From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet – Poppy

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Red Poppy ~ Norfolk Wildlife Trust

As it is nearly October, I felt it is a fitting time to talk about Poppy.  It is the flower representing firstly the lives lost in WWI and in succeeding wars.  It is a talisman to spark the memory of others to pray for our troops in the here and now, and to buy a Poppy these days means you support those troops and their families.  No matter how you feel about war, be grateful we have trained men and women who will protect us come what may.

End of my Poppy Appeal.  Let us move on to the magick.  Poppies have long been associated with death and sleep.  It was once believed that Poppies would grow where men died in battle.  Was it  coincidence that so many men died in the brutal battle in Flanders Field full of Poppies? For Poppies have represented the dead long before we adopted them as our official remembrance flower.

In the Victorian Language of Flowers, Poppies symbolise sleep, and imagination.  Red Poppies mean pleasure, white Poppies are for consolations, and yellow Poppies mean success.

In the World of the Gods and Goddesses, Demeter loved a youth named Mekon. When he died, she turned him into a poppy.  And, Hypnos, Greek God of Sleep and Dreaming, sometimes carried a Poppy stalk or a horn filled with Poppy juice.  The Minoan culture featured a Goddess wearing a garland of Poppies in her hair, and Poppies in Christian art can represent both the blood of Christ on the cross and Christ’s death prior to his resurrection.

Magick

Poppy is a useful ingredient to put into loose incense for love spells or any kind of love working.  It is also used in Moon incense and in any incense for prophesy, fertility, psychic awareness, dream magick, and spirituality.

Poppy seeds ~ Google images

I have heard from people who practise HooDoo magick  that they mix Poppy seeds with Inflammatory Confusion Oil [which I’ve never heard of]  and rub the mixture on black Mustard seeds which are also widely believed to disrupt the activities of troublesome people.

Poppies are a flower favoured by Hecate and any magickal work you do using Poppy when you evoke Her name should go favourably with you.

Sleep with a sachet under your pillow stuffed with Poppy seeds to bring relief from insomnia.

The dried leaves and flowers of the Poppy can be used just as the seeds are if you don’t have the seeds.

We put Poppy in our Love Witch Bottle Necklaces to help people attract love and to learn to love themselves.

Healing

White Poppy ~ whiteflowerfarm.com

Historically the white Poppy has been and probably still is used for creating narcotic medicines.  And, they are still very much in use for creating heroin, unfortunately.  I’m afraid I can not speak to healing with Poppy as I am not at all familiar with it and a bit afraid to lead anyone else to dabble with it unless you only use it in sympathetic medicine.  Of course, using Poppy seeds in small amounts or even dried Poppy probably would not harm anyone, however, I do hear that ingestion of Poppy seeds can make a urine test positive for narcotics so if you think you may be tested in future, don’t eat the buns with Poppy seeds!

An interesting fact –  Roman surgeons used an anaesthesia made from Opium [morphine for numbing pain and limiting movement], Henbane seeds [scopolamine for inducing sleep], and Mandrake [for slowing heart rate and deadening pain].  Please do not try this at home.

Nicholas Culpeper in his 17^th century tome, Culpeper’s Complete Herbal and the English Physician has much to say about Poppies, although for our purposes nothing which can be used.  He recommends “the garden poppy heads with seeds made into a syrup, is frequently, and to good effect used to procure rest, and sleep, in the sick and weak, and to stay catarrhs and defluctions of thin rheums from the head into the stomach and lungs, causing a continual cough, the forerunner of a consumption; it helps also hoarseness of the throat, and when one has lost their voice, which the oil of the seed doth like-wise.”

No doubt the patient was at the very least, quite happy!

Correspondences

Planet:  Moon

Zodiac:  Cancer

Element:  Water

Gender:  Feminine

Deity:  Demeter, Kore, Hypnos, Thanatos, Nyx, Somnus, Ceres, Aphrodite, Hecate

Powers: Calm Energy, Communion with the Infinite, Invisibility, Overcoming Addiction, Making Peace with Death, Perspective, Relaxation and Sleep, Surrender and Release

Other Names:  Corn Poppy [red], Corn Rose, Opium Poppy [white], The Black and White of the Garden, Erratic Wild Poppy

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

Sources

Witchipedia

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper

The Old English Herbals, by Eleanour Sinclair Rohdes

Experience

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, Turmeric

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Growing Turmeric ~ photo from Balcony Gardens

For health benefits I pair a half-teaspoonful of Turmeric powder and a dash of black pepper with Ginger root tea.  Perhaps one reason they work so well together is that Turmeric is a member of the Ginger family.  Turmeric [Curcuma longa] is a flowering plant and of course, both Turmeric and Ginger are used for cooking, particularly in the Middle Eastern countries, but Turmeric is also quite magickal.  It has  been long used in Ayurvedic medicine, where it is also known as haridra.  Oh, yes! It can be used as a dye, as well.  In fact, it was originally used as a dye, then found to be a flavoursome food additive, and then was found to be quite medicinal as well.  Always be certain the Turmeric you buy is orange/yellow, not orange/red.  Orange/red could mean impurities were added such as heavy metals, etc.

