The magic of December is upon us.
If we haven’t already, we could also be getting ready to select a Xmas tree to brighten or starting to spruce up our abodes with foliage for the season. This can be a time-honored custom that spans centuries. On this article, I’ve included a handful of a few of the most helpful herbs and greenery for this vacation season.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant with a wealthy historical past of getting used for defense, love, or fertility. Traditionally, this herb was utilized by many cultures. It was utilized by historic Romans throughout Saturnalia the place it was hung within the doorways for his or her winter competition of frolic and debauchery. The Celtic Druids additionally used this herb for fertility and safety, and the traditional Greeks made use of this herb as properly.
In line with the Smithsonian’s article “Mistletoe: The Evolution of a Christmas Custom,” it’s even thought kissing below the mistletoe stemmed from the Norse mythology story of Baldur, who was killed by an arrow constituted of the plant.
In fashionable instances, mistletoe can be utilized in sachets and spell jars for love and fertility. Along with that, it may be added to a wreath hung in your door for defense or positioned round your house to herald luck and well being.
Folks Names: All Heal, Golden Bough, Witches’ Broom
Planet: Solar
Ingredient: Air
Magickal Use: Safety, Love, Fertility, Well being
Please Observe: Mistletoe is toxic.
Rosemary
Rosemary is certainly one of my favourite herbs. This will likely partially be resulting from the truth that it’s a resilient herb that may face up to the solar’s rays in my house state of Florida. Outdoors of its sturdiness, it’s a flexible herb that’s been used each medicinally and magically for eons.
Each historic Greeks and Romans had been identified to make use of rosemary. The Greeks had been stated to make the most of this herb for its constructive results on reminiscence as they’d place the herb into their hair to help with psychological readability. This herb has been utilized for all the pieces from repelling nightmares when positioned below pillows to assuring constancy when used throughout marriage ceremony ceremonies.
Throughout winter, rosemary is certainly one of my go-to herbs for smoke cleaning, because it’s helpful for each purification and safety. Nevertheless, this is likely one of the few on this listing that you simply’re prone to discover both already in your spice rack or conveniently positioned at a grocery retailer close to you. This makes this wonderful for utilizing it for kitchen witchery because it pairs properly with a number of dishes and cocktails.
Folks Names: Dew of the Sea
Planet: Solar
Ingredient: Hearth
Magickal Makes use of: Safety, Purification, Well being, Love
Cedar
Cedar is a well-liked Yuletide herb to make use of for defense and prosperity, however it additionally makes for a nice Xmas tree.
The custom of a Xmas tree was thought to have emerged from Saturnalia. The tree itself has change into an adaptation of the follow of evergreen boughs hung across the home windows and door. It’s thought that this follow was performed to make sure luck in addition to for defense from evil spirits.
Like rosemary, cedar is one other herb I get pleasure from burning in my house in the course of the winter season, as it’s wonderful for purification. Outdoors of that, it’s nice to be used in sachets and spell jars, however I additionally like to incorporate this herb in my Witches Ball ornaments.
If you happen to’d prefer to make your personal Witches Ball, you could find these instructions right here.
Planet: Solar
Ingredient: Hearth
Magickal Makes use of: Safety, Well being, Purification, Prosperity
Pine
Pine is one other evergreen that’s in style for Yuletide celebrations and may make for a superb Xmas tree! Very like cedar, the inspiration for this getting used as a tree for the season stems from the evergreen boughs of yesterday.
Because of my native panorama, pine is an ample useful resource close to me. This tree can be fairly versatile, between branches, needles, and pinecones. I prefer to burn the dried needles as they’re nice for cleaning, whereas the pinecones make nice additions to altars or round your house.
Planet: Mars
Ingredient: Air
Magickal Makes use of: Safety, Fertility, Well being, Purification, Prosperity
Oak
Oak is a tree that’s wealthy in folklore. This tree was held in excessive regard in a number of cultures, together with the Greeks, Romans, and Celtic Druids. Oak bushes had been stated to be a spot of reverence for the Druids, and crowns of oak had been in style with the Romans.
One in style neopagan folklore is the story of the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King, who represents mild, and the Holly King, who represents darkish, have interaction in a battle over who reigns supreme in the course of the solstices. On Xmas, the shortest day of the yr, the Oak King wins till they battle once more at Litha. All days from Xmas will develop longer.
In fashionable instances, oak makes its means into my follow primarily by way of instruments. I’m an fanatic of wood supplies and love oak. I additionally like to gather acorns for each makes use of on my altar in addition to in spells. Acorns will also be carried or worn as a safety amulet.
Folks Names: White Oak
Planet: Solar
Ingredient: Hearth
Magickal Makes use of: Safety, Well being, Fertility, Prosperity, Luck
Holly
Holly is one other evergreen, which implies that these keep inexperienced year-round. In Celtic mythology, the Holly King is the counterpart to the Oak King we simply mentioned within the earlier part and the personification of the darkish half of the yr.
With their inexperienced, spiny leaves and shiny pink berries, holly leaves appear to embody Yuletide’s spirit. These leaves had been one other sacred plant to the Druids, who typically adorned themselves with holly as a technique of safety. In yesteryear, these crops additionally served as an efficient lightning deterrent and had been typically planted across the house due to this.
Holly is a wonderful addition to your altar and round your house. One other nice solution to make the most of this herb is as an addition to a Yuletide wreath hung in your door for defense this season.
Folks Names: Bat Wings
Planet: Mars
Ingredient: Hearth
Magickal Makes use of: Safety, Luck
Please Observe: The berries are toxic.
Juniper
Juniper is one other highly effective plant, each medicinally and magickally.
The plant itself has a number of makes use of. Historically, Juniper was held on doorways for defense or burned as incense for cleaning, as burning the juniper was thought to drive away evil spirits. In fashionable instances, each of those practices are nonetheless alive and properly. This herb is a worthwhile instrument in breaking curses and hexes however will also be used for attraction, love, and well being as properly.
Juniper is a private favourite scent of mine, and, as such, I get pleasure from utilizing this for smoke cleaning for that cause, mixed with its metaphysical properties. Alternatively, I like to incorporate the berries in spells jars and sachets, in addition to my annual Witches Ball, for each safety in addition to attracting positivity.
Folklore Title: Cash Plant, Silver Greenback
Planet: Solar
Ingredient: Hearth
Magickal Makes use of: Safety, Love, Well being, Exorcism
Please Observe: Some Juniper species are toxic.
