The Magickal Cinnamon Tree

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Do Cinnamon trees grow in the UK? Yes!  But to my knowledge, not just anywhere but in Birmingham, West Mids at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, they do. The Cinnamon tree [Cinnamomum verum – which translates to “true Cinnamon”] is native to Sri Lanka, however, in 2016, Indonesia and China produced 75% of the world’s supply of cinnamon. The aromatic spice was once one of the most expensive spices to procure in western countries.  Nowadays you can get a small jar of it for under a pound in some shops. 

Cinnamon Trees by beautifulnow.is

Many people love a sprinkle of Cinnamon over their porridge or toast of a morning. Of course, there are also many kinds of drinks, hot or cold, alcohol based or plain, which benefit from the flavour of a bit of Cinnamon.  And it is used in many kinds of curries and other favourite Indian and Middle Eastern foods we all enjoy. And that Cinnamon stick everyone enjoys in a hot Christmas / Yuletide toddy is the bark of the Cinnamon tree! 

According to the website for Birmingham Botanical Gardens:

“To make cinnamon sticks or “quills” the stems have to processed soon after harvesting whilst the stems are still wet. Again, the outer bark is removed, then the stems is hammered evenly to loosen the inner bark, which can be separated into 1 metre long rolls, 0.5mm thick. These are dried in a well ventilated, warm area for 4 to 6 hours before being cut into 5 to 10 cm lengths for sale. The cultivated trees are coppiced or cut back to the ground to encourage new stems. This is done on a two-year cycle so that only two-year-old stems are used. Cinnamon can be used to flavour cakes, biscuits, and other deserts as well as curries, stews, soups, meats and pickles. It is also used in drinks like teas and mulled wine for Christmas.”

At first I had thought of writing about Cinnamon the spice in a Wortcunner’s Cabinet blog, however, the more I thought on it, it seems that is what everyone does, and in most instances leaving out the tree altogether.  We would not have the spice if not for the tree, therefore, the tree itself needs some attention.

So, what makes it magickal?

Magick

Burning the wood or the bark in an incense will bring about high vibrations and it is also a good ingredient to use to stimulate your psychic powers.  It is excellent in loose incense for money drawing purposes.  Carry a stick of Cinnamon bark with a piece of paper and an amount you need in your currency written on a piece of paper wrapped round it and then wrap a low denomination bank note around that and tie a piece of string round to hold it all together.  Keep this in your coin purse, wallet, or anywhere you keep money until you receive the money you need. [You can also do this with a piece of Cedar wood].  Cinnamon bark, wood, spice, or oil are all excellent to use for empowering yourself with healing, love, protection, psychic powers, and success.  They can be used in sachets, spell bags, incenses, and infusions.  I have read of some people anointing their currency with Cinnamon oil with great success. 

Correspondences

Planet:  Sun

Zodiac:  Leo

Gender:  Masculine

Element:  Fire

Powers:  Healing, Love, Lust, Protection, Power, Psychic Power, Spirituality, Success, Wealth

Sabbat[s]:  Imbolc, Litha, Yule

Deity:  Egyptian: Ra, Sekhmet, Greek: Hephaestus, Hestia, Hindu: Agneya, Agni, Celtic: Aed, Brigit, Norse: Glöð, Logi, Roman: Vesta, Vulcan,

Other Names:  Sweet Wood,

Health

In my home growing up, if you had a toothache [as too many did in those days!], if pure Clove oil weren’t around and you had some pure Cinnamon oil available, it would work nearly as well.  However, pure Cinnamon oil should not be used topically on one’s skin.  Generally speaking, I believe it would just be best to drink your Cinnamon and leave the oils to add to loose incenses or smearing on your bank notes. 

Cinnamon is proven to relieve upset tummies, however, if you are pregnant, it is best not to imbibe Cinnamon at all. Otherwise, Cinnamon tea after a meal is said to regulate your blood sugar and aid in digestion.  Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.  It has shown hopeful signs in helping Diabetics by dramatically reducing insulin resistances well as those with heart disease by lowering high blood pressure.  There are studies in effect presently which are looking to prove that Cinnamon may have beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

And Cinnamon is also being looked into as a possible candidate for slowing the growth of some cancers, and HIV. 

For a Bit of Fun!

I try not to be very “sell-y” in my blogs, although I do write the occasional blog flogging our wares.  As many of you know, my daughters and I make witchcraft supplies which we sell online but we also make a range of rustic Yule decorations as well. And, as several items are made from Cinnamon wood as well as Cinnamon bark, I would like to share them at this time, if anyone is interested.  You can click here to visit and see all the items we have to offer. Thank you for the indulgence 🙂

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Wikapedia.com

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Cloves

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

The name “clove” comes from the French word for “nail”.  They do look a bit like small nails, indeed!

World’s oldest clove tree photo by Peter Van Eijk for the BBC

Cloves are one of the spices, along with nutmeg, so highly prised that it has started wars. The Dutch monopolised the nutmeg trade and kept it cantered in the Moluccas. They went through great lengths to preserve their monopoly. During the Spice Wars of the 17th and 18th century the Dutch uprooted groves of nutmeg and cloves trees to keep prices high and cut their competitors out of the market. Dutch settlers were given slaves to run their plantations but were told they could not return home to Holland and were required to produce cloves exclusively for the VOC at fixed prices. Seventy large plantations were established mostly on Banda and Ai islands.  Seen here is the world’s oldest clove tree, named ‘Afo’, located in Indonesia, and photographed by Peter Van Eijk for the BBC Magazine.  Afo is estimated to be between 350 to 400 years of age, making it a survivor of the Spice Wars.  Now, sadly, Afo is reduced to a stump and a few bare branches, thanks in part to villagers needing firewood.

On to happier clove stories…..and the magickal ways to use cloves.

Magick

Whole cloves ~ photo from Google Images

In magick spells, cloves are traditionally used to invoke prosperity, protection, exorcism, and purification.  Its scent helps with boosting confidence and expanding one’s thoughts. Cloves produce spiritual vibrations and it cleanses. It can be burned to prevent gossip about you. Cloves have also been worn to attract the opposite sex.  Wear in an amulet or charm to dispel negativity and bind those who speak ill of you. Cloves strung on a red thread can be worn as a protective charm.  We include a clove in both our Protection Witch Bottle and our Prosperity Witch Bottle, and I am presently preparing an Empath Rescue Witch Bottle by request which will also use clove.

