By the Light of the Moon

Understanding Leland’s Aradia

2009-03-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

Introduction

One of the key texts in the history of Wicca is Leland’s Aradia, or the Gospel of Witches, 1899.

First my disclaimer: I confess I do not read or speak any dialect of Italian and thus have to depend upon translations from Italian about Italian folklore. In particular, I have depended upon a text by Mario Pazzaglini, Ph.D. and Dina Pazzaglini, which gives Leland’s original translation and a new translation of the Italian. If anyone is interested in studying Leland’s Aradia, I suggest s/he track down a copy of Charles G. Leland’s Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches, A New Translation by Mario Pazzaglini, PhD and Dina Pazzaglini, 1998. Alas, the book is out of print, but a copy may be obtainable from Amazon. All page numbers for Leland’s Aradia in this discussion are from the Pazzaglini A New Translation.

In the late 1800’s, Charles G. Leland received some folklore, allegedly a "Vangelo, " from an Italian woman, Maddalena, which he published under the title of Aradia, or the Gospel of Witches.

Opinions were divided on it since its publication. The Folk-Lore Society (Great Britain) in Folk-Lore Society, Quarterly Review on Myth, Tradition, Institution, & Custom, Vol. XL, 1900 (p. 309) gave it a positive review.

…the book contains cosmic myths about Diana, or incantations for winning love, good luck, or prosperity, with a few miscellaneous legends. Diana as queen of the witches is known to us from antiquity, but it would be impossible to produce classical authority for most of the lore of this book. Having regard to the wild nature of the incantations, we have no doubt that the substance of the book is ancient; and we see no reason why it should not be, as Mr. Leland claims, a genuine relic of ancient belief, part of that secret lore which existed side by side with the poetical or systematised mythology. …

The question arises, how closely Mr. Leland has adhered to his authorities. A great part of the book is made up of charms, which are given in the Italian, and if the prose translation be as literal as the verse, we have no cause to complain. We wish, however, that the whole text of the Vangelo had been given in full; it would have been but a few pages added to the book. And we wish Mr. Leland would always tell us, when he departs from his text in briefest words what the text is. …In spite of this drawback, we heartily welcome his new book.

There are many questions about the text of Leland’s Aradia. Was Aradia actually an ancient Etruscan or Italic Goddess? Did this Vangelo or "Gospel of the Witches" truly represent evidence of a surviving 19th century faction of la vecchia religione? Was a garbled form of Paganism woven in from ideas resurrected during the Italian Renaissance? What Roman or Classical influences can be found in the text? Did Leland collect, via his informant, some rare pieces of authentic Italian folklore? Did this unusual collection of stories and spells represent fragments of a secret document of the streghe or witches? Was Aradia a 14th century Witch Queen and leader of the Society of Diana? Were other influences part of the pattern of ideas found in the text? What influences are due to Italian Catholicism and Italian Christian heresy? How should we judge Maddalena’s original material, the Vangelo, to the extent we can recover it from Leland’s book? Was Maddalena providing Leland with some family legends along with her personal interpretation of them?

Leland’s Aradia had a definite impact on the development of Wicca. Both Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente had independently read this book. Portions of Leland’s Aradia influenced the Gardnerian BOS, especially the "Charge of the Goddess." Alex Sanders invoked Aradia as a Moon Goddess in the 1960’s. Janet and Stewart Farrar used the name Aradia in their Eight Sabbats for Witches and The Witches’ Way. Hence Leland’s Aradia is an important text for someone studying the history of Wicca and witchcraft.

Leland was a 19th century amateur folklorist, among many other things. One of the premises of his book was that there was a surviving, though hidden, cult of Goddess worship into the 19th century.

The following is an over-simplistic narrative summarized in a walnut shell of the Vangelo of la vecchia religione.

The Goddess Diana, containing all things in herself, was created before all creation. She divided herself into light and darkness. The light became her son and brother, Lucifer, the "light-bearer," who was the God of the Sun.

Attracted to the light, Diana eventually transformed herself into a cat and tricked Lucifer into sexual intercourse. From this union of opposites, Aradia or Herodias, daughter of the Moon and Sun, was born. Due to the woes of humanity and oppression of the poor, Aradia/Herodias descended to earth and became a messiah of la vecchia religione. Aradia/Herodias thus became the patroness of Diana’s people, descending to Earth to teach them the witchcraft of Diana.

Certain critics speculated that Leland, a satirist, had simply pulled an elaborate joke. Some claimed he had invented his informant, Maddalena, as well as the Vangelo. Others speculated that his informant duped him by concocting the whole thing.

Leland did explain that Maddalena hadn’t given this Vangelo in one text. Some of the materials had been written fragments. Some pieces she had explained to him orally.

In any case, Leland did not produce any of Maddalena’s original notes or Maddalena herself for examination. Hence, critics have often been quick to point out that there is no solid proof that Leland’s Aradia constituted evidence of the continued existence of an Italian witch cult worshipping a pre-Christian Goddess into the 19th century. Critics have also stated that the Vangelo should not be viewed as proof that a woman referred to as Aradia ever caused a revival of the old religion. Some critics even insisted that Leland’s Aradia contained no genuine Italian folklore.

A hundred some years later, Leland’s Aradia still elicits mixed opinions from historians, folklorists, Wiccans, Neo-Pagans, Italian-American folk magic practitioners, scholars, and critics alike. However, in studying Leland’s Aradia, Mario Pazzaglini’s and Dina Pazzaglini’s text, A New Translation, is invaluable. The Pazzaglini translation also contains Leland’s original text in full and a line by line analysis with commentary by the authors. It has additional material, including evidence that Leland’s informant, Maddalena Talenti, was not a fictitious person created by Leland.

Since we know Maddelena existed, did she defraud her patron by making up the Vangelo? Field researchers in anthropology and folklore will occasionally find a local who will eagerly supply the researcher with exactly the sort of item or information the researcher was hoping to find. Unfortunately the item or information was simply a recent creation. So perhaps Maddalena did. Perhaps she didn’t.

Yet, we aren’t required to dismiss the whole text without a careful examination of it simply because it could have been created by Maddalena.

Examination

In his commentary, Leland speculated that some of this material was very ancient. Certainly folklore is often a palimpsest, tales that contain dim impressions of earlier beliefs, customs, and stories. Interestingly, identifying Lucifer—as a sun God—with mice may be such a palimpsest. The Greek sun God, Apollo, was adopted into the Roman pantheon. Apollo Smintheus, "Mouse Apollo," was associated with white mice.

Some have pointed out certain portions of the material in Leland’s book simply do not date back any further than the 1700’s. They may be referring to a spell in Chapter XV to Laverna, the ancient Roman Goddess of thieves, which involves "40 cards." (p. 222) This particular bit of spellwork does invoke an ancient Goddess, but the practice described probably is not any older than the 1700’s. Tarot cards were invented in 13th century Italy, but they were not widely used for divination and such until the 17th century.

Though Leland thought this spell and story of Laverna must belong to the same cycle or series of legends connected with la vecchia religione of Diana, Leland himself explained: "The following curious tale [of Laverna] with the incantation was not in the text of the Vangelo…" (p 215)

Certainly some parts of Leland’s Aradia do have counterparts in Italian folklore.

For example, other versions of the Chapter V "Lemon and Pins Charm" can be found in Italian folk practices.

However, the material in Chapter V, "The Charm of the Stones Consecrated to Diana," seems like a collection of diverse chants from different sources.

The material in Chapter II "The Sabbat—Treguenda or Witch-Meeting" describes how to consecrate the witch supper, with invocations of Cain, Diana, and Aradia. This chapter also seems to be a collection of diverse chants pieced together. Careful reading of the formula provided, "Conjuration of the Salt" (p. 137), indicated this blessing of the salt was not really part of a witch meeting night assembly. This formula was clearly for a divination, which was performed at noon while standing in a river.

It must be noted that if Maddalena was purposely defrauding her patron with a fake ceremony, she would have invented a better "Conjuration of the Salt."

In Chapter VI, "A Spell to Win Love," the "Invocation to Diana" asked Diana to send her daughter, Aradia, to perform the magic. I wonder if anyone has found another historical version of a spell similar to the one in Chapter VI, which invokes Herodias/Herodiade and Diana. This particular chapter reads more like a faery tale.

In Chapter VIII "To Have a Good Vintage and Very Good Wine by the Aid of Diana," there is evidence of old Roman influence. Diana, the "Queen," was invoked to protect the grapes.

…from when the bud is born
Until it is a ripe and perfect grape, (p. 72)

Leland noted that Diana as the Moon Goddess was sometimes connected with Bacchus, yet there is another ancient Roman connection here.

Diana, Goddess of the Moon, was associated with rain in Italy--particularly she was petitioned in ancient Roman times to keep the crops from being destroyed by storm. This historical link is critical in understanding Diana's connection with wine.

Grapes grow well in the dry, warm regions of Italy. Different areas of Italy produce excellent wine. Grapes grow well in those certain regions of Italy that have both warm and dry weather. Frost is bad for grapes, but so is a lot of rain. Many varieties of grape are susceptible to rot. Just a few too many showers during harvest time could potentially destroy a good part of the vintage.

Diana's feast day was on August 15, at which women would offer thanks in Diana's sacred grove and request the Goddess's continued aid and a harvest free of storms. (In modern Italy, August 15 is a feast day of the Virgin Mary, as Queen of Heaven. The feast is known as the Ferragosto.)

Historian Robert Mathiesen, in his essay in the Pazzaglini A New Translation, stated that in Leland’s Aradia there were pieces of genuine, authentic Italian folklore arranged in an atypical way. For example, Leland included a number of Italian nursery rhymes that are slightly different from Italian versions found elsewhere. These nursery rhymes are strung together in odd places.

It does seem that Leland gathered beautifully colored bits of potsherds from different pots, attempting to complete a pattern. In other words, Leland did collect some beautiful fragments of genuine Italian folklore—but he used them to make an entirely different mosaic. To truly understand the roots of Leland’s Aradia, it may be necessary to examine each potsherd separately.

Perhaps both Leland and Maddalena may have been trying to piece together fragments in order to reassemble what they perceived was an older Pagan tradition, which had been diluted by practices of Christianity or diabolism. A 19th century folklorist, Leland was swept up in the romantic vision of an ancient culture fading away in the face of modern change.

Leland did clean up the translations of verses to make them more palatable to a Victorian audience, as well as weaving in comments that affected the whole. Leland identified Herodias with Lilith, the Semitic winged night spirit with clawed feet. I wonder if Leland identified Lilith with the strix, the night-flying bird whose name evolved into the Italian word for witch, strega.

Leland in his preface to Aradia used the metaphorical image of uncovering ancient lore buried inside pieces of contemporary folklore—like relics and fragments from Pompeii buried under the ash of Vesuvius. If Leland and Maddalena assembled pieces of genuine folklore together in an atypical way, they may well have created an entirely new mosaic without intending to.

Maddalena was certainly a fortuneteller whose family probably had practices of various magical charms and blessings. Quite likely she knew a lot of traditional stuff tinged with Catholicism. Perhaps Maddalena herself had speculated most of this material had pre-Christian origins. Maybe Maddalena was providing Leland with unique family legends, probably from her own family and likely from other families, and/or her personal interpretation of some such legends.

Perhaps Leland told Maddalena that he was searching for folklore with pre-Christian material embedded within it. Historian Ronald Hutton, author of Triumph of the Moon, suggested that some of Leland’s identification of Herodias with Lilith may have been derived from Jules Michelet Satanism and Witchcraft, first published as La Sorciere in 1862. It is true that Leland apparently accepted the concept of medieval witches as rebels against the tyrannical social order of feudalism. He does seem to have imposed some ideas from Michelet upon the materials Maddalena provided him with.

What about the core material of the Vangelo relating to the story of Aradia (Herodias)? References to Herodias, known either as Herodiade or Erodiade, did appear in other collected Italian folklore. For example, J. B. Andrews in his Neapolitan Witchcraft article in 1897 recorded this folklore involving Herodiade. Two voices were heard crying, "Mamma, mamma…" and "Figilia, figilia…" meaning "Mother, mother…" and "Daughter, daughter…" during Herodiade’s flight on St. John’s eve. See article. www.users.erols.com/jesterbear/notes/Neapolitan.html

According to Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, 1989, the biblical Herodias or Herodiade became, in Christian folklore, a condemned spirit like the Wandering Jew. Herodiade was condemned to wander the sky until the end of time. One story said she was only permitted to rest in treetops between midnight and dawn.

It does seem apparent that around circa the 10th or 11th century Herodiade got attached to the lore of Diana’s train of nymphs, women, and spirits who flew by night across the Italian countryside. There were several references to this night flight with these two spirits together. (Other female names attached to the night flight of Herodias included Minerva and Noctiluca.) Erodiade is the more common Italian pronunciation of Herodias. (In late Latin, the letter "h" is mute.)

Nevertheless, Chapter I "How Diana Gave Birth to Aradia (Herodias)" does not seem to have a specific counterpart in other recorded Italian folklore. Is it possible that the bit of folklore about two spirits calling "Mother, mother…" and "Daughter, daughter…" could have caused Herodiade to be identified as Diana’s daughter in some Italian folklore?

Perhaps, yes.

If so, that would imply that the story of a daughter of Diana and Lucifer is simply a variant legend of Herodiade/Erodiade which was not collected by anyone else.

This brings up the question, has any contemporary folklorist or historian found the name Aradia in Italy?

When Mario and Dina Pazzaglini were doing research for A New Translation, they traveled around Italy. Mario Pazzaglini wrote:

In traveling in northern Italy, many practitioners [of folk magic] and non-practitioners were asked if they had heard of "Aradia"—the word itself. No one had heard of it, even when they were familiar with Diana and with the chants connected with the old religion.—Mario Pazzaglini as quoted in Charles G. Leland, Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches, A New Translation, by Mario Pazzaglini, Ph.D., and Dina Pazzaglini, 1998, p.93

His statement raises an interesting possibility about this name Leland said he collected via Maddalena.

The name of "Aradia" itself is intriguing.

In both Italian and Latin, the word ara means "altar." In Italian it is used as a combine name in both male and female names.

The dia could be a different spelling of dea, meaning in both Italian and Latin, "Goddess."

Hence, Aradia could be translated as "Altar of the Goddess."

Maybe. Possibly. I have to be honest. No one I’ve contacted who speaks Italian has agreed with me that this incredibly brilliant insight of mine has much significance. I suppose dia could be an abbreviated form of Diana, or could be related to another ancient Roman Goddess, Dea Dia, "the Goddess Dia."

To my knowledge, no one has found the name of "Aradia" written in some independent source prior to the publication of Leland’s Aradia in 1899.

It would be really interesting if someone found in the dig of an 18th century ruins in the region of Tuscany a spell sealed in a bottle, penned in Tuscan Italian, "I curse the fever in the name of Aradia and tell her to take it away with the moon."

In any case, the name "Aradia" might have been derived from the Italian Herodiade or Erodiade. We might speculate that Aradia was the name used by Maddalena or someone else she spoke to, in certain conjurations. We might alternatively speculate that Leland thought this name Aradia, "Altar of the Goddess," was her true name.

Maybe. Possibly. This is a lot of speculation.

It would be nice if someone discovered another source which refers to a variant of Herodias’s name recorded as either "Erodia" or "Aradiade."

If someone ever found a bottle in the dig of a 17th century ruin which said in Italian, "I conjure Aradiade to fly away with her sisters and the fever," that would be something to really speculate over.

In Italian folklore, Herodias was believed to fly through the air with or without an attending train of spirits—probably including streghe (witches). In popular Italian folklore, Diana supposedly led a procession of such spirits as well. This popular Italian folklore about Diana probably harked back to classical Roman mythology, which described Diana traversing the countryside on moonlit nights with a train of attendant nymphs. In Roman mythology, Hecate, another lunar Goddess, was supposed to lead a troop of ghosts and spirits at night. There was also a minor Roman Goddess, Abundantia, who personified abundance. Abundantia was credited with entering households of people at night to bring prosperity.

We simply do not have a record of an ancient Etruscan Goddess who visited her followers at night or led a train of attendant spirits. There were surviving inscriptions to Artini, who was the Etruscan counterpart of the Greek Artemis.

Some speculate a few of the "pre-Christian classical Roman influence" could date back to the Italian Renaissance, when Italians embraced their ancient heritage. Classical Roman writings influenced sculpture, paintings, and literature. Certainly some influence from the Italian Renaissance could be remaining in 19th century Italian folklore. Diana was a favorite Goddess of the Renaissance. However, legends about Diana leading the night flight were in circulation in the 10th century. The Italian Renaissance began in Tuscany in the 14th century. Hence the legends of Diana pre-dated the Renaissance.

I recently stumbled across a wonderful article by Sabina Magliocco, Who Was Aradia? The History and Development of a Legend, The Pomegranate: The Journal of Pagan Studies, Issue 18, February 2002.

Magliocco explored the legend about Diana, Herodiade/Erodiade, and Bensoria in Italy. She also revealed that Herodiana, which combines Diana and Herodiade, was indeed a name found in a 14th century ecclesiastic encyclical as one of the female leaders of the night assemblies. Irodeasa was a name used among the Romanians to describe a similar figure. In the region of the Italian Alps, the lady who travels at night between Christmas and the Epiphany is known as Rododesa, Redosa, or Redosoia.

In France, the night flying queen of a troop of spirits, faery, and/or women was known as Satia and Domina Abondia (Dame Abonde). In Germany, Holde or Holda or Bercha led the night flight. [Magliocco didn’t mention it, but Frau Bercha is often said to lead a nighttime procession of the "Cricket Folk" between Christmas and Epiphany.]

Magliocco stated such a wide dispersal of this legend of Herodiade and the Society of Diana probably indicated an early diffusion of the story—which in turn may hark back to the classical myth of Diana and her attendant nymphs roaming the Italian countryside at night.

Magliocco’s entire 16-page paper is just too long to condense here. I urge you to read this article.

Quite interestingly, while no one has found the name of "Erodia" or "Aradiade," yet since having written the above-mentioned article, Magliocco has found the name, "Araja" in Sardinian folk legend. She is known as S’Araja Justa, "the just Araja," the female leader of the night assembly which enters into homes, rewarding the thrifty and punishing the lazy. The spirit S’Araja Demoniu,"the demon Araja," rides at night at the head of the train of the restless ghostly dead. In private correspondence, Magliocco states, "‘Araja’ is very close to the name, ‘Aradia’, and represents a common linguistic transformation that occurs in similar words as they transfer from Italian to Sardinian; so it does seem likely that a legendary character by the name ‘Aradia’ existed at some point in Italian folklore." (from private correspondence, October 2, 2007)

I have already pointed out that the text of Leland’s Aradia has some definite pre-Christian elements. It clearly has some Catholic influences from the 10th to 12th century, including the presence of the legend of Herodias/Herodiade.

There also seems to be a definite Cathar or dualist influence. The Italian Cathars were a heretical Christian sect which according to Carol Lansing in Power and Purity, 1998 (p.5) "…enjoyed considerable popularity in many Italian towns in the 1240s and ‘50s."

The Cathars were dualists who believed in a good God of light and evil God of darkness. They viewed the physical world as a veil of tears created by Lucifer. Lansing translated a Latin text describing Italian Cathar belief:

In the beginning, there were two principles, good and evil….The devil, termed the great dragon, and Lucifer, together, created the world in six days, with the God of light permitting them to do so.
-–13th century document quoted by Carol Lansing in Power and Purity, 1998, pp. 84-85.

The text explained also that Lucifer created Adam from earth. Lucifer, using trickery and violence, trapped one of the angelic spirits, who was loyal to the God of light, in this mortal, human body. This theology thus explained that humans have a basically good or angelic nature; however, they are deceived about their angelic nature and about the corrupt nature of the physical world.

I do not claim that Leland’s Aradia represents a lost Cathar text, simply that the Italian folklore in Leland’s Aradia apparently preserved some elements of this Cathar dualism.

Diana, the primary deity, divided herself into the two principles of light and darkness. Darkness tricked the light into having intercourse and thus created Aradia/Herodias.

In an interesting twist, Lucifer, the light-bearer, was identified with the light, and clearly identified with the pre-Christian sun God, Apollo. However, Lucifer remained something of a minor figure. For example, no incantations were addressed to him. (There is one invocation to Cain in Chapter II for the witch meeting night assembly.) Lucifer primarily served as agent for Diana’s pregnancy. Aradia/Herodias was not created by parthogenesis, but by a dualistic union of opposites.

These similarities point to a possible Cathar influence, which Leland seems to have been unaware of. Robert E. Chartowich, Enigmas of Aradia, in the Pazzaglini A New Translation described something in the text which appeared to indicate a Gnostic influence in Chapter I, lines 30-34.

And when the priests or the nobility
Shall say to you that you should put your faith
In the Father, Son, and Mary, then reply
Your God, the Father, and Maria are
Three devils… (p. 131)

Chartowich observed that the Holy Spirit was not cursed. Indeed, the Holy Spirit was not even present in these three lines, which is odd in that the Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Curiously, the Virgin Mary is cursed along with God the Son (Jesus), and God the Father.

Chartowich also observed that according to Gnostics the Holy Spirit was Sophia, the spirit of Gnosis. Thus he stated that a Gnostic would never curse the Holy Spirit.

This observation and Chartowich’s accompanying speculation about the verse as evidence of Gnostic influence is certainly interesting.

What is an even more interesting speculation is that likewise a Cathar might not have wanted to curse the Holy Spirit either.

The 13th century document, quoted earlier by Lansing, also stated that the Holy Spirit "…and none other has salvation." Power and Purity, 1998, p. 86.

Admittedly such speculations are highly speculative. To be honest, we can’t be certain that any Cathar would have been willing to curse Jesus, God the Father, and Mary either.

The Italian Cathars did revile the Catholic cult of saints, which claimed the physical body of a saint remained incorrupt in death and performed miracles. The Cathar Perfecti maintained the entire physical world, including bodies, were corrupt.

If this passage does represent a Cathar influence, it might represent a twisting of Cathar doctrine by Catholic propaganda.

Conclusions

Was Aradia actually an ancient Etruscan or Italic Goddess? What Roman or Classical influences can be found in the text? Aradia has several connections to ancient Goddesses. Diana was an Italic Goddess of great antiquity. Hecate had been adopted into the Roman pantheon. Abundantia was a minor Roman Goddess. Another Goddess, Dea Dia, who had similarities to Diana, was certainly one of the early Goddesses of Italy.

Aradia’s name may only date back to the 19th century. Alternatively, the name Aradia may be a variation of Erodiade, which is from the 10th century. It is also possible Aradia’s name derives from the figure in Sardinian folklore, "Araja." From the lack of information about the Etruscans, any links to an Etruscan Goddess are at best tenuous.

Other Roman or classical influences in this text may include Lucifer’s association with a mouse, which may be related to Apollo Smintheus, "Mouse Apollo." Apollo had been adopted into the Roman pantheon. In Roman times, Diana was particularly petitioned to protect crops from damage by storm.

Did this Vangelo or "Gospel of the Witches" truly represent evidence of a surviving 19th century faction of la vecchia religione? Did this unusual collection of stories and spells represent fragments of a secret document of the streghe or witches? Leland stated he was never shown an old manuscript and explained that Maddalena had given him written pieces and explained the rest orally. Hence there is no proof that there was an intact secret document of the streghe.

Without question, there were pre-Christian survivals in Italian culture. However, many survivals seem to be part of an under layer of folklore, not an organized surviving 19th century faction of la vecchia religione.

Was a garbled form of Paganism woven in from ideas resurrected during the Italian Renaissance? It is possible that some influences from the Italian Renaissance became woven into Italian folklore, which Leland later collected in the 19th century. Some certainly may have, but not all. The Italian Renaissance began in Tuscany in the 14th century. Legends about Diana and the night flight and the night assembly were circulating in the 10th century.

Did Leland collect, via his informant, some rare pieces of authentic Italian folklore? How should we judge Maddalena’s original material, the Vangelo, to the extent we can recover it from Leland’s book? Was Maddalena providing Leland with some family legends along with her personal interpretation of them? Leland, via his informant Maddalena, did collect and record some rare pieces of genuine, authentic folklore. He assembled these fragments in an atypical way. Likely, Maddalena had purposely searched out pieces of folklore with items she believed contained pre-Christian elements.

Was Aradia a 14th century Witch Queen and leader of the Society of Diana? There is no proof that there was a living woman who took the name Aradia, Erodiade, or Herodiana and acted as a Witch Queen in the 14th century. There were many historical references to a Society of Diana and/or cult of Herodias. However, whether stories refer to pure legend or anything factual remains unknown.

What influences are due to Italian Catholicism and Italian Christian heresy? Surprise, there are a number of Catholic influences in the text. Aside from the names of Cain and Herodias, which are Biblical, Diana’s only daughter, Aradia, was presented as a female messiah who brings the salvation of practicing her mother’s witchcraft to the people.

There is also a dualistic element which points to a possible influence of the Italian Cathars.

Were other influences part of the pattern of ideas found in the text? Leland’s own pre-conceived ideas about witchcraft, some of which were influenced by Michelet, also affected how Leland reassembled the pieces of folklore Maddalena provided him with.

A great deal more could be written about Leland’s Aradia. I have pointed out a few pieces of potsherds from this powerful mosaic in order to examine the whole.

Copyright October 2007 Myth Woodling

J. B. Andrews, Neapolitan Witchcraft, 1897.

Folk-Lore Society (Great Britain), Folk-Lore Society, Quarterly Review on Myth, Tradition, Institution, & Custom, Vol. XL, 1900.

Rosemary Ellen Guiley, The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, 1989.

Carol Lansing, Power and Purity, 1998.

Charles G. Leland, Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches, A New Translation by Mario Pazzaglini, PhD and Dina Pazzaglini, 1998.

Sabina Magliocco, Who Was Aradia? The History and Development of a Legend, The Pomegranate: The Journal of Pagan Studies, Issue 18, February 2002.

Jeffrey B. Russell, A History of Witchcraft, 1980.

Myth's Notes

Yes, I am writing a Myth' Notes comment upon my own article.

In "Understanding Leland's Aradia" I made a point of not speculating on the nature of Aradia, Diana, Hecate, etc. in Wicca. That was not within the scope of a brief historical look at Leland's text and the possible influences that contributed to the materials collected in that text.

There was a quote from Bonewits’ Essential Guide to Witchcraft and Wicca (2006). I can’t find the darned book right now, so I’ll paraphrase from memory.

The Neo-Pagan/Wiccan movement was created by poets, dreamers, storytellers, romantics, and rascals.

According to Leland, poets, dreamers, storytellers, romantics, and rascals all belong to the moon.

My personal concept is perhaps when Leland took fragments of Italtian folklore he reassembled them attempting to reconstruct an older patturn. He assumed that ancient lore was buried inside pieces of contemporary folklore. He was picking out the older pieces and attempting to put it back together. This type of reconstruction by 19th century folklorists was very common. Metphorically speaking he saw the fragments collected for him by Maddalena as parts of a larger and older whole like relics of Pompeii burried under the ash of Vesuvius. Leland, therefore, was attempting to complete a pattern using potsherds from different pots. If Leland and Maddalena assembled pieces of genuine folklore together in an atypical way, that without intending to they created a new mosaic.

I do not say this to discredit Leland. On the contrary, I think Leland managed to record some rather intriguing ideas and pieces of lore. In assembling the fragments in an atypical way, he created a distintily poweful mystical mosaic.

It is my suspision that Leland may have, himself, belonged to the Moon, being born on Diana's feast day (August 15) as well as being a romantic.

In any case it is my theological opinion that he tapped into something very real while assembling this mosaic, and that in doing so he gave us an important message from the Goddess. Such opinions belong to theology, not history. Hence, they are not discusted in "Understanding Leland's Aradia."

Recognizing Alternative Medicine in the Medical Community

2009-02-10T13:24:00.001-08:00

Many doctors in today’s society discredit the use of natural supplements and other alternative medicines. In fact many believe that it is all a pack of lies. A prime example is quack.com.
“Naturopathy, sometimes referred to as "natural medicine," is a largely pseudoscientific approach said to "assist nature", "support the body's own innate capacity to achieve optimal health" , and "facilitate the body's inherent healing mechanisms." Naturopaths assert that diseases are the body's effort to purify itself, and that cures result from increasing the patient's "vital force." They claim to stimulate the body's natural healing processes by ridding it of waste products and "toxins." At first glance, this approach may appear sensible. However, a close look will show that naturopathy's philosophy is simplistic and that its practices are riddled with quackery.”
I am assuming that Stephen Barrett, M.D. has never witnessed the beneficial results of a homeopathic healer. He has probably only witnessed what people have done to themselves trying to use these remedies on their own without the many years of study that is necessary to make a working remedy. Many modern doctors are ignorant and stubborn when it comes to alternative therapies because they were not taught them. People feel uncomfortable when something changes, but I believe that it is a time for a healthier change in medical practices.
These discredits are not only for Homeopathic healers but chiropractors, acupuncturists, aroma therapists, energy healers, hands on healers, massage therapists, and practitioners of Ancient Chinese medicine. These are only a few examples of the many healers that the medical community discredits. Yet many of these practices were here long before “traditional” medicine was even thought of. In fact many of the medicines that are prescribed today were discovered by herbalists centuries ago. A few examples of these are digitalis, which is found in the foxglove, salicin in white willow bark, and penicillin which is found in a mold. Digitalis is used to treat heart conditions and is in many of today’s medicines. Salicin is the active ingredient in aspirin and has been used since the ancient Egyptians discovered it, and penicillin is a wonderful antibiotic which was found in a mold that grows on certain breads and fruit. Not only have some of the most useful drugs come from nature but they are also much healthier for your body if taken as a whole plant, seed, leaf, etc.
Harnessing the chemicals in plants and making them more concentrated in pills seems like a wonderful idea, but in isolating the chemical wanted they have left out the other chemicals that nature put in the plant to help balance it. White willow bark does not cause stomach discomfort or wearing away of the mucosal layers of the stomach as aspirin does. This is because of the balance that Gaia put into every one of her creations. This however does not mean that you can eat anything you want in nature. In the right –or wrong perhaps- dose anything can be detrimental to your health if not deadly. In fact just handling some plants can cause rashes and even poisoning. That is why we need professionals who know what they are doing.

These facts have led me to think that it is high time that alternative healers got their due. Although there will still be complaints from regular doctors, it is time to move forward and establish a health agency just for natural medicine, and although there are colleges that do teach forms of natural medicine, there should be med schools that cater only to the natural healer. The “traditional” doctors can deny credit for only so long.

~SilverThorn

References
Barrett M.D., Stephen. "A close look at Naturopathy." naturowatch.com. 23 12 2003. 10 Feb 2009 .

Medicinal Oils & Remedies

2009-02-05T12:03:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

Essential Oils for Cold and Flu

Here are the some of the best choices in anti viral oils.

# Ravansara
# Eucalyptus Radiata
# Tea Tree

They help fight viral infections and support the immune system. Mix 10 drops in 1 Tablespoon carrier oil and massage upper chest and back. or Place 3 drops on a tissue and inhale, pause and inhale again.

Essential Oils for Congestion

# Eucalyptus Globulous
# Eucalyptus Radiata
# Rosemary
# Lavender Spike
# Tea Tree

They loosen congestion, help fight viral and bacterial infections while lifting the spirits. Mix 10 drops in 1 Tablespoon carrier oil and massage upper chest and back. or Place 3 drops on a tissue and inhale, pause and inhale again.

Cold and Flu Fighter

# 4 drops Sweet Eucalyptus (unrectified is best)
# 4 drops Scotch Pine
# 3 drops Lemon

Add to a large bowl of steaming water. Covering your head lean over the bowl and inhale deeply for 2-5 minutes. May also be added to a diffuser or vaporizer. For Children Use Eucalyptus Smithi, a mild Eucalyptus for children and the elderly.

Essential Oils for Headache

# Peppermint
# Lavender
# Roman Chamomile

Put 1 drop of essential oil on each temple and at the nape of the neck. or mix 5 drops of Lavender and 1 drop of Peppermint into 1 Tablespoon carrier oil or lotion and massage neck and shoulders.

Essential Oils for Body Aches

# Lavender
# Roman Chamomile
# Sweet Marjoram

Help to soothe aches and pains. Mix 10 drops of essential oil in 2 Tablespoons of carrier oil or lotion and massage areas of discomfort.

Cellulite Blend

This mixture stimulates circulation.

# Eucalyptus Citriodora 2 ml
# Lemon 2 ml
# Cedarwood 2ml
# Sage 2ml
# Cypress 2 ml
# Niaouli 2ml
# 100 ml Hazelnut oil

Apply 2-3 times per days for 30 days.

Holiday Bath Salts

# 2 C epsom salts
# 1/2 C sea salt
# 4-6 drops peppermint oil
# 2-3 drops red food coloring

Place 1 C of epsom salt and 1/4 C sea salt in a bowl. Add 2-3 drops peppermint oil. Place the remaining ingredients in a second bowl. Mix all ingredients well. Layer the red and white salts in a clear bottle or jar. I placed the lid on the jar and then put a paper doily over the lid, tied a red ribbon and a candy cane around the lid/doily. With the red and white layering, it makes an attractive presentation. Since peppermint is an energizing scent perhaps it's a good one to use at this busy time of year.

A homemade inhaler

It is very easy to stick in a pocket or purse is made by simply saving an empty chap stick tube. Wash out with hot soap and water to remove all traces of chap stick and let air dry. Next put a piece of cotton in the inhaler and measure the drops of essential oils for your blend directly on the cotton.

Menstrual cramps

Menstrual cramps respond to essential oils especially when used in a warm bath with Epsom and Sea Salt.

Essential Oils useful for cramps are:

# Chamomile
# Cypress
# Basil
# Carrot Seed
# Frankincense
# Clary
# Sage
# Juniper
# Jasmine
# Lavender
# Marjoram
# Nutmeg
# Peppermint
# Rosemary

For leg discomfort

# 5 drops Lavender
# 2 drops Cypress
# 2 drops Nutmeg
# 2 drops Peppermint

add to bath salts, soak for 20 min. Rest afterwards, elevating your legs.

Vaginal Dryness

Mix 2 parts Jojoba Oil with 1 part melted Cocoa Butter to make 1 ounce. Add, 3 drops Sandalwood and 1 drop Geranium. Stir while warm to an even mix. Allow to cool to solidify. Smooth the mixture with fingers over the tissue two times a day and before intercourse. You may use 1 drop of Neroli in place of Geranium. Completely Safe.

Aromatherapy oils Recipes that soothe the mind, body, and soul

2009-02-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

Relaxation

This blend is for relaxation and stress relief. It will induce a deep relaxation of the tissues, muscles and joints, and re-establish a good energy balance. Blend the following essential oils into one ounce of carrier oil of your choice; Massage as desired. May also be used as a bath oil.

# 3 drops Lavender
# 3 drops Tangerine
# 3 drops Marjoram
# 1 drop Chamomile

Control Pet Odor

Try this natural and aromatic spray. Pour the essential oils into a 1-oz spray bottle filled with water. Shake very vigorously several times before each use. Spray directly onto your dog, holding the bottle about 10 inches from him. Avoid spraying on the head and eyes.

# 10 drops Lavender
# 10 drops Geranium
# 6 drops Lemon

Bath Mush

# 1/4 cup aloe gel (the pure kind from the health food store)
# 1/4 cup honey
# 1/4 cup sea or rock salt
# 1/4 cup heavy cream or powdered milk
# 2 t. jojoba oil (optional)
# 5 drops essential oil

Sounds like a gooey mess, doesn't it? But it works wonders on your skin. It leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth. This is a blend made right before the bath. I guess it could be stored in the refrigerator for abut a week, but that sounds a little yucky to me. All measurements are approximate since I usually just "eyeball" it. You have to stir it well when you pour it into the bath water to make it disperse, but it's worth it.

Rosemary Mist

Brace yourself This sense-stimulating mist is a superb post-shower, after you've toweled off but skin is still a bit damp. In spray bottle place:

# 5 ounces distilled water
# 1 tsp olive oil
# 6 drops rosemary essential oil
# 1 sprig fresh rosemary

Shake well to mix -- spritz on as desired.

Eucalyptus oil

An effective analgesic and often used to relieve muscle, nerve and joint pain. Apply a massage oil to the affected area before a warm bath, then massage the area again after your bath. I like a blend of Lavender and Eucalyptus for even better results. When massaging small areas like a shoulder you can double the amount of essential oils used. ex. 20-30 drops per 1 oz. carrier oil

Holiday Bookmarks

If you're giving a book as a holiday gift why not add a bookmark to which you've added a few drops of essential oils. Try to choose something that will appeal to most folks like Orange or maybe a blend of Lavender and Tangerine. The Orange is great for kids. Create a bookmark for students adding oils to help them study, Peppermint, Rosemary and Basil will help keep them alert. Add a bottle of the essential oil so they can refresh their bookmark. Maybe spice oils for a cookbook. The possibilities are endless.

Fall & Holiday Blends

Frankincense is a great essential oil to use this time of year however it is best used in a blend with other oils as it's scent will remind you of being in church! Use 1 drop of Frankincense with perhaps Orange (Clementine would be great!) and Spruce ( Pine or Fir). Add some spice oils, Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Clove. Experiment with other oils. Use in a diffuser or aroma lamp.

Homemade Skin Toner

# 2 oz. Green Tea
# 5 drops Lavender essential oil
# 5 drops Geranium essential oil

Mix up this bottle of tea and essential oils to balance the pH of your skin after cleansing. It's easy... it's cooling... and it leaves your skin feeling refreshed! Place the ingredients in a glass bottle. Essential oils do not dissolve in water or tea so be sure to shake this mixture well before each use to make sure the essential oils are dispersed. Use a cotton pad to apply to face and neck area after cleansing. Yum!!

Bath Melts

# 2 parts cocoa butter
# 2 parts baking soda
# 1 part citric acid
# powdered herbs color (optional)
# EO(s) or FO(s) (your preference)

Melt the cocoa butter add EO(s) and color if you wish. then add powdered ingredients, stir then pour into molds. Let sit in fridge or freezer until set then pop out of molds and let sit for a day or two.

Fragrant Bath Fizzies

# 1 cup baking soda
# 1 /2 cup cornstarch
# 1 /2 cup citric acid
# 15 drops essential oil
# food color, 10 drops (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Add food coloring to a small amount of the mix in a separate bowl. Add colored mix to remaining mix and blend. Mist the salts with a mister enough so that they hold together but not enough to start fizzing. Pack these salts into a soap mold. Flip over onto a piece of waxed paper and allow molded fizzie to dry overnight.

Fizzy Bath Kisses

# Cocoa Butter
# 2 oz Baking Soda--2 oz
# Citric Acid--2 oz
# Oatmeal, powdered--3 Tbsp
# Food Color--10 drops (optional)
# Bergamot--10 drops
# Rose--5 drops
# Ylang-Ylang--10 drops

Melt cocoa butter (microwave is fine). Add food color and essential oils. Mix well. Add baking soda, citric acid and powdered oatmeal. Stir thoroughly. Pour into molds. Put into freezer to set. (This takes about 10-20 mins.) Remove from molds when set.

Note: Use 1-2 per bath or 3-4 for extra moisturizing.

Aromatherapy Body Powder especially for the feet

# 1 Cup Cornstarch
# 1 Tablespoon Baking Soda
# Essential oils of your choice

In a jar with a tight fitting lid. Add 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oils. Shake well

Buttermilk Bath Salts

# 1 cup Buttermilk Powder
# 1 cup Sea Salt
# Up to 24 drops of essential oils

Blend well, keep in a sealed jar. Use 1/2 cup per bath. This makes enough for 4 baths.

Ginger Body Scrub

Use this one in the morning as the essential oils are invigorating.

# Sea Salt 1/4
# Cup Cornmeal 1/4
# Cup Olive Oil 1/3
# Cup or another base oil
# Ginger 2 drops
# Peppermint 4 drops
# Rosemary 3 drops

Mix salt and cornmeal. Combine warmed oil and essential oils then mix with dry ingredients. Use in the shower or standing in the tub. Apply in circular motions, working from the extremities inward, working towards the center of the body and the heart. Rinse with warm water. Gently pat dry. Your skin will feel smoother and have a nice glow.

Spritzers

Use 4 oz. of distilled water To make a facial mist use 8-10 drops of essential oils per 4 oz. of distilled water. 30-40 drops per 4 oz. for a body spray 80-100 drops per 4 oz. for a room spray

Hot Rock Massage

This is a spa treatment from the Arizona desert. Select a large, flat smooth stone, the size of your palm Heat stone in a low temperature oven until warm but not hot. Rub some scented massage oil into the stone and use this heated rock to give your partner a soothing massage. The heat from the stone relaxes and penetrates the muscles. Use up to 15 drops of essential oil per 1 oz. of unscented oil. Start with less drops, you can always add more. Try Sweet Almond, Grapeseed or Apricot Oil.

Peace and Love Massage Oil

# 3 drops Patchouli
# 3 drops Sandalwood
# 1 oz.Unscented base oil

So Easy to Make Bath Salts

# 1 cup Sea Salt
# 1 cup Epsom Salt
# 1 cup Baking Soda Your favorite essential oils

Try French Lavender, Rose Geranium and Ylang Ylang Extra You'll want about 6 drops of essential oils per 1/4 cup salt blend Use 1/4 cup per bath. This makes enough for several baths.

Germ Fighter Spray

We've all been told to wash our hands more frequently. Here is an antiseptic, germ fighting spray to use on cuts and scrapes. May also be used as a room spray.

# 12 drops Tea Tree
# 6 drops Eucalyptus Unrectified
# 6 drops Lemon
# 2 oz. distilled water

Combine ingredients and add to spray bottle. Shake gently before use.

Rose Otto

The intoxicating aroma of Rose-Otto oil makes it an effective aphrodisiac. Rose-Otto oil exerts its effects on both mind and body. It acts to both relieve stress and relax the spirit. For a relaxing bath, mix three drops of Turkish Rose-Otto in three and a half Tbsp. of heavy cream and add to the bathwater. For a truly sensuous scent, add a few drops of Sandalwood or Jasmine.

Scented Beeswax Heart

Scent a room with this decorative accent. Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape from a sheet of natural beeswax. Wrap the heart in cheesecloth and infuse it with a few drops of Rose Otto. Place the wrapped heart in a plastic bag for a week. Remove and discard the cloth and glue a ribbon hanger to the back of the heart. You can even decorate it with dried flowers and a bow. Hang it in the kitchen or even the bath!!

Relaxing Lavender Honey Bath

Did you know that Honey has a calming effect? Combined with pure essential oil of Lavender it's a yummy bath treatment. Why not try it tonight!
# 2 oz. of Honey
# 5 drops Lavender

Combine in a jar. use 1 -2 Tablespoons per bath.

Vanilla Rose Bath Fizz

Blend one half cup baking soda and one fourth cup each cornstarch and citric acid in a glass bow. Add one teaspoon each melted cocoa butter and Vanilla essential oil and one half teaspoon Rose Otto oil. Mix well. Slowly blend in one teaspoon rose water. Pack mixture into molds, turn out on waxed paper to dry for 24 hours, then store in airtight container. Add one fizz to a warm bath and Enjoy!

