France and Switzerland. Introduced to
Britain in mid 1500's.
- Part Used: Leaves,
essential oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
consecration, creativity, divination, happiness,
knowledge, love, meditation, peace, prosperity,
protection, psychic, to keep secrets, visionary, wisdom.
- Other: Used as a
fixative in incenses and potpourris.
- CLOVE: Syzygium
aromaticum, Caryophyllus aromaticus, Eugenia
caryophyllata, take your pick.
- Masculine, Jupiter/Sun,
Fire.
- Origin: Small
evergreen tree from south Philippines, later East and
West Indies, and Brazil. Best comes from Molucca.
Cultivated for over 2000 years.
- Part Used: Buds,
essential oil.
- Uses: Astral
visions, banishment, clairvoyance, courage, divination,
exorcism, to stop gossip, healing, hex-breaking,
inspiration, love, lust, memory, peace, prosperity,
protection, psychic, purification, spirituality, wisdom.
- Other: Acts as
fixative when combined with Orris. Used to insure
magickal intention is realized.
- CLOVER:
Trifolium pratense (Red), T. repens (White), and
other species.
- Masculine, Mercury/Venus,
Air/Earth.
- Origin: It is
believed true clover originated in southeast Europe and
southwest Asia, with many indigenous to North America.
Over 250 species - widespread.
- Part Used: Leaves,
flowers.
- Uses: Animals,
exorcism, fidelity, to stop gossip, love, prosperity,
protection, strength, success.
- Other: Allegedly
dissolves Faery spells, and also helps one to see Faeries
and various other spirits. It is associated with the
Triple Goddess of Greeks and Romans, and with the sacred
wheel of the Celts.
- Sabbat: Beltane.
- COPAL: Copalli,
Bursera species.
- Masculine, Jupiter/Sun,
Fire.
- Origin: Native to
Mexico. Also grown in India, Madagascar, Mozambique and
Zanzibar.
- Part Used: Resin.
- Uses: Consecration,
contact with other planes, exorcism, hex-breaking, love,
meditation, purification, protection, spirituality.
- Other: Calls upon
the Horned God in his Pan or Cernunnos aspect. Used in
Native American incenses. Used to purify stones and
crystals.
- CORIANDER:
Coriandrum sativum.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: Native to
southern Europe and western Asia. Also found in Britain.
- Part Used: Seeds,
essence.
- Uses: Animal
healing, clarivoyance, divination, fertility, healing,
love, lust, newlyweds, prosperity, protection, to keep
secrets.
- CYPRESS:
Cypressus sempervirens.
- Feminine, Saturn, Earth.
- Origin: Best known
species is native to Mediterranean area - believed to be
the "gopher" wood referred to in the Bible.
Over 20 species found in Asia, Africa, N. America and
Mediterranean. Very large evergreen trees to small
shrubs.
- Part Used: Leaves,
fruit, wood, essential oil.
- Uses: Banishing,
binding, blessings, consecration, death, happiness,
healing, inspiration, longevity, peace, protection,
wisdom, wishes.
- Other: Helps to
organize thoughts. It is a symbol of mourning the dead.
- Sabbat: Mabon.
D
- DATURA: Datura
stramonium, D. species.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Jimsonweed,
Devil's Apple, Ghost Flower.
- Origin: Over 15
species found throughout the world.
- Part Used: Seeds.
- Uses: Hex-breaking,
protection, sleep, visions.
- Other: Has been
used in shamanic and religious rites. Sacred to Aztecs. A
Native American herb. Ingredient of Witches' Flying
Ointment. CAUTION: Violently poisonous!
- DEERSTONGUE:
Frasera speciose, Liatris odoratissima (Wild Vanilla),
Trilisa odoratissima, Carphephorus odoratissimus.
- Masculine, Mars/Venus,
Fire/Earth.
- Origin: Native to
N. America; later cultivated in Britain.
- Part Used: Leaves,
essential oil.
- Uses: Animals, to
stop gossip, love, lust, peace, psychic power.
- Other: Ingredient
in Voodoo incenses. CAUTION: Toxic.
- DITTANY OF CRETE:
Dictamnus origanoides, Origanum dictananus.
- Feminine, Venus,
Water/Earth.
- Part Used: Leaves,
essential oil.
- Uses: Astral
projection, clairvoyance, divination, happiness,
manifestations, meditation, psychic.
- Other: A base for
spirit manifestation. Use with Vanilla, Benzoin and
Sandalwood for Astral Travel. Related to Marjoram and can
be interchanged with it or Oregano in incenses.
- Sabbat: Samhain.
- DRAGON'S BLOOD:
Dracaena species, Daemonorops draco, Calamus draco.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: Very
long-lived tree of Sumatra, East Indies, Mexico, South
America and China.
- Part Used: Resin
from fruit, stem.
- Uses: Animals,
binding, changes, consecration, courage, determination,
exorcism, fidelity, honesty, love, luck, potency, power,
prosperity, protection, purification, strength.
- Other: To bring
back loved ones. Use with Cinnamon for prophetic dreams.
Also use to add potency to the mixture.
E
- ELDER: Sambucus
canadensis, S. nigra.
- Feminine, Venus,
Water/Air.
- Origin: Native
shrub of U.S.A., Canada, Britain and Europe, N. Africa.
- Part Used: Flowers,
wood, leaves, berries.
- Uses: Banishment,
blessing, clairvoyance, compassion, consecration,
cursing, divination, exorcism, healing, hex-breaking,
love, luck, prosperity, protection, release, sleep,
transformation, wisdom.
- Other: Sacred to
Mother Goddess. To help receive messages from the dead. A
Druid sacred tree. Represents life in death and death in
life. Said to offer protection to the Faeries. Burn the
berries to invite the Good Folk to a gathering. CAUTION:
Considered toxic by some.
- Sabbat: Midsummer.
F
- FENNEL: Foeniculum vulgare.
- Masculine, Mercury, Fire/Air.
- Origin: Mediterranean
region, India, temperate Europe and Britain.
- Part Used: Seeds, essential
oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
confidence, courage, fertility, healing, longevity,
protection, purification, strength, virility.
- Other: Shields one from
vice.
