Litha - The Summer Solstice (21 December, Southern Hemisphere)

Although the best of Summer is usually yet to come, the Summer Solstice marks the height of the Sun's powers on th longest day of the year. This is the time to gather strength from the Sun before the hours of daylight begin to diminish over the next six months. Like Yule, the festival of LItha carries a paradox; the moment that we celebrate the Sun's powers ay their greatest is the very moment that those powers begin to wane. This reminds us of an essential physical and spiritual truth - that our festivals are fleeting moments of stillness on the wheel of change and are themselves symbols of the constant flux that is the nature of all existance.

The word "Litha" is supposed to mean "wheel," though its origis are obscure. There may be a link, however, with a customer first recorded two thousand years ago, or setting a wheel alight and rolling it downhill, representing, presumably, the fall of the sun at the height of its powers. There may have also been an element of sympathetic magick here; symbolically sending the sun down to warm the fields and thus urge the growth of crops in the coming season. Certainly, there is a strong association with fire at midsummer, ehich, ike Yule, is more accurately  termed "mid-year," with the best of the weather yet to come. Bonfires have been lit and torches carried around hillsides at this time for at least the last seven centuries, and one suspects for much earlier, before written records of these practices were made. 

Litha is usually celebrated outdoors, weather permitting, and usually witches gather at the old sacred sites - the standing stones, circles and hillsides - in order to observe the solstice sunrise with others. Many of us set off in the evening of 21st December (Southern Hemisphere) [21st June in the Northern Hemisphere] to keep vigil together util sunrise the next day. This means staying awake during the shortest night, and keeping each other entertained with stories and songs after drumming the sun down below the horizon at sunset. At dawn, we begin drumming again, this time to encourage Old Sol's exertions to rise early, ride high and shine bright upon the longest day.  The rest of the day is usually spent outside, sharing rituals and food, catching up on lost sleeping, and getting home.

Litha arrives when the powers of nature reach their highest point. Th earth is awash in the fertility of the God and Goddess.

In the past, bonfires were leapt to encourage fertility, purification, health and love. The fire once again represents the Sun, feted at this time of the longest daylight hours.

Midsummer is a classic time for magick of all kinds.

Facebook Page

Please visit my Wiccan Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/WiccanNatureLovers

Beltane

The Feast of Beltane celebrates the coming of Summer. It is a time when we honour the Green Man, consort of the Goddess and ancient spirit of the Greenwood. Known as "Jack-in-the-Green" or "Robin," he joins with the Maiden, his May Queen.

This is the season of Herne, protector of the Greenwood and symbol of fertility, growth and change. Just as a buck deer sheds their antlers following mating in May, with the Goddess pregnant with the Star Child, Herne declares his readiness to forsake his wanderings and take his place beside her. On Beltane Eve, some witches take to the woods, to "bring in" the May-blossom at dawn. For your ancestors, this was a time of sexual license. Unsurprisingly, many pagan handfastings and marriages take place at this festival. 

In the Wheel of the Year, Beltane stands opposite Samhain; just as at Samhain when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thin, at Beltane the world of mortals and that of faery are very close.

The faery otherworld was well-known by our ancestors, who left us stories of seers and poets who gained their gifts after falling asleep under a hawthorn, may-tree or faery-mound.

Our Celtic ancestors drove cattle between two sacred fires on the 1st of May (which is the equivalent of the 31st October in the Southern Hermisphere) to protect them before sending them out to pasture; this was the bel-tine, the "lucky" or "bright" fire. The feast may also be named for a Northern European God or Goddess named Bel/Belenos/Belissama. The Celtic preface "Bel" means "bright," indicating that this God or Goddess had solar connections.

Whatever the festival's origins, the sacred fire features strongly in Wiccan celebrations. If celebrating outdoors, we light a small bonfire which the sprightly can leap to obtain a Beltane blessing. Sometimes a broomstick is used instead, symbolising the sacred conjunction of male (handle) and female (brush), and marking the threshold between Spring and Summer. As we cross it, we make promises to keep in the coming year.

Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant with the God. The Wiccans celebrate the symbol of her fertility in ritual.

Beltane (also known as May Day) has long been marked with feasts and rituals. Maypoles, supremely phallic symbols, were the focal point of old English village rituals. Many people rose at dawn to gather flowers and green branches from the fields and gardens, using them to decorate the Maypole, their homes, and themselves.

The flowers and greenery symbolise the Goddess, and the Maypole, the God. Beltane markes the return of vitality, of passion and hopes consummated. Maypoles are sometimes used by Wiccans today during Beltane rituals, but thr cauldron is a more common focal point of ceremony. It represents, of course, the Goddess - the essence of womanhood, the end of all desire, the equal but opposite of the Maypole, symbolic of the God.

The Pentagram

The pentagram is a five-pointed star with its line often interlaced and enclosed within a circle.

It is a symbol of protection. The top point of the star represents the spirit or the God/Goddess. The other four points symbolise the elements of creation: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The star as a whole symbolises the spirit bringing the elements into natural harmony. 

Samhain

As the Northern Hemisphere is about to celebrate Samhain, I thought I'd share some information on it from my Book of Shadows :)

Celebrated on the last day of October in the Northern Hemisphere, and the first day of May in the Southern Hemisphere, Samhain stands halfway between the Autumn Equinox (Mabon) and the Winter Solstice (Yule). It is sometimes seen as the beginning of Winter, but it's also the Festival of the Dead, when we remember and honour the ancestors. It is a magickal time when the veil between the worlds of the dead and the living is thin, and in Wicca/Witchcraft we celebrate death as a part of life, and to give positive value to the idea of going into the dark.

