Kitchen Herbs for Witches: Rosemary

Planet: Sun. Element: Fire. Main magickal uses: cleansing, confidence, consecration, courage, exorcism, good luck, grieving, happiness, healing, knowledge, love, memory, passion, peace of mind, prevents theft, protection, psychic development, psychic protection, purification, release, ritual, rituals for the dead, water rites/sea rituals, weddings. Other magickal uses: blessings, dreams, endings, energy, elves, fidelity, honesty, inspiration, invokation, longevity, meditation, new moon, prevents nightmares, sleep, strength, transformation, wisdom, Yule. Lore: Rosemary is associated in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” with remembrance, so its link to memory is old. Even older are its associations with general magic and healing, with feminine power—folklore had it that a healthy rosemary plant grew where a woman was head of the family—and with goddesses, especially of the sea. Catholic healers associated it with Mary. Aoumiel calls it attractive to elves. Its reputation is that of an all-purpose herb that will help with practically anything.