- Sabbat: Midsummer.
- FERN: Many species.
- Masculine, Mercury, Air/Earth.
- Origin: Common throughout
U.S.A. and Europe.
- Part Used: Leaves (fronds).
- Uses: Banishing, exorcism,
healing, invisibility, love, luck, prosperity,
protection, release, youth.
- Other: The Druids classed
ferns as sacred trees. All ferns are powerful protective
plants. Burned indoors, they provide strong protection;
burned outdoors, they produce rain. A herb often used in
weather magick.
- Sabbat: Midsummer, Mabon,
Samhain.
- FIR: Abies balsamea, A. fraseri, A. alba.
-
- Origin: Over 40 species in
northern U.S.A. and Canada; in mountainous regions of
Europe, Asia, and the Himalayas.
- Part Used: Needles,
essential oil.
- Uses: Happiness,
inspiration, peace, prosperity, protection, visionary,
wisdom.
- Other: Used to invoke the
power of the God. A Druid sacred tree.
- FOXGLOVE: Digitalis pupurea.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- AKA: Faery Gloves, Dead
Men's Bells, Faery Fingers.
- Origin: Grows wild in
Britain and Europe. Later introduced into eastern and
central N. America.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Uses: Protection, faery
magick.
- Other: A Druid sacred herb
associated with the "Little People." CAUTION:
Very poisonous!
- FRANKINCENSE: Boswellia carterii, B. thurifera.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: Small tree native to
Arabia, north and east Africa, India and China.
- Part Used: Gum, essential
oil.
- Uses: Annointing, to bind
spells, blessing, clairvoyance, cleansing, consecration,
divination, exorcism, hex-breaking, inspiration,
knowledge, love, luck, meditation, power, to protect from
nightmares, prosperity, protection, psychic,
purification, spirituality, success, transformation,
visions, wisdom.
- Other: To increase power of
spells. Can substitute for any other gum in an incense.
Drives away evil spirits and impure thoughts. Draws
spiritual serenity of the light. Freedom from vile
habits.
- Sabbat: Imbolc, Beltane,
Midsummer, Yule, Lughnassadh.
G
- GALANGAL: Alpina officinalis.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- AKA: Low John the Conqueror
(Alpina galanga).
- Origin: China. Other species
in Malaysia and India.
- Part Used: Root, essential
oil.
- Uses: Consecration,
exorcism, healing, hex-breaking, invincibility, law,
love, luck, lust, prosperity, protection, psychic.
- Other: To increase power of
spells.
- GERANIUM: Pelargonium genus.
- Feminine, Venus/Mars, Water/Fire.
- Origin: Over 700 varieties
native to S. Africa.
- Part Used: Leaves, flower,
essential oil.
- Uses: White - fertility,
health. Pink - love. Red - protection. Rose - annointing,
to stop gossip, happiness, hex-breaking, protection,
purification. All colors - Animals, confidence,
consecration, courage, exorcism, lust.
- Other: Reduces yin/yang
extremes (balancing).
- GINGER: Zingiber officinale.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: Native of Asia.
Brought to America by the Spaniards. A species of wild
Ginger (Asarum canadense) is native to N. America.
Introduced into W. Africa, India, Jamaica and Australia
about the 16th century. Brought to Europe long before the
days of the Roman Empire.
- Part Used: Root, essential
oil.
- Uses: Courage, love, lust,
power, prosperity, psychic, to halt storms, success.
- Other: Offer whole root to
the elemental spirits.
- GROUND IVY: Nepeta glechoma.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water/Earth.
- AKA: Gill-over-the-Ground.
- Uses: Animals, anti-theft,
clairvoyance, divination, fidelity, honesty, renewal,
protection, weddings.
H
- HAWTHORN: Crataegus species.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: N. America, northern
Europe and Britain. Some sources say it is not a native
of N. America, but was introduced by the Europeans.
- Part Used: Berries, wood,
leaves, flowers.
- Uses: Chastity, divination,
fertility (used at weddings), happiness, protection.
- Other: Used for Maypoles. A
Druid sacred tree, also sacred to faeries. Wands of this
wood are of great power. Part of the sacred triad of Oak,
Ash and Thorn.
- Sabbat: Beltane.
- HEATHER: Calluna vulgaris.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Scotland.
- Part Used: Leaves and
blossums.
- Uses: Beauty, friendship,
immortality, longevity, luck, protection.
- Other: Protection from
violent crimes. Used for rain-making (with Fern). To
conjur ghosts. Worn by Wiccans to "light their
way."
- HEMLOCK: Tsuga canadensis, many species.
- Saturn, Earth.
- Origin: Evergreen tree of
U.S.A. and Canada.
- Part Used: Needles, wood,
essential oil.
- Uses: Fertility, protection,
renewal, strength.
- Other: Native American herb.
This is the tree and is not toxic.
- HEMLOCK,
WATER: Conium
maculatum.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Poison Hemlock.
- Origin: Britain and Europe,
temperate areas of Asia and N. Africa. Later introduced
into North and South Americas.
- Uses: Astral projection,
banishing.
- Other: Used to empower
magickal tools. To paralize a situation. Sacred to
Hecate. CAUTION: Highly poisonous! This is the
stuff that killed Socrates!
- HENBANE: Hyosycamus niger.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Black Nightshade.
- Origin: Central and southern
Europe, western Asia, India and Siberia. Naturalized into
N. America. Not truly indigenous to Britain, but often
found there now.
- Part used: Leaves.
- Uses: Love, although of a
binding nature (a definite no-no), banishing, to attract
rain.
- Other: Ingredient of
Witches' Flying Ointment. CAUTION: Very poisonous!
Use Fern as a substitute.
- HIGH JOHN
the CONQUEROR:
Ipomoea jalapa.
- Masculine, Mars/Saturn, Fire/Earth.
- Origin: S. America, Mexico,
southern Europe.
- Part Used: Root.
- Uses: Annointing,
consecration, happiness, hex-breaking, law, love, luck,
prosperity, protection, success.
- Other: Morning Glory root
may be substituted - it is of the same family. CAUTION:
Toxic, as is Morning Glory.
- HOREHOUND: Marrubium vulgare.
