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Mugwort, also known by its scientific family name Artemisia vulgaris, is a fascinating herb that has been used for centuries due to its various properties and associations. In this blog post, we will explore the many aspects of mugwort, from its habitat and description to its medicinal and magical uses.
Names it's known by Mugwort is known by several names, including wild wormwood, cronewort, and sailor's tobacco. These names reflect the herb's diverse uses and the different cultures that have embraced its power. Scientific family Mugwort belongs to the scientific family Artemisia, which includes other aromatic plants like sagebrush and wormwood. This family of plants is renowned for its medicinal and spiritual properties. Habitat and description Mugwort is a perennial plant which grows approximately 2-4 feet tall and occasionally 6 feet tall. The leaves are deeply pinnate, with up to 7 lobes which are deeply cut and dark green on top with silvery undersides. The whole plant is aromatic to the touch and has been described as smelling camphoric, fresh, herbaceous and bitter. Some have compared the scent of mugwort to the more herbal facets of cannabis. The flowers are yellowish green in color, small and fairly insignificant to see, and blossom in tall, branched spikes. Mugwort is native to Europe and parts of Asia, but has been naturalized in North America since the 16th century. The plant tends to prefer disturbed soil and waste ground to grow on, but I have not had luck finding wild mugwort to forage and harvest. Personally, it looks too much like others in the carrot family which can be highly toxic so I choose to plant starts from reputable sources. Parts used Different parts of the mugwort plant can be utilized for various purposes. The leaves and flowers are commonly used in herbal preparations, while the roots can be dried and powdered for medicinal use. Mugwort can also be burned as an incense, with its smoke believed to purify and protect the environment. Planetary influence In astrology and herbalism, mugwort is associated with the moon. The moon's energy is said to enhance intuition, dreams, and divination. Mugwort is often used in rituals and spells related to these aspects, harnessing the moon's mystical influence. Associated deities and heroes The plant is associated with Artemis, Chandra, Diana and Hecate. Following the theory that each culture has its own version of the various assorted deities, it may also follow that the plant can be associated with other Crone Goddesses such as Cerridwen, and Moon Goddesses such as Arianrhod. Given that the plant also has a long history of use for dreams, prophecy and witchcraft in general, this reinforces the links with Goddesses such as Hecate and Cerridwen, both of whom are well known Witch Goddesses. There are also some links with the Underworld implied, possibly using the 'as above, so below' metaphor as Diana and Hecate seem to live on opposite polarities to each other, Diana ruling the Moon and the night sky and Hecate being primarily of the darkness and underworld. Festival associations Mugwort is often celebrated during the festival of Lammas or Lughnasadh, which marks the beginning of the harvest season. During this time, mugwort is used in rituals and offerings to honor the earth's abundance and fertility. Medicinal qualities Mugwort is antibacterial, antifungal, and can be used for a wide range of digestive problems due to its action in promoting appetite and supporting digestion. It also can inhibit the growth of cancer cells and is a mild sedative. There is a connection between Mugwort and the reproductive hormones, so it could be used as part of a prescription for disorders involving excessive androgen production, for example,PCOS. This would certainly fit with the overall profile of the herb as being deeply feminine in nature. Apparently a prime indication for needing Mugwort would be a weaker pulse in the right wrist and a stronger pulse in the left, indicating that masculine tendencies have overwhelmed and outbalanced the feminine tendencies in the body, leading to imbalance. This would certainly fit with the overall tendencies of the plant to bring everything back into balance! Mugwort is a useful diuretic, nervine and reproductive herb, which can bring on delayed periods (so don't take it if you think you may be pregnant, ladies!) Some authors mention that it can be used to ease the tremor associated with Parkinsons, as well as to ease epileptic fits, settle the nerves and possibly relieve insomnia, especially where this is due to anxiety. Mugwort is a fantastic blood cleanser and can be used as the European version of Echinacea for deep seated infection or infestation of the body. In addition to being an excellent digestive herb, Mugwort is a useful herb in the treatment of cramping and spasmodic complaints, such as menstrual cramps and cramps related to the digestive tract. Spiritual and energetic uses Mugwort can be used to bring about balance in mental and emotional energy. It is used to ground people who have an overactive psychic tendencies, causing them to have disturbed sleep due to excessively disruptive dreams. In addition to bringing visions, it can also help to balance those who find they are overwhelmed by visions and find it hard to stay grounded. Conversely, it can also be used for those who are too rooted in reality and find it difficult or impossible to exercise spirituality or any kind of creativity. It can be used to allow people to connect with their muse. I think its a middle domain herb, and can bring things back into balance