Incense Correspondences for Love and Happiness

Today I’m sharing some magickal incense correspondences for love and happiness.

It’s important to remember that magickal associations are forged through the connections we make with our magickal tools and materials. In other words, they are relationships, and so your correspondences may look quite different to mine.

Of course there are those magickal connections that have been used for thousands of years by multiple practitioners - it’s OK to use those, too!

What plants do you associate with love and happiness? Do they appear on this list?

Simple Magick: Power Flow for August

Each month of the year has a different energy and focus.

August is all about enjoying the sun and the vitality of good health. Enjoying friendships and relationships. Reaping and harvesting the fruits of your labour, and just rewards - whether good or bad.

What do you associate August with?

Remember that magickal associations are forged through the connections we make with our magickal tools/relationships- your correspondences may look quite different to mine.

NEXT - Intention: I Call Back My Power
NEXT - Lughnasadh Blessings: Welcoming The Harvest 

Strawberry Magick: 20 Fruity Correspondences

Apart from their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, strawberries are commonly used in magick for their association with abundance, fertility, love and luck.

They have been used as a love food and in love spells for centuries. The leaves have been carried in sachets and charms for luck, and pregnant women can carry them to prevent and ease pains. 

Strawberry infused water can be used to create potions or for rituals baths. Infuse strawberries under the moon to create strawberry moon water! 

Strawberry Magickal Associations: 

Abundance

Attraction 

Beauty 

Commitment 

Dedication
Desire

Faithfulness 

Fertility 

Fruitfulness 

Glamour spells

Healing
Health

The Heart 

Joy 

Kindness 

Love 

Loyalty 

Luck 

Success 

Sweetening

Remember that magickal associations are forged through the connections we make with our magickal tools/relationships- your correspondences may look quite different to mine.

Have you ever used strawberries in magick? If so, what do you use them for? 

NEXT - Wild Garlic Magick: 7 Bear-Related Correspondences
NEXT - Summer Solstice Blessings
NEXT - Review: Witchy Birthday Cake by Shannon Holdsworth
NEXT - Simple Magick: Power Flow For August

Simple Magick: 9 Uses for Grave & Graveyard Dirt

Grave dirt, or graveyard dirt, is sometimes used in Witchcraft. It is considered that there is a strong magickal connection between a deceased person and the dirt from their grave. It can be used in spells relating to family matters, love, healing and grief; or it may be that dirt from the burial of a wicked person may be used in malevolent magick. Either way, graveyard dirt is used by many witches.

Amongst other things, grave dirt is used for:

• Samhain rituals
• Protection spells
• Communicating with spirits
• Altar item during mourning
• Banishing
• Habit-breaking spells
• Curses
• Ancestor Connection and veneration
• Summoning spirits

Taking and using grave dirt is a highly contentious issue. Many people find it disrespectful to take land from those who are trying to rest; however a work-around could be not taking it from specific graves. The dirt I have gathered is the dirt removed from grave digging - not all of it goes back, and is left in a pile; but it still holds the energy of this land, which for hundreds of years has been used for funerary purposes.

Gathering dirt from the grave of someone you know is usually preferable, and feels much more acceptable than taking from the grave of someone you don’t know; but this, like many other aspects of Witchcraft, is a matter of personal ethics; and not one I should lecture you on.

The character of the person who is buried in the grave may be crucial to your work; it might even be that they would have enjoyed being part of your workings. I suspect my grandmother would have taken a very keen interest in some of my spells!

Of course, it is always thoughtful and fair to leave a gift for the dead in exchange for what you have taken. Flowers, a libation, small coins, pretty stones or some other small offering is appropriate.

Do you use Graveyard Dirt in your practice? What do you think about it?