- Masculine, Mercury/Saturn,
Air/Earth.
- Origin: Indigenous to
Britain, naturalized in N. America.
- Part used: Leaves.
- Uses: Animals, anti-theft,
exorcism, fidelity, healing, honesty, mental power,
protection, to keep secrets.
- Other: Dedicated by ancient
Egyptians to Horus. One of the bitter herbs taken by Jews
at Passover.
- HYSSOP: Hyssopus officinalis.
- Masculine, Jupiter, Fire.
- Origin: Evergreen herb
native to southern Europe and Mediterranean region;
naturalized in U.S.A.
- Part Used: Leaves, flower,
essential oil.
- Uses: Consecration, healing,
prosperity, protection, psychic, purification.
- Other: Most widely-used
purifier. Dragons and dragon work. Biblical herb.
I
- IVY: Hedera helix.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Gort.
- Origin: Found all over
Europe and northern and central Asia.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Uses: Healing, newlyweds,
protection (home).
- Other: A Druid sacred herb.
Faery work.
- Sabbat: Yule, Beltane.
J
- JASMINE: Jasminum officinales, J. species.
- Feminine, Moon, Water.
- Origin: Over 150 species
growing in warmer regions of China, India and western
Asia. Later introduced to Britain and U.S.A.
- Part Used: Flowers,
essential oil.
- Uses: Annointing, astral
projection, balance, prophetic dreams, fertility,
happiness, justice, love (spiritual), luck, lust,
meditation, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic,
sleep, success, weddings.
- Other: Used to charge quartz
crystals. Burn to lift spirits. Associated with the
night. Hindu name translates as "moonlight of the
grove." Associated with the Virgin Mary.
- Sabbat: Ostara.
- JUNIPER: Juniperus communis.
- Masculine, Sun/Jupiter, Fire.
- Origin: Over 40 species of
evergreen tree and shrub. Found throughout the northern
hemisphere.
- Part Used: Berries, wood,
essential oil.
- Uses: Animals, anti-theft,
exorcism, fertility, health, hex-breaking, love, lust,
potency, protection, psychic powers, purification, to
keep secrets, strength.
- Other: Women would burn the
branches during childbirth so faeries would not spirit
away the newborn and leave a changeling in its place. A
Druid sacred tree.
- Sabbat: Yule.
L
- LAVENDER: Lavendula officinalis and other
species.
- Masculine, Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Indigenous to
mountainous regions of Mediterranean countries; later
introduced into France, Italy and by the Romans to
Britain and as far north as Norway. Early colonists
brought it to America. Best quality is from England.
Spike Lavender is said to have originated in the
Mediterranean area and N. Africa.
- Part Used: Flowers,
essential oil.
- Uses: Annointing, balancing,
chastity (with Rosemary), clairvoyance, consecration,
divination, exorcism, grieving, happiness, healing,
inspiration, longevity, love, luck, lust, meditation,
conscious mind, offeratory, peace, prosperity,
protection, psychic, purification, to keep secrets,
sleep, to see spirits.
- Other: Invokes the wisdom of
Hecate. Use to increase the duration of spells.
- Sabbat: Midsummer, Ostara.
- LEMON: Citrus limon.
- Feminine, Moon, Water.
- Origin: Indigenous to Asia,
India and later to Mediterranean countries. Over 45
species.
- Part Used: Peel, essential
oil, leaves.
- Uses: Beauty, fidelity,
healing, longevity, love, lust (leaves), strength.
- Other: To increase power of
spells, Full Moon.
- Sabbat: Midsummer.
- LEMON BALM: Melissa officinalis.
- Feminine, Moon/Jupiter, Water/Fire.
- Origin: Mediterranean area,
later Europe, Asia, N. America and N. Africa.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animal healing,
compassion, endings, fertility, happiness, healing,
longevity, love, mental, prosperity, psychic, release,
success, youth.
- Other: Used to see faeries.
Named for Greek nymph, Melissa, who is the bee goddess -
bees love this plant.
- LEMONGRASS: Cymbopogon citratus, C. species.
- Masculine, Mercury/Sun, Air/Fire.
- Origin: Asia, western India
and Africa. Several species in Sri Lanka.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
divination, fidelity, honesty, lust, psychic,
purification, strength.
- Other: Used by ancient
Egyptians to enhance psychic abilities. Biblical oil used
in consecration.
- LEMON
VERBENA: Lippia
citriodora, Aloysia triphylla.
- Masculine, Mercury/Venus, Air.
- Origin: Chili and Peru.
Later cultivated in Mediterranean, Kenya and China.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Creativity, dreams,
exorcism, happiness, hex-breaking, love, to prevent
nightmares, peace, power, protection, psychism,
purification, sleep, success.
- Other: Druidic women wore
garlands of this herb. Increases strength of mixtures.
- Sabbat: Midsummer.
- LILAC: Syringa vulgaris.
- Feminine, Venus/Jupiter,
Water/Fire.
- Origin: Native to Persia and
mountainous regions of eastern Europe. Introduced to
Britain during reign of Henry VIII.
- Part Used: Flower, wood,
essential oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
creativity, divination, happiness, love, memory, modesty,
peace, prosperity, psychic, reincarnation.
- Other: To help recall past
lives. Protection from vampires. To draw Sprites to your
garden.
- Sabbat: Beltane.
- LIQUIDAMBER: Liquidambar species.
- Masculine, Sun/Mercury, Fire/Earth.
- AKA: Styrax, Storax, Sweet
Gum.
- Origin: Large tree native to
Asia Minor. An American species ranges from the eastern
U.S. to Mexico and Central America. Related to Witch
Hazel.
- Part Used: Gum, seedpods,
bark, essential oil.
- Uses: Anti-hex,
consecration, exorcism, protection, strength.
- Other: Use to increase power
of spells. Used as a fixative. Used by Roman Catholic
Church as an altar incense.
M
- MACE: Myristica fragrans.
- Masculine, Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Jave, New Guinea,
West Indies.
- Part Used: Outer covering of
the Nutmeg. essential oil.
- Uses: Divination, fertility,
love, luck, mental, prosperity, protection, psychic.
- Other: Used in mojo bags for
love and money.
