Folk Names: Ground Apple, Heermannchen (German), Chamaimelon, Camomyle
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Water
Magical Uses: German Chamomile is used in calming and sleep incenses and brews. It is also used to attract money.
The sunny nature of German Chamomile has been used to combat curses and spells.
Roman Chamomile (Chameamelum nobile, Anthemis nobilis)
Folk Names: Camomyle, Chamaimelon, Ground Apple, Heermannchen (German),Manzanilla (Spanish), Maythen, Whig Plant
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Water
Powers: Money, sleep, love, purification.
Magical Uses: Chamomile is used to attract money, and a handwash of the infusion is sometimes used by gamblers to ensure winnings.
It is used in sleep and meditation incenses, and the infusion is also added to the bath to attract love.
It is also a purificatory and protective herb. When sprinkled around the property, it removes curses and spells cast against you.
Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Folk Names: Gum Myrrh Tree, Karan, Mirra Balsom Odendron
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities: Isis, Adonis, Ra, Marian
Powers: Protection, healing, exorcism, spirituality.
Ritual Uses: Myrrh was burned to Ra at noon in ancient Egypt, and was also fumed in the temples of Isis.
Magical Uses: Burned as an incense myrrh purifies the area, lifts the vibrations and creates peace. However, it is rarely burned alone; usually in conjunction with frankincense or other resins. Myrrh increases the power of any incense to which it is added.
Myrrh is also included in healing incenses and sachets, and its smoke is said to consecrate, purify, and bless objects such as amulets, talismans, charms, and magical tools. Myrrh also aids meditation and contemplation. It is often added to sachets, usually with frankincense.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Folk Names: Succory, Wild Cherry, Wild Succory
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Air
Powers: Removing obstacles,invisibility, favors, frugality.
Magical Uses: Chicory is used to remove all obstacles that might crop up in your life. It is carried for this purpose.
At one time it was thought to make its possessor invisible, and to open locked boxes and doors if held against the locks. But for these last two purposes, chicory has to be gathered with a gold knife in perfect silence at noon or midnight on Midsummer.
If you anoint your body with chicory juice, you will obtain favors from great persons. It is also carried to promote frugality.
Burdock (Arctium lappa)
Folk Names: Bardana, Beggar�s Buttons, Burrseed, Clotbur, Cockleburr, Great Burdock, Happy Major, Hardock, Hurrburr, Personata
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Protection, healing.
Magical Uses: Cast around the home to ward off negativity. Add to protection incenses and use in such spells. Gather burdock roots in the waning Moon, dry and then cut them into small pieces. String these on red thread (like beads) and wear for protection against evil and negativity.
The leaves of the burdock, when laid to the soles of the feet, help to cure gout.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
Folk Names: Brittanica, Enchanter�s Plant, Herba Sacra, Herb of Enchantment, herb of Grace, Herb of the Cross, Holy Herb,Juno�s Tears, Pigeon�s Grass, Pigeonwood, Simpler�s Joy, Van-Van, Verbena, Vervan
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Deities: Kerridwen, Mars, Venus, Aradia, Isis, Jupiter, Thor, Juno
Powers: Love, protection, purification, peace, money, youth, chastity, sleep, healing.
Ritual Uses: Priests in ancient Rome used vervain to cleanse the altars of Jupiter. Small bundles of vervain were fashioned and the altars were swept with these. According to tradition, daughters of Druids who were initiated were crowned with vervain; this was a sign of the attained rank. (As with anything �Druidic,� this has to be looked upon as poetic, rather than historic fact.)
Magical Uses: vervain is traditionally gathered at Midsummer or at the rising of the Dog Star when neither Sun nor Moon is out, but this is not necessary.
Vervain is a common ingredient in love mixtures and protective spells. A crown of vervain on the head protects the magician while invoking spirits. Any part of the plant may be carried as a personal amulet. Vervain placed in the home protects it from lightning and storms.
The infusion sprinkled around the premises chases off evil spirits and malignant forces. Vervain is also added to exorcism incenses and sprinkling mixtures. It is also a common ingredient in purification bath sachets.