Ice Candles

Melt one pound of paraffin in a double boiler. Cut a milk carton to height desired, center a taper candle inside, then fill with crushed ice. Add six drops Spearmint essential oil and a sprinkling of glitter to the cooling paraffin.....pour the paraffin into the carton. Let cool, then pour off the water and tear away the carton to reveal a candle that glistens like ice

How to Make Scented Rocks

Place rocks in a bowl or dish to scent a room. A nice alternative to potpourri!

# 1/2 cup plain flour
# 1/2 cup salt
# 1/4 teaspoon essential oil (your favorite scent)
# 2/3 cups boiling water
# Food coloring, if desired

In bowl, mix dry ingredients well. Add essential oil, and boiling water to dry ingredients. (Scent will be strong, but will fade slightly when dry.)

For colored stones, blend in food coloring, one drop at a time until desired shade is reached. Blend ingredients, and form balls into different shape and sizes to look like stones. Allow stones to dry.

Lemon Citrus Soak

Lemons have been used for hand and nail care for centuries. Lemon Juice and the essential oil of Lemon whitens nails while stimulating healthy growth. Try this Refreshing Citrus Soak

# 8 oz. spring water
# 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel
# 10 drops Lemon Juice

Mix and soak fingertips for 10 minutes.

Fireplace Oils

When making Holiday logs use 1 drop of essential oil per log and only one log per fire. After applying the essential oil to the log be sure to let it sit for enough time that the essential oil soaks through the log. Some choices are Sandalwood, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cypress, and Cedarwood.

Cornmeal Face Scrub

Essential Oils can be incorporated into many facial products. A facial scrub to try includes:

# 1/4 cup yogurt
# 1/4 cup cornmeal
# 5 drops Lavender essential oil
# 5 drops Patchouli essential oil
# 5 drops Grapefruit essential oil

Mix together and refrigerate a couple of hours before using. Store in the refrigerator.

A CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI

# 3 c Fresh juniper sprigs -with berries
# 2 c Red rosebuds
# 1 c Bay leaves
# 1/4 c Cinnamon chips
# 2 tb Cloves
# 10 Drops rose oil
# 3 Drops pine oil
# 6 Drops cinnamon oil
# 1 tb Orrisroot chips
# 5 Whole dried rose blossoms
# 3 Three-inch cinnamon sticks
# 20 Assorted pinecones, -painted gold

Combine the juniper, rosebuds, bay leaves, cinnamon chips, cloves, and cones in a big ceramic bowl. In a separate dish, mix the oils with the orrisroot. Stir this mixture into the first one and put into a closed container to mellow for a few weeks, stirring occasionally. Place the potpourri in a dish and scatter the roses blossoms and cinnamon sticks on top.

Christmas Spice Potpourri

# 2 cups dried pink rose petals and buds
# 1/2 cup dried bay leaves, crumbled
# 1/2 cup dried orange peel
# 1/2 cup dried pomegranate slices, chopped
# 1 Tablespoon grated nutmeg
# 1/2 cup small pine cones
# 1/2 Tablespoon orris root power
# 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
# 1/2 teaspoon mixed spices, lightly crushed: mustard seed, black, green and white peppercorns, red spindle berries, juniper berries
# 10 drops frankincense essential oil
# 5 drops clove essential oil
# 20 drops orange essential oil
# 5 drops myrrh essential oil

Frankincense Soap

Wrap unscented purchased soap with cheesecloth, then sprinkle the wrapped bar with a few drops of frankincense essential oil. Place the soap in an airtight container for a month, then discard wrapping. You can decorate the soap with silver or gold leaf applied in a random pattern. Dampen the soap before applying metallic leaf! This makes a gorgeous gift!

Scented Holiday Cards

Make your Christmas/Holiday cards extra special this year. Place 1 drop of any holiday blend on the inside corner of each card. Seal and send as usual. What a nice surprise for the recipient! Some oils to use: we like our Celebration blend with Cinnamon, Orange Clove but a Evergreen blend is also nice.

Frankincense and Myrrh Soap Balls

Making your own soap can be a complicated process. However......this is a very simple way of introducing your favorite smells to a basic, fragrance-free soap, using a combination of nourishing vegetable oil, oatmeal as a natural exfoliant and healing and nourishing honey!! The soaps are scented with the heavenly combination of frankincense and myrrh. The spicy, woody scent of frankincense is uplifting, while the balsamic, must scent of myrrh is known to be anti-fungal and healing.

# 9 ounces of pure, unscented soap
# 4 fl. ounces water
# 1 tablespoon honey
# 1 tablespoon finely ground oatmeal
# 1 teaspoon sweet almond or apricot kernel oil
# 12 drops myrrh essential oil
# 8 drops frankincense essential oil.
# Cheese grater (fine)
# Bain-Marie(double boiler with a ceramic insert to evenly disperse gentle heat)
# Wooden Spoon
# Dried herbs (optional)

Grate the soap with a fine cheese grater. Place the soap in the bain-marie with the water. Gently heat over a low least. Gradually the mixture will form a thick and fairly sticky paste. When the soap has melted, add the honey, oatmeal, oil and dried herbs(optional) and mix in well. Transfer to a clean bowl and then add in the essential oils. Mix very thoroughly! Have a bowl of water on hand to wet your hands. Then take a small handful of the mixture and mold into round balls. You will be able to make approximately 2 large balls or 5 or so of the smaller ones. Place on a sheet of grease-proof paper and leave it to harden for a week or so. Or.......you can put the mixture in a shaped mold!

Soap of the Magi

# 5 Ounces Glycerine Soap
# 1/8 teaspoon Myrrh Oil
# 1/8 teaspoon Frankincense Oil
# Bronze and Gold Mica Dust
# Ultra fine gold fabric glitter
# Oval soap mold

Melt 1/2 of the soap. Stir in the Frankincense oil and Gold mica dust. Pour into 2 molds filling only half way. Melt the other 1/2 of the soap. Stir in Myrrh oil and Bronze mica dust. Spoon over 1st layer of soap. Set, unmold. Give the bars a light dusting of the gold glitter and you have a soap of gold, frankincense and Myrrh the gifts of the Magi. If you've frozen the soap allow it to thaw and dry before adding the glitter or wrapping.

Cover-all scent

A blend of equal parts of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, and Rosemary oils.

Developed according to the legend about the four thieves in 15th century England who used these and other aromatics to protect themselves while robbing plague victims.

Bath Cookies

Do not eat these!
# 2 Cups Rock Salt
# ½ Cup Baking Soda
# ½ Cup Cornstarch
# 2 Tablespoons Almond Oil
# 1 Teaspoon Vitamin E Oil
# 1-2 Eggs
# 6 Drops Essential Oil

Mix together and then cut out with cookie cutters in the shape you want. Bake at 350 degree 10 - 12 minutes Allow to cool. Use 1-2 per bath keep in an air tight container. These are perishable because of the eggs so use them up or give as gifts.

Essential oils for aromatherapy What can a smell do?

2009-02-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

Below is a list of some of the more common oils and their properties. These can be ordered quite easily from any essential oil distributor.

CEDARWOOD (Cedrus atlantica)

# Character: confident, firmly rooted; spiritual strength.
# Cedar wood (also called Libanol) is distilled from the wood of the cedar tree. it is one of the oldest essential oils, used in North Africa as a perfume and medicine. In Ancient Egypt it was used both for preserving mummies and as massage oil. In the nineteenth century it was found to have antiseptic properties.
# Aroma: Harmonious, woody, soft.
# Properties: Antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, emollient, fungicide, harmonising, insecticide, sedative, tonic.
# Physical conditions: Eliminatory system: cystitis, relieves burning pain; kidney tonic
# Respiratory system: helpful with asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, coughs
# Musculoskeletal system: may ease chronic arthritic and rheumatic pains
# Nervous system: relaxing and calming
# Skin: good for acne, oily skin, irritation
# Scalp and hair: dandruff, seborrhoea.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Focuses attention when lacking concentration; for scattered thoughts, day-dreaming, living in future. Calms anxiety and nervous tension.
# Other uses: Combine with Sandalwood for room fragrance for meditation.
# Applications: Bath. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with Sandalwood.

CHAMOMILE (Anthemis mixta)

# Character: Soothing yet strong.
# Chamomile oil is distilled from the white flower heads of the Chamomile herb. There are many types of Chamomile, including Roman, German, and Wild or Moroccan Chamomile. Some are anti-inflammatory, containing azulenes or bisabolene. Wild or Moroccan Chamomile has long been used in the medicine of North Africa.
# Aroma: Fresh, herbaceous, tea-like, ardent.
# Properties: Antispasmodic, calming, cicatrisant, comforting, febrifuge, sedative of nervous system, warming.
# Physical conditions: Digestion: colic, colitis, diarrhoea, gastritis, ulcers
# Eliminatory system: bedwetting, cystitis, irritable bowel
# Hormonal system: decongestant, good for hot flushes
# Musculoskeletal system: used for low back pain, rheumatism, sprains
# Nervous system: helpful for depression, headaches, insomnia, when feeling fragile.
# Mental/emotional conditions: For the highly strung and perhaps over- enthusiastic; impulsiveness in helping others; living on nerves and straining energies to their limits.
# Applications Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Footbath. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Geranium, Lavender, Ylang Ylang

CLARY SAGE (Salvia sclarea)

# Character: Benevolent.
# Clary Sage is distilled from the lilac flowering tops of a biennial herb with large wrinkled leaves, growing in England, Europe, Russia and the USA. It is related to, but different from, the common sage used in cooking. The name Salvia derives from the Latin for 'good health' and the word 'clary' meaning 'clear'; the seeds were once used in a remedy to clear particles from the eyes. Clary Sage can have euphoric effects, and from the 16th century was added to beer by some brewers.
# Aroma: Light, spicy, like drying hay.
# Properties: Antidepressant, antiseptic, carminative, deodorant, sedative, tonic. Regulatory and balancing. Strongly sedative, but sometimes with euphoric effects.
# Physical conditions: Hair: encourages growth.
# *Hormonal system: regulates hormones, helpful for premenstrual tension and painful periods, also frigidity. Encourages labour.
# Musculoskeletal system: relieves cramp, muscle spasm
# Nervous system: exhaustion; insomnia from over-work; headaches; migraines
# Respiratory system: asthma, throat infections
# Skin: excessive perspiration
# *Use with caution: can cause excessive bleeding.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Particularly indicated for times of change, domestic, occupational and biological, and when having difficulty in adjusting to changes in life.
# Other uses: Aphrodisiac. Restorative when convalescing.
# Applications:* Bath. Hair oil/rinse. Massage. Room fragrance 'Can cause drowsiness; best not used before driving or drinking alcohol.
# Blends well with: Rosemary, Ylang Ylang.

CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens)

# Character: Solemn, firm, upright, astringent.
# Cypress oil is distilled from the wood of the majestic cypress tree, which grows in Europe, particularly around the Mediterranean. The tree has been venerated since ancient times, and gave its name to the island of Cyprus. It has also been associated with burial grounds since Greek and Roman days, and is traditionally believed to have supplied the wood for Christ's Cross. Known for its astringent properties, the oil is often used today in perfumery, especially men's cosmetics.
# Aroma: Refreshing, woody, spicy.
# Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, deodorant, toning, vasoconstrictor
# Physical conditions: Circulation: haemorrhoids, nosebleeds, varicose veins; cellulitis
# Eliminatory system: bedwetting; frequent urination; excessive perspiration
# Hormonal system: hormone imbalance; PMT; heavy periods; painful periods; menopause Hair and scalp: dandruff with oily scalp
# Musculoskeletal system: cramps, rheumatism
# Nervous system: warms coldness in nervous system
# Skin: can benefit mature, oily and sweaty skin. Helps heal wounds.
# Mental/emotional conditions: For fear of what others think; inability to with-stand pressure from others of more dominant personality.
# Other uses: Insecticide; deodorant; male toiletry.
# Applications: Bath. Face lotion. Facial steaming. Hair oil/rinse. Inhalation. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Frankincense, Juniper, Lemon.

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus globulus)

# Character: Harmonising, vigorous, deeply grounded.
# Eucalyptus, or Blue Gum is one of the most widely used essential oils; a constituent of cold remedies and inhalants, and strongly antiseptic. The oil is distilled from the blue-green leaves of the Eucalyptus tree, which grows to a great height in warm regions. A native of Tasmania, its leaves were used by the Aboriginals as a dressing for wounds. It was introduced to Europe in the eighteenth century.
# Aroma: Resinous, camphorous, clear, powerful.
# Properties: Analgesic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, decongestant, deodorising, energy balancing, insecticide.
# Physical conditions: Eliminatory system: cystitis; diarrhoea
# Musculoskeletal system: muscular aches and pains; rheumatism (combined with Lemon and Juniper); sciatica
# Nervous system: neuralgia
# Respiratory system: asthma; bronchitis; catarrh; colds; cold with headache; sinusitis
# skin: burns; inflammatory conditions; insect bites; skin eruptions
# Mental/emotional conditions: Cools heated emotions; balances extreme moods, highs and lows occurring for no apparent reason; aids concentration.
# Other uses: Insect repellent.
# Applications: Bath. inhalation. Massage
# Blends well with: Rosemary, Cedar, Marjoram.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii)

# Character: Inspiring and contemplative.
# Frankincense, or Olibanum is distilled from the resin of a small desert tree growing in the Middle East and North Africa. Famous as a birth gift to the infant Jesus, it has had religious and therapeutic uses for centuries. The Ancient Egyptians burned it in religious ceremonies, and also used it in massage and to rejuvenate the skin. Today it is used as an incense in many religions.
# Aroma: Spicy, resinous, balsamic, almost lemony.
# Properties: Antiseptic, calming, cooling, drying, fortifying, revitalising, stimulating, tonic; uplifting.
# Physical conditions: Circulation: haemorrhoids; nosebleeds
# Digestive system: indigestion
# Eliminatory system: cystitis
# Nervous system: chilliness
# Respiratory system: asthma; bronchitis; catarrh; congested lungs; shortness of breath
# Skin: acne scarring; ageing; cracked; oily; wrinkles.
# Mental/emotional conditions: For over-attachment to the past; burn-out, with no conditions: reserves; depression; exhaustion and mental fatigue; fears; insecurity; nightmares; panic.
# Other uses: Aid to meditation and spiritual development.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Cypress, Orange, Tangerine, Sandalwood.

GERANIUM (Pelargonium roseum)

# Character: Adaptable; strong when pure, sweetens with dilution.
# Geranium, or Rose Geranium is distilled from the fragrant leaves of the Pelargonium, a herbaceous plant with pink flowers. The oil is often obtained from France, Madagascar, and Morocco and other warm climates. Geranium was once used as a general healing herb for wounds, fractures, cholera, etc. The oil has beneficial effects on most skin conditions and stimulates the lymphatic system. It is widely used in soaps and perfumes. It is one of the balancing oils; harmonising extreme conditions, both physical and emotional.
# Aroma: Sweet, fruity, rose-like.
# Properties: Analgesic, antidepressant, astringent. balancing, diuretic, harmonising, insecticide, tonic, vasoconstrictor.
# Physical conditions: Circulatory system: a tonic, helps relieve fluid retention and lymphatic congestion
# Eliminatory system: a tonic for the liver and kidneys
# Hormonal system: regulatory, useful for PMT, painful breasts, irregular or heavy periods, menopausal symptoms
# Hair and scalp: balances sebum; helps clear head lice
# Nervous system: cases neuralgia and fatigue
# Skin: good for all types of skin condition including dermatitis, blotches and eczema, and in skin lotion. Effective in mouth and throat infections. *N.B. May irritate some skins; patch-test first.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Anti-depressant. Quells acute fright, when totally rigid with fear; escalating anxiety when an emergency arises. Balances extreme moods.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Hair oil/ rinse. Inhalation. Massage. Mouthwash. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Most oils, particularly Cedar, Cypress, Lavender, Rosemary.

JUNIPER (juniperus communis)

# Character: Rough, bitter but consoling.
# Juniper is distilled from the berries or twigs of the juniper tree, a grey green leafed tree which grows in many parts of the world, thriving in Arctic conditions. Juniper oil has traditionally been used as an antiseptic by many cultures, and in the past was a constituent of herbal medicines for the plague, cholera, typhoid fever and even diabetes. It has also been noted for its reviving qualities, and today is well-known as an ingredient of gin.
# Aroma: Green, herbaceous, refreshing.
# Properties: Antiseptic, anti-rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, cleansing, detoxifying, diuretic, insecticide, stimulant, tonic.
# Physical conditions: Circulation: a blood-purifier
# Digestive system: generally beneficial; detoxifying, cleanses liver after rich food and too much alcohol
# Eliminatory system: decongestant and diuretic, good for cystitis, painful urination, kidney problems, cellulitis and fluid retention
# Musculoskeletal system: good for arthritis, cramps, rheumatism, sciatica
# N.B. Prolonged use may over stimulate the kidneys Avoid in casts of serious kidney disease.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Helps to lift guilt, despondency, lack of self-worth; for feeling undeserving of love, and dissatisfied with physical form. Strengthens and supports: good for people in the caring professions.
# Other uses: Hangover; hay fever.
# Applications: Bath. Footbath. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Frankincense, Rosemary.

LAVENDER (Lavandula officinalis, vera

# Character: Mellow, peaceful.
# Lavender oils are distilled from the blue flowering spikes of the lavender bush, just before opening. The plant is widely cultivated in Europe and a hybrid called Lavendin grows wild in the Mediterranean area. The lavender plant has been used in medicine since ancient times, and was introduced to England by the Romans. It has long been known as an antiseptic and an insecticide, and was known for clearing head lice in the 17th century. It is also well known for its skin-healing properties. Lavender oil is invaluable in a home first aid kit, particularly for insect stings, cuts and burns. It is the first choice for insomnia and anxiety, and also boosts the immune system. It is also, of course, a popular constituent of perfumes and cosmetic products.
# Aroma: Clean, balsamic, light, herbaceous.
# Properties: Analgesic, antidepressant, antiseptic, anti-viral, carminative, deodorant, detoxifying, fungicide, insecticide, restorative, sedative. Healing for mind and body.
# Physical conditions: Circulation: relieves chilblains
# Eliminatory system: for pain when urinating
# Hormonal system: helpful for hot flushes
# Hair and scalp: kills head lice; helpful against hair loss
# Immune system: stimulates when below par (indicated by chronic or recurrent infections)
# Musculoskeletal system: relieves arthritic pain, painful joints and sprains
# Nervous system: relaxing and sedative, excellent for insomnia, tension headaches and migraine, and exhaustion
# Respiratory system: relieves sore or dry throat
# Skin : healing and antiseptic for abscesses, acne, dermatitis, eczema, burns, sunburn, cuts, insect stings and bites.
# Mental/emotional conditions. Excellent for all forms of anxiety and tension. For apprehensiveness with vague fears; nightmares and feelings of panic and inner trembling; fear of the dark.
# Other uses: Helpful with tinnitus when sensitive to noise, Counteracts travel sickness.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Footbath. Hair-rinse. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance. A drop or two can be dabbed direct on insect stings; use dilute on burns.
# Blends well with: Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Geranium, juniper.

LEMON (Citrus limonum)

# Character: Fresh, strong, versatile. Adds character; harmonises well.
# Lemon oil is pressed from the lemon rind. Several varieties of lemon tree are grown in warm climates; originating in India it was first brought to Europe by the crusaders, and is widely cultivated in Italy. It has long been used as an antiseptic, particularly for bites by disease-carrying insects. Today it is used as a flavouring in foods and drinks. Aroma: Fresh, clean, refreshing, lively, Properties: Anti-infections, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, detoxifying, diuretic, insecticide, laxative, stimulating, styptic, tonic, refreshing, uplifting. Acts on the physical, mental and spiritual defence systems.
# Physical conditions: Circulation: a good tonic, helps to lower high blood pressure; stems nosebleeds and external bleeding
# Digestion: improves digestion, balances acidity
# Eliminatory system: helpful for cellulitis and fluid retention; generally cleansing and detoxifying
# Hair and scalp: cleanses greasy hair
# Immune system: stimulates when below par (indicated by chronic or recurrent infections)
# Musculoskeletal system: helps relieve aches and pains
# Nervous system: soothes neuralgia
# Respiratory system: relieves colds, sore throats, influenza and coughs
# Skin: clears corns, warts and verrucas; broken veins; clears skin of dead cells.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Refreshing and clarifying; good for feelings of resentment or bitterness about life's experiences; touchiness; when grudging of others' luck or success.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Footbath. Hair oil/rinse. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance. Apply direct to corns, warts and verrucas.
# Blends well with: Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Juniper, Lavender, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

MARJORAM, WOOD OR SPANISH (Thymus mastichina; Majorana sylvestre)

# Character: Gentle, comforting, warming.
# Wood or Spanish Marjoram is distilled from the small, white flowers of the herb which grows in southern Europe and is widely used in flavouring food. The oil is physically and mentally calming and pain-relieving, useful in rheumatic and back pains, and in promoting the circulation.
# Aroma: Warm, herbaceous, with Eucalyptus notes.
# Properties: Analgesic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, calming, carminative, digestive, laxative, restorative, sedative, tonic.
# Physical conditions: Digestion: soothing, may help with indigestion, flatulence and constipation
# Eliminatory system: a decongestant
# Musculoskeletal system: a muscle relaxant; relieves aches and pains, especially when cold and stiff; for stiffness after sport.
# Nervous system: headaches, migraines, insomnia
# Respiratory system: good for bronchitis, chest inflections, colds, sinusitis; clears head congestion.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Soothing and relaxing, good when feeling hostile or withdrawn. For those who find it hard to display emotions. Also for mental strain, hyperactivity, irrational thoughts.
# Applications: Bath. Facial steaming. Footbath. Inhalatiori. Massage. Room fragrance
# Blends well with: Lavender, Lemon.

MINT (Mentha arvensis)

# Character: Hot and cold; stimulating.
# Mint is distilled from the whole herb, an invasive herbaceous plant. There are many species, including Peppermint and Spearmint, all of which are used widely in medicines and in flavouring confectionery, toothpaste, etc. In Greek mythology, Mentha was a nymph, who was pursued by Pluto, the god of the underworld. His jealous wife trod her into the ground, but Pluto ensured her survival by transforming her into the herb. Mint has been used for centuries for digestive problems; in warm climates mint tea is commonly drunk after meals. The oil is also good for aches and pains, and respiratory congestion. It is rich in menthol, often used in imbrications and inhalants. While best known for digestive and respiratory conditions, it has other lesser known but very useful applications.
# Aroma: Minty, fresh, slightly sweet, powerful.
# Properties: Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, clarifying, cooling, detoxifying, deodorising, pain-relieving, refreshing, stimulating, vasoconstrictor.
# Physical conditions: Digestion: useful for bad breath, colic, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, food poisoning, gastritis, indigestion, nausea, nervous dyspepsia, vomiting.
# Eliminatory system: irritable bowel; encourages perspiration
# Musculoskeletal system: anti-inflammatory for muscle aches and pains. Excellent for aching feet
# Nervous system: pain-relieving, cases headaches, migraines
# Respiratory System: clearing for colds, flu and sinus congestion, laryngitis
# Skin: cooling for inflammation, sunburn, irritation; can help dermatitis and ringworm. Balances greasy skin, helps remove blackheads.
# Mental/emotional conditions. For shyness and hypersensitivity to many things; for those dominated by strong likes and dislikes.
# Other uses: Travel sickness; shock, faintness, vertigo.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Footbath. Hair oil/rinse. Inhalation. Massage. Mouthwash. Room fragrance.
# N>B*: Use with caution and dilute well, as this oil is extremely powerful and could cause irritation of skin and mucous membranes.
# Blends well with: Best left alone as it overwhelms other essences.

ORANGE (Citrus aurantia)

# Character: Mellow, warming, soothing.
# Orange oil is expressed from the zest of the orange fruit; the tree originated in China and today is grown widely in hot climates. It was probably brought to Europe by the Crusaders; later it was taken to California by the early missionaries. The oil is used in perfume and for food flavouring. It works well on the emotions, lifting gloom and depression and encouraging a hopeful outlook.
# Aroma: Mellow, fruity, sweet.
# Properties: Anticoagulant, antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, detoxifying, digestive, sedative, tonic.
# Physical conditions: Digestion: calms nervous stomach, dyspepsia, gastric spasm; also helpful for both constipation and diarrhoea
# Eliminatory system: helps sweat out toxins from skin
# Musculoskeletal system: stimulates body tissue repair, relieves muscular aches and pains
# Nervous system: a balancing oil, calming and relaxing as needed; can help insomnia
# Respiratory system: good for bronchitis, colds
# Skin: good for ageing, dry skin, and dermatitis.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Very good for depression, hopelessness, sadness, and lack of joy; energises when apathetic, resigned and unable to make necessary changes. Good during periods of hard work.
# Other uses: Aids absorption of Vitamin C; brings down temperature; energises.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance.
# N.B. Dilute well as high dosage may irritate skin or cause photosensitivity.
# Blends well with: Rosemary, Ylang Ylang.

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)

# Character: Vigorous, penetrating, stimulating.
# Rosemary is distilled from the needle-like leaves of the evergreen bush, which is also a popular kitchen herb. Originating in Asia, rosemary now grows in Europe, particularly the south, and is cultivated for oil in France and Tunisia. Its Latin name Rosmarinus means 'sea-dew'. Rosemary was sacred to the ancient Greeks and Romans who used it in incense and as a symbol of regeneration; in 14th-century Europe it was believed to have rejuvenating powers and was an ingredient of Hungary Water, a very popular toilet water. Rosemary oil is known as a blood and lymph stimulant; since it stimulates the local blood supply it is excellent for aches and pains. It has also long been valued as a brain stimulant; the ancient Romans wore rosemary sprigs behind the car to aid concentration and memory. It has also been used with some success to treat baldness and failing hair; while it may not affect all cases, it is certainly worth trying.
# Aroma: Strong, woody, camphoraccous, refreshing.
# Properties: Analgesic, antidepressant, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, Cleansing, clearing, digestive, diuretic, invigorating, stimulating, tonic.
# Physical conditions: Circulation: boosts circulation, heart tonic and stimulant, normalises low blood pressure. Relieves chilblains and chilliness
# Digestion: stimulates digestive process
# Eliminatory system: boosts liver and kidney function; good for constipation, cystitis - and hangovers
# Hormonal system: may relieve menstrual pain and fluid retention
# Hair and scalp: excellent tonic, may be helpful for baldness andfalling hair; good for dandruff and oily scalp
# Musculoskeletal system: very useful for aches, pains, sprains, muscle fatigue, and rheumatism
# Nervous system: clears headaches, mental fatigue, migraine; stimulates brain and memory
# Skin: good for oily skin; boosts circulation.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Clearing and stimulating for feelings of disorientation, indecision and lethargy' feelings of inadequacy; feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities.
# Applications:* Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Footbath. Hair oil/rinse. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance.
# *N.B. Use with caution if suffering from high blood pressure, hypertension, and/or insomnia, or epilepsy.
# Blends well with: Cedar wood, Frankincense, Geranium, Juniper, Orange, Tangerine.

ROSEWOOD, (Aniba parvijlora)

# Character: Soft sweetness with body, balancing.
# Rosewood, or Bois de Rose is distilled from the wood of a South American tree. Its main uses are psychological; it has a balancing effect, uplifting when lethargic and overburdened, soothing anxiety, irritability and inner tension. It is believed to be beneficial to mature skin as a cell stimulant and tissue regenerator and can be helpful with problems of ageing.
# Aroma: Floral with spicy undertones.
# Properties: Antiseptic, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, balancing, calming, deodorant, grounding, regenerative, stabilising, stimulating, uplifting.
# Physical conditions: Digestion: nausea with anxiety
# Eliminatory system: deodorant
# Hormonal system: may be helpful for loss of libido, frigidity, impotence
# Immune system: boosts body's defence system: helpful for chronic complaints
# Nervous system: balancing and stabilising; neurotonic; sedative; may relieve headaches accompanied by nausea
# Respiratory system: good for throat infections
# Skin: cell and tissue stimulant, rejuvenating for dry skin, and ageing skin pigmentation. Relieves insect bites.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Good for rigid attitudes, when over-critical of others, lacking empathy, unyielding to others or to circumstances; for inner tension and rigidity.
# Other uses: Aphrodisiac. Insect repellent.
# Applications: Face oil/lotion. Footbath. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Cedar wood, Frankincense, Geranium, Rosemary, Tangerine, Ylang Ylang.

SANDALWOOD (Santalum album)

# Character: Persistent, sensuous.
# Sandalwood, or Bois de Santal is distilled from the heartwood of an evergreen Indian tree which is parasitic on other trees. Sandalwood has been popular for centuries in furniture and casket making, as well as incense, and was used to build Indian temples. The ancient Egyptians used Sandalwood oil in embalming and medicines. It is valued as incense today in India, China and Japan. In India it has strong spiritual connotations, being burned at weddings and funerals; it is also used medicinally for genito-urinary problems. Believed to encourage self-expression, Sandalwood is very helpful for laryngitis and sore throats. it is exceptionally long-lasting, and is used as a fixative in perfumes.
# Aroma: Warm, rich, sweet, woody.
# Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, astringent, carminative, diuretic, healing, regenerative, relaxing, soothing, tonic.
# Physical conditions: Eliminatory system: alleviates cystitis; lymphatic decongestant
# Hormonal system: a sensual stimulant, it can be helpful with sexual problems
# Immune system: boosts immune deficiency, characterised by persistent infections
# Nervous system: very relaxing for nervous tension
# Respiratory system: useful for laryngitis, chest, throat and lung infections, bronchi tic and dry cough
# Skin: good for ageing, dry skins; relieves itching, inflammation and dry eczema. Antiseptic for acne, boils cuts and wounds.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Balancing for people who are possessive and manipulative, who like their own way; for difficulty in forgiving; for those who do things for others but fear a lack of return. Helpful with obsessional attitudes, worry about past and future, feeling unsupported. Brings peace and acceptance. May be helpful for sexual anxiety.
# Other uses: An aid to meditation, and spiritual development, associated with the 'third eye' and development of intuition.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Inhalation. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Cypress, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Ylang Ylang.

TANGERINE OR MANDARIN (Citrus reticulata)

# Character: Refined, soft, cheerful, uplifting, sweet
# Tangerine or Mandarin oil is expressed from the zest of the citrus fruit, which originated in China and is now cultivated in other warm climates, including the USA and Sicily. Tangerine and Mandarin trees come from the same botanical source. Tangerine oil is a yellow-gold colour, with a light-blue fluorescence in the best quality oils (quality depends on the time of the Harvest). Like many oils, Tangerine can be both relaxing and tonic, according to needs. Its medicinal properties are similar to those of Orange.
# Aroma: Sweet, fruity, tangy.
# Properties: Antiseptic, antispasmodic, cheering, sedative, soothing, stomachic, tonic, unwinding, uplifting.
# Physical conditions: Cardiovascular system: calms excitation and cardiovascular crethisr which often goes with indigestion.
# Circulation: tonifies the peripheral circulation in the extremities; revives tired and aching limbs.
# Digestion: a digestive tonic, good for gastric complaints including constipation, diarrhoea and flatulence,; stimulates bile excretion, thereby activating the stomach and liver
# Nervous system: sedative, hypnotic; soothes and relaxes; good for insomnia
# Skin: a useful skin tonic, encouraging circulation.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Good for dejection, depression, emotional emptiness; regrets for ageing and loss of the past; feeling watered down.
# Other uses: Cheering and uplifting; popular as a room fragrance in hospices.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Footbath. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender Lemon.

TEA TREE (Melalcuca alternifolia)

# Character: Vigorous, revitalising, regenerating.
# Tea Tree oil is distilled from the leaves and branches of the Tea Tree, a small tree belonging to the myrtle family, and a native of the marshland of New South Wales. It acquired its name when Captain Cook's sailors used it to brew up a substitute for tea. Tea Tree oil is a powerful antiseptic and fungicide and boosts the depleted immune system. Its wide range of medicinal uses have been verified by research. In the 1920s and'30s, laboratory research in Australia confirmed that it was not only a very strong antiseptic but non-toxic and non-irritant. A report noted that it dissolved pus, leaving infected wounds clean. During World War 11 it was issued in army tropical first aid kits, but the development of antibiotics led to a decline in its use. A 1972 study showed that Tea Tree oil was effective in many foot problems, including athlete's foot, corns, bunions and other fungal infections. It has also been used by practitioners to treat ringworm and thrush and more recently it has been found helpful with Candida albicans and chronic cystitis. It is an ideal first aid home remedy; for serious chronic conditions readers should consult a qualified practitioner.
# Aroma: Medicinal, penetrating.
# Properties: Powerful antiseptic, anti-viral, bactericide, cleansing, detoxifying, fungicide, insecticide, purifying, stimulating.
# Physical conditions: Eliminatory system: used to treat urinary infections, cystitis and Candida
# Hair and scalp: impetigo, head lice; dry scalp and dandruff
# Immune system: activates the white blood cells to fight infection
# Respiratory system: combats infections of the throat, lungs and ears; bad breath
# Skin: very cleansing; antiseptic for acne, boils, cuts, wounds, bites; effective with corns, warts, verrucas; fights fungal infections (e.g. athlete's foot, ringworm) soothes and heals irritating/itchy conditions - chicken pox rash, psoriasis, impetigo,nappy rash, genital itching, pruritis; treatment for mouth ulcers, and mouth/gum infections
# Mental/emotional conditions: Refreshing and revitalising; for feelings of uncleanness; for over-preoccupation with detail.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Facial steaming. Footbath. Hair oil/rinse. Inhalation. Massage. Mouthwash. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Best used alone.

YLANG YLANG (Cananga odorata)

# Character: Voluptuous, exotic, yet reassuring.
# Ylang Ylang, 'The Flower of Flowers' is distilled from the yellow flowers of a tree growing in Indonesia and the Philippines. It is also known as the 'perfume tree'. In the South Seas women combine the oil with coconut oil to dress their hair, and in Indonesia the blossoms are spread on the beds of honeymoon couples. The oil is used in expensive perfumes. While Ylang Ylang has physical properties, its main effects are on the emotions, and it is known as an aphrodisiac. It is also reassuring and confidence-building.
# Aroma: Heavy, sweetly narcotic, floral.
# Properties: Antidepressant, aphrodisiac, calming, euphoric, sensual, sedative, uplifting.
# Physical conditions: Circulation: calming for tachycardia, reduces high blood pressure; regulates adrenaline flow
# Hormonal system: balances the hormones; a uterine tonic. May help keep breasts firm. Helpful for sexual problems.
# Hair and scalp: tonic, promotes hair growth
# Nervous system: has relaxing effect
# Skin: balances both dry and oily skins.
# Mental/emotional conditions: Calms anger, fear, frustration, irritability. Is believed to act on the emotional heart centre, healing feelings of guilt, jealousy, resentment and selfishness. Also helpful in times of change.
# Applications: Bath. Face oil/lotion. Hair oil/rinse. Massage. Room fragrance.
# Blends well with: Clary Sage, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Orange.

Candles 101 All you really need to get started

2009-02-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

Early candles were made of vegetable waxes produced from plants such as bayberries, candelilla leaves, candletree bark, esparto grass, and various varieties of palm leaves such as carnauba and ouricury. They were also made of animal tissue and secretions, such as spermaceti(whale oil), ambergris, and beeswax (insect secretions). Sometimes entire animals such as the stormy petrel and the candle fish of the Pacific Northwest were threaded with a wick and burned as candles. Tallow candles were made of sheep, cow, or pig fat. All these candles were rather crude, time-consuming to make and smoky.

Of the two kinds of candle fuel, beeswax was considered the better since it burned cleaner than tallow and had a lovely odor compared to tallow's rancid, smoky smell. Being scarce, beeswax was expensive. Only churches and the wealthy could afford beeswax candles.

By the 17 th century, European state edicts controlled the weight, size and cost of candles. In 1709, an act of the English Parliament banned the making of candles at home unless a license was purchased and a tax paid.

Matches were invented in 1827, using poisonous phosphorus but were improved by the end of the century, eliminating the need for sparking with flint, steel, and tinder, or for keeping a fire burning 24 hours a day.

Probably most important of all, Paraffin was refined from oil around 1850, making petroleum based candles possible. The combination of paraffin, which burns clean and without odor, and stearin's, which harden soft paraffin, with new wick technologies developed in the nineteenth century, revolutionized the candle industry, giving us the tools and materials we still use for candle manufacturing.

Candle Shapes
# Container: Any candle that is poured into a container and intended to be burned in the container is a container candle. These candles are often made of soft wax and would not be able to stand on their own outside their enclosures. The container also prevents soft wax from dripping. Since these candles are safely contained in a vessel, they are often used in restaurants and in religious rituals that require long-burning candles.
# Pillar: A thick candle with a geometrical cross section such as a circle, oval, or hexagon is called a pillar. It is usually referred to by its diameter followed by its height. For example, a 3-by 6-inch pillar would be 3 inches in diameter and 6 inches high. Some pillars come in standard sized for commercial and religious use but you can make many variations of pillars by using molds.
# Novelty: These are irregularly shaped candles made by molding, sculpting and/or pouring.
# Taper: These are the long cylindrical candles that kindle memories of historic candle-dipping. Tapers can be made by dipping wicks into melted wax, by pouring wax into a mold, and by rolling wax around a wick. No matter the method, the result is always candles made to fit into a holder. Tapers are generally made 1/2 inch or 7/8 inch in diameter at the base because most holders are designed to fit these two sizes. There are, of course, exceptions, such as birthday candles (3/16 inch) and Danish tapers (1/4 inch). Some specialty candle holders are designed to hold a taper larger than 7/8 inch.
# Votive and Tea Lights: Although these candles originated in the church, the term now refers to small plug-type candles that are 1 1/2 inches in diameter by 2 to 3 inches high. This shape has become popular for scented candles because their small size allows them to fit easily into small rooms, such as bathrooms. As votive's melt and become liquid in their containers, the wick uses up all the liquid fuel. If you burn a votive on a plate, the burn time will be shorter because the wax will drip and the wick will be unable to use it.
# Tea lights are small votive's used to warm pots of potpourri and to heat foods. They fit in smaller-than-standard votive cups.

CANDLE COLORS
# WHITE: --Self; Protection; Purification; Full Moon Magic; Purity; Innocence; Centering; Truth; Sincerity; Meditation; Peace; Power of a Higher Nature; Greater Attainments in Life; Spirituality.
# RED: -- South; Protection; Strength; Blood; Passion; Courage; Health; Power; Fire Elemental; Sexuality; Vigor; Energy; Enthusiasm; Will Power; To conquer fear or laziness.
# LT. BLUE: --Healing; Patience; Happiness; Psychic Awareness; Quests; Intuition; Opportunity; Tranquillity; Understanding. Ward Depression; Safe Journey; Harmony in the Home; Peace.
# DARK BLUE: --The Goddess; West; Water Elemental; Inspiration; Truth; Dreams; Protection; Change; Impulse; Fidelity; Deep Emotion; Peace; Meditation; Changeability; Psychism.
# GREEN: --North; Money; Fertility; Growth; Employment; Earth Elemental; Herb Magic; Luck; Healing; Balance; Prosperity; Courage; Nature type Faerie-magic; Garden blessing; Abundance; Generosity; Renewal; Marriage.
# YELLOW: --East; Air Elemental; Intellect; Creative Work; Learning; Changes; Confidence; Attraction; Harmony; Clairvoyance; Charm; Imagination; Power of the Mind; Gentle persuasion; Action.
# BROWN: --Earth Elemental; Animal Health; Endurance; Steadiness; Houses & Homes; Physical Objects; Overcoming uncertainty and hesitancy; Attract Money and Financial Success; Concentration; ESP; Intuition; Study.
# PINK: --Love; Peace; Femininity; Friendship; Honor; Morality; Emotional Love; Affection; Romance; Spiritual Awakening; Healing of the Spirit; Togetherness.
# ORANGE: --The God; Attraction; Stimulation; Energy; Healing; Vitality; Encouragement; Adaptability; Luck; Pulling things to you; Clearing the Mind; Dominance, Sudden Changes; Change Luck.
# PURPLE: --Power; Dignity; Spiritual Development; Meditation, Spirituality; Intuition; Ambition; Spirit Communication; Tension; Business Progress; Healing Severe Diseases; Occult Wisdom; Success; Idealism; Higher Psychic Ability; Break Bad Luck; Drive Away Evil; Honors.
# GOLD: --The God; Solar Energy; Physical Strength; Power; Success; Mental Growth; Skill Sought; Healing Energy; Fortune; Divination; Creative Work; Intuition; Money; Fast Luck; Attracts Higher Influences.
# SILVER: --The Goddess; Lunar magic; Removes negative forces; Opens astral gates; Conducts Energy; Meditation; Creative Work; Protection; Money; Psychic Development; Success; Balance; Ward Negativity; Remove Negative Energy; Stability; Victory.
# VIOLET: --Self Improvement; Intuition; Success in searches; Creative Work.
# BLACK: --Endings; Closing of Doors; Psychic Work; Death; Ward Negativity; Remove Hexes; Protection; Spirit Contact; Truth; Remove Discord or Confusion; Reversing; Releasing; Repel Dark Magic and Negative Thought Forms.
# GREENISH-YELLOW: --To Negate; Discord, Sickness, Anger, Jealousy, Cowardice, Anger.
# INDIGO:--Meditation; Spirit Communication; Karma Working; Balance; Learn the Ancient Wisdom; Neutralize Another's Magic; Ward Slander, Lies or Undesirable Competition
# GRAY: --Non-Nature Faerie Magic; Travel to Otherworld; Vision Quests; Veiling; Cancellation; Hesitation; Competition.
# LAVENDER--Spiritual Development; Psychic Growth; Divination; Sensitivity to the Otherworld; Blessings.
# MAGENTA: --Very High Vibrational Frequency that tends to work fast so usually burned with other candles; Quick Change; Spiritual Healing, Exorcism.

CANDLEMAKING METHODS
# Cast and Molded: These candles are made by pouring wax into a preformed mold or shape. Molds can be made of disposable materials such as milk cartons and sand, purchased in metal or plastic, found at garage sales and on the beach, or created by you out of rubber, latex, or silicone rubber. You can make any of the candle types mentioned in the previous section with the molding and casting method.
# Dipped: These candles are made by repeatedly dipping a piece of wick into melted wax in a container, or dipping can. The results are called tapers because this is the natural shape that occurs as a result of dipping.
# Drawn: This is an old method made new by modern technology. It involves pulling long lengths of wick (thousands of yards) through melted wax. This method works well for making small diameter candles such as birthday candles, or the long waxed wicks used to light multiple candles called wax matches. In earlier times, some lamps were designed to hold wound lengths of waxed wick, which were unwound as they burned down. This method allowed a long burning candle without a thick wax product.
# Extruded: This is a machine method that pushes wax out through a shaped template, much like making cookies with a cookie gun. Once they're extruded, these very long candles are then sliced into their proper lengths. This method requires accurate heating and cooling of the wax in order to ensure that the intended shape holds as the wax comes through the die.
# Poured: This term refers to an old-fashioned method of pouring wax repeatedly over a wick to build it up to candle size.
# Pressed: This is a newer method of making commercial candles in which wax is atomized onto a cooling drum, forming wax beads or granules. These beads are then compressed into molds, where they bind to form a candle. The commercial advantage of pressed candles is that they can be removed from molds much more quickly than molten-poured molded candles.
# Rolled: These candles are made by rolling sheets of wax around a wick. Tapers, pillars, and novelty candles can be made with this method.

