Overcast, humid and more magical herbs

Good morning Augusta.

 

This morning it is partly cloudy with thunderstorms and a chance of rain in the afternoon. High of 73F. Winds from the ENE at 5 to 10 mph shifting to the SE in the afternoon. Chance of rain 20%.

Tonight it will be partly cloudy. Low of 57F. Winds less than 5 mph.

 The readings from my own instruments are:

 The humidity is  80% with a Dew Point of 60ºF and a temp of 63.4ºF.

Our wind direction is Northwest between 4.0 MPH and 6.3 MPH.  

Our Barometric pressure is  30.34 HPA 1017 and rising with a weather graphic indicating sun.

The UV rating is 1 out of 16, Sunrise is at 5:23 a.m. sunset is 8:06 PM and Moon Rise is at 9:02 a.m. EDT and the moon phase is Waxing Crescent.

For the pilots out there:

METAR KAUG 301153Z AUTO 36005KT 10SM BKN050 OVC070 16/13 A3003 RMK AO2 SLP168 T01610133 10161 20144 53009

Visibility is 10.0 miles/16.1 Kilometers with Mostly Cloudy conditions to 5,000 ft/1,524 m., and Overcast to 7,000 ft/2,133 m.

We received no rain here over the past 24 hours.

More Herbs with magical properties beginning with the letter A

Acacia . . . .

Acacia (Gum Arabic)

(Acacia senegal) Also known as gum arabic, gum senegal and gum acacia; produced by a tree that grows in North Africa. The species of acacia that produces

gum arabic and gum acacia are so closely related that one can be used for the other.

Parts Used - flowers, leaves, stems, root, bark, resin, seeds, and essential oil

Magical Uses - (Herb and Oil) Burn for altar offerings or purification; aids psychic powers, meditation, platonic love, psychic awareness; purification;

inspiration; wisdom; visions; anointing; protection; prophetic dreams; spirituality; money. A sprig place over the bed wards off evil.

Ritual Uses - In India, the wood is used as fuel in scared fires, and also in building temples. Acacia is an excellent choice to build a small chest or

sacred box. It should be handmade and used only to store your ritual tools.. If unable to obtain enough to build the box, the powdered herbe may be used

to consecrate the containers you use for sacred items.

Other Uses - The dried gum can be burned as incense, the leaves and wood can be infused to create sacred water for aspurging. This gum is water soluble

and when dissolved in boiling water, clarifies and makes a very good adhesive that is used, among other things, to make scented beads and pomanders.

Acacia can be used for blessing any sacred space.

Aconite . . . .

(Aconitum Napellus) Also known as Monkshood, Wolfbane

Caution: This plant is poisonous! A small amount taken internally can cause death, and its juice was once applied to arrow tips to kill wolves.

Parts Used - Roots

Magickal Uses - Protection from werewolves and vampires. It is also a classical ingredient in flying ointments, which usually also contain henbane, belladonna,

hemlock, and soot. Without the angel of death, no new life would be possible, and so we honor death and the dead by burning aconite as funeral incense

and by planting it on a loved one's grave.

Aconite

Ritual Uses - Aconite is one of the herbes used to consecrate the atheme or ritual knife. It's main use is in the consecration of magickal blades.. An

infusion can be made of the leaves or root to banish all past energy in the knife and to provide it with the same protection that Cerberus gave Hecate.

Root ,leaves and flowers can also be burned on charcoal as incense to get the same result.

Mythology surrounding Aconite would indicate that this is a superior herbe to use in rituals designed to pierce the veil and allow one to look into the underworld. Toss Aconite into the cauldron as an offering to Hectate to guide one safely into the mysteries of death with the promise of a safe return.

Adam and Eve Roots . . . .

Adam and Eve

(Aplectrum hyemale: Orchis spp) Also known as Putty Root, Adam & Eve. "Putty root" derives from the fact that Native Americans used the glutinous matter

from crushed bulbs to mend broken pottery and fasten objects together. "Adam & Eve" is a reference to the growth habit of the bulbs.

The leaf and flower come from the current season's growth (Eve) while the previous year's bulb (Adam), which produced Eve, is still present The entwined

roots are suggestive of a pair of lovers, another possible derivation of the Adam & Eve moniker. This orchid has a solitary leaf that persists all winter.

