The Magic of Rosemary

Rosemary goes by the Latin name of roris, meaning dew or moisture. And besides having an aromatic, refreshing aroma, this herb, with its sharp leaves, has a rich history of folklore. Part of this community of beliefs from the past contains strong associations with magic. Stay with us as we explore the rich past of this herb and how to apply its magical properties.

Rosemary Folklore – The Magick of the Past

Folklore is one of those beautiful records from the past. First shared between generations by word of mouth, Rosemary's beliefs and magical uses were later penned on paper for our education. Here are just a few legends that come with Rosemary and its magic.

Culture and Rosemary

Rosemary was a common sight in the religious ceremonies of Roman priests. Egyptians used it for embalming corpses for preservation, so it was sacred in this culture and with the Greeks. The Greeks had such high regard for this herb that it frequently appears in images with the goddess Aphrodite.

Protection Against Bad Energy

It was customary to burn Rosemary in English homes after someone died in the house. The Welsh threw this herb on the coffin before closing the hole. The French used this herb to purify hospital rooms in conjunction with juniper berries. The English wore it around their necks during the plague for protection. Worldwide, various cultures place twigs of Rosemary in their rooms at night to discourage nightmares and evil entities.

Rosemary For Good Vibes

Rosemary was a significant part of wedding wreaths as it attracted good luck. Similarly, this herb was presented to wedding guests as gifts. New Year's Day is another memorable occasion where Rosemary holds center stage.

Protection of Infants and Youth

Mothers went out of their way to hang Rosemary on their baby's cradles, believing it would stop the fairies from kidnapping them. Also, the old folk thought this herb attracted fairies and positive vibes. And if you want to preserve your youth beyond its natural life, sniff Rosemary as much as possible.

Rosemary and Men 

Folklore maintains that this plant will not grow in her garden unless the woman dominates in the home. Legend also has it that if a man does not enjoy the fragrance of this herb, he is incapable of loving a woman with his whole heart. 

Witches can use Rosemary in their spells to create magic for various purposes, including the following:

• Carry dried Rosemary twigs and flowers with you – on your body or in your purse for protection against negative energies, especially jealousy.
• Wrap bundles of this herb to smudge the area and remove evil spirits and for protection when meditating.
• Plant a Rosemary bush at the entrance to your home to discourage thieves or so negative people avoid you or leave quickly
• Burn this herb in the room or place it in a poppet close to the sick person for healing.
• If you don't have frankincense, you can use Rosemary as a substitute to purify your other magical tools. You can burn the herb or use the essential oil for this purpose.
• Use Rosemary with other spices like cinnamon and fruits like an orange peel to support memory and decrease forgetfulness. Wearing this mixture is particularly valuable during exam time.
• Use during handfasting rituals because this herb is valuable for promoting loyalty and supporting fertility.
• If you want to create a lasting positive impression, bathe yourself in Rosemary. Add it to your bath water for rituals and infuse other water for ceremonial cleansing. When you use it for yourself, you become more memorable to those around you and improve your memory.
• Place Rosemary under your pillow to ward off nightmares and remember dreams or use it in your closet to protect your clothes. By natural process, the clothes protect you too.
• Suppose you are still deciding on the best partner, plant Rosemary in separate planters for each of your possibilities. Whichever plant grows the fastest is your best option.
• If a married couple plants a Rosemary bush together after their wedding, it will bring good fortune.