October Rhythms of Magic: Mugwort
Artemisia vulgaris
Other Names:
Artemisia, Witches herb, Old man, Muggons, Sailors tobacco, Smotherwort, Felon
herb, Mother's wort, St. John's plant, Cronewort.
Planetary
ruler: Moon/ Venus
Element:
Earth
Gender:
Female
Magical
properties: Strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, healing,
astral travel, feminine energy, cleansing, divination.
Mugwort is a
perennial herb that grows to between 2-4 ft. It is native to Europe and is
found growing in waste ground and road sides. Its leaves are lance-shaped, dark
green on top and silver underneath. It is a rapidly spreading plant, so best
planted in pots (which I didn’t know when I planted some in a border a few
years ago!)
Mugwort gets
its Latin name of 'Artemisia ' from the Greek goddess Artemis, the moon goddess
and patron of women. The English name 'Mugwort' may derive from its use in
brewing or could be a derivation of the Old English 'mucgwyrt' meaning
'midgewort' as it repels insects. The folk name 'St. John's plant' comes from
the belief that John the Baptist wore a girdle of Mugwort in the Wilderness.
Mugwort is
one of the herbs mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon 9 herb charm from the 10th
century, and it was hailed as a cure for 'elf shot' which appears to be a
catch-all term for most illness's, blamed upon invisible arrows of the Fae. In
the 9th century Bald's Leechbook it was recommended for casting out demons.
Pliny
recommended that travellers place sprigs of it in their shoes to prevent
tiredness as well as suggesting that Mugwort would aid women’s troubles.
At Midsummer
festivals, girls would wear garlands of Mugwort while dancing around the
bonfires, before casting them into the fire for protection for the coming year.
Mugwort is
said to protect against lightening, wild beasts, illness and evil.
Hang sachets
of Mugwort over your door as a protective charm or carry one with you.
Place under
your pillow for prophetic dreams and peaceful sleep.
Burn the
dried herb as incense during your divination readings to enhance your psychic
powers.
Drink
Mugwort tea to aid in astral travel, trance or deep meditation. The tea can
also be used to cleanse and protect your crystals and ritual tools, or as a
protective floor wash.
Make Mugwort
smudge sticks to cleanse and protect your home as an alternative to sage.
Throw onto
your Midsummer fire for protection.
Sources:
Herbcraft -
Anna Franklin and Susan Lavender
A Kitchen Witch’s world of magical plants and herbs - Rachel Patterson
ThoughtCo.com
The Witch’s
Herbal - Michael Howard
Image from Wikipedia
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