- Sabbat: Imbolc.
- MANDRAKE: Mandragora officinale.
- Masculine, Mercury, Fire/Earth.
- Origin: Native of southern
Europe, Himalayas and Palestine.
- Part Used: Root, leaves.
- Uses: Animals, exorcism,
fertility, healing, image magick, love, lust, prosperity,
protection, virility.
- Other: Associated with
Hecate. Mandrake roots were found in Tutankhamun's tomb.
American Mandrake is the Mayapple, an entirely different
plant, although magickal properties are the same. May be
used as a substitute. CAUTION: Both plants are
poisonous!
- Sabbat: Samhain.
- MAPLE: Acer species.
- Masculine, Jupiter, Air.
- Origin: Over 100 species
native mainly to N. America, northern India and Japan.
Only one species is indigenous to United Kingdom.
- Part Used: Leaves, wood.
- Uses: Love, longevity,
prosperity.
- MARJORAM: Origanum majorana, O. vulgare.
- Feminine, Saturn, Fire.
- Origin: Native to Portugal.
Wild Marjoram (O. vulgare) is widely grown in Asia,
Europe and N. Africa, probably originally from Greece or
Sicily.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animals, grieving,
healing, love, newlyweds, peace, prosperity, protection,
psychic, purification.
- Other: Thought to help the
dead sleep in peace. A gentle herb, used by Greeks at
weddings and funerals.
- MASTIC,
GUM: Pistacia
lentiscus, P. atlantica.
- Masculine, Sun/Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Shrub found over
Mediterranean region, Spain, Greece, France, and tropical
Africa. Grown in England since mid 1600's.
- Part Used: Resin.
- Uses: Divination, lust,
manifestations, mental, psychic.
- Other: For divination, use
with Cinnamon, Juniper, Patchouli and Sandalwood. Adds
potency and power to the mixture.
- MAYAPPLE: Podophyllum peltaltum.
- Masculine, Mercury, Fire.
- AKA: American Mandrake.
- Uses: See Mandrake. CAUTION:
Poisonous!
- MINT: Mentha species. Many species.
- Masculine, Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Thought to be a
native of Mediterranean region and brought to Britain by
the Romans.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Exorcism, healing,
lust, prosperity, protection, travel.
- Other: A Druic sacred herb.
See also Peppermint and Spearmint.
- Sabbat: Samhain.
- MISTLETOE: Viscum album (European), Phoradendron
flavescens (American).
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: An ervergreen
parasitic plant growing on branches of trees (mainly Ash,
Poplar and Apple, occasionally on Oak). Found throughout
Europe and S. Africa.
- Part Used: Leaves, berries.
- Uses: Animals, consecration,
exorcism, fertility, healing, hunting, immortality,
invisibility, love, luck, protection, renewal, success,
virility.
- Other: Used by Druids to see
beyond the cycle of rebirth. It is the most sacred
"tree" of the Druids. Use in floor wash to
attract patrons to a business. An herb of the Underworld
in Greek and Roman mythology. Used in Faery magick when
picked on Midsummer. CAUTION: Poisonous.
- Sabbat: Yule, Midsummer,
Lughnassadh.
- MUGWORT: Artemisia vulgaris, A. ludoviciana
(American).
- Feminine, Venus, Earth/Air.
- AKA: Western Mugwort or
White Sage (Artemesia spp.) is American.
- Origin: Probably native to
Europe. Found in temperate zones. American version is
found in western United States and Mexico.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil, flowers.
- Uses: Anti-theft, astral
projection, banishing, clairvoyance, consecration,
divination, longevity, prophetic dreams, fertility,
hex-breaking, lust, protection (physical), psychic,
release, sanity, scrying, sleep, strength, safe travel,
visions.
- Other: A Druid sacred herb.
Once known as "Mother of Herbs" because it
could drive off imps and devils. Often used in dream
pillows. Used to exorcise spirits of disease. A branch
kept under the doorstep will keep away annoying visitors.
A Chinese protective herb.
- Sabbat: Midsummer, Mabon.
- MULLEIN: Verbascum thapus.
- Feminine, Saturn, Fire.
- Origin: Widespread - Europe
and temperate Asia, N. America (especially the eastern
states), and U.K. (except northern Scotland). Also common
in N. Africa.
- Part Used: Flowers, leaves.
- Uses: Determination,
courage, exorcism, fertility, healing, longevity, love,
protection, purification, sleep, travel.
- Other: A Native American
herb. Used as a substitute for graveyard dust. Often an
important ingredient in many potions.
- Sabbat: Samhain.
- MUSK: No latin name.
- Venus, Earth.
- Origin: Oil extracted from
the glandular sack of Himalayan musk deer.
- Uses: Apply to 3rd eye
during meditation to open chakras to divine wisdom. Love
incenses, prosperity, courage, fertility.
- Other: Since animals must
die to provide this oil, please use a substitute: Musk
Ambrette seed (Hibiscus abelmoschus) from the musk
mallow. Or a Calif. musk plant (Mimulus moschatus).
Either of these can be used instead. Magickal properties
are the same.
- MYRRH: Commiphora myrrha.
- Feminine, Moon/Sun, Water/Fire.
- Origin: Bush native to
Arabia, Somaliland.
- Part Used: Resin, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animal healing,
annointing, banishing, blessing, compassion,
consecration, endings, exorcism, happiness, healing,
hex-breaking, luck, meditation, peace, prosperity,
protection, purification, release, success.
- Other: Lifts vibrations. Use
to drive and bind spells. Used as a fixative in perfumery
and potpourri. The bush is a Christian symbol of
continence. An Egyptian embalming ingredient. Burned in
liturgical rites throughout the ancient world. Hebrew
women used it for purification.
- Sabbat: Imbolc, Mabon.
N
- NIGHTSHADE,
BLACK: Solanum
nigrum.
- AKA: Garden Nightshade,
Henbane.
- Uses: See Henbane.
- NIGHTSHADE,
DEADLY: Atropa
belladonna.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Belladonna, Dwale.
- Origin: Native to central
and southern Europe, southern and western Asia. Later
cultivated in England, France and N. America. Rare in
Scotland.