During the Vedic period in India, Turmeric was known as the ‘’golden spice’’ or the ‘‘spice of life’’ as it was associated with the sun. Significance was attributed to the bright yellow and saffron spice as the sun and sun Gods were a focal point of worship and ritual at the time. The main indigenous uses of Turmeric were rites and rituals intended to produce fertility and spiritual purification.

Magickal

Turmeric has been used in many cultures for increasing fertility in both humans and animals.  Some swear by wearing Turmeric in a charm for good health and protection.  For protective purposes in a ritual circle, Turmeric is sometimes sprinkled within its boundaries.  In Hawaii, Turmeric is mixed with salt and water, then sprinkled in the area wanting purification such as a sick room or even a ritual circle.

Because Turmeric implies a symbol of purity, fertility and prosperity among the Hindus. It is used in  rites and rituals. Turmeric powder along with sandal powder is used in preparing Kalabha to be poured on the presiding deities in temples.

The dried Turmeric roots in Betel leaves called Kumkum are given to the women during the ceremonies as they are considered as a fertility enhancer and bring good luck. Married Hindu women apply this on their forehead longitudinally along the hair partition path to indicate the marital status or smear Turmeric paste on either side of the cheek.  Turmeric paste is applied to the skin of the bride and groom before marriage in some parts of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where it is believed to make the skin glow and keep harmful bacteria away from the body.

In southern India, the dried rhizome is often worn in an amulet as protection against evil and to bring about healing or good luck.

Correspondences

Planetary: Sun

Gender:  Masculine

Zodiac:  Leo

Element: Fire

Chakra:  Solar Plexus

Powers:  Fertility, Health, Purification, Protection

Deity:  Kaali, Naaga, Vishnu, Durga,  Lord Krishna, Ganesh, Kali [Hindu]

Other Names: Olena [Hawaiian]

Health

Turmeric root ~ photo by Julie Daniluk

Unfortunately, my go-to for all things herbal and spice, Nicholas Culpeper, has no words of wisdom for Turmeric. Then again, he mainly wrote of what he knew from all over England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.  There is a good chance he had never tried the spice as it was either not being imported to Great Britain at the time or, if it was, he simply had not the chance to use it.  So, a lot of what you read now will be from my own use Turmeric and the findings I have.

In Ayurveda, the Hindu medicinal system, Turmeric is utilised extensively for its healing and health producing qualities. Spiritually it is used to balance the energies of the body while medicinally it is well known as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, digestive, antioxidant and diuretic agent. It is taken internally in the form of juice, tea and powder or applied topically in the form of lotions, ointments and pastes. Milk boiled with Turmeric and sugar is used in India as a cold remedy and the juice of the Turmeric root is often applied to help heal wounds.

My personal recipe to help keep my immune system up, as I had written about in my last blog, From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet – Ginger Root:

1-ounce grated Ginger root , steep covered for ten minutes.  I put my Ginger root in a tea diffuser/basket, but you can also just toss it into the hot water if you don’t mind Ginger bits floating round in your drink.  When ten minutes are up, lift out tea basket and add the following:

½ teaspoon powdered Turmeric

A dash or pinch of black Pepper

Stir very well and keep your spoon for you will need to stir it constantly as all of the Turmeric fails to dissolve in the water but if you stir again after each sip you won’t end up with a quarter teaspoon of Turmeric in the bottom of your cup.  It may sound like a bit of work, but the health benefits are very much worth it. 

So far, so good is all I know… its added health benefit is that because both the Ginger root and the Turmeric are both so very anti-inflammatory, my arthritis pain is all but a dream now.  Hand on heart, drinking two cups of this concoction a day is doing more for my pain than when I was having to take heavy prescription painkillers.

Turmeric is also said to be effective for ailments of the liver, such as jaundice.  Clinical trials have shown it to successfully reduce cholesterol levels.  Studies have shown it is also effective against H. pylori the cause of gastric ulcers.  It has also been found effective in some cancers.  Curcumin, the workhorse in Turmeric, can reduce LDL – or bad cholesterol – which will then prevent blood clotting, while removing arterial plaque build-up.

Turmeric contains phytochemicals and nutrients with several beneficial effects such as protecting body organs from damage, reducing cholesterol levels, improving blood-vessel health, controlling inflammation, combating infection, and more.  So, what isn’t there to love about Turmeric?

