St John’s wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) is a plant of/in the
family Hypericaceae, which is native in Europe and Asia, but
exists as introduced, sometimes invasive species in America, Australia, and in general, in all
warm and temperate climate zones.
The glabrous stalk can grow up to 1m high, branches in upper
parts, bearing yellow flowers in terminal corymb/bostryx ( type of cymose inflorescence
) . Leaves are opposite, oblong, without
stalk ,
bearing translucent dots, which are
actually oil- containing glands, and can easily be noted when the herb is
held against the light, hence the
species latin name “perforatum” ( lit. perforated ) .
St John's wort botanical illustration |
Flowers are actinomorphic , with 5 petals ( corolla ) and 5 sepal ( calyx ),
petals bearing black dots, mostly on the
edges, which are , like those on leaves
oil glands. They are around 2.5 cm in diameter.
Due to contents of hypericine, and hyperforine, it’s
clynicaly proven to be efficient in treating mild to moderate depression, as
well as some other neurological conditions such as anxiety, OCD and insomnia.
[1] Infused oil of St John’s wort is a
traditional European herbal medicine for first degree burns, cuts and
smaller bruises, and is proven to have
antibacterial effect. However, it also phototoxic , which means it causes skin photosensitivity in some people, though
in much lesser degree than Angelica essential oil or Rue.
Use in herbal magick
“ To drive away “phantastical spirits,” according to Robert
Burton’s 17th-century work, The Anatomy of Melancholy,
St.
John’s wort should be gathered on a Friday and then “hung
about the neck.” “
Gerina Dunwhich in : “Herbal magick – a witches guide to
Herbal folklore, enchantments and divination”
St John’s wort is a traditional Midsummer plant , and is
thus traditionally plucked / harvested on Midsummer / St John’s feast day which also happens to be the Holy day of Voodoo .
It’s associated with St. John the Baptist through various
Christian legends. One of them speaks how upon the beheading of St John ,
the plant started excreting red
oil. The Latin name for the genus
“Hypericum” comes from old Greek “hyeprikon” which means “over
apparition/icon” reffrencing the custom
of hanging the dry plant wreaths and bundles over Saint’s Icons among the
Orthodox Christians, who firmly believe
that the plant has extremely strong apotropaic powers, that can repel even the
Dev*l himself.
It’s no wonder then, that one of the names for it is also
“Fuga daemonium” ( Latin, lit. chase away –demons ). Another common name for the plant, “Sol terrestis” ( Latin lit. Sun of Earth, or Earthly Sun , also Sun on Earth ) speaks
of plant’s association with Solar power, and symbolically also the power of
light to chase away darkness.
“When placed in a jar and hung by a window St. John’s wort protects against thunderbolts, fire, and evil spirits”
[2] says the Cunningham’s encyclopedia of Magical herbs . St John’s wort is
particularly powerful when picked on
Midsummer and dried over Midsummer fires, it’s said to provide prophetic dreams
about Your future spouse ( when placed
bellow pillow ), and to repel ghosts,
evil spirits, and hinders necromancers, and keeps them away from home. It’s often burned to repel ghosts and evil spirits
in form of incense.
According to Cunningham, the herb was in ancient times used to detect witches, or
rather force them to admit that they are of such, by holding it against their
mouths. [3]
It’s also a power herb,
that infuses practitioner with energy, both life energy ( “chi”, “prana”
) and the magickal one (“mana” ) hence it’s good for practitioner that feel
drained or tired, or need extra “boost” for their work. It’s often mixed with
Frankincense tears for this and burned as incense. To make a power oil, You can combine St John’s
wort gathered on Midsummer, Frankincense
tears and Heliotrope harvested during August. Mind though, that is an
extremely powerful stuff that will
amplify spells strength and all the good, but also the bad that may come as a
result of it.
St John’s infused oil can be used in funerary rites and
mysteries, as well as in exorcism. Herb hung over bed of several people in the
same house, can be used to fortel which of them will die first. It’s the person
who’s herb has wilted overnight , who
was taught to be the first among the group to die.
In Balkan peninsula folklore, the herb is associated with
Virgin Mary, but retains the same properties, as elsewhere in Europe.
Additionally, it’s believed to be able to magickally cure infertility. For this
purpose the herb must be gathered and not bought, oftentimes a child is sent to
do it, and then blessed by Christian priest.
Then it’s used to make an infusion ( tea ) which women drink to cure
infertility, particularly when the Moon is full or waxing. The tea is drunk for a couple of consecutive
days, and some of the herbs women should carry with her ( as a talisman ) at
all times [4]
Recipes and formulas
Double John and evil’s gone oil
Just an idea that occurred to me when I was writing this. St
John’s wort is not traditionally used in
Hoodoo, but this formula, containing it, references
Hoodoo symbolism and terminology and uses
High John the Conqueror root.
Combine
·
High John TC root and
·
St John’s wort
In some base oil, like Olive oil, macerate until it gets
quite red in color, and then it’s ready to use.
Use to conquer evil, to defeat long standing or persistent
curses, or defeat and exorcize demons, and adverse conditions.
Some St John’s wort herb would make brilliant addition to
“Run Dev*l run” Hoodoo oil, both as a dying agent and a powerful magickal
adjunct to the formulae .
Power lifting incense
·
St John’s wort gathered at Midsummer
·
Frankincense tears
Burn during rituals or waft oneself with smoke for magickal
empowerment, strength and endurance.
Herbal charm to hinder witches and render them unable to harm You
Combine Trefoil, Vervain, St. John’s wort and Dill, and
carry in a mojo bag when You have to face, or fight evil witches.
According to an old English saying : “Trefoil, vervain, St
John’s wort and dill, hinder witches of all their will” [5]
NOTES: This article was written/created by myself, therefore, If You wish to use any part of it elsewhere online feel free, but do add credits: Shadow of the Shadows magick place, Shadow-333@hotmail.com , or a direct link to this post.
CREDITS AND REFRENCES:
[2] “Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs”
Llewellyn publications, pg. 224th and
225th
[3]
As under [2]
[4]
Veselin Cajkanovic “Recnik Srpskih narodnih verovanja o biljkama” pg.10th
[5] Rhyme retrieved from “Witchcraft and Black magick” by Montague
Summers , page 179th, used here for educational and explanatory
purposes
IMAGE CREDITS: St. John's wort illustration is from https://middlepath.com.au/plant/img/StJohnsWort_botanical-illustration.jpg used here for illustrative and explanatory, and educational purposes without any ill will, or intent of copyrights infringement
2 comments:
Cool! Like your references. Keep going ;).
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