Herb Correspondence Masterpost
Angelica (Angelica archanegelica): Sun, Fire. The root carried in a blue cloth bag is a protective talisman. Was considered to be under the guard of angels and therefore a good preventative charm against the plague. Put the whole root in a blue or white cloth bag and hang in the window as a protection against evil.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Jupiter, Air. Used for protection. A pillow stuffed with anise seeds is reputed to keep away nightmares.
Apple (Pyrus malus): Venus, Water. Used in love spells for hundreds of years. Cider can be used in place of blood or wine where called for in ancient spells and rites. The wood is made into wands used for love spells and rituals. In Cornwall, a large apple was given to each member of the household to be eaten at Samhain (Halloween) for good luck.
Asafetida (Ferula foetida): Saturn, Fire. Due to its disgusting odor it used to be known as devil’s dung. Is used in exorcism rites and incenses. During the Middle Ages a small piece was worn around the neck to guard against plague.
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior): Sun, Water. A protective tree used to make brooms and healing wands. Ash leaves beneath the pillow are reputed to induce psychic dreams. In England, is believed to be a dangerous tree to shelter under during storms, as it draws lightning. The winged seeds of the ash, ash-keys, can be carried to prevent overlooking or ill-wishing. Ash leaves are considered lucky, but an even ash leaf (one with an equal number of divisions on either side) is especially lucky. An even ash leaf should be gathered with the following rhyme: ’Even ash, I do thee pluck/ Hoping thus to meet good luck/ If no good luck I get from thee/ I shall wish thee on the tree’. Carried in a buttonhole or in the pocket, the leaf is supposed to bring good fortune.
Balm of Gilead (Populous candicans): Saturn. The buds can be carried to mend a broken heart. Can be added to love and protection charms.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Mars, Fire. Used in wealth and prosperity rituals. Carrying basil in your pockets is supposed to attract money into them. A wife can supposedly stop her husband being unfaithful by dusting her upper body with powdered basil.
Bay Laurel (Lauris noblis): Sun, Fire. The leaves can be burned or chewed to induce visions. Worn as an amulet to ward off negativity and evil. Leaves under the pillow are supposed to induce prophetic dreams. Can be used in protection and purification rituals. Growing near a house, it was supposed to protect those within from infection and storms.
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin): Sun, Air. Used in purification incenses. A few drops of tincture of benzoin helps to preserve oils and preparations.
Betony (Stachys officinalis): Jupiter, Fire. Add to incenses of protection and purification. Sleep on a pillow stuffed with Betony to prevent nightmares.
Chamomile (Anthemis noblis): Sun, Water. Use in prosperity charms and rituals. Induces sleep. The tea brings peace and tranquillity for those times when you need to do a ritual but are seething with anger or hurt. If you wash your face and hair with chamomile, it will attract a lover.
Caraway (Carum carvi): Mercury, Air. Used in love charms to attract a lover.
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus): Sun, Fire. Once worn by witches to prevent capture and hanging. Produces added energy in ritual when used in incense.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Venus, Water. Creates a psychic bond between cat and ‘owner’. Used in love charms and incenses.
Celandine (Chelidonium majus): Sun, Fire. Helps the wearer escape unfair imprisonment and entrapment. If worn, cures depression.
Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum): Sun, Fire. Use in incenses for healing, clairvoyance, high spiritual vibrations. Reputed to be a male aphrodisiac. Use in prosperity charms.
Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis): Jupiter, Earth. Hang on house entrances as protection. Use in spells and charms for prosperity, purification and protection.
Clover (Trifolium spp.): Mercury. Associated with the Triple Goddess. Used in rituals for beauty and youth. Four-leafed clovers are carried to see fairies, heal illness, avoid military service, avoid madness, and as a general good-luck charm. To dream of clover is considered very fortunate, especially for young people.
Clove (Caryopyllus aromaticus): Sun, Fire. Worn to drive away negativity and stop gossip. Cloves strung on a red thread can be worn as a protective charm.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Saturn, Earth. A herb of Hecate, used in rituals to honour the Goddess in her Crone aspect.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Mars, Fire. Used in love spells and charms. An old coriander spell is to take seven grains of coriander and grind them in a mortar, saying 'Warm seed, warm heart, let them never be apart’ three times. Drop the seeds into wine and share with your lover.