Stay healthy.

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings upon all whom this way wander.  Please stay safe x

Sources

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

Wikipedia.com

Experience

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Ginger Root

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Ginger growing!

I felt now is timely to expound upon the virtues of Ginger root.  And, forgive me if this is more about health than magick, however, in the current climate, I felt all information I have should be shared.

The English origin of the word, “Ginger”, is from the mid-14th century, from Old English gingifer, from Medieval Latin gingiber, from Greek zingiberis, from Prakrit [Middle Indic] singabera, from Sanskrit srngaveram. Ginger originated from Southeast Asia. It is a true cultigen and does not exist in its wild state.

Though it is grown in many areas across the globe, Ginger is among the earliest recorded spices to be cultivated and exported from southwest India.  India holds the seventh position is Ginger export worldwide, however, is still the largest producer of Ginger in the world.

Magickal

There are many ways in which to use Ginger as magickal currency.  One that I only just picked up on recently is for health [although Scott Cunningham has mentioned it]:  Chew some [cleaned] root and spit it on the source of the ‘sicknesses’ to banish it [be it a part of a body, a photograph of the sick person etc].  Take that, Covid-19!  And, in the Pacific, the Dobu Islanders do the same to ward off incoming storms.  I have no recorded proof that either thing works, but when things are dire, we witches want to throw all we can at the problem, don’t we?

Ginger is used a lot in love spells. It is one of the ingredients in our Love Witch Bottle we sell.   Just drinking a cup of Ginger root tea will add power to any spell you perform.

And, Ginger features predominantly in money and success spells.  Whole Ginger root can be planted by your front door to welcome money into your home or you can carry either powdered Ginger or a piece of Ginger root or dried Ginger in a pocket to attract money to you.

For a lusty weekend with your beloved, prepare a Ginger-infused wine for the two of you!

You can burn the root of Ginger and consecrate your ritual tools in the smoke or use it to break hexes.

Simply chewing Ginger root can imbue you with stronger magickal power and capacity.

Correspondences

Planetary: Mars

Gender:  Masculine

Zodiac:  Aries

Element: Fire

Powers:  Love, Lust, Health, Money, Success, Power

Deity:  Brighid, Vesta, Wadjet, Hephaestus, Logi, Ra, Hestia, Sekmet

Other Names: none

Health

Queen Elizabeth I

Any of you of a certain age may remember your mother giving you a cup of steaming Ginger tea for an upset stomach.  It is absolutely spot on for nausea and any tummy upset, including morning sickness.  Nicholas Culpeper did write a bit about Ginger… it was only taking hold in Great Britain when Queen Elizabeth I presented visiting dignitaries each with a Gingerbread man baked in their own likeness. Gingerbread tied with a ribbon was popular at fairs and, when exchanged, became a token of love.  Ginger root was only introduced in Great Britain around the 14^th century and as far as I can tell, was not grown here.  So, Ginger, as many East Asian spices were of the time, was probably too scarce and expensive for most physicians of the time to use.  To my knowledge, the first blurb written about it was by Mr Culpeper in his The Complete Herbal and English Physician:

“Zingerberis. Of Ginger.  Helps digestion, warms the stomach, clears the sight, and is profitable for old men:  heats the joints and is therefore profitable against the gout, expels wind; it is hot and dry in the second degree.”

Wild Ginger, left; Good Ginger, right ~ photo by By Anna Frodesiak – Own work, Public Domain

As almost always before I write about a herb/flower/root/bark/spice to be used in a medicinal way, I guinea-pig myself with the item.  Mind, I also do read everything about it that I can if it isn’t something I’m already familiar with, right down to recommended dosages.  I have an insatiable desire to know every detail, including research studies.  I don’t feel I should introduce anything medically viable without having done so first.  Still, that said, always do consult your GP before trying most things I speak of… although, I have come to agreement with myself that, Ginger root is 99.9% safe for anybody, with the occasional caveat, such as, don’t use North American wild ginger… much, anyway… as it can cause kidney damage.

I suppose my nana started me on this because as a healing cunning woman herself, if I started moaning about a tummy ache, out comes the grated Ginger root and ten minutes later I was sipping the tea!

Perfect Ginger root

As a sufferer of arthritis, bad hip and back, and Graves disease [hyperthyroidism] and Hiroshito disease [hypothyroidism] – yes, you can have both –  I needed to look into all things which can be of benefit to me in my “elder years”.  No, I don’t really feel elderly… but you know… So! Some years ago, I had found that adding Turmeric and a little pepper to my twice daily Ginger tea would help my arthritis and has it ever!  I no longer need heavy painkillers or even paracetamol or ibuprofen [more about ibuprofen later].  Of course, I still have some pain occasionally but nothing at all like I once had.  There have been many research reports written about this and you can click here for one which I think explains most things about Ginger root best.

