At the front of our house, I keep a ‘wild patch’, purely for the bees and insects. I let it mainly do what it wants, but every year I scatter bee friendly, locally sourced, flower and plant species, to help it along. It doesn’t always look ‘pretty’, some people may think they’re just ‘weeds’, but to me, because of what it’s for, it’s the most beautiful little patch!
Here’s some bees enjoying it over a few years of summers.
Some of the species in there are quite surprising and I have found both Yarrow and Salad Burnet!
Here’s their properties:
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
This plant is often referred to as the ‘Witches Herb’, and has historically been widely used in spells (for psychic powers, love, courage, exorcism, dreams, peace, happiness and protection), for divination and to divert evil spells.
Yarrow was also used by the Druids for weather prediction and young people would use it to show a vision of who their true love might be.
It is said that if you carry yarrow with you, it can allay your fears and bring you personal courage. Also, keeping yarrow under your pillow is supposed to enhance prophetic dreams.
Yarrow can be drunk in a tea or burned as incense, to increase your psychic powers. Burning as an incense blend is also done to invite love, happiness and peace.
Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba Officinalis)
Salad Burnet is one of the few wild species which supplies edible greenery for most of the year. It is used as an ingredient in both salads and dressings, having a flavor described as ‘light cucumber’ and can be swapped with mint leaves in some recipes. Typically, the youngest leaves are used, as they tend to become bitter as they age.
Salad Burnet is listed as an ingredient in some French and Italian recipes, and is often available in markets there in bunches with other herbs and salad greens.
The Latin portion of it’s scientific name, Sanguisorba, translates as ‘drink up blood’ and refers to its astringent qualities, and it has been used to prevent hemorrhages and internal bleeding. Knowing this, soldiers of old would drink tea made from the herb before going into battle, in the hope that any wounds they received would be less severe. It was also used as an anti-Plague (the Black Plague, not COVID-19 unfortunately) tonic and one of 21 herbs combined and dissolved in wine.
In magickal terms, salad burnet can be used for protection, consecration of ritual tools, and counter magick. It also used to magickally treat depression and despondency (but advice from a medical professional should always be sought first).
It just goes to show, Witchcraft doesn’t have to be expensive. Take (respectfully and with thanks) what you have around you. There are plenty of plant identification apps, or use Google Lens, if you’re unsure of what plant it is.
Research it’s properties for magickal uses and health benefits. You may find that one ingredient you’ve been trying to source for a spell or ritual has been growing in your garden, or school grounds or on your walk to work all along!! Take notice of what Mother Nature has provided for you and always be thankful for her bounty.
All information on the herbs sourced from the following, but rewritten in my own words.
https://rowanandsage.com
https://coven.thethriftywitch.com
Melusina The Green Witch 