AGRIMONY: Property of aiding sleep. There are several approaches, one being a herb pillow. It has been used in combination with mugwort for varied forms of psychic healing, such as ritual healing and in aura cleansing. It is known also as a Counter-magick herbe, and it repels all forms of negative energies. A tonic, mildly astrigent. Used for coughs. Astrological: Jupiter/Cancer Element: Fire ALOES: Strong associations with Mohammed, being taken to his shrine. It is then hung over the doorway of the traveller on returning home, for it will bring protection. It is also perceived as being a funereal herbe, being planted upon graves to bring peace until the resurrection. These customs may well be due to the unusual character of this succulent which can survive with little water and in the most difficult of conditions. Aloes also have a magickal reputation of bringing success, and have even been used in some places as a herb which will bring love to the lonely. Astrological: Mars, Venus Element: Air ANGELICA: History steeped in lore, religious use, and magickal practices. In Eastern Europe, angelica is carried into the markets accompanied by ancient chants learned in childhood. Although the lore of Angelica predates Christianity, it quickly became associated with the Annunciation and St. Michael. It has long been associated with protection from all forms of evil, and was considered a most important herb in the protection against the plague. It is one of the most valuable herbs of Protection, with a long history of use in work against spells, enchantments and all forms of evil. Not only does it grant protection from negative energies, but also brings good energy into one's life, manifest as good fortune. Use of angelica through bathing brings a most healthy aura, and a radiance of joyful, positive energy to the psychic self. It is said to be a herb of Atlantis, and current use in meditation as an incense and ritual drink has put practitioners in touch with Atlantean energies, visions and understandings. Whether or not Atlantis existed in the mundane world is irrelevant to the value of touching into its legends. Use of angelica can take many forms. It gives off a pungent aroma when included in incense, may be ingested as tea or elixir, may be used in ritual bathing, burnt as an offering, or kept intact as an amulet. Some of the values of angelica are a deeper understanding of inner light, insight and inspiration in the purpose that the self may hold for bettering the world, and the wisdom of being in touch with that part of the inner self which is immortal. It has been used as a visionary herb, used to increase one's ability to see into other realities and times. Ritually, angelica may be used to commune with the Archangel Michael. A stimulant and aromatic. Astrological: Sun, Gemini, Cancer, Leo Element: Air ARNICA: Famous remedy for wounds, bruises and other injuries of all kinds. Arnica extract has been reported to increase the resistance of animals to bacterial infection by stimulating the action of white blood cells to clear away harmful bacteria. It has for instance been shown to be effective against salmonella. It also has a reputation, used internally, for reducing fevers. Arnica also appears to stimulate the heart and circulation and cause reabsorption of internal bleeding. External use may cause skin rash or irritation in some people. Do not apply to broken skin. Astrological: Venus, Mars, Leo Element: Fire ASH LEAVES: Used in gouty conditions, arthritis. AVENS HERB: Tonic and styptic. Used in looseness of bowels. BASIL: Protection, Love Revered as a religious herbe, sacred to deities of the Hindu faith and interwoven in the everyday life as a funereal herbe. Areas of Europe, even though removed from knowledge of each other, all found basil as a symbol of love. Basil is used today as a Magickal herbe associated with the rites of initiation; with the need for courage in times of great difficulty, and in aiding the soul on its journey to the next place of being. It is of value in bringing compassion to those who share a meal, and is a herb which can bring kitchen magick to the cook. Basil has strong associations with the dragonlike Basilisk, which accounts for its contemporary association with salamanders and dragons. It is used today to invoke the presence of these astral and mythological creatures. It may be burnt as an incense to invoke them, or may be taken as a ritual drink to commune with these spirits. Basil is used widely today by those who desire further courage when preparing to experience Initiation. It provides the novice with the strength to pursue positive expansion to the most desirable limit. There is no specific means of use, but any approach will put you in touch with its energy. Basil has been planted on graves, and used in Rituals of the Dead as an incense. It must have been with serious thought that Solomon chose it when making his ritual tool to aspurge his temple. Basil is also a fertility herbe. It may be used to invoke Krishna and Vishnu, and releases us from the fears of having a psychic vision. Basil protects against the unknown, and from fears associated with spiritual growth. Astrological: Mars, Pluto, Scorpio Element: Water BAY LAUREL: Communication with the dead, protection, triumph, used in funeral wreaths. BEARBERRY: Religious herbe amongst a