- Part Used: Berries.
- Uses: Astral projection,
banishing, visions.
- Other: Sacred to Hecate. CAUTION:
All parts are Highly Poisonous!
- Sabbat: Samhain.
- NIGHTSHADE,
WOODY: Solanum
dulcamara.
- Masculine, Mercury, Air.
- AKA: Bittersweet.
- Origin: Native to Europe,
Britain and N. America.
- Part Used: Berries.
- Uses: Healing, protection,
to forget lost love.
- Other: CAUTION:
Poisonous!
- Sabbat: Samhain.
- NUTMEG: Myristica fragrans.
- Masculine, Jupiter, Fire.
- Origin: Malaya, Molucca
Islands.
- Part Used: Seed, essential
oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
divination, dreams, fidelity, fertility, healing,
invisibility, justice, love, luck, lust, meditation,
prosperity, protection, psychic, sleep.
- Other: Used to activate love
spells.
- Sabbat: Samhain.
O
- OAK: Quercus alba, many species.
- Masculine, Sun/Jupiter, Fire.
- Origin: Found throughout
northern hemisphere.
- Part Used: Leaves, acorns,
wood.
- Uses: Commanding,
confidence, courage, fertility, healing, longevity, luck,
power, prosperity, protection, purification, to keep
secrets, strength, success, virility.
- Other: A Druid holy tree,
the Oak was the king of trees in a grove. Connected with
the Dagda, Herne, Zeus, Hecate, Pan, Blodeuwedd,
Cerridwyn, Cernnunnos. A Native American tree. Associated
with the Thunder gods of many cultures due to the fact it
attracts lightning more than other trees. Midsummer fire
is Oak, and the needfire usually kindled in a Oak log.
Believed to provide safety to the Faery Folk.
- Sabbat: Yule, Mabon,
Samhain, Lughnassadh, Midsummer.
- OAKMOSS: Evernia prunastri.
- Jupiter/Moon, Earth/Water.
- Origin: A lichen that grows
mostly on Oak trees in Europe and N. America.
- Part Used: Whole plant,
essential oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
divination exorcism, hex-breaking, inspiration,
prosperity, widsom.
- Other: Used as a fixative.
To invoke the elementals.
- OLIVE: Olea europaea.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- AKA: Sweet oil.
- Origin: Native to Asia Minor
and Syria. Cultivated in Mediterranean region, Chili,
Peru and southern Australia. Very long lived tree.
- Part Used: Oil.
- Uses: Annointing, fertility,
healing, luck, lust, peace, potency, protection.
- Other: Excellent base to
distill other essences. Sacred to Minerva, goddess of
wisdom.
- ORANGE: Citrus sinesis, Citrus species.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: India and China.
- Part Used: Peel, flowers,
essential oil.
- Uses: Balancing, beauty,
divination, fertility, happiness, healing, love, luck,
peace, prosperity, purification, weddings.
- Other: Use flowers in love
incenses. Signifies a long, happy marriage. Chinese
symbol of luck and prosperity.
- ORRIS: Iris florentina.
- Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
- AKA: Yellow Flag Iris.
- Origin: Eastern
Mediterranean area, northern India and N. Africa.
- Part Used: Root.
- Uses: Creativity,
divination, exorcism, to stop gossip, hex-breaking, love,
protection.
- Other: Used as a fixative.
Sacred to Hera.
- Sabbat: Mabon.
P
- PANSY: Viola tricolor, V. species.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- Uses: Love, rain magick.
- PARSLEY: Petroselinum crispum.
- Masculine, Venus/Saturn, Air/Earth.
- Origin: Native of eastern
Mediterranean regions (especially Greece), Turkey,
Algeria and Lebanon. Brought to Britain during the
1600's. Over 40 species.
- Part Used: Leaves, root,
essential oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance, death,
divination, fertility, happiness, lust, meditation,
protection, psychic, purification, reincarnation.
- Other: In middles ages it
was thought that to transplant Parsley would bring
disaster to the house. Symbol of death in ancient Greece
and Rome.
- PASSIONFLOWER: Passiflora incarnata, P. species.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Native to American
tropics.
- Part Used: Flower.
- Uses: Blessings, friends,
passion, peace, sleep.
- Sabbat: Mabon.
- PATCHOULI: Pogostemon cablin, P. patchouli.
- Feminine, Saturn/Venus, Earth.
- Origin: Native to E. and W.
Indies, Paraguay, tropical Asia.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Banishing,
clairvoyance, commanding, creativity, divination,
exorcism, fertility, happiness, hex-breaking, love, lust,
memory, physical energy, peace (in home), prosperity,
protection, release.
- Other: A fixative. A
substitute for graveyard dust. To break off love affairs.
Power of the Gnomes. The Horned God.
- PENNYROYAL: Mentha pulegium.
- Masculine, Mars/Venus, Fire/Air.
- Origin: Native of Europe and
Asia.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: To aid business deals,
endings, love, peace, protection, purification, release,
strength.
- Other: CAUTION: Essential
oil is highly toxic. American Pennyroyal (Hedeoma
pulegiodes AKA Squaw Mint) is used the same way as the
European
- PEPPER,
BLACK: Piper genus.
- Masculine, Mars/Sun, Fire.
- Origin: Native to southern
India, China; later cultivated in the E. and W. Indies,
Malay and Siam.
- Part Used: Fruit, essential
oil.
- Uses: Binding, courage,
cursing, exorcism, hex-breaking, lust, protection.
- Other: Adds piquancy to a
relationship. May use Turmeric as a substitute.
- PEPPERMINT: Mentha piperita.
- Masculine, Mercury/Venus, Fire/Air.
- Origin: Native to Japan,
China and Egypt.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animals, balancing,
consecration, prophetic dreams, ecology, endings,
excitement, changes, happiness, healing, hexing, justice,
love, luck, lust, mental, partnership, prosperity,
protection, psychic, purification, release, renewal,
sleep, visions.
- Other: Used to raise
vibrations. Laws of Karma.
- PINE: Pinus genus.
- Masculine, Mars/Saturn, Air/Earth.
- Origin: Many species
widespread.
- Part Used: Needles, cones,
wood, essential oil.
