Herbal Magick: Lavender

November 28, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

Herbal magick of Lavender. Photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Powerful and purple the herb lavender is an all purpose powerhouse for your magick. It has many spiritual uses ranging from protection to peace, please see the list below.

Magickal uses for Lavender

protection
love
peace
sleep
prophetic dreams
good luck
healing
happiness
harmony

Woodinville Lavendar field photo by Terri Stewart. Licensed under CC 2.0 — Woodinville Lavender field photo by Terri Stewart. Licensed under CC 2.0

Lavendar can be added to gris-gris bags, baths, oils, and more to achieve your desired results. The herb is also great placed in dream pilows to aid in sleep. The website thesacredwillow.net says that “Lavender is a protective herb that helps ward off negative energies. It is said that wearing a sprig of Lavender on your shirt will ward off the evil eye and can also be used in a purifying bath or smudging ritual to clear negative energies.”

Lavender has been popular for centuries if not millennia. It is even said that Adam and Eve take the herb with them as they leave the Garden of Eden. In Brazilian Candomble Lavender is a common offering for all the Orisha, or sacred forces. The Gods and Goddesses associated with lavender are : Circe (The Goddess of Magic,) Brighid (Goddess of Inspiration,) Hecate (Goddess of the Crossroads,) Cernunnos (God of Fertility,) to name a few.

Even great literature has a love affair with lavender. Everyone from Shakespeare to Alice Walker has written about this magical plant. The legendary Mark Twain said “Forgiveness is the smell that lavender gives out when you tread on it.” But it isn’t just a thing of the past either, both Courteney Cox and Demi Lovato have extolled it’s beauty benefits. It’s seems there is almost nothing this great little plant can’t do. What do you use this purple beauty for? I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Lavender quote by Mark Twain. Photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

This post is part of the Herbal Magick series if you have liked what you read here please check out the other posts in this collection and remember to like, follow, and share.

Herbal Magick : Tonka Beans

August 21, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

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Tonka beans photo courtesy of wikimedia.org. Text added.

Tonka Beans… even the words sound magickal, like something from a fairy tale. These are indeed some little magickal treasures that can be used in your sacred bag of tricks. Like many herbs and spices used in magick, this one has it’s roots in the kitchen. The use of Tonka Beans as a secret culinary ingredient has seen a recent resurgence. Historically Tonka beans were used as a prized ingredient in creating vanilla extract until they were banned in 1954. In a post on the Wall Street Journal website called A Banned Drug in Fine-Dining Desserts, they explain “after years of being relegated to perfumes, the tonka bean is making an appearance as a dessert flavoring in fine-dining menus.”

The smell of Tonka beans has been compared to that of Sweet Woodruff, the main herbal ingredient in the ritual brew May Wine. The flavor is subtle, but also complex. It can be used to flavor ice cream, cakes, and other treats. But what about it’s use as a magickal ingredient? Tonka beans have long been a Hoodoo ingredient in spells and ritual workings. Similar to mojo beans, they are used for manifesting desires and wishes. They are particularly effective used in spells for love.

Tonka Wishing Love Spell

Customarily 3, 5, or 7 Tonka beans are carried in your pocket for the corresponding 3, 5, or 7 days. Each day take another bean, make a wish about love, place it in your pocket during the day, and under your bed at night. Some wish suggestions might be removal of obstacles to love, the discovery of opportunities for love, the confidence to get and keep love, and the like. On the last day, take the beans to a river or stream, and throw them over your left shoulder into the water. Walk away without looking back.

Tonka beans are also added to mojo bags, or gris-gris bags, to add extra luck and success. If you are looking to purchase Tonka beans please visit the webstore DeesTransformHealing for those and other magickal supplies, I highly recommend them. This post is part of our Herbal Magick series, please check it out for more great information on magickal herbs and spices, and remember to share, share, share !!!

Herbal Magick: Rosemary

July 1, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

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Rosemary photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Rosemary is a classic herb that has a variety of traditional and non-traditional magickal uses. Easily obtained and easily cultivated, Rosemary is a perfect addition to your magickal bag of tricks. The herb, the wood, and the oil are all used. But as with most herbs, use caution with pregnant women and small children.

Astrologically Rosemary is associated with the radiant Sun, and the sign of Leo. From a magickal standpoint Rosemary is said to bring protection, healing, purification, strength, clarity, and love.

In the Hoodoo tradition it is used to attract both devoted love, when carried with your lover’s hair, and protection for females. La Regla Lucumi, the religion more commonly referred to as Santeria, uses Romero (Rosemary) as an herbal offering for many different Orisha. The classic text The Santeria Formulary by Carlos Monntenegro lists Rosemary as a sacred herb for Eleggua, Ochun, Oko, Babalu-Aye, Ochosi, and Ogun. The versatility of Rosemary in this tradition is clear.

