Learn the magical attributes of rosemary and how to use this popular herb in charms, spells, and rituals.
There's rosemary, that's for remembrance; pray, love, remember: and there is pansies, that's for thoughts. (Hamlet, 4. 5)
Rosemary, a hardy evergreen shrug, has been used in folk magic for centuries. Ancient Romans would burn it during their sacrifices. It was planted on graves to bring immortality to the dead. It was also worn as a bridal wreath to represent fidelity.
Love
Rosemary’s name comes from the Latin rosmarinus. It means “dew of the sea,” making this fragrant herb the domain of the love goddess Venus.
Rosemary is used to attract love in modern Witchcraft. It can be ground up and put in sachets that are placed under the bedroom pillow to attract dreams of a future lover. Rosemary sachets can also be placed in your undergarments drawer to attract a sexual partner. To bring love to your doorstep, tie three sprigs of rosemary together with red thread and place the sprigs under your doormat. To bring or keep love in the bedroom, place the bound sprigs between the mattress and boxspring.
Protection
Rosemary has long been used in folk magic as protection against illness and evil spirits or negative energy. For a ritual cleansing in the spring, open all the windows to your home and burn dried rosemary, smudging, to rid your home of any nasties lurking about.
Rosemary also makes a good strewing herb. To maintain protection and health, you can place sprigs of rosemary under the rugs and under sofa cushions. Rosemary can also be ground finely with a mortar and pestle. Use the rosemary powder to cleanse and protect rooms by putting a pinch of the powder in each corner of every room.
Memory
Even in Shakespeare’s time rosemary was believed to improve ones memory. Many people drink rosemary tea for this very reason. Students may also want to keep a pouch of this herb on them when they are studying and test taking.
Fertility
For those seeking to increase their fertility, make a penny offering beside a rosemary shrub. You can also tie five sprigs of rosemary together with white thread and place them under the mattress.
Versatility
The ways you can use rosemary in magic are virtually endless. A dried stick from the shrub can be used as a mini wand for love, fertility, memory, and protective magic. You can use the fresh herb to make an herbal wreath or use a few leaves to flavor your favorite tea. Dried rosemary can be used alone in sachets and pouches or it can be mixed with other herbs to further empower your intentions. If you are seeking new ways to use rosemary for magical purposes, search through herbal craft books at you local library. Your imagination is the limit.