Our Celtic ancestors saw Samhain as a key point of the year's turning, a chance to begin anew with the surplus from Summer burned on a "balefire," our peace made with the dead and preparations made for the Winter. Our ancestors may well have seen this as a key departure point from the old cycle into the new. This is why many pagans today refer to this festival as the Celtc New Year. Although Samhain is literally "first frost," and thus the first of the Winter festivals, it also marks preparation for change.

CELEBRATNG THE CRONE GODDESS

The season is associated with ghosts, spirits and the dead walking. It is the season of the Hag or "Calliach" (Scottish Gaelic meaning: "old woman"), the crone aspect of the Goddess, who midwives us, with great compassion, from life to death. She is Rhiannon, goddess of transition, Cerridwen, goddess of the cauldron of transformation, and Hecate, weaver of wisdom and guardian at the crossroads. The Crone goddess is celebrated to some extent in the plastic masks and costumes that children wear at Halloween.

Nowadays, witches celebrate by holding a ritual in which we name, honour, remember and speak with the dead. Beginning with those who have died in the last year, we move on to family and friends and then commemorate all our ancestors. Then, out of grief, we bring back joy and name the newborn babies of the last year, the new friends and opportunities we have met. Samhain serves as a reminder that life contains death but it also contains the mystery of rebirth and the movement of the cycle ever onwards.

At Samhain, the Wicca say farewell to the God. This is a temporary farewell. He isn't wrapped in eternal darkness, but readies to be reborn of the Goddess at Yule.

Samhain, also known as November Eve, Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples, Hallows and All Hallows, once marked the time of sacrifice. In some places this was the time when animals were slaughtered to ensure food throughout the depths of Winter. The God, identified with the animals, fell as well to endure our continuing existence.

Samhain is a time of reflection, of looking back over the last year, of coming to terms with the one phenomenon of life over which we have no control - death. The Wicca feel that on this night the separation between the physical and spiritual realities is thin. Wiccans remember their ancestors and all those who have gone before. After Samhain, Wiccans celebrate Yule, and so the Wheel of the Year is complete.

Witches' Herbs

Back in the day Witches used obscure names for herbs in order to protect their spells. These days it can be difficult to understand the ingredients. Here's a list of the Herbs, their Witchy names, and their Latin names:

A

A Hawk's Heart: Heart of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

A Lion's Hairs: Tongue of a Turnip [i.e.the leaves of the taproot] (Brassica napus)

A Man's Bile: Turnip Sap (Brassica napus)

A Pig's Tail: Leopard's Bane (Arnica montana)

A Titan's Blood: Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

Aaron's Rod: Goldenrod (Solidago Virgaurea) -or- Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

A Bone of an Ibis: Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Absinthe: Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium)

Adder's Fork: Bistort (Polygonum Bistorta)

Adder's Mouth: Chickweed (Stellaria Media)

Adder's Tongue: Dogstooth Violet (Erythronium multiscapoideum)

Alison Alyssum (Alyssum spp)

Angel's Trumpet: Jimsonweed / Datura (Datura Stamonium)

Apple of Carthage: Pomegranate (Punica Granatum)

Archangel: Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

Artemis Herb: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Ass's Ear: Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale) -or- Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara)

Ass's Foot: Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara)

An Eagle: Wild Garlic (Allium sativum)

Auld Man's Bells: Bluebells (Scilla Nutans, Scilla non-scripta, Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

B

Bad Man's Oatmeal: Hemlock (Conium Maculatum)

Bastard: False or White Dittany (Dictamnus Albus)

Bat's Wings: Holly (Ilex Aquifolium)

Beard of the Monk: Chicory (Cichorium Intybus)

Bear's Foot: Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris)

Bear's Grape: Poke Root (Phytolacca decandra) -or- Uva Ursa (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi)

Bear's Paw: Root Male Fern (Dryopteris Felix-mas)

Bear's Weed; Yerba Santa (Eryodictyon californicum)

Beggar's Buttons: Burdock (Arctium Lappa)

Beggar's Lice: Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

Bird's Eye: Germander or Speedwell (Teucrium chamaedrys)

Bird's Foot: Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-graecum)

Bird's Nest: Indian Pipe (Monotropa Uniflora)

Bishop's Elder: Betony Stachys (Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica)

Bishop's Leaves: Water Figwort (Scrophularia Aquatica)

Bishop's Wort: Betony Stachys (Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica)

Black Sampson: Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea angustifolia)

Blind Eyes: Poppies (Papaver Spp.) & Somniferum

Blood: Elder sap [or another tree sap] (Sambucus Nigra)

Blood from a Head: Lupine (Lupinus perennis, Lupinus polyphyllus)

Blood from a Shoulder: Bear's Breach (Acanthus spinosus)

Blood of Ares: Purslane (Portulaca sativa)

Blood of a Goose: Milk of the Mulberry (Tree Morus nigra)

Blood of a Snake: Hematite mineral form of Iron oxide (Fe2O3)

Blood of an Eye: Tamarisk Gall (Tamarix orientalis)

Blood of Ares: Purslane (Portulaca Spp.)

