Other: Used to charge quartz crystals. Burn to lift spirits. Associated with the night. Hindu name translates as "moonlight of the grove." Associated with the Virgin Mary.
Sabbat: Ostara.
JUNIPER: Juniperus communis.
Masculine, Sun/Jupiter, Fire.
Origin: Over 40 species of evergreen tree and shrub. Found throughout the northern hemisphere.
Other: Women would burn the branches during childbirth so faeries would not spirit away the newborn and leave a changeling in its place. A Druid sacred tree.
Sabbat: Yule.
LADY'S MANTLE: Alchemilla vulgaris.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
Origin: A plant of the North; found in Great Britain, mainly Scotland, also in the Andes.
LAVENDER: Lavendula officinalis and other species.
Masculine, Mercury, Air.
Origin: Indigenous to mountainous regions of Mediterranean countries; later introduced into France, Italy and by the Romans to Britain and as far north as Norway. Early colonists brought it to America. Best quality is from England. Spike Lavender is said to have originated in the Mediterranean area and N. Africa.
Other: Associated with Hecate. Mandrake roots were found in Tutankhamun's tomb. American Mandrake is the Mayapple, an entirely different plant, although magickal properties are the same. May be used as a substitute. CAUTION: Both plants are poisonous!
Sabbat: Samhain.
MAPLE: Acer species.
Masculine, Jupiter, Air.
Origin: Over 100 species native mainly to N. America, northern India and Japan. Only one species is indigenous to United Kingdom.
Part Used: Leaves, wood.
Uses: Love, longevity, prosperity.
MARJORAM: Origanum majorana, O. vulgare.
Feminine, Saturn, Fire.
Origin: Native to Portugal. Wild Marjoram (O. vulgare) is widely grown in Asia, Europe and N. Africa, probably originally from Greece or Sicily.
Other: A Druic sacred herb. See also Peppermint and Spearmint.
Sabbat: Samhain.
MISTLETOE: Viscum album (European), Phoradendron flavescens (American).
Masculine, Sun, Fire.
Origin: An ervergreen parasitic plant growing on branches of trees (mainly Ash, Poplar and Apple, occasionally on Oak). Found throughout Europe and S. Africa.
Other: Used by Druids to see beyond the cycle of rebirth. It is the most sacred "tree" of the Druids. Use in floor wash to attract patrons to a business. An herb of the Underworld in Greek and Roman mythology. Used in Faery magick when picked on Midsummer. CAUTION: Poisonous.
Sabbat: Yule, Midsummer, Lughnassadh.
MUGWORT: Artemisia vulgaris, A. ludoviciana (American).
Feminine, Venus, Earth/Air.
AKA: Western Mugwort or White Sage (Artemesia spp.) is American.
Origin: Probably native to Europe. Found in temperate zones. American version is found in western United States and Mexico.
Other: A Druid sacred herb. Once known as "Mother of Herbs" because it could drive off imps and devils. Often used in dream pillows. Used to exorcise spirits of disease. A branch kept under the doorstep will keep away annoying visitors. A Chinese protective herb.
Sabbat: Midsummer, Mabon.
MULLEIN: Verbascum thapus.
Feminine, Saturn, Fire.
Origin: Widespread - Europe and temperate Asia, N. America (especially the eastern states), and U.K. (except northern Scotland). Also common in N. Africa.
Other: A Native American herb. Used as a substitute for graveyard dust. Often an important ingredient in many potions.
Sabbat: Samhain.
MUSK: No latin name.
Venus, Earth.
Origin: Oil extracted from the glandular sack of Himalayan musk deer.
Uses: Apply to 3rd eye during meditation to open chakras to divine wisdom. Love incenses, prosperity, courage, fertility.
Other: Since animals must die to provide this oil, please use a substitute: Musk Ambrette seed (Hibiscus abelmoschus) from the musk mallow. Or a Calif. musk plant (Mimulus moschatus). Either of these can be used instead. Magickal properties are the same.
Other: Lifts vibrations. Use to drive and bind spells. Used as a fixative in perfumery and potpourri. The bush is a Christian symbol of continence. An Egyptian embalming ingredient. Burned in liturgical rites throughout the ancient world. Hebrew women used it for purification.
Sabbat: Imbolc, Mabon.
NETTLE: Urtica dioica.
Masculine, Mars, Fire.
AKA: Stinging Nettle.
Origin: Throughout temperate regions of Europe, Asia, Japan, S. Africa, Australia, Andes, N. America and Canada.
Other: A Druid holy tree, the Oak was the king of trees in a grove. Connected with the Dagda, Herne, Zeus, Hecate, Pan, Blodeuwedd, Cerridwyn, Cernnunnos. A Native American tree. Associated with the Thunder gods of many cultures due to the fact it attracts lightning more than other trees. Midsummer fire is Oak, and the needfire usually kindled in a Oak log. Believed to provide safety to the Faery Folk.
Other: Use flowers in love incenses. Signifies a long, happy marriage. Chinese symbol of luck and prosperity.
ORRIS: Iris florentina.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
AKA: Yellow Flag Iris.
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean area, northern India and N. Africa.
Part Used: Root.
Uses: Creativity, divination, exorcism, to stop gossip, hex-breaking, love, protection.
Other: Used as a fixative. Sacred to Hera.
Sabbat: Mabon.
PANSY: Viola tricolor, V. species.
Feminine, Saturn, Water.
Uses: Love, rain magick.
PARSLEY: Petroselinum crispum.
Masculine, Venus/Saturn, Air/Earth.
Origin: Native of eastern Mediterranean regions (especially Greece), Turkey, Algeria and Lebanon. Brought to Britain during the 1600's. Over 40 species.
Other: Used to invoke faeries into dreams, to break love spells. Red Poppy is a symbol of fallen warriors. Sacred to Demeter and Artemis. Alleged to draw large amounts of money fast. CAUTION: Opium Poppy (P. somniferum) is not only illegal, it is toxic. Also, do not ingest Poppy seeds of any kind before undergoing a drug test - you will test positive.