CANDLE MAGIC

Candle magic can be quite a complicated procedure, but these steps should help make it a little easier.
# Choose an appropriate color: The color of the candle you use is your first concern. You must correlate color with the goal you have in mind.
# Cleanse the candle: Now that you've chosen the appropriate color of candle, your next task is to remove energies infused into the candle during the manufacturing process (Unless you made the candle yourself with a particular goal in mind). Saturate a tissue with rubbing alcohol and, holding the candle in your hand, cleanse its surface, moving from bottom to top. This expels energy from the candle(If you are working with a glass encased candle, clean the exposed wax and the glass with the alcohols.
# Consecrate the candle: Next, dedicate the candle to your purpose. There three methods in which to do this, any or all may be used
# Carve symbols into the candle: Take a sharp object (Such as your Athame or a toothpick) and carve appropriate symbols into the side of the candle(or the top if glass-encased). If you are working for prosperity and dollar sign may be appropriate, if the goal is romance a heart would work. Astrological signs, runes, element signs, or personal signs may also be used. Think intensely of your goal while you carve. Even better is to repeat a verbal formula, such as an incantation or affirmation.
# Oil the candle: Most metaphysical stores carry a wide range of oils for sale, some pre-mixed for particular goals, choose one of these or mix your own. Dip your fingers into the oil and anoint the entire surface of the candle with it. If you want to attract good, oil the candle from the top to bottom. If you want to expel something from your life (such as a bad habit, illness, or an unwanted situation) oil the candle from bottom to top. If you can't decide which direction to oil from, try an alternative method; begin at the center of the candle and apply the oil upward toward the top, then from the center down. If working with a glass-encased candle, oil the exposed wax: clockwise (deosil) to draw good, counter-clockwise (widdershins) to expel negativity. It's important to use a verbal formula while you oil the candle, for this focuses your mind on the work at hand.
# Spray, sprinkle, or anoint the candle with water Purchase or create your own water (such as Prosperity, Love, Success or Healing Water) from a metaphysical store, and pour some into an atomizer or plant mister. Spray the entire surface of the candle as you repeat your affirmation or incantation. If you don't have an atomizer or plant mister, simply sprinkle the candle, or dip your fingers in the water and anoint the candle as you would with an oil.

A cleansed and consecrated candle should be used for one purpose only. If you prepare a candle for prosperity purposes, don't use it for anything else. You should decide how often and for how long a time your are going to burn your candle. Choose your candle size according to your purpose. If your goal is very important, you may wish to burn your candle every day for several days, which means you must use a very large candle. An alternative is to use several smaller candles and burn one each day. If you choose to use smaller candles remember to cleanse and consecrate each one before use. When you light your candle, do so consciously. Be aware that fire has an affinity with the spiritual plane.

Animal Allies The Shamanic way with animals

2009-02-05T11:37:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

Nearly all shamanic cultures believe in Animal Allies or helpers. These creatures have the appearance and many of the characteristics and behaviour patterns of ordinary animals, birds, and fish, but they can communicate with the shaman. Sometimes these animals become protectors and guides for the shaman, both while she/he is journeying in the Otherworlds and in the physical realm.

The Celts believed in individual Animal Allies or helpers, as shown by their legends, but they also had clan animals. Many of the Celtic clan names reflected this. Among the Native Americans these would be called totem animals. The Celtic clans had banners on which were displayed the picture or symbol of their clan animal, as with the banners of the Fianna. Individual devices were painted on shields and sometimes tattooed on the body. This may well be the origin of the heraldic devices that became so popular in later times.

Clan animals, like the individual Animal Allies, choose you; you do not choose them. The ancient shamanic way of finding an Animal Ally was to go on a journey to the Otherworld. There, the shaman watched it carefully; when she/he saw an animal, bird, fish, or other creature three or more times during the journey, the shaman knew she/he had been accepted by that creature. Although a shaman usually has one very important Animal Ally who is a close companion and protector during journeying, it is common to have several others who help with certain kinds of problems.

The following list gives many of the animals known to the Celts and told of in their legends and myths. By reading about their specific helping gifts, the shaman can understand why an animal my make an appearance during a meditation or journey. The animal may appear because the shaman needs help with a particular personal problem or trait, an immediate shamanic problem, or some event that will occur in the future. Animal Allies come and go, sometimes without explanation.

Read through the following list to become acquainted with the animals known to the Celts. Don't try to memorize anything. As a shaman, you are only trying to get an over-all picture so you will know what to look for on a journey. And don't be surprised if some animal not on the list shows up. This animal may be connected with a racial memory and be quite valuable to you.

# Adder, Snake (Nathair) ~ The snake has long been associated with wisdom, reincarnation, and cunning. The poisonous adder of the British Isles has the same reputation. The Druids were known in Wales as Nadredd; in the Fold of the Bards, Taliesin says "I am a wiseman, I am a serpent". The Druids carried an amulet called gloine nathair (serpent glass); although they said that this was formed by snakes, it was probably really an adder stone or blown glass. In the Scottish Highlands, the adder symbolized the Cailleach's power. When you see a snake while on a shamanic journey, prepare to shed something in favor of something greater and better.
# Badger (Broc) ~ This animal is unyielding in the face of danger and is noted for its tenacity and courage. In the Welsh tale of Pwyll's courting of Rhiannon, a badger is mentioned as a guide during dreaming. The badger will teach you to fight for your rights and defend your spiritual ideas.
# Bat (Ialtag) ~ Associated with the Underworld; as the bat's radar helps it to avoid obstacles and barriers, so it can teach you to do the same thing.
# Bear (Arth) ~ Although the bear was native to the Isles, it is now extinct there. Evidence of its being a totem animal is found in many Celtic designs; although it is not mentioned in the legends. The word "arth", which means "bear", is the root word for the name Arthur. The bear was noted for its strength and stamina. It can help you find balance and harmony in your life, and the strength to do what is necessary.
# Bee (Beach) ~ The bee is usually mentioned in connection with honey and mead, which was made from honey. The bee is industrious, single-minded when performing a task, and fearless when defending its home.
# Blackbird (Druid-dhubh, Lon Dubh) ~ Legend says that the birds of Rhiannon are three blackbirds, which sit and sing in the World Tree of the Otherworlds. Their singing puts the listener in to a sleep or trance which enables her/him to go to the Otherworlds. It was said to impart mystic secrets.
# Boar (Bacrie, Torc) ~ Important to the art and myths of the Celtic peoples, the boar was known for its cunning and ferocious nature. Once common throughout the British Isles. A famous Irish legendary boar was Orc Triath, which the Goddess Brigit owned. In the Arthurian tales of the Mabinogion the boar Twrch Trwyth was a terrible foe to Arthur. The White Boar of Marvan sent inspiration to its master to write music and poetry.
# Bull (Tarbh) ~ A common animal-figure in Celtic mythology, the bull symbolized strength and potency. Certain divination rituals required the sacrifice of a white bull. In the tale of the Tain Bo Cuilgne (Cattle Raid of Cooley), two special bulls are coveted by two rulers. The Taroo-Ushtey (Water Bull) is said to haunt the Isle of Man.
# Butterfly (Dealan-Dé) ~ Many cultures cal butterflies the souls of the dead and the keepers of power. No negative energies will be experienced in any Otherworld area where you see butterflies. They will teach you to free yourself form self-imposed restrictions and to look at problems with greater clarity.
# Cat (Caoit, Cat) ~ Many of the Celtic legends pictured the cat as a ferocious, evil creature, but that may have been because cats at that time were untamed. However, it was considered a potent totem animal of several clans; Caithness was named after the clan of the Catti. In Ireland Finn mac Cumhail was said to have fought a clan of "cat-headed" people, probably Celts who wore cat skins on their helmets. The cat is a strong protector, especially when facing a confrontational situation.
# Cock (Coileach) ~ In several Celtic legends, the cock chases away ghosts and other night terrors by his crowing at dawn. It represents the power of the word to dispel negativity.
# Cow (Bo) ~ Once so important to the Celts that it was considered a form of currency or monetary exchange. Ancient Irish lords were known as bo-aire or cow-lord. The cow was sacred to the Goddess Brigit. The cow symbolizes contentedness, defending the inner child, and providing for daily needs.
# Crane (Corr) ~ At one time the crane was a common animal in the British Isles. One late Celtic tradition, apparently originated after the arrival of Christianity, is that cranes are people who are paying a penance for wrong-doing. The crane is associated with the Cailleach and Manannan mac Lir, who made his crane bag from its skin. The crane, with its colors of black, white, and red, was a Moon bird, sacred to the Triple Goddess. Magic, shamanic travel, learning and keeping secrets, reaching deeper mysteries and truths.
# Crow (Badb, Rocas) ~ This animal is to treated with care. Along with the raven, the crow is a symbol of conflict and death, an ill-omen associated with such Goddess as Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan. The Irish word for crow is badb, which is also the name of a Celtic war Goddess. Although the crow was ill-omened, it was also considered to be skillful, cunning, single-minded, and a bringer of knowledge. It is of value when trickery is needed. It also teaches you to learn from the past, but not hold onto it.
# Deer (Fiadh) or Stag (Sailetheach, Damh) ~ In its form of the White Doe or White Stag, the deer was often a messenger and guide from the Otherworlds. Following such an animal led the unsuspecting human into contact with supernatural beings. The antlered headdress of Cernunnos may have been copied by Celtic shamans as apparel in their rituals. THe deer represents keen scent, grace swiftness, and gentleness. There are ways of reaching your goals other than force.
# Dog (Abach, Madadh) or Hound (Cù) ~ Devoted hounds are often mentioned in Celtic myths, such as Bran and Sceolan which belonged to Finn mac Cumhail. Underworld hounds, such as the Welsh Cwn Annwn belonging to Arawn, are always white with red ears. The Underworld Hounds run down and punish the guilty. Dogs represent tracking skills, the ability to scent a trail, and companionship.
# Dolphin ~ This creature was associated with sea deities. It deals with dreams and harmony, and recognizing an balancing the rhythms of your body with those of nature.
# Dragon (Piastras (payshtha), Horm) ~ The dragon in Celtic-British mythology has more varieties then the standard legged form; it is sometimes represented as a water serpent or worm-shaped beast. There are many references to serpents or dragons in Celtic myths. On many occasions the Fianna fought huge dragons in lakes. One likely center of the serpent (dragon) was the sacred site of Kildare, under the protection of the Goddess Brigit. Most cultures considered the dragon a benevolent dweller of caves, lakes, and the inner Earth. It was an ancient symbol of wealth. The dragon symbolized the power of the Elements, especially that of the Earth, but also of the treasure of the subconscious mind. It may appear at initiation.
# Eagle (Iolair, Fireun) ~ A bird noted for wisdom and long life in Celtic stories. The eagle represents swiftness, strength, keen sight, and the knowledge of magick. It helps you to see hidden spiritual truths.
# Eel (Eas-Ganu) ~ The eel is mentioned in several Celtic legends, on of which is the story of the two swineherds who battled through a variety of shape-shifting forms. In their final form as eels, the swineherds were swallowed by cows who later gave birth to magickal bulls. Cu Chulainn's spear Gae-Bolga got its name from the eel. The Morrigan took on the form of an eel when she had a magickal battle with the hero. The eel symbolizes adaptability, wisdom, inspiration, and defense.
# Fox (Madadh-Ruadh, Sionnach) ~ In Taliesin's Song of His Origins, the Bard says he assumed the shape of a satirizing fox, a reference to the cunning, slyness, and ability of the fox to make fools out of those who chase it. The ability to watch the motivations and movements of others while remaining unobserved yourself.
# Frog (Losgrinn) ~ In many cultures the frog is a symbol of shamanism and magick. It can teach you to leap swiftly from one level of consciousness to another, from this world to the Otherworlds. The frog can also help you find the courage to accept new ideas, nurture yourself, and find connections between ideas.
# Griffin ~ This mythical beast has the head and wings of an eagle, and the body and tail of a lion. It teaches the shaman to combine various positive traits in strength, yet maintaining discretion and seeing the truth. The protective griffin symbolizes great magick and power.
# Hare (Gèarr) or Rabbit (Coinean) ~ An animal sacred to the Goddess Andraste in particular. Its movements were sometimes used for divination; Boadiccea used a hare this way just before her last battle with the Romans. Associated with transformation, the receiving of hidden teachings, and intuitive messages.
# Hawk (Seabhag) ~ Celtic oral tradition lists the oldest animal as the hawk of Achill. As with other birds, the hawk is a messenger between the Otherworlds and this world. However, it is of greater skill and strength than other birds. It symbolizes clear-sightedness and far-memory. If you hear a hawk cry during a journey, be alert to upcoming situations that need boldness and decisiveness to keep from being thrown off balance.
# Hedgehog ~ This prickly little creature often shows a need for less defensiveness and seriousness. Appreciate life more.
# Heron (Corra-Griothach) ~ Many of the myths and attributes of the crane are shared by this bird.
# Horse (Each) ~ A popular totem animal of the Celts; sacred to the Goddesses Epona and Rhiannon. The horse was considered to be a faithful guide to the Otherworlds. It symbolizes stamina, endurance, and faithfulness.
# Lizard (Dearc) ~ One of the few reptiles recognized as helpful to the shaman. It symbolizes the shadowy plane of manifestation where events are constantly changing shapes and patterns. If you see a lizard on a journey, be alert to all below-the-surface activities going on around you.
# Lynx ~ This creature is the keeper of deep secrets and hidden knowledge. It can help with divinatory skills and the development of psychic senses. Sometimes it symbolizes the need to look deeper within yourself and see what is hidden.
# Magpie (Pioghaid) ~ This bird deals with omens and prophecies; the mysteries of life and death.
# Mouse (Luch) ~ The mouse is often mentioned in Celtic folklore. In one Welsh story concerning Manawydan and Pryderi, a mouse is portrayed as the shape-shifted wife of the magician Llwyd. The mouse represents secrets, cunning, shyness, the ability to hide in times of danger. Its appearance often signals a need to pay attention to small details, such as the fine print in contracts or the double meaning in words.
# Otter (Cù-dubh or Dòbhran) ~ These animals were considered very magickal by the Celts. During the voyages of Maelduine, Brendan and others, these traveling Celts were met by helpful otters. The otter is a strong protector who helps with gaining wisdom, finding inner treasures or valuable talents, faithfulness, and the ability to recover from any crisis. Enjoy life instead of just enduring it.
# Owl (Cailleach, Oidhche, Comachag) ~ These birds were most often associated with the Crone aspect of the Goddess. The word "cailleach" in the Scottish-Gaelic means "owl". The owl is often a guide to and through the Underworld, a creature of keen sight in darkness, and a silent and swift hunter. It can help unmask those who would deceive you or take advantage of you.
# Pig (Muc) ~ It was considered to be the magickal, sacred food the Tuatha de Danann and an animal of Manannan mac Lir. In the Mabinogion Pwyll received a gift of pigs from the Underworld god Arawn. The writings of Merlin say that he spoke with a little pig in visions. Symbolic of the spiritual food necessary to the shaman.
# Rat (Radan) ~ Rats are not mentioned in a favorable light in Celtic folklore, but hey have their place in shamanic journeys. Rats are sly, sometimes aggressive, creatures who can track down whatever they seek, defending themselves with great ferociousness.
# Raven (Fitheach) ~ Take care when dealing with this bird. An important totem animal of the Celts. In Ireland the raven was associated with the battlefields and such goddesses as the Morrigu or later Welsh Morrigan, just as was the crow. The bird was connected with Bran the Blessed; in Welsh bran means "raven". Although its reputation is dubious, it is an oracular bird. It often represents the upsets and crises of life that are necessary for anything new to be created.
# Salmon (Bradan) ~ A very wise, magickal creature in Celtic lore. A salmon of great knowledge is said to swim in the Well of Segais, eating the mystical hazelnuts that fall into the well. This salmon is said to be as old as time itself and knows everything past and future. When the Irish hero Finn mac Cumhail burned his thumb on a salmon and then put the thumb in his mouth, he gained shamanic knowledge. The salmon teaches you how to get in touch with ancestral knowledge and put it to practical use.
# Seagull (Faoilleann) ~ Seagulls do not figure in Celtic legends. However, they are connected to sea deities, such as the god Manannan mac Lir and the goddess Don. Like other birds, they are messengers from the Otherworlds.
# Sow (Airc, Muc) ~ The Goddess Cerridwen is known as the White Sow. The sow was considered a very powerful creature in the Otherworlds, particularly the Underworld. As a creature of Cerridwen, it was associated with the Sacred Cauldron and the granting of inspiration; also a creature of death and rebirth.
# Squirrel (Feòrag) ~ This creature is always preparing for the future; it can show the shaman how to do this in a practical way. Sometimes its appearance heralds changes, even adversities. Plan ahead so that you have time, resource, and energy stored.
# Swan (Eala) ~ A mystical bird who figures in several Celtic stories. Its feathers were often used in the ritual cloak of the Bards. Swans are connected with music and song. Swans also help with the interpretation of dream symbols, transitions, and spiritual evolution.
# Turtle ~ The turtle is a slow-moving, methodical creature, carrying its protection constantly with it. It can teach the shaman to be grounded, how to stay in tune with Earth energies, the wisdom of flowing with the cycles of life, and to be gentle with the body's needs.
# Unicorn (Briabhall) ~ This mythic animal had the body of a white horse, the legs of an antelope, and the tail of lion; a single horn was on its head. It is the symbol of supreme magickal power. It teaches that every action is creation, so make every day counts. It also helps to understand the relationship between physical and spiritual realities.
# Wolf (Madadh-alluidh) ~ The wolf is a cunning, intelligent creature, capable of out-thinking hunters. It can teach you how to read the signs of Nature in everything, how to pass by danger invisibly, how to outwit those who wish you harm, and how to fight when needed. Sometimes the world, seen on a journey, will lead you to a spiritual teacher and guide.
# Wren (Dreathan-Donn, Dreòlan) ~ A sacred bird to the Druids, its musical notes were used for divination. As with many other birds, the wren was considered a messenger from the deities.

Animal correspondences

2009-02-05T11:35:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

# Ant ~ industry, community, craftsmanship
# Bear ~ power, cycles, guardian energy, sacred to Odin and Artemis
# Bees ~ messages, communication, luck, sacred to Venus
# Blue Jay ~ communication, magickal mimicry, guardian energy
# Butterfly ~ transformation, enlightenment, reincarnation
# Cat ~ playfulness, equilibrium, grace, sacred to Bast
# Chicken ~ divination, fertility, health
# Cow ~ The Goddess Aspect, prosperity, sacred to Hathor
# Cricket ~ luck, happiness, abundance, blessings
# Deer ~ spiritual education, security, gentility, sacred to Artemis, Aphrodite and Diana
# Dog ~ service, trust, devotion
# Dolphin ~ oracles, divine messages, the breath of life, sacred to Apollo
# Fish ~ fertility, perseverance, providence
# Fox ~ invisibility, half-truths, quick action, shape-shifting, sacred to Bacchus
# Frog ~ fertility, health, honesty
# Hare ~ The Moon, fecundity, sacred to Aphrodite and Eros
# Horse ~ movement, fertility, divination, sacred to Mars
# Lark ~ cheerfulness, solar magick
# Mole ~ revealing secret matters
# Mouse ~ economy, getting around barriers, sacred to Apollo
# Nightingale ~ love, lightening burdens, sacred to Adonis and Attis
# Owl ~ self-truth, wisdom, vision, sacred to Athena
# Pig ~ renewal
# Raven ~ prophesy, sacred to Hellios
# Robin ~ harbinger of spring, the fire element, sacred to Thor
# Snail ~ birth, luck, divination
# Snake ~ transformation, health, sacred to Hermes and Ra
# Spider ~ fate, destiny, networks, sacred to the Fates
# Squirrel ~ in-gathering, storage
# Turkey ~ charity, self sacrifice
# Turtle ~ the earth, creativity, regeneration
# Whale ~ the water element, rejuvenation, initiation

Magical properties of sea shells See what the sea offers

2009-02-05T11:34:00.002-08:00

by Mother Oak

# Abalone ~ General use, containment of empowered herbs, stones, etc.
# Clam shells ~ Purification, love
# Conches ~ Love
# Cone shells ~ Protection
# Cowries ~ Prosperity, money
# Left-handed Whelks ~ Dramatic positive changes
# Limpets ~ Courage, confidence, physical strength
# Moon shells ~ Purification, peace
# Olive shells ~ Healing
# Oysters ~ Love, good fortune
# Sand Dollars ~ Wisdom
# Scallops ~ Travel, movement
# Tooth shells ~ Money

Stones, gems, minerals & their properties A magickal mineral guide

2009-02-05T11:34:00.001-08:00

by Mother Oak

# Agate ~ strength, courage, longevity, gardening, love, healing, protection
# Agate, Banded ~ bodily energy, ease stress
# Agate, Black ~ courage, successful competitions
# Agate, Black & White ~ guards against physical dangers
# Agate, Holly Blue ~ spiritual actualization, as one teaches, one also learns
# Agate, Blue Lace ~ peace, happiness, expands consciousness, soothing, wise, public speaking
# Agate, Brown/Tawny ~ success, wealth
# Agate, Green ~ health
# Agate, Moss ~ "gardener's talisman", healing, energy, riches, happiness, long life
# Agate, Red ~ healing, calmness, peace
# Amazonite ~ gambling, success, aligns astral bodies, unity with life, enhances creative expression
# Amber ~ luck, healing, strength, protection, beauty, love, calming, humor, joy
# Amethyst ~ dreams, overcoming alcoholism, healing, peace, love, protection against thieves, courage, happiness
# Ametrine ~ dispels negativity, aids decision making, meditation, relieves stress
# Andalusite ~ stimulates past memories, re-alignment and centering of self
# Angelite ~ protects, strengthens degenerate organs, excellent for creative people
# Apache Tear ~ luck, protection, grants forgiveness, understand in distress, ward off danger
# Apatite ~ good for communication, controls weight gain
# Apophyllite ~ loving attunement to body and spirit, stimulates intuition
# Aquamarine ~ banishes fears, calms nerves, imparts strength and control
# Aventurine ~ independence, strong legs and joints, helps in career change, mental powers, eyesight, gambling, money, peace, healing, luck
# Azurite ~ dreams, divination, healing, cuts through illusion, enhances communication
# Beryl ~ protection against evil gossip and rumor
# Black Coral ~ dispels negativity, fear of dark and unknown
# Bloodstone ~ halt bleeding, healing, victory, courage, wealth, strength, power, legal matters, business, invisibility, agriculture
# Blue Stone ~ used in many voodoo and conjuring spells
# Boji Stone ~ sense of joy, highly energetic, draws out pain
# Brown Stone ~ health, long life, and good fortune
# Calcite ~ spirituality, centering, peace, love, healing, purification, money, protection, energy
# Carbuncle ~ increase self-confidence and ability to fight
# Carnelian ~ protection, peace, eloquence, healing, courage, sexual energy, releases sorrow, envy, fear, apathy, and rage
# Celestite ~ clears speech, personal expression, highly spiritual, compassion, eloquence, healing
# Chalcedony ~ protects from evil eye, expression of emotional needs, honesty, alleviates regret
# Charoite ~ accelerates spiritual growth, enhances self-esteem, and the ability to love
# Chiastolite ~ deflects evil eye, aids insight, helps in transitional states
# Chrysocolla ~ peace, wisdom, love, take away fears communication, female energy, creativity, relieves ulcers and arthritis
# Chrysoprase ~ happiness, luck, success, friendship, protection, healing, money
# Citrine ~ cleans auras, detoxifies the body, anti-nightmare, protection, aids tissue regeneration
# Copper ~ energy direction, healing, luck, love, protection, money
# Coral ~ protection from evil, increases imagination, resolves conflicts
# Cross Stone ~ natural sign of the cross, protects from witchcraft
# Crystal ~ carried as a protection against jinxes and hexes
# Danburite ~ stimulates intellect, promotes self-assertiveness
# Diamond ~ spirituality, sexual dysfunction, protection, courage, peace, reconciliation, healing, strength
# Dioptase ~ attracts love, abundance, prosperity and health
# Emerald ~ mental powers, protection, love, attracts wealth, profitable dreaming
# Epidote ~ encourages spirituality, heals emotional wounds
# Fluorite ~ mental powers, comprehension, strengthens teeth and bones, stabilizing and calming
# Fossil ~ aids past life exploration, protection from spells
# Galena ~ harmony, healthy hair, medical students, promotes holistic studies
# Garnet ~ healing, protection, strength
# Gold ~ power, protection, wisdom, success, purifying, healing, balancing, attracts honors, masculine energy
# Gypsum ~ relieves stagnation, offers level-headedness
# Hematite ~ healing, divination, grounding, promotes common sense and level headedness
# Herkimer Diamond ~ soothes tension, sleep
# Hessonite ~ clears negativity, eliminates feelings of inferiority, gives courage to change
# Hyacinth ~ solace for a restless brain, and aid against insomnia
# Iolite ~ gives accurate visions, releases discord, strengthens liver, connection with soul
# Jade ~ symbol of charity, modesty, courage, justice, and wisdom, reduces eyestrain, negativity, promotes longevity, dreams
# Jasper ~ healing, protection, health, beauty
# Jasper, Brown ~ centering, grounding
# Jasper, Green ~ healing, sleep, compassion
# Jasper, Mottled ~ protection against drowning
# Jasper, Red ~ protection, healing, beauty
# Jet ~ dispels migraines and illness, protects finances, protection, anti-nightmare, luck, divination, health
# Kunzite ~ reduces insecurity, addiction, manic depression, gives maturity
# Kyanite ~ promotes clarity and understanding in dreamwork, enhances creativity
# Labradorite ~ brings recognition of destiny, connects one with the elements
# Lapis Lazuli ~ healing, joy, love, fidelity, protection, courage
# Lapis Lingua ~ cure melancholia, and bring success in love
# Larimar ~ confidence builder, good for sales, reduces depression, builds serenity
# Lepedilite ~ promotes self love, alleviates stress, anger, and tension
# Lignite ~ believed to restore lost senses to the possessor
# Lodestone ~ carry a pair, one to repel evil and one to attract good
# Madstone ~ treatment of rabies and snake bites
# Malachite ~ lucky money stone, aids sleep, asthma, travel, power, protection, love, peace, business success
# Marble ~ protection against the evil eye and witchcraft
# Moldavite ~ catalyst for important changes in life
# Moonstone ~ love, divination, sleep, gardening, protection, youth, dieting
# Morello Smokey Quartz ~ interpreting dreams, grounding, stimulates intellect
# Morganite ~ sisterhood, reduces over-emotion, heals pain of separation
# Mother-of-Pearl ~ protection, wealth
# Obsidian ~ protection, grounding, divination, peace
# Olivine ~ protects from enchantment and against depression
# Onyx ~ relieves stress, grief, strengthens self-control, dispels nightmares and aids marital happiness
# Opal ~ astral projection, beauty, money, luck, power
# Peacock Rock ~ fresh new outlook on life, strong healing properties
# Pearl ~ love, money, protection, luck, faith, charity, integrity, innocence, fights infection, stone of sincerity
# Pecos Diamond ~ stabilizes emotions, brings joyful feeling, aids creativity and initiation
# Peridot ~ protection, health, wealth, sleep, removes stress, fear, and guilt, activates personal growth
# Petrified Wood ~ carried for it's great legendary healing powers Connections with earth and nature, removes petty annoyances
# Phenacite ~ inner knowing, spiritual travel, increases energy of other stones
# Prase ~ resolves sexuality issues, sense of oneness with universe
# Prehnite ~ balances chakras, enhances personal relationships
# Pyrite (Fool's Gold) ~ money, divination, luck, increases memory, concentration
# Quartz ~ breaks bad habits, insomnia, headaches, channeling stone, enhances life force
# Quartz Crystal ~ protection, healing, power, lactation
# Quartz, Rose ~ fidelity, love, peace and happiness Reduces weight, wrinkles, self-assuredness, love stone
# Quartz, Rutilated ~ excellent for the birthing process, good for mothers
# Quartz, Sceptre ~ symbol of power, to focus energy within heart
# Quartz, Smokey ~ relieves depression, tension balances sexual energies
# Quartz, Strawberry ~ recalls past lives, eases tension in a relationship
# Quartz, Tourmalated ~ astral projection
# Rhodochrosite ~ strengthens mental power, finds new love, energy, peace, love
# Rhodonite ~ peace, anti-confusion
# Ruby ~ mental balance, improves circulation, protects sensitive natures, wealth, protection, power, joy, anti-nightmare
# Sapphire ~ love, meditation, peace, defensive magick, healing, power, money
# Sardonyx ~ leads to high position and financial rewards
# Selenite ~ flexibility, decision-making, clarity, strengthens spine, reconciliation, energy
# Serenity Stone ~ when nervous or distraught, handle this smooth black stone which reputedly dispels tension at a touch
# Serpentine ~ protection against snakes, serpents, and reptiles
# Silver ~ energy conductor, eases stress and improves speech, lucky feminine energy, invocation, love, dreams, peace, protection, travel, money
# Sodalite ~ healing, peace, meditation, wisdom, prophetic dreaming, endocrine system, eliminates confusion
# Sphaerocobaltite ~ loving stone, deeply relaxing and balancing
# Staurolite ~ protection, health, money, elemental powers, good luck
# Sugilite ~ spirituality, healing, wisdom, aids physical healing, reduces stress, strengthens heart, emotional balancer
# Sunstone ~ protection, energy, health, sexual energy
# Tanzanite ~ stone of magic, facilitates spiritual awareness, stimulates insight
# Tektite ~ wisdom through life experience, prevents emotional scars
# Tiger's Eye ~ money, protection, courage, energy, luck, divination
# Topaz ~ protection, healing, weight loss, money, love
# Tourmaline ~ love, friendship, money, business, health, peace, energy, courage, astral projection
# Tourmaline, Black ~ grounding, protection
# Tourmaline, Blue ~ de-stress, peace
# Tourmaline, Green ~ money, success, creativity
# Tourmaline, Pink ~ love, friendship
# Tourmaline, Red ~ energy, protection, courage
# Tourmaline, Watermelon ~ balance, love
# Trilobite ~ promotes leadership and management
# Turquoise ~ protection
# Turritella ~ eases domestic relations and group interaction
# Unakite ~ enhances sense of personal power, converts the negative into the positive
# Wonderstone ~ restores lost senses and protects from hexes
# Zincite ~ removal of energy blockage, cathartic, brings together those of a similar mind
# Zircon ~ aids sleep, self-esteem, promotes unity, stone of virtue

Magickal healing properties of stones Lapidary magick

2009-02-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

# ADAMITE: Blue, blue-green, yellow-green. Brings gifts of heart & mind together for balance, inner strength, and steering steadily through life. Creativity & entrepreneurial thinking, and new directions for business/personal growth.
Blue: Creativity, throat, mouth, ears, breath of life, lymph.
Green: Lungs, heart, thymus, endocrine glands.

# AGATE: (Chalcedony Qtz.) Red, orange, yellow, browns; Solid, Grounding. For stomach, colon, liver, spleen, kidneys, Xray/radiation.
MOSS: Centering, taking heart. Bloodsugar, anorexia/food issues, lymphnodes, Balances emotions.
IRIS: Insight, Restores nerve feeling and healing after injury/burns. Gaze into for meditation. L/Rt. brain balance. Pineal, pituitary; coordination.
Blue LACE: Patience, peace.

# ALEXANDRITE: (A chrysoberyl.) Clear violet-green, lt. blue or orange-yellow iridescence. Color changes with angle. Opens Heart, Solar Plexus, and especially Crown Centers. For healing, centering, self-esteem. Rare and Powerful. Opens to higher self, disattachment, psychicness, spiritual love, joy, and luck. Excellent tissue regeneration; especially Central Nervous System.

# AMAZONITE: Solid Lt. Blue/turquoise. Gentle Friendly, calming, soothing; Opens throat, heart, and solar plexus centers for self-expression, artistic creativity, healing. Throat, thyroid, nerve and Brain paths. Reduces self-damaging behavior, increases straight posture of self-respect, confidence, grace, self-assuredness with communication.

# AMBER: Clear yellow or orange ancient petrified resin (possibly pine tree). Electromagnetic. Opens solar plexus chakra for mental clarity, moods balance, confidence. Stomach anxiety, spine, Central Nervous System, brain, memory loss, cell regeneration. Aligns mental and emotional bodies via orange and yellow CTRS. Excellent detoxification and protection from radiation, especially x-rays, sun, computers, airport, planes and others' energies. Sacred use (incense/worn) by Asian and American Indians, and worldwide.

# AMETHYST: Translucent, purple/lavendar Qtz. Psychicness, imagery, mind quieting. Wear when sleeping or when awake to reduce anger, impatience, and nightmares. Brow + Crown CTRS. Headaches, eyes, scalp/hair, pituitary, pineal, bloodsugar balance. Especially aids sobriety; alcohol/food/sex/other addictions. Famous ancient detoxicifier (especially helped with poisons, alcohol.) Keep in pet's water to reduce fleas.

# ANGELITE: Medium blue to white crystals. Fairly newly discovered. Psychic connection to oneness with universe, angelic realm, spiritual guidance. Astral travel, heightened sensory awareness. Seeing paths to surmount challenges. Aligns physical and etheric fields for healing self & others. Regenerates and rejuvenates ill or depleted areas.

# APACHE TEARS: Small, dark, smoky-translucent Obsidian pebbles. Eases and releases pain, loss, sadness, anger, etc to help heal and go on with life. For looking within, protection, vision quest/purpose. gently grounds and unblocks lower body and endocrine glands/chakras. Aids healing. Represents tears of grief shed by Native American women after their loved ones' deaths due to invading troops.

# APATITE: Transparent dk. blue, yellow, clear...Blue and purple are used especially to heal and stimulate throat CTR. and kidney point for self-expression, teaching, healing mouth, throat, thyroid, high blood pressure, stuttering, etc. Reducing hunger. High Calcium content strengthens bones, muscles, mineral assimilation. Use yellow on Solar Plexus and Brow CTRS.

# APOPHYLLITE: Clear, white, light green striated crystals. Very powerful for deep, peaceful stillness and alpha state/meditation/dream recall. Clairvoyance, out of body travel, etc. Green is most powerful: Heals and brings joyous openness to the heart CTR. as it opens the brow and crown chakras. Clears mental fuzziness and channels for with higher-self + angelic realm contact. Helps see truth for growth.

# AQUA AURA: Clear quartz with metallic light blue tint from electrical infusion of gold (amplifies quartz conductivity.) Increases ability to send energy & alter consciousness for meditation, telepathy, healing. Opens/clears throat.

# AQUAMARINE: A beryl. Clear light blue, blue-green. Tranquilizing, uplifting, openness, innocence, light-heartedness, creativity, communication, self-awareness, confidence, purpose. Throat (& spleen) CTR(s), Heart, immune system, thymus, lymphnodes, Especially: Mouth, ears, etc. Affects etheric and mental levels. Releases anxiety, fear, restlessness, peaceful stillness like the flow of a forest stream. Breathing allergies, water travel, journies, sea goddess, seeing through people, protection.

# ARAGONITE: Translucent purple-pink-brown hexagonal, or white needle crystals. Deep, peaceful meditation; uplifts emotions. Centering, overview, patience under stress, heps us navigate business/managerial/personal challenges with a clear head and steady hand. Giving and receiving easily. Balances yin-yang. Eyes, brain, Central Nervous System, heart, opens spiritual/brow chakra for day-to-day living with an open heart and mind.

# AVENTURINE: Translucent dark/lt. green quartz. Heals emotional pain/fear/imbalance by dissolving blocks in the heart CTR. Historically also draws out heat of fevers, inflamation, nerv. system stress. In your bath water, a soft, soothing stone for general healing. Universal love, truth, prosperity. Much like Moss Agate.

# AZURITE: Solid deep blue, blue-purple. Activates brow and throat CTRS. more assertive communication and alert, quite, deep access to subconscious and other times/places/lives. Psychicness, creativity, decisiveness, deeper insight, seeing truth, reduces depression, anger, abnormal cell growth. Hi copper content stimulates thyroid, sinus, skin cleansing, spleen, nervous system, mental + etheric bodies.

# BERYL FAMILY: Strong, hard. (Some look "Greasy"). Clear: Brow & Throat CTRS. Heliodor/Golden Brown: Stimulates the mind, nervous system, spine, bones, Solar Plexus and 3rd eye CTR, with warm sun energy for mental clarity, confidence, willpower, visualizing, protection. Helps stomach, intestines, works with mental body for exhaustion , depression, ulcers, nausea, eating disorders. Cleans emotional and physical toxins from liver, skin, (including: fear and resentment). Pink: Excellent for heart CTR, growth, transition, stabilizing. (See also: Emerald, Aquamarine, Alexandrite)

# BLOODSTONE: ("Heliotrope") Solid dark green, red flecks. Electromagnetic (high iron). Ancient Egypt, Atlantis used to calm, ground, revitalize. Classic for wealth, menstrual cramps, anemia, bloodclots, hemorrhoids, birthing/reproductivity, imbalance. Cleansing heart and blood circulation, marrow, thymus, lungs; Heart.

# BOJI STONES: Iron-magnetite concretion. Solid round, grey-brown discs with high iron. Grounding, electromagnetic. Balances body's energy field. Many have found they reduce pain by holding 1 in each hand. Recharges electrically in sun. (Store boji's apart -magneticness neutralizes eachother. Also wearing/holding with tiger's eye or other stone containing asbestos may bring on ill feeling.) Rough "male" and smooth "female" stones both have + and - charge.

# BRASS: Flattens and grounds energy. (poor conductor); not generally used for healing. can dull/block energy. May be used as shield, reducing sensitivity and awareness.

# CALCITE: Milky yellow, peach, green, white or clear crystals. Soft. Lime Green: Tranquility ; soothes spiritual heart; helps us learn from lessons in each situation and new options. Clarifies visions, imagery, astral travel and recall. Helps us replace fears, old ways with healthier ones. Cleans toxins and fumes from body. Needs cleansing if sticky. Yellow: Spine, bones. Detoxification of kidneys, pancreas, spleen. Decalcifying joints. Clear/Optical: Clearer vision & communication, wellness, general cleansing. Blue: Eases pain (especially back). Orange: Uplifting, joy, happiness, humor.

# CARNELIAN: Chalcedony (jasper) qtz. Translucent. Confidence, boldness, initiative, dramatic abilities, assertiveness, outgoingness. Precision, analysis, appetite, awareness of feelings. Orange and yellow CTRS. Warms and cleanses blood, kidneys, stimulates appetite, emotions, passion, sexuality, physical energy, celebration, reproductive system, menstrual cramps, arthritis, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas. Historically also used to pull excess fever out through the feet.

# CELESTITE: White, clear, or cool lt. blue cluster crystals. Gentle. Soothes nerves, stress. Quiets mind. Serenity, harmony, easiness, stillness for receiving, connection to spirit, overview, creativity. Aids Throat CTR; honesty, openness, stress, worry, hearing, thyroid, potassium/manganese deficiency, Central Nervous System, tiredness, fades in sunlight.

# CERUSSITE: Clear/misty white to brown. Helps us be centered, confident, capable and versatile amidst life's challenges. Grounding to here/now and higher self. Graciousness, good listening/communication skills. Translate higher concepts to everyday language. Psychicness, clarity. Shows what we can/can't change. Letting go (stress, addictions..) Insomnia, Central Nervous System, coordination, general healing. Both grounds root chakra and opens crown (& Throat) CTR. Plant growth , protection against bugs.

# CHAROITE: Purple, solid. Newly coming into greater use. Works with Indigo & violet CTRS to transmute/lift us out of emotions, fear. Seeing old patterns with new possibilities. Opens heart, inspiration, service, seeing clearly (mentally, physically, psychically), faster healing. Some find useful also for entity release work and alcohol/liver detoxification.

# CHRYSOBERYL: Translucent Gold or Green Cat's Eye (often confused with qtz. Tiger's Eye, but rarer). Usually clear, green or green/brown, nongreasy. For acquiring more prosperity. Confidence, self-pride, healing. Amplifies other gems (NOTE: Some are irradiated to turn green- trust your feeling with each stone.)

# CHRYSOCOLA/GEM SILICA: Solid Lt. blue/blue-green. Gentle, soothing, friendly. Excellent for heart CTR; flushes and heals heart blocks (loss, hurt, guilt, fear...) for allowingness, flexibility, self-forgiveness, peace of heart, patience. Keeps one in light, love, and healing daily. On Throat, expressing feelings, verbal and artistic creativity, thyroid. Also, heart bloodsugar, and emotional balance. High conductivity from copper draws out pain, heat (fevers, inflamations, arthritis...), Excellent theraputic aid for healing loss, incest, other traumas. Cleanses auric field. Dreams and Earth healing.

# MALACHITE: See EILAT Stone.

# CHRYSOPASE: Bright translucent green chalcedony. Uplifts heart CTR; Greater Flexibility, wisdom, generosity, self-confidence. Heals depression, excess self-focus, emotions/sexual imbalance. Placed on heart, neck, or on brown for meditation.

# CITRINE: Clear yellow qtz. (Yellow from Iron). For Solar Plexus CTR, Mental and emotional clarity. Problem-solving, memory, willpower, optimism, confidence, self-discipline, digestion. Reduces anxiety, fear, depression, stomach tension, food disorders, allergies. Detoxification: Spleen, kidneys, liver, urinary system, intestines, etc. Electromagnetic.

# COBALT-CALCITE: (Calcite, pink from Cobalt) Brings love, patience, gentleness, compassion. Soothes intensity of feelings. Mental and emotional balancer.

# COPPER: Excellent energy conductor! Sends and amplifies thoughts, healing, and gem electrical energy into wearer's energy field. Next to skin: Detoxes and soothes arthritis, rheumatism, other inflamation problems. 3rd chakra: stomach, intestines, etc. Warms, releases resentment, anger, etc. built up in joints as arthritis. Exhaustion recovery, circulation, balances warm sun energy and cool lunar energy. Energize with sun.

# CORAL: Calcium and calcite. Red and orange: stimulates 1st 2 chakras for energy and warmth, fertility. Energizes emotions. Muscles, blood, heart, reproductive system; thyroid, metabolism; meridians; spine, bone and tissue regeneration. (Avoid if high blood pressure, fever, anxious). Pink: Heart CTR, increases sensitivity, caring, compassion. White: Soothes; heals meridians, stress, smell ability, nerves. Black: Creativity, repels lower energies.

# CUPRITE: Deep wine red. (High copper content) Opens flow of 1st/root and 3rd/Stomach/power centers, hundalini energy, willpower. Also, with heart CTR: strengthens thymus, heart, blood, and oxygen, metabolism, stamina and healing. Historically also heals relationship with father, the yang side of us, masculinity (for men) and confidence/security issues. Access past life parent info for healing issues.

