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NOTE: Sweet Basil is NOT the same as Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum).

Probably originating in the East, Basil (Tulasi) is considered sacred in India, where it is grown around the temples and placed on the altars. Although it arrived in the West in the days of antiquity, the ancients seemed to have felt ambivalent towards its use. Invariably it is associated with demons, dragons and scorpions. Some say it protects against the effects of bites from such venomous beasts, whilst others claim that there is no hope for him who had eaten Basil and was unlucky enough to subsequently be stung by a scorpion. Others deem that scorpions could grow from chopped up basil, while Culpeper even claims that a scorpion would develop in the heads of those who merely smelled the herb too frequently. Basil certainly had an ambivalent reputation.
In Egypt it was associated with the cult of the dead and used in embalming rituals as well as laid on the chest of the deceased. Basil was also placed or grown on the grave. On the other hand Basil symbolized tragic love - 'love washed in tears', while in Italy girls decorated their hair with a sprig of the herb to signal their willingness to a potential suitor.
It is said that Basil would only grow well if sown under a barrage of swearwords, which is why recent writers concluded that Basil is associated with hate. However, in the old days swearing was a kind of protection spell, in the same vein as we might say 'break a leg' to wish someone luck. Swearing, or saying the opposite to what was intended was a 'deception maneuver', thought to avert unseemly attention from the eyes of jealous demons by making a plant, animal or child seem worthless, so they could grow in peace, without becoming the target of envy. Basil is also associated with courage and with money magic, and in Central America it is used as magical wash/ cleansing lotion to attract benevolent spirits.

Traditional
Most of us are unaware of this rich folklore and magical history when we enjoy our tomato salad decorated with fragrant basil leaves. It is as spice that we are most familiar with it. As such, it adds not just flavor, but also its carminative benefits to a dish, dispelling nausea, flatulence and intestinal parasites. Therapeutically it is said to calm nervous excitement and depression and may be useful in states of anxiety and insomnia. Mothers appreciate it for its galactagogue properties. Externally it helps to soothe insect bites and acts as an insect repellent. Basil has proven antibacterial properties.

Magical
Sprinkled around the temple or house, or used in cleansing rites prior to ritual it will attract good spirits and give courage to the practitioner. Basil can be used in the last rite of passage to easy the journey of the soul to the Otherworld. It can also be used to confer courage to the novice during initiation rites. Basil is associated with money magic. Sprinkle the place of business or the till with basil oil or carry some leaves in your pocket to attract money. It can also be included in love philters and potions to attract lovers, though the unions that ensue may be fiery and short-lived.

Our Bundle of Herbs Sacred to Thor !

• Juniper (Berries)
• Vervain (Verbena)
• Blessed Thistle
• Burdock Root
• Hawthorn Leaf

The least conspicuous plants are often the most precious. Thyme creeps low across the ground, closely hugging the body of Mother Earth and clothing her in fragrant robes. Yet, its tiny leaves are barely noticeable lest it is in flower. When Thyme springs into blossom, the countryside is transformed, at least in those dry and inhospitable places where it prefers to make itself at home. Each year in early spring, the arid Mediterranean hillsides burst into a pinkish purple, sweet scented wonderland, abuzz with delirious bees that are lapping up the copious nectar.

In ancient times it was customary for Ladies to embroider scarves depicting a sprig of Thyme with a bee hovering above. These they would present to their knights - presumably as an alluring symbol of natural attraction. Thyme was thought a fitting scent even for the Gods. Its very name derives from the Greek word 'thyein', which means 'to burn as a sacrifice', implying its ancient use as incense.

Thyme may seem humble and lowly, but it is packed with power and was once thought to convey courage, strength and bravery. It was used as a strewing herb and as fragrant bedstraw, especially for women in childbed. Yet, it also had associations with the Otherworld and the realm of fairies. The 'hillside where the wild thyme blows', was thought to conceal the entrance to their lovely realm. Thyme was also often planted on graves and used in embalming lotions. Sprigs of Thyme are worn for remembrance and to alleviate grief and sorrow. Although Thyme is no longer revered as it once was, it is still considered very important as a culinary herb and as a source of Thymol, one of the best and most effective antiseptics known. Even now it is widely used as a wound dressing and cleansing agent.