Burn cloves in a crushed form as part of a loose incense to attract riches, drive away hostile and negative forces, to produce spiritual vibrations, to purify the area, or to stop others from gossiping about you.  Be sure to do any kind of prosperity spell work during the day of Jupiter [Thursday] and the hour of Jupiter for best results.

To prevent people from spreading rumours about you, push clove stems into a red candle and burn.

Worn or carried, cloves attract the opposite sex and brings comfort to the bereaved. This is a particularly delightful spice to include in your kitchen magick. Although not green in colour, its function as both a familiar kitchen spice and bringer of magick has it listed as a Green Herb/Spice.

Cloves are useful for bringing a sense of kinship to a social gathering; placing them in a potpourri in the room where people are gathered or using in loose incense is divine. Another use for cloves in loose incense is for those who read the tarot or do any kind of divination work as they help along ones’ ability to be more psychically sensitive.  Cloves are particularly useful in incenses for astral projection work. Putting cloves into your tea before going on an astral journey is helpful as well.

As always, cloves like many other herbs and spices, are very useful in poppets and sachets for any of its powers.

Healing

Used for colds and insomnia, cloves have  been used by cunning folk and doctors for centuries.  Growing up, when one of us had a toothache [too many sweets can decay a tooth badly!] a clove would be placed on – or inside of a tooth if it had decayed – to cure a toothache as it is a natural pain reliever, owing to cloves containing methyl salicylate, as well as the anaesthetic eugenol.  I can attest to this working.  In a similar idea, the Chinese chewed cloves to freshen their breath.

Clove Oil ~ Old English Chemist’s bottle

Clove oil has been an essential part of any doctor’s or cunning woman’s medicinal tool kit since oil could be distilled from a clove.  It is both antibacterial and anaesthetic. You can rub the oil directly on your gums to numb a toothache, only be sure to only use real clove oil and not clove essential oil which is diluted with carrier oils.  Steep clove buds in a tea to improve digestion, prevent and relieve flatulence, and to relieve nausea and diarrhoea.

Be sure to put a drop of real clove oil inside your elbow to test for sensitivity before swabbing your gums with it.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Jupiter

Zodiac:  Aquarius

Gender:  Masculine

Element[s]:  Fire

Powers:  Prosperity, Protection, Exorcism, Purification, Visions, Clairvoyance

Deity:  Jupiter, Agneya, Mātariśvan, Agni

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessings upon all whom this way wander x

Sources

Wikipedia

Experience

BBC ~ The World’s Oldest Clove Tree, By Simon Worrall

http://factsanddetails.com/indonesia/ ~ The Dutch Spice Wars

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Mandrake or Mayapple

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

The Mandrake is native to southern Europe; however, it does have a “brother” plant in the US called Mayapple.  European Mandrake comes from several species of the genus Mandragora, a member of the nightshade family.  Despite the Mandrake root’s poison, it was used in early Chinese and European medicine as a pain reliever and sedative.  I would not suggest anybody try this at home!  Its fascination in Witchcraft came from the fact it often looks like the body of a tiny person. Below we shall explore the ways it was used in the past as well as some ways you can employ Mandrake today.

American Mandrake [Podophyllum peltatum], also called Mayapple or Wild Mandrake, has a skinny brown root that does somewhat resemble the fatter European Mandrake with its similarity to the human body.  The Mayapple is very much as poisonous as is its European cousin so do handle with care. To my knowledge, the European Mandrake is only poisonous by the roots, however, every part of the American Mandrake is poisonous, apart from the small fruit which I hear tastes like apples [however, the seeds are poisonous], hence the name Mayapple. I think you would get more enjoyment from a regular apple, if I’m honest!

If you’re not confused yet, enter the English Mandrake. English Mandrake [or “false Mandrake”] is another name for White Briony [Brionia alba]. Briony is an invasive vine related to the cucumber. Apart from having large leaves and being poisonous when ingested, Briony doesn’t bear much resemblance to other Mandrakes.  I felt I must mention this as I would not like to think anyone tried to use this in vain for real Mandrake.

Mandrake Root ~ Google Images

Talking of real Mandrake.  Be very careful.  I have read that some sellers on eBay sell Mandrake root for great amounts of money.  I am not saying they are necessarily selling you the wrong thing, but I can tell you that they may not be harvesting it correctly.  Mandrake root should only be harvested in its fourth year.  If people are selling Mandrake root to make a lot of dosh, chances are they are harvesting too soon in order to make that sale. And, if they can get away with it, very probably some of the Mandrake root being sold is fake.  Buyer beware. You can grow your own and I’m sure there are many the reputable website or book which can tell you how to grow it properly.  You will have to order your Mandrake seeds most likely from China or Greece or somewhere it is grown normally. Or, settle for American Mayapple which is recommended as a substitute for the European Mandrake and works just as well.

Magickal

Many calls Basil the Witches herb. In that case, I would call Mandrake the Witches root. It is legendarily used in all kinds of magick.  If you are a neo-Witch [beginner] you may have at least heard of it from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when the stalky plant, when uprooted, shrieks lethally. According to one legend which bears similarity to the Harry Potter film is that a Mandrake will emit an ear-piercing scream if uprooted, killing the person who digs it up. According to the stories, the only way to uproot the Mandrake safely is to plug one’s ears with wax and tie a rope between a Mandrake root and a dog’s tail. Back away from the root and throw the dog a bone or try to have it fetch a stick, and the dog will lunge for it. The Mandrake root will be uprooted by the dog’s sudden leap, and its shrieks will kill the hungry dog. Truth to tell, I wouldn’t know.

My dried Mayapple/Mandrake root ~ photo by i.macy

There have been, over hundreds of years, recipes and tinctures to imbibe which would give the Witch or cunning person a psychic edge.  I won’t publish any of what I know here for I would never forgive myself if someone tried it and died, which is a very real outcome if you ingest Mandrake root or any parts of the Mayapple. Therefore, all ideas are for sympathetic magick only.

A dried Mandrake root placed on the mantelpiece is said to protect and bring happiness and prosperity to the household and it will also prevent demons from entering the home. Placed on top of money, it will make the money multiply.

A Mandrake root can be used as a poppet for sympathetic magick. It can also be carved into various shapes for magickal use.

The berries as well as the root are used in charms to increase fertility. Carried, it is said to attract love.