Magickal Uses: - Carry the two roots in a small bag at all times to attract a love or to free yourself from romantic rivals. Given to a couple they ensure continued happiness. Although most Orchids produce this entwined type of root and can be used,

A. Hyemale is endangered and should be admired but left alone.

Agrimony . . . .

(Agrimonia eupatoria) Also known as Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Garclive, Philanthropos, Sticklewort, Stickwort. The dried herb has an apricot scent and

is used in sachets and potpourri.

Parts Used - flowers, leaves, stem, and root

Magickal Uses - (Herb and Oil) Use in all protection sachets and spells, also to banish negative energies and spirits. Returns spells to sender and has the ability to encourage sleep. It will help to soothe emotional discomfort, and also the thoughts and inner voices which chatter through the night.

Agrimony

Agrimony is also used to reverse spells sent against magicians. It not only breaks a curse, but sends it back to the original magician.. It should be incorporated

into daily magick by anyone who has genuine concerns regarding psychic attack. Protects against goblins, evil and poison.

According to ancient lore, place under the head to make one sleep as if dead, but don't do this for insomnia: the sleeper will not awaken until it is removed.

The oil of Agrimony is a good choice to annoint one's hands before cleansing the aura of another.

Alder . . . .

Alder

(Alnus glutinosa or A. nigra)

Parts Used - Bark

Magickal Uses - Alder can be used in the most magickal workings to promote protection. Powdered bark or wood can be added to almost any incense. Alder

may be included in rituals of death and dying as a way of providing protection for the beloved. Alder may also be planted on the gravesite.

The Alder is the tree of fire. In the battle of the trees, the Alder fought in the very front line. It is described as the very "battle witch" of all woods,

the tree that is hottest in the fight. from the alder, you can make three different dyes, red from its bark, green from its flowers, and brown from its twigs; this symbolizes the elements of fire, water and earth. The Alder wood is the wood of the witches.

 

Whistles may be made of this wood to summon and control the four winds. It is also the ideal wood for making the magical pipes and flutes. To prepare the wood for use, beat the bark away with a willow stick while projecting your wishes into it. The Alder is a token of resurrection.

Aloe . . . .

(Aloe vera or Aloe ssp.) Also known as Burn Plant, Medicine Plant. This plant has remarkable qualities. Two parts are used: the clear, gel-like central leaf pulp, and the yellow-green juice from the green part of the leaf. The gel is used in creams to soothe, heal, and moisturize the skin, and in shampoos

for dry, itchy scalps. It cools the skin, protects it from airborne infections and fungi, and reduces scarring. It speeds cell regeneration, and so treats

radiation burns, coral wounds, and dermatitis.

Part Used - Pulp or juice from the leaves

Magical Uses - A protective house plant. It guards against evil influences and prevents household accidents. In Africa, the aloe is hung over houses and doors to bring good luck and drive away evil. In Mexico, large wreathes of garlic bulbs are festooned with pictures of saints, sachets of magickal herbs,

lodestones, rock salt, pine nuts and clumps of freshly cut aloe. They are hung in the home for luck, money, protection and so forth.

Aloe

Aloe must never be taken orally as it can produce severe intestinal pain and violent purgation if swallowed.

For use in all protection sachets, pillows, and spells. Used to banish negative spirits and energies. Protects against goblins, evil and poison..

Agrimony is also used to reverse spells sent against magicians. It not only breaks a curse, but sends it back to the original magician.. It should be incorporated into daily magick by anyone who has genuine concerns regarding psychic attack.

According to ancient lore, place under the head to make one sleep as if dead, but don't do this for insomnia: the sleeper will not awaken until it is removed.

The oil of Agrimony is a good choice to annoint one's hands before cleansing the aura of another.

Amaranth . . . .

(Amaranthus hypochondriacus) also known as Flower of Immortality, Love Lies Bleeding, Red Cockscomb, Velvet Flower. Used for protection, healing and invisibility.

It is also associated with immortality, and is used to decorate images of gods a goddesses. Woven into a wreath, it is said to render the wearer invisible.

Also used in pagan burial ceremonies.