# DANBURITE: Clear crystal. Powerfully radiates bright, pure, white light, filling our body, mind, and spirit (and relationships) with loving light. Excellent to cleanse, purify, or debrief. Fills 3rd eye and Crown CTRS with joy and illumination. Brings truth, honesty, a smile to the heart and open receptivity to mind and spirit. Strengthens mind, nervous system, life force, awareness. Program for particular uses. Excellent healing tool.

# DESERT ROSE: A gypsum. Lt. brown. Gently grounding; clarifies thinking and mental vision, perception. Quiets worry, brings out practicality. (Related to Selenite). Reminds us to take time out to smell the roses. Quiets the mind.

# DIAMOND: (Carbon) Powerfully absorbs and amplifies thoughts/attitudes of user, other gems, and wearer's strengths and weaknesses: Prosperity, generosity/ vs. miserly; love vs. distrust; overview, spirituality vs. lust, immediate gratification. Used with loving, clear intent; clears blocks, opens crown CTR: spiritual love, peace. Clarity, trust, confidence. Cleanse thoroughly (It can hold our other's previous attitudes, emotions...) Ancients also used for detoxing.

# DIOPSIDE: Clear, deep green. Deep healing and expansion of Heart center, love, commitment, trust humbleness, heart, lungs, etc. Yin.

# DIOPTASE: Tiny deep blue-green silicate crystals. Its powerful green reaches deep into the heart CTR to release and heal sadness, heartache, abuse, neglect...Converts loss (recent/childhood) into self-love. Empowers heart with new depth, strength, healthiness, courage, ability to love deeply, unconditionally. Connects emotional heart with spiritual heart to receive abundance. Promotes genuineness, sincerity, emotional balance, self-worth, deep well-being. Central Nervous System, lungs, heart, blood pressure, stress. Can send healing deep into the earth.

# DOLOMITE: Pink/pastel/milky to clear. Clear varieties, especially pink are used to softly open and heal heart CTR. Soothes hurt, loneliness, anxiety, etc. Facilitates giving and receiving, generosity, spontaneity, creativity, energy uplift. Calcium content strengthens bones, teeth, muscles, woman's reproductive system; helps PMS.

# EILAT STONE: (chrysocolla and malachite) (incl. turquoise). Excels in healing emotional and physical aspects of heart/lungs and throat CTRS. Flushes out/heals hurt, fear, stress, loss. Antidepressant. Sinuses, mouth; Bone and tissue regeneration. On Solar Plexus: Aligns the subtle bodies, harmonizes heart, mind, and body. Wholeness, peace of heart, self-expression, creativity. Balances yin/yang. Draws out pain, inflamation, fever.

# ELESTIAL: Special form of clear/smokey qtz. Changes confusion/illusions to clarity, seeing truth, overview. Psychicness, openness to higher self/God/spirituality. Stimulates crown chakra/pineal to rise above situations, emotions. May initially intesify lower thoughts (ego, denial, self-judging...) to release these blocks to open heart/mind. Healing brain cells from drug/alcohol use. "All-seeing Stone" brings infusion of light. Use as a bridge stone to enhance energy flow between chakras.

# EMERALD: Beryl. Strengthens heart CTR for abundance, growth, peace, harmony, patience, love, fidelity, honesty. Lifts depression, insomnia. Knowingness of the heart, peaceful dreams. Breathing, heart, lymphnodes, blood, thymus, pancreas (blood sugar rebalance), labor/delivery, eyesight, and etheric field. Excellent general healer. Ancient blood detoxifierand antipoison. Androgynous.

# EPIDOTE: Deep green, striated. Strengthens over all health, heart, well-being, energy. Courage, stamina. Helps take good care of one's self (food, rest, etc.)

# FLUORITE: All rainbow colors. Important balancer, healer. Opens heart (especially green), throat and 2 highest CTRS for clarity, overview, seeing additional truths/realities. Spleen bones, teeth, lungs, detoxification, anxiety, insomnia. Clear and Purple: Objectivity; clears the way for new things, upliftment, aura cleanse, 3rd eye, eyesight, sinuses; repels colds. Enhances other gems. Green: Stills mind and heart, harmonizes and recharges all CTRS. Blue: Throat, nose, ears, soothing; Karmic impasses resolved, atonement relieved. Yellow: Focus, cooperation, group alignment. Yttrium: Lavendar, well-being, serenity, peace, connection with universe/God/eternal life force. Clusters: lowers work/life stress (helpful on your desk) Double Pyramid: Aligns spirit with physical plane, inner with outer awareness, and 2 sides/brain; crown CTR, illuminating karmic lessons.

# FUCHSITE: Muscovite. Mica-like flaky light green. Light-heartedness, friendliness, compassion, recovery, immunity. Speeds deeper healing.

# GARNET: (Only clear is used for healing) Use cut and polished. The brighter the better. Red: 1st and 2nd CTRS. Warms, energizes emotionally and physically (arthritus, frostbite, paralysis), grounds. Used by ancient cultures. Exhaustion, low BP, detoxing and strengthening blood, muscles, kidneys, gallstones. Stimulates life force and sexuality, hormone balance, antibodies, fertility, persistence, stamina, passion, confidence (and stubbornness). Yang (avoid if excess anger, impatience, high blood pressure, heat, inflamation, etc.) 1st/root CTR. Orange: Warmth, energy. 2nd CTR. Gem Silica: Gem quality Chrysocolla. Highly Evolved. See Silica.

# GOLD: Excellent all-purpose, high level gem amplifier and electrical conductor, especially on solar plexus and heart CTRS. Strengthens meridians, nerve system, digestion. Positively charged with warming sun energy. Often warn by teachers/healers, especially after much self-healing (addictions, childhood...) Attracts prosperity, stores, amplifies thoughts/emotions/energy (Greed too). Yang. Pink = Gold + copper. Lovingness, warmth, spirituality. Amplifies gem effects. White: Combines sun and moon's energy, thus higher conductor and amplifier.

# GOLDSTONE: Medium brown with tiny coppery glitter. Reported to be a man-made form of sunstone originally created when alchemists were working towards creating gold. Gently uplifting, mildly helpful to solar plexus CTR, to reduce stomach tension, protect center of body.

# HAWK'S EYE/FALCON'S EYE: Natural Green, grey or blue Tiger's eye-like quartz. Helps gain perspective to see/face situations fully. Seeing the overview clearly and unflinchingly, as from a Hawk's eyes. Stomach and brow chakras. Blue: Deepens meditation. helps us see the truth (self, others, situations) in order to grow.

# HEMATITE & MARCASITE: Silver-gray metallic. (High iron, mercury) One of the most grounding of all stones (root CTR). Condenses scatteredness, fuzziness into mental clarity, concentration, memory, practicality, helps study, bookkeeping, detail work, sound sleep. Confidence, will power, boldness. Egyptians used also to calm hysteria and anxiety. Yang. Helps us adjust to being physical. Spleen, blood, cleanse. Can deflect. Regroups after jet lag, stress, birth, anesthesia.

# HERKIMER DIAMOND: A special clear quartz. Shifts brain powerfully into alpha/deep stillness, opening the brow and crown CTRS for a strong, clear channel, psychic readings, meditation, OBEs. May take one too "high"/spacey to wear. The "Dream stone" - in meditation or pillow, it wonderfully enhances visualization, astral travel into the light and dream recall. Amplifies and stores thoughts, energy; use as bridge to stimulate energy flow up through the chakras. Cleanse often.

# HIDDENITE: A spodumene, like kunzite. Green. Best known for drawing prosperity. Clears heart to receive. Eases love or $ loss. Calming.

# HOWLITE: White. Gently absorbs and uplifts stress, tension, anxiety, emotional intensity, etc. Quietly loving, calming. Works with the heart center, bringing greater gentleness, patience, tact. Helps bones, teeth, and other calcium aspects of body.

# IOLITE: (Cordierite) Clear bluish-lavendar. Opens a light pathway from Throat CTR. up through crown. Truth, simplicity, imagery, peace. Living at higher awareness level. Alcohol/addiction detoxificator, sobriety. A newer stone recently more available. H:7; CTR:6,7; T (Aluminum) Jade: Solid to translucent. Green. Health, wealth, longevity stone. Ancient Chinese used also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony. Lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and blood detoxification, nervous system. Androgynous. A gentle, steady energy.

# JASPER: Chalcedony qtz. Multi-colored, solid. Yellow, orange, brown, green. Yellow for stomach, intestines, liver, spleen areas. earthy grounding. CTR:3. Green: Respiratory/Heart CTR. General tissue regeneration; mineral assimilation; general healing. Darker colors: more grounding. (Also less conductive for healing)

# KUNZITE: Spodumene with lithium. Pink, clear. Powerful, high level stone. Strengthens healers, teachers. Opens the emotional heart and spiritual heart. Unconditional lovingness, compassion. Healing abuse/loss/addictions. helps emotional balance, confidence, connection to higher self, oneness. Reduces depression, mood swings, stress, radiation. Also brow and crown CTRS. Deepens altered state: psychic readings, healing...being centered emotionally and spiritually.

# KYANITE: Light blue, splintery. Placed on brow, this opens 3rd eye and blue'/throat CTRS. Enhances psychic images, foresight, consciousness, meditation, communication. On 3rd eye; answers questions, especially in imagery. Brings out our natural ability to manifest things into reality via thoughts, visualization. Tranquility.

# LABRADORITE (Clearer/lighter)/SPECTROLITE (Darker): Subtle green/blue/yellow/etc. metallic iridescent. Brings forth each person's strengths to share with the world. Originality. Easier, more restful sleep. Helps us relate to others. Opens energy flow to solar plexus and brow CTRS and whatever other centers are most in need. Still evolving along with us. Fragile, avoid salt cleansing.

# LAPIS LAZULI: Solid, med. to dk. blue. In meditation, opens brow CTR: higher guidance, intuition, connection to higher self, overview, decisions for good of all. Organizes, quiets mind. Opens Throat/Thyroid CTR.: Self-expression, writing, creativity, dream insight...Anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, autism, shyness, nervous system; MS, speech, hearing, pituitary, DNA, lymph, inflamation, pain (especially head), protection.

# LARIMAR: A gentle, soft, sky-blue Caribbean healer. Brings tranquility of water/sea and air to heart and mind. Soothes and uplifts hurt, fear, depression, pain of life, changes with love. Self-expression, patience, acceptingness, simplicity, creativity, artwork. With red spots: helps gentle people be assertive. Cools, draws out inflamation, fevers, sunburn heat. Especially helps the creativity and throat CTR. (shoulder, thyroid, nose). Pleasantly uplifts the heart and eases stress.

# LEPIDOLITE: (Contains Lithium and mica). Solid lavendar to soft pink, dull, sparkly. Calms and relaxes. Gently eases intensity of feelings, stress, mood swings, depression, manic-depression, self-criticism, anxiety, addictions, worrying. Brings hope, relief, gentleness, self-love, patience, self-forgiveness, unworried sleep, mental/emotional balance, well-being. For master gland and immune system, skin, DNA. Balances 2nd and 3rd and Brow chakras with new spiritual love CTR. Fragile; salt water cleanse may cause it to break apart.

# LODESTONE: (Magnetite, Iron). Metallic black, natural magnet. Related to (and works like) hematite for grounding, clear thinking, focus (detail work, decisions, etc.). Electromagnetically pulls toxic blocks and pain from energy meridians, pancreas, and lower glands. Old story of its use for faithfulness test: Unfaithful one is said to fall out of bed if touched by this stone.

# MALACHITE: Steady pulsing electromagnetic energy. (High copper content) On brow: Stimulates physical and psychic vision, concentration. For heart and solar plexus centers: Stomach, liver, kidney stones, lungs, immune system, radiation, MS, circulation. Powerful with azurite or chrysocolla for healing: Releases and draws out pain, inflamation, depression, anger; heals blocks. Protects well by powerfully cleaning the auric field, rapidly absorbing undesirable energies, including: computer, TV, and other radiation, etc. Place in the 4 corners of a room to cleanse carpet toxins/gases. Clean very frequently - daily if possible!

# METEORITE: Usually solid, dull, mottled, brownish to black. Noniron varieties amplify thoughts/telepathic sending/receiving, greater awareness, some connection to extraterrestrial life. Odd/unusual energy, best used by those drawn to them. See Amazonite.

# MOLDAVITE: Greenish to brown-green Tektite (fell to earth). Dull outside, deep clear green inside. Powerfully expands psychicness, channeling. On Heart CTR. Eases longing to leave earth. On pillow, brow, crown: Telepathic access to spiritual laws, info from higher regions/places to help us and Earth to be healthier and more spiritual. An intense meteorite helping people incarnating from elsewhere be more comfortable here on earth (reducing asthma, toxin sensitivity, emotional intensity, epilepsy...)(May make some too spacey; be sure to ground self after use and before driving.) Fragile - Don't salt cleanse! More rare, expensive and powerful than a plain "tektite".

# MOONSTONE: Feldspar (contains aluminum). Translucent with white, pink, yellow, soft sheen. Soothes stress, anxiety, women's hormones/menstrual imbalance, lymph. Enhances intuitive sensitivity via feelings and less overwhelmed by personal feelings. Greater flexibility and flow with life. Connects 2nd and 6th chakras and Pineal for emotional balance, gracefulness. Helps all be more comfortable with our gentler feminine/yin receiving side. Especially for water signs.

# MORGANITE/PINK BERYL: Related to Emerald and Aquamarine. Clear/soft pink to violet, translucent to clear. Inspires spiritual lovingness, compassion, equality, upliftment, empathy, patience.

# OBSIDIAN: Beneficially influences stomach and intestines. Connects mind and emotions. Slightly masculine energy. Grounds spiritual energy into physical plane. Absorbs and disperses negativity. Reduces stress. Helps clear subconscious blocks. Brings and understanding of silence and "the void." Detatchment, but with wisdom and love. Powerful healer for those attuned with it. Chakra: Root.

# ONYX: A variety of chalcedony. Relieves stress. Balances male/female polarities. Strengthens bone marrow. Aids detatchment. Enhances emotional balance and self control. Higher inspiration. Works with chakras and attitudes according to color of stone.

# OPAL: Stimulates pineal and pituitary glands. Aids eyesight. Emotional balancer. Enhances intuition. The full spectrum of colors resonates with all chakreas. Helps conscious connection with highest aspects of being. Chakras: Heart and others, depending on color.

# PERIDOT (Olivine): Balances glandular system. Aids tissue regeneration. Has beneficial influence on heart, pancreas, spleen, liver, adrenals. Purifies body. Enhances bloodstream. Overall balancer and tonic for body/mind. Aligns subtle bodies. Increases intuitive awareness. Reduces stress. Stimulates mind. Accelerates personal growth, opens new doors of opportunity. Chakras: Navel, Solar Plexus, Heart.

# PYRITE: Aids digestion, improves circulation. Strengthens and oxygenates blood. Enhances brain functions. Influences a more positive outlook on life. Enhances emotional body, strengthens will. Helps one's ability to work with others harmoniously. Practicality. Chakras: Root, Solar Plexus, Heart.

# QUARTZ CRYSTAL (Clear): Enhances the crystalline properties of the blood, body and mind. Activates and enhances pineal and pituitary glands. Emotional balancer. Stimulates brain functions. Amplifies thout forms. Full spectrum energy activates all levels of consciousness. Dispels negativity in one's energy fields and in environment. Receives, activates, stores, transmits and amplifies energy. Excellent for meditation. Enhances interdimensional communication and communication with Higher Self and Spirit Guides. Chakras: All.

# RHODOCHROSITE: Aids spleen, kidneys, heart, pituitary gland and circulation of blood. Enhances memory and intellectual power. Emotional balancer. Helps heal emotional wounds and traumas. Aligns subtle bodies. Red/pink color helps to blend courage/will/passion aspects of lower chakras with loving expression of the heart. Divine love, acceptance of self and life. Powerful healer for those attuned to this stone. Chakras: Root, Heart.

# RHODONITE: Aids central nervous system, thyroid gland, body reflexes, pituitary gland, pancreas. Strengthens immunity,. Improves memory. Eases physical/emotional trauma. Reduces stress, calms mind. Aligns root and heart chakras for bringing love into action and manifestation (red and black variety). Self esteem, confidence. Enhances energy levels in body/mind. Pink variety (without black) helps impart understanding of strength within vulnerability. Great stone for light workers serving in cities. Chakras: Root, Heart.

# ROSE QUARTZ: Aids kidneys and circulatory system. Increases fertility. Eases sexual/emotional imbalances. Helps clear stored anger, resentment, guilt, fear, jealousy. Reduces stress and tension, cools hot temper. Enhances self confidence and creativity. Aids development of forgiveness, compassion, love. "Love stone." Chakra: Heart.

# RUBY: Aids regeneration of physical/spiritual heart. Enhances ciculation. Vitalizes blood and entire body/mind system. Strengthens immunity. Activates sluggish or dormant conditions on physical/spiritual levels. Refines lower passions. Courage, integrity, selfless service, joy, spiritual devotion, power, leadership. Helps banish sense of limitation. Chakras: Root, Heart.

# RUTILATED QUARTZ: Regeneration of tissue throughout body. Enhances life force. Strengthens immune system. Stimulates brain functions. Eases depression, facilitates inspiration. Increases clairvoyance. Highly electrical, more intensity that clear quartz. Pierces through layers of physical/emotional/mental density. Transmutes negativity. Enhances communication with Higher Self and Spirit Guides. Very powerful healer. Chakras: All.

# SAPPHIRE: Strengthens heart and kidneys. Activates pituitary gland, thereby aiding entire glandular system. Aligns body/mind/spirit. Stimulates psychic abilities, clarity and inspiration. Creative expression, loyalty, love. Aids connection with Higher Self/Spirit Guides. Strengthens will. Expands cosmic awareness. Dispells confusion. Excellent for meditation. Chakras: Throat, Third Eye.

# SELENITE (Gypsum): Strengthens bones, teeth. Soothes nerves. Has positive effect on brain, aiding power of concentration and clarity. Enhances willpower. Grounded white light. Chakra: Crown.

# SILVER: Enhances mental functions. Aids circulation. Strengthens blood, physically and etherically. Strengthens pineal and pituitary glands. Relieves stress. Relates to the moon, subconscious, female aspect. Emotional balance. Speech improvement. Excellent energy conductor.

# SMOKY QUARTZ: Strengthens adrenals, kidneys, pancreas. Increases fertility, balances sexual energy. Aids depression. Mildly sedative and relaxing. Initiates movement of kundalini. Dissipates subconscious blocks and negativity on all levels. Grounding, centering. Excellent for meditation. Enhances dream awareness and channeling abilities. Chakras: Root, Navel, Solar Plexus.

# SODALITE: Aids pancreas, balances endocrine system, strengthens metabolism and lymphatic system. Balances male/female polarities. Alleviates fear. Calms and clears the mind. Slightly sedative, grounding. Cuts through density and illusion, bringing clarity and truth. Enhances communication, creative expression. Similar qualities as lapis lazuli. Chakras: Throat, Third Eye.

# SUGILITE (Royal Azel): Enhances functions of pineal, pituitary and adrenal glands. Activates and balances brain hemispheres. Strengthens heart. Airds physical healing and purification of bodily systems. Emotional balancer, reduces sress. Brings higher spiritual awareness into physical reality. Enhances sensitivity. Strong protective qualities. Excellent for meditation. Enhances channeling abilities. Chakras: Third Eye, Crown.

# TIGER EYE: Variety of chalcedony (quartz). Beneficial for spleen, pancreas, digestive organs, colon. Emotional balancer. Enhances connection with personal power and will. Grounding, centering. Helps soften stubbornness. Enhances clear perception and insight. Slightly masculine energy. Chakras: Navel, Solar Plexus.

# TOPAZ: (Gold) Tissue regeneration. Strengthens liver, gallbladder, spleen, digestive organs, nervous system. Detoxifies body. Warming, awakening, inspiring. Abundance. Chakras: Navel, Crown. (Blue) Tissue regeneration. Strengthens thyroid gland, enhances metabolism. Emotional balance. Cooling, soothing, peace, tranquility. Creativity, self expression. Enhances psychic perception, communication with Higher Self/Spirit Guides. Chakras: Heart, Throat, Third Eye.

# TOURMALINATED QUARTZ: Clear quartz with black tourmaline crystals inside. Balances male/female polarities. Aids in balancing extremes. GRounding, very protective, dissipates negativity. Combines forces of clear quartz and black tourmaline. Chakras: Root, Crown.

# TOURMALINE (All colors): Aids balance of endocrine system. Aids sleep. Strengthens, vitalizes body/mind. Activates and enhances crystalline properties of body/mind. Aligns subtle bodies. Dispels fear and negative conditions. Strong protective influence. Concentration, inspiration. Enhances sensitivity and understanding. Powerful healer, highly electromagnetic. The various color will activate and align corresponding chakras.

(Black Tourmaline/Schorl) Root chakra. (Watermelon Tourmaline/red/green) Root, Heart chakras. (Green Tourmaline) Heart chakra. (Blue Tourmaline/Indicolite) Throat, Third Eye chakras. (Red/Pink Tourmaline/Rubellite) Root, Heart chakras.

# TURQUOISE: Tones, strengthens entire body. Tissue regeneration. Aids circulation, lungs, respiratory system. Vitalizes blood, nervous system. Aligns chakras. Enhances meditation. Creative expression, peace of mind, emotional balance, communication, friendship, loyalty. Chakras: Throat.

# VARISCITE: Soothing, calming, blanceing for body/mind. Aids blood, heart. Emotional stability. Helps one recall past lives. Self confidence. Abundance. Chakras: Heart, Solar Plexus.

# ZIRCON (Hyacinth): Strengthens the mind. Aids bowel problems. Balances pituitary and pineal glands. Aligns subtle bodies. Emotional balance, self esteem. Aids sleep. Simliar properties as diamond and quartz crystal. All around healer. Chakras: All.

Herbal Treatment of Disease

2009-02-05T11:31:00.000-08:00

By May Bethel

Nature has the intrinsic ability to regenerate itself. However, when nature needs help, turn to herbs.

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Ague

For ague, also called intermittent fever, gentian, sorrel, tansy, vervain, camomile are the recommended herbs.

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Anaemia

In anaemia there is a low state of the blood. The number of red corpuscles is decreased.

One hears of iron-deficiency anaemia. Iron alone cannot help anaemia. It has been found that if the diet is deficient in vitamin C long enough, anaemia will result. Iron needs vitamin C in its process of absorption. Along with an iron and vitamin C deficiency, a deficiency in copper, manganese, cobalt and magnesium can cause anaemia. These minerals are especially necessary in haemoglobin formation.

Synthetic vitamin C is not effective in treating anaemia. Only natural vitamin C as found in rosehips, containing other factors necessary to the effective functioning of vitamin C, is useful in treating anaemia as well as other vitamin C deficiency diseases.

Alterative botanicals were long used in cases of impoverished blood. Alterative is an obsolete term also called blood purifiers. What they really do is restore to the body such elements as are necessary to a healthy bloodstream. A healthy bloodstream largely determines the power of resistance to disease. Botanic alteratives contain a variety of ingredients known today as trace minerals which are not always found in the foods we eat.

A combination of Rocky Mountain grape root, butternut bark and marshmallow root is a good alterative. Alterative botanicals long used in cases of impoverished blood are dandelion root, yellow dock root, yarrow, wild cherry bark, comfrey and red raspberry leaves.

Black walnut leaves are especially good to restore the red corpuscles and iron compounds. They are the best blood builders. The green pigment in the leaves (chlorophyll) is rich in iron. Chlorophyll is similar chemically to the non-protein portion of haemoglobin.

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Appendicitis

Constipation is one of the causes of appendicitis, which, of course, is due mostly to a faulty diet. In the case of appendicitis, the first thing to do is to give an enema, using either a small amount of baking soda or a herb tea. This will often relieve the pain. For a herbal enema, use either spearmint or catnip. Apply hot and cold packs alternately in the region of the appendix and all along the spine. A poultice of mullein leaves (a large handful), one tablespoon powdered lobelia and a pinch of ginger is good, made by adding enough slippery elm bark (shredded) or cornmeal to the tea to make it thick enough to spread. Apply as warm as patient can stand it and leave it on until cool. After the attack go on a liquid diet of fruit and vegetable juices and alkaline broths. A calmative tea is also good. Never give solid food, water or a laxative during an attack. These help are good while waiting for the doctor, but always see your practitioner.

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Arthritis

Arthritis is an inflammation of the connective tissue in the joints. Pain is not the disease itself. It is the result of a longstanding nutritional imbalance.

Our modern, improper diets and stresses encourage the formation of toxins in the digestive tract.

At one time teeth, tonsils and appendix were removed because they were thought to be the source of toxins that caused arthritis. However, when arthritics still had their pains and misery after the removal of these supposed offenders, this procedure was abandoned.

As the disease progresses, the involved joints are moved less and less because of the pain. Consequently the surrounding muscles begin to atrophy, resulting in crippling.

While not a fatal disease, arthritis causes the greatest number of disabilities.

Many types of therapy have been tried to cure arthritis. It is admitted though that a cure has not yet been found.

Any factor that adds to the state of health may be considered as helpful.

Be optimistic, be patient and persistent. A pessimistic attitude upsets the whole glandular system, causing functional imbalance.

If you feel stiffness coming on, breathe fast and deep for five minutes.

Walking is good if particular attention is paid to posture and breathing. Briskness and duration depends upon the endurance of the individual. Walk should be

stopped at a point just short of fatigue.

Take care of your feet. Ill-fitting shoes can cause joint pain.

Correctly applied massage helps to maintain the tone and circulation in the muscles, the activity of which is inhibited by pain. The greatest drawback to massage therapy is the tendency to overdo it. Too much or prolonged massage can be harmful.

While under a hot shower (as hot as can be borne) massage all the area near the aching joint.

Soak the feet in hot Epsom salts water. Then massage every part of the feet, especially the soles.

Also firmly massage the hands, paying particular attention to the palms.

A bath (soak) in hot Epsom salts water will help to alleviate the pain.

Spinal alignment is also helpful.

Exercise daily. Exercise increases the range of motion in the affected joint, strengthens the muscles moving the joint, prevents deformity.

Arthritics should rest often. Rest does not consist merely of cessation from physical and mental labours. Relaxing the muscles is resting. Five minutes of relaxation out of every hour can minimize pain.

Exercise, rest, relaxation, proper food, vitamin and mineral therapy and B-12 injections will go a long way to reduce the pain and discomfort of arthritis.

Since arthritis is a condition of the joints where the bones or cartilage are either eroded or roughened by calcium deposits, there may be an insufficient supply of phosphorus to maintain a calcium balance. Calcium would then be precipitated into the joints or tissues. Almost any deficiency will depress the metabolism of calcium.

It has been found that arthritics have oil deficiencies. Any good vegetable oil is good to add to the diet. Cod liver oil is especially recommended.

Natural vitamins and minerals are always more effective than the synthetic kind. Molasses provide the much needed iron. There is a sulphur deficiency in the cartilage of joints of arthritics. Sulphur is found in amino acids.

Fruit and vegetable juices have eased joint pains, especially raw carrot juice. Celery is recommended as a preventive of arthritis. It is said that if celery is cooked and eaten freely with a little milk, the excess acids in the system would be neutralized and arthritis would be impossible. Parsley is also recommended. Pour one quart of boiling water over one cup of parsley (firmly packed), both leaves and stems. Steep fifteen minutes. One small glassful daily is said to be helpful. Excellent results have been reported in the use of garlic; also uncooked proteins, such as are found in sesame and sunflower seeds and wheat germ, are recommended.

The arthritic has need of an abundance of pantothenic acid, B-6 and manganese. These are removed from wheat in the milling of flour.

In an animal experiment, one group which was fed cooked foods, including pasteurized milk, developed joint stiffness. In the other group, given the same diet except that raw chard leaves were added, all joint stiffness disappeared.

The best dietetic therapy includes alfalfa, desiccated liver, brewer's yeast, bone meal, fish-liver oil, lecithin, sesame and sunflower, seeds, B-12, parsley, garlic and molasses.

Refrain from eating white sugar, white flour, saturated fats and pastries.

The following recipe is said to be helpful. Put a whole lemon, peel, pulp, and seeds, in a blender with water and honey. Drink this half an hour before eating breakfast or on an empty stomach. Some have used apple cider vinegar and honey, two teaspoonfuls of each in a glass of water before meals.

Some herbs or formulas are helpful. The following are recommended

Cayenne (amount, size of a pea) in a glass of milk; or a No. 1 capsule filled with the cayenne may be used. Take the capsule with a glass of milk also.

Comfrey has been given to arthritics with amazing results. It may be used as a tea or eaten raw in salads.

I have used rosemary leaves with excellent results. Drink hot every morning and night.

The Mexican yam has been discovered by modern scientists. The tuber is the source of diosgenin, which yields cortisone and other hormones and steroids used in treating rheumatic diseases.

Willow bark tea has been used by African natives for generations to relieve the pain of rheumatism. The willow bark contains salicin, a pain-killing drug.

The medication most often prescribed today for arthritis is aspirin. Salicylic acid is one of the ingredients of aspirin. Wintergreen leaves contain an abundance of salicylic acid. Wintergreen may be prescribed as taken as the oil of the wintergreen. However, care should be taken as to the amount to be taken. Three or four drops in a glass of water or on a half teaspoonful of sugar is sufficient for a dose. This may be taken three or four times a day, not more than every three or four hours.

Arthritis is one of the afflictions of man that requires a good house-cleaning. A daily fast once a week for several weeks is good. Drink copious amounts of pure water and/or fruit juices during the fast. One kind of juice only to be used during a day. Juice may be diluted.

A few herbal formulae which are recommended for arthritis are:

Poke root, one ounce; prickly ash Bark, one ounce; Black Cohosh, half ounce; and Burdock Root, one ounce.

Virginia snake root, prickly ash bark, burdock root, yarrow and wintergreen leaves.

Wahoo bark, Rocky Mountain grape root, black cohosh and wintergreen leaves.

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Asthma And Hay Fever

Asthma is caused by the system being filled with waste matter and mucous. It is recognized by occasional paroxysms of difficult breathing, lasting from a few hours to several days, coming on at intervals to be followed by remissions, during which the patient breathes with comparative ease.

In the case of asthma, the diet should be plain; only raw fruits and vegetables should be eaten for five or six weeks. Nuts may be allowed. This diet should be continued with the addition of fish, lamb or beef broiled. Carbohydrates, refined products, coffee, tea, cocoa or excessive salt have no place in the diet of an asthmatic patient.

An enema should be given every day for a while to help eliminate waste products of metabolism.

Dr. Livingstone discovered that many asthmatic patients may be completely relieved by a course of training in correct breathing. Using the slant-board has helped some.

A syrup made with honey and the tea made from wild plum bark is the best herbal remedy for asthma.

Equal parts of spikenard, elecampane, comfrey, hoarhound and one teaspoonful lobelia is also good. One tablespoonful taken every half hour is recommended.

A good herb mixture is made with equal parts of wild cherry bark, skullcap, valerian, gentian, calamus and a small amount of lobelia.

Black cohosh, coltsfoot, wild cherry, blue vervain are also recommended.

Mullein leaves, dried and smoked in a pipe or cigarette, has helped in some cases. Spikenard was used by the American Indians in the treatment of asthma and hay fever.

MaHuang was used by the Chinese centuries ago. Ephedrin is a drug being extracted from MaHuang. Mormon Valley herb also contains ephedrin.

An anti-spasmodic tincture has been of value in treating asthma. This tincture may be made as follows: Pour one pint of boiling water over once ounce each of scullcap, Gum myrrh, skunk cabbage, one-half ounce each of black cohosh and Cayenne. Steep one-half hour. Strain and add one pint apple cider vinegar. Bottle for use. One teaspoonful is the recommended dose.

A pillow stuffed with "life everlasting" has helped some people.

It has long been suspected that asthma and hay fever are symptoms of a deficiency in the body of some particular factor rather than being a disease in themselves. The failure of the body to assimilate sufficient potassium may well be the cause of asthmatic difficulties based on faulty functioning of the adrenal glands. The herbs containing potassium are walnut leaves, mistletoe, coltsfoot, mullien, yarrow, comfrey, calamus and fennel seed.

Asthma has been helped by a supplement of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D.

Honey is said to be a cure for hay fever. According to experimental studies made by William Beaumont, of General Hospital of El Paso, Texas, chewing honeycomb from the region in which the patient lives has helped some. By chewing the wax or eating the honey it is possible to counteract the effect of the pollen. The patient builds up a resistance to the very thing for which he has an intolerance.

The body level of vitamin C is decidedly lower during hay fever attacks.

When hay fever starts, or even before the pollen season, take a glassful of "life everlasting" tea night and morning. Also make a pillow using "life everlasting". A diet of fruit juices (50% raw) gives immediate relief.

Before a cure for asthma or hay fever can be effective, the diet of the patient must be corrected.

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Backache

Backache is one of the most prevalent and perhaps the most painful ailment. Low backache is a common complaint in the earlier stages of osteoporosis. In osteoporosis the bones are soft or porous and may be due to a shortage of calcium.

Backache may also be due to constipation, the self-poisoning from absorption of toxic substances from the bowel into the bloodstream. The resulting debilitating state of health robs the back muscles of their normal tone and strength.

Much lower-back troubles can be traced to spinal discs. Small amounts of protruding disc material squeezes out from between the vertebrae and often press on nerves emerging from the spine. Then follows muscle spasm which causes some of the most intense pain.

Abdominal muscles, through lack of exercise, may not give the spine the support it needs from that area. Tough abdominal muscles are a good insurance against disc trouble.

Exercise is then important in relieving and preventing backache. One good exercise is to lie flat on the floor. Put legs in the air and go through a cycling motion. Using a slant board and cycling while on it is excellent.

Check your posture to be sure it is good. Also look to your shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can have a bad effect on the back.

Diet plays a vital role in developing a strong body which will resist back strain.

Sufficient protein of good quality will build firm tissue which will keep spinal discs properly in place.

B vitamins are of value in treating sciatica, which can result from slipped disc.

To overcome the muscle spasm which causes a great deal of backache, the blood circulation must be improved.

Swamp root, pumpkin seeds, nettle, tansy, uva ursi, buchu and wood betony are the recommended herbs.

Rosinweed root is also said to be good. Place two large tablespoonfuls of the powdered root in one quart of water. Simmer thirty minutes. One cupful four or five times a day is the recommended dose.

Regular, moderate exercise, good posture, good diet, a good back support and a firm mattress are all helpful aids to prevent back trouble.

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Bad Breath

Halitosis has far deeper origins than decaying food remaining in the mouth or decayed teeth.

When the bowels are toxic, the saliva contains indican which causes bad breath.

Bad breath can be caused when fats, stored in the tissues, pass into the bloodstream, circulate to the lungs and then escape in the form of gases.

Also unpleasant gases, formed by offending substances you may have eaten, get into the blood with the assimilation of food. You exhale and you breathe out the offensive odour.

Mouth and tooth infection can cause bad breath, however. Putrefaction of food internally is mostly the direct cause. After toxins and putrefaction are eliminated, foul breath promptly disappears.

Cubeb berries or anise seed may be chewed for offensive breath. Also the gum of cup plant may be chewed to sweeten the breath.

Peppermint tea is said to take away bad breath if taken daily.

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Boils And Carbuncles

Boils and carbuncles are generally caused by infection in a hair follicle. Lowered body resistance against infection may be indicated in the case of boils and carbuncles. Vitamin C will build up resistance to infection.

Poultices made of ground flaxseed, peach tree leaves, catnip leaves or roasted onion and applied hot will draw out the infection. Poultices of yarrow leaves and wheat bran or slippery elm bark (powdered) and lard or plantain leaves boiled and applied hot are also good.

Burdock tea, gentian root, wild cherry bark, nettle, red clover, yellow dock root, sarsaparilla or sassafras are all good alternatives or blood purifiers, and are all good to prevent and keep one free of boils and carbuncles.

Soaking the offending boils or carbuncles in hot Epsom salts water when possible is a good aid.

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Cancer

Cancer is so widespread that much has been written both to help and also to hinder the finding of a cure for this disease.

Medical science seeks a drug to cure cancer.

A biochemist developed a drug, a chemically synthesized amino acid that is said to have cured leukemia in animals. Why take a synthesized product when a good protein diet will do as much?

Doses of any drug large enough to cure cancer would be strong enough to kill the patient outright.

Marvellous results have been claimed for the grape cure for cancer.

A very good relief for cancer is a tea made of red clover blossoms, either fresh or dried. Drink one quart a day. Violet leaves and flowers should be added. Other herbs recommended are: burdock, yellow dock root, dandelion root, golden seal, slippery elm bark (in cases of stomach cancer especially), comfrey, blue flag, rock rose, and wood betony.

For cancer of the breast the following is recommended. Phytolacca, two ounces; Gentian, one ounce; Dandelion Root, one ounce; three pints of water. Simmer to one pint. Make a simple syrup with honey. One teaspoonful after each meal is recommended.

Alkaloids extracted from a periwinkle shrub (Vinca Rosea) is considered one of the most promising anti-cancer agents. Why use an alkaloid? The herb tea is more effective.

I have successfully treated cancer of the skin with the following ointment. Make a very strong tea with red clover blossoms and violet leaves and flower. The tea is then strained and the liquid is simmered slowly until it is of the consistency of tar. This same ointment was used to remove tumours.

Parsley is rich in potassium and calcium. It has been found that cancer cells cannot multiply in potassium.

Dr. Max Gerson, of Nannet, New York, advocates that cancer cannot develop in normal metabolism. He also said that the liver is the centre of the restoration process in those patients who improve striking.

Dr. Harry Goldblatt and his laboratory collaborator at the Institute of Medical Research at Cedar of Lebanon Hospital discovered that normal tissue growing in test tubes becomes cancerous when it is deprived of oxygen. Cancer frequently occurs in scars.

The Drs. Shute, of Canada, in their book Alpha Tocopherol in Cardiovascular Disease, point out that vitamin E has been known to reduce the oxygen requirement of muscles by as much as 43%. It is a proven fact that vitamin E will eventually remove scars left by thrombosis.

A resident scientist at Wernse Cancer Research Laboratories at Washington School of Medicine at St. Louis, Missouri, criticized cancer researchers who describe a cure for cancer as being just around the corner, and that a break-through has been discovered. This scientist seemed certain that medical science will never be able to prevent cancer. He also said that people should be aware of cancer-causing substances and be willing to avoid them.

The role of nutrition is an important one in cancer research. A strong, healthy' body will resist the inroads of cancer formation and development.

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Virus, Coughs, Colds And 'Flu

The common cold causes more actual disability in man-hours lost than any other ailment. Although it is the most prevalent ailment in the world, and one of the oldest known to man, it still baffles medical science.

An old remedy consisted of a hot drink, a hot bath, an enema and/or a laxative and rest in bed.

The quicker you get the channels of elimination open, the quicker you will be over a cold.

Sneezing is nature's way of ridding the respiratory tract of the mucous-laden toxina. Never dry up the nasal tract with inhalants. Let nature do her work in a natural sneezy way.

Plenty of alfalfa tea, elderberry and peppermint is a good combination for colds.

A syrup made with a tea of pine needles with lemon juice and honey added, taken hot, is good for a cold. Hot lemonade with mint-flavoured alfalfa tea and honey is also good, if the patient is kept warm in bed.

It is said to be possible to induce a quick recovery from a cold by changing the urine from alkaline to acid by taking two teaspoons of honey and two teaspoons of cider vinegar in a glass of water.

Sore throat has been relieved in one day by chewing the fresh gum from the spruce tree.

A good gargle for sore throat is made with sage, honey and a pinch of cayenne. Another good gargle is made with cider vinegar, salt and a pinch of cayenne.

The following has proved effective in cases of pneumonia. Grease a cloth, spread with ground lobelia herb and heat, and place on chest and on back across the shoulders.

A good combination of herbs for any chest affliction is elecampane, spikenard, rosinweed root and coltsfoot. Steep in boiling water and add enough honey to make a syrup.

Today when one has cold or the 'flu he is said to have a virus.

What is a virus? A virus is supposed to be too small to be seen except with the super-powerful electron microscope and too small to be trapped by the finest filter. It is debatable if they are even alive, yet when one enters a living cell it can do a lot of harm.

Most popular cold remedies contain very dangerous ingredients and are ineffective in fighting a cold. The Lederle Laboratories have gone on record agreeing that antibiotics are ineffective for treating viral respiratory infection.

The British Medical Research Council reported that antihistamines have little or no value in treatment or prevention of colds.

The old-fashioned foot-bath is still good in treating a cold. Keep water as hot as can be borne and add epsom salts. Twenty minutes is not too long to sit with the feet in this bath.

For bronchitis, inhalation of vapours of elderberry blossom tea and camphor is very effective.

Sunflower seeds, along with other herbals, is said to be helpful in bronchitis.

A good remedy for bronchitis is as follows: One cup of red clover blossoms, two level tablespoonfuls of ground flaxseed, one pint boiling water. Mix and steep for one hour. Strain and add honey and the juice of one lemon. Drink hot on going to bed, and cold during the day.

Sage tea is also good for colds and bronchitis.

A good old-fashioned cough syrup is made with hoarhound, slippery elm bark, liquorice root or stick (not the cheap confection) and juice of one lemon. Use honey to make the syrup. Wild cherry bark may also be added.

A hot drink, a hot bath, plenty of juices and liquids and plenty of rest is still the best medication for a cold ever invented.

Diet is an important factor in avoiding winter colds.

You can prevent colds, the 'flu or a virus by taking commonsense care of your health.

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Constipation

Constipation is a thief of good health. Prompt elimination of waste products is vitally important. Delayed elimination may often be the cause of headaches and nervous indigestion. Faulty diet and emotional stress are also causes in a majority of cases.

Artificial means of emptying the bowel disturbs the body chemistry. The body's power of immunity is thus weakened. The use of laxatives depletes the body of potassium, which in turn leads to muscular weakness and often paralysis and myocardial weakness.

Advertising of pharmaceutical companies throws a scare into the public of missed bowel movements and so a fortune is spent yearly on laxatives. It is estimated that Americans spend more than $148,000,000 a year on laxatives.

The use of mineral oil for relief of constipation is widespread. It has been proven that mineral oil interferes with the body's utilization and retention of calcium and phosphorus and interferes with the function of vitamin D.

The adage "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" is certainly true. The use of apple pulp (raw) absorbs poisonous matter in the intestines and carries it downward through the intestines and out of the body. Apple pulp is also good for diarrhoea. Bananas have also been used effectively in diarrhoea, especially in infants.

Adults should drink at least two quarts of water daily. Catnip tea can be used effectively as a drink and also as an enema.

Equal parts of butternut bark, Rocky Mountain grape root, senna leaves and liquorice root makes a good herbal laxative. Cascara Segrada may also be added.

Of course, it is understood that no laxative should ever be given in case of a possible appendicitis.

The best possible way to keep the elimination of waste proceeding naturally and effectively is to eat properly of bulk foods and plenty of vitamins and minerals found in fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot utilize all the sugar which enters the bloodstream from digested food. It is a digestive disorder resulting from a deficiency of pancreatic juice. When the secretion of insulin by the pancreas is inhibited, diabetes results. It has been suggested that the liver may be to blame for a breakdown of the pancreas.

The early symptoms are weakness, fatigue, loss in weight in spite of a good appetite, increase of thirst and frequent urination. Carbuncles on the shoulders or scapular region frequently accompanies diabetes.