The brilliant bit about this concoction is that it is said to boost one’s immune system as well.  I drink mine twice per day and here is my recipe:

1-ounce grated Ginger root , steep covered for ten minutes.  I put my Ginger root in a tea diffuser/basket, but you can also just toss it into the hot water if you don’t mind Ginger bits floating round in your drink.  When ten minutes are up, lift out tea basket and add the following:

½ teaspoon powdered Turmeric

A dash or pinch of black Pepper

Stir very well and keep your spoon for you will need to stir it constantly as all of the Turmeric fails to dissolve in the water but if you stir again after each sip you won’t end up with a quarter teaspoon of Turmeric in the bottom of your cup.  It may sound like a bit of work, but the health benefits are very much worth it. 

I won’t promise you that you’ll never become ill with a cold or flu if you drink this twice per day, but it can help and possibly reduce how long you’re ill for.  And I won’t tell you that it tastes wonderful because it is an acquired taste, even for someone like me whose taste buds love nearly everything.  Although, if you feel you can drink it a bit easier by adding honey, there’s no harm in it.

Whilst there seem to be no contraindications on how much plain Ginger tea one drinks, there is for how much Turmeric you ingest.  It is likely that more than one full teaspoon per day is not good for you, unless you are very ill or your Ayurvedic or holistic healer recommends more.  Many of you would like to drink one cup of Ginger and Turmeric tea and be done with it but as you know with any pain reliever, it is best to stage doses, therefore, I recommend taking a “dose” around mid-morning and the other just before bedtime.  Also, always be sure that whether you take your Turmeric in the Ginger tea or via supplement that black Pepper or piperine [a natural compound in peppercorns that make black pepper spicy] is included.  Neither Turmeric and Curcumin [the substance that gives the spice its orangey-yellow pigment] supplements cannot be absorbed properly without one or the other.

Please understand that this concoction will not cure a cold [which is of the Coronavirus genealogy] nor the flu, nor Covid-19/Omicron!  But, it may, with any luck, help already healthy people with no underlying issues, feel better quicker.  I hope so, anyway.

About Ibuprofen, as promised:  The French Health Minister recently reported that Ibuprofen as a painkiller should not be used, particularly with Covid-19.  The country’s health minister, Olivier Véran, who is a qualified doctor and neurologist, tweeted: “The taking of anti-inflammatories [ibuprofen, cortisone … ] could be a factor in aggravating the infection. In case of fever, take paracetamol. If you are already taking anti-inflammatory drugs, ask your doctor’s advice.” As per a report in The Guardian.

Health officials point out that anti-inflammatory drugs are known to be a risk for those with infectious illnesses because they tend to diminish the response of the body’s immune system.

Many thanks to all whom this way wander and good health and warmest blessings to all x

Sources

Experience

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

Wikipedia

The Wortcunners Cabinet, Moss [and a spell!]

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Oak Moss – isn’t it beautiful?!!

Never did I think as I began writing this blog that there were so many varieties of Moss!  For my own purposes and practise I use Oak Moss exclusively.  I am not a Moss for Dummies kind of girl, still, there is one hell of a lot of Moss in the world!  Over 12,000 species to be in close range!

As my favourite physician, Nicholas Culpeper said in his book, The Complete Herbal, “I shall not trouble the reader with a description of these, since my intent is to speak only of two kinds, as the most principal, viz. Ground Moss and Tree Moss, both of which are very well known”.

Although I plan on giving the magickal properties of Oak Moss, I feel I should mention most mosses will align magickally with Oak Moss and can be interchangeably, in case you are unable to procure Oak Moss.

Magickal

I have used Oak Moss extensively in spell work.  One other thing Nicholas Culpeper stated in his book is that with Tree Mosses, the Moss takes on the nature of the tree itself and his belief was that Oak was most binding.  Therefore, I have always felt most compelled to use Oak Moss in my practise.  He also stated that “most Mosses are under the dominion of Saturn”.  In that case, no matter which kind you prefer to use in your practise, the Correspondences below should be closely related.  As far as powers are concerned if you use a Moss from a different tree than Oak you should likely find the powers for that particular tree to align it properly with your spell work.

One of my favourite ways to use Oak Moss is in a spell jar.  As Oak Moss is intricately linked to the acquisition of money, here is my Extra Money / Business Spell Jar formula:

One medium sized jar with lid [I save curry sauce jars for this purpose!]

