ACACIA:Acacia senegal and other species.
Masculine, Sun, Air
Origin: Trees and shrubs scattered over the warmer regions of Australia, Egypt, the Amazon and South America. Acacia senegal is native to tropical Africa, including the upper Nile area.
Part Used: Flowers, essential oil, wood.
Uses: Annointing, divination, inspiration, insure agreements, love, meditation, peace, platonic love, prosperity, protection, psychic, purification, wisdom.
Other: Petitions to the Goddess, Sacred fires, Buddhist incense, sacred to Hebrews. Thought to have been used in Christ's crown of thorns. Used to increase power of spells. See Arabic, Gum.
Sabbat: Lughnassadh.
AGRIMONY: Agrimonia eupatoria.
Masculine, Jupiter, Air/Fire.
Origin: Found abundantly throughout Europe, Britain and North America.
Part Used: Leaves, root.
Uses: Banishment, luck, prosperity, protection, to keep secrets, send-back spells.
Other: Once mixed with pounded frogs and human blood as a cure for internal hemorrhaging.
ALLSPICE: Pimenta officinalis.
Masculine, Mars/Venus, Fire/Earth.
Origin: An evergreen tree from the West Indies, Central and South America, mainly Jamaica. Called Allspice because it tastes like a combination of clove, juniper, cinnamon and pepper.
Part Used: Fruit, essential oil.
Uses: Animal healing, compassion, courage, determination, fertility, healing, love, luck, physical energy, power, prosperity, renewal.
Other: Said to improve school and job performance due to its ability to aid willpower and concentration.
ALMOND: Prunus amygdalus
Masculine, Mercury/Venus, Air
Origin: Native of warmer areas of Western Asia and North Africa. Later distributed over warm regions of the Old World, espec. the Mediterranean.
Part Used: Nut, oil, wood.
Uses: Compassion, fertility, love, lust, prosperity.
Other: Emblem of hope. In Medieval Christianity, it was a symbol of divine approval.
Sabbat: Beltane.
AMARANTH: Amaranthus hypochondriacus and other species.
Femine, Saturn, Fire.
AKA: Cockscomb.
Origin: Native to the tropics of both hemispheres.
Part Used: Leaves and flowers.
Uses: Ancestor contact, invisibility, love, peace.
Other: Sacred to the Horned God. Native American herb.
ANGELICA:
Angelica archangelica, over 30 species.
Masculine, Sun, Fire.
Origin: Believed by some to be a native of Syria; others feel it is from Northern Europe. Found in cool, moist areas of Scotland and Iceland, said to have come to England in the mid 1500's.
Part Used: Root, seeds, essential oil.
Uses: Annointing, exorcism, healing, hex-breaking, inspiration, knowledge, love, meditation, prosperity, protection, renewal, success, visions, wisdom.
Other: Used as a fixative. Said to be the most effective plant against evil. Associated with early Norse magick.
Sabbat: Imbolc, Beltane.
ANISE: Pimpinella anisum.
Masculine, Jupiter/Mercury, Air.
Origin: Native of Egypt, Greece and Asia Minor. Spread to central Europe in middle ages.
Part Used: Seed, essential oil.
Uses: Consecration, divination, fertility, love, good luck, happiness, luck (to newlyweds), lust, meditation, mental, to banish nightmares, prosperity, protection, psychic, purification (with Bay), to call spirits, youth.
Other: Not related to Star Anise. Used at Roman wedding feasts. Use with Bay for purification. Used in dream pillows.
APPLE: Pyrus species.
Feminine, Venus, Water.
Origin: Native to temperate regions of Northern Hemisphere.
Part Used: Fruit, flower, wood.
Uses: Binding, divination, happiness, healing, immortality, longevity, love (blossoms), peace wisdom.
Other: Used to confer the wisdom of Aphrodite. Unicorns. Cider is a substitute for blood in rites. Said to be the passport to the Otherworlds; a food of the Sidhe Folk and burned as an offering to them. A Druid sacred tree. Symbolizes choices.
Sabbat: Samhain, Beltane (blossom).
ARABIC, GUM: Acacia vera, A. arabica.
Masculine, Sun, Air.
Origin: See Acacia.
Part Used: Resinous gum.
Uses: High vibrations, protection, purification, spirituality. See Acacia.
ASAFOETIDA: Ferula foetide.
Masculine, Mars, Fire.
AKA: Devil's Dung.
Origin: Originally from Afghanistan, Persia and southwestern Asia.
Part Used: Root, leaves.
