Garden Witch's Herbal (25 page)

Mistletoe (
Viscum album
)

Mistletoe is commonly found growing as a parasitic plant; however, it can be a semi-parasite (the correct botanical term for this is a hemi-parasite). As a parasitic plant, it grows on the branches or trunk of a tree and actually sends out roots that penetrate into the tree and take up nutrients. However, mistletoe is also capable of growing all on its own; like other plants, it can manufacture its own food by photosynthesis.

Folk names include the golden bough and the kissing bunch; the Druids called it all-heal. Mistletoe grows on deciduous trees such as apple, ash, hawthorn, birch, and occasionally on oak trees. The plant forms pendent bushes that are two to five feet in diameter. It has been found growing on almost any deciduous tree, preferring those with soft bark. Finding mistletoe growing on an oak is rare, which is why the Celts and Druids prized it so. Mistletoe is still used today for powerful protection magick and fertility magick, as the white berries were thought to resemble drops of semen.

There are two types of mistletoe. The mistletoe that is commonly used as a winter holiday decoration is typically
Phoradendron flavescens
. This is a native species to North America and grows as a parasite on trees from New Jersey to Florida. The other type of mistletoe,
Viscum album
, is of European origin. The European mistletoe is a green shrub with small yellow flowers and white sticky berries that are considered the most poisonous. Both varieties of the plant are toxic and have twigs that fork around a central flower cluster, which produces white berries. Folk names for this plant include the golden bough, birdlime, Witches' broom, and holy wood, while the Celts called it “a different twig.”

According to Druidic customs, the plant was to be harvested at Midsummer with a golden sickle and was never allowed to touch the ground.

The practice of kissing under the mistletoe comes from old Pagan fertility rites or some say from the legend of Balder. Balder was the best loved of all the Norse gods and the son of the Mother Goddess Frigga. She loved her son so much that she wanted to make sure no harm could ever possibly befall him. So she went through the world, gathering promises from everything that sprang from the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—that they would never harm her son, but she overlooked the mistletoe. Enter into this story Loki, the trickster god, who discovered her oversight. He made an arrow from the mistletoe and then took the arrow to Balder's brother Hoder, who was blind. Guiding Hoder's aim, Loki directed the arrow at Balder's heart, and he fell dead.

In the account of the story with a happy ending, Balder is restored to life, and Frigga's tears became the mistletoe's white berries. The goddess was so grateful that her son was restored that she reversed the reputation of the offending plant, making it a symbol of love and promising to bestow a kiss upon anyone who passes under it.

In the language of flowers, mistletoe conveys the flowing message, “I give you as many kisses as there are stars in the sky.” This magickal plant is considered masculine. Its magickal associations are protection, love, fertility, hex breaking, and the removal of entities and evil spirits. Its astrological correspondence is the sun, and the elemental association is air.

Pine (
Pinus
spp.
)

The noble pine tree is a gorgeous evergreen tree classified as a coniferous tree. There are over one hundred varieties of the pine. Pines grow all over the globe, in many shapes and sizes. Some varieties of this tree may reach heights up to 135 feet. A few varieties you may be familiar with are the slash pine (
Pinus elliottii
), the Eastern white pine (
Pinus strobus
), and the Scots pine (
Pinus sylvestris
), which is the national tree of Scotland.

The fruit of the pine tree, the cone, is a fertility symbol and is often used to tip magickal wands. The pine was the sacred tree of the goddess Astarte and also of the gods Pan, Dionysus, and Sylvanus, who often accompanied each other (all three were gods of the woods, forests, and fields). Pine boughs, trees for decorating, and other items made from the pine, such as wreaths, are a classic plant to add to your Yuletide festivities and decorations.

Bringing fresh greens in the house at midwinter was thought to ensure health and good luck for the entire year. Rumor has it that it also gave the winter faeries a place to hide, as they came inside with the greenery, giving the faeries a holiday of sorts as they enjoyed the warmth, activity, and mood of the home during the Yuletide festivities.

In the language of flowers, the pine tree symbolizes friendship, loyalty, endurance, and long life. The astrological correspondence for the pine tree is Mars, and the elemental association is air. The tree is considered to be masculine, and the magickal uses for pine are many, including protection, prosperity, and healing. Also, it is said that burning pine needles will return any manipulative spells straight back to the sender.

Return to Sender: Pine Needle Spell

This spell can be cast at any time, day of the week, or moon phase. What matters most is your intention. If your intention is to end the manipulation of another by magick, then put on your game face, take a deep breath, and get down to business.

This spell requires an old cauldron or fireproof dish, matches, and a small handful of dry pine needles. You will also need a small container full of water when the spell is finished. It is best to work this spell outside and with safety in mind. Set the cauldron in a clear, safe area—on top of a table or in the middle of a concrete, brick, or stone patio. Make absolutely sure that the cauldron or burning dish is resting on a fireproof area.

Next, arrange the needles inside of the cauldron and strike the match, setting the needles to light. In this case, we want the smell of sulfur to sting the air. Visualize that the smell of sulfur will follow the troublemaker around for a time. Sound nasty? Well, breaking a spell that was cast on you is not for the faint of heart. Self-defense is your duty; this is a serious spell and not one to be done casually.

As the pine needles start to burn, repeat the spell for as long as there is a flame. If you have to relight the needles to burn them all away, then do so.