Add a bit of Mandrake root to your moon water and/or holy water for ritual use as it increase the power of any kind of solution you use in your practise, if it is not used to rub on your skin or to eat and drink.

The Mandrake root can be used as a familiar.  You would give it food and drink daily or on a different schedule such as the full moon or dark moon only.  You can give it milk, wine, whatever you like.  Clean the Mandrake root figure, speak to it, form a relationship of sorts, and invite the spirit whom would be your “familiar spirit” to live within the Mandrake root and do your bidding.  The thing I know about creating a familiar is that the one thing you don’t want to do is expect everything from it.  It is best to choose one thing you want most from it and this way it will do its job well rather than having too many spirits enter all with different ideas.

It is also believed that disease can be transferred from an ill person to the Mandrake root by a Witch or cunning person, then the root is destroyed, effectively freeing the person from whatever ailed them.

Likewise, a Witch can exorcise a demonic spirit from a person and cage it within the Mandrake root, and of course, destroy the root leaving the once possessed person free of demonic plague.

Your altar tools, such as your athame, wand, and so forth, can be given extra power by including Mandrake root in whatever oil you use for the consecration of them.  Just a few pieces dropped into say, a bottle of Myrrh [my oil of choice when consecrating my altar and tools] and left inside the oil will do the job. You can also use it in specific oils you might use for dressing candles to empower your candle magick.

Prosperity Witch Bottle ~ photo by i.macy

Mandrake root is powerful for bringing prosperity into your life.  Several ways of using it would be to  put a piece of Mandrake root in your coin purse or wallet where the folding money is kept.  Do take care not to put your fingers in your mouth afterwards.  You wouldn’t die but you might get a little woogy! And, of course, one our favourite ways is using it as one of the nine ingredients in our Wealth Witch Bottle talisman which we sell in our shop. It can be worn to attract money to you, or it can be kept where you keep money to make it grow such as a safe or a home bank. If you have a home-based business, you can also hang it wherever you work. Mandrake root can be used in a money poppet which you can decorate in any way you see fit to draw money to you and good place to carry it would be in a handbag or a man bag if you’re a chap who carries one.  Again, with adding the root to oils, add a few pieces of the root to Patchouli oil and put a few drops on your folding money to increase the attraction to more money.

Mandrake root is highly protective.  Remember above where I mentioned adding the pieces of root to your homemade holy water?  Use it to sprinkle round your home, particularly around doors and windows to protect from intruders.

Healing

The leaves [European Mandrake only] can be boiled in milk and used as a poultice for external ulcers.

This is where I leave it for, I am not qualified in any way as far as I’m concerned to tell anyone how or when to use Mandrake for health reasons.  I have read many articles about it but the right dosages and so forth to do good and not harm are too iffy.  Yes, I am aware that people through the years have used Mandrake for their health, still, as it is so poisonous, I’m just not going to try.  I don’t mind giving some advice with the non-poisonous herbs, woods, leaves, etc but this one is not one I’ll recommend.  So, if you insist on using it, please find the information elsewhere.  Good luck and be careful, please.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Mercury

Gender:  Masculine

Zodiac:  Gemini and Virgo

Element[s]:  Fire

Powers:  Fertility, Money, Luck, Protection, Love

Deity:  Circe, Hecate, Diana, Hathor and Saturn

Other Names:  European Mandrake, Mandragora, Mandrake, Mandrake Apple, Pome Di Tchin, Satan’s Apple, herb of Circe, witches mannikin, sorcerer’s root, main-de-gloire, hand of glory, mangloire

Many thanks for reading my blog and warmest blessing to all whom this way wander x

Sources

Experience

Wikipedia

The Witching Herbs: 13 Essential Plants and Herbs for Your Magical Garden by Harold Roth

The Mystic Mandrake by C.J.S. Thompson

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

The Magickal Jasmine Tree

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Jasmine tree, Italy, Brolo di Nonio

According to ancient flower vocabulary, Jasmine means “amiability”. So, it is no wonder that the Moo-le-hua, a fragrant Jasmine, is employed in China and other Eastern countries in forming wreaths for the decoration of ladies’ hair.

In Thomas Moore’s ‘The Light of the Haram,’ the Enchantress Namouna, who was acquainted with all spells and talismans, instructs Nourmahall to gather at midnight—“the hour that scatters spells on herb and flower”—certain blossoms that, when twined into a wreath, should act as a spell to recall her Selim’s love. The flowers gathered, the Enchantress proceeds to weave the magic chaplet, singing the while—

“The image of love, that nightly flies

To visit the bashful maid;

Steals from the Jasmine flower, that sighs

Its soul, like her, in the shade.

The dream of a future happier hour,

That alights on misery’s brow,

Springs out of the silvery Almond flower

That blooms on a leafless bough.”

Jasmine is considered a birth tree according to a Druidry website.  When given this tree sign, one can almost always show an interest in politics or some form of public relations and communications or social interests. They enjoy getting their thoughts across.

Magickal

Jasmine flowers are believed to attract emotional love and are associated with beauty, kindness and romance. Jasmine is also believed to bring prophetic dreams and enhance psychic abilities.

In some places, the following mode of floral divination is resorted to. The lover, male or female, who wishes to ascertain the character of the beloved one, draws by lot one of the following flowers, the symbolical meaning attached to which will give the information desired.  There is a quite large table of flowers and their meanings, if drawn.  However, in a bunch of various kinds of flowers, if the woman or man chooses the Jasmine flower it means their intended will be cheerful. Likewise, for all the other flowers on the table, each has its own one-word correspondence.

yellow Jasmine ~ mailordertrees.co.uk

Yellow Jasmine is the flower of the Epiphany. To dream of this beautiful flower foretells good luck; to lovers it is a sure sign they will be speedily married.

Burn some dried jasmine in your bedroom as you sleep to help with divinatory dreams.  It is also useful to burn in loose incense when performing any kind of divinatory work such as pendulum dowsing, tarot readings, runes casting, and ogham readings.  Burning Jasmine is also very useful in lucid dreaming, astral travel / riding the hedge, and contacting the Divine and Guides in dreams and dreaming [including prophetic dreaming].