Uses: Exorcism, purification, protection.
Other: Has fallen out of use due to its particularly horrible odor. Use with care - better yet, substitute a better-smelling herb.
ASH: Fraxinus excelsion, F. americana.
Masculine, Sun, Fire.
Origin: Common in Britain. Tall trees to shrubs, native to north temperate zones - N. America, Europe and Asia.
Part Used: Leaves, wood.
Uses: Healing, love, prophetic dreams, prosperity, protection.
Other: A Druid sacred tree. Druid wands were often made of Ash. Sacred to the peoples of Scandinavia and Germany. Yggdrasill, a representation of the cosmos, was an Ash tree. Indicates linking of inner and outer worlds. Useful for absorbing sickness. Used in spells requiring focus.
Sabbat: Yule, Beltane.
ASPEN: Populus species. (See Poplar).
Masculine, Mercury, Air.
Part Used: Leaves, wood.
Uses: Anti-theft, eloquence.
Other: Helps in past-life regression and recall.
BALM OF GILEAD: Commiphora opobalsamum.
Femine, Venus/Jupiter, Water/Fire.
Origin: Native to countries around the Red Sea.
Part Used: Buds.
Uses: Healing, inspiration, knowledge, love, manifestations, protection, strength, virility, wisdom.
Other: The true Balm of Gilead is a rare desert shrub; other plants share the name: 1. Cedronella canariensis, C. triphylla. A shrub with leaves that smell like lemon and coriander. 2. Abies balsamea. AKA Balsam Fir, which grows in eastern North America. Its leaves smell like spicy strawberries. 3. Populus balsamifera. A specia of Poplar. Its sticky buds have a heady aroma and are used in healing incenses, for protection and to mend a broken heart.
Sabbat: Mabon.
BALSAM OF PERU: Myroxylon balsamum.
Origin: A tree native to Cental America (but not Peru.)
Part Used: Resin, essential oil.
Uses: Exorcism, healing, hex-breaking, prosperity, visions.
Other: Used as a fixative in incenses and potpourris. Balsam of Tolu: M. toluiferum is another variety, used as a hexbreaker, for success and meditation.
BANANA:Musa sapientum, various species.
Feminine, Venus, Water.
Origin: A tropical tree, some species have berries.
Part Used: Fruit
Uses: Fertility, potency (as a cure for impotency), prosperity.
BASIL: Ocium basilicum.
Masculine, Mars/Jupiter, Fire.
Origin: Native to India. Other varieties found in W. Africa, India, Japan, Persia, Egypt, Greece, Rome.
Part Used: Leaves, essential oil.
Uses: Anti-theft, business success, confidence, exorcism, fidelity, happiness, hex- breaking, love, luck to new home (if a gift), mental, peace, prosperity, protection, purification.
Other: Associated with dragons, salamanders and other fire beings. A Druid sacred herb. Use during meditation and ritual to regenerate yourself. Sacred to Vishnu and Krishna. Used to protect the dead from evil and to offer them entrance into the Summerland. Sacred to Haitian goddess of love, Erzulie.
Sabbat: Midsummer, Imbolc.
BAY: Laurus nobilis.
Masculine, Sun, Fire.
AKA: Laurel, Bay Laurel.
Origin: Native to Mediterranean. Grows in Britain, but is a small tree; much larger in warmer climates.
Part Used: Leaves, wood, essential oil.
Uses: Clairvoyance, concentration, consecration, divination, endings, exorcism, healing, hex-breaking (with Sandalwood), inspiration, justice, knowledge, love, luck, lust, meditation, memory, peace, physical strength, power, prophetic dreams, prosperity, protection, psychic, purification (excellent), release, transformation, victory, wisdom, wishes.
Other: Symbol of glory and reward, leaves were woven into victory wreaths. The death of a Bay tree was considered a bad omen.
Sabbat: Yule, Imbolc.
BEEBALM: Monarda didyma.
Sun, Fire.
AKA: Bergamot (not to be confused with Orange Bergamot), Oswego Tea.
Origin: Indigenous to N. America.
Part Used: Leaves, flower.
Uses: Love, lust, protection, success.
BENZOIN: Styrax benzoin.
Masculine, Sun/Venus, Air.
Origin: Tree native to E. Indies, China, Sumatra, and Sri Lanka.
Part Used: Resin, tincture, essential oil.
Uses: Astral projection, banishment, to attract customers (with Cinnamon and Basil), exorcism, inspiration, knowledge, love (with Sandalwood and Rose), memory, peace, power (mental and personal), protection, purification, spell- breaking, visions, wisdom.