Cowslip (Primula veris): Venus. Cattle were once hung with cowslips to encourage healthy milk production. Cowslip flowers were believed to bring luck in love to the wearer. In Suffolk, milkmaids would wash their faces in milk in which cowslip petals had been infused on Beltane, believing that it would make their faces glow and attract their beloved during the Beltane celebrations. Were traditionally woven into funeral wreaths to be laid on the deceased one’s grave at the full moon, for thirteen moons after his or her death. Posies of cowslips, placed under the pillow, were said to allow contact with the dead in dreams.
Cypress (Cupressus spp.): Saturn, Earth. Connected with death in all its aspects. Cypress smoke can be used to consecrate ritual objects.
Daisy (Bellis perennis): Decorate the house with daisies on Midsummer’s Eve to bring happiness to the home and to win the favor of the faeries. Daisies should also be worn on the person at Midsummer for luck and blessings.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Jupiter. A herb of Hecate, used in Samhain rituals. It is said that if you rub yourself all over with dandelion you will be welcome everywhere and all your wishes will be granted.
Dill (Anethum graveolens): Mercury, Fire. Used in love charms. Hang in children’s’ rooms to protect them.
Dragon’s Blood (Daemonorops draco or Dracaena draco): Mars, Fire. Used in love and protection spells. A piece under the bed is reputed to cure impotency. Place in drawers and cupboards you don’t want people looking in, with the incantation: 'Dragon’s blood, watch and ward, as the dragon guards its horde’. Carry a piece with you for good luck. Dissolve a little in the bath for a strong purification bath.
Elecampane (Inula helenium): Mercury, Earth. Was said to have sprung from the tears of Helen which fell to the ground when Paris abducted her. Called elf dock in Denmark. Once used to raise and sustain the spirits. As an incense, can be burned as an aid to meditation.
Elder (Sambucus canadensis): Venus, Air. Branches can be used for wands and staves. Stand beneath the elder to be protected from lightning; sleeping under the elder tree will bring drugged and dangerous dreams of Faeryland, from which one might awaken either mad, or not at all. In the Middle Ages it was considered unlucky to burn elder, or to bring it into the house. It was only considered safe to cut an elder tree if one had first asked permission; the tree dryad would grant consent by keeping silence. Elder leaves gathered at Beltane Eve and attached to the door are said to keep away evil.
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus): Moon, Air. Used in healing rituals and charms of all kinds. Surround blue candles with the leaves and burn for healing vibrations. Hang green pods around the neck to cure colds and sore throats.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis): Sun, Air. Anoint eyelids with the infusion daily to induce clairvoyant visions.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Mercury, Earth. Connected with mother’s milk and breastfeeding; traditionally brought for new mothers and hung near the cradle to keep away flies.
Fern: Saturn, Earth. Extremely powerful protectants; grow in the house and include in vases of cut flowers. Are supposed to protect any house that contains them from damage by storms.
Frankincense (Boswellia carterii): Sun, Fire. A very powerful scent which aids meditation and induces a spiritual frame of mind. Burn as a general protective incense.
Gardenia (Gardenia spp.): Moon, Water. Wear the flower to attract love.
Garlic (Allium sativum): Mars, Fire. Extremely protective herb. Carry the bulb with you on trips over water to prevent drowning. Hang in the home to protect. Also used in exorcisms.
Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha): Mars, Fire. Used in protection sachets. In ancient Greece and Rome, was associated with happiness in marriage and carried by brides; the Romans put hawthorn leaves into babies’ cradles to protect them against evil. Sitting under a hawthorn tree on Beltane, Midsummer’s Day or Samhain supposedly puts one in danger of being abducted by fairies. It is considered ill-omened to fell a hawthorn. Burn hawthorn berries as an incense when you feel the need for energy and dynamism in your life, and meditate on the areas of life that need changing.