Doctors are content to control diabetes with insulin rather than attempt to cure it.

A careful diet is better and more effective than inorganic insulin or any of the oral drugs which are harmful. With Orinase, a sulpha drug, there is kidney involvement. Diabinese, even more potent, caused at least forty-three deaths before it was withdrawn from the market.

Dr. Somogyi, in his article in American Diabetes Association journal, stated that by avoiding low blood-sugar, diabetes can be controlled without insulin or drugs.

Insulin is now known to be a zinc molecule. Diabetics may be generally deficient in zinc. Zinc is one of the trace minerals found in herb teas.

Inulin (not insulin) is a carbohydrate which diabetics may eat. It occurs in artichokes, dahlia bulbs and elecampane. Potatoes do not contain inulin.

To assist the pancreas in the manufacture of insulin, the body requires organic sulphur. The fruits and vegetables which are rich in sulphur are cabbage, cauliflower, brussels-sprouts, kale, broccoli, collards, onions, leeks, horseradish, watercress, chives, garlic, raspberries, pineapple, currants and apples. These should be eaten raw. Beverage herbs that are rich in sulphur are stinging nettle and fennel seed. It is necessary to balance sulphur herbs with phosphorus herbs. Liquorice root, caraway seed and marigold flowers are some of the phosphorus herbs. Apples contain more phosphorus than any other fruit.

Pine nuts contain no starch and with other nuts make a good source of easily digested protein. All green vegetables may be eaten freely. The early, fresh, succulent vegetables of spring, served raw, are the best remedy for ridding the system of hyperacidity and excess sugar.

Potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron are the recommended minerals. Beverage herbs containing these minerals are black walnut leaves, camomile flowers, eyebright, stinging nettle, comfrey, fennel seeds and strawberry leaves. Dandelion greens in early spring are also good.

There have been cases where, after drinking a tea of huckleberry leaves for several months instead of water, there was no trace of sugar in the urine. The same effect was obtained after drinking a tea of crawlgrass for several months.

Roots of the "devil's club", a prickly shrub, was used by American Indians for diabetes.

A tea made of soy bean pods, oat straw and wild carrot tops has also proven effective. Soy bean pod tea seems to successfully lower the sugar level of the blood.

A vitamin C deficiency may be the underlying cause of diabetes. Vitamin B helps to cut down on insulin intake. Lemon juice, unsweetened and diluted, oxidizes excess blood sugar.

The brain depends upon the moment to moment blood sugar level for its functioning. This may be attributed to the blackouts that occur in diabetes.

Diabetes may return if you go on a cake and candy binge! Persevere in an intelligent diet including beverage herbs if you wish to be free from diabetes.

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Ears That Hear

Impairment of hearing ranks fourth among the top handicapping illnesses.

Many who become hard of hearing, especially after middle age, do not need a hearing aid. Often wax collects in the ear canals, and, when removed by a doctor, hearing is often restored in minutes. It is best to let a doctor remove the wax for two reasons. First, the ear is a delicate organ and can be easily injured. Secondly, as in one case, the wax hardened on the eardrum. If not removed carefully in such a case, inflammation of the brain could follow.

If deafness is not caused by wax, there is still hope for the hard of hearing. In 1949 a world famous ear specialist connected with a large New York hospital held the theory that deafness is caused by an excess of pyruvic acid in the bloodstream. To help correct this condition, which is caused by faulty carbohydrate metabolism, he advocated the use of B-amino complex.

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Eyes That See

The one part of the body which reacts more readily to conditions of poor health is the eyes. Regardless of what organ may be diseased, the signs first appear in the eyes.

As long ago as 400 B.C., Hippocrates fed his patients the livers of birds to cure blindness. In the last forty years, science has proved why this cure worked.

A normal, wholesome diet will help to prevent and even cure such eye conditions as poor vision, abnormal sensitivity to glare and bright lights and other eye conditions.

Continued errors in food intake rob your eyes of precious elements so necessary to good eye health. Better food habits could free everyone of eye disorders and eye glasses could be outmoded.

The public should be warned about optic nerve degeneration and even complete blindness due to side-effects of drugs. People are led to believe that drugs are the only answer to curing disease. Side-effects of drugs are more harmful than the original illness. Thiouracil, commonly used for depression of an overactive thyroid, has caused paralysis of the muscles of the eyes and of the eyelids, causing them to droop. It has also interfered with the focusing power of the eye. Prolonged use of acetophenetidin, a common ingredient in aspirin, also affects the eyes. Atropine, used in eye examination and also for motion sickness, interferes with the eyes' accommodation to light and darkness. Potassium iodide can cause degeneration of the retina. The prolonged use of chloramphenicol results in the degeneration of the optic nerve and also interferes with the assimilation and synthesis of the B vitamins.

Contact lenses have been linked to blindness. According to Dr. William Stone, Director of the Ophthalmic Plastic Research Laboratories at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Boston, methacrylic acid, used in the manufacture of the plastic which is used in making contact lenses, is sometimes retained in the plastic after it is hardened. Tears caused by irritation can draw the acid from the lenses and, depending upon the amount of acid present, can cause serious damage to the eyes.

Boric acid, often used in treating the eyes has caused death in some instances (AMA, December 28, 1963).

Prolonged deficiency of certain food factors lead to cataract. A deficiency of riboflavin and calcium has been found to produce cataract. About one-fifth of all cases of slight loss of sight are caused by cataract.

Glaucoma is a hardening of the arteries of the eyeball. About 2 1/2 % of all people over 40 contract glaucoma. It is extremely painful, especially at the onset.

There is convincing evidence that cortisone-like drugs can cause hardening of the eyeball.

The purity of the bloodstream is of special importance in curing glaucoma. Toxic waste must be eliminated. This elimination is best begun by fasting, followed with fruit and vegetable juice therapy. Then a balanced diet with special emphasis on vitamin A and riboflavin has been recommended. Such a diet is also important in treating cataract.

Spinal manipulation has also been indicated.

Sunflower seeds seem to be a specific for good vision. Sunflower seeds are rich in the B vitamins. The oil in the seeds is very rich in vitamins A and D. The seeds are also rich in calcium, phosphorus and iron, all of which are known to be valuable to good eye health.

There are also herbs which, when taken as a tea, will improve eye health.

In an Old English herbal, horehound tea and wine and honey is said to "clear the eyesight".

Juniper berries are said to fortify the sight by strengthening the optic nerve.

Old herbalists claimed that elecampane "clears, strengthens and quickens the sight of the eyes wonderfully".

Another herbalist claimed that eyebright "hath restored sight to them that have been blind a long time before".

Rosemary is said to "clear dim sight".

A report by a famous Swedish botanist, Peter Kalm, tells how a Mohawk Medicine Man restored the sight of an Indian boy after all other known methods and remedies of the time were tried and failed. The fumes or vapour from a decoction of witch hazel bark was passed through a funnel that was held near the eye. The boy had been blind for six months.

A quaint old rhyme goes like this:

Noble is Rue! It makes the sight of the eyes

both sharp and clear;

With the help of Rue, oh! blear-eyed man!

Thou shalt see far and near.

Culpeper made the claim that "Eyebright made into a powder and then into an electuary (a syrup) with honey, hath a powerful effect and help to restore the sight decayed by age".

Pliny said in his writings that the Pythagoreans believed that the absence of blindness and eye trouble in general was attributed to the daily consumption of honey.

A good drink that will keep the sparkle in your eyes is made as follows: Place one cup of raw carrot juice, one level teaspoonful of rosehips powder, one egg yolk, a little honey, ground sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, one teaspoonful of brewer's yeast, one-quarter cup of eyebright tea, and a pinch of kelp in the blender, and blend well. It is delicious and an eye-brightner.

A good eyewash may be made by mixing fennel seed, camomile flowers and eyebright. Steep in boiling water and strain through a cloth to remove all residue. Apply with an eye-cup.

For pink eye, scrape Irish potato and apply to eyes. Also sassafrass pith made into a tea and applied with an eyedropper. All teas dropped into the eyes must be strained through a clean cloth to remove any sediment.

One of the worst things that can happen to you is blindness. Take the very best care of you eyes while you can still see. They come only two to a customer.

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Epilepsy

Epilepsy is more prevalent than might be thought. One out of every one hundred persons suffers from epilepsy.

More than fifty years ago the first epilepsy colony was established in the State of New York. It was advocated there that hard muscular work is a good remedy for epilepsy. The superintendent of the colony announced that the patients worked off the convulsions at the end of a hoe handle by vigorous field work.

It has been proven that active muscular work is almost a panacea in cases of epilepsy in which the brain has not been damaged.

Epilepsy is not incurable, as once thought.

Diet is very important in epilepsy therapy. The following suggestions should be carried out. First, cut down on all liquids. Secondly, cut down on all starch foods. Thirdly, increase fats (unsaturated). Fourthly, no milk, no pork, fried or refined foods should be eaten. And lastly, no ice cream, canned fruit or rich desserts should be allowed.

Spinal alignment, particularly in the upper cervical area, has been proven effective.

In epilepsy therapy avoid excitement, overeating, improper rest, poor elimination, intoxicants and refined food products.

Glutamic acid is said to be effective. Glutamic acid is one of the essential amino acids. It is found in eggs, meat, cheese, beans and fish. Glutamic acid should never be taken alone in its isolated state.

Since epilepsy affects the nervous system, the calmative tea, skuppcap, nerve root, valerian, catnip and peppermint is good.

Blue vervain may be added to the foregoing formula or taken alone, since it has been used effectively in epilepsy therapy as well as for nervous conditions.

Ephedrin is also used in the treatment of epilepsy. Ephedrin is extracted from MaHuang. Ephedrin is also found in Mormon Valley herb, or Herb of the Sun, as it is also called.

Eyebright has also been found effective. Take four fluid ounces of the tea on an empty stomach and at bed time.

The following single herbs have also been found effective: Elder flowers, black cohosh, blue cohosh and hyssop, which is excellent.

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Eruptive Diseases

Chicken pox: Senna, one ounce; elder flowers, one ounce; pleurisy root, one ounce; yarrow, one ounce; and ginger, quarter ounce.

Measles and scarlet fever: Saffron.

Scarlet fever: Equal parts of pleurisy root, vervain, ground ivy, red sage and centuary.

Smallpox: Wood sage, pitcher plant, valerian, saffron, peppermint, each one ounce; marigold flowers, one-half ounce.

As a preventive against smallpox, place one ounce each of pitcher plant and ground ivy in two pints of boiling water. Simmer down to one pint. Take one tablespoonful every six hours. One-half teaspoonful cream of tartar in a glass of water is also good as a preventive of smallpox and taken after having the disease.

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Fevers

When the body is filled with waste matter, fever is nature's way of burning up the impurities. It acts as a germ killer and enables the body to rid itself of any ailment.

In Central America and Mexico a plant grows which is known as fever flowers. The natives call it "Jamaica". It is used in that part of the country to allay fevers. The flower petals make a delightful, thirst-satisfying drink very similar to lemonade.

Pennyroyal is fine to break up ague and chills.

One-half teaspoonful of cream of tartar is also good in fevers.

Cascara, Orgeon grape root and princess pine have relieved cases of malaria.

A tea made of elderberry blossoms will help to relieve a fever. Yarrow tea is said to relieve a fever in twenty-four hours if taken one teaspoonful every thirty minutes.

Other fever herbs are catnip, shepherd's purse, sumach berries, tansy, thyme, valerian, wahoo bark, wild cherry bark, borage, apple tree bark, camomile, calamus, nettle, parsley, peppermint, sarsaparilla, bonset and sage.

Sponge a fever patient with common baking soda water.

If no milk is given and fruit and vegetable juices (raw) are given (no solid food), a fever can be reduced in a few hours.

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Headache

Headache is a very common ailment. In most cases, headaches are symptoms of some disorder in the body.

Headaches may be caused by toxaemia, excitement, fatigue, biliousness, indigestion, constipation, high blood pressure, eye strain, a liver disorder or a case of the nerves. Women often suffer a form of frontal headache which may be caused by a genital disorder.

Some doctors consider tension headache and migraine as one and the same.

Migraine headache may be caused by a low blood-sugar level.

Headache is a danger signal. When a certain organ of the body is not functioning normally, nature gives a warning.

Therefore it is very unwise to resort to aspirin or other painkilling drugs to alleviate pain. You may dull the pain, but the source of trouble is still there and eventually may result in greater disturbances.

Take a cupful of strong, hot peppermint tea. Lie down and relax a while. Your headache will soon be gone. Try this in place of aspirin.

A hot foot bath with a cold towel around the head may ease the suffering.

Wring out a cloth in a hot solution of hop tea and diluted cider vinegar and apply to the head.

For migraine or other headaches, put equal parts of vinegar and water in a small pan and allow to boil slowly. When vapours begin to rise, hold the head over it and inhale. This is said to stop the headache in a half hour.

Catnip, nerve root, blue scullcap, valerian and peppermint are a good herb combination to take for headache.

Migraine responds to vitamin therapy, especially the B vitamins.

Experiments have proved that a good protein breakfast will almost without exception completely relieve headache.

It has also been found that migraine sufferers may be allergic to sodium propionate, which is widely used as a preservative in many foods, including bread and also in tobacco.

It has also been suggested that chocolate may trigger migraine.

A new drug, Methyseridge, is claimed to cure migraine. However, there have been cases where the patient developed swelling of the ankles, legs and thighs, cramp in the calves, a rapid increase in weight, severe indigestion and rapid falling out of the hair.

For any headache, the barbiturates are dangerous. They tend to increase the intracellular pressure on the brain cells.

From the very first you experience headache, stop eating. Drink plenty of pure water or lemon water. Clean out the bowels with a catnip enema. Have the spine checked. Watch your diet and get plenty of rest. Neck-stretching has also been advocated.

If you try to carry the world on your shoulders, you will soon experience head pain.

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The Ailing Heart

Without the proper functioning of the heart, there would be no life.

Heart disease kills more people than any other disease. Deaths from heart disease have increased 50% in the last ten years.

Knowing how to care for your heart is all-important.

Our forefathers did hard physical labour. They ate large quantities of fresh whole grains such as wheat, corn, rye and millet which contain the raw, unrefined oils which are known to protect the heart and blood vessels. Today, fresh wholegrain has almost entirely disappeared from most diets.

There is much discussion today on the use of vitamin E in the treatment of coronary thrombosis since the medical team of Drs. Wilfred E Shute and Evan Shute, of Canada, developed the use of vitamin E in the treatment of heart ailments.

In their book, Your Heart and You, is much information on the use of vitamin E. It is one of the best sources of information on cardiac ailments and is reliable.

Vitamin E is a complex of several factors. Alpha tocopherol is the factor best to use in the treatment of heart disease. Alpha tocopherol opens up a whole new avenue of hope to heart sufferers.

Modern advertising has made the public cholesterol conscious. Cholesterol is a fatty substance which builds up and clogs the arteries, making it harder for the heart to function, putting a severe strain upon the heart. Research has found that unrefined vegetable oils depress or neutralize the cholesterol in the blood.

Mer/29 or Triparanol is a drug intended for reducing blood cholesterol. The purpose of this drug is to lower body cholesterol by inhibiting its being produced by the body. No interference should ever be made with the body's own ability to produce cholesterol or any other secretion.

Excessive straining during a bowel movement may cause a series of circulatory changes that might end with the dislodging of a thrombus.

Under functioning of the adrenal and thyroid glands has been found in many cardiac patients.

Perhaps the greatest cause of heart disease is wrong diet.

The heart is a tough muscle. However, if deficiencies are continued over a long period of time, the heart suffers.

A subnormal level of vitamin C has been found in most cardiac patients.

It has also been found that Pangamic acid (B-15) helps the heart to function properly. B-15 has been discovered in certain foods which are also sources of the B complex, especially in brewer's yeast and seeds.

Sudden noise or excitement can cause palpitation of the heart. This is an annoyance rather than a disease. Persons of calm temperaments who exercise control over their emotions are rarely troubled with palpitation. Palpitation may also be caused by gas and fermentation in the stomach. Tansy tea is a specific for palpitation of the heart.

According to Dr. Paul Dudley White, of Boston, the famous heart specialist, indigestion can lead to a wrong diagnosis of coronary heart disease. Cardiospasm is the commonest condition with which coronary heart disease may be confused. The cardiospasm pain tends to be briefer and recurrent, comes on in time of rest and is often dispelled by walking or the belching of gas.

There are herbs that can help to strengthen the heart. A good combination is golden seal, scullcap and a pinch of cayenne. Some have used wild cherry bark to strengthen the heart. However, a very small amount of the wild cherry should be used.

Another good combination is golden seal, scullcap, nerve root, valerian, camomile and a pinch of cayenne.

There are different types of heart disease. Most heart trouble can be overcome. Reasonable care of this organ can give you every chance of living a normal life span. However, because of its serious nature, it is best to see your doctor.

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Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids or piles, as they are commonly known, are enlarged veins of the rectum caused by an obstruction in the return circulation. Constipation is a common cause of haemorrhoids. Lubricants, hot and cold sitz baths and regulating the bowels may be of help.

Simmer garlic powder and cocoa butter. Make into suppositories. Insert one after each bowel movement and at bedtime. Powdered garlic mixed with lanolin is also good. Simmer elder bark in grease. Apply to afflicted part after each bowel movement. Mullein leaves, balm of gilead buds, peach tree leaves or cheese plant may be used in this way.

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Hiccoughs

Sipping water slowly is an old remedy for hiccoughs. Tea made of the dill plant given in teaspoon doses is also said to be good. Often a few mint leaves well chewed will stop hiccoughs. Caraway tea is also said to be beneficial. Pineapple juice is also helpful. Cases of hiccoughs have been helped with watermelon seeds (tea) after all other remedies failed.

Pressure for two or three minutes on each side of the neck about one inch below the ears has been found helpful.

Hiccoughs is a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm caused by gas in the stomach. Calamus and peppermint are excellent to remove gas from the stomach.

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High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is the body's danger signal that there is trouble ahead.

What causes high blood pressure or hypertension, as it is called professionally, is still a medical mystery.

There are many theories advocated. Experiments point to an insufficient blood supply to the kidneys. Overweight is also said to be a cause of high blood pressure. It is also thought to be a loss of harmony within the circulatory system. The heart and blood vessels are so harmonized that they will work normally if they are not abused.

Wrong eating and drinking habits, accompanied by poor elimination, are chief causes of high blood pressure. It is also caused by worry, fretting, anxiety and anger.

One thing is certain. There is some connection between high blood pressure and the tension of modern living. Working under constant strain and emotion-charged problems can trigger blood pressure levels.

Low blood pressure rarely if ever causes trouble unless it is extremely low. The number of people in whom low blood pressure is a serious danger is comparatively small.

If the blood pressure remains consistently high for a long period of time, it can result in serious damage to the heart.

Dangerously high blood pressure may be lowered to safer levels when an overweight person reduces his weight.

Restriction of salt should be in high blood pressure therapy.

Only four days on a protein supplement (40 grams daily) has lowered blood pressure.

Learning to relax will prevent high blood pressure and reduce it when necessary.

The arteries are so well constructed that they should last an individual one hundred years. They will renew themselves if the blood is kept pure, and they will remain soft and pliable. When the walls of the blood vessels toughen, blood pressure soars.

Three hundred and thirty three mgs of vitamin C, three times a day, has proved effective in lowering blood pressure.

Rest is imperative. A warm bath at night and plenty of sleep in a well-ventilated room will do much to lower blood pressure. An afternoon nap can reduce blood pressure 15 to 30 points and calm jittery nerves.

Garlic has been proven clinically to lower blood pressure. Mistletoe has been found excellent for dizziness caused by high blood pressure. Cayenne and watermelon seeds have also been proved to be effective.

Black cohosh, blue cohosh, valerian, scullcap, golden seal and vervain are recommended herbs for high blood pressure problems. The calmative tea, scullcap, nerve root, valerian, catnip and peppermint will work wonders to lower blood pressure levels.

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Kidney And Bladder Disorders

The main work of excretion is performed by the kidneys. The kidneys are blood purifiers.

When the urine analysis shows albumin, it is evidence that the kidneys are involved.

Kidneys may be slowed up by protein-rich and uric-acid forming foods, by irritating acids caused by colds and by weakness and fatigue. Worry, overwork, wrong food and drink. cold and exposure put a strain upon the kidneys.

To clear up sluggish kidneys drink herb teas, eliminate meat and other proteins for a time and live on a simple diet. Plenty of fruit and vegetable juices are recommended.

Salt and other condiments put special strain on the kidneys. Also constant use of alcohol, drugs and chemical irritants affect the kidneys.

Plenty of fresh air and sunshine, bathing, massage and mild exercise help the kidneys in their function. There will be less strain on the kidneys when the skin and lungs are in condition to function properly.

Since the kidneys and bladder are correlated in their function of excretion, the same medication is suitable for both.

The following herbs are recommended in kidney and bladder disorders. Swamp lily root, marshmallow root, cheese plant, buchu leaves, corn silk, juniper berries and wahoo bark. A tea of caraway seeds is recommended for irritation of the bladder.

The residents of the Cape Cod area drink cranberry juice for relief from kidney and bladder infection. Cranberries contain quinic acid, which is converted into hitturic acid, which in turn is effective as a deterrent to the formation of kidney stones.

In the case of dropsy, horsetail and wahoo bark are recommended. The following formula is also effective in treating dropsy: Juniper berries, stinging nettle, yarrow, rosemary and horsetail grass.

Waste substances resulting from the function of other organs include ammonia, uric acid, creatin and sulphuric acid. If these substances are not excreted properly and promptly, they become potent enough to cause physical impairment. Urinary disorders may develop into such ailments as nephritis or Bright's Disease and nephrosis.

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Gallbladder

The chief function of the gall bladder is the collection and storage and concentration of bile which comes from the liver.

Removal of the gall bladder is a common practice. You can get along without a gall bladder, but digestion will never be the same. Bile is used to emulsify fats and oils. The body cannot use fats unless they are emulsified. When the gall bladder is removed, much of the fats and oils are lost, having no food value.

The diet is a matter of first importance in gall bladder trouble.

A famous Dutch physician found that the gall bladder of oxen at the end of winter were filled with calculi (stones), but fresh spring pasturage dissipated these stones. Fresh vegetables and vegetable juices are the best remedy for dissolving these stones.

Foods with a fair content of sulphur will also correct this condition. Radishes are especially recommended.

Fresh fruit juices diluted with water, manipulated to the spinal areas which affect the nerve controls of the gall bladder, principally the neck and the fifth and ninth dorsal vertebrae, are all good in nature's way of curing gall stones.

Herbs suggested for gall-bladder trouble are gobernadora and vervain.

Treatment with the sulphas, antibiotics and bladder sedation has not proved satisfactory. Herb teas and proper diet is the best answer to gall-bladder trouble.

The best cure is always prevention. A high state of vitality and good health must be maintained to avoid gall-bladder disorder.

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Liver Disorders

The liver is the largest and one of the most important organs of the body. It serves as a regulator of the body. The bile which it produces is to the intestines what the gastric juice is to the stomach. The work of the liver is important to the entire body.

The relation of the kidneys and liver is important in the elimination of waste.

The liver is the control centre of the entire system, of all body chemistry.

One of the big jobs of the liver is to clean out of the blood such substances as would harm us physically. If the liver is sluggish, it does not do its job of filtering waste quickly enough or completely enough.

Among other essential liver functions is the maintenance of sex hormone balance. The liver's part in this is so sensitive that liver ailments may cause feminizing manifestations in men, and women whose livers are sluggish may experience menstrual difficulties and pain.

Indigestion is connected with liver complaints, for the liver controls the assimilation of food.

Hepatitis is a very common ailment today. Hepatitis is a professional term meaning infection of the liver. It is also called jaundice.

Diet is tremendously important in restoring the liver to healthful functioning. All sugars, alcohol, fried foods and condiments should be avoided.

All the components of the B complex are suggested for regenerating a diseased liver. Also from 300-600 mgs of organic vitamin C and not less than 750 mgs of calcium.

Sulphur foods are valuable for secretion of bile and for overcoming enlarged liver since it promotes the flow of bile.

Vitamin E is also a vital factor in the health and normalcy of the liver.

Plenty of the B complex is recommended to keep the liver working properly. B=r2 is also extremely important to aid the liver in its functioning.

It has been found that Epsom salts will stir a sluggish liver.

The following combination of herbs is very helpful in restoring the liver to proper functioning. Rocky Mountain grape root, dandelion root, sarsaparilla, may apple root and golden seal.

Mandrake root, black soot, sacred bark, colic root and blue vervain are recommended herbs.

The following combination of herbs is also good. One ounce dandelion root, one-half ounce each of mandrake, sarsaparilla, blackberry root and buchu, one and one-half ounces of gentian and one handful of hops. Three cups of this tea should be taken daily.

Grate winter radishes, sprinkle with salt and let stand three hours. One teaspoonful every three hours is the recommended amount to take.

The laxative effect of certain herbs is of great importance since most liver and gall bladder disorders are accompanied by constipation. Raw juice of dandelion leaves, stinging nettle, watercress and cabbage is excellent in treating the liver.

In the treatment of the liver, chemicals are only an additional burden to the already damaged organ.

In spite of the liver's special self-preservation ability, liver disease was listed in 1962 as one of the top ten causes of death between the ages of 45 and 64.

A highly nutritious diet with plenty of bed-rest is advocated by most physicians in the treatment of hepatitis.

Keep your liver in good condition by not overeating, choosing a proper, wholesome diet, drink herb teas, breathe deeply and exercise freely.

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Multiple Sclerosis

Just what is the cause of multiple sclerosis has not been fully ascertained. Eventually it may be proved to be a disease of malnutrition and best treated nutritionally.

Non-civilized races do not have this disease. However, when they come in contact with the diet of civilization they begin to contract multiple sclerosis.

In multiple sclerosis patients there is an abnormal blood-sugar level and a calcium deficiency.

Excessive amounts of carbohydrates cause skyrocketing rises and falls in blood sugar.

Improvement in multiple sclerosis patients has been obtained with the B vitamins. B vitamins are necessary for proper functioning of the carbohydrate metabolism.

Multiple sclerosis is thought to be a disorder of fat metabolism. A diet rich in fats, especially animal fats, may be one of the factors which brings on this disease.

Billions of favourable bacteria are in the normal intestine. Antibiotics kill all the intestinal flora as well as pyridoxin, which in turn causes a niacin deficiency. Without pyridoxin, niacin becomes a poison. Also, tryptophan, one of the essential aminos, cannot be used properly. This condition in the intestines can also act on the mylin, the fatty protein sheath covering the nerves. When no pyridoxin is present, the myelin breaks down and nerves are damaged. Myelin damage is the basic symptom of multiple sclerosis. Since the myelin sheath is a protein substance, a sufficient supply of good protein in the diet would be valuable in maintaining the proper strength and thickness of this nerve covering. Chemical drugs also destroy these favourable bacteria in the intestines.

A suggested diet in multiple sclerosis consists of plenty of good protein, no white sugar or carbohydrates, plenty of calcium, vitamin B complex (brewer's yeast), desiccated liver kelp, safflower oil and rosehips.

A good combination of nerve herbs should be of special help in multiple sclerosis.

The general health is a major factor in reducing the number of cases of this dreaded disease.

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Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy now affects some 200,000 people or one person in 925.

It is plain to research scientists that nutrition is the main factor in muscular dystrophy. Dys means, literally, imperfect or faulty nutrition.

A depression of the potassium content of the body has been noted in most patients with muscular dystrophy.

Herbs containing potassium are walnut leaves, mistletoe, camomile, calamus, plantain leaves, eyebright, summer savoury, carrot leaves, fennel seed, comfrey, dandelion and stinging nettle.

The absence of choline can cause progressive muscular dystrophy in rabbits.

Vitamin E is also considered in the cause of this disease. When massive doses of vitamin E are given in research experiments, the muscles returned to normal.

Wheat germ oil has been used with good effect in treating muscular dystrophy. In a reported treatment of twenty-five muscular dystrophy patients with wheat germ oil, vitamin B and vitamin C, all improved and one recovered completely.

Large doses of inositol and vitamin E together have helped in the treating of muscular dystrophy.

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Nervousness

We are living in a nervous age. Stress, tension, worry and poor diet all contribute to a case of the nerves.

Good elimination is most essential in nervous conditions. Hot then cold fomentations to the spine are beneficial in nervous ailments, followed by gentle back massage. Also hot packs held to the back of the neck help to relax.

The nervous system is strengthened most by foods which give an alkaline reaction, foods which are rich in potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron and phosphorus. Herb teas containing these minerals are just as helpful.

The best herb formula I have found for nervousness is as follows: Nerve root, skullcap, valerian, peppermint and catnip.

For St. Vitus Dance, the following has proved helpful: A combination of equal parts of skullcap and lady's slipper. Another combination of herbs which are said to be effective in treating St. Vitus Dance is equal parts of skullcap, mistletoe, St. John's wort, valerian, gentian and a very small part of lobelia.

For NERVOUS HEADACHE, pour one quart of boiling water on one-half ounce each of camomile and peppermint. Drink freely.

A good NERVINE, is made with skullcap, motherwort, black cohosh, valerian and wood betony. Also, equal parts of scullcap, valerian, mistletoe, hops and powdered liquorice make a good nervine.

A tea made of garden sage is good for nerve exhaustion. Garlic is also said to be a good nerve tonic. Camomile, celery seeds and tops, and hops are also good taken in combination or as single herbs.

The brain, heart, stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen and every other vital organ, every muscle and every cell is governed by the nerves. The individual with a well-balanced nervous system, a pure bloodstream and an alert mind feels on top of the world.

To ensure a strong nervous system, sleep more, exercise more, eat a wholesome diet, worry less and live at a slower tempo. Take time to laugh. It is a safety valve.

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Neuralgia

B-12 injection is excellent for relief in neuralgia. Hot catnip tea is also good.

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Neuritis

Lack of vitamin B is evidenced in neuritis. Rocky Mountain grape root is said to be effective in treating neuritis.

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Pain

Pain is not a disease. It is merely a symptom. It means that a nerve has been irritated.

The dangerous drug aspirin is probably the worst remedy ever foisted upon the public.

Aspirin is a trade name. It is used to describe a substance known as acetylsalicylic acid, a coal-tar product. It is doubly dangerous because, in suppressing symptoms, it gives one a false sense that everything is all right.

Habitual use of over-the-counter medication to relieve pain constitutes a serious threat to health.

The long continued use of phenacetin, one of the ingredients in some pain pills, accounts for a number of anaemia and kidney diseases. The charges against phenacetin are enough to disqualify any product containing it as a safe medication.

It has been reported that salicylates interfere with the production of hormones by the thyroid gland.

Two or three aspirins cause an increased flow of blood from the stomach lining. One professor of a graduate school of medicine pointed out that aspirin causes internal bleeding and may lead to ulcers and anaemia.

Allergic reaction to aspirin can be violent in persons afflicted with asthma.

Sales of aspirin and aspirin-containing compounds in the U.S.A. totaled more than $282,000,000 during 1960. Advertising by aspirin manufacturers has proved a profitable business.

Instead of aspirin and the host of pain relievers on the market, wisdom points to herbs to relieve pain.

A combination of five plants for fast pain relief are valerian, scullcap, passion flower, balm of gilead buds, willow bark, black cohosh, hops and lady slipper with brewer's yeast and B- 12 added to the diet.

Althea or marshmallow root is pain soothing.

A burdock leaf poultice will allay inflammation and ease pain. Wilt the leaf and apply to the affected part.

For the pain of sinus infection, neuralgia and arthritis, one teaspoon apple cider vinegar in a glass of water four times a day for two weeks has been suggested. Pain is associated with alkaline urine reaction. Cider vinegar changes the urine to an acid reaction.

Pain is greatly exaggerated when there is a lack of phosphorus and potassium.

The phosphorus and potassium herbs are walnut leaves, camomile flowers, calamus, plantain leaves, coltsfoot, eyebright, summer savoury, stinging nettle, borage, dandelion leaves, comfrey, fennel seed, yarrow, mullein, carrot leaves, caraway seed, marigold flowers, and liquorice root.

Besides relieving pain, these herbs supply valuable minerals and are harmless.

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Polio

Really healthy children do not get polio. Dr. Benjamin Sandler was of that opinion. He stopped a North Carolina polio epidemic by going to the newspapers and television with a special diet. Worried parents followed his diet faithfully. The polio cases dropped almost magically.

Those who are interested may read, Diet Prevents Polio, published by the Lee Foundation for Nutritional Research.

Four cases of paralytic polio were reported in Canada after they had received the oral type polio vaccine.

A two-year-old California boy was stricken with paralysis in his legs fifteen days after taking Type III Sabin oral polio vaccine.

Investigation of a Nebraska polio outbreak showed that nine persons developed an illness comparable with acute polio between seven to twenty-two days after taking Type III oral vaccine.

An article in a German medical journal reviewed 150 cases of muscle paralysis following vaccination with Type I.

In several English medical journals it was shown that polio cases were due to inoculation for diphtheria and whooping cough.

A New York City doctor blamed the upsurge of polio cases to vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin B therapy has been found effective in polio and sleeping sickness.

There is also a polio risk after tonsillectomies.

Begin treatment for polio with hot, moist flannels applied to painful, contracted muscles. When the muscles become relaxed, skilful manipulation of the limb should be given by one who knows the human muscular system. When the patient is able, he should be encouraged to move the limb himself until he can do it without help.

After pressing a nerve in the knee, the feet and arms are said to come back to place.

When the patient is able to, have him stretch until every part of the spine is involved.

Hot and cold applications to the spine have also proved effective.

The following herbs are recommended in polio cases Valerian, dandelion root, scullcap, golden seal, black cohosh, catnip, red clover blossoms and yellow dock. Select one or several and mix in equal parts An excellent combination is made as follows: Equal parts of valerian, catnip, scullcap and sweet flag root. These herbs are harmless.

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Prostate Trouble

The prostate is a male sex gland. After middle-age it is a potential troublemaker. After middle-age, more than 60% of all men experience prostate trouble. Much of this distress can be overcome.

There are men who have defeated surgery by adopting better nutritional habits. The fat-soluble vitamins seem to be associated with the health of the prostate.

Modern medical science has not been able to find a successful method of therapy other than surgery.

A hot sitz bath (105 to 115 degrees), in which the lower part of the body is soaked for twenty minutes to an hour, has a soothing effect and may reduce the swelling.

In 1958, Dr. W. Devrient, of Berlin, Germany, cured his patients of prostrate trouble by having them eat pumpkin seeds.

There is evidence of a decrease in zinc content in glands containing malignant tissue. Pumpkin seeds are specific for a healthy prostrate since they have a high zinc content. Other zinc-rich foods are brewer's yeast, onions, rice bran., eggs, nuts, seeds, molasses, peas, beans, wheat germs, wheat bran, oysters and beef liver.

Lecithin has been suggested by twenty-one researchers as curative of enlarged prostate gland. Seeds of all kinds are rich in lecithin.

Parsley gives relief in prostate pressure.

One-half teaspoon powered slippery elm bark mixed with warm water to make a lumpless paste, with one-half glass of warm water, and drunk morning and evening, has been effective in severe agonizing cases of prostate trouble.

Peach tree leaves are said to be good in cases of prostate trouble. Cornsilk, golden seal, buchu and garlic are also recommended. Blue flag has special action on the prostate gland.

Herb teas are more effective when used in conjunction with a good wholesome diet.

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Salves And Liniments

LINIMENT

Vinegar (apple cider), 1 pint
Cayenne, 1 teaspoonful
Hops
Black cohosh
Lobelia
Camphorated oil
Peppermint oil

SALVE (1)

Red clover blossoms
"Life everlasting"
Yarrow
Elderberry blossoms
Golden seal
Wheat germ oil
Arnica flowers
Balm of Gilead buds

SALVE (2)

Elderberry blossoms
Yarrow
Red clover blossoms
Golden seal
Balm of Gilead buds

GRANDPA'S LINIMENT

Ague ammonia 1 oz.
Tincture arnica, 1/2 oz.
Gum camphor, 1/2 oz.
Oil turpentine, 1/4 oz.
Olive oil, 1/4 oz.
Oil peppermint, 1/4 oz.
Alcohol, 1/4 pint.

This salve (2) was used on third-degree burns and left no scar.

Other good ointments to be used on burns are as follows Oil of pennyroyal and raw linseed oil. Elderberry blossoms, yarrow and red clover blossoms simmered in vegetable oil.

Chestnut leaves steeped and applied to burns. Chopped leaves of aloes (aloe vera) applied to burns. Tannic acid is an old remedy for burns. Aloes are good for X-ray burns.

Cod liver oil has healing properties. It kills harmful organisms. The application of cod liver oil dressings to infected wounds in fifty-three patients was very effective in combating infection. Researchers found that the growth of streptococci is stopped within one hour and the growth of staphylococci is stopped at the end of six hours when cod liver oil is used.

Wonderful results are reported in treating wounds with honey. Dip gauze in honey and apply. Change dressing daily.

To draw out pus, add all the Epsom salts to any good salve that it will hold and still remain spreadable.

Salve made from comfrey root will heal wounds and is said to cause broken bones and fractures to knit.

A Veratrain ointment is said to remove bullets without surgery. Webster's dictionary lists Veratrain as being an extract from the sabadilla seeds. American Hellebore is also known as Veratrum Veride. Someone might like to investigate further.

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Motion Sickness

If the liver functions normally, attacks of motion sickness may be prevented.

Do not begin an air trip or voyage on an empty stomach. A bowl of warm soup, especially if the weather is cold or cheerless, may keep you from the rail. Shun any food on the trip which you know will cause gas.

Do not get into a dither for some days before starting.

Keep the bowels open, It is advocated that one take a good cathartic before starting on a trip.

Take a quarter teaspoonful cayenne pepper in a bowl of hot soup. All sickness, nausea and squeamishness will disappear.

Preludin, the anti-seasickness drug, has been banned from use in the Scandinavian countries. Atropine is also a dangerous drug and should not be used in cases of motion sickness.

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Shingles

No case of shingles is without emotional upset or emotional strain.

In treating shingles, give an enema every day, whether the bowels move or not. Clean out the system fast. Complete abstinence of all white sugar, white flour and fried foods is of the utmost importance.

A good supplement of 750-1500 mgs of calcium, 300 mgs vitamin C and the whole B complex is recommended.

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Sinusitis

An unbearable pain in the head and congestion in the sinus region are characteristic of sinus trouble.

The only real relief can be found in a non-mucous-forming diet. Starches should be the first food to be eliminated from the daily diet.

Acidosis is always present in sinus infection. Milk, meat, fish, cheese, and cereals are acid-forming. These foods must be balanced with foods that have an alkaline reaction, such as fruits and vegetables.

Dr. Lucius M. Bush, in his book The Secret of Sinusitis and Headaches, suggests massaging the side wall of the nasal passage to relieve congestion, to open up the nasal passage.

It is thought that emotional damage, not just bacterial infection, can trigger sinus headache.

Good circulation, warm feet, no constipation and a nonmucous forming diet are the essentials in sinusitis treatment.

Substituting soy bean milk for cow's milk helps to restore the sinuses to healthy functioning. Cow's milk is mucous forming.

To relieve the pressure, the opening must be cleared and drainage encouraged. Hot and cold packs (alternately) on the face and forehead help in this opening process.

Treatment for sinutis should begin with an enema. Then regulate bowel elimination to three good evacuations a day. The only cure is to thoroughly cleanse the body of all toxic poisons.

A fruit juice diet for four or five days, drinking all you can, is stressed. One kind of fruit a day. Do not mix the juices. Orange, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, or grape juice should be alternated each day.

Herbs recommended for sinusitis are plantain, golden seal, elderberry flowers, Rocky Mountain grape root, marshmallow root, fennel seed, hops, yellow dock, burdock root and red clover blossoms.

It is recommended that certain herbs be smoked to relieve the distress of sinus infection. Such herbs are cubeb berries, peach tree leaves, peppermint leaves and mullein leaves.

Supplements are of prime importance in the treatment of sinusitis. Vitamin C and B-i2 are especially stressed. Also two teaspoonfuls apple cider vinegar and two teaspoonfuls honey in a glass of water. Calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A and D are also advocated. Bonemeal, vitamins A and D, raw liver or desiccated liver, and 300 mgs of vitamin C from rosehips used every day, has proved very effective.

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Skin Disorders

Ringworm or Impetigo

Peroxide applied to either ringworm or impetigo is effective. A salve made by mixing powdered sulphur and lard together and adding one teaspoon of lemon juice is also good.

For internal use drink a tea made from golden seal, hops, boneset or plantain.

Erysipelas

For erysipelas, bathe parts with a solution made with golden seal, lobelia, burdock, yellow dock and myrrh. Powdered slippery elm bark sprinkled on is also recommended.

Eczema

Eczema has cleared up when the diet was made adequate and especially rich in linoleic acid and all the B vitamins. Some cases were helped when vegetable oil was given. Eczema has cleared up like magic with corn oil. A dose of one tablespoonful was given and increased gradually until four tablespoonfuls were taken three times a day.

Stubborn cases of psoriasis usually disappear rapidly when vegetable oil and lecithin are added to the diet. Another recommended remedy for psoriasis is 36 grams of lecithin daily; gradually decrease until q, grams daily, which should be continued as a maintenance dose.

An application of apple cider vinegar is said to be helpful.

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Poison Oak Or Ivy

First let us consider eradicating this pest. A solution of calcium chlorate (21b to the gallon of water) sprayed on when it is in full leaf. Results are better if done on a warm, sunny day. However, it will kill any vegetation with which it comes in contact. This solution is not poisonous to animals. It does not kill large trees and shrubs unless it is sprayed directly on them.

For the agonizing itching of poison oak or ivy, make a solution of equal parts of a strong tea of white oak bark and lime water. Apply saturated bandage.

Make a strong tea of spearmint, peach tree leaves, plantain, lobelia or golden seal and apply to the area.

Drink chestnut leaf tea several times a day and also apply frequently to the rash.

Every time it itches, rub golden rod leaves, in cold water and bathe parts. Allow to dry for itself.

A strong solution of epsom salts is also recommended.

If you think you have come in contact with these pests, bathe exposed parts with vinegar.

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Hives

Hives are believed to be due to lack of power of the liver to kill off harmful organisms. The following herb teas are recommended. Sassafrass bark, red clover blossoms, bull nettle and yarrow.

Most skin disorders will respond readily to herb teas.

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Bites And Stings

There are certain odours and substances which most insects dislike. Oil of citronella, oil of geranium or oil of eucalyptus are useful for rubbing on exposed parts of the body.

For bee stings, remove the sting and apply bruised green leaf of plantain. Relief is almost instantaneous.

For bee stings, wet soap, moistened baking soda or weak ammonia. For wasp stings, use vinegar or lemon juice. Raw potato or damp earth are also good for wasp stings. Aloes is an old French remedy for bee or wasp stings.

For most insect bites, especially mosquito bites, use wet soap or weak ammonia. For spider bites use vinegar or ammonia.

The following is said to be effective for mad dog bites. Take raw onions, green garden rue, salt and powdered elecampane root. Beat well together and apply to wound.

