Angelica (Angelica archanegelica): Sun, Fire. The root carried in a blue cloth bag is a protective talisman. Was considered to be under the guard of angels and therefore a good preventative charm against the plague. Put the whole root in a blue or white cloth bag and hang in the window as a protection against evil.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum): Jupiter, Air. Used for protection. A pillow stuffed with anise seeds is reputed to keep away nightmares. Was also considered effective protection against the evil eye.
Apple (Pyrus malus): Venus, Water. Comfort me with apples- Proverbs.Used in love spells for hundreds of years. Cider can be used in place of blood or wine where called for in ancient spells and rites. The wood is made into wands used for love spells and rituals. In Cornwall, a large apple was given to each member of the household to be eaten at Samhain (Halloween) for good luck. An apple stuck with cloves was the original pomander, before oranges were known in Britain..
Asafoetida (Ferula foetida): Saturn, Fire. Due to its disgusting odour it used to be known as devil's dung. Is used in exorcism rites and incenses.
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior): Sun, Water. A protective tree used to make brooms and healing wands. Ash leaves beneath the pillow are reputed to induce psychic dreams. In England, is believed to be a dangerous tree to shelter under during storms, as it draws lightning. The winged seeds of the ash, ash-keys, can be carried to prevent overlooking or ill-wishing. Ash leaves are considered lucky, but an even ash leaf (one with an equal number of divisions on either side) is especially lucky. An even ash leaf should be gathered with the following rhyme: 'Even ash, I do thee pluck/ Hoping thus to meet good luck/ If no good luck I get from thee/ I shall wish thee on the tree'. Carried in a buttonhole or in the pocket, the leaf is supposed to bring good fortune.
Balm of Gilead (Populus candicans): Saturn. The buds can be carried to mend a broken heart. Can be added to love and protection charms.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum): Mars, Fire. Used in wealth and prosperity rituals. Carrying basil in your pockets is supposed to attract money into them. A wife can supposedly stop her husband being unfaithful by dusting her upper body with powdered basil.
Bay Laurel (Lauris noblis): Sun, Fire In ancient Greece, bay leaves were used to make the crowns of victors in athletic or poetic competition. The leaves can be burned or chewed to induce visions, Worn as an amulet to ward off negativity and evil. Leaves under the pillow are supposed to induce prophetic dreams. Can be used in protection and purification rituals. Growing near a house, it was supposed to protect those within from infection and storms. Write on each paper the names of the Triple Goddess: Diana, Isis, Hecate. Keep the leaves and parchment in a red flannel bag in your pocket, and before starting your game of chance say: 'Isis of the Thousand Breasts, make my chance the best one yet'. The sudden withering of bay trees was considered to be an exceptionally bad omen.
Benzoin (Styrax benzoin): Sun, Air. Used in purification incenses. A few drops of simple tincture of benzoin helps to preserve oils and preparations. (Compound tincture of Benzoin, also known as Friar's Balsam, cannot be used for this purpose).
Betony (Stachys officinalis): Jupiter, Fire. Add to incenses of protection and purification. Sleep on a pillow stuffed with betony to prevent nightmares. In mediaeval times it was considered to prevent drunkenness.
Blackberry (Rubus villosis or Rubus fructicosus): The berries and leaves were considered to protect against evil if gathered at certain times of the moon.
Broom (Cytisus scoparius): Mars, Air. Can be used to fashion a broom to cleanse the circle of outside influences. In some districts, it was considered a sign of prosperity to come if the broom plants had a great many flowers. Flowering broom was used as a house decoration during spring, but it was considered unlucky to use broom for sweeping while it was in bloom, hence the above rhyme..
Camomile (Anthemis noblis): Sun, Water. Use in prosperity charms and rituals. Induces sleep. The tea brings peace and tranquility for those times when you need to do a ritual but are seething with anger or hurt. If you wash your face and hair with camomile, it will attract a lover.
Caraway (Carum carvi): Mercury, Air. Used in love charms to attract a lover.
Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus): Sun, Fire. Once worn by witches to prevent capture and hanging. Produces added energy in ritual when used in incense.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Venus, Water. Creates a psychic bond between cat and 'owner'. Used in love charms and incenses. It was once said that chewing catnip root would make a gentle person fierce and angry
Celandine (Chelidonium majus): Sun, Fire. Helps the wearer escape unfair imprisonment and entrapment. If worn, cures depression.
Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum): Sun, Fire. Use in incenses for healing, clairvoyance, high spiritual vibrations. Reputed to be a male aphrodisiac. Use in prosperity charms.
Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis): Jupiter, Earth. Was also known as Five-Finger Grass, and was an ingredient in many spells in mediaeval times. Hang on house entrances as protection. Use in spells and charms for prosperity, purification and protection. Cinquefoil was supposed to be the preferred plant of frogs, who were thought to often sit under it.
Clover (Trifolium spp.): Mercury. Associated with the Triple Goddess. Used in rituals for beauty and youth. Four-leaved clovers are carried to see fairies, detect evil, heal illness, avoid military service, avoid madness, and as a general good-luck charm. To dream of clover is considered very fortunate, especially for young people.
Clove (Caryopyllus aromaticus): Sun, Fire. Worn to drive away negativity and stop gossip. Cloves strung on a red thread can be worn as a protective charm.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): Saturn, Earth. A herb of Hecate, used in rituals to honour the Goddess in her Crone aspect.
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum): Mars, Fire. Used in love spells and charms. An old coriander spell is to take seven grains of coriander and grind them in a mortar, saying 'Warm seed, warm heart, let them never be apart' three times. Drop the seeds into wine and share with your lover.
Cowslip (Primula veris): Venus Cowslip flowers were believed to bring luck in love to the wearer. In Suffolk, milkmaids would wash their faces in milk in which cowslip petals had been infused on Beltane, believing that it would make their faces glow and attract their beloved during the Beltane celebraations. Were traditionally woven into funeral wreaths to be laid on the deceased one's grave at the full moon, for thirteen moons after his or her death. Posies of cowslips, placed under the pillow, were said to allow contact with the dead in dreams.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): Jupiter. A herb of Hecate, used in Samhain rituals. It is said that if you rub yourself all over with dandelion you will be welcome everywhere and all your wishes will be granted.
Dill (Anethum graveolens): Mercury, Fire. Used in love charms. Hang in childrens' rooms to protect them. In former times dill was considered an excellent protection against witchcraft,.
Dragon's Blood (Daemonorops draco or Dracaena draco): Mars, Fire. Used in love and protection spells. A piece under the bed is reputed to cure impotency. Place in drawers and cupboards you don't want people looking in, with the incantation: 'Dragon's blood, watch and ward, as the dragon guards its horde'. Carry a piece with you for good luck. Dissolve a little in the bath for a strong purification bath. Dragon's Blood is also used to make a magickal ink.