Amaranth

Magickal Uses: To speed healing, were a crown of Amaranth. To make sure that you are never struck with a bullet, pull up a whole plant (including roots)

on a Friday during the full moon. Leave an offering to the plant, and then fold it, roots and all, in a piece of white cloth. Wear this against your breast

to be bullet-proof. Dried flowers are used to call forth the dead and carried to mend a broken heart. Wear a wreath for invisibility.

Ritual Uses: This flower was used in pagan burial rites. The Spanish colonial authority in Mexico outlawed it because the Aztec used it in their rituals.

Angelica . . . .

(Angelica archangelica) Also called Archangel, Masterwort. This three-year "biennial" has a taproot, divided leaves, and umbels of green-white flowers

in its third year, then it seeds and dies. Crushed leaves in car interiors reduce travel nausea. The oil is distilled from the root or seeds.

Magical Uses - Sprinkle crushed leaves around the 4 corners of a house to ward negativity and purify the home, burn for meditation, protection, divination, exorcism, healing/health and visions. Some American Indian tribes carried a talisman of this root for luck in gambling. The leaves can be smoked in herbal "tobacco" formulas. (Oil) Use for anointing.

Angelica

Angelica can enhance one's aura, aide one in maintaining a joyful outlook on life and assist in letting the internal, psychic self to be open and functional.

Use Angelica for ritual baths, self-blessings and in rituals of purification.

Anise . . . .

Anise

(Pimpinella anisum) Also known as Anneys, Aniseed.

Parts Used - Seeds and essential oil

Magickal Uses - Anise seeds are an herb of protection said to avert all evil. In ancient Roman times, they were baked into a cake that was served at the

end of the wedding feast. Purification, Protection; entices spirits to aid in spells; divination; psychic awareness; youth; In a pillow it wards off nightmares.

Use in protection and meditation incenses. Add to the ritual purification bath along with bay leaves for cleansing. Hang a sprig on the bedpost to regain

lost youth. Use fresh anise leaves in the home to ward off evil spirits.

The oil of the Anise is used to control expel gas. The seeds are used in herbal face packs, and a few seeds dropped into a glass of hot milk can be taken

for insomnia.

Asafetida . . . .

(Ferula foetida) Also known as Devils's Dung, Food of the Gods. This herb has a very strong and odd odor (sometimes called horrid) and has been known to induce vomiting.

 

Parts Used - Resin of the root

Asafetida

Magical Uses - Wear in a bag, with garlic, to dispel disease and evil. Throw into the fire during rites to destroy the manifestations of spirits. Use for

prophetic dreams, exorcism, and protection. Worn in a bag around the neck, asafetida dispels diseases and evils of all kinds. (It literally repels evil

spirits!) Add a clove of garlic to enhance the effect. Asafetida is a classic for exorcism and purification rites. Use it to smudge a ritual space with

smoke.

If you have a manifestation of spirits that you wish to be rid of, throw Asafoetida on to the fire or into the censer during the rite.

Ash . . . .

(Fraxinus americana or excelsior) Also known as Nion, it is a Druid sacred tree. This spring-flowering deciduous tree has smooth gray bark and showy, scented

flowers, although the scent is unpleasant to some.

Ash Tree

Parts Used - Bark and Leaf

Magical Uses - Ash is the sacred world tree of the Teutons, known as Yggdrasil. Ash wood makes a traditional Yule log. Druid wands were often made of ash

and carved with decorations. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic. Put fresh ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams

and prosperity. An herb of the sun, ash brings light into the hearth at the winter solstice.

The Ash is sacred to Poseidon and Woden and is considered to be the father of trees. The Ash is the tree of sea power, or of the power resident in water.

Special guardian spirits reside in the Ash so this makes it excellent for absorbing sickness. The spirally carved druidical wand was made of Ash for this

purpose. Place a few ash leaves in a bowl of water by the bed and leave overnight to also prevent illness. This must be discarded every morning and repeat the ritual every night.

Ash brings light into the hearth at the Winter Solstice, so burn as the Yule log. A solar cross carved out of ash brings protection against drowning. Also used in sea rituals because it represents the power of the sea. Wear a garter of the green bark to protect against magick. Scatter the leaves in the four directions for protection.

Ash wands are good for healing.

Snakes have an innate fear of the Ash tree and will not crawl over its wood.

For your new born to be a good singer bury their first nail clippings under an ash.