NEXT - Simple Magick: More Ways To Connect With The Land
NEXT - Simple Magick: Is It A Sign? 
NEXT - Spell: Graveminding Ritual
NEXT - Pagan Holidays: 65 Samhain Magickal Correspondences 

Rhododendron Magick: 13 Beautiful Correspondences

Rhododendrons are a large family of evergreen, shade-loving, hardy, spring flowering shrubs; bursting into colour in May through to June. They have a range of colours - pure white to red, purple, and varying shades of pink.

Their name means “rose tree” and they are the national flower of Nepal. My hometown consists of the largest Buddhist community in the UK, due to our treasured Nepalese population; and with rhododendrons flowering abundantly along the roadsides of the area I grew up in, I feel a deep love for them. The leaves of certain varieties are used as incense in Buddhist monasteries and the exotic flowers are used as decoration and given as offerings.

In terms of magickal correspondences it’s good think about their characteristics. They are bright, cheery, tenacious and adaptable. They spread and thrive in the dark months, coming into passionate bloom when they get the first opportunity.

Magickal Correspondences for Rhododendron:
Adaptability
Opportunity
Optimism
Cheerfulness
Joy
Healing
Passion
Strength
Tenacity
Overcoming adversity
Individualism
Resilience
Beauty

‼️ Remember that magickal associations are forged through the connections we have with plants - your list may look quite different to mine. 

NEXT - Blackthorn Magick: 11 Helpful Correspondences
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Wolfsbane
NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Imbolc
NEXT - Strawberry Magick: 20 Fruity Correspondences

American Beautyberry Magick: 8 Alluring Correspondences

I spotted this amazing plant in the World Peace Garden in Glastonbury, where the Chalice Well is situated. I couldn’t believe the colour of the berries, they’re so vibrant and striking!

It is an American Beautyberry, Callicarpa americana; a deciduous shrub that bears bright purple fruit throughout the autumn and winter. It has a wide array of medicinal uses and some culinary uses, too.

It was used by indigenous Americans in various methods of application for fevers, rheumatism, malaria, dysentery, digestive issues and colic. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is used to slow down or stop bleeding internally, particularly in the stomach and lungs. These are just a few of its medicinal uses, and beautyberry is being studied for its efficacy in treating cancer and memory loss.

Beautyberry Magickal Correspondences

Alluring
Attraction
Banishing
Beauty

Enchantment
Glamour
Luring
Temptation

I found the following magickal correspondences for beautyberry online:

Element: Water
Zodiac Signs: Scorpio
Planet: Venus

Magic: An infusion can be used topically in glamours, beauty, and luring spells.

As beautyberry is used for repelling insects you could use it in magick to repel something or someone. It is helpful to the digestive system so you could also use this to help “stomach” something that is difficult to accept. It goes from being quite tasteless raw to full of flavour when cooked, so perhaps you could use it to enhance something.

Of course, magickal associations are those which you find when you form a relationship with a plant or herb; so there are no correct or incorrect answers here.

Bee Magick: 11 Hardworking Correspondences

Bees appear frequently in folklore. Bee charms were traditionally hung in the best room of a house to attract health, happiness and good fortune. If a bee flew into the home then a stranger would soon call; and bees resting on the roof were seen as a good omen.

Bees may have been seen as psychopomps or messengers of the dead as they have appeared in Mycenaean tomb decorations, with some tombs shaped like beehives. Perhaps the human soul transmuted into bee form after death.

“Telling the bees” is a British custom. Bees were kept abreast of important family matters. Births, deaths, marriages, journeys, absences and especially deaths, were reported to the bees, often before other family members.

Usually the “goodwife” of the household would be tasked with “telling the bees”. She would knock gently on the give to get their intention, and solemnly tell them the news. In neighbouring Nottinghamshire, the wife of the dead was heard singing quietly in front of the hive—“The master's dead, but don't you go; Your mistress will be a good mistress to you.” It was feared that failure to update the bees of such news would bring catastrophe. Failure to put the bees in mourning could end in all sorts of trouble; the bees might fail to produce enough honey, leave the hive, or even die.

