Bay
(Laurus nobilis)
The bay grows as a tree - the laurel, but it does grow slowly so it does very well in pots if you have a small garden. You can pick the bay leaves all year round.
Bay probably gets its association with psychic powers from being used in incense at the Delphic oracle.
Add bay to any spell work to give it a bit of a power boost.
Used dried bay leaves in incense blends to purify, cleanse, protect and bless your home and also to increase your spiritual and magical connections when in ritual.
Bay can also be used in pouches and powders to help increase your creativity and inspiration. Place a bay leaf under your pillow to bring insightful dreams. Write a wish on a bay leaf and bury it, burn it or send it off into the wind for it to come true.
Hang a bundle of bay leaves (or if you are feeling creative make a bay wreath) above your door to bring protection to your home. Also carry a bay leaf with you for personal protection and strength.
Use bay leaves in your cooking so that it can impart all of these magical properties but remember to remove the bay leaf from the dish before eating as it is a bit tough.
Bay Magical Properties:
Protection, purification, strength, power, healing, creativity, spirituality, psychic powers
Ruling planet – Sun
Element – Fire
Gender – Masculine
From A Kitchen Witch's World of Magic Food by Rachel Patterson