Blood of Hephaistos: Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium)

Blood of Hestia: Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)

Bloodwort: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Bloody Butcher: Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)

Bloody Fingers: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Boy's Love: Southernwood (Artemisia Abrotanum)

Brain Thief: Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora)

Bread and Cheese Tree: Hawthorne (Crataegus oxyacantha)

Bride of the Meadow: Meadowsweet (Eupatorium Purpureum)

Bride of the Sun: Calendula (Calendula Officinalis)

Brown Dragon: Wake Robin (Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.)

Bull's Blood: Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare)

Bull's Foot: Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara)

Bull's Semen: Egg of a Blister Beetle, beetles (Coleoptera) of the family Meloidae

Burning Bush: White Dittany (Dictamnus albus)

Buttons Tansy: Tanacetum Vulgare

C

Calf's Snout: Snapdragon (Antirrhinum Magus)

Candelmas Maiden: Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)

Candlewick Plant: Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Capon's Tail: Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)

Carpenter's Herb: Sweet Bugle (Lycopus Virginicus)

Carpetner's Square: Knotted Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)

Cat: Catnip (Nepta Cataria)

Cat's Foot: White Balsam (Gnaphalium polycephalum) -or- Canada Snake Root (Asarum

Canadensis) -or- Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Cat's Herb: Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)

Chameleon Star: Bromeliad (Vriesia, Billbergia, Aechmae, Annanas, Bromelia, Guzmania, Cryptanthus, Neoreglia

spps)

Cheeses: Marsh Mallow (Althaea Officinalis)

Christ's Eye: Vervain Sage (Salvia Verbenaca)

Christ's Ladder: Centaury (Erythraea Centaurium)

Christ's Spear: Adder's Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum Vulgatum)

Church Steeples: Agrimony (Agrimonia Eupatoria, Agrimonia Gyposepala)

Chocolate Flower: Wild Geranium (Geranium manculatum)

Clear Eye: Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

Click: Goosegrass (Galium aparine)

Clot: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Colt's Tail: Canadian Fleabane (Erigeron Canadense)

Corpse Plant: Indian Pipe (Monotropa Uniflora)

Cuddy's Lungs: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Crane's Bill: Wild Geranium Geraniaum Maculatum

Crocodile Dung: Ethiopian Soil

Crowdy Kit: Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa)

Crow Foot: Wild Geranium (Geraniaum Maculatum) -or- Wood Anemone (Anemone Nemorosa)

Crown for a King: Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium)

Cuckoo's Bread: Common Plantain (Plantago)

D

Dagger Flower: Blue Flag Iris (versicolor)

Daphne: Laurel/Bay (Laurus nobilis)

Dead Man's Bells: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Death's Herb: Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Delight of the Eye: Rowan (Sorbus Spp.)

Devil Plant: Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)

Devil's Apple: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltaltum) -or- Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora)

Devil's Beard: Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

Devil's Bit; False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium luteum)

Devil's Cherries: Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Devils Dung: Asafoetida (Ferula Foetida)

Devil's Ear: Wake Robin (Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.)

Devil's Eye: Henbane (Hyoscyamus Niger) -or- Periwinkle (Vinca major, Vinca minor)

Devil's Flower: Bachelor's Buttons (Centaurea cyanus)

Devil's Fuge: Mistletoe (Viscum Album)

Devil's Guts: Dodder (Cuscuta Europaea)

Devil's Herb: Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Devil's Milk: Celandine (Chelidonium Majus)

Devil's Nettle: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Devil's Plaything: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Devil's Shoestring: Black Haw (Vibrunum Prunifolium) -or- Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus) -or- Hobblebush (Viburnum

alnifolium) -or- North American Goat's Rue (Tephrosia virginiana)

Dew of the Sea: Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis)

Dogberry: Brier Hips (Rosa Canina)

Dog's Mouth: Snap Dragon (Antirrhinum Magus)

Dog's Tongue: Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

Dove's Foot: Wild Geranium (Geraniaum Maculatum)

Dragon: Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus)

Dragon Flower: Blue Flag Iris (versicolor)

Dragon Wort: Bistort (Polygonum Bistorta)

Dragon's Blood: Calamus (Acorus calamus)

Dragon's Teeth: Blue Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)

Drunkard: Calendula (Calendula Officinalis)

Duck's Foot: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltaltum)

Dulcamara: Woody Nightshade (Celastrus scandens)

Dwale: Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)

E

Eagle: Wild Garlic (Allium sativum)

Eardrops: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Earth Smoke: Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)

Earth Star: Bromeliad (Vriesia, Billbergia, Aechmae, Annanas, Bromelia, Guzmania, Cryptanthus, Neoreglia spps)

Elf Dock: Elecampane (Inula Helenium)

Elf Leaf: Lavender (Lavendula officinale) or Lavender Vera -or- Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis)

Elf's Wort: Elecampane (Inula Helenium)

Elven: Common Elm (Ulmus Campestris)

Enchanter's Plant: Blue Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)

Englishman's Foot: Common Plantain (Plantago major)

Erba Santa Maria: Spearmint (Mentha suaveolens)

Everlasting Friendship: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

Exile Tree: Be-Still (Thevetia nereifolia)

Eye of Christ: Germander Speedwell

Eye of Newt: A type of mustard seed with a black spot (Cruciferae; Brassica)

Eye of the Day: Common Daisy (Bellis Perennis)

Eye of the Star: White Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare)

Eye Root: Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis)

Eyes: Any "eye" flowers such as daisies, bachelor's buttons, horehound, aster, eyebright, etc.