In my county, whenever there was a death the top of the hive was wrapped with a piece of black fabric or crepe by the beekeeper, otherwise it was feared that the bees would not thrive. Whenever there was a wedding the hives were decorated, and pieces of cake were left out so that the bees could share in the festivities.

Bee Correspondences:
Fertility
Joy
Feminine power
Teamwork
Growth
Competent leadership
Hard work
Obedience
Industriousness
Prophecy
The sweetness of life

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Major Oak 
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Foxgloves 

Hellebore Magick: Herbal Lore

So happy to see these beauties back - lovely hellebores. While everything is still frozen and the trees are bare, it’s exciting to see these wonderful flowers blooming.

Hellebore is poisonous, gloves must be worn when handling it.

In Greek mythology hellebore was used to save one of the kings of Argos’ daughters who suffered from a mental illness that caused them to run naked through the city, wailing at the top of their voices. This hysteria was supposedly induced by Dionysus. The quick thinking of Melampus of Pylos saved the day - he administered a potion made from hellebore which saved the daughters. 

Hellebore is associated with the element of water, and Mars and Saturn. It is used for protection and in exorcisms, and in healing rites where mental health is concerned.

I think baneful plants and flowers are often the most beautiful. What’s your favourite spring flower? 

NEXT - Winter Aconite Magick: Herbal Lore
NEXT - Winter Magick: Using the Winter Season to Create Change

Wild Garlic Magick: 7 Bear-Related Correspondences

Wild garlic ~ Allium ursinum

This perennial plant usually grows in large swathes of carpet in damp woodlands, fenlands, and by rivers. You can easily detect wild garlic - often before you see it! - by the smell in the air. It is a wild relative of chives, and is also known as Ramsons, Wood Garlic, Broad Leaved Garlic, and my favourite - Bear Garlic - as described by its binomial name. It has broad, flat leaves, and white star-shaped flowers with six segments.

The English naturalist William Turner in 1548 knew the plant as Ramsey, with the town in Cambridgeshire (just down the road from my mum! ) sharing its name, along with Ramsbottom in Lancashire (where my sister used to live!) meaning “Ramson valley”.

Its leaves have grown up through the ground now, and it will be in full flower in April and May. It is used to make pesto, pancakes, soups, stews, rissoles, and anything else you would use garlic for. Its leaves are delicious in sandwiches, and you can eat the flowers, which are stronger than the leaves.

The word ‘ramsons’ was a metaphor for bitterness in Irish folklore, but this plant was valued there, where bulbs were planted in the thatch of cottages to deter faeries. Churches were once decorated with wild garlic on the feast day of St. Alphege (19th April), which must have scented the church as it has such a strong smell.

It was once believed that wild garlic scared away venomous creatures such as snakes, and that it could be used medicinally to treat snake bites. Chewing the plant before a race was said to ensure victory, and a similar belief was held for battle.

Considered a great healer by the Celts, it is often used in healing spells, and of course has the protective qualities of any garlic. It is often associated with the magical correspondences of bear medicine due to its name.

Magickal Correspondences for Wild Garlic:
Strength
Wisdom
Healing
Action
Power
Spiritual connection
Familial bonds 

NEXT - Snowdrop Magick: 8 Correspondences for Strength & Hope 

NEXT - Recipe: Wild Garlic Pesto
NEXT - Winter Aconite: Herbal Lore
NEXT - Rhododendron Magick: 13 Beautiful Correspondences

Rose Magick: Correspondences

Magickal Correspondences for Rose - as taken from Scott Cunningham’s Magical Herbalism: 
Gender: Cold
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Associated Deities: Venus, Hulda, Demeter, Isis, Eros, Cupid, Adonis
Part used: Flowers
Basic powers: Love, Fertility, Clairvoyance
Specific uses: Wash your hands with rose water before mixing up love mixtures (rose water may be purchased commercially in gourmet food shops and herb stores). Bear the buds if you would find a love. Drink of tisane of rose petals to produce clairvoyant drams. Burn the petals in the bedroom prior to sleep and have a completely refreshing, wondrous night. The petals are often added to healing incenses and sachets. Scatter fresh rose petals in the bed chamber on your honeymoon. To really prove you love another, send him or her red roses, the flowers of love.