Other: Used as a base for incense, and as a fixative for oils, incense, and potpourris.
Sabbat: Imbolc, Mabon.
BERGAMOT, ORANGE: Mentha citrata.
Masculine, Mercury, Air.
Origin: Citrus tree native to Italy.
Part Used: Essential oil from fruit peel.
Uses: Prosperity, Protection (physical as well as psychic), success.
BETONY, WOOD: Betonica officinalis, Stachys officinalis.
Masculine, Jupiter, Fire.
Origin: Found throughout Britain, rarely in Scotland. Grows in woods and copses, sometimes on heaths and moors.
Part Used: Leaves and flowers.
Uses: Banishment, consecration, love, to banish nightmares, healing (wounded animals), protection, purification, release.
Other: Has a long history as a protective herb. Balefires.
Sabbat: Midsummer.
BIRCH: Betula species.
Feminine, Venus, Water.
Origin: Ancient tree found all over Europe, N. America and northern Asia.
Part Used: Leaves, bark, essential oil, wood.
Uses: Exorcism, love, new beginnings, protection, purification.
Other: Symbol of the return of spring. Sacred to the Druids. Also known as Lady of the Woods. Dedicated to Thor. Is used as a substitute for Pine in incenses.
BLACKBERRY: Rubus villosus.
Feminine, Venus, Water.
AKA: Bramble.
Origin: Common everywhere.
Part Used: Leaves, possibly dried fruit and wood from the cane.
Uses: Animal healing, healing, prosperity, protection.
Other: Used in invocations to Brigid.
Sabbat: Lughnassadh, Imbolc.
BORAGE: Borago officinalus.
Masculine, Jupiter, Air.
Origin: Hardy annual plant native to Europe, Asia Minor and Africa, long naturalized in Britain.
Part Used: Flower, oil.
Uses: Courage, happiness, psychic powers, sanity.
Other: Celtic warriors drank borage tea to give them courage. May emit sparks and popping noises when burned.
BROOM: Cutisus scoparius.
Masculine, Mars, Air.
Origin: Shrub indigenous to England, grows wild in temperate Europe, northern Asia and North America on sandy fields and heath.
Part Used: Leaves and stem.
Uses: Clairvoyant, exorcism, love, protection, purification.
Other: A Druid sacred tree. It can be substituted for furze (gorse) at Spring Equinox. Weather magick. CAUTION: POISONOUS!
Sabbat: Ostara, Samhain.
BURDOCK: Arctium lappa.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
Origin: Found throughout Europe, Asia and N. America. Rare in Scotland.
Part Used: Root, sometimes leaves, seeds.
Uses: Animals, compassion, consecration, exorcism, hex-breaking, love, protection, purification.
CALAMUS: Acorus calamus.
Feminine, Moon/Venus, Water/Earth.
AKA: Sweet Flag.
Origin: Indigenous to India, northern U.S.A. and Europe, but rare in Scotland and Spain.
Part Used: Root, essential oil.
Uses: To strengthen and bind spells, commanding, healing, love, lust, peace, protection (from poverty).
Other Uses: Strewing herb. Used as a fixative. Mentioned often in the Old Testament as an incense herb. CAUTION: Toxic.
CALENDULA: Calendula officinalis.
Masculine, Sun, Fire.
AKA: Marigold.
Origin: Native of southern Europe and Egypt.
Part Used: Flower.
Uses: Clairvoyance, commanding, divination, happiness, love, luck, prophetic dreams, legal matters, prosperity, protection, psychic, renewal, sleep, success, visions.
Other: To make faeries visible. Protects and blesses the departed soul. This flower was highly valued by the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Greeks and Hindus.
Sabbat: Beltane, Mabon, Lughnassadh.
CAMPHOR: Cinnamomum camphora.
Feminine, Moon, Water.
Origin: Evergreen tree from China, Japan, eastern Asia, Borneo, and Sumatra. Now grown in sub-tropical countries - India, Egypt.
Part Used: Crystaline gum, essential oil, sometimes wood.
Uses: Chastity, divination, endings, health, psychic, purification, release, to break off an affair.
Other: Lunar incenses. CAUTION: In large doses it is a dangerous excitant. Use only the natural; the synthetic is highly toxic.
CARDAMOM: Elettario cardamomum.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
Origin: Large perennial herb of S. India and tropical Asia. Other species can be found in China.
Part Used: Seeds, essential oil.
Uses: Fertility, happiness, love, luck, lust.