Plinius, the Roman naturalist, believed that garlic is an excellent remedy for mad dog bite, to be eaten and also applied to the wound.

For snake bite, the pioneers wet saltpetre with a little water and applied it to the bite. A sack of common table salt was also dampened and laid over the bite. Lobelia is a valuable herb to be applied and also very small doses taken internally. Lobelia should be used only by a good practitioner. These are to be used for emergencies until help can be had.

Oil of Peppermint is cooling to bee stings or insect bites.

Bees working on flowers rarely sting unless molested.

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Stomach Disorders

The stomach comes in for its share of discomfort and distress.

The many anti-acids advertised in magazine and on television attest to the thousands of stomach sufferers.

Anti-acids are not the answer. The only sure relief for this troublesome ailment is found in safe herbal demulcents which coat the irritated membranes throughout the digestive tract.

Slippery elm bark is one of the best demulcents in the vegetable kingdom. It has a soothing influence on the stomach and intestines. It is superior to whole milk in its ability to neutralize stomach acids.

Okra will also protect the sensitive duodenal surfaces and relieve distress.

The carminative action of garlic helps and arrests formation of gas and fermentation of food.

A glass of milk two hours after each meal will absorb the extra acid which the stomach pours out in periods of stress. Goat's milk is especially curative and healing to the stomach.

Wild cherry bark tea is good for a sour stomach.

Hops have been a long-standing remedy for stomach ailments.

For gas on the stomach, one teaspoonful of caraway seed to a cup of boiling water is helpful.

One-half cupful of pennyroyal tea is good for a sick stomach. Pennyroyal should never be taken during pregnancy, NEVER. Calamus root will stop cramp in the stomach. A tea of golden seal is one of the best stomach remedies known. Sarsaparilla is also a good stomach remedy, as well as "life everlasting", camomile and peppermint.

Peppermint, calamus, gentian and golden seal make one of the best formulae for indigestion.

Papaya juice and also papaya tea are an excellent stomach remedy. I have found that peppermint combined with papaya is especially good.

A combination of golden seal, German cheese plant, camomile and slippery elm bark can help in acid stomach and ulcers of the stomach. Shepherd's purse will stop bleeding from stomach ulcers in fifteen minutes.

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Syphilis And Gonorrhoea

Syphilis and gonorrhea are not the same thing. Each is caused by a different germ. One may have both diseases at the same time. They are both social diseases and many times treatment is not sought because of shame.

It is advisable to seek orthodox medical treatment for these conditions.

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Tuberculosis

When the system is nutritionally perfect, tubercle bacillus or any other germ can have no effect on a person.

A Californian doctor supplemented the diet of twenty terminal cases in an out-clinic experiment with natural foods. Many were started back to health in one year's time.

Calmette Guerin, an anti-tuberculosis vaccine has not proved effective.

It has been suggested that babies be innoculated with BCG as a matter of course. An 8-month old boy died a few days after an innoculation. The autopsy showed the cause of death to be widespread tuberculosis.

In spite of the increased use of anti-TB drugs, TB has continued to increase at a rapid rate each year.

Wood betony and wood sage have been used for TB. A wineglass full of the tea was taken three times a day. Comfrey is also said to be an effective treatment.

Herbs have helped so many in fighting disease. Yet learned doctors say there is no scientific proof.

In the face of such contrary evidence, we can know for ourselves of the outstanding virtues of harmless herbs.

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Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are the result of stagnation of blood in the veins and the consequent weakening of the walls and valves. Prolonged standing is highly undesirable. However, brisk walking is favourable.

Lay on your back and elevate the legs, draining the blood from the legs to relieve pressure. Bathe legs with cold water to tone and strengthen the tissues.

Tight garters should never be worn.

A good diet will strengthen the tissues and keep the legs free from varicose veins.

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Whooping Cough

Ephedrin (MaHuang) boiled in water and administered for whooping cough is an old remedy.

Make a syrup of one ounce of chestnut leaves, half ounce black cohosh, quarter ounce lobelia, one ounce coltsfoot and a pinch of cayenne. One teaspoonful is taken every hour or as needed. I gave this recipe to my children. In about two weeks they were free from whooping. Other children in the community who received shots were still whooping most of the summer.

A study of the blood of whooping-cough patients showed that the normal acid balance is upset. Baking soda will neutralize the acid.

To one pint of boiling water add a pinch of cayenne, one slice of lemon, three tablespoonfuls of honey and one ounce of shredded slippery elm bark. Allow to steep one-half hour. Take frequently in small doses. This is also a good remedy.
© 2000, 2008 Hedgewitchery
1

Magickal properties of wood

2009-02-05T11:29:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

# ALDER (Alnus spp.) This tree is a water lover. The oily water resistant wood has been used extensively for underwater foundations and pilings in Venice and elsewhere. It is used in dairy vessels and the branches in making whistles. It is associated with Bran, as He used His body as a bridge to span dangerous waters. It is used in the construction of bridges. Bran's Head was oracular. Alder indicates protection and oracular powers.

# APPLE (Malus spp.) A dense, fine-grained, rosy-coloured wood with a slightly sweet smell. The Apple is the earliest cultivated tree. It is associated with choice. At Somerset, an auction was held for single acre plots on two pieces of common land. Plots were marked and matching marks made on the fruit. The apples were then placed in a bag and commoners were allocated land by the distribution of the fruit. All the acres of land were similar, as many times today choices must be made between similar and equally attractive things. Regardless, the choice must be made. In Norse myth, Idunna was the keeper of the 'apples of immortality' which kept the Gods young. The 'fruit-bearing tree' refered to by Tacitus in his description of Norse runic divination may have been the apple. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing magic.

# ASH (Fraxinus spp.) A strong, straight-grained wood; sometimes has 'olive' streaks or stripes in the grain. The European variety (fraxinus excelcior) was referred to in the Eddas as the species of Yggdrasil - the 'World-Tree". The first man, named Ask, was created from an ash log. Ash was commonly used to make spears because of its 'springiness' and straight grain. In North America, strips of black ash were split along the grain to make splints for baskets and hoops. It is used in weaver's beams. Women would weave cloth and intermingling threads together in a tight pattern as the microcosm and the macrocosm are united. Ash can be used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose, and indicates the linking of the inner and outer worlds.

# BEECH (Fagus spp.) Beech wood is closely grained, very easy to work giving a smooth even surface. At one time Beech tablets were used as writing surfaces because of the above mentioned qualities. Beech and book have the same word origins. Beech is concerned with ancient knowledge as revealed in old objects, places and writings. Beech indicates guidance from the past to gain insight which protects and provides a solid base upon which all relies.

# BIRCH (Betula spp.) A lovely pale, fine-grained wood. Long associated with fertility and healing magic, birch twigs were used to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds, and children's cradles were made from its wood. Birch is one of the first trees to grow on bare soil and thus it births the entire forest. Criminals were at one time birched to drive out evil influences on them, to renew them for the new year. Birch was associated with Thor, probably in recognition of his role as an agricultural and fertility deity. Birch is an incredibly useful tree - nearly every part of it is edible, and it's sap was an important source of sugar to Native Americans and early settlers. The inner bark provides a pain reliever and the leaves are used to treat arthritis. It's bark was used for everything from paper to canoe hulls, and axe handles were also made from Birch. Birch is most useful for fertility and healing spells.

# BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) Blackthorn is a winter tree. The sloe, its fruits ripen and sweeten only after the nip of the frost. White flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It is black barked with vicious thorns and grows in dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed.

# ELDER (Sambucus spp.) The Latin name sambucus is derived from a Greek word for a wind instrument made from elder. The pith can easily be removed from the small branches to make a flute. Elder regrows damaged branches with ease and can root rapidly from any part. A tea for purifying the blood can be made from the flowers and wine from the fruit, but in general the tree is poisonous. In Norse mythology, the Goddess Freya chose the black elder as her home. In medieval times it was the abode of witches and it was considered dangerous to sleep under its branches or to cut it down. Sticks of Elder were used as magical horses by Witches. Elder indicates the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end. Life in Death and Death in Life.

# ELM (Ulmus spp.) A slightly fibrous, tan-coloured wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, and was said to be the abode of faeries, explaining Kipling's injunction; "Ailim be the lady's tree; burn it not or cursed ye'll be". Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell.

# FIR (Abies spp.) Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come.

# HAWTHORN (Crataegus oxyacantha) A light, hard, apple-like wood. Hawthorn usually doesn't grow much bigger than a shrub, and is popular in England as a hedge plant. The wood from the Hawthorn provides the hottest fire known. Its leaves and blossoms are used to create a tea to aid with anxiety, appetite loss and poor circulation. The Greeks and Romans saw the hawthorn as symbolic of hope and marriage, but in medieval Europe it was associated with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky. This seeming contradiction is to be expected from a tree with such beautiful blossoms and such deadly-looking thorns. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells.

# HAZEL (Corylus avallania) Hazel is another food tree. In Celtic tradition, the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut eaten by the salmon becomes a spot on its skin. The Hazel tree provided shade, protection and baskets. In Europe and North America, hazel is commonly used for 'water-witching' - the art of finding water with a forked stick. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration.

# HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium) A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain; looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore. In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be hefted to be thrown the holly indicates directed balance and vigour to fight if the cause is just. Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death.

# LARCH (Larix europaea) A light softwood, very similar to spruce. Larch is one of the few conifers which sheds its needles in the winter. It is closely related to the North American tamarack (larix laricina). The larch plays an important role in Sami (Lapp) and Siberian mythology where it takes the place of the ash as the World-tree. Their shamans use larch wood to rim their ceremonial drums. The smoke from burning larch is said to ward off evil spirits. Larch may be used for protection and to induce visions.

# MAPLE (Acer spp.) A very hard, pale, fine-grained wood. Although the sugar maple has the highest sugar content in its sap, all maple species can be tapped to make syrup and sugar, making them a vital resource to early North American settlers. In north-eastern North America, the annual 'sugaring-off' usually coincides with the vernal equinox, making it one of the first signs of spring. Maple can bring success and abundance.

# OAK (Quercus spp.)

Red Oak (Quercus rubra) A strong, straight-grained, slightly porous wood with a slight reddish hue. Its energy is a bit lighter and more 'firey' than the other oaks.

White Oak (Quercus alba) Darker and denser than red oak. It's strength and density have led to its being used in barrel-making and shipbuilding. Useful for spells requiring strength and solidity.

Brown (English) Oak (Quercus robur) A richly-coloured dark brown wood. Brown oak has a very earthy feel, and is useful for grounding. Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Norse and Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak is frequently associated with Gods of thunder and lightening such as Zeus, Thor, and the Lithuanian God Perkunas. This association may be due to the oak's habit of being hit by lightening during storms. Specific oak trees have also been associated with the 'Wild Hunt', which is led by Herne in England and by Wodin in Germany. In general, oak can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special 'flavour' to the magic.

# PEAR (Pyrrus spp.) The Roman author Tacitus described how the Germanii would carve runes into the wood of a fruit tree. This is often assumed to be the apple tree, but may well have been the pear which is considered by some to be of the same genus as the apple. In the 5th century, Constantius told of a pear tree which was honored by the Northmen. The pear tree is also mentioned in literature and folklore connected with love and temptation.

# PINE (Pinus spp.) The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods". Its needles are a valuable source of vitamin C and can loosen a tight chest. The scent of Pine is useful in the alleviation of guilt. The Bach's flower remedies lists it for dealing with feelings of guilt. Pine indicates issues of guilt within you.

# POPLAR (Populus spp.) The White Poplar flourishes beside rivers, in marshes and in other watery areas. The pith is star shaped. The upper leaves are green, the underside is silver. The wood was used in the making of shields. Leaves move with every puff of wind. It is commonly referred to as the talking, whispering and quivering tree. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem seems to refer to the poplar as being associated with the rune berkano. Heracles wore a crown of poplar leaves when he retrieved Cerberus from Hades, and the upper surface of the leaves was thus darkened from Hades' smokey fumes. In Christian lore, the quaking poplar (aspen) was used to construct Christ's cross, and the leaves of the tree quiver when they remember this fact. The Poplar's ability to resist and to shield, its association with speech, language and the Winds indicates an ability to endure and conquer.

# ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) The Rowan tree (also called Mountain Ash) is long known for aid and protection against enchantment. Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. It was also used in the art of metal divining. Rowan spays and crosses were placed over cattle in pens and over homes for protection. Its lovely red berries feed the birds in winter. The berries have a tiny pentagram on them. The pentagram is the ancient symbol of protection. The Rowan tree indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment and beguiling.

# WILLOW (Salix babylonica) The willow is another water loving tree. Willow bark contains Salicin which is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever and various damp diseases. Her catkins, which appear in early spring before her leaves, attract bees to start the cycle of pollination. In western tradition it is a symbol of mourning and unlucky love. The Latin name for the weeping willow refers to the psalm in which the Hebrews mourn their captivity in Babylon by the willows. Willow indicates cycles, rhythms and the ebb and flux.

# YEW (Taxus baccata) A beautifully smooth, gold-coloured wood with a wavy grain. All parts of the tree are poisonous except the fleshy covering of the berry, and its medicinal uses include a recently discovered treatment for cancer. Long associated with magic, death, rebirth and the runes, the yew may be the oldest-lived tree in the world. Ancient yews can be found in churchyards all over Britain, where they often pre-date even the oldest churches. There are some convincing arguements for it being the original 'World-tree' of Scandinavian mythology. In Europe, yew wood was used for making bows, while on the northwest coast of North America, the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is used by the Haida and other tribes for making masks and boxes. Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities, and to induce visions.

Herbal symbolism what role the plants play in magick

2009-02-05T11:25:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak
Herb ~ Symbolic Value or Use in Magick

# Acacia ~ protection
# Adders Tongue ~ healing
# African Violet ~ spirituality, protection
# Agrimony ~ protection, sleep
# Alfalfa ~ prosperity, anti-hunger, money
# Allspice ~ money, luck, healing
# Almond ~ money, prosperity, wisdom
# Aloe ~ protection, luck
# Aloes, Wood ~ love, spirituality
# Althea ~ protection
# Alyssum ~ protection, moderating anger
# Amaranth ~ healing, protection
# Anemone ~ health, protection, healing
# Angelica ~ exorcism, protection, healing, visions
# Apple ~ love, healing, garden magick
# Apricot ~ love
# Arabic Gum ~ purify negativity
# Asafoetida ~ exorcism, purification, protection
# Ash ~ protection, prosperity, sea rituals, health
# Aspen ~ eloquence, anti-theft
# Aster ~ love
# Avens ~ exorcism, purification, love
# Avocado ~ love, lust, beauty
# Balm, Lemon ~ love, success, healing
# Balm of Gilead ~ love, manifestations, protection, healing
# Bamboo ~ protection, luck, hex-breaking, wishes
# Banana ~ fertility, potency, prosperity
# Banyan ~ luck
# Barley ~ love, healing, protection
# Basil ~ love, exorcism, wealth, flying, protection
# Bay ~ protection, healing, purification, strength
# Beech ~ wishes
# Beet ~ love
# Benzoin ~ purification, prosperity
# Be-Still ~ luck
# Betony Wood ~ protection, purification, love
# Birch ~ protection, exorcism, purification
# Bistort ~ fertility
# Bittersweet ~ protection, healing
# Blackberry ~ healing, money, protection
# Bladderwrack ~ protection, sea spells, wind spells, money
# Bleeding Heart ~ love
# Bloodroot ~ love, protection, purification
# Bluebell ~ luck, truth, constancy, strength
# Blueberry ~ protection
# Blue Flag ~ money
# Bodhi ~ fertility, protection, wisdom, meditation
# Boneset ~ protection, exorcism
# Borage ~ courage
# Bracken ~ healing, rune magick, prophetic dreams
# Brazil Nut ~ love
# Bromeliad ~ protection, money
# Broom ~ purification, protection, wind spells, divination
# Buchu ~ prophetic dreams
# Buckthorn ~ protection, exorcism, wishes, legal matters
# Buckwheat ~ money, protection
# Burdock ~ protection, healing
# Buttercup ~ prosperity, happiness
# Cabbage ~ luck
# Cactus ~ protection, chastity
# Calamus ~ luck, healing, money, protection
# Camellia ~ riches, gratitude, prosperity
# Camphor ~ chastity, health, divination
# Caper ~ potency, lust, luck
# Caraway ~ protection, lust, health, anti-theft, mental powers
# Cardamon ~ lust, love
# Carnation ~ protection, strength, healing
# Carob ~ protection, health
# Carrot ~ fertility, lust
# Cascara Sagrada ~ legal matters, money, protection,
# Cashew ~ money
# Castor ~ protection
# Catnip ~ cat magick, love, beauty, happiness
# Cattail ~ lust
# Cedar ~ healing, purification, money, protection
# Celery ~ mental powers, lust
# Chamomile ~ money, sleep, love, purification
# Cherry ~ love, divination
# Chestnut ~ love
# Chickweed ~ fertility, love
# Chicory ~ removing obstacles, favors, frigidity
# Chili pepper ~ fidelity, hex breaking, love
# China Berry ~ luck
# Chrysanthemum ~ protection
# Cinchona ~ luck, protection
# Cinnamon ~ spirituality, success, healing, power, lust, protection, love
# Cinquefoil ~ money, protection, prophetic dreams, sleep
# Citron ~ healing
# Clove ~ protection, exorcism, gossip, love, money
# Clover ~ protection, money, love, fidelity, exorcism, success
# Club Moss ~ protection, power
# Coconut ~ purification, protection, chastity
# Columbine ~ courage, love
# Comfrey ~ Safety During travel, money
# Copal ~ love, purification
# Coriander ~ love, health, healing
# Corn ~ protection, luck, divination
# Cotton ~ luck, healing, protection, rain, fishing magick
# Cowslip ~ healing, youth, treasure finding
# Crocus ~ love, visions
# Cuckoo Flower ~ fertility, lover
# Cucumber ~ chastity, healing, fertility
# Cumin ~ protection, fidelity, exorcism
# Curry ~ protection
# Cyclamen ~ fertility, protection, happiness, lust
# Cypress ~ longevity, healing, comfort, protection
# Daffodil ~ love, fertility, luck
# Daisy ~ lust, luck
# Damiana ~ lust, love, visions
# Dandelion ~ divination, wishes, calling spirits
# Deerstongue ~ lust
# Devils Bit ~ exorcism, love, protection, lust
# Devils Shoestring ~ protection, gambling, luck, power, employment
# Dill ~ protection, money, lust, luck
# Dittany of Crete ~ manifestations, astral projection
# Dock ~ healing, fertility, money
# Dodder ~ love, divination, knot magick
# Dogbane ~ love
# Dogwood ~ wishes, protection
# Dragons Blood ~ love, protection, exorcism, potency
# Dulse ~ lust, harmony
# Dutchman's Breeches ~ love
# Echinacea ~ strengthening Spells
# Edelweiss ~ invisibility, Bullet-Proofing
# Elder ~ exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep
# Elecampane ~ love, protection
# Elm ~ love
# Endive ~ lust, love
# Eucalyptus ~ healing, protection
# Euphorbia ~ purification, protection
# Eyebright ~ mental powers
# Fennel ~ protection, healing, purification
# Fenugreek ~ money
# Fern ~ rain making, protection, luck, riches, Eternal youth, health, exorcism
# Feverfew ~ protection
# Fig ~ divination, fertility, love
# Figwort ~ health, protection
# Flax ~ money, protection, beauty, healing
# Fleabane ~ exorcism, protection, chastity
# Foxglove ~ protection (poisonous)
# Frankincense ~ protection, exorcism, spirituality
# Galangal ~ protection, lust, health, money, hex breaking
# Gardenia ~ love, peace, healing, spirituality
# Garlic ~ protection, healing, exorcism, lust, anti-theft
# Gentian ~ love, power
# Geranium ~ fertility, health, love, protection
# Ginger ~ love, money, success, power
# Ginseng ~ love, wishes, healing, beauty, protection, lust
# Goats Rue ~ healing, health
# Goldenrod ~ money, divination
# Golden Seal ~ healing, money
# Gorse ~ protection, money
# Gotu Kola ~ meditation
# Gourd ~ protection
# Grape ~ fertility, Garden magick, mental powers, money
# Grass ~ protection
# Ground Ivy ~ divination
# Groundsel ~ health, healing
# Hawthorn ~ fertility, chastity, fishing magick, happiness
# Hazel ~ luck, fertility, anti-Lightning, protection, wishes
# Heather ~ protection, rain making, luck
# Heliotrope ~ exorcism, prophetic dreams, healing, Wealth, invisibility
# Hemp ~ healing, love, vision, meditation
# Henna ~ healing
# Hibiscus ~ lust, love, divination
# Hickory ~ legal matters
# High John the Conqueror ~ money, love, success, happiness
# Holly ~ protection, anti-Lightning, luck, dream magick
# Honesty ~ money
# Honeysuckle ~ money, protection
# Hops ~ healing, sleep
# Horehound ~ protection, mental powers, exorcism, healing
# Horse Chestnut ~ money, healing
# Horseradish ~ purification, exorcism
# Horsetail ~ snake charming, fertility
# Houndstongue ~ tying dogs tongues
# Houseleek ~ luck, protection, love
# Huckleberry ~ luck, protection, dream magick, hex breaking
# Hyacinth ~ love, protection, happiness
# Hydrangea ~ hex breaking
# Hyssop ~ purification, protection
# Indian Paint Brush ~ love
# Iris ~ purification, wisdom
# Irish Moss ~ money, luck, protection
# Ivy ~ protection, healing
# Jasmine ~ love, money, prophetic dreams
# Jobs Tears ~ healing, wishes, luck
# Juniper ~ protection, anti-theft, love, exorcism, health
# Kava-Kava ~ visions, protection, luck
# Knotweed ~ binding, health
# Lady’s Mantle ~ love
# Lady’s Slipper ~ protection
# Larch ~ protection, anti-theft
# Larkspur ~ health, protection
# Lavender ~ love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, peace
# Leek ~ love, protection, exorcism
# Lemon ~ longevity, purification, love, friendship
# Lemongrass ~ repel snakes, lust
# Lemon Verbena ~ purification, love
# Lettuce ~ chastity, protection, love, divination, sleep
# Licorice ~ love, lust, fidelity
# Lilac ~ exorcism, protection
# Lily ~ protection, breaking love spells
# Lily of the Valley ~ mental powers, happiness
# Lime ~ healing, love, protection
# Linden ~ protection, immortality, luck, love, sleep
# Liquidamber ~ protection
# Liverwort ~ protection
# Loosestrife ~ peace, protection
# Lotus ~ protection, lock-opening
# Lovage ~ love
# Love Seed ~ love, friendship
# Lucky Hand ~ employment, luck, protection, money, travel
# Mace ~ mental powers
# Maguey ~ lust
# Magnolia ~ fidelity
# Mahogany Mountain ~ anti-Lightning
# Maidenhair ~ beauty, love
# Male Fern ~ luck, love
# Mallow ~ love, protection, exorcism
# Mandrake ~ protection, love, money, fertility, health
# Maple ~ love, longevity, money
# Marigold ~ protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters
# Marjoram ~ protection, love, happiness, health, money
# Master Wort ~ strength, courage, protection
# Mastic ~ manifestation, lust
# May Apple ~ money
# Meadow Rue ~ divination
# Meadowsweet ~ love, divination, peace, happiness
# Mesquite ~ healing
# Mimosa ~ protection, love, prophetic dreams, purification
# Mint ~ money, love, lust, healing, exorcism, travel, protection
# Mistletoe ~ protection, love, hunting, fertility, health, exorcism
# Moonwort ~ money, love
# Moss ~ luck, money
# Mugwort ~ strength, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, astral projection
# Mulberry ~ protection, strength
# Mullein ~ courage, protection, health, love ,divination, exorcism
# Mustard ~ fertility, protection, mental powers
# Myrrh ~ protection, exorcism, healing, spirituality
# Myrtle ~ love, fertility, youth, peace, money
# Nettle ~ exorcism, protection, healing, lust
# Norfolk Island Pine ~ protection, anti Hunger
# Nuts ~ fertility, prosperity, love, luck
# Oak ~ protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility, luck
# Oats ~ money
# Olive ~ healing, peace, fertility, Potency, protection, lust
# Onion ~ protection, exorcism, healing, money, prophetic dreams, lust
# Orange ~ love, divination, luck, money
# Orchid ~ love
# Orris ~ love, protection, divination
# Palm, Date ~ fertility, Potency
# Pansy ~ love, rain magick, love, divination
# Papaya ~ love, protection
# Papyrus ~ protection
# Parosela ~ hunting
# Peach ~ love, exorcism, longevity, fertility, wishes
# Pear ~ lust, love
# Pecan ~ money, employment
# Pennyroyal ~ strength, protection, peace
# Peony ~ protection, exorcism
# Pepper ~ protection, exorcism
# Peppermint ~ purification, sleep, love, healing
# Pepper Tree ~ purification, healing, protection
# Periwinkle ~ love, lust, mental powers, money, protection
# Persimmon ~ changing sex, healing, luck
# Plot Weed ~ protection
# Pimento ~ love
# Pimpernel ~ protection, health
# Pine ~ healing, fertility, protection, exorcism, money
# Pineapple ~ luck, money, chastity
# Pistachio ~ breaking love spells
# Plantain ~ healing, protection, strength, Snake Repelling
# Plum ~ healing
# Plumeria ~ love
# Poke ~ courage, hex breaking
# Pomegranate ~ divination, luck, wishes, Wealth, fertility
# Poplar ~ money, flying
# Poppy ~ fertility, love, sleep, money, luck, invisibility
# Potato ~ image magick, healing
# Prickly Ash ~ love
# Primrose ~ protection, love
# Radish ~ protection, lust
# Ragweed ~ courage
# Ragwort ~ protection
# Raspberry ~ protection, love
# Rhododendron ~ peace, strength (poisonous plant)
# Rhubarb ~ protection, fidelity
# Rice ~ protection, rain, fertility, money
# Roots ~ protection, power, divination
# Rose ~ love, healing, love, divination, luck, protection
# Rosemary ~ protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth
# Rowan ~ healing, protection, power, success
# Rue ~ healing, health, mental powers, exorcism, love
# Rye ~ love, fidelity
# Saffron ~ love, healing, happiness, wind raising, lust, strength
# Sage ~ immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection, wishes
# Sagebrush ~ purification, exorcism
# St. Johns Wort ~ health, power, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness
# Sandalwood ~ protection, healing, exorcism, spirituality
# Sarsaparilla ~ love, money
# Sassafras ~ health, money
# Savory/Summer ~ mental powers
# Skullcap ~ love, fidelity, peace
# Senna ~ love
# Sesame ~ money, lust
# Shallot ~ purification
# Skunk Cabbage ~ legal matters
# Slippery Elm ~ halts gossip
# Sloe ~ exorcism, protection
# Snakeroot ~ luck money
# Snakeroot/black ~ love, lust, money
# Snapdragon ~ protection
# Solomon’s Seal ~ protection, exorcism
# Sorrel Wood ~ healing, health
# Southern Wood ~ love, lust, protection
# Spanish Moss ~ protection
# Spearmint ~ healing, love, mental powers
# SpiderWort ~ love
# Spikenard ~ love
# Squill ~ money, protection, hex breaking
# Star Anise ~ luck
# Straw ~ luck, image magick
# Strawberry ~ love, luck
# Sugar Cane ~ love, lust
# Sunflower ~ fertility, wishes, health, wisdom
# Sweetgrass ~ calling spirits
# Sweetpea ~ friendship, chastity, courage, strength
# Tamarind ~ love
# Tamarisk ~ exorcism, protection
# Tansy ~ health, longevity
# Tea ~ riches, courage, strength
# Thistle ~ strength, protection, hex breaking, healing
# Thistle/holy ~ purification, hex breaking
# Thistle/milk ~ snake enraging
# Thyme ~ health, healing, sleep, love, purification, courage
# Ti ~ protection, healing
# Toadflax ~ protection, hex breaking
# Toadstool ~ rain making
# Tobacco ~ healing, purification
# Tulip ~ love, happiness, dreams
# Turmeric ~ purification
# Turnip ~ protection, ending relationships
# Valerian ~ love, sleep, purification, protection
# Vanilla ~ love, lust, mental powers
# Venus Flytrap ~ protection, love
# Vervain ~ love, protection, purification, peace, money, youth, chastity, sleep, healing
# Vetch/Giant ~ fidelity
# Vetivert ~ love, hex breaking, luck, money, anti-theft
# Violet ~ protection, luck, love, lust, wishes, peace, healing
# Wahoo ~ hex-breaking, courage, success
# Walnut ~ health, mental powers, infertility, wishes
# Wax Plant ~ protection
# Wheat ~ fertility, money
# Willow ~ love, divination, protection, healing
# Wintergreen ~ protection, healing, hex breaking
# Winters Bark ~ success
# Witch Grass ~ happiness, lust, love, exorcism
# Witch Hazel ~ protection, chastity
# Wolfs Bane ~ protection, invisibility
# Wood Rose ~ luck
# Woodruff ~ ictory, protection, money
# Wormwood ~ protection, love, calling spirits
# Yarrow ~ courage, love, exorcism
# Yerba Mate ~ fidelity, love, lust
# Yerba Santa ~ beauty, healing, protection
# Yucca ~ transmutation, protection, purification
# Zinnia ~ love, lust, strength

The forgotten language of flowers

2009-02-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

From various sources
edited by Mother Oak

In the early 18th century the Turkish "Secret Language of Flowers" was introduced to Europe by Lady Mary Wortley Montague, wife of the British ambassador to Constantinople. Flowers had long been a sign of romance but now lovers were able to send secret messages to each other by means of sending a posy of flowers. Each flower had a specific meaning and the order of arrangement had much to do with the intended "message". The French seem to have taken this idea to heart. In 1819 a French woman writing under the pen name of Madame Charlotte de la Tour (Louise Cortambert), wrote and published "Le Language des Fleurs" which offered seasonal floral and anecdotal advice to those wishing to send "secret" messages to each other.

The following list of flowers comes mainly from that original book but has been augmented to include some common flowers of today as some of those from yesteryear are unknown. Enjoy this glimpse into the past and keep this in mind the next time you send or receive flowers!

~A~

Abecedary: Volubility
Abatina: Fickleness
Acacia: Chaste love, Concealed love, Friendship
Acacia, Rose: Friendship
Acacia, Rose or Pink: Elegance
Acacia, Rose or White: Elegance
Acacia, White: Friendship; Ours is a Chaste Love
Acacia, Yellow: Secret love
Acalia: Temperance
Acanthus: Arts
Achillea Millefolia: War
Achimeness: Such worth is rare
Aconite (Wolfsbane): Misanthropy, Treachery
Aconite, Crowfoot: Luster
Acorn: Nordic Symbol of Life and immortality
Adonis, Flos: Painful recollections;
Adonis Vernalis: Bitter memories
African Marigold: Vulgar minded
Agnus Casus (or Castus): Coldness, life without love, Indifference;
Agrimony: Thankfulness, Gratitude
Allspice: My Heart Feels Compassion
Almond: Hope, Giddiness, Heedlessness
Almond (Common): Stupidity, Indiscretion
Almond (Flowering): Hope; I continue to hope
Almond, Laurel: Perfidy
Almond Tree: Stupidity, thoughtlessness
Aloe: Sorrow--Dejection, Superstition, Bitterness, Grief, Religious superstition;
Alstroemeria: Strength
Althaea Frutes (Syrian Mallow): Persuasion
Althea: Consumed by love
Alyssum, Sweet: Worth beyond beauty
Amaranth: Immortality; Unfading Love
Amaranth (Globe): Immortality; Unfading love
Amaranth (Cockscomb): Foppery; With Affectation
Amaryllis: Splendid beauty, Beautiful but timid; Pride; Pastoral Poetry
Ambrosia: Love returned
American Cowslip: Divine beauty; Beauty divine
American Elm: Patriotism
American Linden: Matrimony
American Star Wort: Welcome to a stranger; Cheerfulness in old age
Amethys (or Amethyst): Admiration; My love for you is undying
Anemone: Anticipation, Expectation
Anemone, Field: Sickness, illness
Anemone, Garden: Forsaken; Withered hopes; Illness
Anemone, Windflower: Desertion; Forsaken
Anemone (Zephyr Flower): Sickness; Expectation
Angelica/Angelica Herb: You are my Inspiration
Angrec: Royalty
Apocynum (Dogbane): Inspiration, Deceit
Apple: Temptation; Let me Tempt you; Give in to Temptation
Apple Blossom: Preference; Fame speaks him great and good; I prefer you
Apple, Thorn: Deceitful charms
Apricot Flower: Doubt, distrust
Arbor vitae: Unchanging friendship; Live for me
Arbutus: Thee only do I love
Arbutus, Trailing: Welcome
Arkansas Coreopsis: Love at first sight
Arum: Ardour/Ardor; Ferocity and deceit
Ash/Ash Tree: Grandeur
Ash-leaved Trumpet Flower: Separation
Ash, Mountain: Prudence
Aspen Tree: Lamentation; Sighing
Asphodel: Regrets beyond the grave; Remembered beyond the tomb; My regrets follow you to the grave
Aster (China): Variety; Afterthought;
Aster, Large flowered: Afterthought; Love of variety;
Auricula, Scarlet: Avarice
Austurtium: Splendour
Autumn Leaves: Melancholy
Azalea: Romance; Temperance; Take Care of Yourself for Me; Chinese Symbol of Womanhood; Fragile Passion; True to the end

~B~

Baby's Breath: Ours is an everlasting love
Bachelor's Button: Hope; Single Blessedness; Celibacy; Hope in love
Balm: A cure; Sympathy;
Balm, Gentle: Pleasantry
Balm, Mint: Pleasantry
Balm of Gilead: Healing; I am cured; Relief
Balsam: Impatience; My love for you can't wait
Balsam, Red: Touch me not; Impatient resolves
Balsam, Yellow: Impatience
Balsamine: Impatience
Barberry: Sharpness, satire; Petulance; Ill temper; Sourness of temper
Barberry Tree: Sharpness
Basil: Give me your good wishes; Best Wishes
Bay Leaf: I change but in dying; No change till death; I change but in death
Bay (Rose) Rhododendron: Danger; Beware
Bay Tree: Glory
Bay Wreath: Reward of merit
Bearded Crepis: Protection
Beech: Prosperity; Lovers' tryst
Bee Ophrys: Error
Bee Orchis: Industry
Begonia: Deformed; Beware
Belladonna: Silence
Bell Flower: Constancy; Gratitude
Bell Flower, Pyramidal: Constancy
Bell Flower (small white): Gratitude
Bells of Ireland: Good Luck
Belvedere: I declare against you;
Belvidere, Wild (Licorice): I declare against you;
Betony: Surprise
Bilberry: Treachery
Bindweed: Humility; Night;
Bindweed, Great: Insinuation
Bindweed, Small: Humility
Birch Tree: Gracefulness; Meekness
Birdsfoot Trefoil: Revenge
Bittersweet; Nightshade: Truth
Black Bryony: Be my support
Black Poplar: Courage; Affliction;
Black Thorn: Difficulty
Bladder Tree: Frivolous amusement
Bladder-Nut Tree: Frivolous amusements
Bluebell: Constancy; Kindness; Humility
Blue Bottle: Delicacy
Blue-flowered Greek Valerian: Rupture
Borage: Bluntness; Abruptness; Rudeness
Bonus Henricus: Goodness
Borus Henricus: Goodness
Bouquet of Withered Flowers: Rejected Love
Box/Box Tree: Indifference; Constancy; Stoicism; Constancy in friendship
Bramble: Lowliness; Envy; Remorse
Branch of Currants: You please all
Branch of Thorns: Severity; Rigor
Bridal Rose: Happy love
Briers: Envy
Broken Straw: Constancy
Broom: Humility; Neatness;
Browallia Jamisonii: Could you bear poverty
Buckbean: Calm repose
Bud of White Rose: Heart ignorant of love;
Bugloss: Falsehood
Bulrush: Docility
Bundle of Reeds, with their Panicles: Music
Burdock: Importunity; Touch me not;
Buttercup: Riches; Memories of childhood; Ingratitude; Childishness
Butterfly Orchis: Gaiety
Butterfly Weed: Let me go

~C~

Cabbage: Profit
Cacalia: Adulation
Cactus: Thou leavest me; Warmth; Our love shall endure
Calla AEthiopica: Magnificent Beauty
Calla Lilly: Feminine beauty; Delicacy; Modesty;
Calycanthus: Benevolence
Calendula: Constancy
Camellia: Gratitude; Perfect; Loveliness; I shall love you always; Admiration; Gift to a Man
Camellia Japonica, Red: Unpretending excellence
Camellia Japonica, White: Perfected loveliness
Camellia, Pink: Longing for you
Camellia, Red: You're a flame in my heart
Camellia, White: You're adorable
Camomile/Chamomile: Energy in adversity
Canary Grass: Perseverance, determination
Candytuft: Indifference
Canterbury Bell: Gratitude; Constancy; Acknowledgement
Cape Jasmine: I'm too happy;
Cape Jasmine Gardenia: Transport; Ecstasy
Cardamine: Paternal error
Cardinal Flower: Distinction; Preferment
Carnation: Pure and deep love; Pride and beauty; Fascination
Carnation, Deep Red: Alas! for my poor heart
Carnation, Pink: I'll never forget you
Carnation, Purple: Capriciousness
Carnation, Red: My heart aches for you
Carnation, Solid Color: Yes
Carnation, Striped: Refusal; No; Sorry I can't be with you
Carnation, White: Sweet and Lovely; Innocence; Pure Love; Women's Good Luck Gift
Carnation, Yellow: Disdain; Rejection; You have disappointed me
Carrot Flower: Do not refuse me
Catalpa Flower: Beware of the coquette
Catchfly: Snare; Caught at last
Catchfly (Silene), Red: Youthful love
Catchfly, White: I fall a victim; Betrayed
Cattail: Peace; Prosperity
Cedar: Think of me; I live for thee; Strength
Cedar Leaf: I live for thee
Cedar of Lebanon: Incorruptible
Cedar Sprig: Constancy in love; I live for thee
Celandine: Future joy; Many Joys to come
Cereus (Creeping): Modest genius;
Cereus, Night Blooming: Transient Beauty
Centaury Delicacy
Champignon: Suspicion
Checkered Fritillary: Persecution
Cherry: A good education;
Cherry Blossom: Spiritual beauty
Cherry Tree: Good education
Cherry Tree, White: Deception
Chestnut: Do me justice
Chestnut Tree: Do me justice; Luxury;
Chickweed: I cling to thee; Rendezvous; Will you meet me?
Chickory : Frugality; Economy
China Aster: Love of variety; I will think of thee
China Aster, Double: I partake your sentiments
China Aster, Single: I will think of it, deliberation
China, Pink: Aversion
China or Indian Pink: Aversion
China Rose: Beauty always new
Chinese Chrysanthemum: Cheerfulness under adversity
Chorozema Varium: You have many lovers
Christmas Rose: Relieve my anxiety;
Chrysanthemum: You're a wonderful friend; Cheerfulness and Rest
Chrysanthemum, Red: I love
Chrysanthemum, Rose: In love
Chrysanthemum, White: Truth, veracity
Chrysanthemum, Yellow: Slighted love
Cinnamon Tree: Forgiveness of injuries;
Cinquefoil: Beloved child; A beloved daughter; Maternal affection
Cistus, or Rock Rose: Surety; Popular favour
Cistus, Gum: I shall die to-morrow
Citron: Ill-natured beauty;
Clarkia: The variety of your conversation delights me
Clematis: Artifice; Mental beauty
Clematis, Evergreen: Poverty
Clinging Woodbine: Fraternal love
Clotbur: Rudeness; Pertinacity
Clover, Four-leaved: Be mine
Clover, Purple: Providence
Clover, Red: Industry
Clover, White: I promise; Think of me
Cloves: Dignity
Clyanthus: Worldliness
Coboea: Gossip
Cockle: Vain is beauty without merit
Cockscomb Amaranth: Foppery; Affectation; Singularity
Colchium/Colchicum, or Meadow Saffron: My best days fled; My best days are past
Coltsfoot: Justice shall be done you
Columbine: Desertion; Folly
Columbine, Purple: Resolved to win
Columbine, Red: Anxious and trembling; Great anxiety
Convolvulus: Bonds
Convolvulus, Blue (Minor): Repose; Night
Convolvulus Major: Dead hope Extinguished hopes;
Convolvulus Minor: Uncertainty
Convolvulus, Pink: Worth sustained by judicious and tender affection
Corchorus: Impatience of happiness; Impatient of absence
Corcopsis: Love at first sight
Coreopsis: Always cheerful
Coreopsis Arkansas: Love at first sight
Coriander: Hidden merit/value
Corn: Riches; Abundance
Corn, Broken: Quarrel
Corn Bottle: Delicacy
Corn Buttercup: Riches, wealth
Corn Cockle: Gentility
Corn Straw: Agreement
Cornel Tree: Duration
Cornelian Cherry Tree: Continuance; Duration
Coronella: Success crown your wishes
Coronilla: Success to you
Cowslip: Native grace; Pensiveness; Winning grace
Cowslip, American: Divine beauty; You are my divinity
Coxcomb: Foppery
Crab Blossom: Ill-tempered
Cranberry: Cure for heartache;
Crane's Bill: Envy
Creeping Cereus: Horror
Cress : Power; Stability, always reliable
Crocus: Cheerfulness; Abuse not
Crocus, Spring: Youthful gladness
Crocus, Saffron: Mirth
Crowfoot: Ingratitude
Crowfoot (Aconite-leaved): Lustre
Crown Imperial: Majesty; Power; Pride of birth
Crowsbill: Envy
Cuckoo Plant: Ardour
Cuckoo Flower: Paternal Error
Cucumber: Criticism
Cudweed, American Unceasing remembrance;
Currants: You please me; Thy frown will kill me;
Cuscuta: Meanness
Cyclamen: Diffidence; Resignation; Goodbye
Cypress: Death; Mourning; Despair; Mourning;
Cypress and Marigold: Despair

~D~

Daffodil: Chivalry; Unequalled love; Regard; I send my regards; You're the only one; The is always shining when I'm with you
Dahlia: Eloquence and dignity; Forever thine
Daisy, Garden: I share your feelings; I share your sentiments
Daisy, Michaelmas: Farewell
Daisy, Party-coloured: Beauty
Daisy, Red: Beauty unknown to possessor
Daisy, Single Field: I will think of it
Daisy, White: Innocence; Loyal Love; I'll never tell; Purity
Daisy, Wild: I will think of it;
Damask Rose: Bashful love; Brilliant complexion;
Dandelion: Rustic oracle; Coquetry; Lover's Oracle; Faithfulness; Happiness
Dandelion Ball: Depart
Daphne Mezereon: I desire to please;
Daphne Odora: I would not have you otherwise;
Darnel (Ray grass): Vice;
Datura: Deceitful charms
Daylily: Coquetry
Dead Leaves: Sadness
Dew Plant: Serenade;
Dianthus: Make haste;
Diosma: Usefulness;
Dittany: Birth;
Dittany of Crete: Birth
Dittany of Crete, White: Passion;
Dittany, White: Passion;
Dock: Patience;
Dodder: Meanness; Baseness;
Dogsbane: Deceit; Falsehood;
Dogwood, Flowering: Am I indifferent to you?; Durability; Our love will endure adversity
Double Daisy: Participation; Enjoyment;
Dragon Plant: A snare;
Dragonwort : Horror; Astonishment;
Dyplidinia Brassinoda: You are too bold;

