ACACIA
(Acacia Senegal) G
Folk Names: Cape Gum, Egyptian Thorn,
Gum Arabic Tree, Kikwata, Mkwatia, Mgunga, Mokala
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Air
Deities: Osiris, Astarte, Ishtar, Diana, Ra Powers: Protection, Psychic Powers Ritual Uses: The wood is used as fuel in
sacred fires in India, and is also used in
building temples.
Magical Uses: A sprig of the tree placed
over the bed wards off evil, as it does when tucked into the turban in Eastern countries. When the wood is burned with sandlewood the psychic powers are stimu- lated. Acacia is also used in money and love spells, although in the latter case the outcome would be a platonic love.
See also Arabic, Gum.
ADAM AND EVE ROOTS (Orchis spp.) Poison
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Power: Love, Happiness
Magical Uses: Carry the two roots in a small
bag at all times to attract a love. Ifyou wish to be free from amatory competitors, also carry the two roots sewn into a small bag. Given to a couple they ensure continued happiness.
ADDER'S TONGUE
(Erythronium amertcanum)
Folk Names: American Adder's Tongue, Serpents tongue, Adder's Mouth, Yellow Snowdrop, Dog's Tooth Violet
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Healing
Magical Uses: Soak some adder's tongue
in cold water and apply it to a wound or bruise (wrap it in a piece of cloth) until the herb grows warm. Next, bury the wet herb in a muddy place. The wound will be cured
AFRICAN VIOLET (Saititpaulia ionantha) G Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Spirituality, Protection
Magical Uses: The purple-colored flowers
and plants are grown in the home to pro- mote spirituality within it. The plants are also slightly protective when grown.
AGARIC
(Amanita muscaria) Poison
Folk Names: Death Angel, Death Cap, Magic
Mushroom, Redcap Mushroom, Sacred
Mushroom, Fly Fungus Gender: Masculine Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Deity: Dionysus
Powers: Fertility
Ritual Uses: There is speculation that at least
some of the mystery religions of classical times centered their secret rituals around the use of the amanita.
Magical Uses: Place on the altar or
in the bedroom to increase fertility. Unfortunately, the amanita is so virulently poisonous that it is unwise to use it.
AGRIMONY
(Agrimonia eupatoria) G
Folk Names: Church Steeples, Cocklebur,
Garclive, Philanthropos, Sticklewort, Stickwort, Umakhuthula, Ntola
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Air
Powers: Protection, sleep
Magical Uses: Use in all protection sachets
and spells, also to banish negative energies and spirits. It protects against goblins, evil and poison.
Agrimony has also long been used to reverse spells sent against the magician; i.e., it not only breaks hexes, it also sends them back to the hexer.
Agrimony placed under the head will make one sleep as if dead, according to ancient lore, but don't use this for insom- nia: the sleeper won't awaken until the herb is removed.
At one time agrimony was used to detect the presence of Witches.
AGUE ROOT
(Aletris farinosa) DI* May antagonize some
oxytocins (pitocin)
Folk Names: Ague Grass, Bitter Grass, Black- root, Crow Corn, Stargrass, Starwort,
True Unicorn Root, Unicorn Root, Aletris, Blazing Star
Powers: Protection
Magical Uses: Sprinkle around your home to keep evil at bay, or carry in a sachet for the same purpose. Also, use in hex-breaking and uncrossing rituals and mixtures.
ALFALFA
(Medicago saliva) G
Folk Names: Buffalo Herb, Lucerne, Purple
Medic, Jat, Qadb
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Powers: Prosperity, Anti-Hunger, Money Magical Uses: Keep in the home to protect
from poverty and hunger. It is best placed in a small jar in the cupboard or pantry. Also, burn alfalfa and scatter the ashes around the property for this purpose. Alfalfa is also used in money spells.
ALKANET
(Alkanna tinctoria, Anchusa spp.) X
Folk Names: Dyer's Bugloss, Orcanet, Dyer's
Alkanet
Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Powers: Purification, Prosperity
Magical Uses: Alkanet is burned as an incense to purify the area of negativity, and is also used to attract prosperity in all its forms.