Remember that it is always best to develop your own relationship with plants, and develop your own magickal associations. Your magickal correspondences for rose may be different to mine, and to Scott Cunningham’s.

Roses were first cultivated in Persia. They appear throughout the ancient world, many myths and legends built around them. It is said by some that roses had no thorns in the beginning, and that they developed over time due to the wickedness of mankind; and due to the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden.

In Ancient Greece they were associated with Aphrodite. Aphrodite bled on a rose while trying to heal Adonis, who was mortally injured hunting boar, and as such red roses came to represent love, passion and desire.

This particular variety of rose is called “Queen of Sweden” so I’m dedicating this post to my very own Queen of Sweden; @thenordicwolfie 

NEXT - Mistletoe Magick: Herbal Lore
NEXT - Rose Quartz Magick: 8 Ways to Use the Stone of Unconditional Love
NEXT - Flower Magick: Using Flowers in Cooking

Sacred Symbols: Elhaz of the Elder Futhark

We have a rune in the floor of our hallway. As I sit on the stairs, and put my boots on, my gaze always lands on this shape. It appears to be Elhaz of the Elder futhark, also known as Algiz, Eoih, Elgr. ᛉ

You can’t see it very well in this photograph but the bottom branch of the stave is more - or less - visible depending on the light.

Elhaz is the rune of defence and protection, and I think it is fitting, as the mark is right by our front door. My eyes trace over the symbol each time I sit it in front of it, or pass by it; and in my mind’s eye I imagine protective energy emanating from it. Each time I do this the feeling gets stronger and stronger. I ask it to protect all that dwell in this house.

This symbol asks us not to take this protection for granted (I won’t), but to remain alert and level headed; using intuition where possible and when needed. Your intuition is your protection with this rune.

Do you have any markings in your home that were already there when you arrived? Have you placed runes, or other symbols, in or around your home for protection or other reasons? 

NEXT - Sacred Symbols: Thor's Hammer
NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Eggshells
NEXT - Simple Magick: Magickal Attitudes & Personal Protection 

Hydrangea Magick: Correspondences

Hydrangea is a genus of 70 species of flowering plant native to Asia and the Americas.

“Hydrangea” is derived from Greek and means “water vessel”. Other names for hydrangea include French hydrangea, garden hydrangea and florist’s hydrangea, it may also be referred to as hortensia - the French and Spanish word for hydrangea.

Hydrangea flowers are produced from early spring to late autumn, though most of the ones I’ve seen around are fading now. There are two types of flower formation - “mophead” and “lacecap”. The ones in the picture are mopheads.

Hydrangeas seem to be missed from a lot of magical herbalism books, but generally they seem to be associated with hex-breaking, love-drawing, devotion, friendship, fidelity, binding, and bringing back a lover. They can be used for challenging karmic patterns, protection and redirecting psychic energy and attacks.

Associated with boundary setting they can be used in spells for shielding, and placed around the home they can create an environment where we become better at keeping a healthy balance between the physical and spiritual. Of course there are no set rules with magical correspondences, and so they might mean something altogether to you.

They have a deep connection with water so they can be a good ally to those who are intuitive, emotional, or psychically sensitive.

Magickal Correspondences for Hydrangea:

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Moon (whole plant), Jupiter (root), Neptune

Element: Water

Magickal Uses: Love spells, hex-breaking, redirecting curses, fidelity, understanding, binding, protection, love-drawing, bringing back a lover, devotion, friendship, challenging karmic patterns, psychic awareness, redirecting psychic attacks, boundary setting.