Used for centuries, Rosemary is also clearly a popular herb throughout history. In Hamlet, Shakespeare mentions the fragrant herb numerous times. This powerful herb can also be associated with the Dead, and in Romeo and Juliet, she is honored at her burial with Rosemary. This is so she will be remembered forever. In Ancient Egypt the herb was even used for embalming bodies. The website Eye of Horus tells us :

“In folklore it was said that a healthy rosemary plant grew where a woman was head of the family. Rosemary is associated with goddesses, especially of the sea. According to legend, it was draped around the Greek goddess Aphrodite when she rose from the sea. Catholic healers associated it with Mary. The legend says its flowers were once white, until Mary laid her cloak over them while resting. When she picked up her cloak again, they were blue. In fact, the flowers can be white, pink, blue or purple, depending on the cultivar.”

This recipe will help you to bring the protective properties of Rosemary into your own home.

Rosemary Protection Floorwash

1 cup Florida Water

1 cup Holy Water

1 cup Spring Water

5 sprigs of fresh rosemary

5 drops Myrrh oil

5 drops Sandalwood oil

Magickal Uses of Rosemary image by pixabay. Text added.

Place all ingredients into a large glass jar. Shake well. Consecrate it with your breath, your prayers, or whatever your favorite blessing is. Leave the jar outside for 24 hours in a place where both the sun’s and moon’s rays will hit it. The wash can be used during the new moon for a blessing of protection and strength. Be sure to wash down your doorways, windows, and other entry points to your home. It can also be placed in the bath to protect your entire body.

This is part of our series on Herbal Magick. Please check out our other posts:

Herbal Magick : Daisy

Herbal Magick : Cherry Blossom

Herbal Magick : Hyacinth

If you have enjoyed what you have read here, please do us a favor and share this post. Stay tuned to the Voodoo Universe for more information about herbal magick, spells, and more.

Herbal Magick: Daisy

June 13, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

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Daisy photo by Karen. Text added. Licensed under CC 2.0

Daisies are one of the most commonly used plants for magick. They are simple, classic, and very hardy. Even young children know that legend says they can help you discover your true love. In part this is probably because it is ruled by the planet Venus, yet this is useful for many different things beyond just amorous encounters. People use daisy for new baby blessings, healing, joy, and also divination. Some say it is connected to the element of water, while others find it very earthing or grounding. There are many different types of daisy Shasta, Gerbera, and the rest. They all carry similar properties in their magick. Some Christians associate the daisy with the Virgin Mary, and therefore peace and purity. While some Norse practitioners consider them sacred to the Goddess Freya, and helpful during childbirth. Rachel Patterson’s book A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Herbs and Plants says “because the daisy flower opens in daylight and loves to show it’s face to the sun it is full of solar energy.” This is clearly an all-around versatile plant, that is especially prided during this magickal time of year.

The use of daisy magick at Midsummer is the stuff of myth and legend. The blog Herbalriot tells us to:

Decorate the house with daisies at Midsummer’s Eve to bring happiness to the home and to obtain the blessings of faeries. Daisies are also worn at Midsummer for luck and blessings. In the old times, young maidens would weave and wear daisy chains in their hair to attract their beloved.

Daisy photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Even the great bard himself, William Shakespeare loved these delicate beauties. The daisy is featured several times in works such as Love’s Labours Lost, Hamlet and others. About this classic flower in The Two Noble Kinsmen he remarks (see photo at left) :

Maiden pinks, of odor faint,

Daises smell less, yet most quaint.

And sweet thyme true.

Here is a list of the Magickal Properties of Daisy

Love
Fertility
Birth
Abundance
Joy
Happiness
Purity
Transformation

It seems there isn’t much you really can’t do with this fabulous plant. I’d love to hear how you use daisy in your magick and spells in the comments below. And please if you have enjoyed what you read here, please do us a favor and remember to share, share, share !

Herbal Magick: Hyacinth

May 16, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

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Hyacinth photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

The hyacinth for constancy wi’ its unchanging blue.
Burns—O Luve Will Venture In.

Despite the weird weather we have all been having, it seems that spring is finally here. The birds are singing, the air is fresher, and the flowers are all beginning to bloom. One of the most fragrant spring flowers is the Hyacinth. I would bathe in it’s delicious scent if I could.

Fortunately it’s magickal properties are many. Hyacinth is used for everything from chasing away bad dreams to granting wishes. Ruled by the planet Venus, it lends a special blessing of love and joy to your magicks. It’s element is water and they bloom in a gorgeous array of colors- blue, purple, pink, white, and yellow. The flower was named after the tragic figure in Greek Mythology, according to Encyclopaedia Brittanica the story was as follows:

“Hyacinthus, in Greek legend, a young man of Amyclae in Laconia. According to the usual version, his great beauty attracted the love of Apollo, who killed him accidentally while teaching him to throw the discus; others related that Zephyrus (or Boreas) out of jealousy deflected the discus so that it hit Hyacinthus on the head and killed him. Out of his blood there grew the flower called hyacinthos (perhaps a fritillary; not the modern hyacinth), the petals of which were marked with the mournful exclamation AI, AI (“Alas”). The flower was also said to have sprung from the blood of Ajax, the son of Telamon.”

