Author: A Solitary Pagan

(Bambusa vulgaris) GFolk Names: Common Bamboo, Ohe(Hawaiian), Kauayan-kilingGender: MasculineDeity: HinnaPowers: Protection, Luck, Hex-Breaking,WishesRitual Uses: Bamboo is used in divinationin Chinese temples. Bits of the wood arethrown to the worshipper by the priest.According to the way they fall, the omen isinterpreted as good or bad.Magical Uses: Carve your wish on a pieceof bamboo and bury i...

(Ficus religiosa)Folk Names: Bo-Tree, Peepul Tree, Pipul,Sacred TreeGender: MasculinePlanet: JupiterElement: AirDeities: Buddha, VishnuThe HerbsPowers: Fertility, Protection, Wisdom,MeditationRitual Uses: The plant is sacred to Vishnuwho, like Buddha, was said to have beenborn beneath it. In the East, sacred fires arefed with its wood. Since Buddha also satbeneath this tree in meditation for six y...

(Iris versicolor) Poison P VFolk Names: Flag Lily, Fleur-de-Lys, Iris,Liver Lily, Poison Lily, Poison Flag, SnakeLily, Water Flag, Water IrisGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterPowers: MoneyMagical Uses: Carry the root for financialgain. The root is also placed in cash registersto increase business.

(Vaccinum frondosum, V. angustifolium,V. corymbosum, V. pallidum) Leaf: GFolk Names: BilberryPower: ProtectionMagical Uses: Place some blueberries beneaththe doormat to keep undesirables awayfrom your property, or from entering yourhome. This protects against evil as well.Make blueberry pies or tarts and eatwhen under psychic attack; this gets theprotection inside you and increases theherb’s effec...

(Sanguinaria canadensis) Poison P VFolk Names: King Root, Red Root,TetterwortGender: MasculinePlanet: MarsElement: FirePowers: Love, Protection, PurificationMagical Uses: The root is carried or wornto draw love. It is also carried to avert evilspells and negativity. Place near doorwaysand windowsills so the home will be protected.The darkest red roots are consideredto be the best, and are known as...

(Fucus vesiculosus; various otherplants) P N HFolk Names: Bladder Fucus, Cutweed, Kelp,Sea Spirit, Seawrack, Seetang, Meeriche,Sea Oak, Black TangGender: FemininePlanet: MoonElement: WaterPowers: Protection, Sea Spells, Wind Spells,Money, Psychic PowersMagical Uses: Seaweeds generally give protectionto those at sea, or those who areflying over it. Therefore, intercontinentaltravellers should carry...

(Rubus villosus) GFolk Names: Bly, Bramble, Bramble-Kite,Bumble-Kite, Cloudberry, Dewberry,Goutberry, High Blackberry, ThimbleberryGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterDeity: BrigitPowers: Healing, Money, ProtectionRitual Uses: Blackberry was considered tobe sacred to some of the old Pagan deitiesof Europe, and was used in worship.To the present day, blackberry pies arebaked on Lughnasadh (A...

(Celastrus scandens-AmericanBittersweet; Solanum dulcamara-EuropeanBittersweet) AmericanBittersweet: PoisonFolk Names: For American Bittersweet: WaxWork, False Bittersweet. For EuropeanBittersweet: Violet Bloom, Felonwort,Woody Nightshade, Scarlet Berry,Dulcamara, Bitter NightshadeGender: MasculinePlanet: MercuryElement: AirPowers: Protection, HealingMagical Uses: Some bittersweet placedbeneath th...

(Polygonum bistorta)Folk names: Dragonwort, Easter Giant,English Serpentary, Osterick, Passions,Patience Dock, Red Legs, Snakeweed, SweetDockGender: FemininePlanet: SaturnElement: EarthPowers: Psychic Powers, FertilityMagical Uses: Carry bistort if you wishto conceive. Burn with frankincense toimprove psychic powers, or when usingdivination.The infusion sprinkled about a placewill drive out polter...

(Betula pendula, B.pubescens, B. lenta,B. alba) GFolk Names: Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth,Bouleau, Lady of the WoodsGender: FemininePlanet: VenusElement: WaterDeity: ThorPowers: Protection, Exorcism, PurificationMagical Uses: Birch twigs have been usedto exorcise spirits by gently striking possessedpeople or animals, since the birch isa purificatory or cleansing herb.The tree is also used for prote...

(Stachys betonica, Stachys officinalis,Betonica officinalis) GFolk Names: Bishopwort, Lousewort, PurpleBetonyGender: MasculinePlanet: JupiterElement: FirePowers: Protection, Purification, LoveMagical Uses: Betony has long been celebratedas a protective and purificatory herb. Thepseudo-Apuleius said that the plant protectedthe wearer’s soul as well as the body,and that when placed beneath the pillo...

(Monarda fistulosa) PFolk Names: Horsemint, Bee Balm, MonardaGender: FeminineElement: AirPower: ClarityMagical Uses: Wild Bergamot can be usedto bring clarity and good working order tothe surface of any situation