Hazel (Corylus spp.): Sun, Air. Good wood for all-purpose wands. Forked branches can be used as divining wands. Tie two hazel twigs together with red or gold thread to make a solar cross as a good-luck charm.
Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger): Saturn, Water. Poisonous! Carried to attract the love of a woman.
High John the Conqueror root (Impomoea purga): Saturn, Earth. Add to candle anointing oils, charms and sachets to increase their potency.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium): Mars, Fire. If planted around the house acts as good protection. Leaves and berries can be carried to heighten masculinity.
Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium): Jupiter, Earth. Use in prosperity spells and charms.
Hops (Humulus lupulus): Mars, Water. Used in healing incenses and charms. Hops in a pillow will induce sleep. It is unwise to use hops if depressed, since they are believed to engender melancholy.
Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis): Jupiter, Fire. Use in purification baths and protection spells. Was a common strewing herb during the Middle Ages, and used in the consecration of Westminster Abbey. Associated with serpents and dragons, and can be burnt as incense or thrown on the fire to tap into dragon energy.
Ivy (Hedera spp.): Saturn, Water. Guards and protects the houses it grows over. Often given to newlyweds, in conjunction with holly, as good-luck charm.
Jasmine (Jasminum officinaleor Jasminum odoratissimum): Jupiter, Earth. Used in love spells and charms.
Juniper (Juniperus communis): Sun, Fire. If a sprig of juniper is worn it will protect the wearer from accidents. The berries can be dried and strung as a charm to attract lovers. Can be used in anti-theft spells, and grown at the doorstep as protection from thieves.
Lavender (Lavendula vera or Lavendula officinale): Mercury, Air. Used in purification baths and incenses. Thrown onto fires and Midsummer as tribute to the Gods and to bring visions and inspiration. Add to healing baths and sachets, carry to attract men. The scent will induce sleep. Excellent for bringing clarity and coherence to magickal workings and for focusing visualization.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): Drink as an infusion to soothe away the emotional pains after a relationship break-up; considered useful in recovery from trauma and sexual assault. Has long been considered to drive away melancholy and low spirits. Is said to increase fertility, and has been used in love potions and aphrodisiacs.
Lemon Verbena (Lippia citriodora): Venus, Air. Wear as a love charm, and to increase one’s attractiveness. Add to charms to increase their power. Hang a sprig around your neck to stop you from dreaming.
Linden (Tilia europaea): Jupiter. Associated with conjugal love and longevity.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale): Sun, Water. Add the root to cleansing baths. Carry to attract love.
Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum): Mercury, Earth. A powerful protective charm for the home. The root can be carried by women who want to conceive, and men who want to cure impotency. In the Middle Ages it was thought to give off a shriek when it was pulled up that was so unearthly all who heard it went mad or died. To charge a mandrake root with your personal power, sleep with it in the bed for three nights during the full moon. Carry it for courage.
Marigold (Calendula officinalis): Sun, Fire. In a vase, renews energy of everyone in the room where the vase is placed. Symbolizes constancy and endurance in love. To dream of marigold flowers is supposed to presage coming wealth. It was said that if you wore marigold flowers, you would be able to tell who had stolen from you.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana): Mercury, Air. Add to love charms. Place a bit of the herb in every room in the house for protection.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): Jupiter, Water. A sacred herb of the Druids. Arrange fresh Meadowsweet on the altar when mixing love charms or performing love spells. Strew around the house for love and peace; a garland of Meadowsweet will protect the house from evil influences. Wear garlands of Meadowsweet at Lammas to join with the essence of the Goddess.
Mistletoe (Viscum album): Worn as a protective amulet, or to help conceive. An anti-lightning charm.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): Venus, Air. Put into the shoe for protection and to prevent fatigue on long journeys. Mugwort tea will induce clairvoyance. Rub fresh leaves on magick mirrors and crystal balls to strengthen divinitory powers. Add to scrying, clairvoyance and divination incenses. In the Middle Ages it was considered one of the strongest protective plants. Hanging it in the is reputed to protect against lightning, while putting it under the doorstep is supposed to ensure that no unwelcome person will enter. A pillow filled with mugwort will induce vivid dreams. The name, Artemisia, refers to the goddess Artemis, who was a protector of herbal practitioners.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): Saturn, Fire. Has been called hag’s tapers, Jupiter’s staff, our lady’s candle. Wear to develop courage and as protection from wild animals. Was believed to have power to drive away evil spirits. Mullein can be used to clear a psychic space after work, by washing tools, floor and altar with mullein infusion. Used on crystal balls for scrying.
