Mugwort My Favorite Magickal Herb
Every witch, wort cunner or herbalist of any kind for that matter has their own particular favorite herbs; the reasons why they become our favorites are as varied as the practitioners who favor them. I have already posted about some of my other favorites but what will become very clear is that my particular favorite among favorites is mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). Truthfully I can’t even remember when I first became aware of the herb but there is something about its energy that draws me to it in a way that few other herbs do. In actuality I am rather queer for the whole artemesia[1] family; tarragon, wormwood and desert sage[2] are up there on my favored herbs list but it’s mugwort that is nearest and dearest to my heart and I am not alone.
Many herbal enthusiasts have nothing but praise for mugwort whether they are magickally inclined or not. I have often read or heard others extolling the virtues of this plant and it’s often referred to as one of the most magickal herbs of all. I am sure that for some that are reading this I will be preaching to the choir so to speak.
Magickal gardens often have a patch or a stand of mugwort along with its close cousin wormwood (Artemisia absenthium). Both of these plants, like all artemisias, are sacred to Artemis and since these two have a special lunar connection to Her and to other Moon Goddesses they are often included in moon gardens.
Generally speaking mugwort has two main magickal correspondences which are protection and psychic pursuits or what I like to call loosening the bonds. In other words it can help to free the user from the bonds of mundane life so that slightly altered states of consciousness and heightened sight can be achieved but not in the same way as substances like marijuana, magic mushrooms or other more potent or psychotropic substances.
As a protective herb it has long been used to ward against evil spirits, poisonous beasts and all manner of ickies. It can be worn as a wreath, added to a protective mojo bag, hung in the house or what have you. In some Native American cultures mugwort is a traditional smudging herb[3] for clearing away and protecting against bad energy. There is also lore that says that if you place a sprig of the plant in your shoe it will protect you against weariness but there is a caveat; if you put the sprig in your shoe on Midsummer’s Eve you might be carried away by a white horse that will disappear at daybreak leaving you abandoned and far from home.
As for its reputation as an herb that can aid in psychic pursuits it is used in many different ways. Many Wiccans, Witches and other magickal folk will drink a cup of mugwort tea before ritual to aid the participants in being in the moment so to speak. It is the most favored herb for psychic dream pillows and I can tell you from personal experience its reputation is well deserved. I also find it an excellent addition to any sort of incense intended for divination, meditation or journey work.
Due to its lunar association it is also appropriate for any type of lunar workings, incenses or oils and a mugwort infusion is also excellent for cleansing and clearing gems and crystals.
The virtues of mugwort are not just magickal though. The dried leaves were once commonly used to brew beer. The fresh leaves are edible and in times past it was enjoyed quite commonly in salads and soups as well as steamed or boiled. In fact it was a considered a spring tonic herb in some parts as can be seen by the traditional saying,
If they would eat Leeks in March and Mugworts in May so many young maidens would not go to the clay-[4]
There are many, many medicinal uses for mugwort as well and it’s been used by many cultures for many centuries to treat all sorts of maladies from digestive issues to nervous disorders and women’s complaints.[5]
Traditional Chinese medicine uses mugwort for a treatment known as moxibustion which has centuries of positive results in treating all sorts of issues.
With all of the obvious qualities and virtues that I have already listed you might think that my case is already made but wait…. there’s more! There is an energetic quality to the plant that can only be described as awesome. It’s pleasant, joyful and almost euphoric. It's sometimes subtle in dried form until you start working with it. Once you get it in your hand you can feel it. It has this funny habit of wanting to stick together in little fluffy clumps which makes me think that its energy is so good that it even wants to be with itself.
As great as the energy of the dried leaves is the energy of the live plant is almost intoxicating. I have something like 14 mugwort plants growing close by my favorite oak tree in the backyard and I have no doubt that I will someday have at least twice as many. If you have the chance I highly recommend growing some. It germinates easily and is equally easy to grow. It will thrive under a variety of growing conditions even in a pot but I warn you the stalks can get quite tall; I have some that are easily 4’.
If this article has piqued your interest or even if you too are a longtime mugwort lover I would now like to tempt you with some awesome freshly dried mugwort. You see I have just recently finished drying and preparing a rather healthy harvest of this wonderful herb from my own magickal herb garden.
Below is a picture comparing commercially grown mugwort with the mugwort grown in my garden. The first obvious difference is visible even in the picture. You will notice that the commercially grown mugwort is a drab olive green color and my mugwort, which is on the right, is a vibrant green. Of course the commercially grown one is still a fine and potent herb but my mugwort is exceptional due to it being grown with love and magick and processed with honor in small batches; something that it is impossible under commercial farming conditions. So, if you’re interested in adding some really exceptional mugwort to your magickal cabinet I am releasing part of the harvest to the public.
If you're interested...here's the link:
Now for the legal stuff:
The information in this article is provided solely for educational purposes. No part of this article is intended to take the place of qualified diagnosis or prescription for any illness or disease. Always consult a qualified health professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
I would also like to credit the fabulous book of herb lore, Mugworts in May written by Linda Ours Rago and published by Quarrier Press. ISBN#0964619709 for some of the info in this article.
[1] According to mythology and lore the genus of plants known as Artemisia were given by the Goddess Artemis to the centaur Chiron a great healer and teacher.
[2] There are of course many more herbs in the artemesia genus; these are but a few of my other favorites.
[3] The mugwort that is favored by Native Americans in the Pacific West is actually a related species Artemisia douglasiana but both plants seem to share common uses both magickally and medicinally.
[4] Going to the clay refers to the practice of eating clay or dirt. It is thought that this was caused by mineral deficiencies in certain diets especially over the winter when vegetables were scarce or non-existent. Interestingly enough this is still a problem especially in areas where poverty is rampant or there is some other reason for a lack of green vegetables in the local diet.
[5] Pregnant women are advised not to ingest mugwort.
No comments:
Post a Comment