Verbena is the common name for
any of the plants from Verbena genus, in
the Verbenaceae family. This article, however deals with Verbena or
Vervain, which is used in magick and will therefore deal with Verbena
officinalis, frequent common name also
being Common Verbena. Other names include:
Herba Sancta, Holy Herb, Devil’s bane ( Welsh ), Enchanter’s plant,
Tears of Isis, Tears of Juno, Herba Veneris, Altar plant and more.
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| Verbena officinalis , botanical illustration |
It’s native in Europe, though it has been naturalized in States, and
is found abundantly both in Europe and Americas, particularly on lime soils,
and in urbanized areas.
It’s a herbaceous, perennial plant with an upright habitus, and deeply lobed leaves, oppositely arranged,
with toothed edges, and spike inflorescence bearing many small flowers, with five petals, ranging in color from pale blue to purple.
While inconspicuous, regardless of being rather tall and growing up to a meter
high, it’s quite easy to memorize, and
usually when people see it once, they are able to recognize it easily.
It has been used enough in folk herbal medicine to know that’s safe to
ingest even in larger doses, and there
are some evidences to support its use as anthireumathic, diaphoretic, and
galactogogue, and anti-inflamatory agent .[1]
A teacup on 150ml of boiling water is standard dose for tea/infusion,
which is taken 2-3 times ( cups ) per day. It is however, highly
contraindicated for use during pregnancy as it may cause miscarriage! Folk herbal medicine use it for a wider
range of condition, including respiratory
infections, and wounds that heal too slow, or skin ulcers topically.
Verbena in magick
Verbena is one of the most profusely used herbs in magick, and it’s
uses range from purification and protection, to
transfiguration, the last at least mythically, with all the plethora of
uses in-between.
It corresponds to planet Venus and the Element of Earth [2] It’s
allegedly* a treasured Druid plant, used by Druid bards for inspiration, in
initiation rituals. It is however, a speculated ingredient in Celtic goddess
Kerdiwen’s Cauldron of Knowledge.
Verbena is ( again, according to Druidic teachings ) collected when
the Dog star ( Sirius ) is on the rise, that is during the “dark of the Moon”
when neither Sun nor Moon can be seen on sky. Either then, or on
Midsummer. Folk would dry Verbena over
Midsummer fires and then spread them over the fields to ensure fruitful crops,
and healthy plants, and even nowadays, it’s scattered throughout the gardens to
ensure that the plants in it thrive. However, it can more than likely be
equally efficient, If /when collected any other time really, though one should
always approach such powerful plant with respect.
It’s a herb associated with knowledge, even in modern magick,
particularly magickal knowledge or studious success. In Hoodoo, children are
often bathed with Verbena infusion, or Verbena is placed bellow their pillows
to help them memorize lessons better and be more proficient in their studies ( kind of like
Smartweed ), however the adults can use it the same way.
It’s juice, which is used often in magick, is sometimes smeared on
palms and/or forehead prior to magick spells and rituals for extra strength. Smeared on the body, the
juice is said to make people soften towards You, and be more prone to agree
with You and do You favors. Smeared on
the body, the juice of Verbena is also reputed to: cures diseases, entices precognition, turns enemies into friends, attracts lovers,
and guards from enchantments. Drunk, in
a specific ritual, the juice is reputed to induce chastity;
“To remain chaste for long periods of time, rise before the sun on the
first day of the New Moon. Gather
Vervain ( still before Sunrise ), press out it’s juice and drink it down. According to ancient instructions, it will
cause You to lose all desire for s*x for seven years” [3]
A tea is drunk to induce prophetic dreams, inspire to write , strengthen magickal powers and bring
magickal knowledge, or halt nightmares and dreams. In fact some say that
verbena infusion, drunk prior to bed ensures sleep “without” dreams.
Verbena is widely held to be magickaly curative, and to holds the power to seal the wounds and
stop bleeding, much akin to Lemon Balm. In Hoodoo, it’s believed to be able to
cure “unnatural diseases” that manifest
as fever or poisoning.
“A packet of Verbena worn on the body is said to help those suffering
from fever, or poisoning as a result
of a curse” [4]
It’s also the herb in some Christian myths, that was used to staunch Lord Christ’s wounds upon removal
from the Cross.
