Author: A Solitary Pagan

(Beta vulgaris) Large amounts of the leaf: XFolk Names: Mangel, MangoldGender: FemininePlanet: SaturnElement: EarthPower: LoveMagical Uses: If a man and woman eat of thesame beet, they will fall in love.Beet juice is used as an ink in lovemagic, and is also a blood substitute.

(Fagus sylvatica) Large amounts ofthe nut: XFolk Names: Bok, Boke, Buche, Buk, Buke,Faggio, Fagos, Faya, Haya, HetreGender: FemininePlanet: SaturnPowers: WishesMagical Uses: Take a stick of beech, scratchor carve your wishes onto it, bury it in theground and leave it there. Your wish willcome true if it is to be.Carry the wood or leaves to increasecreative powers.

(Phaseolus spp.)Beans not used for food may be poisonous.Folk Name: Poor Man’s MeatGender: MasculinePlanet: MercuryElement: AirDeities: Demeter, CardeaPowers: Protection, Exorcism, WartCharming, Reconciliations, Potency LoveRitual Uses: Some beans’ flowers are white,and hence sacred to the Goddesses of oldEurope. Beans are always sacred to harvestgoddesses. According to tradition onlythe highest-r...

(Laurus nobilis) GFolk Names: Baie, Bay Laurel, Bay Tree,Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, Laurierd’Apollon, Laurier Sauce, Lorbeer, NobleLaurel, Roman Laurel, Sweet BayGender: MasculinePlanet: SunElement: FireDeities: Aesculapius, Apollo, Ceres, Faunus,ErosPowers: Protection, Psychic Powers, Healing,Purification, StrengthRitual Uses: The ancient priestesses ofApollo chewed bay leaves to induce a pr...

(Ficus benghalensis) GFolk Names: Arched Fig, Indian Fig Tree,Indian God Tree, Vada TreeGender: MasculinePlanet: JupiterElement: AirDeity: MauiPowers: LuckRitual Uses: The banyan is reverenced bythe Hindus, and the tree is planted outsidearound their temples. It is also connectedwith the worship of Maui in Hawaiian andPolynesian religions.Magical Uses: To simply sit beneath or lookat a banyan tree...

(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...