Traditional
Thyme is one of the best agents for respiratory infections such as sore throat, laryngitis or tonsillitis and is one of the best herbs for a tickly, dry cough. It is even said to be effective for whooping cough. Thyme is a powerful antiseptic for both lungs and stomach. It also disinfects the urinary system and can be used for cystitis and urethritis. Thyme may be used as part of a worming regime - worms hate thyme and drinking thyme tea for several days before using a worming agent will so weaken the parasites that they will be easy to dispel.

Thyme also is an excellent stomachic herb, disinfecting the stomach and clearing stomach catarrh. Thyme's well known antiseptic properties make it very effective as a wound dressing and for treating inflamed skin conditions, acne, abscesses, boils and the like. It also soothes insect bites and dispels lice, fleas and other creatures. As a compress it can be used as a circulatory stimulant for arthritis, rheumatism, muscle aches and gout. It detoxifies and can be helpful for water retention and cellulites. It stimulates the uterus and promotes menstrual flow.
Do not use during pregnancy.

Magical
Thyme can be used for protection and cleansing and as an incense offering to the Gods. It imparts strength, courage and bravery and can aide with difficult tasks. Thyme strengthens memory and concentration and may be helpful for those engaged in studies. It can be used as a sign of remembrance and love, especially at funerary rites. Thyme has an affinity with the fairy realm and may attract these elusive beings or help finding access to their world.

Arctostaphylos uva ursi is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos (manzanita). The leaves of this small shrub have been used as an herbal folk medicine for centuries as a mild diuretic and astringent, and in the treatment of urinary tract infections such as cystitis, urethritis and nephritis, pyelitis and in pyelonephritis.

Uva Ursi was well-known to the Native Americans, who smoked the leaves either alone or mixed with other smoking herbs in their ceremonial pipes, believing that the smoke carried their wishes to the higher powers. They called the herb "Kinnikinnick," which roughly means "smoking mixture."

Not surprising, then, that the leaves ingested in a tea are believed to increase psychic abilities and divination in modern magic. Powdered herb can be sprinkled around the alter area or into burning candles in divination rituals, and leaves can be made into sachets to help increase psychic powers. Dried leaves can be mixed with tobacco or other smokable herbs and used for meditation and increased psychic abilities.

It is hard to fathom why this inconspicuous herb with its tiny blue flowers set on squarish spikes has attracted such a phenomenal amount of attention throughout the ages - but it has. From the ancient Egyptians to the Greek and Romans and even to the Druids, this herb was revered like few others. It was said to cure everything and for many centuries it was used by every priest, magician and witch. The ancients regarded it as an herb of Isis or Venus, the Great Goddess, mother of the universe, Goddess of magic and the mysteries of life and death.

The Romans used it as a cleansing herb to sweep and purify their altars. Messengers wore a protective wreath of Vervain as a sign of truce and truth. It was said to protect against all evil and even ward off the devil himself. That did not stop witches and magicians from using it as a magic wand in just about any spell or ritual. The Druids seemed to associate Vervain with Sirius and according to Pliny the Elder, they ritually harvested the herb in August, when the dogstar is visible, but neither the sun nor the moon could be seen in the sky.

In the modern era, panacea herbs like Vervain have often been dismissed, simply because they seemed too good to be true. Thus Vervain is rarely used in herbal medicine today, although Edward Bach, inventor of the Bach flower remedies, brought it back from the brink of oblivion and created a Vervain flower remedy. He recommends it for highly strung individuals who are self-righteous and fanatical about their beliefs and wish to steam-roll the rest of the world with their 'mission'. Vervain flower remedy is used to bring as sense of calm perspective and openness of mind to such people. From all these associations and uses it seems as though Vervain's nature is as a conductor and communicator plant that can clear obstructions and assist the flow of energy in the physical, spiritual and mental spheres.

Medicinal:
The list of conditions and uses for Vervain is inexhaustible. However, it can be summed up as an herb that supports the clearing of obstructions e.g. in the kidneys, liver, gallbladder and spleen. It is said to be helpful for liver congestion and jaundice and is even reputed to break up the stone
. It is a nervine that calms and relaxes tense nerves and thus alleviates a host of stress related symptoms such as mental exhaustion, migraines, depression and headaches. It is also a useful digestive system relaxant, where stress causes indigestion and cramps. It can be helpful in cases of PMT and during menopause.
Externally it can be used to cleanse wounds and putrid ulcers. It is also used as a gargle and mouthwash for infections of the gum and throat.
It can be used for convalescence or as a preventative tonic for numerous stress-related complaints.

