CELTIC HERBS

Alder: A druid sacred tree. A whistle made of Alder is the basis for the old superstition of whistling up the wind.

Apple, Domestic: A Druid sacred tree. Apple cider can be used as a substitute for blood.

Ash: A druid sacred tree. Druid Shamanic wands were often made of ash.

Betony: A Druid sacred herb. This was a magical herb used to expel the power of evil spirits, nightmares, and despair. It was burned at Summer Solstice for purification and protection.

Birch: A Druid sacred tree. The bark was used for purification, especially during childbirth.

Blackthorn: A Druid sacred tree. It’s thorns were used in negative magic.

Broom: Also known as Scotch or Irish Broom. A Druid sacred tree. Burned at the Spring Equinox, it purified and protected.

Catnip: A Druid sacred herb. Chewed by warriors for fierceness in battle.

Cedar: A Druid sacred tree. Ancient Celts on the Mainland used cedar oil to preserve heads of enemies taken in battle. To draw Earth energy, to ground yourself place the palms of your hands against the ends of the needles.

Cherry, Wild: A Druid sacred tree. Chips of the wood or bark were burned at Celtic festivals.

Club Moss: A Druid sacred herb. Among the Celts, only a priest or priestess could gather club moss. The plants and spores were collected in July and August for use in blessings and protection.

Elder: A Druid sacred tree. Sacred to the Celtic White Lady and the Summer Solstice. The Druids used it both to bless and curse. Elder wands drive out evil and negativity. Standing under and elder tree at Midsummer, like standing in a ring of Faery Mushrooms, will help you see the Little People.

Eyebright: A Druid sacred herb that promotes clairvoyance.

Ferns: The Druids classified ferns as sacred trees. Uncurled fronds of the male fern were gathered at Midsummer, dried and carried for good luck. All ferns are powerful protective plants and faeries are especially attracted to them.

Fir, Silver: A Druid sacred tree. Also known as the Birth Tree. Burning needles or sweeping around the bed with a branch blessed and protected a mother and her new baby.

Foxglove: This is a Poisonous plant! A Druid sacred herb, associated with the Little People and Otherworld beings.

Furze: Also known as gorse or whin. A druid Sacred tree, whose flowers were associated with the Spring Equinox.

Hawthorne: A Druid sacred tree. Wands of this wood have great power.

Hazel: A Druid sacred tree. Faeries are attracted to hazel. Healing wands are made from its wood, as are water divining sticks.

Heather: A Druid sacred herb. Associated with Summer Solstice.

Holly: A Druid sacred tree, sacred to the Winter Solstice because of its red berries and evergreen leaves.

Hops: A Druid sacred herb used for sleep and healing.

Ivy, English: POISIONOUS! A Druid sacred herb. Connected with the Winter solstice.

Juniper: A druid Sacred tree. Its berries were used with thyme in incenses.

Marigold: A Druid sacred herb. The Druids believed that Marigold water made from the blossoms, then rubbed on the eyelids helped one to see faeries.

Meadowseed: One of the three most sacred hers to the Druids. The other two are mint and vervain (verbena).

Mint: A Druid sacred herb. Burning mint cleanses the area.

Mistletoe: POISIONOUS! It was the most sacred tree of the Druids, and it ruled Winter Solstice.

Mugwort: A Druid Sacred herb. Was placed in barns to protect cows from the influence of faeries. The herbs powers are strongest when picked on a Full Moon. Gather at the Summer solstice for good luck, and rub on ritual tools to increase power.

Nuts and Cones: Sacred to the Druids; very magical, especially in fertility magick. Small cones or acorns were sometimes used on the tips of wands used by the Celts.

Oak: A druid holy tree. The oak was the king of trees in the grove. Magick wands were made of its wood. Oak galls, sometimes called “Serpent Eggs”, were used in magickal charms. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Druids and other magickal pracitioners listened to the rustling leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages.

Pine: Sacred to the Druids, the pine was known as one of the seven chieftan trees of the Irish. Burn the needles inside for purification. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush thr ground with a pine branch.

Rowan: Its seeds are poisonious! A Druid sacred tree and sacred to the Goddess Brigit. A very magickal tree used for wands, rods, amulets and other spell objects. A forked rowan branch can help find water. It is believed to be a powerful charm against evil spirits.

Rue: The ancient Celts considered rue an antimagickal her; it is a defense against spells and drak magic. If burned it routs negativity and gets things moving.

St. John’s Wort: A Druid sacred herb. The Celts passed it through the smoke of the summer solstice fire, then wore it into battle for invincibility.The people of Scotland wore it as a charm against faery influence.

Thistle, Holy: A Druid sacred herb. Primarily for protection and strength.

Thyme: A Druid sacred herb. Repels negativity and depression.

Trefoil: Aslo known as shamrock, or searaog. A Druid sacred herb, which symbolizes all triple deities. Always leave something in payment when you take trefoil, because it is a favorite herb of the Little People and faeries. A pinch of Ginger or a little milk poured onto the ground are acceptable gifts.

Vervain or Verbena: A Druid sacred herb, common in many druididic rites and incantations. Offerings of this herb were placed on altars.

Willow: A Druid sacred tree; one of the seven sacred trees of the Irish. The willow is a Moon tree sacred to the Goddess. its grooves were considered so magickal that priests, priestesses and artisans sat among the trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills, and prophecies.

Woodruff: A Druid sacred herb which acquires its scent after drying.

Wormwood: An accumulative poison! A Druid sacred herb which was very magickal as well as sacred to Moon deities. Burn on Samhain to aid evocation, divination, scrying and prophecy. Combine with Mugwort for added effect.

Yew: The berries are poinsionous! A Druid sacred tree. Sacred to the Winter Solstice and deities of death and rebirth. The Irish used it to make dagger handles and bows.

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