Jasmine also attracts money.  It is useful for  connecting with others emotionally, for wisdom, as well as creativity, particularly in the creation of something that will touch other’s emotions. Use the Jasmine flower or even use finely ground Jasmine wood in your loose incense for money  or love spells.  Personally, I would use the Jasmine wood in the money incense and the flower in the love incense.  You can also use the Jasmine flower in poppets for money or love.

Jasmine can be used for wands and I look forward to finding some to create them from!

Health

A native of the West Indies and Central America, night-blooming Jasmine is now cultivated in India, where the Malasar people use its juice for cataracts.

Helvetius [real name: John Fredrick Schweitzer, alchemist, 1625-1709] has left a list of classified herbs and plants which in his time were considered by experts in herb craft to exhibit peculiar marks and signatures by which they could be identified with the several parts and members of the human body. This may be said to have formed the basis of the system embraced in the Doctrine of Plant Signatures, and as it epitomises the results of the protracted and labourious researches of the old herbalists, who may fairly be said to have laid the foundations of our present system of Botany, it has been thought worthwhile to give an abbreviation of it. From this table we find that Jasmine is good for the kidneys.

Apart from that, I can’t find much else which Jasmine can be used for in healing. However, it can be brewed into a tea which may be how it helps kidneys.

*** Revision

I must not fail to inform you that certain Yellow Jasmine can be lethal. The “Carolina Jasmine” [Gelsemium sempervirens] which grows in both the UK and in the US, is toxic. One flower from it can kill a child, if eaten. Other names are Yellow jessamine, Carolina jasmine, Jessamine, Woodbine, False jasmine, False jessamine, Evening trumpet flower. Please be mindful of this in using it.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Moon, Venus

Gender:  Female

Zodiac:  Virgo, Cancer

Element[s]:  Air, Water

Powers: Love, Psychism, Abundance, Joy, Divination, Creativity

Chakra:  Heart

Deity:  Venus, Aphrodite, Áine, Bastet, Eostre, Ishtar

“With Hyacinth and Jasmine her perfumed hair was bound,

A posy of sweet Violets her clustering ringlets seemed;

Her eyes with love intoxicate, in witching sleep half drowned,

Her locks, to Indian Spikenard like, with love’s enchantments beamed.”

“Moonlight of the Grove” By Anvár-i-Suhailî

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings to all whom this way wander.

Sources

The Light of the Haram, by Thomas Moore

Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics. Embracing the Myths, Traditions, Superstitions, and Folk-Lore of the Plant Kingdom, Volume and Lyrics, by Richard Folkard, 1884

Druidry.org

Experience

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Alkanet

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Dyer’s Bugloss [Alkanna tinctorial]  ~ by wildflowerfinder.org.uk

Alkanet [Alkanna tinctorial] is derived from the root of a plant known as Dyer’s Bugloss.  Do not confuse it with Viper’s Bugloss [Echium vulgare]. Both have blue flowers, however, very different. Alkanna tinctorial is originally from the Mediterranean and brought to England specifically back in the day, growing in Kent, and in the West Country, specifically Devonshire and Cornwall.  It can be found throughout Great Britain today.  Echium vulgare is a native of Great Britain.

It may not surprise you to know that Alkanet is known for its beautiful red dye, for  if you’ve worked with it before, you can see from your fingertips!   You can also use it in a tinted lip gloss, if you like.  I have no doubt it was the favoured way in which women through the ages have given their pouts a bit of colour before Revlon and other make up companies came out with tubes of lipstick.  Not only has Alkanet been used for lippy, but has, and still is, used to colour wood stain, cloth dye, and wine.

In some forms of magick, Alkanet is used to speed thing up a bit for those in need of a quick fix.  I have never personally used Alkanet in a hurry, so I don’t know, but apparently it is the go-to plant for getting things off to a quick start and early gains.

Magickal

Spell work involving Alkanet is best used on the day of Venus, Friday and during the hour of Venus for the best effects.

Alkanet root ~ photo from herbalveda.co.uk

Alkanet is a wonderful herb to use for anything related to money.  You can carry a piece of the root with you when going gambling to increase your luck or mix the powdered root with other money-drawing herbs, flowers, and woods to carry in a sachet or talisman.  It is also a fabulous anti-negativity herb and has long been used in loose incenses for that purpose.  I always suggest using Alkanet in a loose incense for burning in a new home or one where trouble has been prevalent in order to cleanse away the negative energies left behind.  You can use the same herbs, flowers, and woods with Alkanet as you may have created a talisman with for drawing money or luck to you in a loose incense for money spells, as well.

As mentioned above, Alkanet is a prevalent ingredient in some Fast Luck oils and such, although I am not familiar with them.  If you don’t want to purchase something such as that you can probably easily make your own.

Not many mentions how Alkanet can draw love to you but based on the same principal as when women long ago rouged up their lips with Alkanet to be more appealing and to find love, it does have a magickal property of drawing love to you.  If you don’t care to wear it on your lips you can make a love poppet with it or you can carry it upon your person discreetly inside a sachet or talisman which you create for this purpose.

Alkanet can protect one from negative energies which have been purposefully directed to him or her as from a hex.

Health

Per Nicholas Culpeper:  “it helps old ulcers, hot inflammations, burnings by common fire, and St Anthony’s fire, by antipathy to Mars; for these uses, your best way is to make it into an ointment; also, if you make a vinegar of it, as you make vinegar of roses, it helps the morphew and leprosy; if you apply the herb to the privities, it draws forth the dead child,  It helps the yellow jaundice, spleen, and gravel in the kidneys  Dioscorides saith, it helps such as are bitten by a venomous beast whether it be taken inwardly or applied to the wound; nay, he saith further, if any one that hath newly eaten it do but spit into the mouth of a serpent, the serpent instantly dies.  It stays the flux of the belly kills worms helps the fits of the mother.  Its decoction made in wine and drank, strengthens the back, and eases the pains thereof. It helps bruises and falls and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the small pox and measles as any is; and ointment made of it, is excellent for green wounds, ricks or thursts.”

Mr Culpeper covered it all in this one paragraph over 300 years ago.  To this day, many of these practises are implemented with Alkanet. Perhaps in more sterile ways but used much the same.

Warning:  Careful of ingesting Alkanet if you have any known liver problems as it can prove toxic.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Venus

Gender:  Feminine

Elements: Earth / Air

Zodiac:  Libra, Taurus

Powers:  Prosperity, Purification, Protection, Luck, Love

Deity:  Venus, Shukra, Aphrodite

Other Names:  Anchusa, Dyer’s Bugloss, Orchanet, Spanish Bugloss, Enchusa, Lingua Bovina, Ox Tongue, Yellow Anchusa, and Blue Bugloss.

