Wednesday 3 July 2013

High John, Little John and Low John



High John, Little John and Low John

High John the Conqueror (Ipomoea jalapa) (poisonous)

High John the Conqueror is a member of the morning glory family, related to the sweet potato. High John the Conqueror is a natural amulet, and as such is put inside a charm bag. High John resembles a nut and indeed may be a symbolic stand in for testicles, which we all know represent courage! John represents the type of spiritual energy we want to keep close to our persons, whether this sultry smelling tuber is soaked in whiskey, dusted in magnetic sand for attraction, or drenched in lucky oil, or even just left as is to watch over us from a night table as we sleep. This natural amulet that contains mild mind altering constituents plays an essential role in African American spiritual magick as one of the strongest roots or tubers found in a mojo bag.

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Money, love, success, happiness

John the Conqueror is carried to attract money, to stop depression, bring love and success, protect from all hexes and curses and to break and destroy spells and hexes.

To make a simple anointing oil suitable for all purposes, take three High John the Conqueror roots, make small cuts into them with a knife, and place them in a bottle of vegetable, olive or mineral oil. Leave the roots in the oil and use as desired: to anoint candles, sachets etc.

Little John Chew, Li'l Chew (Alpinia galanga)

Little John Chew is a member of the ginger family. Most people call Little John 'galangal'. The rhizome of the plant offers up a spice that tastes like a mild form of ginger. Like ginger, Little John Chew is safe to consume. As an herb for the body, it is a stomachic carmative that soothes bellyache and relieves gas.

Little John is chewed and either spit or swalled when doing court magick or spells outside a courtroom, hence its nickname 'Little John Chew'.

Low John (Trillium erectum, T. pendulum)

A third John, Low John is a relative of the Lilly. Low John is also called Beth root.

All of these Johns are important tools whether used to help, protect, defend, attract, strengthen or draw luck. High John and Little John are used primarily in magickal herbalism while Low John is used medicinally.




Source:
The Big Book of Soul - Stephanie Rose Bird
Cunninghams Encyclopedia of magical herbs

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