Magical:
Vervain is a wonder herb with a very versatile set of magical uses. It clears stagnant energy and can be used for cleansing and consecrating a sacred/ ritual space and to cleanse the auras of the participants. It can be used to conduct and direct magical energy and intentions and also to open the psychic channels. It aids communication with human and spiritual beings. It protects the practitioner against evil forces and manipulative entities.

Medicinal Uses: Breaks fevers, diuretic, expectorant, use for pain from inflammations. Used for snakebite. Seeds were decocted and mixed in wine "to comfort the heart and drive away melancholy"; i.e. as an antidepressant.

Traditional Magical Uses: Keeps away snakes.
Culpeper's Complete Herbal describes Viper's Bugloss as follows:

"It is a most gallant herb of the Sun; it is a pity it is not more in use than it is. It is an especial remedy against the biting of the Viper, and all other venomous beasts, or serpents; as also against poison, or poisonous herbs. Dioscorides and others say, That whosoever shall take of the herb or root before they be bitten, they shall not be hurt by the poison of any serpent."

Shamanic Magical Use:
This is the plant of Jotunheim, the land of giants and trolls. It is a land of great mountains, great storms, great beasts, and great hunters, and this is the herb that hunts down sickness. To use, charge the plant with a spell of seek-and-destroy. I find that this is best done with a song (you don't have to be a great singer or carry a tune, Atterlothe doesn't care) which describes to the plant the nature of the prey, why this prey is its natural enemy and deserves to die, and gives it praise

Wild Lettuce, a relative of our common garden lettuce, once played an interesting role in ritual and medicine in ancient Egypt and Greece. In Egypt it was associated with the God Min, a fertility deity who has sometimes been compared with lusty Pan. During his festival a statue of the God was placed in a small patch of wild lettuce and carried around as part of the procession. The Egyptians used Wild Lettuce as an aphrodisiac, but warned that excessive use would dull the brain. The Greeks on the other hand used it as an anaphrodisiac and it was part of the staple diet for priests, presumably to cool their carnal appetites. Wild Lettuce was brought to the US early on and in 1792 a doctor from Philadelphia first wrote about the opium-like qualities of dried lettuce latex. At the time opium was still commonly used as medicine and henceforth dried lettuce juice has often been used to adulterate opium and opium containing medicines. More recently the herb has become popular as 'not-pot', a legal Marijuana substitute.

Medicinal:
Today, Wild Lettuce is rarely used in herbal medicine, but in ancient times it was commonly employed as a relaxant sedative. It was said to be useful for insomnia, nervousness and anxiety. It is sometimes used to calm overexcited and restless children. It soothes a spasmodic cough and acts as a mild pain reliever. In ancient Greece it was regarded as an anaphrodisiac, while in Egypt it was used as an aphrodisiac. It was also used to treat sexual problems such as premature ejaculation and to prevent nocturnal emissions.

Magical:
Wild Lettuce may be used in fertility rituals to honor the ancient Egyptian God Min or added to love potions. It may also be used as a meditation aid to help calm and center the mind and to assist the practitioner on astral journeys and path workings.

Witch Hazel bears striking resemblance to regular Hazel, although the two species are completely unrelated. The leaves almost look the same and even the nuts are very similar. However, unlike regular Hazel, Witch Hazel flowers produces the strangest looking scraggily blooms in the midst of winter. The name 'Witch Hazel' is derived from the old English word 'wytch', which means 'dowsing' and refers to the Old World use of regular Hazel as dowsing rods to divine hidden water veins or lost treasures. The pilgrims learned about the use of Witch Hazel from Native American healers.

Medicinal:
Witch Hazel is an excellent astringent herb. It can be used for all sorts of swellings, whether they are due to inflammation, e.g. as a gargle for tonsillitis and inflamed gums, or bruises, insect bites or poison ivy rash. One of the best known applications for Witch Hazel is as a remedy for hemorrhoids, which is said to be very effective. It is also used for afflictions of the veins, giving support and strength in cases of varicose veins. It makes a great ingredient for various skin care preparations, not just because it soothes and draws together 'spider veins', but also because it contains powerfully active antioxidant agents, which can fight the effects of aging.
Witch Hazel has also traditionally been used to treat all manner of eye infections and inflammations and even temporary blindness caused by blows to the head.
Internally it can be used as an astringent for inflamed or irritated tissues, especially of the digestive system.
It will curb inner bleeding and diarrhea, it has also been used to reduce excessive menstruation or to reduce the loss of blood during childbirth.