Many thanks for reading my blog today.   Warmest blessings upon all whom wander this way x

Sources

Experience

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicolas Culpeper c. 1702

The Magickal Bay Laurel Tree

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @thewandcarver

If you guessed that this is the tree where our beloved Bay leaves come from, you are correct.  The Bay Laurel [Laurus nobilis] is the aromatic, sun-loving tree which is renowned from the ancient Greek and Roman times as the embodiment of fame, victory, and success.  The victors of those times [think Julius Caesar] wore Laurel crowns… as a matter of fact, Italian high school graduates continue this tradition today.  The word “laureate”, which comes from the word laurel, indicates a high level of mastery and recognition, as in Poet Laureate.  And I am sure you have also heard of the phrase “rest on one’s laurels”.

Magickal

Bay Laurel “Lolipop” tree ~ gardnerfocused.co.uk

Bay is definitely aligned with fame, winning, successfulness in all you do.  We use it extensively in magick.  But why? And how? Many times, we may use an herb or spice because a spell requires it without giving much thought to why are we using this particular herb or spice. If you have used bay leaves in a success, luck, or money spell then you may have had great success with the spell.  But, did you know that your herbs and spices may not work so well unless you enchant them to do your bidding first? My personal enchantment routine is to hold each item I choose to go into my spell work in my “power hand”, which for me is my right hand. Then I choose the correspondence of the herb that I wish to enchant it for… most herbs and spices have a variety of correspondences, as you may know.  Some may do multiple different things such as money, fertility, protection, etc. So, if you want money, you must enchant that herb/spice for its correspondence of money and not fertility. Then, holding the herb in my power hand, I speak my enchantment to it nine times.  After I feel the sudden warmth in my hand, I know it is ready to be added to my spell potion or incense.

Other ways in which to use the wonderful Bay leaf are for prosperity, wish granting, psychic abilities and more… one quick spell anyone can do is to write “prosperity” onto a Bay leaf in gold ink [you can get gold ink pens at most department stores with any kind of stationary department] and then burn the Bay leaf, focussing your intent for prosperity as it burns.  For protection, burn Sage along with Bay leaves to cleanse your space needing protection.  For success, hold a Bay leaf and channel your desire into the leaf until you feel it is working, then burn the leaf. You can also add one or more Bay leaves to any magickal working performed with the intention to manifest any variety of success.  Another way to draw money into your life is to empower four Bay leaves during the New Moon in the light of the noon Sun, then place them in your wallet or cash box.

Anti-Harassment Spell

Hold a single Bay leaf between your flat palms in prayer pose near your heart.  Feel or imagine a bright sphere of sunlight surrounding your and shielding you from all negative effects of harassment and unwanted advances.  Call upon Daphne to support you in this intention and remind yourself that you are not deserving of such treatment.  Vow to yourself that you will refuse to tolerate it or take to heart any longer.  Then place it in a drawstring bag, along with a haematite stone, and wear it around your neck so that it rests over your heart.  Thank Daphne for her help and wear as needed. ~ Tess Whitehurst, The Magic of Trees

Correspondences

Planet:  Sun

Gender:  Male

Element:  Fire

Powers:  Anti-Harassment, Healing, Psychic Abilities, Prosperity, Protection, Success, Wish Granting

Deity:  Apollo, Daphne, Gaia, and Peneus

Sabbat:  Litha

Folk Names:  sweet Bay, true laurel, Grecian laurel

Health

Bay Laurel leaves, dried ~ thesoapkitchen.co.uk

Most of us have used Bay leaves in cooking meals, particularly Italian dishes. But did you know that Bay leaves have the ability to detoxify the body, slow the ageing process, speed wound healing, protect the body from bacterial infections, manage diabetes, improve heart health, reduce inflammation, alleviate respiratory issues, optimise digestion, and prevent certain types of cancer?

Bay leaves have a profound effect on our gastrointestinal system, both stimulating urination as a diuretic, which decreases the toxicity of the body and stimulating vomiting [as an emetic] when something toxic has been consumed. Furthermore, the organic compounds found in bay leaves are very effective for settling upset stomachs, soothing irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] or even lessening the symptoms of Celiac disease.

Having a hard go of breathing due to flu or cold?  Melt down some bee’s wax, add a little bit of a carrier oil such as extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil, then some Bay leaf essential oil [the higher the grade, the better to make a salve].  Rub on your chest and not only will it help you breathe better by loosening the phlegm, but its antibacterial properties will help rid you of the bacteria trapped in your respiratory tract.

Don’t be too quick to chuck out that salve when your cold is all better! You can likewise use it on arthritic joints or sore muscles for relief of pain.

** “Bay leaf” is a commonly used term that applies to many different plants around the world; however, to achieve all the health benefits listed above, it is essential that you find a true bay leaf, derived from the Bay Laurel tree. There are some varieties that are toxic when consumed. You can purchase Bay Laurel leaf in capsule form.  There is no scientific evidence I can find that it works, but as mentioned earlier, it is also believed to prevent certain cancers and lower glucose levels in diabetics.  Please see your GP before embarking on any kind of self-treatment for disease.

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources

The Magic of Trees by Tess Whitehurst

Wikipedia

WebMD

Crystal of the Week, Moss Agate

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @thewandcarver

Moss Agate variations ~ photo by i.macy

When working with crystals it still amazes me how different they can look from each other.  When I began studying crystals longer ago than I care to mention, I started with the assumption each different type would look pretty much the same to its brothers and sisters.  No.  In fact, as time went on, it seemed at times that one would look so different I would think it belonged to another group, but not so.  Of course, now I know never to judge a crystal by its cover so to speak… case in point, this little array of Moss Agates in my hand.  The green, mossy one nearest is a dead ringer for what most call a Moss Agate, and you’re right, it is.  But then, you have a couple of white ones with a little bit of green inclusion, the another which is half white, half green, and then, one which is very odd, indeed…so how do we know? We’ll begin with the very odd one.  It has a different colour of green, but only just.  And I believe the inclusions of red oxide are making the green look a little bit bluer than it normally would.  I call this one my little rarity because rarely Moss Agate can be found with red and brown patterns due to the corrosion of the iron within the chlorite and hornblende.