- Uses: Animals, annointing,
binding, clairvoyance, cleansing, compassion,
consecration, divination, exorcism, fertility, grounding,
healing, hex-breaking, peace, prosperity, protection,
purification, strength.
- Other: Burned in winter to
purify. Sacred to the Druids; one of the 7 chieftan trees
of the Irish. Amerindian tree. Used to cleanse the aura.
- Sabbat: Yule, Mabon,
Midsummer.
- POKEWEED: Phytolacca americana.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- AKA: Poke Root, Inkberry.
- Part Used: Root, berries.
- Uses: Courage, hex-breaking.
- Other: Use at New Moon to
break curses. CAUTION: Poisonous!
- POPLAR: Populus tremuloids.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Aspen.
- Origin: Over 35 species of
trees in N. America and Canada. Does not grow well in
Britain.
- Part Used: Leaves, wood,
resinous buds.
- Uses: Astral projection,
prosperity.
- Other: Two species do not
have resinous buds - they are the Bigtooth Aspen and the
Quaking Aspen. Another species (P. balsamifera) is
commonly called Balm of Gilead. Sometimes added to flying
ointments.
- POPPY: Papaver rhoeas.
- Feminine, Moon, Water.
- Origin: Asia Minor, China,
southeastern Europe.
- Part Used: Seeds, seed pods,
flowers.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
commanding, compassion, divination, dreams, fertility,
invisibility, love, luck, peace, prosperity, psychic,
sleep.
- Other: Used to invoke
faeries into dreams, to break love spells. Red Poppy is a
symbol of fallen warriors. Sacred to Demeter and Artemis.
Alleged to draw large amounts of money fast. CAUTION:
Opium Poppy (P. somniferum) is not only illegal, it is
toxic. Also, do not ingest Poppy seeds of any kind
before undergoing a drug test - you will test positive.
R
- RASPBERRY: Rubus idaeus.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Native to N. America
and Europe.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Uses: Love, protection.
- ROSE: Rosa genus.
- Feminine, Venus, Water/Air.
- Part Used: Petals, essential
oil.
- Origin: Believed to be
native to Persia and the Orient. Found in temperate
regions throughout both hemispheres. Introduced to S.
Africa and S. America.
- Uses: Annointing, balance,
banishing, beauty, blessings (house), clairvoyance,
compassion, consecration, creativity, divination,
happiness, healing, longevity, love, luck, lust, memory,
peace, prophetic dreams, protection, release, to keep
secrets, transformation, weddings.
- Other: In Greece, Rose oil
with the supreme offering to Aphrodite. Used as an
all-purpose annointing oil. To invoke Isis. To increase
personal magnetism. Associated with Rose Quartz. The
petals smell like burnt leaves in incense, so use
sparingly.
- Sabbat: Ostara, Beltane,
Midsummer, Lughnassadh, Mabon.
- ROSEMARY: Rosmarinus officinalis.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: An evergreen shrub
indigenous to the Mediterranean region.
- Part Used: Leaves (needles),
essential oil.
- Uses: Animal healing,
annointing, anti-theft, blessings, confidence,
consecration, courage, death, determination, exorcism,
fidelity, inspiration happiness, healing (with Juniper),
longevity, love, luck, lust, meditation, memory, mental
powers, newlyweds, to banish nightmares, peace,
protection, psychic, purifying, release, remembrance,
sleep, strength, youth, wisdom.
- Other: Truly an all-purpose
magickal herb of great power. Has very powerful purifying
vibrations. Used in rituals for the dead and as a symbol
of remembrance at funerals. Used to attract good spirits
and repel evil ones. Is an ingredient of many Celtic
recipes. Use to attract the Faery Folk.
- Sabbat: Yule, Imbolc.
- ROSEWOOD: Aniba roseadora.
- Origin: Native to the Amazon
area.
- Part Used: Wood, essential
oil.
- Uses: Powdered wood is an
excellent incense base. This is one of the trees that is
being felled in the clearing of the rainforest.
- ROWAN: Sorus aucaparia, S. americana.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- AKA: Mountain Ash.
- Origin: Northern Europe, Mt.
Ash is native to N. America.
- Part Used: Wood, leaves.
- Uses: Binding, divination,
healing, inspiration, luck, protection, protection from
storms, wisdom.
- Other: A Druid sacred tree
and sacred to goddess Brigit. Magickal tree used for
wands and amulets. A very magickal tree used in almost
all forms of magick.
- Sabbat: Beltane.
- RUE: Ruta graveolens.
- Masculine, Mars/Saturn, Fire/Earth.
- Origin: Native of southern
Europe and the Mediterranean. Introduced to Britain by
the Romans.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Banishing, blessing,
consecration, exorcism, healing, inspiration, longevity,
love, luck, mental, protection, psychic, purification,
renewal, wisdom.
- Other: Ancient Celts
considered Rue an antimagical herb - a defense against
spells and dark magick.
S
- SAGE: Salvia officinalis.
- Masculine, Jupiter/Mercury,
Air/Earth.
- Origin: Mostly a native of
the Mediterranean region (common garden Sage). Over 500
species, some common to N. America and Mexico. White Sage
(Salvia apiana) is a native to hot dry areas of North and
Central America.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
consecraction, divination, healing, immortality,
inspiration, longevity, love, lust, peace, prosperity,
protection, psychic, to keep secrets, spirituality,
weddings, wisdom.
- Other: A Roman sacred herb.
The Amerindian herb is not the same, but is an Artemesia.
- Sabbat: Mabon, Samhain,
Ostara, Yule.
- ST. JOHN'S
WORT: Hypericum
perforatum.
- Masculine, Sun, Fire.
- Origin: Throughout Europe
and Asia, Britain and N. America.
- Part Used: Leaves, flower,
essential oil.
- Uses: Animals, banishing,
confidence, courage, exorcism, fertility, happiness,
healing, hex-breaking, love, luck, protection, psychic,
purification, release, strength.
- Other: Used to increase
power of spells. A Druid sacred herb; the Celts passed it
through the smoke of the Summer Solstice fire, then wore
it in battle for invincibility. Used in Needfires (along
with Ivy, Mugwort, Milfoil, Vervain, Elder, Fennel,
Melilot, Chamomile, Plantain, Hawthorn, Lavender and
Fern).