Magical:
Witch Hazel twigs are cut and used as dowsing rods, Native Americans also used the seeds in medicine ceremonies and for divination practice to determine whether a patient would recover
. Witch Hazel has an affinity with water and may be used in weather magic.

Sweet Woodruff is native to northern and central Europe, Siberia and northern Africa, but now cultivated in North America. This aromatic herb soothes nervousness, and restlessness and occasional sleeplessness.

Woodruff has been used since the Middle Ages both for culinary and medicinal purposes. The leaves were added to flavor wines, liquors, cakes, and fruit salads. In other applications, Woodruff was and still is used in potpourris and sachets. The dried leaves have the scent of new-mown hay, vanilla and honey.

NOTE: There seems to be some disagreement regarding the use of this herb.. some sites regard it as potentially poisonous in large quantities and can increase the risk of bleeding... use at your own discretion and with caution.
Do not use if Pregnant or Breastfeeding.

Magical:
Sweet Woodruff is associated with protection, victory, money, and male sexuality. It was once used by Catholics, hung in cathedrals and churches to ward off evil. According to Mrs. Grieve's Modern Herbal, Sweet Woodruff was 'hung and strewn in churches, and St. Barnabas Day and on St. Peter's, bunches of box, Woodruff, lavender and roses found a place there.'

This is a wonderful herb to incorporate into Beltane celebrations by wearing the leaves, or decorating the sacred space with sprigs of the leaves and flowers, or by adding it to wreaths.

In Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs it is said that this herb was used in Germany to flavor May wine to celebrate the coming of spring, a tradition that dates back to the 1200's.

Sweet Woodruff can be used in rituals that honor Gods associated with the woodland, such as Herne and Cernunnos, and used in spells to stir male sexuality.

A South American relation of the Holly tree, Maté enjoys great popularity - at least in South America. In recent years that popularity has caught on in other parts of the world as well. The secret to its high esteem are not its looks, but rather to be found in its properties
. Maté is the South American equivalent of Coffee or Tea. Maté bars are as ubiquitous as coffee houses in Europe or North America. But its consumption is far more ceremonious than that of our favorite brown brews.
Mate is traditionally served not in cups, but in little gourds, from which it derived its name (Mati was the name of the gourd, which in time attached itself to the herb itself). The gourd is half filled with the cured and cut Maté leaves and topped with hot (not boiling) water. The resulting tea is sucked through a 'bombilla', a metal straw that ends in a kind of sieve, which prevents the leaves from clogging up the tube.
Maté contains less caffeine than coffee, but more than black tea and is a hugely popular stimulating beverage. It first became known in the West via the Jesuits who learned about Maté from the Guarani Indians of Paraguay. They tried the tea and liked its effect - so much so, that in the early days it was also known as 'Jesuit tea'. Today, worldwide demand has risen dramatically and Maté plantations have been established to meet the demand.

Medicinal Uses:
Maté tea is an effective, refreshing stimulant, which can be drunk as a substitute for Tea or Coffee. As an effective nervous system tonic it refreshes the mind and enhances memory, while combating fatigue, nervous exhaustion and stress. It also counteracts certain types of headaches and depression. In Western herbal medicine it has been used for attention deficit syndrome. Maté is rich in vitamins and amino acids an can suppress appetite, a property which has made it a popular choice in certain herbal weight-loss formulations. In South America it is used as a blood cleanser and antioxidant, immune system stimulant and anti-inflammatory agent. Its anti-inflammatory properties rely on its ability to stimulate the production of cortisone.

Magical Uses:
The Guarani Indians consider Maté one of the most important herbs the creator God has given them. It is widely used in ceremonies to facilitate clearing the mind to focus on the ritual. It is almost always used in healing rituals as a base for other healing herbs. Guarani shamans sometimes use this herb to achieve a clairvoyant trance. It also plays a role as an aphrodisiac.

A wonderful selection of herbs to honor the spirit the of the Yuletide Season !

• Frankincense
• Myrrh
• Cedar
• Bay
• Juniper Berries
• Mistletoe