again. Mugwort can be used to help integrate psychic awareness into our daily life and to help us to understand on a deep level the symbolism behind dreams, as well as to balance the transition between day and night consciousness. It is recommended for people who are over emotional, irrational and hysterical due to dreams It is entirely possible that it works on one or more of the chakras, possibly the brow, although some people also associate it with the throat chakra, which in turn is associated with the expression of emotion and with creativity. The plant can be used to help people to connect with their warrior selves, in order to develop strength and foundation and gain clarity. Magical uses As mentioned above, Mugwort has a longstanding association with prophecy and divination, and as such can be used in any incense to bring about prophetic dreams. It can also be used as a ritual bath for similar purposes, and to cleanse and purify divinatory tools such as crystal balls, blackened mirrors and scrying bowls. Mugwort can be used in a ritual to release blocked creativity, in addition to in spells and charms to increase psychic visions and activity, astral travel and projection and any kind of dream work. Mugwort has a long history of use for protection, in charms and talismans, when grown by the home or when used as smudge sticks to purify and protect the home. According to folklore, when the herb is gathered on St John's Eve, it can be used to protect against ill health and bad luck, as well as to break faery enchantment and allow the user to see the situation clearly, stripped of all illusion. The herb has a strong connection with the crystal ball which is not at all surprising in light of the fact that the herb is associated with the Moon Goddess, and bearing in mind the fact that the crystal ball does resemble a full moon to some extent. The plant can be used to engender and encourage the growth of spiritual activity. Folklore According to folklore, the herb was known as cingulum sancti, Johannis, or St John's Girdle, in the Middle Ages, as legend has it that St John the Baptist wore a girdle of mugwort whilst in the wilderness. It was also traditionally worn on Midsummer's eve as a garland whilst dancing around the fire. Afterwards it was thrown onto the fire to protect the wearer from danger and sickness throughout the year. Interestingly, Mugwort has been used, much as Elder has, both to protect the wearer from witchcraft and also as an ingredient in the magic of witches. One way the plant was used was as a juice to anoint scrying devices to aid in divination. Another piece of folklore mentions that a rare coal can be found under mugwort but only during one hour of one specific day of the year. If this coal is put under the pillow, it will bring about dreams of a future husband. This legend is of ancient Germanic origin, and states that the correct time to dig the plant is at noon on Midsummer's day. The coal in question is a certain remedy against evil and may even become gold. Mugwort was anciently known as Mater Herbarum (the mother of herbs), and was sacred to the Anglo Saxons, as can be seen in the Lacnunga, which has this to say about Mugwort: 'eldest of worts, thou hast might for three, and against thirty, for venom availest, for flying vile things, might against loathed ones that through the land rove.' There is a Russian folktale about Mugwort, known in Russian as Zabytko. Apparently a young girl, gathering mushrooms in the forest, fell into a deep pit, which turned out to be the home of snakes. The snakes did not harm her, and took care of her throughout the winter, during which time both she and the snakes got their nourishment from a mysterious glowing stone (a possible allusion to the moon?) When spring finally arrived, the snakes formed a ladder with their bodies, allowing the girl to climb out, and as a parting gift, the Serpent Queen taught her the language of the plants, but warned that if she should ever call Mugwort by name, she would immediately lose the ability. A long time afterwards, she was walking with her lover along a footpath when he asked her the name of a tall herb growing by the wayside. Without thinking, she answered 'Mugwort' and immediately forgot the language of plants. The Russians know Mugwort as the herb of forgetfulness. Recipe Mugwort Dream Tea: Ingredients: - 1 teaspoon dried mugwort leaves - 1 cup hot water Instructions: 1. Place dried mugwort leaves in a tea infuser or teapot. 2. Pour hot water over the leaves. 3. Allow the tea to steep for 5-10 minutes. 4. Strain the tea and enjoy before bedtime to enhance dream recall and promote restful sleep. Remember, mugwort should be used with caution, and it is always recommended to consult with a knowledgeable herbalist or healthcare professional before using it for any purpose. Mugwort is a truly remarkable herb with a rich history and a wide array of uses. Whether in herbal remedies, spiritual practices, or magical rituals, this powerful plant continues to captivate and inspire people around the world. Embrace the magic of mugwort and explore the wonders it has to offer.
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AuthorCaitlin is a full-time special education teacher with a penchant for the wyrd. When she isn't hanging out with the coolest kids, she's out in her garden tending to her herbs or frolicking with her 2 goats, 40 chickens, 6 ducks, 2 turkeys, 2 dogs, and 6 cats. She understands it's a hoarding situation at this point, but life is too short to worry about boring things like that. Archives
May 2024
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