Herb Magic for Beginners (8 page)

There is a comfort in the strength of love . . .

—William Wordsworth

Chapter Four

Herb Magic for
Well-Being and Comfort

Herb magic to promote well-being and comfort is probably one of the oldest forms of herbal uses. This, after all, was traditionally one of the main requests that an herbalist, wisewoman, or cunning man faced. As stated before, the following information is meant to be used magically. Do not attempt to “doctor” yourself with herbal remedies. Always seek the care of a physician, counselor, or licensed and qualified herbalist for any health problem or serious condition.

The spells in this chapter are designed to bring comfort, chase away the blues, increase personal energy, and encourage happiness. Always remember to get the recipient’s permission first, no matter how good your intentions are. Without it, you are manipulating. Be sure to work for the good of all, bringing harm to none.

There is something so quietly satisfying about helping others. And there are plenty of magical things you can safely do—without manipulation—whether it’s providing a sounding board, a sympathetic ear, or a shoulder to lean on. If you decide to add a touch of herb magic to your work, and the recipient is open to the idea, this chapter will give you plenty of ideas for herbal enchantments, with many different planetary associations and energies to try.

Comforting Spells from the Spice Rack

This must my comfort be,
The sun that warms you here shall shine upon me.

—Shakespeare

Coriander

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) has the planetary correspondence of Mars and the elemental association of fire. Coriander has been cultivated for the last 3,000 years or so. It’s interesting to note that coriander seeds have been found in Egyptian tombs from the 21st Dynasty. The seeds were included in the tombs because they were thought to protect the soul of the deceased. Interestingly enough, most old herbals call for using the seeds in charms and spells. The Greeks and Romans were familiar with this herb, and many medieval herbals had various opinions on what this herb was to be used for—anything from healing open sores, to keeping vapors away from the head (whatever that means), to curing nosebleeds, to mixing it with violets to cure a hangover.

An old herbal charm for coriander instructed a woman who wished to conceive to strap thirteen coriander seeds to her left thigh, while Chinese herbalists believed that this herb granted immortality. Coriander seeds work well in herbal sachets and in potpourri, and may be tucked into charm bags or carried on a person to help alleviate headaches.

This fresh annual herb has a pungent scent and a strong taste, and the fresh green foliage of the plant is also known as cilantro. Today, coriander/cilantro is commonly used to flavor spicy Mexican foods, and is easy to find at the market with the other fresh herbs. Some folks dislike the scent of fresh cilantro. So, you may want to give the fresh leaves a careful sniff, to make sure you care for the aroma, before you try this next herbal spell.

Fresh green coriander/cilantro may be gathered together, bound with ribbon, and hung in the home to promote safety and to bestow peace on the occupants of the home.

Coriander Spell for Comfort and Peace

Work this enchantment on a Thursday, for healing, or a Sunday, for happiness and success. If you feel that there are a lot of bad vibes hanging around and you want to go all out, cast on a Saturday, to banish any negativity in the home.

Gather together a small bundle of the fresh herb, and bind it together with a satin ribbon. The choice of color for the ribbon is up to you. You could go with red for protection, blue to bring peace, or even green for healing. Be sure to personalize this herbal spell to suit your needs. Once you’ve tied it up, hang the herb bundle in a prominent spot (I’d suggest the kitchen) and allow it to dry out. Repeat this spell as you hang the herbs:

Coriander or cilantro, call it what you will,
Display this herb in the home, and add a little thrill.
Promote protection and safety to this house, we pray,
Bringing comfort, happiness, and peace, both night and day.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is associated with the planet Jupiter and the element of fire. Nutmeg and mace are typical spice-rack favorites. What I find interesting about them is that they are actually different parts of the same fruit of the evergreen nutmeg tree.

The fruit splits open into a red outer membrane (mace) and an inner brown seed (nutmeg). Even though they come from the same fruit, nutmeg has a stronger aroma and tastes sweeter than mace. The plant is native to Indonesia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, and the West Indies. Nutmeg became valuable and was most likely brought to Europe by Arab traders around the sixth century. Nutmegs were carried to ward off all sorts of health problems. The scent will boost clairvoyance and increase your energy level.

Mace

Did you notice that the botanical name of mace (Myristica fragrans) is the same as that of nutmeg? This, of course, is because they come from different parts of the same fruit. Mace has its own magical correspondences, though. This herb is associated with the planet Mercury and the element of air. Powdered mace is a great spice to add to apple dishes and old-fashioned cooking. This herb is toxic is large quantities, so use your common sense. A pinch of mace can be worked into herbal sachets to increase mental power and psychic abilities. Both of these herbs, mace and nutmeg, can be worked successfully into any spell to bring clarity and mental sharpness, and, of course, to increase your energy level. Try combining these herbs with a touch of color and candle magic, and see what you can conjure up.

