Before I go farther, let me say that there is absolutely nothing sacreligious about researching "magickal" usages of herbs; it has nothing to do with delving into "black magic" to consider using them as did our ancestors and for the same reasons. How many of you won't walk underneath a ladder, will go out of your way to avoid having a black cat walk across your path, and always toss a few grains of salt over your left shoulder if you happen to spill some during cooking. We pick up a penny for luck, and toss it back if it happens to have landed wrong side up. Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. Baseball players spit on a new bat to make it lucky, in fact, sports players are notorious for having talismans that they believe keeps their wining streak going, from wearing Lucky Underwear to having a fight with their mate before every game. Did you laugh at the antics of Samantha on Bewitched? Were you entranced by the characters on Charmed? How many of you have never blown out candles on your birthday cake, or put a freshly pulled tooth under your pillow before you slept? Have you ever carried a dried four-leaf-clover in your wallet? Why should growing a clump of basil near your back doorstep to bring luck to your family be any different than any of the above? Women wear perfume to attract lovers, why is that different than carrying a sprig of basil or angelica in their pocket?
It doesn't take away anything from your religious beliefs to expand your knowledge, and who knows, it might add a touch of charm and whimsy to your life (and to your garden). I have a very firm basis of faith, yet I have no problem at all stating that I believe in fairies. As a writer of old said "Just because I have not seen fairies in my garden does not mean they are not th
ere." If you wish to grow herbs simply to spice up your cooking, then by all means do so. If you choose to grow herbs because they are beautiful additions to a formal garden as well as a country perennial border, go for it. If you choose to grow herbs because you believe they have roots far deeper than we can imagine, then join me as we learn more about "things we cannot see." Lose the mental image of wizened crones wearing black pointy hats and giggling maniacally over a bubbling cauldron as they plot their evil against good. Think instead of a beautiful Mother Nature, arms open to envelop all she surveys, giving knowledge to those with minds open enough to receive. We all have heard the sentiment: "The kiss of the sun for pardon, the song of the birds for mirth, you're nearer to God in a garden than anywhere else on earth." A friend sent me this piece of art in an email about gardening being better than medicine for a weary spirit and troubled soul. I have no idea where it came from and it was not attributed to any artist. If you know who did it, please let me know. I love it and would love to have a poster sized copy for my greenhouse wall. Below are some ways that herbs from A-Z have been used throughout the ages to provide protection, repel evil spirits, draw love and peace and heal both the body and the mind.
A is for Aloe Vera. We all know it's good for healing burns, but in Africa, its leaves have traditionally been hung in doorways to attract luck and protect from evil influences. Growing Aloe Vera on a kitchen windowsill not only keeps it handy for administering first aid, but it is believed to protect against those accidents.
A is also for Angelica. Used as an herb of protection, it is suggested that it be grown in the garden near the house to protectthe home. When you're away from your garden, carry the root in your pocket or make a necklace of the leaves to protect you until your return. Angelica is used magically as an herb for protection and exorcism.
Whether you pronounce it to rhyme with nasal or dazzle, Basil is one of the most used herbs in any garden. Not only is it necessary to make the best spaghetti on the block, but Italians believe that Basil is the herb of love. Once a woman decides she is ready to receive her suitor, she should place a pot of basil outside her room (so much for that whole red light theory). Got plenty of love but not enough money? It is purported that if you want your business to prosper, plant basil near the doorway to your business or keep some leaves in the cash register. (And, no, the spaghetti sauce that you spilled on the counter doesn't count).
Catnip isn't just for cats any more! (Although your cat will certainly become your new best friend if you grow enough to keep him in freshly dried catnip year-round.) Don't have a cat? Grow it anyway and carry it with you in sachets to attract good luck. Use in a sachet combined with rose petals to attract lovers. I found this cartoon online and it made me laugh out loud. Only a true cat lover would understand the look of drugged contentment that changes a cat's countenance when it's exposed for the first time to 'real' catnip. While we have to worry about who's talking to our kids about drugs, we can be very certain that when faced with a handful of catnip, there are very few felines that will have the gumption to 'just say no.'Peter Rabbit's mom always made him a fresh cup of Chamomile tea when he came home from his adventures, and even modern tea companies agree that there are few teas that can do more for peace and tranquility for shattered nerves. However, our ancestors used Chamomile in love potions. It's also suggested that you wash your hands or take a bath in water that has run through a linen bag of Chamomile if you are a gambler - it is said to increase your chances of winning. Can't sleep? Put a few Chamomile leaves in your pillow. Sweet dreams!