Do you like hydrangeas? Do you use them in your magick? If so, how? 

NEXT - Poppy Magick: Correspondences
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Magickal Hydrangea
NEXT - Summer Solstice Blessings

Simple Magick: Candle Replacements

Many people are not able to use candles in magick. They might be in rented, elderly or student accommodation; or there may be a health reason as to why using candles is not suitable. Candles don’t need to be used at all in magick, but when you DO want to use them - and can’t - what are the alternatives?

COLOURED ROCKS 

In terms of decorating your altar, coloured rocks can be used in place of candles. You can state aloud your intention to use them as a replacement during spells and rituals as part of the ritual itself. They can be used to represent the Goddess and God; they can be painted with colours, flames, or other designs that appeal to you - there are so many possibilities! Pebbles are perfect for mini-altar sets.

CRYSTALS

In the same way that you can use coloured rocks, crystals can be used in place of candles, too. Choose crystals that have associations connected to light, solar energy, or fire.

ELECTRIC TEA LIGHTS AND CANDLES

These are the obvious choice. You may be able to wrap them in washi tape if there is a particular colour that you need, however it is possible to use a white candle (most electric or LED candles seem to be white) in place of any colour.

CANDLE BURNING APP

This is not something I’ve personally tried, but apparently there is a candle burning app where you can view footage of a candle burning. The idea is you use the energy that is produced by the device and mentally push it out into the universe using your magickal will at the appropriate time.

FLYING WISH PAPER

Available outside the U.K. (and does involve a little bit of fire) Flying Wish Paper is a great substitute for candle magick. You write your intention on the paper, roll it up into a tube, and light it. It floats up into the air, and extinguishes after a few seconds. Whilst not marketed specifically as a witchcraft item, I think these are a great idea.

Have you tried any of these suggestions? Are you restricted when it comes to burning incense and candles? Do you have any ideas?

NEXT - Simple Magick: Magickal Practice
NEXT - Simple Magick: Birthday Rituals
NEXT - Review: The Book of Candle Magic by Madame Pamita
NEXT - Simple Magick: Kitchen Candle Magick
NEXT - Witchy Quotes: Rae Beth - Hedgewitch

Lupin Magick: 12 Correspondences for Growth

The lupin, or lupine, is a genus of flowering plant in the legume family, with a rich and fascinating history. It was originally named from lupus, meaning wolf, but I have seen several explanations for its name.

Firstly, it has been suggested that it was named after the wolf because of its voracious nature. Secondly, that lupin was named after the wolf, because it was thought that both wolves and lupins kill livestock. Thirdly, because it was believed that lupins “wolfed” minerals and nutrients from the soil, when in actual fact they do the opposite.

It is traditionally used in protection rites and spells, and is said to absorb psychic and magickal energy.

Powder the leaves, roots, seeds, but despite it being used as a culinary plant around the world, please do NOT ingest it, as some lupins contain secondary compounds which can be poisonous.

Magickal Correspondences for Lupin:

Protection

Balancing 

Otherworld communication 

Absorbing psychic “messes” 

Admiration 

Creativity

Animal healing, in particular dogs 

Imagination 

Happiness 

Strength recovering from trauma 

New opportunities found via a positive outlook 

Corresponds with the third eye chakra 

NEXT - Chamomile Magick: 9 Protective Correspondences 

NEXT - Flower Magick: Using Flowers in Cooking 

NEXT - Cancer the Crab: Magickal Correspondences 

Simple Magick: 9 Uses for Graveyard Dirt

Living on a cemetery it makes sense to talk about Graveyard Dirt.

Amongst other things, it is used for:

Samhain rituals

Protection spells

Communicating with spirits

Altar item during mourning

Banishing

Habit-breaking spells

Curses

Ancestor connection and veneration

Summoning spirits

Although it is used across many traditions, it is fair to say that using Graveyard Dirt can be a contentious issue, and some people find it disrespectful to take land from those who are trying to rest, simply to increase power, or for other spell casting motives. However, it does not need to be taken from specific graves.