But it’s greatest spiritual
value perhaps lies within its splendid
apotropaic powers, that enable one to defy the most powerful of evil spirits,
and enchantments. A crown of Verbena may
be worn on head to protect the Conjurer that invokes spirits to come. A infusion of the plant sprinkled in home, or
dwelling will clear negative vibrations and
evil from it, including evil spirits, it’s a proper demonifuge. A nineherb blend , including Verbena is said to uncross and
protect from baneful witchcraft. In fact,
when combined with Trefoil, Clover and St John’s wort in a charm
bag it’s believed to make witches utterly powerless against one, and there is
an old proverb about it ( see post about St John’s wort on here, to learn more
about it ). It can turn bad luck into
good one, and help in times of dire need, if only carried on person, for the
latter. You can use it in a ritual to
Turn the tables on bad luck , where a
double action candle is rolled in Verbena for this purpose.
With Eclampane, and Mistletoe leafs, it was believed to form a true
love Middleage powder formulae. [5] It’s a powerful love herb even today, and
is ingredient in lust and infatuation inducing infusions ( cooking a teaspoon
in a glass of wine, for example ). It’s often mixed with 8 other Venus plants,and used in a love charm bag
It’s also said to re-kindle a lost love, repel vampires if drunk,
protect the home from bad weather if placed in it, and bring money when leafs
are burnt as incense [6]
Following are some practical advices and tips
Bath to sweeten Your enemies up
The following bath is said to induce affection for You in Your
enemies.
Pour infusion made with Verbena and Orissroot, in a basin ( tub ) with
water, and add some essential oil of Myrrh and Sandalwood to it. [7]
Charm to find something lost, or to find direction
In a charm bag ( like mojo bag ) combine:
·
Verbena
· A piece of
lodestone, or a magnet
· Blue
Tourmaline
If You have lost a specific item, You can write something about it, or
better yet, draw it, on a piece of
paper, place the paper on the saucer, or in some bowl, place lodestone on it,
and then sprinkle it all abundantly with Verbena. Place it on some elevated place in home until
You find the item.
Sachet to hinder evil dreams
Whether they are plainly anxiety-induced nightmares that deplete You
of quality sleep, or spiritual shrapnel of a curse or hex sent to torment You (
or any form of “attack while sleeping” psychic and occult attacks ), the
following combo, placed in a sachet under Your pillow will do with them terrifying nightmares away:
· Verbena
· Wood Betony
· Chrisoprase
crystal
Potion to restore magickal powers
If someone has caused blocked condition in You, bound or blocked Your
spiritual prowess, replenish Your skills with the following potion:
· A teaspoon
of Verbena, dry
· A teaspoon
of Alder leaves, dry
· A small
chunk of Ginger rhizome
Put all in 300-500ml boiling
water, stir few times, remove from
heat, cover, let it sit for 15-20
minutes, that strain and drink every day
( for few days, or week, until You notice the results ) a cup or two.
You can sweeten with honey If You wish .
CREDITS AND REFERENCES:
* Being that Druidism is tradition which is spread orally ( and very
discriminatively ), the little we know about it must always be taken with a grain of salt, more so if it comes from Roman scribes,
who had been prone to misunderstanding or
intentionally twisting the information
they had been gathering and writing down
about Druids
[2] According to Scott Cunningham, as stated in his “Cunningham’s
encyclopedia of magickal herbs” 252nd page
[3] Retrieved from same source as listed under [2], quoted here
for educational purposes, as a brief
quotation, with no ill will
[4] Quotation from “Hoodoo Herbs and Root magic; a material magica of African American
conjure” by Catherine Yronwode, quoted here for educational purpose, without
any ill will
[5] According to: http://herb-magic.com/mistletoe.html
[6] According to: http://www.witchipedia.com/herb:vervain
[7] According to Judika Illes, as stated In her “Encyclopedia of 5000 spells”, paraphrased
here
IMAGE CREDITS:
The image is from : http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Verbena_officinalis0.jpg , used here for illustrative and explanatory purposes, without any ill will
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