Moss agate is described as a neutral and transparent Dendritic Agate. While technically it is not an Agate it is in fact Chalcedony. The use of the word Moss Agate was used before the scientific definition and so it has stuck. Moss Agate contains sets of mineral inclusions that imitate the looks of trees, plants, and landscapes. Some Moss Agate inclusions are composed of manganese and iron oxide and are one of the most unique Agates available.

Magickal

As a stone of abundance, Moss Agate can be used in spell work for financial gain.  It is a perfect crystal to transform into a talisman for helping to gain wealth.  It is also an excellent crystal to use for encouraging fertility if you are wanting to start a family.  Not only will the Moss Agate help you to conceive but will also help you during pregnancy and especially during the birthing process. Moss Agate will attract abundance in all forms.  In the workplace, it draws new business and gradual expansion, increasing prosperity over time. It is good for small businesses and the self-employed.  It is helpful to keep one wherever you wish to draw abundance to – your handbag, your cash till, your banking papers, and wherever you keep money.

Moss Agate has “warrior energy” … if you need the strength to get through something just use your Moss Agate as an amulet to protect and energise your courage and war spirit.

If you are unsure about the direction of your life, meditate with your Moss Agate to seek the path you are meant to take.  Not only can it point the way for you to go but it can help you to transform yourself into the person you want and need to be, to be successful in the directed path.

As a Heart Chakra stone, you will always find Moss Agate useful in cleansing and repairing the Heart chakra. It is also said to be a favoured crystal for helping one find true love.  But mainly, it is stone of calming and self-love… it teaches us to care for ourselves which is very important if we want others to care for us as well.

Healing

Moss Agate is truly helpful for the circulatory system, which regulates beat, and other heartbeat abnormalities. It helps buzzing in the ears. Using an Agate along the core of the chest fortifies the cardiac muscle of a person and treats emotional discord. Moss Agate increases the digestive system at it heals gastritis.

It aids and eliminates all toxins within the body. Agate may also diminish the signs of epilepsy, and for some people, it protects them against sleepwalking. In addition to this, Moss Agate conveys inner peace, and strength to the emotional aspect and through the entire body.

Additionally, it is especially accommodating stone for those people who experience severe mood swings as well as those passionate due to their emotional drama in their lives. It also pacifies impulsive tempers, promotes tolerance, completeness, and inner peace, as well.

Moss Agate also helps the person to release deep-seated apprehension and depression, extending one’s individual space and development. It enhances a good self-image and fortifies positive character traits, which includes the capability of the person to get along with other people as much as possible.

Moss Agate also enhances the acuity of the senses and neuronal activity. It helps eliminate depression caused by left-right brain imbalance, and stimulates mental function by improving concentration, perception, and analytical abilities.

Moss Agate is anti-inflammatory and helps treat infections and swelling, colds and flu, and lowers fever. It is useful for long-term illness and recovery, boosting the immune system, and is thought to prevent hypoglycaemia and dehydration. As an elixir applied to the skin, Moss Agate treats fungal and skin infections and irritations.

Correspondences

Planetary: Associated with Mercury and Earth

Zodiac:  Gemini

Element:  Earth

Gender:  Female

Powers:  Wealth and abundance, Protection, Love, Physical and Emotional Healing, Fertility, Conception and Birth

Energy:  Wood

Chakra[s]: Heart

Deity: Bona Dea, Aurora, Cerridwen, Gaia, Nya

Other Names:  Stone of Abundance, Spirit of Nature

I thank you so much for reading my blog and I wish for warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources

Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones, Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007

Cassandra Eason, The New Crystal Bible, London: Carlton Books Ltd., 2010

Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible, Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2003

Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible 2, Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2009

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Enchanter’s Nightshade

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @thewandcarver

From Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics, by Richard Folkard, Jun, London 1884:

“ENCHANTER’S NIGHTSHADE.—Formerly the Atropa Mandragora used to bear this name, but by some mistake it has been transferred to the Circæa Lutetiana, an insignificant plant named after Circe, the famed enchantress, probably because its fruit, being covered with hooked prickles, lays hold of the unwary passers-by, as Circe is said to have done by means of her enchantments. The Mandrake was called “Nightshade,” from having been classed with the Solanum tribe, and “Enchanter’s” from its Latin name Circæa, a name which it obtained, according to Dioscorides, because Circe, who was expert in herbal lore, used it as a tempting powder in amorous concerns.”

An interesting little book which, if I understand correctly, sounds almost more like an apology for his bad information in the preface rather than a preface of something of great import.  But as it was of some interest, I just had to include it… take from it what you will.

Enchanter’s Nightshade ~ wansteadwildlife.org.uk

You’ve seen the pretty pink slips bobbing in the breezes over the last month or so.  They are quite small and may be white instead of pink.  If you haven’t, try looking in shady places where the ground is moister such as shady woodlands, coppices, and perhaps in some hedge rows. If you have seen them, you have found Enchanter’s Nightshade.  If you’re not familiar with Enchanter’s Nightshade or Circaea lutetiana; this nightshade is a member of the willowherb family, Onagraceae.   It is not related to other nightshades such as the deadly nightshade.

The genus name comes from the enchantress Circe of Greek mythology and the specific designation is derived from Lutetia, the Latin name for Paris, which was sometimes referred to as the “Witch City”. Despite its name it is not especially toxic but contains a lot of the astringent tannin.  The plant is native to Europe, Middle Asia, Siberia, United Kingdom, and the eastern United States and Canada. It grow in woods in deep shade and moist environments on nitrogen-containing clay.

Circe was a powerful Grecian witch who, with the help of herbs, muttering incantations, or praying to her strange gods, could turn men into animals, or create unsubstantial images of beasts. She often called to her aid Nyx, Chaos, or Hecate. But as witchcraft may make a victim also of him or her who practises it, the nights of Circe could be wasted in fear because of the uncontrolled visions that filled her house. And so, for example, the walls and chambers of her palace could seem to be bathing in blood, whilst fire could seem to devour her magick herbs. That is why it was a relief for her when daylight came, and she could bathe and clean her garments, forgetting the scaring nightly visions. Circe also liked to attract others for the mission of sex magick, therefore it could be thought this is one reason this kind of nightshade is called Enchanter’s.