The dirt I have gathered is the dirt removed from grave digging - not all of it goes back, and is left in a pile; but it still holds the energy of this land, which for hundreds of years has been used for funerary purposes. Alternatively, you can gather dirt from somewhere else on the cemetery, or from a grave that is occupied by someone you know.

Firstly, this feels much more acceptable than taking dirt from the grave of someone you don’t know (depending on your viewpoint), and secondly, the character of the person who is buried there may be crucial in your workings, or may have wanted to have been a part of your workings in some way. I suspect my Nan - had she been buried - might have taken interest in some of my spells!

Of course, it is thoughtful and fair to leave a gift for the dead in exchange for what you have taken; flowers, stones, a libation, small coins, or some other small offering, are all appropriate.

Do you use Graveyard Dirt in your practice? What do you think about it?

NEXT - Simple Magick: Magickal Attitudes & Personal Protection
NEXT - Simple Magick: Meet The Ancestors
NEXT - Ancestral Marriage Support

Bear Medicine: 5 Bear-Related Correspondences

What do bears mean to you? My Nan had two carved, wooden bears in her home. I was always fascinated by them as a kid, and for me they symbolise:

Family

Leadership

Protection

Strength

Introspection

Intuition

To many cultures the Bear Spirit is the Great Healer; as bears are known to seek out plants ~ in particular Ligusticum porteri, an antibiotic plant known as “bear root” ~ for their own healing; demonstrating the bear’s deep inner knowing and wisdom. With healing comes balance and harmony, so in that sense, bears represent balance and harmony, too. Bears are active day and night, again representing that balance, and connecting bears to both solar and lunar energy.

Bears represent renewal; they leave their dens after sleeping for the winter, refreshed and invigorated after a long rest. For many, this represents awakening the strong force of the unconscious, and the commencement of a journey after a pause.

Bears are fierce protectors that care deeply for their families. They represent maternal love, maternal instinct, and nurturing. Think of the phrase “Mama Bear” and the way mother bears gently look after their cubs, whilst simultaneously being a fierce predator when the need arises.

Whilst I am no Shaman, I have a deep affinity with animals and so it makes sense for me to call on their energy and spirit when I need help. 

Call on Bear when you need strength to stand up to injustice. 

Call on Bear when you need your intuition to lead the way. 

Call on Bear when dealing with matters of family and security. 

Call on Bear when you need some inner courage, or protection.

Chamomile Magick: 9 Protective Correspondences

Chamomile is a fascinating little plant and it has been used for a multitude of ailments by many cultures for centuries. Used in the mummification process, its use has been documented as far back as the ancient Egyptians.

There's Roman chamomile as well as German chamomile. They're from two different plant families, but are used in the same manner, and their essential oils are popular in aromatherapy. Roman chamomile essential oil is often used for sleep issues, for stress, and to calm and soothe the nerves.

Chamomile is masculine in its energy, and is associated with the Sun, and Sun-related gods such as Helios, Apollo and Ra.

Magickal Correspondences for Chamomile: 

Purification

Protection 

Banishing 

Meditation 

Money magick 

Warding off negative energies 

Warding against psychic attack 

Spells relating to sleep 

In incense blends for relaxation

Scott Cunningham says:

"Chamomile is used to attract money and a hand wash 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."

How do you use chamomile? What magickal correspondences do you attribute to it?

These little pouches are available in my Witch Starter Kits and Herb Kits, perfect for topping up existing supplies and for new witches at the start of their journey. 

NEXT - Plant Allies: Elderflower
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Bittersweet
NEXT - Pagan Holidays: Lughnasadh

Fabulous Folklore: The Magickal Hydrangea

One of the things I love most about spring is that some hydrangeas start to flower, and they will continue to do so right through to the autumn. Ruled by the Moon and Neptune for the whole plant, and Jupiter for the root, the feminine hydrangea ~ or hortensia ~  has many magickal uses.