Myrrh (Commiphoria myrrha): Sun, Water. Purifying and protective incense. Can be used to consecrate tools.
Myrtle (Myrica cerifera): Venus, Water. Sacred to Venus and used in love charms and spells of all kinds. If grown indoors it brings good luck. Carry myrtle leaves to attract love, or the wood to preserve youth. Make magic charms from the wood. Wear fresh leaves whilst making love charms.
Nettle (Urtica dioica): Mars, Fire. Stuff a poppet with nettles to send bad vibrations and curses back to the sender. Sprinkle around the room as protection, or add to protection charms. Considered to instill courage if carried. Was once considered an antidote to many poisons. Builds up the fire element in an individual, used to thaw frozen emotions and connect with the fiery warrior aspect.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans): Jupiter, Air. Carry a nutmeg to strengthen clairvoyant powers and to prevent rheumatism. To dream of nutmegs foretells changes in the dreamer’s life.
Oak (Quercus alba): Sun, Fire. Sacred tree in many, many cultures, long associated with royalty; rites were often performed in groves of oak trees, and mistletoe that grew on oak was considered the most powerful. It has long been considered unlucky to fell an oak. Burn oak leaves as purification. The wood is used for all-purpose wands. Acorns are carried as fertility charms, to preserve youthfulness, and to ward off illness. Hang in windows to protect the house. Men can carry acorns to increase their sexual attractiveness and prowess.
Olive (Olea europaea): Sacred to Athena. Regarded as a symbol of peace and wealth, and a sign of safe travel.
Onion (Allium cepa): Mars, Fire. Used in protection and healing. Place cut onions in a room to absorb illness, leave overnight and throw away in the morning.
Orange (Citrus sinesis): Sun, Water. The dried peel is added to love and fertility charms and used in Solar incenses. A traditional Chinese symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Orris root (Iris florentina or Iris germanica): Venus, Water. Add to love charms, baths and incenses.
Parsley: In ancient Greek and Roman times, parsley was considered symbolic of death.
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin or Pogostemon patchouli): Sun, Earth. Both sexes can carry as an aphrodisiac and to attract lovers.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): Venus, Earth. Put in shoe to prevent weariness; once it was carried by seafarers to prevent sea-sickness. Used in protection rituals. Under no circumstances use Pennyroyal while pregnant.
Pepper (Capsicum spp.): Mars, Fire. Use in protective charms.
Peppermint (Mentha piperata): Venus, Air. Use in healing incenses and charms; good in a healing bath. Burn as a winter incense. Any mint infusion can be sprinkled around the house as a cooling-off influence after arguments.
Periwinkle (Vinca major): Venus, Water. Hang on house entrances as protection.
Pimpernel (Pimpinella magna): Mercury, Air. Wear to detect falsehood and prevent others lying to you.
Pine (Pinus spp.): Mars, Earth. Burn as a purifying winter incense. Pine nuts are eaten and carried as fertility charms. Pine needles can be added to healing or cleansing baths.
Poppy (Papaver spp.): Moon, Water. Eat poppy seeds as a fertility charm. Carry the seeds or dried seed-pod as a prosperity charm.
