Rosemary

When I arrived at the made-over carriage house I’d purchased in Savannah, the first thing I saw was my Aunt Lucy patting the soil around a rosemary topiary next to my front porch. The topiary was in the shape of a star, but I didn’t know then what that meant.

OR why she planted the rosemary there. She suggested that it was … “traditional”. I thought it was a Southern thing.

“But there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.” –Sally Owens in Practical Magic

It turns out that rosemary has all sorts of wonderful magical – and everyday – qualities. It symbolizes remembrance, and the scent improves memory, improves mental powers and clarifies thinking. As a culinary herb it aids in digestion and calms headaches. Rosemary tea is supposed to stimulate the circulation, cleanse and purify. Or you can use the tea to rinse your hair. It stimulates the hair follicles and is supposed to be good for dandruff and preventing baldness (!). It’s antibacterial and antiseptic, so the oil is a great addition to any aromatherapy kit.

Rosemary incense removes negativity, purifies the mind, and prevents nightmares. A sprig repels harmful fairies and encourages the helpful ones to stay. The fairies call it elfleaf.

I LOVE that.

Other names for it are compass weed and polar plant. It’s associated with the sun and with the element of fire. In spell work it can substitute for frankincense (handy since rosemary is much easier to come by).

And by the door\front gate? It offers protection to those who live in the home, repels burglars or those with ill intent … and promotes the dominance of the woman of the house. Since I live alone (well, with little Mungo) that doesn’t apply so much to me, but you married ladies might want to give it a try!

~Katie