I have a little story to share with you all regarding Asafoetida. As I mentioned before, my maternal Grandparents were 'medicine people.' Asafoetida was one of the most potent herbs they liked to utilize. My Grandfather would often trade "medicine" with other people. Asafoetida was one herb that he would trade for. However since they've crossed into the Spirit world, my Mother and I have long searched for this herb. Here in Saskatchewan, we had often gone on many wild goose chases trying to find this stuff. When I lived in British Columbia I looked for it and either nobody heard of it or they didn't carry it or knew where it could be ordered from (its imported from overseas).

Finally, the Gods smiled on us. I found out that while the herb is indeed not easy to find here in Saskatchewan, it's here nonetheless. *Smile* I knew that asafoetida was used in East Indian cuisine and was informed by a kind Witch, that they call it "Hing." Finally, I was getting somewhere!!! So, after tracking down various health food stores, I made my way to a quaint little East Indian food store. I asked if they had 'Hing.' The answer was, "Oh yes, you mean asafoetida?" *chuckles* So, my Mom and I stocked up big time on Asafoetida! *hahaha*

The gentleman working there even cracked a joke about us having an "Asafoetida Festival." (we bought all the asafoetida that was out on their self! hahaha If he only knew what we use it for!! lol

We bought both the powdered and whole form which resembles, brownish rocks. For those of you who don't know much about asafoetida, the smell is utterly horrible. It really does smell like dung!

You can use asafoetida in your cooking, if you are so inclined to do so. I was told that it is great to kill bacteria and helps to prevent flatulence. Only a tiny pinch of the powdered herb is all you need to add to whatever it is you are cooking. Personally,I have not used it in cooking and don't think I will do so anytime soon!

Our purpose for acquiring asafoetida was for magickal use. It can be used sparingly in protective incenses/smudges, added to pouches/bundles. Like mentioned earlier, we use it for extremely strong protection, exorisms and any other real 'kick ass' endeavor. Just remember that the smell is beyond disgusting.

As mentioned above it can be used in protective incenses/smudges, added to protective pouches/bundles. Use it in excorism, protection, uncrossings any other work where you have to flex your magickal muscles.

Bury the rock form of it on your property (four corners of your yard and house) for protective purposes. Add either the "rock" or powdered form to Witches Bottles. Sprinkle the powdered form of Asafoetida around the outside of your house; do this on a calm day with no wind or rain. The last time I did this, a gust of wind came up and yep, you guessed it. My black slacks were accidently sprinkled with the stuff...not fun when you go inside and your kids say "EEEWWW! Mom, that stuff smells like you stepped in crap!" hahaha

First of all, remember all those spellings at the top of the page? Well, write each of them down on paper, along with the word "Hing." Next, check out your health food stores, foreign food import/specialty stores and local pagan/occult shops. I think your best bet is to check out the ethnic food stores first, and work from there. If you can not find it or order it from anywhere, email me and I'll see what I can do :)

Remember that it smells like dung (a folk name for it is Devil's Dung), so how and where you store it is important...unless you like the smell... I store mine in it's original container, which I then place in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. I once left it on a shelf and it got knocked into a pail of water...let me tell you, it's not pleasant!

So, if it smells so bad, why use it? Because it works! It's a major Kick Butt ingredient in any protective/defensive spell/rite.