From the Herb Basket – 23

The Hanging Gardens, in what is now Iraq have been called one of the seven wonders of the world. Legend has it that the gardens were built by King Nebuchadnezzar for his favorite wife who was homesick for her native trees and mountains. The Hanging Gardens were actually terraced roof gardens, built over massive stone foundations. What herbs grew in those gardens? Thyme, coriander, saffron, anise, poppy, mandrake, rosemary, hemp, garlic, hyssop as well as roses. Deep wells supplied water to the gardens.

The Ebers Papyrus was discovered by the German Egyptologist George Ebers in 1874. This papyrus scroll is about 65 feet long and contains extensive information about surgery and internal medicine. The listings include some 800 medicinal drugs, including the herbs anise, caraway, cassia, coriander, fennel, cardamom, onions, garlic, thyme, mustard, sesame, fenugreek, saffron and poppy seed. The Egyptians used these aromatic plant materials in medicine, cosmetic ointments, perfumes, aromatic oils, fumigation, and most notably in their embalming practices.

Benedictine Monastery Garden

The Benedictine Monastery Medicinal Garden was walled in on three sides and adjoined the great physician’s house. It had two thousand square feet of raised beds, each bed containing a single plant. Each single plant served one purpose: treating one ailment. Lovingly cared for and tended, each herb produced an abundance of leaves, flowers and stem. The herbs were used either fresh or dried in the treatment of illness. Some herbs which grew in the garden were roses, catnip, costmary, fenugreek, rosemary, mint, sage, rue, lemon balm, pennyroyal, garlic, cumin, lovage, fennel, parsley and chervil.

Hearth and Home ~ Acorns

Long ago, witches hung an acorn in every room to protect the home from negative energies. Female witches carried an acorn in their sachet/charm bag to maintain a youthful appearance. Male witches carried an acorn in their pocket to maintain confidence in themselves. Place 3 fully ripe acorns in a silver, pewter, copper or marble bowl and add them to your working altar. For a deeper magical connection with nature and natural elements, the acorns should be placed between 2 candlesticks. The candles in the holders should be a deep green.

Hearth and Home ~ Marigolds

Marigolds – Also known as Mary Bud, Mary Gold, Bride of the Sun. Gender is hot, Planet is the Sun, and the Element is Fire.

Parts used – Flowers – Basic Powers – Love and Clairvoyance

Specific Uses – Place the flowers beneath the head at night to induce clairvoyant dreams. Marigold is often used in love sachets. Gather the flowers at noon and use fresh. Or gather the flowers at noon during the full moon cycle and dry them in a warm, airy room for 30 days if you wish to use them as dried flowers. Add a few dried marigolds to your altar for a stronger connection to the goddesses Minerva and Pomona.

Good to Know: Botanomancy is the art of divining the future through the use of certain herbs.

Blessed be, sweet ones.

~ Meadow Walker