Rose (Rosa spp.): Venus, Water. Carry roses to attract true love. Drink a tea of rose petals for divinatory dreams. Add to charms and incenses for sleep, love and healing. To dream of roses is fortunate, foretelling success in love, unless the roses are white. Drink the tea to promote beauty without and within, and mix the petals with regular tea to attract love.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): Sun, Fire. Use in protection charms, incenses and baths. Used to be thought of as preventative against the plague. Wear to aid memory and learning. Is used in sea rituals and sea magick. Wash hands with rosemary infusion before performing magick, as a substitute for a ritual bath. Drink the tea before exams or interviews to make the mind alert. Can be made into a protection wreath. In mediaeval times was worn at weddings, as it was linked with fidelity, love and happy memories. Brides often wore a chaplet of rosemary. sometimes gilded. Placed under the pillow, was supposed to ward off bad dreams. Smelling rosemary is supposed to keep a person merry, young and in good spirits.
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia): Sun, Fire. Tie two twigs together with red thread as a general protection and luck charm. Use as divining stick. The berries are used as a good luck amulet. A necklace of the berries can be used as a healing charm.
Rue (Ruta graveolens): Sun, Fire. Was once worn to guard against plague. Added to charms designed to keep illness away. The smell of the fresh herb clears the mind of emotional clutter. In mediaeval times rue was considered an antidote against all kinds of poisons; judges carried it as a precaution against jail fever. A sprig of rue can be dipped into water and used to sprinkle an area for magickal purification.
Saffron (Crocus sativus): Sun, Fire. Used in prosperity and healing rituals, charms and incenses.
Sage (Salvia officinalis): Jupiter, Earth. Used in healing and prosperity charms. Regarded as a great safeguard of health, and has a reputation for promoting longevity. Is supposed to grow best in the gardens of the wise.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Sun, Fire. Used in protective charms of all kinds. Wear to ward off fever and illness. Burn as a banishing or exorcism incense. Gather on Midsummer’s Eve, pass through the smoke of bonfires to purify, and hang in the house as protection. Wear to instill courage and strengthen the will, and drink a tea of the herb to cure melancholy. Hang bunches of the herb over the bed or by the bedroom door to drive away nightmares.
Sandalwood (Santalum album): Moon, Air. Used in purifying, protective and healing incenses.
Sunflower (Helianthus annus): Sun, Fire. Brings the blessings of the Sun into any garden in which it is grown. The seeds can be eaten by women who wish to conceive.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): Venus, Air. Burn as a purifying incense. Use in magickal cleansing baths. Inhale the scent for refreshment and renewed energy. Wear to protect oneself from negativity and grief at funerals. Is thought to inspire courage when worn.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): Mercury, Water. Use the herb in love charms and spells, and in purification baths.
Vanilla (Vanilla aromatica or Vanilla planifolia): Jupiter, Fire. The bean can be carried in a love charm, and the oil worn as an aphrodisiac.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis): Venus, Water. A herb sacred to the Druids and used by the Romans as a ritual cleansing plant. Used in magical cleansing baths, purification incenses, safety amulets. Hang above the bed to keep away nightmares. Used in love and protection charms. Burn for a good purification incense. Use in prosperity charms. In incenses it brings good luck and inspiration.
Violet (Viola tricolour): Venus, Water. Mix with lavender for a powerful love charm. A violet compress can aid headaches. Carry the flowers as a good-luck charm. To dream of violets foretells a change for the better in the dreamer’s circumstances. Violets are supposed to absorb ill-will and evil spells. The scent is said to soothe and clear the mind.
Walnut (Juglans regia): Sun, Fire. Carry the nut as a charm to promote fertility and strengthen the heart.
Willow (Salis alba): Moon, Water. Willow wands can be used for healing. The Willow will bring the blessings of the Moon upon those who plant it or have it on their property. Willows can be used to bind together witch’s brooms.
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum): Mars, Air. Was once burned to raise spirits. Used in divinatory and clairvoyance incenses. Burn on fires at Samhain to gain protection from roaming spirits. Used in initiation rites and for tests of courage and endurance. Should not be used by those suffering from grief or shock, as it has affinity with the world of the dead; give to the dying to enable them to let go and find peace.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): Venus, Water. Used in love and marriage charms, and reputed to keep a couple together for seven years. Was once given to newlyweds as a charm. Wards off negativity when worn. Drink yarrow tea prior to divination to enhance the powers of perception. In ancient China yarrow had a reputation as a very spiritual plant.
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