Author: A Solitary Pagan

(Erythraea centaurium, Centaurium spp.erythraea) GFolk Names: Christ’s Ladder, FeverwortGender: MasculinePlanet: SunElement: FirePowers: Snake-RemovingMagical Uses: The smoke from burning orfuming centaury drives off snakes.

(Typha capensis, T. spp.) GFolk Names: Tabua, Ibhuma, BalangotGender: MasculinePlanet: MarsElement: FirePowers: LustMagical Uses: If a woman doesn’t enjoy sex,but wishes to, she should carry some cattail with her at all times.

(Cinnamomum catnphora) X: Do not usein the faces of small children.Folk Names: Kafoor, Camphire, Chang NaoGender: FemininePlanet: MoonElement: WaterPowers: Chastity, Health, DivinationMagical Uses: Sniff to lessen sexual desire.Also place beside the bed for this purpose.A bag of camphor (or the bark of acamphor tree) hung around the neck, preventsthe contraction of colds and flu.Camphor is sometim...

(Barosma betulinayAgathosmabetulina) P KFolk Names: Bookoo, Bucoo, Buku, OvalBuchu, Short Buchu, Sab, PinkaouGender: FemininePlanet: MoonElement: WaterPowers: Psychic Powers, Prophetic DreamsMagical Uses: An infusion of buchu, whendrunk, enables one to foretell the future.Frankincense mixed with buchu isburned directly before retiring to produceprophetic dreams. Only a small amountshould be burned...

(Crypanthus spp.)Folk Names: Chameleon Star, Earth StarGender: MasculinePlanet: SunElement: AirPower: Protection, MoneyMagical Uses: Grow a bromeliad in the homefor money and luxuries. The plants arealso protective, and so are a good choice ofhouse plants.

(Bertholletia excellsa)Eat only the processed nutGender: MasculinePlanet: MercuryThe Herbs 65Element: AirPowers: LoveMagical Uses: Brings good luck in loveaffairs if carried as a talisman.

(Eupatorium perfoliatum) XFolk Names: Agueweed, Crosswort,Feverwort, Indian Sage, Sweating Plant,Teasel, Thoroughwort, Wood BonesetGender: FemininePlanet: SaturnElement: WaterPowers: Protection, ExorcismMagical Uses: The plant wards off evil spirits.Make an infusion and sprinkle aboutthe house to drive away evil

(Musa sapientum)Folk Names: Maia (Hawaiian), Bacove,SangingGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterDeity: KanaloaPowers: Fertility, Potency, ProsperityRitual Uses: In sacrifices to the Gods, abanana stalk was sometimes used as a substitutefor a human, both in Hawaii andTahiti. Until the kapu (code of taboos) inHawaii was broken in 1819, certain kindsof bananas were among foods forbidden towomen...

(Commiphora opobalsamum, Abiesbalsamea, Populus balsamifera var.balsamifera, P. jackii) GFolk Names: Balessan, Balsam Tree,Balsumodendron Gileadensis, Bechan,Mecca BalsamGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterPowers: Love, Manifestations, Protection,HealingMagical Uses: Carry the buds of the balmof Gilead to mend a broken heart, or toattract a new love. Also steep them in redwine for a simple ...

(Melissa officinalis) GFolk Names: Bee Balm, Lemon Balsam,Melissa, Sweet Balm, Sweet Melissa,Tourengane, OghoulGender: FemininePlanet: MoonElement: WaterPowers: Love, Success, HealingMagical Uses: From Arabian herb magiccomes the information that lemon balmcan be used to influence love. Soak theherb in wine for several hours, strain andshare with a friend. Or, carry the herb withyou to find love.I...

(Centaurea cyanus) GFolk Names: Devil’s Flower, Red Campion,Bluet, Hurtlesickle, Blue BottleGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterDeity: Robin GoodfellowPower: LoveMagical Uses: Women wear this flower ontheir breast to attract the love of a man.Or, take a flower and put it in your pocket,it will lose or retain its freshness in accordancewith bad or good success in amatorypursuits.

(Persea americans) Leaves, branches,seeds: XFolk Names: Ahuacotl (Aztec: “TesticleTree”), Alligator Pear, Persea, ZabocaGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterPowers: Love, Lust, BeautyRitual Uses: The Egyptians revered the persea. Magical Uses: Eat the fruit of the avocado tobecome infused with lust, as the ancientAztecs did. Grow a plant from the pit of anavocado in your home to bring love i...