Other: Gives energy to love mixtures. Blends well in most incenses.
CARNATION: Dianthus species.
Masculine, Sun, Fire.
AKA: Gilliflower, Pink, Clove, Cottage or Cheddar Pink.
Part Used: Flower, essential oil.
Uses: Allurement, annointing, blessing, consecration, energy, fidelity, feminity, gentle love, healing, power, protection (all-purpose), strength.
Other: Used to restore energy after healing rites.
CASSIA: Cinnamonum cassia.
Mercury, Air.
Origin: Evergreen tree native to China, Sumatra, Japan, India, Mexico and S. America.
Part Used: Bark, essential oil.
Uses: Consecration, divination, happiness, knowledge, love, luck, lust, meditation, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic dreams, wisdom.
Considered an inferior substitute for cinnamon.
CASTOR: Ricinus communis.
Origin: Annual herb found in temperate climates. Tree native of India.
Part Used: Beans, oil.
Uses: Protection.
Other: CAUTION: POISONOUS! The beans are toxic, but the oil is safe.
CATNIP: Nepeta cataria.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Air.
Origin: A wild English plant, rare in Ireland. Found in Europe, temperate Asia, later naturalized in North America.
Part Used: Leaves and blossoms.
Uses: Animals, binding, cat magick, commanding, dreams, happiness, healing, love (with Rose), luck, peace, playfulness, quick action, sleep.
Other: A Druid sacred herb. Chewed by warriors for fierceness in battle. Sacred to Bastet.
CAYENNE: Capsicum annum.
AKA: Guinea Pepper.
Origin: Native to Asia, Africa and S. America. Brought to England in mid 1500's.
Part Used: Seeds
Uses: To banish unwanted guests, to make things happen.
Other: Add sparingly to incenses.
CEDAR: Juniperus virginiana (American), Cedrus atlantic (Moroccan), Thuja occidentalis.
Masculine, Sun./Jupiter, Fire.
AKA: Oil of Unicorn.
Origin: Many species of Cedar. Juniperus is not truly a cedar, but has been used much the same way. Cedrus species are found in Algeria, N. America, Mexico, Central America. Thuja species is found in N. Africa, northeastern N. America, Japan and China.
Part Used: Wood, essential oil.
Uses: Banishment, clairvoyance, confidence, consecration, divination, exorcism, happiness, healing, hex-breaking, justice, longevity, love, luck, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic power, purification, release, spirituality, strength, success.
Other: Majesty, grandeur. Native American herb. Was Egyptian mummification ingredient and building material. Sawdust in incense gives a tangy, resinous aroma. Oil used to consecrate wands and to invoke Odin. CAUTION: Oil of Thuja species is toxic.
Sabbat: Yule.
CHAMOMILE: Anthemis nobilis (Roman), Matricaria recutita (German).
Masculine, Sun, Water/Fire.
Origins: Spread over Europe, N. Africa and temperate regions of Asia. Naturalized in U.S. from Europe.
Part Used: Leaves, flowers, essential oil.
Uses: Banish nightmares, beauty, determination, dreams, gentleness, happiness, healing, justice, love, luck, meditation, modesty, peace, prosperity, protection, purification, sleep.
Other: Roman Chamomile was used by ancient Egyptians and Moors and was one of the Saxon's 9 Sacred herbs. Solar incenses.
Sabbat: Midsummer, Yule.
CHERRY: Prunus serotina, Prunus avium.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Air.
Origin: Probably native to N. America.
Part Used: Wood, Bark.
Uses: Creativity, divination, fertility, happiness, idealism, love, prosperity.
Other: A Druid sacred tree. Wood was burned at Celtic festivals. Wood of the Chokecherry (P. virgiana) was burned in needfires. Juice can be used as a substitute for blood in rituals.
CINNAMON: Cinnamomum zeylanicum.
Masculine, Sun/Mercury, Fire/Air.
Origin: A tropical evergreen tree native to Ceylon; also grows in India, Jamaica and Brazil.
Part Used: Bark, essential oil.
Uses: Astral projection, business success, clairvoyance, consecration, concentration (with Sandalwood), creativity, divination, fast luck, happiness, healing, inspiration, invocation, justice, knowledge, love, luck, lust, meditation, aids memory, mental, peace, power, prosperity, protection, psychic, spirituality, success, wisdom.
Other: Egyptian embalming and annointing oil. Raises vibrations. Use to increase the power of your spells. Used as a room blessing.
Sabbat: Imbolc.