- Sabbat: Beltane, Midsummer.
- SANDALWOOD: Santalum album.
- Feminine, Moon/Mercury, Water/Air.
- Origin: Small tree native to
India.
- Part Used: Bark, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animal healing,
annointing, bind spells, clairvoyance, concentration,
consecration, divination, exorcism, healing, luck, lust,
manifestation, meditation, protection, psychic,
purification, reincarnation, spirituality, wishes.
- Other: One of the oldest
known aromatic herbs, at least 4000 yr. of use. Mysore
Sandalwood is considered the best. Use to annoint
divination tools to bring fast, accurate answers. Dab oil
on 3rd eye for past life recall. A fixative.
- Sabbat: Lughnassadh, Yule.
- SANDALWOOD,
RED: Pterocarpus
santalinus.
- Venus, Earth.
- AKA: Santel.
- Origin: Sandwich Island and
western Australia.
- Part Used: Wood.
- Uses: Fidelity, honesty,
love, protection.
- Other: This is not truly
Sandalwood, but often used as such.
- SPEARMINT: Mentha spicata.
- Feminine, Venus, Water/Air.
- Origin: Thought to be a
native of the Mediterranean region.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animal healing,
consecration, dreams, happiness, healing, love, luck,
lust, mental, prosperity, protection, psychic, release,
sleep.
- Other: A Voodoun protection
oil for body and home. Use with Sandalwood for a house
blessing. A favorite Medieval strewing herb.
- SQUILL: Urginea scilla.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- AKA: Sea Onion.
- Origin: Mediterranean
countries, Canary Islands, Cape of Good Hope.
- Part Used: Root.
- Uses: Hex-breaking,
prosperity, protection.
- Other: CAUTION: Poison!
- STAR ANISE:
Illicum verum.
- Masculine, Jupiter/Mercury, Air.
- Origin: Evergreen tree from
China, Japan and India.
- Part Used: Star-shaped
fruit.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
consecration, divination, fertility, love, luck,
banishing nightmares, prosperity, protection, psychic.
- Other: Use to empower
magickal objects. More fragrant then regular anise,
though not related.
- STORAX: Stryax officinalis, Liquidamber
orientalis.
- See Liquidamber.
- STRAWBERRY: Fragraria genus.
- Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
- Origin: Found all over the
northern hemisphere, except in tropical areas.
- Part Used: Leaves, oil.
- Uses: Beauty, clairvoyance,
divination, fertility, love, luck.
- Other: Faeries like offering
of the oil. To get a strawberry scent, use the essence -
the leaves smell like leaves. The leaves are a symbol of
foresight.
- Sabbat: Ostara.
- SWEETGRASS: Hierochloe odorata.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Origin: North America.
- Uses: Amerindian herb for
calling the spirits.
T
- TANSY: Tanacetum vulgare.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Europe, later in
North America. Related to Feverfew, Marigold and Daisy.
- Part Used: Flower, leaves,
essential oil.
- Uses: Healing, immortality,
invisibility, longevity.
- Other: One of the bitter
herbs of the Bible. CAUTION: Considered toxic by some.
- Sabbat: Imbolc, Ostara.
- TARRAGON:Artemisia dracunculus
- Mars, Fire.
- AKA: Little Dragon.
- Origin: Southern Europe, S.
America and Asia. Seldom found in U.K.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Uses: Animals, anti-theft,
confidence, courage, love, protection, to keep secrets,
strength.
- Other: Dragons.
- THISTLE: Carduus species.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: Many species native
to Europe, Asia and Mexico.
- Part Used: Flower.
- Uses: Exorcism, healing,
hex-breaking, protection, strength.
- Other: Holy Thistle (Carduus
benedictus) is a Druid sacred herb.
- Sabbat: Yule (Blessed
Thistle), Mabon.
- THYME: Thymus vulgaris.
- Feminine, Venus, Water/Air.
- Origin: Mediterranean
countries and Spain. Another species is native to
Britain. Also found in the Middle East.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
confidence, concentration, consecration, courage, death,
divination, healing, love, meditation, memory, to banish
nightmares, protection, psychic, purification, sleep.
- Other: A Druid sacred herb.
Used in rituals for the dead and to ease grief at
funerals. An ingredient of holy water. Represented
chivalry during the middle ages. A Faery herb, used to
see Faeries.
- TOBACCO: Nicotiana genus.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: Native to N.
America, later cultivated in most sub-tropical countries.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Uses: Healing, offerings,
purification.
- Other: Amerindian herb. To
call upon gods and make them appear. Used in shaman,
Voodoun and Macumba incenses. Conducive to trancework. It
is best to use pure, organically-grown tobacco if
possible. What you find in cigarettes has been
adulterated with many chemicals.
- TONKA: Coumarouma odorata.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Large tree native to
S. America. Later cultivated in W. Africa.
- Part Used: Beans, oil.
- Uses: Courage, healing,
love, luck, prosperity, wishes.
- Other: Fast luck. Used as a
fixative. CAUTION: Poison!
- TURMERIC: Cucurma longa.
- Mars, Fire.
- Origin: S. Asia.
- Part Used: Root.
- Uses: Confidence, courage,
exorcism, hex-breaking, lust, purification, strength.
- Other: Hawaiian incense. May
be used in place of black or cayenne pepper in incenses.
V
- VALERIAN: Valeriana officinalis.
- Feminine, Venus/Mercury,
Water/Earth.
- Origin: Over 150 species.
Native to Europe, northern Asia, Africa, U.S.A., India
and Japan.
- Part Used: Root.
- Uses: Animals, consecration,
exorcism, happiness, hex-breaking, love, lust, peace,
protection, purification, sleep.
- Other: A substitute for
graveyard dust. May have been used by Pied Piper of
Hamlin to intoxicate the rats so he could lure them away.
- VANILLA: Vanilla planifolia.
- Feminine, Venus, Water.
- Origin: Central America and
Mexico. Other species native to Tahiti.
- Part Used: Bean, essential
oil, sometimes the extract.