Mace and Nutmeg Candle Spell
to Increase Energy

Cast this spell during a waxing moon, to increase your vitality, or a full moon, for more power. Cast on a Tuesday to bring passion and oomph to your magic. For this spell you will need:

• 1 orange votive candle, for vitality and to increase energy

• A votive-candle cup holder

• A straight pin or nail to engrave the astrological symbol of Mars (
) into the candle, to help increase your enthusiasm and energy

• A pinch of both powdered mace and nutmeg

• A lighter or some matches

• A flat, safe surface to work on

Carefully carve the symbol of Mars (
) on the side of the votive. Next, sprinkle a smidgen of the two spices in the bottom of the candle cup. Be sure to wipe off your fingers. Set the candle on top of the spices, and light the candle. Repeat this charm three times:

The color orange increases vitality,
A pinch of nutmeg and mace sets the spell free.
Now swirl about, bringing energy to spare,
By these two herbs’ elements of fire and air.

You may close this spell with the tag line from chapter 1:

For the good of all, with harm to none.
By herb magic this spell is done.

Allow the candle to burn in a safe place until it is consumed.

Parsley

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) has been a favorite culinary herb for centuries. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is a natural breath freshener. The fresh herb adds great color and flavor to many dishes. Its correspondences are the planet Mercury and the element of air. Parsley is associated with the Greek goddess of the underworld, Persephone. This herb has links to honor, health, love, and death. The ancient Greeks and Romans incorporated parsley into many types of social events, from the wedding party’s flowers to the herb used at funerals. At ancient feasts, the guests would adorn themselves with garlands and crowns of parsley to stimulate their appetites. Parsley was also thought to add an aura of serenity and calm, creating a relaxing environment.

An interesting bit of folklore states that only a Witch can successfully grow parsley. But I have met plenty of herb gardeners, Witches and not, who have grown a fine patch of parsley in a nice, sunny garden. In addition, this herb may tell you who wears the pants in the family. Herbal folklore states that if parsley flourishes in the herb garden, then the mistress of the house is the one in charge.

A Pot o’ Parsley: For Joy and Good Health

If you enjoy having fresh potted herbs on hand in the kitchen for cooking, then try this herb spell. Find a healthy parsley plant, pot it in rich potting soil, and add it to your kitchen. (Make sure you give it plenty of water and a good, sunny location, so it will thrive.) Now use those energies of the parsley plant to create a healthy atmosphere for everyone in your home—at any time. If you’d like to incorporate a bit of astrological timing into this one, cast on a Thursday, to promote healthier energies. Hold your hands over the plant, repeating the following verse three times. This will enchant the plant, encouraging it to boost the environment of your house in a way that promotes prosperity.

Bless this parsley plant, so alive and green,
Create peace and banish things oft unseen.
By the magic of herbs this spell is cast,
Bringing joy and health that will surely last.

If you tend to use a lot of fresh parsley for cooking, I’d probably plant two or three of these to have on hand and enjoy. This spell could be easily adapted to bless parsley plants grown outdoors in your garden too!

Sage

Sage (Salvia officinalis) is an aromatic evergreen with textured gray-green leaves. This herb has the planetary association of Jupiter and is linked to the element of air. This ties in neatly for us, as Jupiter is associated with healing, and the element of air can be invoked to bring positive change very quickly into your life. The name sage comes from the Latin word salvare, which means “to heal.” Sage has a varied and vast herbal tradition. It was used for love divinations and to increase wisdom, grant a long life, ease grief, banish negative entities, and boost fertility. There are folk tales about sage that are similar to those of parsley. For example, there is an old proverb that states: If the sage bush thrives and grows, the master’s not master and he knows.

Some older herbal texts claimed that to banish nightmares, the dreamer was supposed to rub fresh sage leaves over his or her body before retiring, to ward off anymore nightmares. I would avoid this old “cure,” especially if you have sensitive skin! Carrying fresh sage leaves in your pocket or, if you prefer, tied into a little herbal sachet reinforces your personal protection, promotes good health, and also speeds recovery from illness.

Feeling the need to chase away the blues? Have a walloping case of the blahs? Want to buck up your inner strength and maybe toss in a bit of wisdom while you’re at it? Then sage is the herb for you. For the following charm you can either work with fresh sage leaves from the garden or produce section, or simply incorporate the powdered dry herb from the spice rack—it’s up to you.

Burning Away the Blues: An Herbal Candle Spell

For best results, work this spell during a waning moon. As the moon decreases, so will your depression. You will need:

• 1 blue, 6-inch taper-style candle, or a blue mini taper (often sold in metaphysical stores as spell candles)

• A coordinating candle holder

• A handful of fresh or dried sage leaves

• A saucer or small plate

• A lighter or some matches

• A safe, flat surface to work on

After the spell is completed, you will also need:

• A blue ink pen

• A plain envelope

Set the taper in the holder, and place that in the center of the plate. Then sprinkle a small amount of the powdered herb (on the saucer) in a circle around the base of the candle holder. Or else, arrange the fresh leaves in a loose circle around the candle holder. Wipe off your hands to remove any dried herbs, and then light the blue candle.