CINQUEFOIL: Potentilla reptans, P. anserina.
Masculine, Jupiter/Mercury, Fire/Earth.
AKA: Five-finger grass.
Origin: Common to U.S. and Europe.
Part Used: Leaves, flowers.
Uses: Annointing, banishing , clairvoyance, divination, exorcism, healing, hex-breaking, inspiration, justice, knowledge, love, luck, offertory, prophetic dreams, prosperity, protection, purification, wisdom.
Other: Used in flying potions. Frogs.
Sabbat: Ostara, Midsummer, Beltane.
CITRONELLA: Cymbopogon schoenantus. C. nardus..
Origin: Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Africa, Argentina, Central America.
Part Used: Leaves, essential oil.
Uses: To confer eloquence, exorcism, peace, protection, un-hex.
CLARY SAGE: Salvia sclarea.
Mercury, Earth.
Origin: Native to Syria, Italy, France and Switzerland. Introduced to Britain in mid 1500's.
Part Used: Leaves, essential oil.
Uses: Clairvoyance, consecration, creativity, divination, happiness, knowledge, love, meditation, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic, to keep secrets, visionary, wisdom.
Other: Used as a fixative in incenses and potpourris.
CLOVE: Syzygium aromaticum, Caryophyllus aromaticus, Eugenia caryophyllata, take your
pick.
Masculine, Jupiter/Sun, Fire.
Origin: Small evergreen tree from south Philippines, later East and West Indies, and Brazil. Best comes from Molucca. Cultivated for over 2000 years.
Part Used: Buds, essential oil.
Uses: Astral visions, banishment, clairvoyance, courage, divination, exorcism, to stop gossip, healing, hex-breaking, inspiration, love, lust, memory, peace, prosperity, protection, psychic, purification, spirituality, wisdom.
Other: Acts as fixative when combined with Orris. Used to insure magickal intention is realized.
CLOVER: Trifolium pratense (Red), T. repens (White), and other species.
Masculine, Mercury/Venus, Air/Earth.
Origin: It is believed true clover originated in southeast Europe and southwest Asia, with many indigenous to North America. Over 250 species - widespread.
Part Used: Leaves, flowers.
Uses: Animals, exorcism, fidelity, to stop gossip, love, prosperity, protection, strength, success.
Other: Allegedly dissolves Faery spells, and also helps one to see Faeries and various other spirits. It is associated with the Triple Goddess of Greeks and Romans, and with the sacred wheel of the Celts.
Sabbat: Beltane.
COLTSFOOT: Tussilago farfara.
Feminine, Venus, Water/Earth.
Origin: Naturalized in U. S. from Europe, Siberia and E. Indies, N. Africa.
Part Used: Leaves, flower.
Uses: Hooved animals, love, peace, visions.
Sabbat: Imbolc.
COPAL: Copalli, Bursera species.
Masculine, Jupiter/Sun, Fire.
Origin: Native to Mexico. Also grown in India, Madagascar, Mozambique and Zanzibar.
Part Used: Resin.
Uses: Consecration, contact with other planes, exorcism, hex-breaking, love, meditation, purification, protection, spirituality.
Other: Calls upon the Horned God in his Pan or Cernunnos aspect. Used in Native American incenses. Used to purify stones and crystals.
CORIANDER: Coriandrum sativum.
Masculine, Mars, Fire.
Origin: Native to southern Europe and western Asia. Also found in Britain.
Part Used: Seeds, essence.
Uses: Animal healing, clarivoyance, divination, fertility, healing, love, lust, newlyweds, prosperity, protection, to keep secrets.
CUMIN: Cumimum cyminum.
Masculine, Mars, Fire.
Origin: Indigenous to upper Egypt, but from very early times it was cultivated in Arabia, India, China, Mediterranean regions and Russia.
Part Used: Seeds, essential oil.
Uses: Anti-theft, fidelity, love, lust, peace of mind, protection (with Frankincense).
CYPRESS: Cypressus sempervirens.
Feminine, Saturn, Earth.
Origin: Best known species is native to Mediterranean area - believed to be the "gopher" wood referred to in the Bible. Over 20 species found in Asia, Africa, N. America and Mediterranean. Very large evergreen trees to small shrubs.
Part Used: Leaves, fruit, wood, essential oil.
Uses: Banishing, binding, blessings, consecration, death, happiness, healing, inspiration, longevity, peace, protection, wisdom, wishes.
Other: Helps to organize thoughts. It is a symbol of mourning the dead.
Sabbat: Mabon.