F

Fairy Bells: Wood Sorrel (Oxalis Acetosella)

Fairy Candles: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Fairy Caps: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Fairy Cup: Cowslip (Primula Veris)

Fairy Smoke: Indian Pipe (Monotropa Uniflora)

Fairy Thimbles: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Fairy Wand: Devil's bit (Chamaelirium luteum) -or- False Unicorn Root (Chamaelirium luteum)

Fairy's Eggs: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

Fairy's Glove: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Fat from a Head: Spurge (Euphorbia spp.)

Felon Herb: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Felonwood: Woody Nightshade (Celastrus scandens)

Felonwort: Celandine (Chelidonium Majus) -or- Woody Nightshade (Celastrus scandens)

Five Fingers Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) -or- Cinquefoil (Potentilla Reptans, Potentilla Erecta)

Flesh and Blood: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Flower of Death: Periwinkle (Vinca major, Vinca minor)

Flower of Immortality: Wild Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus)

Folk's Glove: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Food of the Gods: Asafoetida (Ferula Foetida)

Foxes' Claws: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Fox's Clote: Burdock (Arctium Lappa)

Friar's Cap: Aconite (Aconitum Napellus, Agrimonia eupatoria)

Friar's Cowl: Wake Robin (Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.)

Frog's Foot: Bulbous Buttercup (Ranunculus spp.)

From the Belly: Earth-apple / Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

From the Foot: Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

From the Loins: Chamomile (Anthemis Nobilis)

G

Gall of Goat: Honeysuckle (Lonicera Spp) -or- St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Gallows: Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora)

Ghost Flower: Indian Pipe (Monotropa Uniflora)

Ghost Pipe: Indian Pipe (Monotropa Uniflora)

Goat's Foot: Ash Weed (Aegopodium podagraria)

Goat's Leaf: Honeysuckle (Lonicera Spp.)

God's Hair: Hart's Tongue Fern (Scolopendrium Vulgare)

Golden Star: Avens Geum

Good Luck Plant: Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum Multiflorum, Polygonatum Commutatum, Polygonatum Biflorum)

Goose Bill: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

Goose Tongue: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Gosling Wing: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

Grains of Paradise: Cardamom (Elettaria cardamom)

Granny's Bonnet: Columbine Leaves (Aquilegia Vulgaris, Aquilegia canadensis)

Great Ox-eye: Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)

Gravelroot: Meadowsweet (Eupatorium purpureum)

Graveyard Dust: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Gypsy Herb: Sweet Bugle (Lycopus Virginicus)

H

Hag's Taper: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Hagthorn: Hawthorn (Crataegus crusgalli)

Hair of Venus: True Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capillus-veneris)

Hairs of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Seed (Peucedanum graveolens)

Hare's Beard: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Hart's Thorn: Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Hawk's Heart: Wormwood Heart (Artemisia Absinthium)

Heart Leaf: Liverwort (Anemone hepatica, Peltigera canina)

Heart of Osmund: Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)

Hedgemaids: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Hellweed: Dodder (Cuscuta Europaea)

Herb of Circe: Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora)

Herb of Grace; Blue Vervain (Verbena Officinalis) -or- Rue (Ruta Graveolens)

Herb of Mary: Pimpernel (Anagallis Arvensis, Pimpinella spp.)

Herb of the Cross: Blue Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)

Herb Trinity: Liverwort (Anemone hepatica, Peltigera canina)

Hind Heal: Tansy (Tanacetum Vulgare)

Hind's Tongue: Hart's Tongue Fern (Scolopendrium Vulgare)

Hog's Bean: Henbane (Hyoscyamus Niger)

Holy Grass: Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata)

Holy Herb: Yerba Santa (Eryodictyon californicum)

Holy Rope: Hemp [Agrimony] (Eupatorium cannabinum)

Hook and Arn: Yerba Santa (Eryodictyon californicum)

Horny Goat Weed: Common Polypody Fern (Polypodium Vulgare)

Horse Heal: Spikenard (Inula Conyza)

Horse Hoof: Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara)

Horse Tongue: Hart's Tongue Fern (Scolopendrium Vulgare)

Hundred Eyes: Periwinkle (Vinca major, Vinca minor)

I

Ibis Bone Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Innocence: Bluets (Houstonia Caerulea)

J

Jack-Jump-About: Betony Stachys (Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica)

Jacob's Ladder: Celandine (Chelidonium Majus) -or- Lily of the valley (Convallaria Magalis)

Jacob's Staff: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Jesuit's Bark; Cinchona (Cinchona pubescens)

Joe Pye Weed: Meadowsweet (Eupatorium purpureum)

John the Conqueror: Galangal Root (Alpinia Officianarum, Alpina officinalis, A. galanga)

Jove's Flower: Carnation (Dianthus spp.)

