Here you'll find information on a
selection of plants and their properties.
So far, the list is quite small and only
includes magickal properties. I hope to
update this page soon and include their
medicinal properties as well. This is
a sneak preview *grin* Hope you find
something useful. By the way, if there
is any specific information you'd like
to posted here, let me know...Any feed
back is appreciated.
Sweet Grass maybe used in making protective
pouches, in cleansing rituals, as an
offering, offering up of prayers, calling
of spirits and so forth
Female Sage is believed to be given to
women from Mother Earth, so that during
their "Moon Times" they may also smudge.
Men can and often do use female sage for
smudging as well.
A wand/or large handful of Female sage
can be boiled to make sage water. This
water in inself serves many useful
purposes, both medicinal and magickal.
If one has stuffed up sinuses, they need
to simply boil some sage and inhale the
steam to bring much needed relief.
Regarding magickal properties, the sage
water can be used to bathe in to remove
anything evil/negative/harmful energies.
This can be done in three ways. First,
the traditional way (that I was raised
with) was to boil the sage till the water
turned a greenish color. Then, the sage
water is then sponged onto the person,
starting with the face, moving onto the
hair, and continueing on with the body.
Always rub in a downward motion. The
second, more modern method is to prepare
the sage water as mentioned. Then pour
this into a bathtub filled with warm water.
Submerge yourself completely. The third
way is dependent on how many pots you have
and if you have a substantial amount of
sage. Boil alot of sage in alot of pots.
Pour each pot into the bathtub. When you
finally have enough sage water in the tub,
submerge yourself completely in the water.
(Remember to let it cool first). The
above three methods are forms of spiritual
cleansing.
A fourth method for using either the male
or the female sage is to boil it like I
have mentioned earlier. Strain the sage
water into a bottle. You then can use
this sage water to protect your home, or
vehicles by sprinkling the sage water
around the outside and the inside of your
home. Walk clockwise around your home
while you gently sprinkle the sage water.
You may also sprinkle a little sage water
on your vehicle and on the inside of your
vehicle, again in a clockwise manner.
Male sage can be used much in the same
way as female age, with one major
exception. When a woman is on her "Moon
Time," she is not supposed to touch male
sage. The reason for this, is the same
as with the Sweetgrass. How can you tell
the difference between the female and
male sage? Male sage has little "balls"
all over it, and it's leaves are not quite
so wide as the female sage. The female
sage never has little balls on it, the
female sage will "go to seed" this is
where there are a bunch of little seeds at
the top of the plant. BUT, do not confuse
a female and male sage plant. The two are
different but equally powerful.
To use, gather some thorny branches, make
sure to wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt
or a jacket,(remember to leave your offering
to the plant while explaining why you are
taking a part of it). You can then place
the thorns around the outside of your home,
a couple of branches for each direction. Or
you may form a wreath and hang it up by
your doorway or near a window. Thorns may
also be placed under one's bed, to provide
added protection to those who sleep there.
The concept for the use of thorns, is much
like the concept for the Witch's Protection
Bottle that is filled with sharp objects
like broken glass, razor blades, nails etc.
If at all possible, plant thorny plants on
your property (if you are able to), you
could plant roses, raspberries among others.
Sweet Grass has been used for thousands
of years by Indigenous tribes of North
America. Sweetgrass is used in "smudging"
oneself, objects and dwellings. In itself,
it offers blessings, protection, calling of
spirits, peace of mind and purification.
Ladies, please remember that if you are on
your "Moon Time" please do not touch nor
smudge with sweetgrass. Please do not feel
insulted by this. When women are on their
"Moon Time" they are very powerful. It is
a time life and death (in a spirital
context) and thus, we should not handle
sweetgrass as this can interfere with its
energies. During our moon time, we can
still smudge, female sage can be used. As
well don't use the male sage to smudge
if you are on your moon time -- this is
for similar reasons as mentioned earlier.
The are many species of sage. Normally
within each species of sage, there are
both female and male sage. Here I will
tell you about the common female sage.
In our area both the female and the male
sage grows abundantly.
Female sage may also be added to
protection pouches/bundles, incense, used
as offerings and so forth.
One may find it strange that I have listed
thorns, and of any kind to boot! Well,
believe it or not, there is a good reason
for including thorns here. Thorns happen
to be excellant protection! My maternal
grandparents were both "Medicine People,"
and thus, knew of many herbal remedies;
they also of knew of ways to protect and
repell negative and/or evil energies. One
of the ways they used to repell negative/
evil energies was incorporating the use of
thorns. We have alot of wild rose bushes on
our land (we live out in the country) and
the thorns from these rose bushes have
provided protection for our family. My
Grandmother used to say that ANY type of
thorny plant will work just as good as the
wild rose bushes. For example, raspberry
bushes are quite thorny and as such, would
provide great protection.
Asafoetida (which has various spellings)
is a very powerful herb. It is awesome
when used for protection from negative
energies, exorcisms and cleansings of
areas. Depending on where you live,
you may find it a little difficult to
find this herb. I have a little story
to share with you all regarding Asafoetida.
As I mentioned before, my maternal Grand-
parents were 'medicine people.' Asafoetida
was one of the most potent herbs they liked
to utilize. My Grandfather would often
trade herbs with other people. Asafoetida
was one herb that he would trade for.
However since they've crossed into the
Spirit world, my Mother and I have long
searched for this plant. Here in
Saskatchewan, we had often gone on many
wild goose chases trying to find this herb.
Finally, the Gods smiled on us. I found out
that while the herb is indeed not easy to
find here in Saskatchewan, it's here
nonetheless. *Smile* I knew that asafoetida
was used in East Indian cuisine and was
informed by a kind Witch, that they call it
"Hing." Finally, I was getting somewhere!!!
So, I after tracking down various health food
stores, I made my way to a quaint little
East Indian food store. I asked if they had
'Hing.' The answer was, "Oh yes, you mean
asafoetida?" *chuckles* So, my Mom and I
stocked up big time on Asafoetida! *hahaha*
The gentleman working there even cracked a
joke about us having an asafoetida festival.
We bought both the powdered and whole form
(which resembles, brownish rocks). For those
of you who don't know much about asafoetida,
the smell is utterly horrible. It really
does smell like dung.
You can use asafoetida in your cooking, if
you are so inclined to do so. I was told
that it is great to kill bacteria and helps
to prevent flatulence. Only a tiny pinch of
the powdered herb is all you need to add to
whatever it is you are cooking. Personally,
I have not used it in cooking and don't think
I will do so anytime soon.
Our purpose for acquiring asafoetida was
primarily for magickal use. It can be used
sparingly in protective incenses/smudges,
added to pouches/bundles. Like mentioned
earlier, we use it for extremely strong
protection, exorisms and any other real
'kick ass' endeavor. Just remember that the
smell is disgusting.