number of Native American tribes. It was included in the herbal mixture which was smoked in the sacred pipe. It is currently used as a visionary herbe among those who seek increased psychic ability. In some tribes it was used to train Shamans in skills of divination and prophecy. Astrological: Pluto, Mars BIRCH: Rebirth. BLACKBERRY LEAVES: A tonic, useful in case of bowel looseness. BLACKCURRANT LEAVES: A refrigerant, used in case of sore throat, coughs. BLADDERWRACK: Used in a bath for arthritis and rheumatic conditions. BLUE MALLOW: For coughs and colds generally. BONESET: Mild laxative, tonic; releives fever and pain in the bones. BURDOCK LEAF: This poultice is cooling and drying. A poultice of the powered root with salt eases the pain oa a wound from an animal, such as dog bite. CALENDULAR OINTMENT: Use for minor cuts and grazes, red rashes and any minor skin rash. CARROTS AND GOLDEN SEAL: Applied to old sores, will heal rapidly. CEDAR: Prosperity, Purification. CHARCOAL AND SMARTWEED: Good for inflamation of the bowels. When using for healing old sores and ulcers, add powered Echinacea, Golden Seal or Myrrh. COMFREY: Healing. COMFREY OINTEMENT: Suitable for all bruises and minor damage to external blood vessels and veins. CYPRESS: Endings. ELDER: Transformation FRANKINCENSE: Purification, Spiritual Transformation. GARLIC: Protection. HOLLY: Renewal, Resurrection. HYSSOP: Will remove discoloration from bruises. IVY: Rebirth, Celebration. JUNIPER: The resin may be collected and dried for use in incense. The berries are also dried and may be used in amulets, ground, or made into a tea. The needles are sometimes taken, and may be burned on charcoal as an incense, even when fresh. Juniper is an excellent herbe to use in rituals for good health. It has the energy necessary to keep banished all those things which are injurious to one's health. Juniper will also attract good, healthy energies. Astrological: Sun,Mars,Aries Element: Fire LAVENDER: Memories, Peace. Used in the celebration of the beginning of summer. It is a primary ingredient in the incense used by many on Midsummer's Eve. It is also used in rituals of a mystical nature throughout the year, and is capable of invoking the more severe deities of Hecate and Saturn. It is used as a magickal tonic to bring a sense of stability into one's life, and to make the magickal work of a more permanent nature. It was one of the herbs chosen by Solomon when he was making his sacred sprinkler for holy water, and may be used to spurge sacred circles and temples. Lavender attracts energy of a high vibrational nature, and is thus used in meditation when increased awareness is sought. It brings inner calm, peace of mind, and freedom from emotional and mental stress. In magickal spells, it is used to attract money and possessions, and to bless homes. It has also been burned in birthing rooms, and is woven into small wreaths to crown a newly handfasted couple. It was thrown into fires on St John's Day to gain protection from the many spirits roaming the land. It is said to be a herb which will protect snakes, and has been used in the worship of Goddesses who are associated with serpents. Astrological: Mercury/Virgo Element: Fire LEMON BALM: Immortality, happiness; used in a tea for emotional cleansing and uplifting. LILY: Resurrection. LOBELIA AND SLIPPERY ELM: One third part Lobelia and two thirds Slippery Elm. Excellent for blood poisonning, boils, also very good for rheumatism. MINT: Joy, a stewing herb. MISTLETOE: Protection. MUGWORT: Inner Sight MULLEN: Cleansing. MYRRH: Healing, Purification, Protection, Used in Mummifying. NETTLE AND WINTERGREEN: For dissolving tumors. OAK: Strength. PARSLEY: Good luck in here after; decorating tombs. PERIWINKLE: Immortality, "Flower of the Dead" Placed on graves. PLANTAIN: Excellent poultice to prevent blood poisonning. POKE ROOT AND CORNMEAL: Excellent for inflamed breast. POMEGRANATE: Rebirth. POPPY: Restfulness. RED: health, energy, strength, courage, sexual potency, vitality, creativity. ROSEMARY: - Friendship, purification, happiness; thrown into graves "for remembrance", burned as incense, sprigscarried in funeral processions. ROSES: Love Purification. ROWAN WOOD AND BERRIES: Protection. RUE: Karmic Completion. SAGE: For inflamations of any type. SANDLWOOD: Purification. SLIPPERY ELM: Useful to combine with other herbs to make a good poultice. ST. JOHNSWORT OIL: Beneficial for itchy skin and irritable psoriasis. Also good for sunburn when applied at night. THE ESBATHS: are celebrated every full moon. THYME: Purification. WILLOW: Releases, Cleansing. WORMWOOD: Transformation. Sacred to both Artemis and Diana. A most potent herbe, it is used in less common works of magick. For those who seek to vent their anger in a peaceful, creative manner, this herbe is appropriate. It is also used when a group works magick to stop war, or to inhibit the enemy. This herbe is a patron of Herbalists. It is said that Artemis gave this herbe to Chiron as his primary healing herbe. Wormwood can be used to banish anger and negative energy. In Tarot it may be used with the Lovers card. It is a visionary herbe and is used in prophecy and divination. Astrological: Pluto, Mars, Cancer, Scorpio Element: Water YARROW: Protection, Healing. YEW: Immortality, endings; once planted in graveyards to protect bodies of the departed.