Because of the connection between Apollo and Hyacinthus, the flower is sometimes used to attract homosexual love and devotion. That is not it’s only use however, a growing bulb placed in your bedroom is said to prevent nightmares, and carried in your pocket it is said to relieve grief. There are many other ideas too, please refer to the list below. The plant is toxic unfortunately, so when using magickally make sure not to ingest it, or put it on your skin.

Hyacinth is used magickally for:

Happiness
Joy
Freedom
Peace of Mind
Playfulness
Removal of Negativity

This post is part of our ongoing series on herbal magick. I studied plant science and ethnobotany at school, and this verdant spring has inspired me to write about nature’s abundant bounty. Please check out the recent posts Herbal Magick: Cherry Blossoms and Herbal Magick : Mayapple. If you have enjoyed what you have read here please do us a favor and remember to share, share, share on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere ! Many Blessings !

Herbal Magick: Cherry Blossoms

May 1, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

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Cherry Blossoms photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

The argument can be made that there is nothing more beautifully magickal in the world than the sight of cherry blossoms gently falling from their branches. Cherry blossoms are held in high regard across the globe, from Asia to North America. This weekend is the famous Cherry Blossom festival here in New York City. Young and old alike gather at this event to celebrate, and experience the beauty of a sea of pink blossoms filling the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.

Over a hundred years ago, in 1912, Japan gifted the U.S. with 3,000 flowering cherry trees. Traditional Japanese culture views cherry blossoms as a representation of how precious, and also precarious life can be. The beauty of the blossoms is superb, yet temporary. Chinese culture sees the blooms as representative of feminine power and sexuality. While in American folklore, Cherry blossoms are said to bring intelligence, happiness, honesty, vitality, and love. Some Hoodoo practitioners use Cherry Blossom as a road opener spell when combined with orange oil. Clearly there are many ways to utilize this delightful pink blossom.

Weeping cherry photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Sweet Cherry Hoodoo Spell For Love

½ cup Dried Cherry Blossoms
½ cup Dried Red Rose Petals
1 pinch Cinnamon powder
3 drops Jasmine oil
3 drops Tuberose oil
3 drops Gardenia oil
Large Bowl

Place the blossoms and the petals into the large bowl. Next add the drops of Jasmine, Tuberose, and Gardenia oil. Lift the bowl up into the air, and make the sign of the crossroads. Next you will need to charge the spell. You can do this by blowing on it and infusing it with your intent, by reciting Psalm 4, using the incantation below, or a blessing of your own choosing. The website magic spells and potions gives a recipe for finding new love with Cherry Blossoms, Lemon, and other ingredients charged with the following incantation:

Love light,
love bright,
love falls like snow tonight,
bright petals in the air,
bright petals everywhere,
I want to dance with love,
I take a chance with love,
love come to me
love set me free
love teaches me
to be the lover
I can be.

By sun and moon,
and three times three
this is my will
so will it be.

Use this spell on the new moon. So if you get the chance this year please get out and bask in the fleeting glory of the cherry blossoms, and bathe in their blessings ! If you like what you have read here please remember to share !

Herbal Magick: Mayapple Or American Mandrake

April 29, 2016 By Lilith Dorsey

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Mayapple photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Mayapple, or American Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum,) has long been part of Witchcraft’s bag of tricks. Let me begin by saying this herb is highly toxic. Please use caution when harvesting, and using in your spellcrafting. This is particularly true for pregnant women.

This history of Mayapple is rich. The website eattheweeds.com tells us that the name translates to “foot leaf like a shield.”Recently science has been studying it as a possible cancer treatment. Mayapple grows wild in the Eastern half of North America, from Quebec to Florida.
Another name for this herb is Witch’s Umbrella, so it’s no surprise that there are a lot of uses that fall under this umbrella. It is ruled by the planet Saturn, and hence associated with magick, rejuvenation, healing, and karma. Because standard mandrake does not grow naturally in North America, American Mandrake or Mayapple was used instead in spells and formulas.

Mayapple Magickal Uses

Protection
Divination
Banishing
Removing Obstacles
Financial Success

The folklore surrounding this item is both wild and interesting. Some say that when pulled Mayapple’s screams will cause a person to go insane.

“The cry of the Mandrake is fatal to anyone who hears it.”

– Hermoine Granger, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Some Native American tribes used it to commit suicide. Even the Bible mentions Mandrake. In her post about Mandrake Patti Wigington tell us to “consider planting it around the perimeter of your property as a barrier, or place some under your doorstep for protection and fertility. Some hoodoo traditions recommend wrapping a whole mandrake root in a dollar bill and carrying it in your pocket for financial fortune.” Then there are other Hoodoo spells which use the Mayapple roots tied together in the form of a doll, to bring about a lover. Whatever you need to use it for, there is no doubt that this is a valuable addition to any magickal arsenal.

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