Rosemary
Basic Trivia
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub which can have white, purple or pink flowers. It’s name can be translated to “dew of the sea.” According to legend, rosemary was draped around Aphrodite’s shoulders when she emerged at birth from the sea, hence the name “dew of the sea.” Also, the Virgin Mary was said to have spread her blue cloak over a bush of white rosemary as she rested, and when she awoke, the flowers were blue, and as such, the plant became known as the Rose of Mary. Rosemary is not only used for magical purposes, but for edible and medicinal purposes as well.
Magical Uses (from Scott Cunningham’s “Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs”)
Folk Names: Compass Weed, Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Incensier, Libanotis (Greek), Polar Plant, Sea Dew.
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Powers: Protection, Love, Lust, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Purification, Healing, Sleep, Youth.
Magical Uses: Rosemary, when burned, emits powerful cleansing and purifying vibrations, and so is smouldered to rid a place of negativity, especially prior to performing magic. It is one of the oldest incenses.
When placed beneath the pillow rosemary ensures a good sleep and drives away all nightmares. Laid under the bed it protects the sleeper from all harm. Rosemary is also hung on the porch and doorposts to keep theives from the house and is carried to remain healthy. Placed in a bath it purifies.
A chaplet of rosemary, worn, aids the memory, while the wood, smelled often, preserves youthfulness. To ensure the latter add a rosemary infusion to the bath water.
Rosemary has long been used in love and lust incenses and other mixtures, and healing poppets are stuffed with rosemary to take advantage of its curative vibrations. Rosemary infusion is used to wash the hands before healing work, and the leaves mixed with juniper berries are burned in sickrooms to promote healing.
If you wish to receive knowledge or the answer to a question, burn rosemary on charcoal and smell its smoke. Rosemary is also grown to attract elves, and the powdered leaves wrapped in linen cloth and bound to the right arm dispel depression and make the emotions light and merry.
Rosemary is generally used as a substitute for frankincense.
Image and Trivia Courtesy of: Wikipedia
Disclaimer: I have had no training in botany. Always take caution and ask your doctor before ingesting any herbs or plants in any manner.
