Verbena
officinalisVervain
This herb was revered by the Druids and was connected to Cerridwen. The Romans associated it with Venus and Diana and believed it could rekindle lost love; many use it to this day in love magick, especially philtres. Verbena was also a traditional magick herb during the Middle Ages and is still considered good for dreamwork and inspiring creativity. Some tie this plant to Mercury. It is often incorporated into Midsummer celebrations and protects against negative magick, especially when carried as a fresh sprig. It's great for asperging and when combined with dill, especially effective as a room wash for ridding areas of negative influences. This plant is most powerful fresh, so growing your own makes sense. Traditionally, it is harvested beneath a sunless, moonless sky, like during the New Moon, and when the Dog Star, Sirius, is rising, with a libation of honey. Some consider it a potentiator for any sort of magical work involving herbs.
Mundane Uses
Medicinally, it has been used for
insomnia (has some Moon in it), as a nerve tonic (here's the Mercury aspect), and is said to relieve
those who feel driven by hormones.
Culture
This perennial plant prospers quite
far north (zone 3) but does not like the Deep South. It grows +2 ft/35-80cm
tall. Bees love it,
and planting herbs for our busy little sisters is always a good idea--a
bee-filled garden is a happy garden. Butterflies like this plant too.
The flowers are small but many, and blooming lasts a long time. This is
a great wetlands plant. Top
How to grow Vervain. Barely
cover seeds to germinate in 3-4 weeks at 60-70F/18-21C or sow on Winter Solstice (see special
directions on the Solstice Sowing
page).Transplant to full sun
in light, rich soil after the seedlings get their second set of true leaves. You can make more plants from cuttings in the
fall. Leaves are best
to harvest before the flowers open. Harvest roots in the fall, after
the plant has died down. General growing
info
Top
Verbena officinalis
Vervain
100 seeds $4.75
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Astral
Herb
Venus Herb
Love Magic
Medieval Gardens
Protection
Spells
Asperging
© 2004-2024 Alchemy Works; No reproduction without permission