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| Aloe Aloe Vera Mars, Pluto Funereal Herb, Herb of protection Invocatory: Venus Lore: Roman women believed that Aloe was the sacred plant of the Goddess Venus, who gave love and beauty to those that honored her. The tribes along the Congo River in Africa gathered the aloe plant before a hunt. The hunter believed coating his body with the juice he could move among his prey without giving his scent away. Growing an Aloe plant will increase the protection of you home. It is highly recommended to grow an Aloe on the grave of a loved one. |
| Anise Seed Pimpinella Anisum Moon Fertility, Love, Protection, Visionary, Immortality Incocatory: Apollo, Hermes, Mecury Lore: A Roman wedding cake was served at a wedding containing Anise and Cumin. Anise has been highly valued as an herb, and used by the Pharisees as tithing. Anise seed is an ingredient in a number of modern recipes said to help a person find love. The magickal properties of this herb are more likely to deal with the inner personal issues surrounding a lack of fullfillment. Anise may be used in simple spells. It is known to bring happiness and those who suffer from nightmares. The most common use is to bring protection while moving through the astral or taking a Shamanic journey. The seed is often ground and added to cakes for lunar rituals. Anise is connected to the Chariot card. Anise is used to allow our physical awareness to be in communion with the spiritual immortal elements of our being. |
| Apple Phrus Malus Venus, Jupiter Tarus Fertility, Immortality, Visionary Incocatory: Abellia, Aphrodite, Diana, Freyam, Froh, Gaea, Odin, Hera Lore: The Sumerian goddess Uttu is offered an apple by the God Enki. By accepting his gift, she must also accept him and become his wife. The Celts call the god of the apple tree Abellia. Apples represented immortality. We find the apple associated with the great goddess Freya as well. In Arthurian lore, another name for the Isle of Avalon is "The Isle of Apple Trees." The apple has been found interwoven with unicorn mythology as well. In some legends Froh, a Norse fertility god who bestows fruitfulness, wins the giantess Gerda, daughter of Gymir, known for her beauty, by offering eleven golden apples. One of the stories told of Odin is that he was able to father a child with Rerir by sending her a magickal apple. Upon biting it, she gives birth. Apples may be incorporated into any ritual in which one desires to give honor to a god or goddess of fertility. Dried seeds and bark may be powdered to be used as incense. Apples may be eaten or the juice shared in a ritual cup. Apples are believed to improve one's spirits. Apples are corresponded with Venus and with Friday. |
| Ash Fraxinus Excelsior Sun, Uranus, Neptune . Fertility Herb, Love, Protection, Visionary InvocatoryColin Odin,Gwydion, Poseidon Lore: One of the famed magical trees of Europe, the ash has figured in lore and mythology since the Age of Aires. The presence of the tree as a religious symbol central to a cultural cosmology is familiar throughout .the world. The ash holds this honoramong many peoples. In the Norse creation myth, Odin divides day from night, bringing creation into dualism. Following this, the gods and goddesses use the ash to create the Aske,the first man. The first woman was next , made from alder.In a sense, the ash is perceived as a Tree of Life,as it is the alder. The Ash had the reputation of magically curing warts; each wart , must be pricked with a new pin that had been thrust into the tree, the pins withdrawn from the wart and left in the tree, and the following charm repeated; Ashen tree, ashen tree, Pray buy these warts of me. |
| Basil Ocymum Basilium Mars, Scorpio Fertility,Consecration,Immorality,Purification, Invocatory:Krishna,Vishnu Sweet basil is a religious herb . associated both with Krishna and Vishnu. Hindus grow this herb to provide protection for the home and family and, as Grieve writes,a bit later, it is customary to send a good Hindu into the next life with a leave of basil, insuring a safe journey and access to Paradise. Basil should be added to the water or used in scrubbing floors, walls and in any cleaning of the home . previous to the unpacking and getting settled. An often -used part of a house and home blessing is a planting ceremony. Basil is the herb to plant, for it will bring protection , and good fortune to those who live within. |
| Benzoin Styrax Benzoin Mars Visionary Invocatory:Aphrodite, Mutt, Venus Lore: Benzoin is considered sacred to Venus, Aphrodite and to Mut. It makes an excellent incense for use in their temples. Benzoin's best usemay be found in its ability to provide focus, to enhance concentration and to assist the student when moving into the astral. Benzoin is desirable for those who seek to journey or to project . their spirits into the astral. Magically, benzoin is known for its ability to promote generosity; it can open a close spirit , which is suffering from selfishness. It also be used to bring increased success to any magical working or to attain magical goals. Burned as incense during meditation, it increases the serenity of one's own energy and environment. |
| Broom Cytisus Scoparius Mars Consecration Invocatory:Bloddeuwedd Broom is recommended for use when creating a sacred space. It makes an excellent ritual broom for sweeping , any physical debris away as well , as unwanted energy. The flowers are also considered symbols of good fortune and of plenty. The blooms may be picked dried and added to magical workings to increase your good fortune, but only if the plant is approached with humility and a fair exchange made with its Deva before you begin harvests. Small bunches , may be gathered and dried with which to make an aspurger for your ritual circle. This herb is ideally suited for Handfastings, used to fashion the broom , over which the newly joined couple will leap into their future. |
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