Magickal

My dried Enchanter’s Nightshade ~ photo by i.macy

Enchanter’s Nightshade is a useful herb for aiding in the Laws of Attraction.  Not only the love kind of attraction but to attract whatever it is that you want in your life, including wealth, health, and any number of things. As a rule, Enchanter’s Nightshade does not attract wealth itself but it aids in the  Seven Laws of Attraction where you attract what you need and want into your life.  You may use it in the usual ways which you do for spell work, mainly useful in loose incenses to be burned over a charcoal disc.  This is a particularly good way to use it during meditation.  It is also useful in spells for binding, hexing, and love.  Mainly you may read that you use Belladonna [Deadly Nightshade] for hexing but those of us who would rather not, I have found that Enchanter’s Nightshade – absolutely no relative of the Deadly variety – works just as well. It is also said to be useful for shapeshifting and transformation in which you would drink it as a tea, however, be certain you have the correct herb before ingesting.  Take all due precautions and then take them again.

For enchanting or simply attracting the lover of your dreams, make a sachet of dried Enchanter’s Nightshade to carry with you when you have opportunity to be near this person.  In our Love witch bottle necklace, Enchanter’s Nightshade is an ingredient. You may also use with other dried herbs which attract love, such as Vervain, in a loose incense to burn during spell work for love.  And, of course, if you prefer making poppets, use the Nightshade in those as well.

Healing

According to Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician and Complete Herbal:  “It is a cold Saturnine plant.  The common Nightshade is wholly used to cool hot inflammations either inwardly or outwardly, being no ways dangerous to any that use it, as most of the rest of the Nightshades are, yet it must be used moderately.  The distilled water only of the whole her is fittest and safest to be taken inwardly:  The juice also clarified and taken being mingled with a little vinegar, is good to wash the mouth and throat that is inflamed; But outwardly the juice of the herbs or berried, with oil of roses and a little vinegar and ceruse laboured together in a leaden* mortar, is very good to anoint all hot inflammations in the eyes.  It also doth much good for the shingles, ringworms, and in all running, fretting, and corroding ulcers, applied thereunto.  The juice dropped into the ears eases pains thereof that arise of heat or inflammations  And Pliny saith, it is good for hot swellings under the throat.  Have a care you mistake not the deadly nightshade for this; if you know it not, you may let them both alone, and take no harm having other medicines sufficient in the book.”

In medicine Saturn presides over the skeletal system, skin, teeth, gall bladder, spleen, and vagus nerve. Saturn symbolised processes and things which were dry and extremely cold, and was therefore inimical to life. It governed the melancholic humour.

Nearly all I can find about the use of Enchanter’s Nightshade for nowadays is using it as an astringent for skin maladies.  Oh yes, and the [*] above – please do not use any leaden vessel in the preparation of herbs for health and physical use.  I don’t think I need to say it, still, there can always be that one 😊

Correspondences

Planet:  Saturn

Zodiac:  Capricorn and Aquarius

Gender:  Female

Element:  Earth and Water

Powers:  Healing, Love, Binding, Hexing

Deity:  Circe

Other Names:  Sorcerer of Paris, Witch’s Grass, Great Witch Herb, Wood Magic Herb, Paris Nightshade, Herb of St. Etienne, Southern Broadleaf Nightshade

Many thanks for reading my humble little blog.  Warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources

Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician and Complete Herbal [17^th century]

Richard Folkard, Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics [Jun, London 1884]

Witchipedia

Woodlands.co.uk

Experience

Crystal of the Week, Carnelian

By Isabella @TheWandCarver
Instagram: @thewandcarver

When you hold a Carnelian, you feel you have held the ages in your hand. It is a warm and knowledgeable crystal and it gives you the feeling that it knows you very well. And there is no wonder as to why – Carnelian is known as a stone of motivation and endurance, leadership, and courage; it gives a rush of warmth and joy that lingers.

My Carnelian ~ photo by i.macy

Carnelian is an orange-coloured variety of Chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family. Although Its name comes from a Latin word meaning “flesh”, it reminds one more of beautiful sunsets in its reddest hue. The ancient Egyptians called Carnelian “the setting sun” and they considered it the active male energy stone, recognised by its glowing vibrant colour. Whilst Carnelian is mainly a reddish to orange hue, it also comes in pinkish-orange colouration to a deep rusty brown.
Ancient warriors wore Carnelian around their necks for courage and physical power to conquer their enemies. Alchemists of the Middle Ages used it as a boiling stone to activate the energy of other Chalcedonies to transform their energy into useful form. In ancient Egypt, Carnelian was thought to be the stone of form and design worn by master architects, to show their rank of builder. The 29th chapter of the Book of the Dead was engraved on Carnelian, as were many of the body amulets, asking for Isis and other Gods to assure safe passage in their afterlife. Carnelian is said to be the first stone in the breastplate of the High Priest, engraved with the name Reuben; it also garnished the sixth foundation wall for the New Jerusalem.

Magickal:
Carnelian is said to attract prosperity, untapped resources and good luck. It is a talisman for success in any money-making venture. If you have read my blog Free Business and Money Spells. Really you may already know the best day and hour of the week to do a business spell is on a Sunday during the hour of the Sun. In the spell you must create a talisman for drawing wealth to your business. What better crystal for the job than Carnelian? Apart from perhaps Sunstone. But I suggest Carnelian as it has money, wealth, and luck drawing powers.

Carnelian is also a fierce protection stone. It is traditionally known to guard against falling masonry and accidents with tools. And, it guards the home from theft, fire, storm or accident. If you have a friend / loved one working in any kind of building of homes or businesses, gift them with a piece of Carnelian jewellery or just a few tumblestones to carry in their pockets. I would also suggest for home protection to have a small glass bowl filled with some small, inexpensive pieces of Carnelian to set in your Health and Well-being area of your home, which in Feng Shui is the centre of your home. These will offer over-all protection for your family, pets, and home. If needs must and you can’t set the bowl in centre of house, perhaps you can attach a tumblestone to a short cord to suspend from ceiling.

Orange and red Carnelian are important crystals to use for love, and for the consummation of love. Orange crystals, particularly, are fertility and potency symbols and are linked with conceiving a child. Carnelian of either colour may help in rekindling passions that might have faded in an otherwise loving relationship.

