MAGICKAL PROPERTIES IN COMMON HERBS & SPICES There is strong magick in Herbs. Their use in ritual and ceremonial workings is invaluable. They may be used to cleanse and purify everything. You can consume them, burn them on charcoal, bathe with them, or offer them as sacrifice. Here you will find some of the magical properties associated with common herbs and spices. WARNING NOT all the herbs listed can be ingested, usually, burning dried herb on charcoal, making and charging an herb bag is sufficient. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aloe (Aloe vera) : Called the "Burn Plant" because of its effect on burns of all types. It is the best herb for sunburn. Aloe is also effective in spells for preventing accidents involving fire or heat. A charged Aloe growing in your kitchen affords not only it's healing properties, but also protection against kitchen burns and fires. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) : A daily cup of anise tea will preserve youth. Anise burned on charcoal before bed will promote prophetic dreams. Balm (Melissa officinalis) : Bathe in a bath of Balm to attract love. Add to incense and sachets for love and to promote healing. Barley (Hordeum spp.) : Sprinkle Barley around the perimeter of your yard [or on windowsills] to ward off evil. A few grains under your doormat will offer protection and repel negativity and evil that would enter. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) : Basil oil rubbed on a green candle before burning will attract wealth. The incense smoke is beneficial for the same, plus banishing, exorcising and for protection. It also makes one hell of a spaghetti sauce! Blackberry (Rubus villosus) : To work your way through a bramble of blackberries is damn near impossible - but it is rumored to dispel, and protect from, all disease and evil. Caraway (Carum carvi) : Use in your wedding cake, and throw caraway seeds after the ceremony. It promotes lust and fidelity. Of course - it doesn't have to be your wedding night/cake. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) : Well, we've seen it's effect on our feline friends... giving your cat this herb can help create the psychic link needed for a familiar. Add catnip to your sachets to attract love [but keep it away from your cat]. Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) : Eat a meal hot with cayenne before a night of Bacchanalian celebrating - it will curb drunkenness. Chamomile (Anthemsis nobilis) : Ancient Egyptians associated Chamomile with Ra for its healing powers. Even other plants in your herb garden will benefit from this herb, as it repels insects & promotes healing. Chamomile also has the properties of attracting wealth. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) : First cultivated and used in the East, Cinnamon was burned to purify the temple. It also promotes health, vigor and libido. Clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus) : burned smoked or ingested, clove promotes visions. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) : If you see a puff off a dandelion, but there's no wind, rain is on the way. Also used to make a great wine, or tea. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) : Ingested, Fennel promotes virility, fertility, and libido in general. Also acts as a protective herb. Garlic (Allium sativum) : Ropes of garlic are used to ward off evil. Garlic is also known as a lustful herb when ingested. Lavender (Lavendula officinale) : Especially useful in attracting men. Lavender promotes happiness and harmony in the home, whether burned or simply used in potpourri and sachets. Marigold (Calendula officianis) : Use as a visionary herb. Burn when doing a divination for love. Marjoram (Origanum majorana) : Use to dispel negativity and promote love & happiness. Onion (Allium cepa) : Ingested, onions can promote prophetic visions and dreams. Onion also promotes virility and libido. Parsley (Retroselinum sativum) : Promotes communion with the Maternal Aspect. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) : Burn before bed for prophetic dreams. Peppermint tea aids in divination. Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) : Increases memory and protects against evil. It has been used in conjunction with juniper berries for centuries to purify the air. Sage (Salvia officianus) : Promotes strength, courage, longevity and wisdom. It also banishes negativity and evil. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) : Burn when asking advice of loved ones who have passed on. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) : The herb of Witches. Use for cleansing and self-purification. Ingest with care. This can have side effects, and can make some people ill. Vervain (Verbena officinalis) : One of the Seven Sacred Herbs of the Druids. Aids in visionary work. The Welsh called it 'llysiaur hudol' - or enchanting herb. It promotes love, lust and sexual fulfillment. Use when performing sexual magic. An herb of artists - use before any artistic performances. Willow (Salix alba) : An herb of immortality. Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) : Use to remove jinx. Also good for protecting children. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginica) : Excellent for making divining rods - which can be used to find more than just water. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following is a list of common witches' herbs and magickal properties: ACACIA: divination ADDER"S TONGUE: divination ANGELICA: exorcism, healing, and protection against evil influences. AVENS: soul purification. BASIL: exorcism, love spells and protection against evil influences. BAY: clairvoyance, healing, good luck and protection against evil influences. BERGAMOT: prosperity. CAMPHOR: divination. CATNIP: love spells. CARNATION: psychic healing. CEDAR: healing, prosperity and sanctification. CHAMOMILE: sleep potions. CINNAMON: clairvoyance, healing and love spells. CINQUEFOIL: prosperity. CLOVES: divination, exorcism, love and spiritual purification. CLOVER: anti-sorcery, counterspells and protection against evil influences. CORIANDER: love spells. DILL: anti-sorcery and protection against evil influences. DRAGON'S BLOOD: exorcism and love spells. ELDER: aphrodisiac, love spells and prosperity. FENNEL: healing and purification. FERN: exorcism and spells to attract rain. FRANKINCENSE: consecration, divination, exorcism, healing, love spells and spiritual purification. GARDENIA: healing and love spells. GARLIC: exorcism, protection against evil influences and purification. GINGER: aphrodisiacs and love spells. HAWTHORN FLOWERS: clairvoyance and divination. HAZEL: aphrodisiacs and love spells. HONEYSUCKLE: divination. HOPS: healing and sleep potions. JASMINE: aphrodisiacs and love spells. JUNIPER: aphrodisiacs, exorcism, healing, love spells and protection against Evil influences. LAVENDER: aphrodisiacs and love spells. LEMON BALM: healing and love spells. LEMON GRASS: divination. LILAC: exorcism. LOVAGE: aphrodisiacs and love spells. MACE: divination. MALLOW: exorcism. MANDRAKE ROOT: aphrodisiac, cursing enemies, love spells, protection against evil influences and spells to increase psychic powers. MARJORAM: prophetic dreams and protection against evil influences. MINT: exorcism and healing. MUGWORT: astral projection, clairvoyance, divination, prophetic dreams, and Spells to increase psychic powers. MYRRH: consecration, exorcism, healing and meditation. MYRTLE: sleep potions. NUTMEG: divination and healing. ORRIS ROOT: clairvoyance and divination. PASSION FLOWER: sleep potions. PATCHOULY: invocation of elemental powers. PEONY ROOT: anti-sorcery and protection against evil influences. PINE: prosperity. ROSE: divination, healing and love spells. ROSEMARY: counterspells, healing, love spells and purification. RUE: exorcism and hexing of enemies. SAFFRON: love spells. SANDALWOOD: consecration, healing and protecting against evil influences. SASSAFRAS: prosperity. SERPENTARIA ROOT: aphrodisiacs and love spells. SOLOMON'S SEAL: exorcism. THISTLE: exorcism. THYME: divination and healing. TONKA: love spells and prosperity. VERVAIN: anti-sorcery, astral projection and sleep potions. VIOLET: Healing and love spells. WILLOW: healing. WOOD ALOE: prosperity. WOODRUFF: prosperity. WORMWOOD: clairvoyance, divination and good luck. YARROW: divination, exorcism, love spells, prophetic dreams, and spells to increases psychic powers. YERBA SANTA: healing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- DANGEROUS PLANTS NEVER EAT OR INGEST ANY OF THE FOLLOWING. Avoid experimenting with ANY the plants in this section. Some of them possess highly potent medical properties and should only be used by the truly experienced witch or herbalists. Many are poisonous in part or in whole and cause serious illness or death if not used properly. Aconite Bittersweet Black nightshade Blue flag Burning bush Calabar bean Calico bush Camphor Castor oil plant (seeds) Celandine Christmas rose (root) Cowbane Daffodils Deadly nightshade Dog's mercury Elkweed Ergot Flag lily Foxglove Gelsemium Hemlock (Everyone should know this is a deadly poison!) Hellebore Henbane Holly (seeds) Honeysuckle (vine and fruits) Horse balm Ilex Impatiens pallida Indian arrowroot Inkberry Jack-in-the-pulpit (root) Jerusalem cherry Jimsonweed Laburnum (seeds) Laurel (seeds) Mandrake Mayapple (roots, leaves, seeds) Monkshood (fine as a rub - The smallest amount is deadly if used internally) Mistletoe (seeds) Poinsettia Poison Dogwood, Flag, Hemlock, Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Poke root Rosebay Springle tree (seeds) Spurge Swallow wort Thorn apple Tobacco (Believe it! This IS a deadly poison if concentrated and eaten) Wahoo Wake-robin Water dropwort White hemlock White bryony Winter rose Wood anemone (seeds) Yellow jasmine Yew (seeds and berries)