Joy of the Mountain: Sweet Marjoram (Origanum Marjorana)

Joy on the Ground: Periwinkle (Vinca major, Vinca minor)

Juno's Tears: Blue Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)

Jupiter's Bean: Henbane (Hyoscyamus Niger)

Jupiter's Beard: Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

Jupiter's Nut: Walnut (Juglans Species)

Jupiter's Staff: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

K

Key of Heaven: Cowslip (Primula Veris)

King Root: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)

King's Clover: Melilot (Melilotus officinalis, Melilotus alba, Melilotus arvensis)

King's Crown: Black Haw (Vibrunum Prunifolium)

Kitten's Breeches Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Knight's Milfoil: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Kronos' Blood: Sap of the Cedar Tree (Thuja occidentalis, Thuja orientalis, Biota orientalis, Thuja

articulata,Cupressus thujoides, Juniperus virginiana, Cedrus libani, Cedrela odorata, Libocedrus bidwillii)

L

Ladder to Heaven: Lily of the valley (Convallaria Magalis)

Ladies' Meat: Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxycantha)

Ladies' Seal: White Bryony / English Mandrake (Bryonia dioica)

Lad's Love: Southernwood (Artemisia Abrotanum)

Lady Bleeding: Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus)

Lady of the Meadow: Meadowsweet (Eupatorium Purpureum)

Lady of the Woods: Birch (Betula Lenta)

Lady's Cap: Cowslip (Primula Veris)

Lady's Foxglove: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Lady's Glove: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Lady's Smock: Cuckoo Flower (Cardamine pratensis)

Lamb's Ears: Betony Stachys (Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica)

Lion's Foot: Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris)

Lion's Hair: Leaves of a Turnip's taproot (Brassica rapa)

Leopard's Bane: Arnica (Amica Montana)

Lion's Herb: Columbine Leaves (Aquilegia Vulgaris, Aquilegia canadensis)

Lion's Tooth: Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

Little Dragon: Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus)

Little Queen: Meadowsweet (Eupatorium Purpureum)

Lizard's Leg: Creeping plants such as Ivy

Lords and Ladies: Wake Robin (Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.)

Love in Idleness: Pansy (Viola tricolor)

Love Leaf: Damiana (Turnera Aphrodisiaca, Turnera diffusa)

Love Leaves: Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Love Lies Bleeding: Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus) -or- Anemone (Anemone Pulsatilla)

Love Man: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

Love Parsley: Lovage (Levisticum Officinale)

Love Ro,: Lovage (Levisticum Officinale)

Love Root: Lovage (Levisticum Officinale) -or- Orris Root (Iris florentina)

Love-In-Idleness: Pansy (Viola tricolor)

Low John, Low John the Conqueror: Galangal Root (Alpinia Officianarum, Alpina officinalis, A. galanga)

Lucky Hand: Male Fern (Dryopteris Felix-mas)

Lucky Hand Root: Lucky Hand Orchid / Salep Orchid (Orchis latifolia)

Lucky Nut: Be-Still (Thevetia nereifolia)

Lurk-in-the-Ditch: Pennyroyal (Mentha Pulegium)

M

Mad Root: White Bryony / English Mandrake (Bryonia dioica)

Maiden Hair: True Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capillus-veneris)

Maiden's Gum: Common Elm (Ulmus Campestris)

Maiden's Ruin: Southernwood (Artemisia Abrotanum)

Maid's Hair: Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum)

Man's Bile: Turnip Sap (Brassica rapa)

Man's Health: Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)

Master of the Woods: Woodruff (Asperula odorata)

Masterwort: Angelica (Angelica archangelica)

May: Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolum)

May Lily: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria magalis)

Maypops: Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata)

May Rose: Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolum)

Miracle of Nature: Century Plant / Maguey (Agave americana)

Mistress of the Night: Tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa)

Monk's Head: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Monk's Hood: Aconite (Aconitum Napellus, Agrimonia eupatoria)

Mother of the Herbs: Rue (Ruta Graveolens)

Mother of the Wood: Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa)

Mother's Heart: Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Musk of the Wood: Woodruff (Asperula odorata)

Mutton Chops: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

N

Naughty Man: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Naughty Man's Cherries: Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Noah's Ark: Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium pubescens, Cyprepedium parviflorum)

Nose Bleed: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Nose of Turtle: Turtle's Cap / Balmony (Chelone Glabra)

O

Old Gal: Elder Bark (Sambucus Nigra)

Old Lady: Elder Bark (Sambucus Nigra)

Old Maid's Nightcap: Wild Geranium (Geraniaum Maculatum)

Old Man: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Old Man's Flannel: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Old Man's Pepper: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Old Uncle Henry: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Old Woman: Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium)

Oliver: Olive (Olea europaea)

Osmund the Waterman: Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)

Our Lady's Flannel: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Our Lady's Tears: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria Magalis)

P

Passions: Bistort (Polygonum Bistorta)

Password: Primrose (Primula Vulgaris)

Peter's Staff: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Physician's Bone: Sandstone

Pidgeon's Grass: Blue Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)

Pigeon Berry: Poke Root (Phytolacca decandra)

Pig's Tail: Leopard's Bane / Arnica (Amica Montana)

Pitchforks: Beggar's Tick (Bidens pilosa)

Plague Flower: Butterbur (Petasites Vulgaris, Tussilago Petasites)

Poor Man's Treacle: Garlic (Allium sativum)

Priest's Crown: Dandelion Leaves (Taraxacum Officinale)

Priest's Pintle: Wake Robin (Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.)

