H-is for herbs

Pagan Blog Project 2013 Letter H. Week 16 / April 12



     Herbs - This weeks project blog was really hard for me. Finding something that I know about, that starts with the letter "h". Long before I even started on my pagan path I always 'knew' that for all the western medicine we have for everything, there exists natural herb remedies. Nature provides everything for us to be able to live off the land naturally. I love learning about the healing properties of herbs. My favorite herbs to work with are lavender and rosemary. Both healing herbs. Rosemary was used in ancient times in both weddings and funerals. Rosemary is my favorite oil to wear as a perfume or cologne. Rosemary was used for good luck in wedding ceremonies, as well as to aid loved ones to a good journey in the other world. Wear a rosemary oil blend to ease joint pain, back aches. Burn a couple of drops in water in an essential oil diffuser to increase mental clarity, while studying. I also like to rub on my temples to improve memory daily. Of course meat & potatoes flavored with your home grown rosemary is just awesome!
Rosemary is also a gentle benevolent and binding herb. And therefore is used in many love spells and rituals. Plant rosemary by your front door to ward off evil & keep harmony in the family home. Add essential rosemary oil to your shampoo to increase hair growth!
     Magickal Properties of Rosemary: good luck, cleanses, rid negativity, protection, purification, improve memory, love, sleep. Is often substituted for frankincense. Rosemary can be used as a substitute for any other herb because of its range of magical powers.

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Lavender: Lavender is a love herb. A common ingredient in love spells. Lavender brings peace, joy, and healing to the home. Added to your bath water at the end of the day to ease the stresses of the day, relaxation, ease anxiety and headaches. Place a sachet of lavender under your pillow at night to help aid sleep. Throw lavender into your Midsummer's bonfire as an offering to the Gods and Goddesses. The folk name for lavender is 'Elf Leaf'. Perhaps this is why it is associated with Beltane and Midsummer / Midsummer's Eve...


     Lavender also protects against cruel treatment at the hands of a spouse if worn.The flowers are also burned or smouldered to induce sleep and rest, and are scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness. The plant is so powerful that, if when depressed, one gazes upon the plant all sorrowwill depart and a joyous will settle upon the observer.The odour of Lavender is conducive to long life, and should be smelled as often as possible.Lavender is also used in healing mixtures, carried to see ghosts and worn to protect against the evil eye. It is added to purification baths.Despite Lavender's love associations, in the Renaissance it was believed that lavender together with rosemary, if worn, would preserve a woman's chastity.A wish divination: Place Lavender under your pillow while thinking of your wish. Do this just prior to retiring for the night. In the morning, if you have dreamt of anything relating to your wish, it will come true. However, if you did not dream, or if they were unconnected with your wish, it will not manifest.
Resource: Herbs Trees & Fungi

 In the beginning of writing this post I thought it would be very difficult. It was very difficult finding a subject that would interest me & that I had some knowledge of, beginning with the letter H. But it came easy to me to write about lavender and rosemary. They are my favorite herbs to work with. I have been in the craft for 2 years now. Actually, Beltane will mark 2 years. Lavender and Rosemary are the only oils I have made. I learned by experimentation that lavender oil is great for itchy bug bites and athletes foot! 

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