Hydrangea has great hex-breaking properties. It can strewn around the home, used in spells, carried, and burned. Use it for redirecting curses and psychic attacks, and for protecting against them.

Hydrangea can also be used for spells related to understanding, shielding, devotion, friendship, boundary setting, and as a devotional offering to gods and goddesses. Plant it either side of your front door to help maintain boundaries in your home and life. It is associated with Water, so it can help with matters related to psychic awareness and intuition.

Hydrangeas are one of my favourites, they remind me of the beautiful garden we had at the house we grew up in.

Do you use hydrangea in your practice? Do you grow them?

NEXT - Hydrangea Magick: Correspondences

NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: Spring Blossom

Simple Magick: 25 Ideas for Creating a Forest Altar

Yesterday’s prompt for the @witch.with.me hashtag challenge was “Forests & Trees” and it got me thinking about the witchy things you can forage from the forest floor for use in spells and on altars:

Acorns 

Oak Galls 

Pinecones

Conkers 

Feathers

Ferns 

Rowan berries 

Leaves 

Twigs

Nuts 

Antlers

Bones 

Fur

Moss 

Stones

Remember to always follow the Countryside Code - respect others, protect the natural environment, and enjoy the outdoors.

To create a Forest Altar add to your foraged items:

Potted plants 

Shades of green and brown 

Deity statues, for example Herne the Hunter, Elen of the Ways 

Altar cloth with forest/trees/leaves/mushroom print 

Forest sounds - birds singing, wind blowing, rainforest, thunderstorms and rain

Green, brown and cream candles 

Table top fountain

Wooden candle holders and incense holders 

Green and brown crystals for example tiger’s eye and moss agate 

Musky incense such as sandalwood or patchouli

Have I forgotten anything? If so let me know in the comments! And if you found this post helpful don’t forget to Save it in the folder for later.

NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Black, Pink & White Salt in Witchcraft
NEXT - Fabulous Folklore: The Evergreens of Yule 

Rosemary Magick: 17 Uses & Correspondences

Today’s prompt for the @witch.with.me hashtag challenge is “Essential Herbs” and first to mind is Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis).

Rosemary is a herb of cognition and mental power. Inhaling rosemary oil helps prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical important for cognition, concentration, and memory. In counteracting forgetfulness, boosting the memory, and helping concentration, it aids mental clarity.

Used as a funerary herb placed at the gravesite it reminds that the departed will never be forgotten, and used in bouquets or headdresses for weddings it reminds betrothed lovers that there is a timeless bond between them. We were given the gift of rosemary at our handfasting, bound with red ribbon.

Medicinally, rosemary stimulates the circulation, reduces stress, calms the nervous system and lifts the spirit, especially at a time of grief. Historically it has been used to cleanse the air in sick rooms, and in healing rituals.

Magickal Correspondences for Rosemary: 

Love 

Loyalty 

Protection 

Healing 

Purification

Youth 

Memory and mental powers 

Exorcism 

Sleep

Gender: Masculine

Planet: The Sun

Element: Fire

Sacred to: Venus, Aphrodite, Hebe, The Virgin Mary

Using Rosemary: 

Grow it by the front door for protection 

Place under pillow to help remember dreams 

Stuff into healing poppets 

Wear it when studying to improve memory 

Add it to incense blends for home cleansing 

Use in ritual baths

Make herbal water for cleansing scared spaces 

Use in spells related to memory or retaining youth

Note: Rosemary should not be used medicinally by pregnant women. Consult a qualified Herbalist/Clinical Aromatherapist when using herbs/essential oils medicinally, and never use essential oils neat on the skin.

What’s your favourite herb? Which herbs do you consider essential? Which herbs do you grow at home?