~E~

Ebony: Hypocrisy; Blackness;
Eglantine: I wound to heal;
Elder: Compassion; Zealousness;
Elecampane: Tears;
Elm: Dignity and grace;
Enchanter's Nightshade: Witchcraft; Sorcery;
Endine: Frugality;
Endive: Frugality;
Epigaea, Repens: Budding beauty;
Everflowering Candytuft: Indifference
Eupatorium: Delay;
Evening Primrose: Inconstancy
Evergreen: I will remember you forever
Evergreen Clematis: Poverty; Want;
Evergreen Thorn: Solace in adversity;
Everlasting: I think of thee; Never-ceasing remembrance;
Everlasting Pea: Wilt thou go with me? Lasting pleasure; Go not away;

~F~

Fennel: Force; Strength; Worthy all praise
Fern: Fascination; Magic; Sincerity; Confidence and Shelter
Fern, Maidenhair: Sacred Bond of Love
Fever Root: Delay;
Ficoides, Ice Plant: Your looks freeze me; Addresses rejected;
Fig: Argument; Longevity, long-lived;
Fig Marigold: Idleness
Fig Tree: Prolific
Filbert: Reconciliation
Fir: Elevation; Time
Fir Tree: Elevation
Flax: I feel your kindness; I feel your benefits; Domestic Industry;
Fate; I am sensible of your kindness
Flax-leaved: Tardiness
Fleur-de-lis: Flame; I burn;
Fleur-de-Luce: Fire;
Flora's Bell: Without pretension
Flos, Adonis: Painful recollections;
Flowering Fern: Reverie;
Flowering Reed: Confide in heaven;
Flowering Rush: Confidence in Heaven
Flower-of-an-Hour: Delicate beauty
Flytrap: Deceit; Artifice
Fools' Parsley: Silliness;
Forget-me-not: True love; Do not forget; Memories
Forsythia: Anticipation
Fox Glove: I am ambitious only for you; Insincerity; A wish;
Foxtail Grass: Sporting
Francisca Latifolia: Beware of a false friend
Fraxinella: Fire
Freesia: Trust
French Honeysuckle: Rustic beauty;
French Marigold: Jealousy
French Willow: Bravery and humanity;
Fritillaria (Guinea-hen Flower): Persecution
Frog Ophrys: Disgust
Fuchsia: Humble love; The ambition of my love thus plagues itself
Fuchsia, Scarlet: Taste
Fuller's Teasel: Misanthropy
Fumitory Spleen; Hatred
Furze: Anger; Love for all seasons

~G~

Garden Anemone: Forsaken;
Garden Chervil: Sincerity;
Garden Daisy: I partake your sentiments;
Gardenia: Transport; Ecstasy; Secret Love; You're Lovely
Garden Marigold: Sacred affection; Uneasiness;
Garden Ranunculus: You are rich in attractions;
Garden Sage: Esteem;
Garland of Roses: Reward of virtue;
Garlic: Courage; Strength
Gentian: Intrinsic worth; Integrity;
Gentian, Fringed: Intrinsic worth;
Geranium, General: Comfort
Geranium, Apple: Present preference; Facility;
Geranium, Dark: Melancholy
Geranium, Ivy: Your hand for next dance; Bridal favour; I engage you for the next dance
Geranium, Lemon: Unexpected meeting
Geranium, Nutmeg: I expect a meeting; Expected meeting;
Geranium, Oak: Lady, deign to smile; A melancholy mind;
Geranium, Oak-leaf: True friendship;
Geranium, Pencilled: Ingenuity;
Geranium, Rose: Preference; I prefer you;
Geranium, Scarlet: Silliness; Comforting; Stupidity;
Geranium, Silver-leaf: Recall
Geranium, Wild: Steadfast piety;
Germander Speedwell: Facility
Gillyflower: Bonds of affection;Lasting beauty
Gillyflower, Common: Lasting Beauty;
Gillyflower, Stock: Promptness
Gladiolus : Ready armed; Preparedness; Flower of the Gladiators; Give me a break, I'm really sincere
Glory Flower: Glorious beauty; Glory;
Gloxinia: Love at First Sight
Glycine: Your friendship is agreeable to me
Goat's Rue: Reason
Gold Basket: Tranquility
Golden Rod: Encouragement; Precaution;
Gooseberry: Anticipation
Goosefoot: Goodness
Gorse (or Furze): Endearing affection; Anger; Our Friendship is enduring
Gourd: Extend; Bulk
Grammanthes: Your temper is too hasty;
Grape: Charity; Intemperance;
Grape Vine: Intemperance
Grass: Utility; Submission; Usefulness;
Great Yellow Daffodil: Chivalry
Greek Valerian: Rupture
Guelder Rose: Winter; Age; Good news
Gum Cistus: I shall die to-morrow

~H~

Hand Flower Tree: Warning
Harebell: Grief; Retirement; Submission;
Hawkweed: Quicksightedness
Hawthorn: Hope
Hazel: Reconciliation
Hazelnut/Filbert: I would like to reconcile
Heart's Ease: Think of me;
Heart's Ease, Purple: You occupy my thoughts;
Heath: Solitude
Heather, Lavender: Admiration; Solitude
Heather, White: Protection; Wishes will Come True
Helenium: Tears
Heliotrope: I adore you; Devotion;
Heliotrope, Peruvian: I love; Devotion; Faithfulness; Infatuation, Adoration
Hellebore: Scandal; Calumny;
Helmet Flower (Monkshood): Knight-errantry
Hemlock: You will be my death;
Hemp: Fate
Henbane: Blemish; Fault; Imperfection;
Hepatica: Confidence
Hibiscus: Delicate beauty
Hoarhound: Fire
Holly: Domestic happiness; Am I forgotten?; Foresight; Defense
Holly Herb: Enchantment
Hollyhock: Fruitfulness; Fecundity; Ambition;
Hollyhock, White: Female ambition
Honesty (Lunaria): Sincerity; Honesty; Fascination;
Honey Flower: Sweet and secret love;
Honeysuckle: Spirit vision; The bond of love; Devoted love; Fidelity Generous and devoted affection;
Honeysuckle, Coral: The colour of my fate;
Honeysuckle (French): Rustic beauty;
Honeysuckle, Monthly: I will not answer hastily; Domestic happiness;
Honeysuckle, Wild: Devoted love
Hop: Injustice
Hornbeam : Ornament
Hornbeam Tree: Ornament, a treasure
Horse-Chestnut: Luxury
Hortensia: You are cold;
House-Leek: Domestic economy; Vivacity;
Houstania: Innocence; Content;
Houstonia: Content
Hoya (Wax Plant): Sculpture
Humble Plant: Despondency; Humility;
Hundred-leaved Rose: Dignity of mind;
Hyacinth: Jealousy Constancy; Benevolence; Sports & Games; Play; Rashness; Flower Dedicated to Apollo
Hyacinth, Blue: Constancy
Hyacinth, Purple: Sorrow; I am Sorry; Please Forgive Me
Hyacinth, Red or Pink: Play
Hyacinth, White: Unobtrusive loveliness; I'll pray for you
Hyacinth, Yellow: Jealousy
Hydrangea: Heartlessness; Vain-glory; Thank you for Understanding
Hyssop: Cleanliness

~I~

Iceland Moss: Health
Ice Plant: Your looks freeze me
Indian Cress: Resignation; Warlike trophy;
Indian Jasmine (Ipomoea): Attachment; I attach myself to you;
Indian Pink (Double): Always lovely;
Indian Plum: Privation;
Ipomaca: I attach myself to you;
Iris: I have a message for you; Fleur-de-lis, Emblem of France; Your friendship means so much to me; Faith; Hope; Wisdom and Valour; My Compliments
Iris, Common Garden: A message for thee;
Iris, German: Flame
Iris, Yellow: Flame
Ivy: Fidelity; Marriage; Wedded Love; Friendship; Affection
Ivy Leaf: Friendship
Ivy, Sprig of, with tendrils: Assiduous to please;
Ivy Tendrils: Assiduous to please
Ivy Vine: Matrimony, marriage

~J~

Jacob's Ladder: Come down
Japan Rose: Beauty is your only attraction;
Jasmine: Amiability; You are cheerful and graceful
Jasmine, Cape: Transport of joy;
Jasmine, Carolina: Separation
Jasmine, Indian: I attach myself to you;
Jasmine, Spanish: Sensuality
Jasmine, White: Amiability
Jasmine, Yellow: Grace and elegance
Jessamine, Cape: Transient joy
Jessamine, White: Amiability
Jessamine, Yellow : Grace; elegance
Jonquil: Sympathy; Return my affection; Desire; Affection returned; I desire a return of affection; Love Me
Judas-Tree: Betrayed; Unbelief;
Jumper: Asylum; Aid; Protection;
Juniper: Perfect loveliness; Succour; Protection; I will protect you
Justicia: The perfection of female loveliness;

~K~

Kalmia (Mountain Laurel): Treachery
Kennedia: Intellectual beauty; Mental beauty;
Kings-cups: Desire of riches; I wish I was rich;

~L~

Laburnum: Forsaken; Pensive Beauty;
Lady's Slipper: Win me and wear me; Capricious beauty
Lagerstraemia, Indian: Eloquence
Lagerstroema (Cape Myrtle): Eloquence
Lantana: Rigor
Larch: Boldness`; Audacity`;
Larkspur: Fickleness`; Lightness`; Levity;
Larkspur, Pink: Lightness`; Fickleness;
Larkspur, Purple: Haughtiness
Laurel: Glory;
Laurel, American: Words, though sweet, may deceive;
Laurel, Common, in flower: Perfidy
Laurel, Ground: Perseverance
Laurel, Mountain: Glory; Victory; Ambition of a hero
Laurel-leaved Magnolia: Dignity
Laurestina/Laurestine/Laurestinus/Laurustina: I die if neglected; A token
Lavatera: Sweet disposition
Lavender: Mistrust; Distrust;
Leaves (dead): Melancholy; Sadness
Lemon: Zest
Lemon Blossom: Discretion; Prudence; Fidelity in love
Lemon Verbena: Unity
Lettuce: Cold-hearted
Lichen: Dejection; Solitude;
Licorice, Wild: I declare against you;
Lilac: Do you still love me?
Lilac, Field: Humility
Lilac, Purple: First emotion of love
Lilac, White: Youthful; Innocence; Candor; Modest and Pure Emotions
Lily: Purity; modesty
Lily, Calla: Beauty
Lily, Day: Coquetry; Chinese Emblem for Mothers
Lily, Eucharis: Maiden Charms
Lily, Imperial: Majesty
Lily of the Valley: Return of happiness; Sweetness; Tears of the Virgin Mary; Humility; You've made my life complete
Lily, Orange: Hatred
Lily, Scarlet: High-bred, high-souled
Lily, Tiger: Wealth; Pride
Lily, Water: Eloquence; Sincerity; Purity of Heart
Lily, White: Majesty; Purity; Sweetness; Virginity; It's Heavenly to be with You
Lily, Yellow: Falsehood; Gaiety; I'm Walking on Air
Linden Leaf: Matrimony, marriage
Linden Sprig: Conjugal love
Linden Tree: Conjugal love
Linden or Lime Tree: Marriage; Conjugal love;
Lint: I feel my obligations;
Live Oak: Liberty
Liverwort: Confidence
Lobelia: Malevolence
Locust: Affection beyond the grave
Locust Tree: Elegance; Affection beyond the grave
Locust Tree (green): Love beyond the grave Affection beyond the grave;
London Pride: Frivolity
Lote Tree: Concord
Lotus: Forgetful of the past; Eloquence;
Lotus Flower: Estranged love; I love you still
Lotus Leaf: Recantation
Love in a Mist: You puzzle me; Perplexity;
Love-in-a-Puzzle: Embarrassment
Love Lies Bleeding: Hopeless, not heartless;
Lucerne: Life, existence
Lungwort (Pulmonaria): Thou art my life;
Lupine: Dejection; Voraciousness; Imagination;
Lychnis: Religious enthusiasm
Lythrum: Pretension

~M~

Magnolia: Love of Nature; Nobility
Magnolia, Grandiflora: Peerless and proud;
Magnolia, Swamp: Perseverance
Maiden's Hair: Discretion
Maize: Riches;
Mallow: Good and Kind; Sweetness; Mildness;
Mallow, Marsh: Beneficence
Mallow, Syrian: Consumed by love; Persuasion;
Mallow, Venetian: Delicate beauty;
Manchineal/Manchineel Tree: Falseness;
Mandrake: Horror; Rarity; Honor
Maple: Reserve
Marigold: Cruelty; Sacred Affection; Grief
Marigold, French: Jealousy
Marigold, Prophetic: Prediction; Cruelty; Grief; Jealousy
Marigold, Small Cape: Omen; Sign
Marigold and Cypress: Despair
Marjoram: Blushes
Marshmallow: Beneficence
Marvel of Peru (Four o-clock): Timidity
Mayflower: Welcome
Meadow Lychnis: Wit
Meadow Saffron: My best days are gone; Growing old
Meadow Sweet: Uselessness
Mercury: Goodness
Mesembryanthemum: Idleness
Mezereon: Desire to please; A flirt
Mignonette: Moral and mental beauty; Your qualities surpass your charms; Worth and Loveliness
Milfoil: War
Milkweed: Hope in misery
Milkvetch: Your presence softens my pain
Milkwort: Hermitage
Mimosa: Sensitiveness
Minchineel Tree: Hypocrisy
Mint: Virtue
Mistletoe: Obstacles to be overcome; I surmount all difficulties; I surmount everything; Kiss Me; Sacred Plant of India; Sacred Plant of the Druids
Mock Orange (Syringia): Counterfeit; Deceit
Monkshood: Deceit; A deadly foe is near; Treachery; Beware
Moonwort: Forgetfulness
Morning Glory: Coquetry; Affection: Vain glory
Moschatel: Weakness
Moss: Maternal love; Charity
Mossy Saxifrage: Affection
Moss Rose: Voluptuous love
Motherwort: Secret love; Concealed love
Mountain Ash: I watch over you; Prudence
Mourning Bride: Unfortunate attachment; I have lost all
Mouse Ear: Forget me not
Moving Plant: Agitation
Mudwort: Tranquility;
Mugwort: Good luck; Happiness
Mullein/Mullen: Good nature
Mushroom: Suspicion
Mush Plant: Weakness
Mustard Seed: Indifference
Myrrh: Gladness
Myrtle: Love in absence; Love; Hebrew Emblem of Marriage; With Joy

~N~

Narcissus: Uncertainty; Egotism; Self-love; Formality; Stay as Sweet as you are
Nasturtium: Patriotism; Splendor; Conquest; Victory in Battle
Nettle: Cruelty; Slander
Night Blooming Cereus: Transient beauty
Nightshade: Dark thoughts; Bitter truth
Nosegay: Gallantry
Nuts: Stupidity

~O~

Oak: Hospitality; Bravery
Oak Leaves: Bravery and Humanity
Oak Sprig: Hospitality
Oak (white): Independence
Oats: The witching soul of music
Oleander: Beware; Caution
Olive: Peace
Orange: Generosity
Orange Blossoms: Your purity equals your loveliness (and vice-versa); Chastity; Innocence; Marriage and Fruitfulness
Orange flower: Chastity; Bridal festivities
Orange Tree: Generosity
Orchid: Love; You are beautiful; You posses a refined beauty
Orchic, Cattleya: Mature Charm
Orchis: Beauty
Osier: Frankness
Osmunda: I dream of thee
Ox Eye: Patience

~P~

Palm Leaves: Victory; Success
Pansy: You occupy my thoughts; Think of me
Pansy, Purple: Heart's ease
Parsley: Entertainment; Festivity; Banquet; Lasting Pleasures
Pasque Flower: You have no claims
Passion Flower: Religious fervor; Devotion
Patience Dock: Patience
Pea: An appointed meeting
Pea, Everlasting: Wilt go with me?
Pea, Sweet: Departure; I am sorry I must leave
Peach Blossom: I am yours; You hold me captive
Pear and Pear Tree: Affection
Pennyroyal: Flee Away!
Peony: Anger; Ostentation; Shame; Bashfulness; Gay Life; Happy Marriage
Peppermint: Warmth of feeling
Periwinkle: Sweet memories
Periwinkle, Blue: Early friendship; Early attachment
Periwinkle, White: Pleasures of memory; Pleasant recollections
Persicaria: Restoration
Persimmon: Bury me amid nature's beauties
Peruvian Heliotrope: Devotion
Petunia: Am not proud; Don't despair; Resentment; Anger; Your Presence Soothes Me
Pheasant's Eye: Sorrowful memories; Remembrance
Phlox Our souls united; Unanimity; United hearts
Pigeon Berry: Indifference
Pimpernel: Rendezvous; Change; Assignation
Pine: Time; Endurance; Daring; Pity; Hope
Pine, Black: Pity
Pine, Pitch: Philosophy; Time and faith
Pine, Spruce: Hope in adversity; Farewell
Pine Tree: Courage, daring
Pineapple: Welcome; You are perfection
Pink: Pure affection; Boldness
Pink, Carnation: Woman's love
Pink, Clove: Dignity
Pink, Double-red: Pure and ardent love
Pink, Indian: Aversion
Pink, Indian, Double: Always lovely
Pink, Indian, Single: Aversion, dislike
Pink, Mountain: You are aspiring
Pink, Red: Love, ardent and sincere; Pure love
Pink, Single: Pure love
Pink, Variegated: Refusal
Pink, White: You are fair; Ingeniousness; Talent
Pink, Yellow: Disdain
Plane, or Platane: Genius
Plane Tree: Genius
Pleurisy Root (Asclopias): Heartache cure
Plum, Indian: Privation, suffering
Plum Tree: Genius; Keep your promise; Fidelity
Plum Tree, Wild: Independence
Plum, Wild: Independence
Poet's Narcissus: Egotism, self-love
Polyanthus: Confidence; Heart's mystery; Pride of riches
Polyanthus, Lilac: Confidence
Pomegranate: Foolishness; Conceit
Pomegranate, Flower: Mature elegance
Pompion, or Pumpkin: Grossness; Coarseness
Poplar, Black: Courage
Poplar, White: Time
Poppy: Eternal Sleep; Oblivion; Imagination; Consolation (Poppy is the floral sign of consolation probably because it was created by "Ceres" while in search of her daughter, Prosperpine, to assuage her grief)
Poppy, Corn: Consolation
Poppy, Red: Pleasure
Poppy, Scarlet: Fantastic extravagance
Poppy, White: Sleep of the heart; Oblivion; Sleep; My bane; My antidote; Consolation
Poppy, Yellow: Wealth; Success
Potato: Benevolence
Prickly Pear: Satire
Pride of China (Melia): Dissension
Primrose: Modest worth; Silent love; Early youth; I can't live without you
Primrose, Evening: Inconstancy
Primrose, Red: Unpatronized merit
Privet: Mildness; Prohibition
Privet, or Prim: Prohibition
Pumpkin: Coarseness, grossness
Purple Clover: Provident
Purple Scabious: Mourning
Pyrus Japonica: Fairies' fire

~Q~

Quaking-Grass: Agitation
Quamoclit: Busybody
Queen of the Meadow: Uselessness
Queen's Rocket: You are the queen of coquettes; Fashionable
Quince: Temptation

~R~

Ragged-robin (Lychnis): Wit
Ranunculus: You are radiant with charms; I am dazzled by your charms
Ranunculus, Garden: You are radiant with charms; You are rich in attractions
Ranunculus, Wild: Ingratitude
Raspberry: Remorse
Ray Grass: Vice
Red Bay: Memory
Red Catchfly: Youthful love
Reeds: Music, musical
Reed, Split: Indiscretion
Rest Harrow: Obstacle
Rhubarb: Advice
Rocket: Rivalry
Rose, Austrian: Thou art all that is lovely
Rose, Bridal: Happy love
Rose, Burgundy: Unconscious beauty
Rose, Cabbage: Ambassador of love
Rose, Campion: Only deserve my love
Rose, Carolina: Love is dangerous
Rose, Christmas: Tranquilize my anxiety
Rose, Cinnamon: Without pretension
Rose, Coral: Desire
Rose, Damask: Brilliant complexion; Freshness; Persian Ambassador of Love
Rose, Dark Crimson: Mourning
Rose, Dark Pink: Thankfulness
Rose, Deep Red: Bashful shame;
Rose, Dog: Pleasure and pain;
Rose, Full-blown: You are beautiful
Rose, Hibiscus: Delicate beauty
Rose, Inermis: Ingratitude
Rose, Lavender: Enchantment
Rose Leaf: I never trouble; You may hope
Rose, Maiden's Blush: If you love me, you will discover it
Rose, Musk: Capricious beauty
Rose, Orange: Fascination
Rose, Pale Peach: Modesty
Rose, Pale Pink: Grace; Joy
Rose, Pink: Perfect happiness, please believe me; Friendship
Rose, Red: I love you; Passionate Love
Rose, Red Leaved: Wishes for Prosperity
Rose, Sweetbrier: Sympathy
Rose, Tea: Always lovely; I'll remember
Rose, Thornless: Love at first sight
Rose, White: Innocence and purity, I am worthy of you, You're heavenly, Secrecy and silence
Rose; White-dried: Death is preferable to loss of virtue
Rose, White, Full: I am worthy of you
Rose, White (withered): Transient impression
Rose, White and Red together: Unity; Flower Emblem of England
Rose, Wild, Single: Simplicity
Rose, Yellow: Decrease of love; Infidelity; Unfaithfulness; Jealousy; Joy; Friendship
Rose, York and Lancaster: War
Roses, Garland of: Reward of virtue; Crown Symbol of Superior Merit
Roses, Wreath of: Reward of virtue;
Rosebay (Rhododendron): Beware; Danger
Rosebud: Confession of love; Young girl; Beauty and Joy; A Heart Innocent of Love
Rosebud, Moss: Confession of love;
Rosebud, Red: Pure and lovely; You are young and beautiful
Rosebud, White: The heart that knows not love; Girlhood; Too young to love
Roses, Bouquet of full bloom: Gratitude
Roses, Musk Cluster: Charming
Roses, Single full bloom: I love you, I still love you
Rosemary: Your presence revives me; Remembrance
Rudbeckia: Justice
Rue: Disdain
Rue, Wild: Manners
Rush: Docility
Rye Grass: Changeable disposition

~S~

Saffron/Saffron Flower: Do not abuse; Excess is dangerous; Beware of excess
Saffron Crocus: Do not abuse me
Saffron, Meadow: My happiest days are past
Sage: Esteem; Domestic Virtue; We have a wonderful family/household
Sage, Garden: Esteem
Sainfoin: Agitation
Saint John's Wort (Hypericum): Animosity; Superstition; You are a prophet
Sardonia: Irony
Sardony: Irony
Satin-flower (Lunaria): Sincerity; Forgetfulness; Am I forgotten?
Saxifrage, Mossy: Affection
Scabious: Unfortunate love
Scabious, Sweet: Widowhood
Scarlet Lychnis: Sunbeaming eyes
Schinus: Religious enthusiasm
Scotch Fir: Elevation
Scotch Thistle: Retaliation
Scratch Weed: Roughness; Hardness, harshness
Sensitive Plant: Timidity; Modesty; Sensibility; Delicate feelings; Sensitiveness
Senvy: Indifference
Serpent Cactus: Horror; Surprise
Service Tree : Prudence
Shamrock: Light-heartedness
Shepherd's Purse: I offer you my all
Silver Weed: Naivete
Smilax: Loveliness
Snakesfoot: Horror; Terror
Snake's Lounge: Slander
Snapdragon: Presumption; No, never; Deception; Gracious lady
Snowball: Bound; Thoughts of heaven
Snowdrop: Hope; Consolation, A friend in adversity
Sorrel: Wit ill-timed; Parental affection
Sorrel, Wild: Wit ill-timed
Sorrel, Wood: Joy
Southernwood: Jest; Bantering;
Spanish Jasmine: Sensuality; I think you're sexy
Spearmint: Warm feelings; Warmth of sentiment
Speedwell: Female fidelity; I remain faithful
Speedwell, Germander: Facility
Speedwell, Veronica: Female fidelity;
Spider, Ophrys: Adroitness
Spider Flower: Elope with me
Spiderwort: Esteem not love; Esteem, but not love
Spiked Willow Herb: Pretension
Spindle-tree: Your charms are engraven on my heart; Your image is engraved on my heart
Spotted Arum: Ardor, great warmth
Spring Caroline: Disappointment
Star of Bethlehem: Reconciliation; Purity; Guidance
Starwort: Afterthought;
Starwort, American: Welcome to a stranger; Cheerfulness in old age
Stephanotis: Happiness in marriage, Desire to travel
Stock: Lasting beauty; Bonds of affection, Promptness; You'll always be beautiful to me
Stock, Ten-week: Promptness
Stonecrop: Tranquility
Stramonium, Common: Disguise
Straw: Agreement; United
Straw, Broken: Rupture of a contract; Quarrel, contention
Straw, Whole: Union, unity
Strawberry: Perfect excellence
Strawberry Tree (Arbutus): Esteem and love
Sumac/Sumach: Splendid misery
Sumach, Venice: Splendour; Intellectual excellence
Sunflower: False riches;
Sunflower, Dwarf: Your devout admirer; Adoration; I adore you
Sunflower, Fall: Pride
Sunflower, Tall: Lofty and wise thoughts; Haughtiness
Swallow-wort: Cure for heartache
Sweet Basil: Good wishes; I send sweet wishes
Sweet Briar : Poetry; Simplicity
Sweetbrier, American: Simplicity
Sweetbrier, European: I wound to heal
Sweetbrier, Yellow: Decrease of love; Let us forget
Sweet Flag: Fitness
Sweet Pea: A meeting; Delicate pleasures; Departure, Blissful Pleasure; Thank you for a lovely time; Goodbye
Sweet Sultan: Felicity; Happiness; Felicity; Widowhood
Sweet William: Artifice; Dexterity; Gallantry; Will you smile?
Sycamore: Curiosity
Syringa: Memory; Fraternal love
Syringa, Carolina: Disappointment
Syringia: Memory

~T~

Tamarisk: Crime
Tansy: I declare against you
Tare: Vice
Teasel: Misanthropy
Tendrils of Climbing Plants: Ties
Tendrils of Plants: Ties
Thistle: Austerity; Sternness
Thistle, Common:; Austerity
Thistle, Fuller's: Misanthropy
Thistle, Scotch: Retaliation
Thorn Apple: Deceitful charms
Thorn, Black: Difficulty
Thorn, Branch of: Severity
Thorns: Severity
Thrift: Sympathy
Throatwood (Pulmonaria): Neglected beauty
Throatwort: Neglected beauty
Thyme: Activity
Tiger Flower: May pride befriend thee, For once my pride befriended me
Touch me not, Balsam: Impatience
Traveller's Joy: Safety, security
Tree of Life: Old age
Trefoil: Revenge
Tremella: Resistance
Tremella Nestoc: Opposition, resistance
Trillium Pictum: Modest beauty
Triptilion Spinosum: Be prudent
Truffle: Surprise
Trumpet Flower: Separation; Fame
Tuberose: Dangerous pleasures; Voluptuousness; Sweet voice
Tulip, General: Declaration of love; Fame; flower emblem of Holland; Perfect Lover
Tulip, Red: Declaration of love; Believe Me
Tulip Tree: Rural happiness; Fame
Tulip, Variegated: Beautiful eyes
Tulip, Yellow: Hopeless love; I am hopelessly in love; There's sunshine in your smile
Turnip: Charity
Tussilage, Sweet-scented: Justice shall be done you

~V~

Valerian: Facility; Accommodating disposition
Valerian, Greek: Rapture
Valerian, Red: Readiness
Venice Sumach: Splendour; Intellectual excellence
Venus' Car: Fly with me
Venus's Flytrap: Caught at last
Venus's Looking-glass: Flattery
Venus' Trap: Deceit
Verbena: Sensibility; Sensitiveness
Verbena, Pink: Family union
Verbena, Purple: I weep for you; Regret
Verbena, White: Pray for me
Verinoca Speciosa: I dare not
Vernal Grass: Poor but happy
Veronica: Fidelity
Vervain: Enchantment
Vetch: I cling to thee; Shyness
Vine: Intoxication; Drunkenness
Violet, Blue: Faithfulness; Modesty, modest love; I will remain faithful; I'll always be true
Violet, Dame: Watchfulness; You are the queen of coquettes
Violet, Purple: You occupy my thoughts
Violet, Sweet: Modesty
Violet, White: Purity; Candor; Modesty; Innocence; Let's take a chance on happiness
Violet, Yellow: Modest worth; Rural happiness
Virginian Spiderwort: Momentary happiness
Virgin's Bower: Filial love
Viscaria Oculata: Will you dance with me?
Volkamenia: May you be happy

~W~

Wall Flower: Fidelity in misfortune; Fidelity in adversity
Walnut: Intellect; Stratagem
Watcher-by-the-wayside: Never despair
Water Lily: Purity of heart
Water Melon: Bulkiness
Wax Plant: Susceptibility
Weeping Willow: Forsaken; Melancholy
Wheat: Wealth; Riches; Prosperity
Whin: Anger
White Jasmine: Amiableness
White Julienne: Despair not
White Lily: Purity and modesty
White Mullein: Good nature
White Oak: Independence
White Pink: Talent
White Poplar: Time
White Rose (dried): Death preferable to loss of innocence; Death before loss of innocence
Whortleberry: Treachery; Treason
Willow, Common: Forsaken
Willow, Creeping: Love forsaken
Willow, French: Bravery and humanity
Willow-Herb: Pretension
Willow, Water: Freedom
Willow, Weeping: Mourning
Windflower: Desertion, Forsaken
Winter Cherry: Deception
Witch Hazel: A spell is on me
Woodbine: Fraternal love
Wood Sorrel: Joy; Maternal Tenderness
Wormwood: Absence

~X~

Xanthium: Rudeness; Pertinacity
Xeranthemum: Cheerfulness under adversity

~Y~

Yarrow: Cure for the heartache
Yew: Sadness; Sorrow; Penitence, repentance

~Z~

Zennae: Absent friends
Zephyr Flower: Expectation
Zinnia: I mourn your absence; Thoughts of absent friends
Zinnia, Magenta: Lasting Affection
Zinnia, Mixed: Thinking (or in memory) of an absent friend
Zinnia, Scarlet: Constancy
Zinnia, White: Goodness
Zinnia, Yellow: Daily Remembrance

Herbal Cross Reference Listing Common, botanical, & folk names

2009-02-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

Common Name ~ Botanical Name ~ Folk Names

ACACIA (Acacia senegal) Also called Gum Arabic Tree, Cape Gum, or Egyptian Thorn

AGRIMONY (Agrimonia eupatoria) Also called Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Garclive, Philanthropos, Sticklewort, Stickwort

ALLSPICE (Pimemta dioica or officinalis) Also known as Pimento, Jamaica Pepper

ALMOND (Prunus dulcis) Also called Sweet Almond

ALOE Aloe vera or Aloe ssp.) Also called Burn Plant, Medicine Plant

ANGELICA (Angelica archangelica) Also called Wild Parsnip, Herb of Angels, Archange, Masterwort, Angel Food

ANISE (Pimpinella anisum) Also called Aniseed, Anneys

APPLE (Malus spp.) Also called Fruit of the Gods, Fruit of the underworld, Silver Branch, The Silver Bough, Tree of Love

ASAFETIDA (Ferula asafoetida) Also called Assyfetida, Devils Dung, Food of the Gods

ASH TREE (Fraxinus americana or excelsior) Also called Nion, Common Ash, Weeping Ash

AVENS (Geum urbanum ) Also known as Colewort, Herb Bennet, City Avens, Wild Rye, Way Bennet, Goldy Star, Clove Root

BARBERRY (Berberis vulgaris ) Also known as Berbery, Pipperidge Bush, Berberis Dumetorum

BASIL (Oncimum basilicum) Also called Sweet Basil, Common Basil, Albahaca, American Dittenay, "Our Herb", St. Joseph's Wort, Sweet Basil, Witches Herb

BAYBERRY (Myrica cerifera) Also called Wax Myrtle, Myrica, Candle Berry, Arbre à suif, Myricæ cortex, Tallow Shrub, Wachsgagle

BAY LAUREL (Laurus nobilis) Also called Sweet Bay, Bay tree, Baie, Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, Laurier d'Apollon, Laurier Sauce, Lorbeer, Noble Laurel, Roman Laurel.

BEARBERRY (Arctostaphylow Urva-Ursi) Also called Arbutus Uva-Ursi, Uva Ursi

BEE BALM (Monarda didyma) Also called Bergamot, Scarlet Monarda, Oswego Tea

BENZOIN (Styrax benzoin) Also called Ben, Benjamen, Gum Benjamin, Gum Benzoin, Siam Benzoin, Siamese Benzoin, Sumatra Benzoin

BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia) Also called Orange Mint, Orange Bergamot

BERGAMOT MINT (Mentha x piperita 'citrata')

BETONY (Stachys officonalis or Stachys betonica or Betonica officinalis) Also called Wood Betony, Bishopwort, Lousewort, Purple Betony

BIRCH (Betula alba) Also called Common Birch, White Birch, Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau, Lady of the Woods, Monoecia triandria, B. pubescens, B. verrucosa

BLACKBERRY (Rubus fructicosus); ((Rubus villosus)American Blackberry) Also called Bly, Bramble, Brombeere, Fingerberry, Bramble-Kite, Bumble-Kite, Cloudberry, Dewberry, Thimbleberry, Brummel, Brameberry, Scaldhead, Brambleberry, R. cuneifolius

BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) Also called Sloe, Mother of the Wood, Wishing Thorn

BORAGE (Borago officinalis) Also called Bugloss, Burrage, Herb of Gladness

BRIAR ROSE (Rosa rubiginosa) Also called Wild Rose, Hip, Old Garden Rose

BROOM (Genista scoparius syn. Cytisus scoparius and Sarothamnus scoparious) Also known as Scotch Broom, Banal, Basam, Besom, Bisom, Bizzon, Breeam, Broom Tops, Brum, Genista Green Broom, Irish Tops, Link, Irish broom.

CAMPHOR (Cinnamomum camphora) Also called Laurel Camphor, Gum Camphor

CARAWAY (Carum carvi) Also called Caraway Seed

CARDAMOM (Elettario cardamomum) Also known as Amomum Cardamonum, Alpinia Cardamomum, Matonia cardamomu, Cardamomum minus, Amomum repens, Cardamomi Semina, Cardamom Seeds, Malabar, Cardamums, Ebil, Kakelah seghar, Capalaga, Gujattati elachi, Ilachi, Ailum

CARNATION (Dianthus caryophyllus) Also called Pink , Clove Pink, Gillies, Gillieflower, Jove's Flower, Nelka, Scaffold Flower, Sops-In-Wine, Gilly Flower.

CASSIA (Cinnamomum aromaticum var. cassia) Bastard Cinnamon, Chinese Cinnamon, Cassia lignea, Cassia Bark, Cassia aromaticum, Canton Cassia

CATNIP (Nepeta Catoria) Also called Cat, Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Cat's Wort, Field Balm, Nepeta, Nip

CEDARWOOD (Cedrus libani or Cedrus spp. or Thuja occidentalis or T. spp) Also known as Cedar, Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae (Thuja occidentalis) or Yellow Cedar (T. occidentalis)

CELANDINE, GREATER (Chelidonium majus) Common Celandine, Garden Celandine

CELANDINE, LESSER (Ranunculus ficaria) Small Celandine, Figwort, Smallwort, Pilewort

CHAMOMILE (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) Also called Roman chamomile, English chamomile, Perennial Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Camomyle, Chamaimelon, Maythen (Saxon), Whig plant, Heermannchen (German), Manzanilla (Spanish), Ground Apple.

CHERRY (Prunus serotina) Also known as Black Cherry, Wild Cherry, Sweet Cherry (P. avium), Virginian Prune, Chokecherry (P. virginiana).

CINNAMON (Cinnamomum verum or zeylanicum) Also called Sweet Wood, Laurus cinnamomum

CINQUEFOIL (Pontentilla reptans) Also called Five Fingered Grass, Creeping cinquefoil, Crampweed, Five Fingered Blossom, Goosegrass, Goose Tansy, Moor Grass, Pentaphylon, Silver Cinquefoil, Silverweed, Sunkfield, Synkefoyle, Five Finger Grass, Five Leaved Grass.

CLARY SAGE Salvia sclarea) Clarry, Orvale, Toute-bonne, Clear Eye, See Bright, Eyebright

CLOVE (Syzgium aromaticum) Also known as Eugenia aromatica

CLUB MOSS (Lycopodium selago or clavatum) Also called Selago, Foxtail, Lycopod, Vegetable Sulpher, Wolf Claw or Stag's Horn Moss. Also known as Muscus terrestris repens

COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara) Also called Horsehoof, Horsefoot, Foal's Foot, Coughwort, Hallfoot, Ass's Foot, Foalswort, Fieldhove, Bullsfoot, Donnhove, Pas d'âne (French)

COMFREY (Symphytum officonale) Also called Slippery Root, Knitbone, Blackwort, Assear, Black Wort, Boneset, Bruisewort, Consolida, Consound, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knit Back, Yalluc (Saxon), Ass Ear, Miracle Herb, Wallwort

COPAL (Bursera odorata)

CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum) Also called Chinese Parsley, Cilantro, Cilentro, Culantro

CUMIN (Cuminum cyminum) Also called Cumino aigro (Malta)

CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens) Also called Tree of Death

DANDELION (taraxacum officinale) Also called Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Piss-a-Bed, Priest's Crown, Puffball, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive

DILL (Anethum graveolens) Also called Aneton, Dill Weed, Dilly, Garden Dill.

DRAGONS BLOOD (Draceana draco spp.) Also called Blood, Blume, Calumus draco, Draconis resina, Sanguis draconis, Dragon's Blood Palm.

ECHINACEA (Echinacea angustifolia) Also called Black Sampson, Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Niggerhead, Rudbeckia, Brauneria pallida

ELDER (Sambucus canadensis or nigra) Also known as Ellhorn (Low Saxon), Hollunder (German), Elderberry, Lady Elder, Black Berried Elder, Old Gal, Old Lady, Pipe Tree, Rob Elder, Tree of Doom, Bour Tree (14th Century), Bore Tree, Elrum, Alhuren, Battree, Hylder, Hylantree, Eldrum (Anglo-Saxon), Sureau (French), Sweet Elder.

ELECAMPANE (Inula Helenium ) Also called Scabwort, Elf Dock, Wild Sunflower, Horesheal, Velvet Dock

ELM (Ulmus campestris ) Also called, Ulmi cortex, Broad-Leaved Elm, Ulmus suberosa, Common Elm

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus spp.) Also called Blue Gum Tree, Stringy Bark Tree

LEMON EUCALYPTUS (E. citriodora) Also called Citron Scented Gum, Lemon Gum

EYEBRIGHT (Euphrasia officinalis) Also called Euphrosyne, Red Eyebright, Euphrasia

FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare) Also called Fenkel, Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel

FERNS
# Male Fern (Dryopteris filixmas) Also Called Male Shield Fern
# Lady Fern (Asplenium Felix-foemina ) Also known as Athrythium Filix-foemina
# Maidenhair Fern, True (Adiantum Capillus-veneris ) Also known as Capillaire commun, de Montpellier, Hair of Venus
# Maidenhair Fern, Common (Asplenium trichomanes )
# Shield Fern (Aspidium spinulosum) Also called Prickly-Toothed Shield Fern
# Spleenwort, Common (Asplenium ceterach) Also called Scaly Fern, Finger Fern, Miltwaste, Ceterach (Arabian)
# Spleenwort, Black (Asplenium Adiantum nigrum) Also called Black Maidenhair
# Wall Rue (Asplenium Ruta-muraria ) Also called White Maidenhair, Tenwort
# Hart's Tongue (Scolopendrium vulgare; Asplenium scolopendrium) Also called Hind's Tongue, Buttonhole, Horse Tongue, God's-hair, Lingua cervina
# Bracken (Pteris aquilina) Also called Brake Fern, Female Fern
# Polypody, Common (Polypodium vulgare) Polypody of the Oak, Wall Fern, Brake Root, Rock Brake, Rock of Polypody, Oak Fern (Old)
# Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) Osmund the Waterman, Heart of Osmund, Water Fern, Bog Onion
# Adder's Tongue, English (Ophioglossum vulgatum) Christ's Spear
# Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria)

FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthenum)also (Chrysanthemum parthenium) Also known as Featherfoil, Febrifuge Plant, Flirtwort, Featherfew, Pyrethrum Parthenium, Bachelor's Buttons

FIR, SILVER (Abies alba) Also known as Birth Tree.

FLAX (Linum usitatissimum) Also called Linseed.

FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea) Also known as Fairy Gloves, Fairy Fingers, Dead Men's Bells, Cow-Flop, Digitalis, Dog;s Finger, Fairy Weed, Fairy Petticoats, Fairy Ghimbles, Floppy-Dock, Floptop Folk's Gloves, Fox Bells, The Great Herb, Mouth, Lusmore, Lus na mbau side (Irish Gaelic), Our Lady's Glove, Witches Bells, Witches Thimbles.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii) Also called Incense, Olibans, Olibanum, Olibanus

FUMITORY (Fumaria officinalis ) Also called Earth Smoke, Beggary, Fumus, Vapor, Nidor, Fumus Terræ, Fumiterry, Scheiterigi, Taubenkropp, Kaphnos, Wax Dolls

GALANGAL (Alpinia officionalis or A. galanga) Also known as Low John the Conquerer, Chewing John, China Root, Colic Root, East India Catarrh Root, Galingal, Gargaut, India Root, Kaempferia Gaanga, Rhizoma galangae, Galanga, Kæmpferia Galange, Siamese Ginger.

GARDENIA (Gardenia jasmenoides)

GARLIC (Allium sativum) Also known by Ajo (Spanish), Poor Man's Treacle, Stinkweed

GERANIUM (Pelargonium spp.) Also known as Scented Geranium

GINGER (Zingiber officinale) Also called African Ginger

GINSENG Oriental(Panax ginseng)or North American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) Also called Sang, Wonder of the World Root, Tartar Root, Five Fingers, Red Berry, Man's Health, Aralia quinquefolia

HAWTHORN (Cratageus spp.) Also known as May Tree, May Blossom, White Thorn, Bread and Cheese Tree, Gaxels, Hagthorn, Halves, Haw, Hazels, Huath, Ladies Meat, May, May Bush, Mayflower, Quick, Thorn, Tree of Chastity.

HAZEL (Corylus avellana) Also called European Filbert, Coll.

HEATHER (Calluna vulgaris, or spp. or Erica spp.) There are more than a thousand cultivars of heather. Also known as Heath, Scottish Heather, Common Heather, Ling.

HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium) The American variety is Ilex opaca Also called Aquifolius, Bat's Wings, Christ's Thorn, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush, Tinne

HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera japonica or caprifolium) Also known as Dutch Honeysuckle, Goat's Leaf, Woodbine

HOPS (Humulus lupulus) Also known as Beer Flavor, Beer Flower, (I)Flores de Cerveza.

HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare) Also called Bull's Blood, Eye of the Star, Haran, Hoarhound, Huran, Llwyd y cwn (Welsh), Marrubium, baruil, Seed of Horus, Soldier's Tea, White Horehound

HORSETAIL (Equisetum spp.) Also called Bottle Brush, Dutch Rushes, Paddock Pipes, Pewterwort, Shavegrass

HYSSOP Hyssopus officinalis Also called Hyssop Herb, Isopo, Ysopo, Yssop

IVY (Hedera helix) Also known as Common Ivy, Gort, Hedera

JASMINE (Jasminum officinale) Also called Jessamine, Yasmin, Moonlight on the Grove

JUNIPER (Juniperus communis) Also called Enegro, Gemeiner Wachholder (German), Geneva, Gin Berry, Ginepro, Gin Plant, Genévrier,

LADY'S MANTLE (Alchemilla vulgaris) Also called Lion's Foot, Bear's Foot, Nine Hooks, Leontopodium, Sellaria, Pied-de-Lion (French, Frauenmantle (German)

LAVENDER (Lavandula species) Also called Elf Leaf; Nard; Nardus; Spike, Spikenard,
# There are at least 28 species of Lavender. Some of the more common are: English Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia or vera or officinalis); French Lavender (L. dentata sp.); Spike Lavender (L. spica, or latifolia); White Lavender (L. angustifolia var. alba); Pink Lavender (L. angustifolia var. nana rosea); Wooly Lavender (L. lanata); Spanish or Italian Lavender (L. stoechas).

LEMON Citrus limon Citrus medica, Citrus Limoum, Citronnier, Neemoo Lemoo, Limoun, Limone

LEMON BALM Melissa officionalis Also called Melissa, Balm, Bee Balm, Sweet Balm, Sweet Melissa

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus) Also called Melissa Grass, Sereh

LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia triphylla syn. Lippia citriodora) Also called Yerba Louisa, Cedron, Herb Louisa, Verveine citronelle or odorante, Lemon-scented Verbena, Aloysia Citriodora, Verbena triphylla, Lippia triphylla

LICORICE (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Also called Liquorice, Lacris (Welsh), Licourice, Lycorys (13th Century), Reglisse (French), Sweet Root, Liquiritia officinalis, Regolizia (Italian), Lacrisse (German)

LILAC (Syringia vulgaris) Also called Common Lilac

LIME (Citrus limata) Citrus acris, Limettæ Fructus

LINDEN (Tilia spp.) Also called Lime Tree, Linden Flowers, Linn Flowers, Common Lime, Flores Tiliæ, Tilleul

LOOSESTRIFE, PURPLE (Lythrum salicaria) Also called Blooming Sally, Lythrum, Partyke, Purple Willow Herb, Rainbow Weed, Sage Willow, Salicaire

LOTUS (Nelumbo nucifera or Nymphaea lotus) Also called Sacred Lotus

MACE (Myristica fragrans) Also called Arillus Myristicæ, Myristica officinalis, Myristica moschata, Macis, Muscadier

MARIGOLD (Calendula officinalis) Also known as Calendula, Holigold, Pot Marigold, Bride of the Sun, Drunkard, Goldes, Husbandman's Dial, Marybud, Marygold, Mary Gowles, Ruddes, Oculis chrisi, Ruddles, Spousa solis, Summer's Bride.

MARJORAM (Origanum majorana) Also known as Majorana hortensis, Knotted Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram, Wintersweet, Pot Marjoram, Joy of the Mountain, Knotted Marjorane, Marjorlaine, Mountain Mint, (O. onites).

MARSH MALLOW (Althaea officinalis ) Mallards, Mauls, Schloss Tea, Cheeses, Mortification Root, Guimauve (French)

MASTIC (Pistachia lentiscus) Also known as Gum Mastic, Masticke, Lentisk.

MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulnaria) Also known as Queen of the Meadow, Gravel Root, Meadowwort, Bride of the Meadow, Bridewort, Dollof, Meadwort, Gravel Root, Little Queen, Steeplebush, Trumpet Weed.

MINTS
# Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Also known as Mentha viridis, Garden Mint, Mackerel Mint, Our Lady's Mint, Green Mint, Spire Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, fish Mint, Menthe de Norte Dame, Erba Santa Maria, Grauen Munze, Lamb Mint
# Peppermint (Mentha piperata) Also called Brandy Mint
# Wild Mint (Mentha sativa) Also called Water or Marsh Mint, Whorled Mint, Hairy Mint. Considered to be a variation of Mentha aquatica.
# Corn Mint (Mentha arvensis)
# Wild Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) Water Mint, Wild Mint, Marsh Mint
# Round-Leaved Mint (Mentha rotundifolia) Also known as Egyptian Mint
# Horse Mint (Mentha sylvestris) Also known as English Horse Mint

MISTLETOE (Viscum album)-European Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavenscens) American Mistletoe Also known as Birdlime, All-Heal, Druid's Herb, Golden Bough, Holy Wood, Misseltoe, Thunderbesem, Witches Broom, Wood of the Cross, Devil's Fuge, Donnerbesen, Herbe de la Croi, Mystyldyne, Lignum Crucis, Korean mistletoe (Viscum coloratum)

MUGWORT (Artemisia vulgaris) Also known as Sailor's Tobacco, Witch Herb, Old Man, Artemis Herb, Hartemisia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Uncle Henry, St. John's Plant, Cingulum Sancti Johannis.

MULLEIN (Verbascum thapsus) Also known as Hag's Taper, Candlewick Plant, Aaron's Rod, Velvet Plant, Shepherd's Club, Blanket Leaf, Flannel Pland, Graveyard Dust, Hedge taper, Jupiter's Staff, Lady's Foxglove, Olm Man's Fennel, Peter's Staff, Shepherd's Herb, Torches, Velvetback, Velvet Plant.

MYRRH (Comniphora myrrha) Also called Gum Myrrh Tree, Daran, Mirra Balsom Odendron, Commiphora Myrrha, Mirra, Morr-Didin, Didthin, Bowl

MYRTLE (Myrtus communis)

NUTMEG (Myristica fragrans) Nux Moschata, Myristica offinalis, Myristica, Myristica aromata(

OAK, COMMON (Quercus robur or spp.) Also known as Tanner's Bark, Common Oak, Duir, Jove's Nuts, English Oak
# White Oak (Q. alba)
# Black Oak (Q. tinctoria)
# Red Oak (Q. rubra)
# English Oak (Q. robur)

OAKMOSS (Pseudevernia prunastri)

ORANGE, SWEET (Citrus sinensis) Also called Citrus vulgaris, Citrus Bigaradia, Citrus Aurantium amara, Bigaradier, Gigarade Orange, Bitter Orange, Seville Orange, (Sweet) Portugal Orange, China Orange, Citrus dulcis, Love Fruit

ORRIS ROOT (Iris germanica var.florentina Also Called Florentine Iris, Queen Elizabeth Root

PARSLEY (Petroselinum sativum also crispum) Also called Devil's Oatmeal, Percely, Persil, Petersilie, Petroselinum, Roc Parsley

PATCHOULI (Pogostemon patchouli or heyeanus) Also called Pucha-pot or pucha-pat

PINE (Pinus spp.) White Pine (Pinus strobus, Pinus alba) Also called Oil of Turpentine Tree

ROSE (Rosa spp.)
# Provins Rose (Rosa gallica) Also referred to as Red Rose especially in The British Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopoeia
# Damask Rose (Rosa damascus)
# Musk Rose (Rosa muscatta)
# Cabbage Rose (Rosa centifolia) Also known as Hundred-leaved Rose
# Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
# Wild Rose (Rosa arvensis) Also called Field Rose
# Sweet Briar Rose (Rosa rubiginosa) Also known as Eglantine
# Burnet Rose (Rosa spinossissima) Also called Scotch Rose or Pimpernel Rose
# Downy Rose (Rosa villos )

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) Also called Compass Weed, Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Incensier, Libanotis (Grek), Polar Plant, Sea Dew

ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) Also known as Mountain Ash, Witchwood, Witchbane, Sorb Apple, Delight of the Eye, Quickbane, Ran Tree, Roden-Quicken-Royan, Ronetree, Thor's Helper, Whitty, Wicken-tree, Wiggin, Wiggy, Wiky, Wild Ash, Witchen.

RUE (Ruta graveolens) Also known as Herb of Grace, Garden Rue, Herbygrass, Hreow, Mother of the Herbs, Rewe, Ruta.

SAFFRON (Crocus sativus) Also known as Autumn Crocus, Crocus, Karcom, Krokos, Kunkuma (Sanskrit), Saffer (Arabic), Spanish Saffron

SAGE (Salvia officinalis) Also called Garden Sage, Red Sage, Sawge (Old English), Salvia salvatrix, Narrow-leaved White Sage, Broad-leaved White Sage

ST. JOHN'S WORT (Hypericum perforatum) Also called Amber, Fuga daemonum (Latin for Scare-devil), Goat Weed, Herba John, John's Wort, Kamath Weed, Sol Terrestis, Tipton Weed

SANDALWOOD (Santalum album) Also known as Sandal, Santal, White Sandalwood, White Saunders, Yellow Sandalwood, Sanders Wood

SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) Also called Garden Mint, Our Lady's Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, Erba Santa Maria, Brown Mint, Lamb Mint, Green Mint, Yerba Buena, Green Spine, Mackeral Mint, Mismin (Irish Gaelic).

STAR ANISE (Illicium verum) Also called Chinese Anise

SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus) Also called Corona Solis, Marigold of Peru, Solo Indianus, Chrysanthemum Peruvianum

TARRAGON (Artemisia Dracunculus ) Also called Little Dragon, Herbe au Dragon (French)

TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia) Also called Melaleuca

THYME (Thymus vulgaris) Also known as Common Thyme, Mother of Thyme, and Garden Thyme.

TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabacum) Also called Tabacca, Tabaci Folia

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) Also known as Garden Heliotrope, Vandal Root, St. George's Herb, All-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon's Tail, Capon's Trailer, Cat's Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Phu, Red Valerian, Sete Wale, Set Well

VERVAIN (Verbena officinalis) Also known as Enchanters Herb, Holy Herb, Verbena, Blue Vervain (V. hastata), Holy Wort, Brittanica , Enchanter's Plant, Herba Sacra, Herb of Enchantment, Herb of Grace, Herb of the Cross Herbe de Sacrée, Juno's Tears, Pigeon's Grass, Pigeonwood, Simpler's Joy, Van-Van, Verbena, Vervan

VETIVERT (Vetivera zizanioides) Also called Khus-khus or Vetiver.

VIOLET (Viola odorata) Also called Heartsease, Little Faces, Sweet Violet, Blue Violet and Viola.

WILLOW (Salix alba) Also known as White Willow, European Willow, Tree of Enchantment, Witches Aspirin, Osier, Pussy Willow, Saille, Salicyn Willow, Saugh Tree, Withe, Withy.

WITCH HAZEL (Hammamelis virginiana) Also called Spotted Alder, Winter Bloom, Snapping Hazelnut

WOAD (Ivatis tinctoria) Also called Wad (Anglo-Saxon, Guéde (French), Guado (Italian), Pastel (Spanish), Weat (Dutch)

WOOD ALOE (Aquilaria agallocha) Also called Lignum Aloes

WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) Also known as Absinthe, Old Woman, Crown for a King, Green Ginger

YARROW (Achillea millefolium) Also known as Seven Year's Love, Milfoil, Achillea, Arrowroot, Bad Man's Plaything, Carpenter's Weed, Death Flower, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Evil's Nettle, Eerie, Field Hops, Gwarwe, Hundred Leaved Gradd, Knight's Milfoil, Knyghten, Lady's Mantle, Militaris, Military Herb, Millefolium, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed, Old Man's Mustard, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Snake's Grass, Soldier's Woundwort, Stanch Griss, Stanch Weed, Thousand Seal, WoundWort, Yarroway, Yerw.

YLANG-YLANG (Cananga odorata) Also called Flower of Flowers

Herbal Substitutions For magickal uses

2009-02-05T11:19:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

THESE SUBSTITUTIONS ARE FOR MAGICKAL PURPOSES ONLY! Not to be used for medicinal, culinary, or any other purposes!

*Rosemary can be substituted for any other herb

*Rose can be substituted for any other flower

*Frankincense can be substituted for any gum resin

*Copal can be substituted for any gum resin

*Tobacco can be substituted for any poisonous herb

Herb needed - Herbal Substitution

# ACACIA-Gum Arabic
# ACACIA, GUM-Gum Arabic
# ACONITE-Tobacco
# ARABIC, GUM-Frankincense; Gum Mastic
# AMMONIAC GUM-Asafetida
# ASAFOETIDA-Tobacco; Valerian
# BALM OF GILEAD-Rose Buds; Gum Mastic
# BELLADONNA-Tobacco
# BENZOIN-Gum Arabic; Gum Mastic
# CAMPHOR OIL-Eucalyptus Oil; Lavender Oil
# CARNATION-Rose petals anointed with a few drops of Cinnamon Oil
# CASSIA-Cinnamon
# CASTOR BEANS-A few drops Castor Oil
# CEDAR-Sandalwood
# CINQUEFOIL-Clover; Trefoil
# CITRON-Equal parts Orange Peel and Lemon Peel
# CLOVE-Mace; Nutmeg
# CLOVER-Cinquefoil
# COPAL-Frankincense; Cedar
# COWBANE-Tobacco
# CYPRESS-Juniper; Pine Needles
# DEERS TONGUE-Tonka Bean; Woodruff; Vanilla
# DITTANY OF CRETE-Gum Mastic
# DRAGON'S BLOOD-Equal parts Frankincense and Red Sandalwood
# EUCALYPTUS OIL-Camphor Oil; Lavender Oil
# EUPHORBIUM-Tobacco
# FRANKINCENSE-Copal; Pine Resin
# GALANGAL-Ginger Root
# GRAINS OF PARADISE-Black Pepper
# GUM AMMONIAC-Asafetida
# GUM BDELLIUM-Copal; Pine Resin; Dragon's Blood
# HELLEBORE-Tobacco; Nettle
# HEMLOCK-Tobacco
# HEMP-Nutmeg; Damiana; Star Anise; Bay
# HENBANE-Tobacco
# HYSSOP-Lavender
# IVY-Cinquefoil
# JASMINE-Rose
# JUNIPER-Pine
# LAVENDER-Rose
# LEMON GRASS-Lemon Peel
# LEMON PEEL-Lemon Peel
# LEMON VERBENA-Lemon Grass; Lemon Peel
# MACE-Nutmeg
# MANDRAKE-Tobacco
# MASTIC, GUM-Gum Arabic; Frankincense
# MINT-Sage
# MISTLETOE-Mint; Sage
# MUGWORT-Wormwood
# NEROLI OIL-Orange Oil
# NIGHTSHADE-Tobacco
# NUTMEG-Mace; Cinnamon
# OAKMOSS-Patchouli
# ORANGE-Tangerine Peel
# ORANGE FLOWERS-Orange Peel
# PATCHOULI-Oakmoss
# PEPPERMINT-Spearmint
# PEPPERWORT-Rue; Grains of Paradise; Black Pepper
# PINE-Juniper
# PINE RESIN-Frankincense; Copal
# RED SANDALWOOD-Sandalwood mixed with a pinch of Dragon's Blood
# ROSE-Yarrow
# ROSE GERANIUM-Rose
# RUE-Rosemary mixed with a pinch of Black Pepper
# SAFFRON-Orange Peel
# SANDALWOOD-Cedar
# SARSPARILLA-Sassafras
# SASSAFRASS-Sarsaparilla
# SPEARMINT-Peppermint
# SULFER-Tobacco; Club Moss; Asafetida
# THYME-Rosemary
# TOBACCO-Bay
# TONKA BEAN-Deerstongue; Woodruff; Vanilla Bean
# TREFOIL-Cinquefoil
# VALERIAN-Asafetida
# VANILLA-Woodruff; Deerstongue; Tonka Bean
# VETIVERT-Calamus
# WOLFSBANE-Tobacco
# WOOD ALOE-Sandalwood sprinkled with Ambergris Oil
# WOODRUFF-Deerstongue; Vanilla
# WORMWOOD-Mugwort
# YARROW-Rose
# YEW-Tobacco

Harvesting basics Pick em, don't strip em

2009-02-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

No matter how you intend to use your herbs after harvesting a few basic rules still apply.
# Tree Leaves should be gathered before Midsummer. After that, the percentage of natural insecticides in the leaves are too high.
# Leaves are at their most fragrant, and richest in volatile oils, before any flowers have opened. The exceptions to this are: borage, coltsfoot, cowsslip, fenugreek, lungwort and sweet violet; they should be gathered after flowering. Rosemary can be gathered at any stage. Gather early on a dry day, after the dew has dried but before the sun is too strong. Dry in a shady, cool, and airy place away from any strong heat sources. Avoid steamy places such as kitchens or bathrooms. Once dry, crumble the leaves and discard large pieces of stem, store them in a lidded glass or ceramic jar away from the light.
# Flowers are gathered on a dry day when the flowers first begin to open. They should always be dried in the shade. Carefully cut each flower head off the stalk, remove any insects or dirt, and place on a paper lined tray. Leave to dry in a warm place and turn regularly Small flowers such as lavender, are dried in the same way as seeds - by hanging them upside down and collecting the flowers in a paper bag. Once dried, store in a lidded glass or ceramic jar. Dark colored jars are best because they keep out the light. Calendula petals should be separated from the center part once they are dry.
# Roots are generally gathered in the fall after the plant has begun to die back. The exception to this is dandelion roots, they should be gathered in the early spring. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt. Chop large roots into smaller pieces to speed up the drying process. Spread the root pieces on a paper lined tray. Preheat the oven and turn it off. Place the trays inside with the door ajar for 3-6 hours (depending on how large the pieces are). Transfer the trays to a warm room away from the sun until completely dry. Store in airtight containers away from the light. Check periodically as dried roots have a tendency to reabsorb moisture from the air, discard any pieces that become soft.
# Seeds should be gathered as they ripen, usually in the fall. Seed heads should be hung to dry inside a paper bag. Don't use plastic as any condensation that gathers could lead to mildew and cause the seeds to rot. Once dry separate the seeds from their cases and store in the same manner as leaves and flowers.
# Berries are harvested when they are just ripe, usually in the early fall, before they have become too soft to dry effectively. Spread on paper lined trays, discard any that show signs of mold. Preheat your oven and then turn it off. Place the trays of berries inside with the door ajar for 3-4 hours. Transfer the trays to a warm, airy spot, away from the sun until completely dry. Turn regularly to ensure even drying.
# Tree barks generally contain the desired medicinal properties in the soft inner layer (cambium) between the sapwood and the dead outer bark, or the bark of the root. Bark should be harvested in the autumn when the sap is falling. This will avoid damaging the tree too much. Never remove all the bark or even a strip of bark completely surrounding the tree. Dust or wipe bark to remove moss or insects. Break into small pieces (about 1-2 inches). Spread the bark on paper lined trays and leave to dry in a warm, airy room away from the sun.

Tools of The Craft The basics and then some

2009-02-05T11:13:00.000-08:00

by Mother Oak

The Altar
The altar or working space is the first thing you'll need in any magickal working. Ideally, you should have a special room for this, but few of us live in ideal situations. Your altar can be as simple as a coffee table or as elaborate as you wish. The ritual altar serves a dual purpose; it's a place to keep your ritual tools and materials; and it serves as a visual focus for your magickal work. Some traditions hold that the altar should always face the East, or the South, or in the center, etc., etc... Put your altar where it feels right for you. More important, put it somewhere where you will be able to see it easily, where you'll be able to reach the things you need to reach, and where you won't trip over it.

If your practice includes deity worship, then the right side of the altar is usually dedicated to the God. A red, yellow or gold candle, or an appropriate figure, is usually place there, as are the censor, wand, athame, bolline and a bowl of salt. The left half of the altar is usually dedicated to the goddess. Tools sacred to Her are placed there: the cup, the pentacle, bell, crystal, cauldron and the bowl of water. An image of the Goddess may also stand there, or a green, silver or white candle can be substituted. The besom or broom may be laid against the left side of the altar. The cauldron is also sometimes placed on the floor to the left of the altar if there isn't room on top.

The Pentacle
The pentacle is a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle. The five points represent earth, air, fire, water, and the spirit. The circle represents the protection of these five. It can be worn around the neck for protection. It doesn't need to be a fancy solid gold work of art. You can scratch a pentacle into a clay disk or wooden tile if you want. It's all a very personal matter of preference so just wing it and make or acquire one that feels right to you.

The Cauldron
The cauldron is traditionally a black cast-iron pot, but can be made of any material. It represents the womb of the Mother Goddess, and is used to brew potions, burn incense, and hold flowers, herbs etc. The cauldron can also be used as a tool for divining. A wonderful use for your worn out or damaged cauldrons is using them as a planter for your herbs. The energies collected from years of use are a wonderful boost to the already potent plants and will infuse them with your essence for a more personal connection.

The Book of Shadows
The book of shadows is as important to Witches as the Bible is to Christians. In it you write spells, thoughts, recordings of magickal rites, recipes for potions, dreams, and anything else you see as being important to your Craft. The book can be leather bound with a pentacle on the front, a $2.00 spiral notebook purchased from an office supply store, or a hard cover blank journal with rainbows and fluffy kittens. Again, it's all personal choice. Make one from sewn bundles of hand made natural papers in a soft thong tied flap-style leather cover or natural cotton or hemp woven textile if you prefer not to use leather goods. No-one except you (if you are solitary) should be allowed to access and read it, because it is private, like a personal diary. Covens usually have a Book of Shadows which is shared by the entire coven, and can be written in by the whole coven. Because it is your personal book, it should be hand written; however many Witches nowadays prefer to have a Disk of Shadows, for easier and faster use.

The Athame
The Athame is a ritual dagger with a black handle and a double-edged blade which is traditionally engraved with magickal symbols. It represents the element of air. It is used to draw and cast circles, and exorcise evil and negative forces.

The Bolline
This is usually a white handled knife traditionally used for physical cutting since you don't want to use your Athame for that. It is simply a practial, working as opposed to a purely ritualistic magick knife. It is used to cut wands or sacred herbs, inscribe symbols onto candles or on wood, clay or, wax, and in cutting cords for use in magick. Some Witches dictate that the white-handled knife be used only within the magick circle. This would, of course, limit its usefulness. Do what feels right to you.

The Chalice
The chalice is placed on the altar during rituals and Sabbats, and usually holds the sacred wine. It is traditionally made of silver, and carved with magickal symbols. Many modern Witches use brass or crystal chalices.

The Wand
The magick wand is a slender wooden rod made from the branch of a tree. It is a symbol of strength, will, and the magickal power of the Witch who owns it. The wand can be used to draw and cast circles, draw magickal symbols on the ground, direct energy, and stir cauldron brews. Many different trees can be used to carve the wand from, as each tree has a different meaning. Examples: For a healing wand carve the wand from an ash tree, and a wand to be used in lunar magick could be carved from willow and rowan trees.

The Sword
The sword is an optional Witchcraft tool. The use of the sword comes mostly from British ceremonial magick and isn’t part of most Witchcraft traditions. There is honest disagreement among Witches as to which element the sword corresponds with. Some Witches believe that the sword corresponds to the element fire. Some Witches believe the sword corresponds with the element air. Experiment and see which works best for you personally, but honor the right for other Witches to honestly have a different choice. The sword is considered to be a phallic tool and therefore of masculine element and male energy. A sword can be used for most of the same purposes as an athame, but is more formal. Witches that use a sword reserve the use of the sword for highly formal occassions. The sword is not an ordinary, everyday Witchcraft tool.

The Bell
Some Witches use a bell in their rituals, though certainly not all. Sound is vibration and vibrations are important, not only in everyday life but, especially, magick. To help achieve the right vibrations, the right "mood" or "frequency", it helps to ring a bell. It can actually be just as effective-and thereby as important-as the burning of incense, which also affects vibrations. Don't overdo the bell ringing. A very occasional single-, double-, or triple-ring, scattered throughout the ritual, can be far more effective than a constant jangling. The bell you use should be chosen carefully. Don't just take any bell - each has its own particular timbre. Find one which seems "right" to you, one which soothes and mellows rather than one which is harsh and strident. If possible, remove the handle and replace it with a leather loop. In this way you can carry the bell strung from you belt (if you prefer that is!). The bell is a feminine symbol and so is often used to invoke the Goddess in ritual. It is also rung to ward off evil spells and spirits, to halt storms, or to evoke good energies. Placed in cupboards or hung on the door, it guards the home.

The Besom/Broom
The Besom is used to cleanse the ritual area. There are those who insist that a besom must be made of broom, but this isn't necessarily true. In fact, it is said that fairies hate the scent of broom. Straw or grass brooms are fine for indoors, while outdoors, any leafy twig found on the ground will work well. Many stores and craft shops carry the old-fashioned "witch" broom made of straw or grass that is perfectly acceptable as long as it feels right to you. To cleanse your ritual area, start in the center and moving deosil (clockwise) sweep the circle from the center to the outer edges, all the while envisioning and chanting that negativity is being swept out and the circle is being cleaned. Since this is a ritual tool, it should not be used for standard cleaning and sweeping.

Candles
Candles are associated with Fire and Air, and are used for everything from lighting the altar to specifics in spells. The type of wax or scent does not matter, Color is what is important here. For basic magickal working the basic candle colors needed are white, black, green, red, yellow, blue, gold, and silver. When your candles get old or if you happen to purchase some from a thrift store that have been used, you can melt them down and make new candles. This is a good way to not only save money (these things aren't cheap, face it!), but you can make custom spell candles infused with essential oils or mix herbs and stones directly into the candle for more potency. I like to recycle my candles and bits of dripped wax cleaned off the altar and use the leftovers for sealing containers and seed packets. The uses are endless!

Herbs & Oils
Herbs are often burned for incense during a spell or ritual. Charcoal blocks are available for this purpose in gift and candle shops as well as new age and occult supply stores. Essential oils are used for anointing candles, tools, the altar and the body in rituals and spell working. They may be used as tokens of esteem and respect for the deities and energies of the Craft. As plants of various kinds have customarily been offered to the Lady, herbal offerings can be especially meaningful for their particular significance and properties. Since all herbs and oils have their own particular energies they can be a valuable, if not essential, addition to your magickal matierials. Herbs are always associated with the element Earth.

Robes
A robe that is only saved for spellworking can be a fundamental part of your magickal paraphernalia, (if your tradition doesn't call for you being skyclad that is!). It can be plain, decorated, and of any color that appeals to you as long as it makes you feel "magickal". It is nice to have more than one robe, each in a different color. The colors can be matched to the candle colors required for a particular spellworking. If you don't like the idea of a robe, wear whatever feels comfortable to you. The idea is to feel at ease not to be "fashionable".

Stones & Crystals
Colorful stones of various shapes and sizes are used in some spellworks. Whether you purchase them or find them yourself, be certain that their vibrations feel comfortable to you. Crystals and other stones are good conductors of magickal energy in their natural state and need not be polished to be of use. All stones and crystals are of the Element Earth and play an important part in spellworkings. Don't feel like you must have a gigantic museum quality stone to accomplish what you want. You can find an abundance of reference books and web sites out there that will help you identify stones you can find locally. You'd be suprised what your very own back yard may hold!

Offerings & Tokens
I was very suprised to find that not many use these very important little items! It is said that when you take a plant or material from nature that you should offer a little something in return along with your thanks for their contribution to your workings. Offerings and tokens are the perfect way to ensure that your thanks is given appropriately. These can be seeds, coins, wooden tiles, stones, beads, or anything you feel would be accepted. I use small wooden disks decorated with symbols, large seeds with a symbol drawn on them with non toxic ink or food coloring, and stones with symbols etched on them. When I take a plant clipping, I will generally plant the seed (far enough away from the offering plant that it doesn't crowd it out later) or other offering or token and give my thanks for the plants sacrifice. As a result I now have a lovely "wild garden" with a variety of plants that are useful to my needs!

Italian Folk Magic vs Italian Witchcraft

2009-02-03T19:48:00.000-08:00

By Raven Grimassi

The contemporary folk magic systems in Italy reflect strong elements of Catholicism, as they have since the late Middle Ages. In America, and elsewhere, we are seeing the rise of what is commonly called Christian witchcraft. The latter is a blending of contemporary Wiccan and witchcraft elements, which are formed around a Christian core. This process is not unlike the evolution of modern folk traditions in Italy.

Modern Italian witchcraft traditions, by contrast to contemporary Italian folk traditions, typically do not contain Christian elements. Instead they focus upon Pagan elements of magic and religion. However a few traditions have adapted certain Catholic aspects of saint veneration, which constitute a Christian veneer masking earlier Pagan deities.

Some contemporary folk traditions erroneously view themselves as practitioners of a form of Italian witchcraft, but are instead a branch of common folk magic and healing traditions that are rooted in Italian Catholic culture. Ironically these folk practitioners reject the authenticity of Italian witchcraft traditions that do not reflect their beliefs and practices. Sadly, being highly active in their judgment and criticism of others, they bring little else than disharmony to the Pagan & Craft community. One example can be found on the website Stregoneria Italiana, a group with members who actively contrive to foster ill feelings toward author Raven Grimassi with frequent erroneous and negative posts in various forums and chat rooms throughout the Internet.

Today we face many problems associated with the misconceptions that do exist regarding Italian folk magic systems and Italian witchcraft. Although they share certain basic elements, the two systems reflect a clear distinction. This is reflected in the 19th century field studies of Charles Leland who comments:

“The witches of Italy form a class who are the repositories of all the folklore; what is not at all generally known, they also keep as strict secrets an immense number of legends of their own, which have nothing in common with the nursery or popular tales, such as are commonly collected and published …the more occult and singular of their secrets are naturally not of a nature to be published”.

Nineteenth century folklorist Lady de Vere describes such a structured witch cult in an article she wrote in 1894: "...the community of Italian witches is regulated by laws, traditions, and customs of the most secret kind, possessing special recipes for sorcery" (La Rivista of Rome, June 1894).

As noted, Italian folk magic traditions possess various aspects of Christian beliefs and practices. These are often rooted in the venerations of saints or the use of sacred or holy objects such as holy water, the communion wafer, or the rosary. In addition various elements of folk magic are liked to important dates in Christianity such as Christmas Eve and festivals celebrating a variety of saints. Many of these displaced earlier Pagan festivals such as the summer solstice, which is now celebrated as St. John’s Day.

Italian witchcraft possesses active elements of pre-Christian religion, and incorporates the aid of spirits, faeries, astronomical forces, and a variety of Pagan deities. Ancient Roman writers depict witches associated with the goddess Hecate, Diana, and Proserpina. Ancient writers in Europe also associate witches in Italy with the goddess Venus, and the god Priapus. None of these elements are found in traditional Italian folk magic traditions, but they do reside in older forms of Italian witchcraft. Most modern scholars have ignored or dismissed the earlier writings that mention pre-Christian elements within Italian witchcraft, and do not consider them as evidence of an actual witches’ sect.

Contemporary scholars investigating folk magic and Italian witchcraft have conducted field studies that involve interviews with folk practitioners in Italy. Almost one hundred percent of these individuals are Catholic or some other denomination of the Christian faith. By contrast the field studies conducted in 19th century Italy, by such folklorists as J.B. Andrews, Lady de Vere, Roma Lister, and Charles Leland involved individuals who claimed to be witches. Naturally, in accord, the material and conclusions gathered by contemporary scholars and 19th century folklorists differ greatly. It is noteworthy that five folklorists in Italy during the 19th century independently discovered a commonality within witchcraft traditions in different regions of Italy (none of which conform to common folk magic or folk traditions then or now).

Most modern scholars focus on the folk healer in Italy, and tend to see the arts and customs of this figure as definitive of the cultural norms. While this view may be true of contemporary traditions in modern culture, it fails to appreciate the significance of the existing Pagan elements preceding the modern folk traditions that contain them. The majority of scholars today view pre-Christian elements as insertions into a Christian framework instead of seeing them as evidence of the survival of ancient pre-Christian religion. One example appears in the feast day of San Domenico in Cocullo (Abruzzo region) whose statue is covered with living snakes and carried in a procession. This site was earlier the home of the Marsi, a pre-Christian Pagan tribe that worshipped the goddess Angizia, a type of snake deity.

The customs associated with the feast of San Domenico strongly suggests that the Pagan elements pre-existed in a readily adoptable form that fit the Christian veneer. However, most scholars appear to believe that such Pagan elements are not evidence of pre-existing sects and their beliefs and practices that were later incorporated into saint veneration in the Christian era. As previously noted, most modern scholars seem to reject the idea that modern folk traditions are actually Christian offshoots of earlier Pagan beliefs and practices.

When exploring for the correct chronology regarding Pagan and Christian elements, it is noteworthy that the Church and its agents seem to have intentionally displaced things as they Christianized. One example is the festival day of the goddess Diana on August 13th, which was displaced with the Ascension of Mary on August 15th. Another example is the birth of Jesus placed near the Winter Solstice, and his resurrection in the spring. The death of Jesus on a tree (wooden cross) also resembles pagan themes in Europe. When we add to this the Pagan elements contained within saint veneration, the evidence seems weighted against the Christian markers in terms of origins, chronology, and who took what from whom.

David Gentilcore, a historian of early modern Italy, held that while it was impossible to draw absolute distinctions between schooled medical professionals, ecclesiastical healers, and illiterate "wise-women," that medical knowledge flowed between these three groups. This is one example of how common elements within a group (or tradition) do not necessarily demonstrate that the systems or organizations are the same. The differences between Italian folk magic/folk customs and Italian witchcraft appear to reveal the truth of such a view. Gentilcore also notes that while some cures were known and accessible to all members of society, others were restricted to community wisewomen:

"Some cures were immediately accessible, being the common lore of all members of society; others were restricted to community wise women (referred to in the Otrantine trial records as magare) and midwives. As we shall see, they belong to the system of the sacred because they attempted to establish relationships with the sacred and influence it, although they did so outside ecclesiastical structures" - From Bishop to Witch, page 129 (Gentilcore).

Gentilcore notes that historians and folklorists lack a full comprehension of folk methods. This has led to an unintentional misrepresentation of the traditions by the academic community. Gentilcore cites the concealment involved in secret societies as a factor in the misunderstanding of academic researchers:

"..to view these 'exorcising techniques' simply as lay versions or applications of ecclesiastical rituals would be to rob them of their richness and miss their other sources of inspiration. The folklorist and historian is not entirely to blame, since the invocations and prayers were often revealed by the healer without the accompanying prescription or magico-medical practices. This is usually the choice of the informant (or, in the case of the episcopal and inquisitional trials, the accused) for whom the secret cannot be revealed to him without both the ritual and the healer losing their efficacy. Because of the importance of secrecy witnesses could not often be sure what the healer said or did" - page 134

Although most modern scholars dismiss or reject the pre-Christian elements of contemporary Italian folk traditions, there are some who do recognize the importance of them in understanding folk systems. Several scholars recognize that Christian themes (particularly related to saints) and biblical associations (historiola) have been constructed around pre-existing Pagan beliefs and practices. Gentilcore notes:

"The brief magical formula that followed the historiola was usually pronouned sotto voce, its very secrecy giving it limitless power. By their nature, such words had to escape the comprehension of the uninitiated in order to be effective. Giuseppe Cocchiara identifies this part of the invocation as a surviving pre-Christian magical formula on to which has been tacked the Christian historiola. Yet often the magical formula itself, which depends on the exorcisng power of words, took on a Christian form..."

This modification and arrogation of the foundational Pagan elements of folk traditions has blinded most scholars to the lore, beliefs, and practices of the earlier pre-existing authentic forms of Italian witchcraft. By choosing to view the modified Christian folk traditions as the original and normal model, modern scholars fail to search in earnest for its Pagan roots (or to recognize it once they encounter it).

Few if any modern scholars have personally interviewed contemporary Italian witches. One of the small numbers of modern scholars to explore the topic of Italian witchcraft today is anthropologist Sabina Magliocco who authored an article titled Spells, Saints, and Streghe (published in Pomegranate, issue #13, August 2000).

In her article, Magliocco states that most of her knowledge of Italian folk magic comes from ethnographic research and fieldwork in Sardinia, where she spent a cumulative 18 months living in a highland community of sheep and goat pastoralists between 1986 and 1990. She makes it clear that her knowledge is in the area of Italian folk magic. There is no claim by her to possess anything resembling an intimate knowledge of Italian witchcraft (as practiced in Italy or elsewhere). It seems likely that shepherds in Sardinia did possess some knowledge of folk magic as many Italian do. However, it seems reasonably certain that these commoners knew little if anything of authentic forms of witchcraft. Therefore they cannot seriously be viewed as expert witnesses on Italian witchcraft.

Magliocco comments on the influence of Charles G. Leland's Aradia, or the Gospel of Witches, and goes on to say that Leland's material does not bear a strong resemblance to Italian folk magical practice as documented in the ethnographic record of the last 100 years. She also claims this is true of modern Italian witchcraft traditions. Naturally there is little reason why they should, because they are two different systems. As we have already seen, the community of Italian witches possesses secret customs and traditions (again noted by 19th century folklorist Roma Lister).

As previously Charles Leland mentions the following from his field studies among self proclaimed witches (as opposed to common people in a shepherd community, as was the case with Magliocco’s field studies):

“The witches of Italy form a class who are the repositories of all the folklore; what is not at all generally known, they also keep as strict secrets an immense number of legends of their own, which have nothing in common with the nursery or popular tales, such as are commonly collected and published ... the more occult and singular of their secrets are naturally not of a nature to be published ....”

In this light Magliocco’s views are difficult to reconcile with those of professional Folklorists in the 19th century who performed field studies among people who defined themselves as witches. She comments that Italian-American Witchcraft or Stregheria traditions differ from Italian folk magical practice in several important ways. She first states that Italian folk magic is not an organized or unified religion, but a varied set of beliefs and practices. This is true, which is one of the primary reasons it differs from Italian witchcraft.

Magliocco writes that while folk magic has deep historical roots, it is not a survival of an ancient religion, but an integral part of a rural peasant economy and way of life, highly syncretized with folk Catholicism. This is another reason why it differs from Italian witchcraft. She continues with the view that knowledge of magical practices was at one time diffused throughout the rural population, rather than limited to a secret group of magical practitioners. Indeed such things were diffused, but they were diffused from the secret societies into the common population. However, the material was never understood by the non-initiated, and was quickly Christianized to conform with the standards of contemporary society. Within the “rural population” it quickly transformed into a diluted and altered form that today is known as folk magic.

Magliocco concedes that the context of Italian folk magical practice differs considerably from that of contemporary Italian-American revival witchcraft, so that materials are not always easily transferable from one system to another. This is precisely one of the main reasons why they need to be understood as different systems. Their differences do not render either as unauthentic but speak to different systems that are not dependent upon one another.

In her article, Magliocco states that all traditions are perpetually in flux as their bearers constantly re-interpret and re-invent them with each individual performance. She further comments that revival and revitalization are part of the process of tradition, even when the result is different from the original practice itself. Ironically her argument is therefore as true of folk magic as it would be of Italian witchcraft. Consequently, since folk traditions transform within the model that Magliocco supports, they cannot be the measure of “authenticity” when comparing them against Italian witchcraft or other systems. This would be particularly true of anything that pre-dated the folk tradition, since the tradition itself has transformed into something different from its roots.

Magliocco writes that one of the problems with the idea of a unified organization of Italian witches is that the Italian peninsula could not be said to have anything resembling an integrated culture between the end of the Roman Empire (453ce) and the beginning of the 20th century, making the existence of a secret, organized Italian witch cult nearly impossible. However, the reality is that five folklorists in Italy (during the 19th century) independently discovered a commonality within witchcraft traditions in different regions of Italy. Magliocco also comments that the development of a unified Italian system of ritual magic, diffused through oral tradition on a popular level, is unlikely before the 20th century. She goes on to add that any generalizations about an Italian folk culture need to be treated with great caution. The latter statement is very true, which is yet another reason why folk traditions and folk magic systems cannot be the universal measurements of authenticity in an investigation and comparison of Italian witchcraft.

To understand Italian folklore and folk magic (as opposed to authentic forms of witchcraft) it is helpful to look at its literary history. According to folklorist Italo Calvino (Italian Folktales) it is generally accepted that Italian tales were recorded from the oral tradition by the early Middle Ages. Gianfrancesco Straparola and Giambattista Basile compiled the earliest works. Straparola wrote tales of wizardry and enchantment. Basile wrote down old tales of enchantment and superstition spoken by Italian peasants in Venice, Crete, and along the Mediterranean coast (circa 1637). Laura Gonzenbach, a Swiss-German born in Sicily, gathered oral tales from the peasants of Sicily, and published her work in 1870.

The writings of Straparola and Basile provide us with a snapshot of common Italian lore, as it existed it Italy around the 15th century. Because we possess no earlier works it is almost impossible to know what alterations were made over the centuries, and how similar the tales are in relationship to the roots of the beliefs and practices depicted in the written accounts. A further problem arises when we ask whether beliefs about witches in folk tales represent what people actually believed, or whether they reflect the fantastic.

In the book Out of the Woods: The Origins of the Literary Fairy Tale in Italy and France, edited by Nancy Canepa (published by Wayne State University Press, 1997) the author points to manipulations and transformations of the earlier folklore tales by certain authors of the 18th century. This resulted in a change of not only the core and flavor of the original folktales, but also altered the social history through which they originally arose. Canepa notes that this dominated fairy-tale scholarship well into the 1970s.

Scholar Jack Zipes, in his book The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Hiding Hood (Routledge, 1993) states that folktales “were told by priests in the vernacular as part of their sermons to reach out to the peasantry”. Canepa points out that “The authors – and audiences – of the first French tales, as of the earlier Italian tales, were the elite frequenters of courts and salons, and these authors lost no opportunity to use the tales to air their views on prevailing social and political conditions…” This leaves us with the problem of how contrived were the retold tales, and what personal gain existed in each occasion of the telling? In such a light, popular lore again becomes unreliable as a standard by which to view the authenticity of folklore as a reliable means of discerning cultural integrity. Instead it can be seen as exposing political stratagem.

Canepa notes the problem with viewing popular lore as reflective of the culture as a whole: “Moreover, in the case of the fairly tale (v. other forms of ‘fantastic’ literature), the situation of a given work in a precise sociocultural context is further obfuscated by the tendency to regard fairy tales, even when they are literary creations of individual authors, along the same lines as oral folkltales: that is, as collective, anonymous, products of a tale-telling community that may span vast chronological and geographic boundaries”.

The problem for scholars is that the written tales (which as we’ve seen have been manipulated and transformed over the centuries) comprise the bulk of the research data used by the academic community. Although some modern scholars still seek out oral accounts, the written tales that people have been exposed to from birth have no doubt contaminated the oral tales that can still be encountered in contemporary times among the common people. The problem is further confounded by the fact that modern scholars reject the field studies of 19th century folklorists who recorded the oral accounts of lore and witchcraft drawn from people professing to be witches. The favoring of exoteric material over esoteric material by the academic community has resulted in a misunderstanding of Italian witchcraft (both old and new) that may never be resolved.