Herbal Magick: Conjuring Comfrey

September 25, 2022 By Lilith Dorsey

Conjuring comfrey photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Comfrey is a delightful plant that can do many things both spiritual and mundane. It may not be as popular as sage or lavendar, but it is infinitely valuable nonetheless. The use of this plant goes back over 2,000 years, and it’s botanical name is Symphytum officinale L. Comfrey is native to Europe and parts of Asia. This plant’s ancient history tells us that they are many magickal and practical uses which we will detail in this post.

Magickal Uses of Comfrey

Protection during travel (place in your luggage or pocket during trips)
Healing from illness (can be used in mojo/medicine bags for the sick)
Anti-Theft aid (plant near your door to deter unwanted intruders)
Financial abundance (place in your wallet or handbag)
Fidelity and commitment (can be used as part of a commitment or handfasting ceremony)
Gambling luck (place in your wallet, pocket or handbag while gambling)

I recently planted some comfrey in my community garden, and I started thinking about all it’s garden uses. People use it as a nutrient rich addition to the compost pile. It is also a good deterrent for slugs. Some people recommend using the leaves for mulch. However, the most popular use in the garden is the making of a comfrey tea.

Fertilizer Tea

This is a very stinky process that requires some patience, but comfrey tea is well worth it for your organic garden. The method is quite simple – add fresh comfrey leaves chopped up to some fresh water in a food grade jug or bucket. Cap or cover the mix and leave for three weeks or more. When ready it will resemble a thick slurry. Comfrey can irritate your skin so be sure to wear gloves. When diluted (recommended strength is 1:4 or greater) this mixture makes a great fertilizer, but can also be used as a foliar spray.

This herb has also long been heralded for it’s medicinal value. This is because comfrey contains a substance called allantoin which is known to rejuvenate cells. Commercially it is sold as a salve and used to heal skin and joints. It is best to use preparations made from the leaves, and as with all herbs and plants follow medical advice before using it on yourself.

Please check out the other posts in our Herbal Magick series. As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to give a like, comment, or share !

Herbal Magick: Morning Glory

March 7, 2022 By Lilith Dorsey

There are over 700 posts here on Voodoo Universe, and I honestly can’t believe I haven’t written about Morning Glory yet. There is a bit of an explanation however, we have written about Hi John root, a botanical relative of morning glory that is also a traditional Hoodoo ingredient. But what about the glorious morning glory itself? It belongs to the Ipomea genus, of which there are over 600 species including not only Hi John, but also sweet potatoes. Is it magickal? Just looking at it’s majesty and we have the answer to this question. Opening with the sun these beauties can transport us to heavenly realms.

Morning Glory is used magically for

psychic connection
astral travel
lucid dreaming
good luck
joy
love

The plant is toxic, and has psychedelic properties, so use with caution in your spellwork and do not ingest. That said it is a great addition to your fairy garden or your magickal plant hideaway. One of the easiest plants to grow they are often found growing wild in abandoned fields and lots. Typically it appears in borders, or the in-between spaces where magick is known to happen. Wrap the seeds in a wet paper towel for a day or two before planting to aid with germination. Don’t forget to wash your hands well afterwards, or wear gloves. There are many beautiful colors to choose from beyond the familar blues, I have both white and black morning glories planted in my garden.

Some associate this plant with the Sun, while others connect it to the planet Saturn. Trust magickal people not to agree on anything. In the Victorian language of flowers it was said to represent unrequited or brief love, possibly because the actual blooms are so fleeting. Sometimes they were engraved on headstones, reminding us that life is fleeting too. Whatever you choose to utilize them for, they are sure to provide you with a delightful display.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here, or found it helpful, please remember to like, comment, and share !

Herbal Magick : Ferns, Nature’s Fine Protector

June 4, 2021 By Lilith Dorsey

With over 10,000 species ferns are some of the most beautiful and diverse plants in the magickal cannon. Many indigenous North American people used them both magickally and medicinally. The Maori people believe they represent rebirth and new beginnings. While the Victorian language of flowers uses them to represent fascination, sincerity and humility. All around the globe these plants have been prized for a variety of uses across the ages.

