Rosemary
(Rosemarinus officinalis)
A popular herb found in many gardens (apparently introduced to the UK by the Romans), I have several in mine and it grows all year round.
An evergreen plant with woody stems, narrow dark green leaves and tiny lilac colour flowers twice a year, once in the spring and again in the autumn. The whole plant is aromatic and has a habit of covering you in strongly scented oil whenever you handle the leaves.
Greeks wore rosemary in their hair to help boost the power of memory.
Traditionally rosemary was burnt as incense in houses that were stricken with illness; I like to also use it in my smudge sticks along with lavender and sage.
Grow, carry with you or use in incense blends to bring about protection, healing and purification.
It was often used in bridal bouquets for love and funeral wreaths for remembrance.
Use a long piece of fresh rosemary and bend it into a circle, tie together with ribbon and hang in your home to bring protection.
Burning rosemary as incense in your home apparently gets rid of unwanted guests or those that have outstayed their welcome.
I have read that folklore states that rosemary will only flourish in the garden where the lady rules the house… (It grows really well in my garden)…
Rosemary Magical Properties:
Protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep
Ruling planet – Sun
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine
Information from: A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson
ISBN-978-1-78279-854-5
Publication 26th June 2015
Food is magical, not just because of the amazing tastes, flavours and aromas but also for the magical properties it holds. The magic starts with the choice of food to use, be added in whilst you are preparing and cooking then the magic unfolds as people enjoy your food. Dishes can be created for specific intents, moon phases, and rituals, to celebrate sabbats or just to bring the magic into your family meal. Many food ingredients can also be used very successfully in magical workings in the form of offerings, medicine pouches, witches bottles and poppets. Let's work magic into your cooking...