Green or gold cloth

Green or gold ribbon, two of each whichever colour you use]

Green or gold candle [a small spell candle will do]

A small piece of paper, parchment or other

Oak Moss, as much as you wish

A stick of Cedar or if unavailable, a Cinnamon stick

Patchouli herb

A pound coin or any denomination of money in your currency

A piece of Whitby Jet or a piece of Jet that is easily attainable where you live

On a Saturday for wealth, on a Sunday for business growth.  Saturday being the day for Saturn is wonderful for gaining extra money and you would use the green cloth, green ribbon, and green candle for that spell.  If you are wanting more money for your business, you would use the gold and do your spell on a Sunday as it is the day for Business spell work.  Keep those aside for the end.  Light your candle and say a prayer in your own words to your God, Goddess, the Divine Parents, the Universe [whomever you pray to] or just visualise money coming to you.  Enchant your Moss, Cedar or Cinnamon, Patchouli, money, and Jet, placing each into the jar in that order.  It will not matter if they get jostled about and rearranged later, it is only important that you put them in this order.  Once all items are in, write on your parchment paper the amount of money you need [don’t go too over the top… the Universe doesn’t do greedy] and tie it with one of your ribbons then put it inside your jar. Holding your jar in both hands then take a nice deep breath in thinking “poverty be gone” and slowly release your breath into the jar thinking “prosperity come home”, Do this three times then put the lid onto the jar and tighten.  Next, cut a square of the colour of cloth you are using that will fit over the lid of the jar, hanging over the top by a bit – enough where you can tie the ribbon round the jar neck tightly and as you tie the ribbon into a bow say “so mote it be”.

A protection spell jar ~ only an example if you are not familiar. Your spell jar won’t look like this one.

Leave your spell jar on your desk if for business or any safe place for extra money. It is important not to unseal it ever because your spell will not work and this is a lasting spell so you can charge in the light of the waxing moon to give it more power each month.  It is perfectly acceptable to keep it in a sunny place as well as the masculine power of the sun works well with the spell jar.  Only do be sure not to leave it where a child or a pet or roommate would potentially knock it over or open it.

I have also used Oak Moss in sachets for money that I can carry with me in my handbag and for luck.  For my Yule loose incense blend I add Oak Moss – did you know that Oak Moss is used in many perfumes? Any one of them with a woodsy scent likely have Oak Moss. It is no wonder that kind of perfume is my favourite.

There are plenty of other ways to use it in magick. Perhaps some of you know of ways you may want to share? Just leave a comment below!

Correspondences

Planetary: Saturn

Gender:  Masculine

Zodiac:  Capricorn, Aquarius [pre-discovery of Uranus]

Element: Earth

Chakra:  Base/Root

Powers:  Luck, Money, Prosperity

Deity:  Shiva, Kali [Hindu], Brahma, Yama [Vedic]

Health

Nicholas Cunningham had much to say about Moss as a curative… I am not certain if anybody these days would care to try them.  However, whether you would or not, I think you will at least find some amusement from these. As afore mentioned, he speaks only of Ground Moss and Tree Moss in late medieval England.

“The Ground Moss is held to be singularly good to break the stone, and to expel and drive it forth by urine, being boiled in wine and drank The herb being bruised and boiled in water, and applied, eases all inflammations and pains coming from an hot cause; and it therefore used to ease the pains of the gout.

The Tree Mosses are cooling and binding, and partake of a digesting and mollifying quality withal, as Galen[1] saith, But each Moss partakes of the nature of the tree from whence it is taken; therefore that of the oak is more binding, and is of good effect to stay fluxes[2] in man or woman; as also to vomiting or bleeding, the powder thereof being taken in wine  The decoction thereof in wine is very good for women to be bathed in that are troubled with the overflowing of their courses[3].  The same being drank, stays the stomach that is trouble with casting, or hiccough; and, as Avicena [sic][4] saith, it comforts the heart.  The powder thereof taken in drink for some time together, is thought available for the dropsy. The oil that has had fresh Moss steeped therein for a time, and afterwards boiled and applied to the temples and forehead, marvellously eases the head-ache coming of a hot cause; as also the distillations of hot rheums[5] or humours[6] in the eyes, or other parts.  The ancients much used it in their ointments and other medicines against the lassitude, and to strengthen and comfort the sinews; for which, if it was good then, I know no reason but it may be found so still.”

Many thanks for reading and warmest blessings upon all whom this way wander.  Please stay safe x

Sources

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

Wikipedia.com

Experience

[1] Galen, Greek Galenos, Latin Galenus, (born 129 ce, Pergamum, Mysia, Anatolia [now Bergama, Turkey]

[2] A pathological flowing of blood (or humours, excretions, discharges) from any part of the body; ~ blod, ~ of blod, profuse bleeding; ~ of the womb, dysentery, diarrhoea, or lientery.