Prince's Feather: Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus)

Pucha-pat: Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth)

Q

Quaker's Bonnet: Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)

Queen of the Meadow: Meadowsweet (Eupatorium Purpureum)

Queen of the Night: Vanilla Cactus (Cereus Grandiflorus)

R

Racoon Berry: Mayapple (Podophyllum peltaltum)

Ram's Head :American Valerian / Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium pubescens, Cyprepedium parviflorum)

Ram's Thorn: Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

Rat Root: Calamus Root (Acorus calamus)

Red Cockscomb: Amaranth (Amaranthus Hypochondriacus)

Red Robin: Knotgrass (Polygonum aviculare)

Resurection Plant: Rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica)

Ring-o-bells: Bluebells (Scilla Nutans, Scilla non-scripta, Hyacinthoides non-scripta)

Robin-Run-in-the-Grass: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

Robin-Run-in-the-Hedge: Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

S

Satan's Apples: Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora)

Scaldhead: Blackberry (Rubus Fructicosus)

Scale of Dragon: Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus)

Sea Dew: Rosemary (Rosemarinus Officinalis)

Sea Spirit: Bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosis)

Seal Root: Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum Multiflorum, Polygonatum Commutatum,

Polygonatum Biflorum)

See Bright: Clary Sage (Salvia Sclarea)

Seed of Horus: White Horehound (Marrubium Vulgare)

Semen of Ammon: Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

Semen of Ares: Clover (Medicago Sativa)

Semen of Helios: White Hellebore (Veratrum, album)

Semen of Hephaistos: Fleabane (Erigeron annuus, Erigeron strigosus)

Semen of Herakles: Mustard Rocket / Arrugula (Eruca sativa)

Semen of Hermes: Dill (Peucedanum graveolens)

Seven Year's Love: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Shameface: Wild Geranium (Geraniaum Maculatum)

Shepherd's Heart: Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)

Silver Bells: Black Haw (Vibrunum Prunifolium)

Sleep Wort: Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Snake Grape: White Bryony / English Mandrake (Bryonia dioica)

Snake Head: Balmony (Chelone Glabra)

Snake Lily: Blue Flag Iris (versicolor)

Snakeberry: Woody Nightshade (Celastrus scandens)

Snake's Ball of Thread: Soapstone (steatite)

Snake's Head: Leech (Hirudo medicinalis)

Snowbells: Benzoin (Styrax Benzoin)

Soapwort: Daisy (Bellis Perennis) -or- Comfrey (Symphytum Officinale)

Soldier's Cap: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)

Son-Before-the-Father: Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara)

Sorcerer's Berry: Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Sorcerer's Root: Mandrake (Atropa Mandragora)

Sorcerer's Violet: Periwinkle (Vinca major, Vinca minor)

Sparrow's Tongue: Knotweed (Polygonum aviculare)

St. Bennet's Herb: Hemlock (Conium Maculatum)

St. James' Wort: Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)

St. John's Plant: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

St. John's Herb: Hemp / Agrimony[this is not St. John's Wort](Agrimonia Eupatoria)

St. Joseph's Wort: Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)

St. George's Herb: Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)

St. Mary's Seal: Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum Multiflorum, Polygonatum Commutatum, Polygonatum Biflorum)

Star Flower: Borage (Borago Officinalis)

Star of the Earth: Avens (Geum urbanum)

Starweed: Chickweed (Stellaria Media)

Starwort: Aster (Callistephus chinesis)

Summer's Bride: Calendula (Calendula Officinalis)

Sweethearts: Goosegrass (Galium Aparine)

Swine's Snout: Dandelion leaves (Taraxacum Officinale)

T

Tanner's Bark: Common Oak (Quercus robur)

Tartar Root: Ginseng Panax (quinquefolium)

Tear Grass: Job's Tears (coix lachryma jobi)

Tears of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Juice (Peucedanum graveolens)

Thor's Helper: Rowan (Sorbus Spp.)

Thousand Seal: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Thousand Weed: Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium)

Thunder Plant: Houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum)

Tiger's Chaundron; Lady's Mantle (Alchemilla Vulgaris)

Titan's Blood: Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa)

Toad: Toadflax (Comandra Umbellata)

Toad Shade: Trillium (Trillium Species)

Toad Bastard: Toadflax (Comandra Umbellata)

Toe of Frog; Buttercup (Ranunculus Acris)

Tongue of Dog: Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale)

Tooth of Wolf: Leaf of Wolfsbane (Aconitum Napellus, Agrimonia eupatoria)

Torches: Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Tree of Chastity: Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxycantha)

Tree of Doom: Elder (Sambucus Nigra)

Tree of Enchantment: White Willow (Salix Alba)

Tree of Life: Yellow Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)

True Love: Bethroot (Trillium Species)

U

Unicorn Horn: True Unicorn Root (Aletris Farinosa) -or- False Unicorn (Helonias Dioica)

Unicorn Root: Boneset (Eupatorium Perfoliatum) -or- Ague Root / Star Grass (Aletris farinosa)

Unshoe-the-Horse: Moonwort (Fern Botrychium Lunaria)

V

Virgin Mary's Nest: Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

W

Water Dragon; Marsh Marigold (Caltha Palustris)

Wax Dolls: Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)

Weazel Snout: Yellow Dead Nettles/Yellow Archangel (Lamium Galeobdolon)

Weed: Ox-Eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum)

White: Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum)

White Man's Foot: Common Plantain (Plantago major)

White Wood: White Cinnamon (Canella alba)

Witch Bane: Mountain Ash Rowan (Sorbus Spp.)

Witch Grass: Dog Grass (Agropyron repens)

Witch Herb: Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris)

Witch Tree: Mountain Ash Rowan (Sorbus Spp.)

Witch Wood: Mountain Ash Rowan (Sorbus Spp.)

