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Herb of the Season - Lavender
(Lavendula officinale)
Parts Used: Leaf and flower
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Goddess: Hecate |
Botanical: There are many varieties of lavender. It is a shrub type plant that is indigenous to mountainous regions of the countries bordering the western half of the Mediterranean. It is cultivated extensively for its aromatic flowers in various parts of France, Italy, and England. It is also found in North America and Australia. The fragrant aroma is found in all parts of the plant but the essential oil is only produced from the flowers and flower stalks. Lavender is sold as essential oil and in bunches fresh and dried. The dried flowers are powdered for sachets and potpourri.
Folklore and History: Lavender has been used as a sacred herb since ancient times. Lavender was thrown into bonfires at Midsummer as an offering to the Goddess. Ms. Grieves writes about spike lavender in Grieve's A Modern Herbal - Volume II:
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"By the Greeks the name Nardus is given to Lavender, from
Naarda, a city of Syria near the Euphrates, and many persons called the plant of great value. It was formerly believed that the asp, a dangerous kind of viper, made lavender its habitual place of abode, so that the plant had to be approached with great caution." (Grieves, page 468). |
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Lavender was very popular in the Middle Ages but the lore of that time is not consistent. There is one story that if lavender and rosemary were worn it would preserve a woman's chastity. Lavender was burned in birthing rooms to keep them pure and welcoming to the new life. It was also used as a fertility herb.
Herbal Uses: The essential oil from lavender can be used for intestinal gas, migraines, and dizziness. It is also thought to lift spirits and should be used to alleviate depression. Having antiseptic properties, it can also be added to salves. Lavender and rose oil mixed with a carrier oil can be applied to the brow to ease headaches. Lavender oil can be used in footbaths. It can also be used externally for toothaches and sprains.
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Magical Uses: It is used in love spells. Keep lavender in the home to bring peace, joy and healing. It is also used as a protection against the evil eye and is used in purification baths. Scott Cunningham writes this wish divination:
"Place lavender under your pillow while thinking of your wish. Do this just prior to retiring for the night. In the morning, if you have dreamt of anything relating to your wish, it will come true. However, if you did not have dreams, or if they were unconnected with your wish, it will not manifest." (Cunningham, page 153).
Dawn
Thomas ~ Belladonna High
Priestess of the Apple Branch ~ A Dianic
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Sources:
Beyerl, Paul. A Compendium of Herbal Magick. Custer, Washington. Phoenix Publications. 1998
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul, Minnesota. Llewellyn Publications. 2000
Grieves, Mrs. M. A Modern Herbal Volume II. New York. Dover Publications, Inc. 1971
Hopman, Ellen Evert. A Druid's Herbal. Rochester, Vermont. Destiny Books. 1995
http://mail.swu.ac.kr/~cat/photo/ae_f_sault_lavender_053003_20019.jpg
http://www.faeriesfinest.com/images/products/lavender-farm.jpg
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