In ancient times, Carnelian was believed to give the wearer courage in battle and to help timid speakers become both eloquent and bold. Today the same holds true for Carnelian is also called the Stone of Courage and the Singer’s Stone. Carnelian clarifies the voice and gives confidence to the person on stage, whether they are there to sing or to give a speech.

Healing:
Carnelian is full of the life force, stimulating metabolism and a good supply of blood to the organs and tissues. It influences the reproductive organs of both sexes, and increases fertility, overcoming frigidity and impotence. It aids in menstrual and menopausal symptoms and may aid in vitro and artificial insemination.

It benefits in the absorption of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals in the small intestine, and improves blood viscosity and circulation. It helps reduce congestion, phlebitis, varicose veins and haemorrhoids, as well as boils and skin irritations. Carnelian accelerates scarification and heals nosebleeds. However, if these recur, consult a doctor.

It helps heal lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia, and accelerates healing in bones and ligaments. It aids the relief of depression, especially in those of advanced years.

It provides excellent support for detoxifying from alcohol or other drugs, breaking bad physical habits, and for improving overall health in general.

Please never use information from this blog or anywhere online to self-diagnose or treat your symptoms without seeing a doctor first. Many symptoms can be the same for many different diseases – some may not be serious whilst others are very serious and may need serious medical treatment.

Carnelian is a stabilising crystal, perfect for anchoring in the present. Its high energy helps restore lost vitality and motivation and stimulates creativity for new pursuits. It improves concentration and removes extraneous thoughts in daydreamers, and during meditation. This stone also protects against envy, rage, and resentment – yours, or from others, and encourages a love of life. It is useful for overcoming abuse of any kind, helping you to trust yourself and your perceptions.

Carnelian alleviates jealousy and possessiveness in relationships, and is helpful in overcoming sexual anxieties, and eating disorders. It is also beneficial with male mid-life crisis.

The reddish-orange Carnelian is the stone of the Sacral Chakra. Gut feelings, intuition, and other “non-linear” communication comes from this chakra. When it is out of balance the symptoms will manifest themselves as confusion, over dependency on others, repression of feelings, inability to feel joy, fear of sensuality or sex, and frustration. When it is in balance you have grace, feel pleasure in life, find you are flexible and can “go with the flow” and do so in good spirit. Darker shades of Carnelian are helpful to the Base Chakra and the pink shades resonate with the Heart Chakra.

Carnelian is always a good crystal to have near when you read Tarot or cast runes…or even pendulum dowsing.

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Correspondences:
Planet: Mars
Zodiac: Aries
Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
Powers: Healing, Courage, Intuition, Protection, Money, Luck, Love, Fertility
Chakras: Sacral [Base and Heart depending on stone colour]
Deity: Isis, Ra
Other Names: The Singer’s Stone, the Stone of Courage

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources:
Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007
Cassandra Eason, The New Crystal Bible, London: Carlton Books Ltd., 2010
Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible, Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2003
Judy Hall, The Crystal Bible 2, Cincinnati, OH: Walking Stick Press, 2009
George Frederick Kunz, The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, New York: Dover Publications, 1971

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Bergamot

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram: @thewandcarver

Bergamot ~ rhs.co.uk

Bergamot is originally native to Morocco and tropical Asia it is grown commercially in the Ivory Coast and is extensively cultivated in Southern Italy. It was first cultivated around Bergamo, from where it takes its name. It would seem it took a fair number of years before it immigrated to other countries. During my research into Bergamot I delved into my Culpeper’s English Physician and Complete Herbal which has no mention of Bergamot, nor any of its other names. As this was written in the 17th century it would seem that Bergamot had not made it to England yet, however, it apparently had arrived in North America – possibly due to the bringing of slaves from Africa where it was grown – and I found this from another site [Bee Balm is one of Bergamot’s American names]: “Bee Balm was used as a medicinal plant extensively by Native Americans who recognized four varieties that had different odors. Wild Bergamot was used also as an active diaphoretic (sweat inducer) for ceremonial sweat lodges. A decoction of the herb was made into hair pomade.“

In a bit more American folklore and history about Bergamot: “The red variety [of Bergamot] is commonly known as Oswego Tea. It was used by colonists in place of English Tea after the Boston Tea Party, when they threw the English tea in the harbour to protest the high taxes imposed on it by the British.”

Magickal:

Dried Bergamot ~ photo by i.macy

Bergamot, whether used as the herb itself or as an oil, is one of the most-used herbs when trying to draw wealth and abundance to ones’ self. There are many ways in which to use it to that end. You can sprinkle a bit of the herb into your wallet amongst your folding money or in your coin purse. In money attraction or luck spells you can make a loose incense with Bergamot and other wealth-drawing herbs and woods with a small drop or two of Bergamot oil [or Patchouli oil] and burn it on a charcoal disc during your spell work. For gambling luck or money luck in general, carry a small sachet full of Bergamot and other money/luck drawing herbs is very effective. Bergamot is one of our nine herbs/woods/flowers that we put into our Wealth Witch Bottle that we sell in our shop. We use an abundance of Bergamot as we have always had wonderful results from it.

Bergamot is not only for wealth. You can use it in all of the same ways above for protection, hex breaking, courage, and mood-lifting. You may also sprinkle it into your bath water for hex-breaking. For general good spirits, mood-lifting, balance, and confidence, mix Bergamot into a potpourri with other mood enhancing herbs then place bowls full of the potpourri around your home.

Keep in mind that as a multi-purpose herb you must enchant the herb to do whichever of its powers you require most from it for each spell or other use.

Healing:
Bergamot’s leaves, flowers, and stems are used in holistic medicine as an antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, and stimulant. An infusion is medicinally used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, and gastric disorders; to reduce low fevers and soothe sore throat, and to relieve flatulence, nausea, menstrual pain, and insomnia. Steam inhalation of the plant can be used for sore throats, and bronchial catarrh [inflammation of the mucus membrane, causing an increased flow of mucus]. Externally, it is a medicinal application for skin eruptions and infections. Tea brewed of Bergamot is a wonderful way to settle a dicky tummy.

Correspondences:
Planetary: Mercury
Zodiac: Gemini and Libra
Gender: Masculine
Element: Air
Powers: Draws wealth and abundance, protection, health
Deity: Osiris, Sobek, Nephthys
Other Names: Orange Mint, Bee Balm, Horsemint, Monardo

Many thanks for reading our blog and warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources:
The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham
Wikipedia.com
Experience