The dried herb is scattered around the home as a peace-bringer and is also worn to calm the emotions.
Vervain is used in money and prosperity spells. If the herb is buried in the garden or placed in the house, wealth will flow and plants will thrive.
To remain chaste for long periods of time, rise before the Sun on the first day of the New Moon. Gather vervain (still before sunrise), press out its juice, and drink it down. According to ancient instructions, it will cause you to lose all desire for sex for seven years.
Vervain carried may offer everlasting youth, and when placed in the bed, hung around the neck, or made into an infusion and drunk prior to sleep, no dreams will haunt you.
Vervain is also a fine healing herb. The undiluted juice of the vervain smeared on the body cures diseases and guards against future health problems. To aid in recuperation the root tied with a yard of white yarn is placed around the patient�s neck. It should remain there until recovery.
To discover if someone lying sick will live or die, place vervain in your hand and press it against the patient, so that the herb is undetected. Ask them how they feel; if they are hopeful they shall live; if not they might not.
If someone you know has taken something from you, wear vervain and confront the person. You shall surely regain possession of the stolen articles.
If vervain is placed in a baby�s cradle the child will grow up with a happy disposition and a love of learning.
The juice of the vervain, smeared on the body, will allow the person to see the future, have every wish fulfilled, turn enemies into friends, attract lovers, and be protected against all enchantments. Burnt, it dispels unrequited love.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Powers: Repel snakes, lust, psychic powers.
Magical Uses: Lemongrass planted around the home and in the garden will repel snakes. It is also used in some lust potions, as well as in an infusion to aid in developing psychic powers.
Queen of the Meadow (Spiraea filipendula, Filipendula ulmaria, Spiraea ulmaria)
Folk Names: Meadowsweet, Bride of the Meadow, Bridewort, Dollor, Gravel Root, Lady of the Meadow, Little Queen, Meadowwort, Steeplebush, Trumpet Weed
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Powers: Love, divination, peace, happiness.
Magical Uses: Fresh meadowsweet is placed on the altar for love spells, or dried is used in various love mixtures. Also strewn about the house to keep peace. The scent of meadowsweet cheers the heart.
If gathered in Midsummer, meadowsweet will give you information regarding thieves; if you have been robbed, place meadowsweet on water. If it sinks, the thief is a man. If it floats, a woman.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp. sabdariffa; H. rosanensis)
Folk Names: Kharkady (Arabic), Graxa, Gumamela, Shoeflower, Tulipan
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Lust, love, divination.
Magical Uses: The flowers of a red hibiscus are brewed into a strong red tea which is drunk for its lust-inducing powers. This drink is forbidden to women in Egypt for this very reason.
The blossoms have also been used in love sachets and incenses. They are placed in wreaths in marriage ceremonies in the tropics. Sorcerers in Dobu in the Western Pacific divine in a wooden bowl of water onto which are placed a few hibiscus flowers.
Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnate)
Folk Names: Grandilla, Maracoc, Maypops, Passion Vine
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Sleep, peace, friendships.
Magical Uses: Contrary to its name, the passion flower is placed in the house to calm problems and troubles, and to bring peace.
Carried, it attracts friends and great popularity. Placed below the pillow it aids in sleep.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)
Folk Names: Qoust, Sadhika, Wohpala, Bicuiba Acu
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Fire
Powers: Luck, money, health, fidelity.
Magical Uses: Nutmegs have long been carried as good luck charms, and are strung with star anise and tonka beans for a potent herbal necklace. Specifically, nutmegs are carried to ward off rheumatism, cold sores, neuralgia, boils, and sties. A nutmeg hung from a string around a baby�s neck will aid in its teething. Nutmeg is included in many money/prosperity mixtures, and (ground) is sprinkled onto green candles for this purpose as well.
To ensure your lover�s fidelity, cut a nutmeg into exactly four pieces. Bury one part in the Earth; throw one off a cliff into the air; burn the third part; and boil the last in water. Drink a sip of the water and take this last piece of nutmeg with you everywhere; sleep with it under your pillow at night. No one will tempt your mate.
(Source: Cunningham�s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)