- Uses: Inspiration,
intuition, love, lust, mental, peace.
- Other: Voodoun love oil.
Substitutes - Vanilla leaf (achyls triphylla) is a
coastal plant, and Vanilla ordhis (Nigritella
angustifolia) of Europe. Vanillin is a synthetic version,
said to be made from coal tar.
- VERBENA:
- See Lemon Verbena.
- VERVAIN: Verbena officinalis. Verbena species.
- Feminine, Venus, Earth.
- Origin: Native to Europe,
China and Japan.
- Part Used: Leaves and
flowers.
- Uses: Annointing, banishing,
chastity, creativity, exorcism, healing, hex- breaking,
inspiration, knowledge, love, lust, peace, prosperity,
protection, purification, release, sleep, youth.
- Other: Cerridwyn. Sacred to
Druids - used with Mistletoe and Mandrake to return
curses to enemies. It was common in their many rites and
incantations. It was so highly esteemed that offerings of
this herb were made to the gods. The Greeks burned it for
a favorable prophecy. Sacred to Romans, Persians, and
ancient Egyptians.
- Sabbat: Midsummer.
- VETIVERT: Vetiveria zizanioides, Andropogon
muricatus.
- Feminine, Venus, Earth.
- Origin: Southern India and
Sri Lanka.
- Part Used: Leaves, roots,
essential oil.
- Uses: Anti-theft, banishing,
to increase business, hex-breaking, love, luck,
prosperity, protection, virility.
- Other: It is a grass related
to Lemongrass and Citronella. Used as a fixative in
mixes. Used to increase power of spells.
- VIOLET: Viola odorata.
- Feminine, Venus, Water/Air.
- Origin: Over 200 species
mostly native to Europe and Asia.
- Part Used: Leaves, flowers,
essential oil.
- Uses: Banishing, beauty,
fidelity, healing, justice, love, luck, lust, peace,
protection, release, wishes.
- Other: To break down
barriers of indifference. Use with Lavender for an
aphrodisiac. Fragrance comforting to those whose children
have died.
- Sabbat: Imbolc, Ostara.
W
- WILLOW: Salix genus.
- Feminine, Moon, Water.
- Origin: Over 100 species
native to central and southern Europe and eastern U.S.A.
- Part Used: Wood, bark.
- Uses: Anti-theft,
clairvoyance, compassion, consecration, divination,
exorcism, fertility, healing, hex-breaking, love, to
prevent nightmares, protection, release, to conjur
spirits.
- Other: To conjur spirits,
burn with Sandalwood at the waning Moon. One of the seven
sacred trees of the Irish and a Druid sacred tree.
Connected to Hecate. An Amerindian tree. Symbolizes death
and the Underworld. A tree of enchantment, sacred to the
Moon Goddess.
- WINTERGREEN:
Gaultheria
procumbens.
- Feminine, Moon/Mercury,
Water/Earth.
- AKA: Teaberry.
- Origin: Northeastern U.S.A.
and Canada.
- Part Used: Berries, leaves,
essential oil.
- Uses: Animals, healing,
hex-breaking, luck, prosperity, protection.
- Other: CAUTION: Essential
oil is poisonous!
- WOLFSBANE: Aconitum napellus.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water.
- AKA: Aconite, Monkshood.
- Origin: Himalayas through
Europe to Great Britain.
- Part Used: Flowers, seeds.
- Uses: Invisibility,
protection.
- Other: Sacred to Hecate.
Used in flying ointments. CAUTION: Highly poisonous!
- WOODRUFF: Asperula odorato.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- AKA: Woodde rowffe.
- Origin: Northern Europe.
- Part Used: Leaves.
- Uses: Consecration,
prosperity, protection, purification, release,
transformation.
- Other: A Druid sacred herb.
Success in battle. Used as a strewing herb.
- Sabbat: Beltane.
- WORMWOOD: Artemisia absinthium.
- Masculine, Mars, Fire.
- Origin: Native to Eurasia
and N. Africa.
- Part Used: Leaves, essential
oil.
- Uses: Animals, binding,
divination, exorcism, hex-breaking, love, protection,
psychic, calling spirits.
- Other: To call spirits, burn
with Sandalwood. A Druid sacred herb; very magickal and
sacred to Moon deities. CAUTION: Toxic. Sacred to
Isis.
- Sabbat: Samhain.
Y
- YARROW: Achillea millefolium.
- Feminine, Venus/Saturn,
Water/Earth.
- Origin: Native to Europe and
possibly N. America.
- Part Used: Flower, leaves,
essential oil.
- Uses: Animals, banishing,
clairvoyance, consecration, courage, divination,
exorcism, fertility, friends, hex-breaking, longevity,
love, luck, newlyweds, protection, psychic, release.
Other: Lasting love. Amerindian herb.
- YEW: Taxus baccata.
- Feminine, Saturn, Water/Earth.
- Origin: Tree native to
Europe, N. Africa and western Asia.
- Part Used: Berries, wood.
- Uses: Clairvoyance,
compassion, divination, memory, peace, protection.
- Other: A Druid sacred tree.
Sacred to the deities of death and rebirth. Once used to
raise the dead. CAUTION: Poisonous.
- Sabbat: Yule.
- YLANG-YLANG: Cananga odorata.
- Venus, Water.
- Origin: Tropical Asia.
- Part Used: Essential oil.
- Uses: Happiness, love, lust,
peace.
Not herbs, but
sometimes used in incense:
- SALT
- Earth.
- Uses: Confers blessings.
Sacred to many cultures. Grounding, cleansing, burns away
negativity, purity. Often used in prosperity spells.
- SALTPETER
- Mars.
- Uses:Use only in Mars or
Saturn blends. Used to make self-lighting charcoal. To
make loose incenses sparkle when burned.
- SULPHUR
- Sun/Fire.
- Uses: Banishing, unhex,
countermagick, protection.
- Other: It stinks.
- WINE
- Uses: Often used to slightly
moisten dry incenses to blend aromas.
- Sabbat: Lughnassadh, Mabon,
Midsummer, Yule, Samhain.
- OLIVE OIL
- See Olive.
- ©1999 Emer
Setante. All Rights Reserved. You may copy this text for
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