Witches' Asprin: White Willow Bark (Salix Alba)

Witches' Bells: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Witches' Berry: Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)

Witches' Brier: Brier Hips (Rosa Canina)

Witches' Gloves: Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata)

Witches' Herb: Sweet Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)

Witches' Weed: Cinquefoil (Potentilla Reptans, Potentilla Erecta)

Wolf Claw: Club Moss (Lycopodiella alopecuroides)

Wolf Foot: Sweet Bugle (Lycopus Virginicus)

Wolf Grape: Woody Nightshade (Celastrus scandens)

Wolf's Herb: Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)

Wolf's Milk: Euphorbia (Euphorbia spp.)

Wool of Bat: Holly leaves (Ilex Aquifolium)

 

Magickal Correspondences for Herbs, Spices, Foods & Plants

 

African Violet - Spirituality, Protection

Alfalfa - Prosperity, Anti-hunger, Money

Allspice - Money, Luck, Healing

Almond - Money, Prosperity, Wisdom

Aloe - Beauty, Protection, Luck, Success,

Healing

Amaranth (Cock's comb) - Repair a broken heart

Angelica - Protection, Exorcism

Anise - Protection, Purification, Awareness, Joy

Apricot - Love

Ash (Tree) - Protection, Purification, Healing,

Luck, Psychic dreams

Avocado - Love, Beauty

Balm of Gilead - Ease broken heart, Love,

Protection

Banana - Fertility, Potency, Prosperity

Barley - Love, Healing, Protection

Basil - Love, Exorcism, Wealth, Protection,

Sympathy, Fidelity, Healing relationships,

Courage

Bay - Protection, Psychic powers, Healing,

Purification, Strength, Wisdom, Repel negativity

Bean - Protection, Exorcism, Reconciliation,

Potency, Love

Benzoin - Purification

Betony - Protection, Purification, Prevent

nightmares

Blackberry - Healing, Money, Protection

Blueberry - Protection

Brazilnut - Love

Cabbage – Luck

Cactus - Protection, Chastity

Caraway - Protection, Passion/lust, Health, Antitheft,

Mental powers

Carnation - Protection, Energy, Strength, Healing

Carob - Protection, Health

Carrot - Fertility, Lust

Cashew - Money, Communication

Catnip - Cat magick, Familiars, Happiness, Love,

Beauty, Friendship

Cedar - Healing, Purification, Money, Protection,

Stop sexual harassment

Celandine - Protection, Happiness

Celery - Mental powers, Lust, Psychic powers

Chamomille - Money, Sleep, Love, Purification,

Healing, Meditiation, Centering

Cherry - Love, Divination, Victory

Chestnut - Love

Cinquefoil - Protection from evil, Prosperity,

Purification

Cinnamon - Spirituality, Success, Healing, Power,

Love, Psychic powers, Protection, Prosperity,

Cleansing, Lust (males)

Clove - Purification, Dispel negativity, Exorcism,

Love, Money, Protection

Clover - Beauty, Youth, Healing, Luck, 4 leaf

clovers allow you to see faeries

Coconut - Purification, Protection, Chastity

Comfrey - Travel, Money, Healing

Coriander - Serenity, Longevity, Love, Health

Corn - Protection, Luck, Divination, Money

Cotton Balls - Luck, Healing, Protection, Rain,

Fishing magick, Communication

Cowslip - Luck, Love, Contact with departed loved

ones

Cucumber - Chastity, Healing, Fertility

Cumin - Protect the home, Anti-theft

Curry – Protection

 

Magickal Correspondences for Herbs, Spices, Foods & Plants

 