[3] A Tudor England term for a woman’s menses – “A woman’s monthly bleeding, otherwise known as “courses”, was believed to be the womb ridding itself of excess blood. If this did not happen the womb could become overrun with blood and could possibly drown the woman.” [hahaha, how silly!]

[4] Avicenna, an Iranian philosopher and physician of the tenth and eleventh centuries [4th and 5th century AH] His scientific fame and influence was not only spread in Iran and the Islamic world, but also extended to the whole world. According to some researches, the views of Avicenna in diagnosis and treatment of some diseases, such as asthma is more precise and effective than the findings of modern medicine, or in jaundice, biliary obstruction and liver indigestion, his prescribed medicines are in conformity with the findings of new researches

[5] Pronunciation /ruːm/ – A watery fluid that collects in or drips from the nose or eyes.

[6] Greek physician Hippocrates [ca. 460 BCE–370 BCE] is often credited with developing the theory of the four humours—blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm—and their influence on the body and its emotions.

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Lavender

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Take a moment and imagine, if you will, the scent of Lavender when you first pluck a stem of it and rub the tiny leaves.  Let the aroma envelope your senses and your mind be cast to a simpler and happier time.  Breathe deeply and exhale slowly, inhaling positivity and exhaling negativity… Do you feel refreshed now?  I do simply by writing this paragraph.  Lavender is the most powerfully relaxing herb/flower I know of.  …. It is no wonder why Lavender is often called “The Tranquillity Herb”.

Snowhills, Gloucestershire lavender farm ~ photo by countrylife.co.uk

 One of the things I like best about ironing clothes [yes, I still do that!] is to spray lavender water on my personal items [my son might not like smelling like lavender!] before setting the hot iron to them.  At one time I also used a lavender washing powder I had found online.  Never until later did I find out that I was following a long-held English custom which apparently began when the Romans invaded.  Roman soldiers would put lavender in their bath water and do their washing with it as well.  Because of this association, during medieval times, laundresses [washerwomen] were called “lavenders”.  More often than not, these lavenders were also prostituting for supplemental income as the washerwoman did not make a living wage, so the name lavender took on a double meaning.  An anonymous 16th-century poet wrote:

Thou shalt be my lavender

To wash and clean all my gear

Our two beds shall be set

Without any let

Magickal

Love Witch Bottle ~ photo by i.macy

One of the key ingredients in both our Love Witch Bottle and in our Empath Rescue Witch Bottle is Lavender.  Obviously for love, but in the Empath bottle, Lavender is also for protection, peace of mind, and purification of the depressing aura which can sometimes envelope even the strongest empath.

Lavender can, as above-mentioned, be used for purification bathing.  Lavender water can not only be sprayed onto clothing before ironing to impart its scent but to be sprayed in your power circle for rituals to bring purification and protection within it.

Lavender is an excellent sleep aid and one of my favourite things to have near me at night is my  Lavender bag created by Jacqui Livesay Art on Etsy.  Of course, you can make your own.  These can also be used to help you to strengthen your mental and psychic powers during divination. Making a talisman for this purpose is the ultimate way to induce your psychic powers by placing an Amethyst crystal along with lavender herb in a drawstring bag and wearing around your neck when engaged in tarot readings, casting runes or ogham staves, and pendulum dowsing.  Lavender is also said to promote visions during readings of any kind.

Love spells and fertility spells are always helped along by Lavender.  Use it in poppets, sachets, and loose incenses for these purposes.  Wearing the scent of Lavender alone can attract love to you.

Dried Lavender makes excellent smudge sticks.

Healing

Whom else would I turn for advice on healing by herbs/flowers/woods, and the like except Nicholas Culpeper, author of the world famous The Complete Herbal and English Physician?  Although the writings are over 300 years old, much of what he wrote then holds true to this day.  For example, “It [Lavender] provokes women’s courses, and expels the dead child and after-birth”.  Whether the birth was ‘intended’ to be early or if the pregnancy had gone full-term, but the child was known to be dead in the womb prior to its birth, Lavender brought on the immediate dismissal of the foetus from its mother’s womb.  It is now why I interject a warning to all expectant mothers to never use any Lavender oil or herb by ingestion or otherwise to be safe.  I don’t know how much is “enough” but please don’t take any risks. Also, he says, “two spoonfuls of the distilled water of the flowers taken, helps them that have lost their voice”  which is what my Nana prescribed me when I had a case of the laryngitis after reading aloud a book about Florence Nightingale to my mum at the dining room table one night.  It worked.  Culpeper also goes on to say that it is not only good to drink for certain maladies but is also does the job by applying onto temples and smelling through the nostrils to stop tremblings, faintings, and swooning.  He also wrote that “The chymical oil drawn from Lavender, usually called Oil of Spike, is of so fierce and piercing a quality, that it is cautiously to be used, some few drops being sufficient, to be given with other things, either for inward or outward griefs.”