Fabulous Facts About Ferns:

Ferns are some of the oldest plants in the world dating back over 360 million years
Some species can live up to a hundred years
Fiddlehead ferns are considered a delicacy to some
In Slavic folklore seeing a flower on this plant guarantees happiness and wealth
Finnish legend says that finding a seed from a fern in bloom on Midsummer’s eve will grant the power to invisibly travel
Shakespeare apparently knew this when he wrote in Henry IV, part I “We have the receipt of fern seed, we walk invisible.”
Many dinosaurs had these plants as part of their diet
In addition to green, some varieties have fronds that can be colored silver, white, orange, reddish, or yellow

The Magick of Ferns

Magickally these powerful plants can be used not only for invisibility, but for protection, luck, money, rainmaking and much more. The Enchanted Living website tells us ” It is more usual for ferns to protect against witches, especially the common bracken or brake fern, which grows all over the world in wooded thickets, open pastures, and moorlands. When the bracken stem is sliced at an angle it reveals a pattern that is interpreted in various ways and gives rise to its many names. Linnaeus, renowned eighteenth-century Swedish botanist, called it the eagle fern, others call it “King Charles in the Oak,” and it’s known in Scotland as the devil’s hoof. Some see the Greek letter “X,” which is the initial of Christ. This alone is said to keep witches, werewolves, and other evil spirits at bay…. Waving a frond before a witch was like holding a cross before a vampire. Shepherds in Brittany and Normandy used to create crosses out of ferns to protect themselves and their flocks, and in the Slavic countries, whenever anyone wanted to bathe or swim in a lake they would weave ferns in their hair to protect them from the legendary Rusalki, freshwater sirens that would drown a mortal if given the chance.” There are many ways to use this ancient plant. I hope you enjoy it.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

Herbal Magick: Tarragon, Nature’s Little Dragon

May 6, 2021 By Lilith Dorsey

Tarragon and a little dragon photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

Tarragon is one of those kitchen witchery herbs that is frequently overlooked. The herb is also known as dragon’s mugwort, wyrmwort, or little dragon. Tarragon’s association with dragons is twofold. First it is because the roots are very intertwined and even resemble snakes. The second reason is that the word is said to come from the Latin dracunculus, meaning dragon. The name of this plant isn’t the only thing that is intense. It has an intense flavor that has been described as part vanilla and part anise or licorice. The reality is that there are two different types of tarragon: French and Russian. In cooking tarragon is frequently paired with chicken or fish, and is a prime ingredient in Bearnaise sauce.

Blogger Cynthia Mueller writes about this herb’s history saying “the ancient Greeks and Romans did not include artemisias in their kitchen repertoire and it was only rarely mentioned during medieval times. The Arab botanist and pharmacist, Ibn-al-Baytar of Spain, mentioned it as a breath sweetener, sleep aid and as a seasoning for vegetables.”

If we start talking magick Tarragon is said to be an herb that vibrates with the element of fire and the planet Mars. It is associated with the Goddess Lilith and also Artemis, which is where it gets it’s Botanical name Artemisea. The website gardensablaze.com tells us it ” can also be used as a banishing herb. Use as an incense as you write down the thing you want to banish on a white piece of paper and then burn the paper in a suitable container. ”

Some Spiritual Uses of Tarragon

Healing
Banishing
Protection
Calm
Nurturing
Luck
Love

After reading this post you may wish to grow some of this magickal herb, or use it in your kitchen witchery. Tarragon is easily grown in the garden, or as part of your magickal window box. It is a Mediterranean herb and as such is fond of dry conditions, full sun, and poor soil. As for cooking, the following recipe is a great one to add to your culinary repertoire.

Tarragon Green Goddess Salad Dressing Recipe

One of my favorite things to do is to use fresh herbs in a recipe and this one is absolutely delightful. Tarrgaon can bring all the magickal uses above to the table. Parsley and garlic are said to represent healing, while lemons bring protection and cleansing. They all combine beautifully in the following.

Ingredients:

1 cup spinach leaves, removed from stems

1 cup curly parsley, removed from stems

2 Tbs. garlic chives, chopped

2 Tbs. tarragon leaves

1 clove garlic, minced

2 Tbs. Lemon juice

1 Tbs. rice vinegar

1 tsp. anchovy paste (optional)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

Salt and Pepper to taste

Add all ingredients except salt and pepper to a blender and mix well until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste and mix well. Makes approximately 2 1/2 to 3 cups. Serve with salad or vegetables.

Please check out the rest of the posts in our Herbal Magick series. As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

Herbal Magick: Galangal or Little John Root

February 28, 2021 By Lilith Dorsey

Galangal root photo courtesy of wikimedia commons. Licensed under CC 0.0

Galangal root or Little John root is a popular ingredient in Hoodoo and Conjure spells and workings. Also known as Little John to chew (because you are supposed to chew it and spit out small pieces around the home,) it’s classified as Alpinia galanga. Botanically related to ginger, this rhizome is found growing naturally in Indonesia and Iran. It can grow up to 6 feet tall with beautiful foliage over a foot long. It can be grown in the Southern US, particularly zones 9 and 10. A full galangal root is called a hand, as the individual roots resemble fingers.