Cypress - Consecrate ritual objects

Daisy - Attract love, Decorate the home on Litha

to bring happiness, blessings of faeries and luck

Dandelion - Divination, Messages, Welcoming

Dill - Protection, Money, Love, Lust, Repels

negativity

Dragon's Blood - Love, Protection, Purification,

Cure impotence, Luck, Magick booster

Eggs - Healing, Fertility, Removing negativity

Elecampane - Meditation aid, Raising spirits

Elder - Ward off evil, Bad luck to burn it, Used for

wands

Endive - Love, Lust

Eucalyptus - Healing, Protection

Eyebright - Clairvoyance, Psychic dreams

Fennel - Purification, Protection, Healing, Money

Fenugreek - Money

Fern - Rain making, Protection, Luck, Riches,

Youth, Exorcism

Fig - Divination, Fertility, Love

Frankincense - Purification, Meditation aid

Gardenia - Attract true love

Garlic - Protection, Healing, Courage, Good

weather, Exorcism, Lust, Anti-theft, Relief from

nightmares

Ginger - Love, Money, Success, Power, Wishes,

Beauty, Desire

Ginseng - Love, Wishes, Beauty, Desire,

Protection, Lust

Gourd - Protection. Prosperity

Grain - Protection, Prosperity

Grape - Fertility, Garden magick, Mental powers,

Money

Hawthorne - Change, Protection, Happiness in

relationships

Hazel - Divination, Good luck

Henbane - *Poisonous DO NOT USE*

High John the Conqueror Root - Potency

Holly - Protection, Anti-lightening, Luck, Dream

magick, Virility, Love

Honeysuckle - Prosperity, Love

Hops - Healing, Sedative

Horseradish - Purification, Exorcism

Hyssop - Purification, Protection, Banishing,

Cleansing, Dragon enery

Ivy - Protection, Good luck

Jasmine - Love

Juniper - Protection, Love

Lavender - Happiness, Sleep, Longevity, Peace,

Wishes, Protection, Love, Purification, Attracting

men, Clarity

Lemon - Cleansing, Purification, Love, Blessings

Lemon Balm - Love, Aphrodisiac, Fertility, Antidepressant,

Soothe emotional pain

Lemon Verbena - Love, Youth, Beauty, Prevent

dreams

Lilac - Protection, Banishing, Beauty, Love,

Harmony, Balance

Lovage - Love, Cleansing, Purification

Mandrake - Protection, Fertility (when carried),

Courage

Marigold - Prophecy, Seeing magickal creatures,

Legal matters, Love, Clairvoyance, Dreams,

Business, Personal energy

Marjoram - Protection, Love, Healing, Happiness

Meadowsweet - Protection, Love, Balance,

Harmony

Mint - Money, Lust, Healing, Travel, Exorcism,

Protection, Strength, Luck

 

Magickal Correspondences for Herbs, Spices, Foods & Plants

 

Mistletoe- Protection, Love, Hunting, Fertility,

Health, Exorcism of negativity, Travel

Mothballs - Stop sexual harassment

Mugwort - Clairvoyance, Psychic dreams, Astral

projection, Protection, Place in shoes to prevent

fatigue (?)

Mullein - Protection, Cleansing, Purification

Mustard and Mustard Seed - Fertility, Protection,

Mental powers

Myrrh - Protection, Purification

Myrtle - Love, Luck

Nettle - Protection, Healing, Courage

Nutmeg - Luck, Money, Health, Fidelity, Relief

from nightmares, Courage, Clairvoyance

Nuts (mixed) - Fertility, Prosperity, Love, Luck,

Communication

Oak - Purification, Fertility, Sex appeal, Youth,

Banish illness, Protection

Oats - Money, Prosperity

Olive - Healing, Peace, Fertility, Potency,

Protection

Onion - Protection, Healing, Exorcism, Money,

Prophetic dreams

Orange - Love, Fertility, Divination, Luck, Money,

Energy (personal experience)

Orris root - Love, Sex appeal

Palm, Date - Fertility, Potency

Papaya - Love, Protection

Parsley - Lust, Protection, Purification

Patchouli - Attractant, Aphrodisiac

Pea - Money, Love

Peach - Love, Exorcism of negativity, Longevity,

Fertility, Wishes

Pear - Love

Pecan - Money, Employment

Pennyroyal - Protection, Weariness, Deters bugs

**DO NOT INGEST**

Pepper - Protection, Exorcism of negativity

Peppermint - Purification, Sleep, Love, Healing,

Psychic powers

Periwinkle - Protection

Persimmon - Healing, Luck

Pimento - Love

Pine - Attunement to nature, Centering, Cleansing,

Healing, Productivity, Purification, Fertility

Pineapple - Luck, Money, Chastity

Pistachio - Breaking love spells

Plum - Love, Protection

Pomegranate - Divination, Luck, Wishes, Wealth

Popcorn - Wishes, Luck, Prosperity

Poppy - Fertility, Remembrance

Potato - Image magick

Pretzels (not sticks) - Success, Protection

Radish - Protection

Raspberry - Protection, Love

Rhubarb - Protection, Fidelity

Rice - Protection, Rain, Prosperity, Fertility

Rose - Love, Psychic powers, Healing, Divination,

Luck, Protection, Friendship

Rosemary - Protection, Love, Lust, Mental powers,

Exorcism, Purification, Healing, Sleep, Youth,

Improve memory

Rowan - Protection, Luck, Healing

Rue - Protection, Preventing illness, Clarity,

Purification

Rye - Love, Fidelity

Sage - Fertility, Longevity, Wishes, Wisdom,

Protection, Healing **Do not ingest if pregnant**

Saffron - Prosperity, Healing, Sexual prowess

(male)

 

Magickal Correspondences for Herbs, Spices, Foods & Plants

 

Salt - Protection, Cleansing, Purification

Sasparilla - Love, Money

Sassafras - Health, Money

Savory - Mental powers

Safety Pins - Protection

Sandalwood - Protection, Purification, Healing

Sesame - Money, Lust

Spearmint - Healing, Love, Mental powers

St. John's Wort - Protection, Healing, Banishing,

Exorcism, Courage, Willpower, Purification,

Prevent nightmares

Strawberry - Love, Luck

Sugar Cane - Love, Lust, Sympathy

Sunflower - Fertility, Wishes, Health, Wisdom

Tea - Riches, Courage, Strength, Healing

Thyme - Healing, Sleep, Psychic powers, Love,

Purification, Courage, Energy, Ward off negativity

Tomato - Prosperity, Purification, Love

Turnip - Protection, Ending relationships

Valerian - Love, Calming, Sleep, Purification

Vanilla - Love, Lust, Mental powers, Aphrodisiac

Vervain - Cleansing, Purification, Prosperity, Luck,

Protection, Inspiration

Violet - Love, Luck, Relaxation, Clarity

Walnut - Health, Fertility, Mental powers, Wishes

Wheat - Fertlity, Prosperity

Willow - Healing, Blessings, Dowsing

Wintergreen - Protection, Healing

Witch Hazel - Protection, Chastity

Wormwood - Protection from spirits, Divination,

Clairvoyance, Courage

Yarrow - Courage, Love, Dispelling negativity,

Divination, Psychic ability