Correspondences

Planetary:  Mercury

Gender:  Masculine

Zodiac:  Virgo

Element:  Air

Powers:  Love, Protection, Sleep, Chastity, Longevity, Purification, Happiness, and Peace

Deity:  Aphrodite, Venus, Bastet, Isis, Tawaret, Brigid, Cernunnos

Other Names:  Elf Leaf, Nard, Nardus, Spike

I hope you have enjoyed and have found something useful to your practise in my blog. Warmest blessings to all whom this way wander x

Sources

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

Experience

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

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Juniper Berries

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @iseabail_witchwriter

Juniper ~ ornamental-trees.co.uk

Of the Juniper bush, Nicholas Culpeper wrote in his famous The Complete Herbal and English Physician, “They [Juniper bushes] grow plentifully in divers woods in Kent, Warney common near Brentwood in Essex upon Finchley Common without Highgate; hard by the Newfound Wells near Dulwich, upon a Common between Mitcham and Croydon, in the Highgate near Amersham in Buckinghamshire, and many other places.” Of course, Mr Culpeper would not have known they also were growing in Europe, Southwest Asia, and North America.  He wrote about what was on hand mainly in England in the 1700’s and how each herb, spice, flower, and tree could lend itself to healing in the medicine of the times.  His information was good for his time and is still as useful today.

We can not speak of the berries, which many of us use for different purposes in magick and healing without first speaking of the bush/tree, of course.  And now that we have done, Mr Culpeper has more information regarding the Juniper, “The berries are not ripe the first year, but continue green two Summers and one Winter before they are ripe; at which time they are all of a black colour, and therefore you shall always find upon the bush green berries; the berries are ripe about the fall of the leaf.”

The Juniper bush can grow up to 25 feet tall…I would say that is quite a large bush, indeed! And any lover of a good G and T [gin and tonic] knows the primary ingredient in gin is Juniper berries. But we shall now ponder the magickal and healing ways of the berries.

Magickal

Juniper berries, if added to sachets and carried with, will protect the wearer from accidents and theft, as well as from attacks from wild animals and snakes.

The berries are also said to increase male potency.

If Juniper is grown by or hung dry by any entry door of your home, it is said that the home will be protected against evil forces and persons.

Juniper Berries are good for increasing psychic powers and other popular uses including incense mixtures for exorcism and breaking hexes.  It is also used in love spells.

Juniper has been said to be the guardian of the veil – the veil between the worlds.

For any magickal undertaking, the berries can be dried and crushed to be used in incenses for your purpose.  They can also be added to poppets and sachets for the reasons you wish to use their magickal properties and drinking Juniper berry tea is helpful when seeking out the other side as in hedgewitchery and necromancy. Do not drink the tea or work with Juniper berries if you are pregnant. 

Healing

Juniper berries are known for having health properties that improve memory and mental clarity.

Juniper berries act as a parasiticide (parasite destroyer) and antiseptic. Nicholas Culpeper writes, “The berries stay all fluxes, help the haemorrhoids or piles, and kill worms in children.”

Apparently, a great ridder of ‘wind’ [after all the rich foods partaken of back in the day, no doubt!] for Mr Culpeper also states, “…strengthens the stomach exceedingly, and expels the wind.  Indeed, there is scarce a better remedy for wind in any part of the body, or the cholic than the chymical oil drawn from the berries.”

Juniper berries ~ cma.org.uk

Juniper berries are excellent to use in a tea for its detoxifying properties and can aid in the treatment of gout and rheumatoid arthritis.  This is confirmed by Culpeper as he writes, “…[Juniper berries] are excellently good in all sorts of agues; help the gout and sciatica and strengthen the limbs of the body.”  The berries are also known as an excellent diuretic and is proved again by Culpeper, “they provoke urine exceedingly, and are therefore very available to all dysuries and stranguaries.”

Culpeper also says Juniper berries are “a most admirable counter-poison, and as great a register of the pestilence as any growing; they are excellent good against the bitings of venomous beasts.”  I have no doubt this is true.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Sun

Gender:  Masculine

Element:  Fire

Zodiac:  Leo

Powers: Protection, Mental Health, Love, Male Potency, Increasing Psychic Powers, and Breaking Hexes

Deity:  Bridghid/Bridget, Dhatara, Frey, Helios/Sol, Lucifer, Mithra, Ra, Savitar, Apollo, Inanna/Ishtar

Folk Names:  enebro, gemeiner wachholder, geneva, gin berry, ginepro and gin plant

