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Rosemary

Rosmarinus officinalis

Folk names: Compass Weed, Elf Leaf, Kingly Plant, Sea Dew

Warning: Pregnancy + Epilepsy

In oil form, rosemary can be quite pungent as well as potent. This warning is for high concentrations of rosemary which have been known to trigger premature birth and seizures.

Keep Dreaming

Rosemary wants nothing more than to allow us the free flow of information and communication across all realms. Sleep with rosemary (plant near your bed, dried in a sash under your pillow, hanging above your head, etc.) for access to your more spiritual side in sleep. Honor and thank this beautiful plant for all that it can and will bring to you.And don't forget to ask for your memories to stay, nothing worse than losing spiritual steam because you forgot all the work you did in your sleep, witch.

Where Rosemary Flourishes, Women Rule.

This adage has no author but it truly resonates with me. We do know that it has been called the kingly plant which is told in folklore as having been planted by Charlemagne (one of mine and if you're euro-stock, probably yours) announced it be planted in the royal gardens as a sign of his strength as a leader. This story evolved over time to say, that if rosemary grows in a kitchen garden (the woman's garden) vs. an estate garden (manlier?), that women were in control of that house. I recommend cultivating your own beautiful rosemary plant. If outdoor, plant near your entryways to ward off negative energies from entering. If inside, find the place that this plant is most needed. Rosemary is a versitile and easy to care for plant, wherever you put your plant - expect psychic and creative stimulation!

The Witches Who Were Burned

While The Witchlist puts a premium on the ancient practices of magic, I would be remiss to ignore what our foremothers burned for. These were the uses that made witch synonymous with a gallows or a pyre. The witch trials took place across Europe and other places in the US. While I have a great-grandmother (14 back I think) who was burned as a witch, I speak also of the folx who remain persecuted for their craft. Rosemary's offenses:

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In the middle ages, one would tuck rosemary under one's pillow to keep nightmares at bay. Rosemary incense or essential oil should be burned to keep evil spirits away from your home. There were even some that used it to ward off the plague, though I suggest social distancing and masks (and any other CDC guidelines).

Planet: Sun, Moon
Element: Air, Fire
Gender: Masculine

Astrological Sign: Libra, Leo

Parts Used: Leaves, Twigs

Chakra:

  • Third Eye

  • Heart

  • Solar Plexus

Medicinal Uses

(This information has been collected from Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine as well as The Herbal Academy of New England, it has NOT been confirmed by Licensed Herbalist)

  • Analgesic

  • Antibacterial

  • Anticancer

  • Antidepressant

  • Anti-fungal

  • Anti-inflammatory

  • Antimicrobial

  • Antioxidant

  • Antiseptic

  • Antispasmodic

  • Carminative

  • Cholagogue

  • Diaphoretic

  • Diuretic

  • Emmenagogue

  • Nervine

  • Rubefacient

WARNING: Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any 

Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.

 

Part of the reason that we list Medical Jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we ​ already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

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When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantagous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

Full Moon Pizza

Step 1: Find pizza. Order it. Make it. Summon it. Get pizza.

 

Step 2: Pick toppings that support your unbalanced or blocked chakras. 

Basil is good for your throat and third eye chakras. ROSEMARY is excellent for your CROWN, THIRD EYE, HEART, & SOLAR PLEXUS chakras.

 

Step 3: Eat pizza & meditate with the full moon on cleansing and balance!

Ancient Pagan Practices

Rosemary is native to the drier parts of the Mediterranean. To walk among the ancestors of this region, we look to pagan rites in Greece, Italy (Rome), and Egypt. Greeks wore a wreath on their heads to help stimulate the memory for exams. The ancient Egyptians placed over graves. It was used by ancient Italians as a part of marriage rituals. It is placed in the wine of the bride and groom to remind them of their vows to one another.

Sources

​Magical Uses

  • Ancestors

  • Banishing

  • Beauty

  • Cleansing

  • Exorcism

  • Fairy Magic

  • Fidelity

  • Healing

  • Home Blessing

  • Inspiration

  • Intuition

  • Invigoration

  • Love

  • Lust

  • Memory

  • Mental Acuity/Powers

  • Nightmare Repellant

  • Protection

  • Purification

  • Remembrance

  • Sleep

  • Strength

  • Virtue

  • Wisdom

  • Youthfulness

"There's rosemary, that's for remembrance

Ophelia in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

A Crown for a Queen

Rosemary was used as a cologne by Napoleon; Charlemagne demanded on its presence in his royal gardens. Today, rosemary will help you to feel like a queen and enhance your spellwork at the same time.

 

What you'll need:

  • FRESH (or wilted) Sprigs of your favorite magical herbs

  • Twine

  • Patience 

 

Once you have all of your tools ready, assemble yourself a crown. Cut yourself a piece of twine that measures the circumference of your head. I recommend massaging the herbs' stems gently so that they will bend easily toward the arc (follow it's natural curve for ease). Weave your herbs together around the twine (do not try to make it round yet or you will cry). Once you have a long wand of your herbs, you can create your crown or wreath. Tie the twine as tightly as you can at the ends. Now comes the patient part, put it on your head. The reason that fresh herbs are important to making this tool is because dried herbs will pretty much always flake apart. 

Use your new diadem for enhancing your spellwork and powers. We recommend drying your crown afterwards between two sheets of wax paper. Then you'll have a beautiful wreath to use for other spellwork as well!

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