LadyBeast's Lair

Important Announcement

The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More

{Copied from the General Board, I will be adding more information here in future posts, I found some more information which I will post along with the names of the books}

Mugwort is a shrubby perennial that can grow up to 6 feet high and it loves direct sun. Its leaves are dark green on top and whitish underneath. Though it is closely related to tarragon, they are NOT the same plant. Mugwort is also related to wormwood (which will be covered in a future lesson). Mugwort is somewhat toxic and should not be taken internally until you have done further research on the effects it can have on your body, especially pregnant women. When it is used medicinally, Mugwort is used to ease menstrual problems in women, and as a liver stimulant.<o:p></o:p>

Latin: Artemisia vulgaris
Common Names: Artemis, witch herb, felon herb, old man, old Uncle Henry<o:p></o:p>

Ritual Use:<o:p></o:p>

Mugwort is best known for its effect on psychic ability, astral travel and divination. It can used as an incense (on charcoal) and burned while you are scrying or meditating. <st1:City><st1:place>Crystals</st1:place></st1:City> or other divination tools could be stored with dried Mugwort to enhance their power.<o:p></o:p>

It's often used (alone or with other herbs) when stuffing herbal dream pillows (craft below). These herbal pillows are tucked under your pillow while you sleep to encourage psychic or prophetic dreams.<o:p></o:p>

Mugwort is also considered good for protection during travel, and the ancient Romans used to put sprigs of Mugwort in their shoes to prevent exhaustion on long journeys. It's also used for protection, and bundles of it are sometimes hung over doors to keep out unwanted spirits.<o:p></o:p>

For most magickal purposes, the leaves and stems of Mugwort are used.<o:p></o:p>

Correspondences:<o:p></o:p>

Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Associated Deities: Diana, Artemis<o:p></o:p>

Craft - Dream Pillows:<o:p></o:p>

MATERIAL NEEDED: <o:p></o:p>

pieces of your choice of material, any size or shape <o:p></o:p>

Herbs and Spices (your choice) <o:p></o:p>

Stuffing (optional) <o:p></o:p>

Needle <o:p></o:p>

Thread <o:p></o:p>

Essential oils (your choice) <o:p></o:p>

Zip Lock baggy <o:p></o:p>

Ribbons and lace (optional) <o:p></o:p>

INSTRUCTIONS: <o:p></o:p>

Making your own dream pillows not only save you money, but using essential oils increases their effectiveness and makes reviving them so much easier. The day before you are going to make the dream pillows take the herbs and spices you have chosen for stuffing and put in the zip lock baggy. Now add several drops of the essential oil or oils of your choice. How many drops to use depends on the size of the dream pillow and the strength of the herbs and spices you are planning on using. With herbs and spices three to four should be sufficient, but if using stuffing fifteen or twenty would be better. Seal bag and shake well to disperse all the oil, leave over night so that the oils will be absorbed completely. <o:p></o:p>

For sleep dream pillows use chamomile, lavender, neroli, marigoram, valerian, nutmeg, or hops. All of these essential oils help promote a restful, goodnight sleep. For the day pillows you might want to consider matching the essential oils with the herbs and spices you have used, or make and match a different fragrance to each different room. Nice ones to start out with are lemon, clary sage, geranium, and sweet orange. <o:p></o:p>

To make your dream pillow all you will need is two pieces of material, any size or shape that you want. Stitch along three sides of the material, then turn it right side out, leaving an opening large enough to add herbs, spices or stuffing. Take the herbs and spice or stuffing out of your baggy and stuff this into your dream pillow, when you have it filled about 3/4 full fold over the ends and stitch closed. <o:p></o:p>

After a few weeks if your dream pillow seems to be losing all its fragrance, here is a way to revive it: open a small corner of the pillow and add a few drops of your essential oils onto the herbs or stuffing and stitch back closed. If you don't want to go to that trouble then just put a few drops of essential oils on the outside of the pillow and let dry. <o:p></o:p>

With creativity and imagination you can make wonderful tailor-made gifts for family and friends. You can decorate your dream pillow with a number of odds and ends, left over ribbons, buttons, and lace. Sweet dreams. <o:p></o:p>

(sorry for not using notepad, I forgot it adds all that formatting junk if using microsoft word.)

{I've only included anything that wasn't in the previous post}

(Artemisia vulgaris) P

Folk Names:
Artemis Herb
Artemisia
Muggons
Naughty Man
Sailor's Tobacco
St. John's Plant

Gender: Feminine

Powers: Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection

~ Place mugwart in the shoes to gain strength during long walks or runs.
~ A pillow stuffed with mugwart and slept upon will produce prophetic dreams.
~ Burn mugwart and sandlewood or wormwood during scrying rituals or drink an infusion of mugwart before divination.
~ The infusion may also be used to wash crystal balls and magic mirrors.
~ Leaves place at the base of a crystal ball are said to aid in psychic workings.
~ When carrying mugwart you can not be harmed by poison, wild beasts or sunstroke.
~ In buildings mugwart prevents elves and evil things from entering.
~ It is said to increase lust and fertility.
~ Mugwart helps prevent backaches, cure disease and madness.
~ Place it next to a bed to achieve Astral Projection.

In other cultures:
Japan -
~ Bunches of mugwart are used to exorcise evil spirits who are thought to hate the odor.

China -
~ Mugwart is hung over doorways to prevent evil spirits from entering buildings.

{Source: Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs}

Dream Spirits Aromatherapy Pillow

Fold equal amounts of:
~ catnip
~ ravvit tobacco
~ selected mints
and
~ sage

...into a msall cotton case.

This will enhance your dreams.

In addition add:
~ dried rosemary leaves
~ lavender
and
~ mugwart

These will make your dreams memorable.

~ Place a small pillow filled with these herbs:

~~ on the back of a chair to enhance your meditations.
~~ on the backseat of your car to calm children.
~~ add them to stuffed animals for babies and children.

Make a Fragrant Smudge Stick

Gather several stalks of your favorite herbs:

2 fresh stalks mugwart with leaves and blossoms
2 fresh stalks yarrow with leaves and blossoms
2 fresh stalks bergamot with leaves and blossoms

1 large sheet newspaper and 2 rubber bands or long pieces of string.

Mugwart makes a good smudge on its own or add to it cedars, junipers, sumac, osier, mesquite, tansy, or pinyon.

Gather the selected herbs on the newspaper. Hold them with one hand, bend them gently back on themselves (about 6 to 7 inches) from one end. Bend them back about the same distance from the other end. Roll the newspaper, at an angle around the herbs, tying it with the rubber bands or string.

Place the stick in a warm place, out of the sun, to dry for several days (a week preferred). In a day or two unwrap it to check it out, but rewrap it again snugly. It may take longer if the weather is humid.

Once it is dry, remove the wand from the paper and discard the paper. Tie it with cotton cord or thread. When ready to use ignite one end, and get it smoldering. use this as a ceremonial smudge.

When you go to extinguish the smudge stick snuff it out, rub it against the pot or shell or press it into sand or dirt. DO NOT use water to put it out.

CAUTION:
Use only in a well ventilated area. Before use make sure that no one has allergies or asthma which could be aggrivated by the use of the smudge. This is also not to be used if there are pregnant women, babies, or small children in the group.

{Source: American Indian Healing Arts by E.Barrie Kavasch and Karen Baar}

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
LadyBeast's Lair	[email protected]