Asian medicine employs galangal root for a variety of issues such as digestion, coughs, arthritis and even Alzheimer’s. The website for whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.org shares “Galangal has been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It was brought to England and northern Europe in the 13th century by the crusaders where it became a popular spice and medicine. St. Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179 C.E.), recommended the herb as the spice for life and used it in many of her formulas. The herb also has a long history in Arabic medicine for its healing properties.” There aren’t just medical uses of the plant there are many different magickal one.

Magickal Uses of Galangal Root

Traditionally galangal root is used in court cases and situations where justice is needed.
The root can be placed under the bed for love and passion.
It can be placed in a mojo bag along with small pieces of silver to attract wealth.
Burn the root on charcoal to help break curses and hexes.
Place a piece with your tarot cards or other divination tools to help increase psychic connection.
Put the powder or a small piece of the root under your doormat to protect your home.

If you’re interested please check out the Herbal Magick series here on this blog. As always if you value what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

Herbal Magick: Peonia Seeds for Protection

January 6, 2021 By Lilith Dorsey

One of the most popular magickal ingredients in La Regla Lucumí (Santería,) is Peonia seeds. Also called Crab’s Eye, Lady Bug Seed, Sailor’s Valentine, Jambee beads, Wayruros and Huayruro (pronounced Why-RU-RO) seed these tiny treasures of magick can be worn, carried, or placed about your space to gain special blessings. The seeds are used all across the globe and their power is known worldwide.

The plant grows natively all throughout South America. Historically it was said to be used even by the Incas as a charm of protection. It has been a valued part of my spiritual arsenal for decades.

The most common form of the seed is an intense red, with a black spot. Some refer to these ones as male, while the purely red seeds are said to be female. The seeds are toxic so please don’t eat them, and be extra cautious around children and pets. It worth a mention that while researching this post I found an article title “Woman Suffers Hallucinations After Buying Bracelet on Ebay.”

The blog TwoWorldsOneChica tells us that ” The native Peruvians believe the seed brings positive energy, happiness, fertility, good luck and wards off negative energy. They also make huayruro bracelets for newborns to help keep them safe from harm. ”

Uses for Peonia Seeds

Protection
Healing
Removal of Hexes and Curses
Prosperity
Decision Making
Good Luck
Fertility and Abundance

Ritual Jewelry is such an important part of magick and protection. For those wishing to learn more about the topic here is an interesting video from creator Chameleon’s Eye about Afro/Tribal Mystic Jewellry (please remember to like and subscribe):

This post is part of an extensive series on Herbal Magick, please check out the other posts about Mistletoe, Wisteria, Vanilla, Juniper Berries, Jezebel Root, and many more.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share.

The Herbal Magick of Mistletoe : Kiss Me Twice

December 10, 2020 By Lilith Dorsey

Mistletoe print. Internet book archive, no known copyright restrictions.

Yule means trees, fires, and mistletoe. The darkest night of the year is traditionally a time for magick and mystery. Mistletoe has always carried a high spiritual vibration. In nature, it grows attached to another plant, usually an oak or other hardwood tree. The plant gets all of it’s nutrition from its host, and thusly became a symbol of interdependence. It is important to remember that this plant is poisonous, so use with caution.

Yule Love Mistletoe

The connection between mistletoe and Yule season goes back quite some time. The Mistletoe Pages explain “The plant has had a special place in mid-winter customs for a very long time, and its use pre-dates Christianity. Indeed, despite its use at Christmas it is still considered to be a pagan plant by the Church and is often banned from Church decorations. “

Kiss Me

The practice of kissing under the plant is based in fertility magick. Scholars have traced its origins back to the early Roman festival of Saturnaila. In Victorian times when public kissing was prohibited, it was still okay to partake if you were around this plant.

Mistletoe Legends and Lore

A kiss shared under mistletoe is said to ensure lasting love
It is also hung in the home during the holidays for peace and protection
Customs in France say that this should be given as part of a New Year celebration
Folklore says that this herb will grow where lightning has struck
Some believe that the root word mistle is derived from the Germanic word for dung
The plant was particularly sacred to Druids, who were known to only pick it after a psychic vision

For more important information about the Yule season check out my posts on 10 Pagan DIY Gifts for Yule , and Frankincense and Myrrh: Magick of the Holidays. As always if you enjoy what you read here do me a favor and please remember to like, comment, and share.