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

Sources

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper c 1702

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham

From the Wortcunner’s Cabinet, Chamomile

By Isabella @TheWandCarver

Instagram:  @thewandcarver

Roman Chamomile ~ rhs.org..uk

Take a seat, bring your cup of Chamomile tea and I’ll tell you of all the ways in which Chamomile does so much more than settle our nerves and lifts our spirits. This may not have ever occurred to you…it never did to me…but there are two types of Chamomile – German and Roman.  The German variety, Matricaria recutita, is mostly used in the US, whilst the Roman variety, Chamaemilum nobile, is used in the UK.  The German variety grows about six inches taller than the Roman and is an annual bloomer whilst the Roman variety is a perineal bloomer, but they both have the same correspondences and work equally as well as each other. The German variety has daisy-like flowers and grows wild in most lawns, but the Roman variety finds itself purposefully planted in lovely gardens. As there are Nine Sacred Woods, there are also Nine Sacred Herbs with Chamomile being one.

Of course, Chamomile is not only used in the UK and the US, but in earliest known usage it was favoured highly by Ancient Egyptians.  Chamomile was employed for treatment of diseases like malaria and fevers, as well as in the mummification process.  And, naturally the ancient Romans, Greeks, and Vikings were known to have used Chamomile in similar ways for health treatments. The Romans were known to have used Chamomile in their incense.

Magickal

A good way to use Chamomile as a protectant is to make an infusion to use to wash thresholds of doors and windows which will help keep unwanted energies or entities from passing through. Use powdered Chamomile flowers around yourself or home in sachets or sprinkled to remove spells cast against you, to prevent fires, and lightning strikes.  Also, plant Chamomile near doors and windows, to prevent negativity from entering your home, or blend it into a sachet to carry with you when you think you might be in physical or magickal danger.   It really is best used along with other charms for defence of bad magick against your person.

Dried chamomile flowers, pulverised with a mortar and pestle, is an excellent incense blend to bring about relaxation and meditation.  Don’t forget, the Romans used Chamomile incense! Chamomile is especially useful if you’re trying to get yourself calmed and centred—blend it with lavender if you’d like to ensure a night of restful sleep with calming dreams.

dried Chamomile ~ Google Images

Chamomile in powdered or simply dried form is wonderful to use in candle magick.  Very useful is to make your own candles with dried Chamomile buds.  After anointing your candle with the oil you wish to use, roll your candle in the dried or powdered Chamomile for extra effect in your magickal working.  Be certain, of course, that the candle colour, oil, and herbs used are beneficial to your spell

It is said that washing your hands in Chamomile water before gambling will increase your luck. And, it would not hurt to wear a Chamomile flower and add some dried Chamomile to your purse, wallet, billfold or wherever you keep your money.  You can use Chamomile in money spells, using a green candle and perhaps a Patchouli oil to draw more money into your life.

Chamomile is a throat chakra herb.  You can help your voice by drinking Chamomile tea, of course, but during chakra clearing try placing a Chamomile flower on your throat as you meditate upon clearing the chakra.

Healing

Per Nicholas Culpeper, The Complete Herbal and English Physician:  “Nechessor saith, the Egyptians dedicated it [Chamomile] to the Sun, because it cured agues, and they were like enough to do it, for [they were] the arrantest in their religion that I ever heard of”.  Mr Culpeper goes on to say that Bachinus, Bena, and Lobel recommended the syrup be made of the juice extracted of Chamomile, and sugar to be inwardly taken for the spleen.  He also thought this concoction would dissolve kidney stones and would do so quicker by adding the mixture to a glass of wine… well, they always had wine for everything in those days, didn’t they?  I don’t know how anyone ever really knew they were ill as most often everyone was tiddly on wine!

Mr Culpeper also recommended a Chamomile decoction, or tea as we know it today, to take away the ills of phlegm, melancholy, or inflammation of the bowels.  Bathing in Chamomile took away weariness and pains, “comforts the sinews that are over-strained, mollifies all swellings”.  It also relieved cholic, “pains and torments of the belly”, and “gently provokes urine”.  Chamomile provoked sweats, helped women’s monthlies, dissolved wind in the belly, and was probably the number one go-to for almost any ailment during this time.  And we are still using Chamomile for all of the above today.

Correspondences

Planetary:  Sun

Gender:  Masculine

Element[s]:  Water

Zodiac:  Leo

Powers:  Money, Peace, Love, Protection, Tranquillity and Purification

Chakra:  Fifth – the Throat

Deity:  Ra, Cernunnos, Lugh, Helios

Other Names:  German Chamomile[US], Wild Chamomile, Scented Mayweed, Hungarian Chamomile, Roman Chamomile [UK],  Garden Chamomile, Ground Chamomile, Low Chamomile, Whig Plant, Ground Apple, English Chamomile

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

Sources

Experience

The Complete Herbal and English Physician, by Nicholas Culpeper

The Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs, by Scott Cunningham