These fragrant pine needles, so green and so lush,

Return all spells cast on me back in a rush.

As the pine burns, all ties to me fade away,

Now I am uncrossed, free and clear, come what may.

As the smoke billows up, return the spell back to sender,

May this teach them a lesson they will always remember!

After the needles are completely burned away, keep an eye on them for at least fifteen minutes. While you are doing so, contemplate why the person who cast on you would have been foolish enough to do so. What have you learned from this? After the fifteen minutes has passed, take the water and pour it on top of the ashes. Then say the following to close up the spell:

By fire this spell was cast,

By water it is finished.

As I will it, so must it be.

Remember to be smart and safe and use your common sense. Never leave the small fire unattended, and keep extra water nearby in case of an emergency.

Imbolc

Candlemas

Why, what's the matter,
That you have such a February face,
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?

shakespeare,
much ado about nothing

Common Crocus (
Crocus
)

Do not confuse the early spring-blooming garden variety crocus with saffron crocus. The everyday variety (
Crocus
) comes in over eighty species, and the predominant colors of the blossoms are white, purple, and yellow. Found in rock gardens and flower beds, these cheerful and hardy blooming bulbs come in all sorts of combinations and colors, even stripes, and yes, they have been known to bloom cheerfully away in the snow and ice.

In the language of flowers, the common crocus symbolizes that you shall remain young at heart, no matter what your age. The magickal associations are freshness, love, and romance. The astrological association for the feminine common garden crocus is the planet Venus, and the elemental correspondence is water.

Garden Witch Tip:
The common crocus is not meant to be consumed. However, in the interest of lending some clarity to these two bewitching plants, here is the information on the saffron crocus as well.

Saffron Crocus (
Crocus sativus
)

Unlike their common garden-blooming cousins, the saffron crocus does, in fact, bloom in the autumn, and the flowers are a soft lilac-pink color. The stigmas of the saffron crocus are a highly prized culinary spice. Why? Because they are expensive and costly to gather. It takes over 1,700 flowers to produce one ounce of saffron. Saffron is also used as a dye and in cosmetics. Magickally, saffron was considered to be an aphrodisiac and was used to promote love and lust as well as to strengthen psychic abilities.

The definition in the language of flowers is different than that of the common crocus. Here, the masculine energies of the saffron crocus warn you of excess and not to overdo it, which is probably a nod to the cost of obtaining this magickal herb. The planetary correspondence for saffron is the sun; its elemental association is fire.

Common Snowdrop (
Galanthus nivalis
)

The botanical name for this flower translates to “milk-white flower.” Folk names include Fair-Maids-of-February, winter bell, Candlemas bells, and the milk flower; it was known to all the old-time botanists as a bulbous violet. This plant begins flowering in late January or early February in the northern temperate zone. The white flower has six petals, the outer three segments being larger and more curvy than the inner petals. The plant grows four to six inches tall. There are about twelve species of
Galanthus
and many variations of the spring-blooming, bulbous herb.

In the language of flowers, this plant means hope, renewal, and also consolation. The snowdrop is a divine flower; it brings the hope and promise of spring during the darkest and coldest winter days. As I researched this flower, I discovered that this is the flower of the archangel of Saturn, Cassiel, who is also known as the angel of temperance, creativity, and good fortune. He is associated with the following attributes: acceptance, wisdom, good luck, creativity, and optimism. This archangel inspires us to expand our minds, be creative, and think on a higher level. Cassiel, as the angel of good fortune, will help you to create your own luck, so you can have the strength and the conviction to work hard and then to reap the rewards of all that effort.

The astrological correspondence for the snowdrop is Saturn. A good elemental association for this flower would be the element of earth.

An Angelic Herbal Enchantment for Motivation

I designed this spell for myself when I was under the deadline gun to finish this very book. It was early December, and the completed manuscript was due in mid-February. My nerves were shot, as I was constantly interrupted by phone calls, errands, my kids coming home from college, decorating for Yule, and my other family commitments, not to mention trying to find time to shop for Yule presents.

As I researched the snowdrop plant, I stumbled across the information on the archangel Cassiel and his links to it, and I felt my stomach flip over. I got that psychic tingle that lets me know when I am on to something good. In the past, I had worked magick with angels, but it wasn't something I did on a regular basis.

Regardless, I knew there was a reason I had found all the information and how suitable and appropriate it seemed for my needs. It felt like the universe was giving me a psychic nudge. After all, I had been asking the God and Goddess for help to get this project finished on time, and right there, falling neatly into my lap, was this fabulous information. So, with the holidays fast approaching and the deadline getting closer every day, I decided to give this a try. It worked so well for me that I decided to share it with you. Oh, and if you are wondering—yes, Witches can work with angels. Try it out for yourself and see how you do.

Since this archangel is aligned with Saturn, work this spell on a Saturn's day—Saturday. If possible, work with the snowdrop plant; a blossom or two in a little vase would be lovely. If you cannot procure the fresh blossoms, then I would light a snow-white candle instead. Votive, pillar, jar, or taper candle—it's your choice. (Being a practical Witch, I found a picture of the blooming snowdrop plant on the web, printed it out, and glued it onto a seven- day jar candle.)

Once you have the flowers arranged and/or the candle burning, repeat the following spell verse:

I call upon Cassiel; the snowdrop is your sacred flower,

Help me finish my project in a timely manner and hour.