Sue Grafton says G is for Gumshoe, but herbalists know it is for Garlic. Besides making an awesome addition to bread, Garlic is almost indispensable for myriad other reasons. Anyone who watches late night TV knows that garlic wards off vampires. However, did you know that carrying a clove of garlic with you when you travel over water, it will prevent you from drowning? Moving into a new home? Placing peeled garlic cloves in doorways will protect against illness and evil spirits (and probably door to door salesmen if the garlic is strong enough).
Legend has it that one can rid oneself of a lovesick former lover by placing a garlic bulb with two crossed pins stuck in it at a road intersection. Lure the lover until he crosses it, and he will lose interest. Got a wound that won't heal? Rub a cut clove of garlic on the wound, then place the clove under running water to signify washing away the ailment. Trying to get rid of a former lover? If simply eating a lot of garlic doesn't give you halitosis bad enough to run him off, place a garlic bulb with two crossed pins stuck in it at a road intersection. Lure the lover to the crossing and he will lose interest in you.
Goldenseal is truly the Herb of all Trades. A master at healing and creating a barrier against illness, you can also sprinkle dried leaves at the base of a green or gold candle to attract money, wealth, success, prosperity. But, don't forget to take a few capsules of it before you try the candle thing. It does no good to be rich if you're sick.
Lemon Balm is another all-purpose herb. Useful for everything from seasoning fish to putting a dandy shine on wood furniture, you can also drink as a tea to ease the pain of a romantic breakup or other personal hurt. Steep the leaves in wine for several hours, strain, then share the wine with someone you have a crush on to ensure that they will love you back.
Mint is one of my favorite herbs. I am an inherent collector. If I have two of an item, it immediately becomes a "collection" and I want MORE!!! I have had up to 24 different mint varieties at one time, and still craved more. One of the best parts of having a greenhouse is going to be the ability to satisfy my craving for 'just one more' mint. Although we think of red and white striped candy when someone says "mint," it isn't just for candy any more! Legend has it that Pluto’s wife Persophene cast a spell on a lovely young lady, Minthe, who had turned Pluto’s eye and turned her into a mint plant. Pluto couldn’t undo the spell but, by way of consolation gave it its entrancing aroma. In early Rome, it was suggested that students wear a wreath of mint to “exhilarate their minds.” Mint is mentioned in many places in the Bible, proving its great importance throughout the ages. Make a Mint tea to sprinkle around the house after an argument to bring the return of family peace. Drink a bit of it to settle your nerves and your stomach, but don't brew all the leaves. Carry a few in your wallet to attract money and prosperity.
Parsley must indeed be one of the most neglected and misunderstood herbs in the garden. Relegated to being little more than an ornament for gourmet plates, Parsley is grossly underestimated. Know why it's placed on plates? Not just because it's pretty (although few herbs are prettier than tightly curled parsley fronds) and not only because it is high in vitamins and good for the digestion, but in days of old it was believed to protect the food from contamination and eating it was supposed to increase both fertility and lust (not necessarily in that order). A wreath of Parsley on the head was said to delay inhebriation, but I fear that if you do so it may not matter that you are not drunk, everyone will quite simply assume you are.
Rosemary for Remembrance....in ages old, sprigs of Rosemary were tossed into graves as a sign that the deceased would remain in the memories of the living. When worn or carried, it is said to ensure mental clarity and suggested when scholars are faced with examinations or tests. When woven into wreaths and placed around the home, it is said to protect against evil. Many wedding bouquets have sprigs of rosemary to signify lasting love, and as a sign that the bearer is creating a memory that will last for a lifetime.
There are hundreds of other herbs that have "magickal properties" and interesting histories. Old books (including the Bible) are treasure troves of information about the beliefs in the properties of these magical, magickal plants.
