History, Lore and Magic of Rosemary
The information that follows is excerpted from a longer post: The Ultimate Guide to Rosemary. For additional information about Rosemary such as its cultivation, or its medicinal and culinary uses, please click HERE to access the complete original post. Other individual sections are listed below:
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| Rosemary in Bloom |
Rosemary is an extremely versatile plant. It improves flavor, and is said to improve your memory, too! Read on for all the interesting claims people have made throughout history about this well-known and often-used herb!
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| Lyre--This is the type of instrument most likely made from rosemary wood. |
The wood of the rosemary bush was used in historical times to make musical instruments. Twine or braid rosemary sprigs into your hair to improve your memory. Ancient Greek students wore rosemary garlands around their heads while studying for exams. Brides wore wreaths made from the branches to promote the success of their marriage, and because it is a traditional symbol of remembrance, friendship and love. Ancient Egyptians used the herb in embalming the dead. You can scatter rosemary stems on a barbecue to discourage insects as it is a natural mosquito repellent. It is also said that if rosemary grows lush in a family's garden, it means a woman runs the household. Maybe that's why I have so much success growing rosemary--because we are all girls here (even our pets are female)!
The people of the Victorian Era developed an entire language of flowers and plants in which they assigned various meanings and characteristics to those plants. These meanings were based on lore and tradition. Through this language, they were able to develop a type of system where bouquets made up of many different flowers conveyed a message from the sender to the receiver. The floral meanings were common knowledge, and so were easily understood by all parties. Rosemary was a symbol of remembrance, fidelity and loyalty. Due to these meanings, it was carried in bridal bouquets to promote the success of the marriage. It was also carried in funerals and used in funeral bouquets for the same reasons. Rosemary was given to a new love to say, "your presence revives me."
In Wicca and Witchcraft, rosemary is used in love and lust spells and to promote restful sleep. Magical workings for rosemary make use of its purifying properties, particularly for eliminating negative vibrations from a physical space or one's own person. Burning rosemary before spell work is highly recommended to rid the home of negativity, as is using an infusion of rosemary in a ritual bath prior to any magical work. Practitioners of magic may also simply wash their hands in a sacred water before magic or use rosemary water to purify and bless their ritual tools. They may also combine the rosemary with juniper to create a smudge for healing and clearing out any residual energies of disease in a room where someone has been ill.
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| Rosemary Circle |
Rosemary can be hung in a doorway or on the porch posts of a business or home to keep thieves away. If you carry a sprig of rosemary with you, you will remain healthy. Wearing a chaplet of rosemary will aid memory. The leaves can be powdered, wrapped in a linen cloth, and then bound to the right arm to dispel depression and make emotions light and merry. To receive knowledge, or have a question answered, burn rosemary on charcoal and smell the smoke.
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| Halloween! Rosemary |
Rosemary is said to attract elves and other good spirits, and it is a common belief that young fairies take the form of snakes and live amongst its branches. Tapping your lover with a sprig of rosemary is said to ensure the constancy and fidelity of that lover.
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| Rosemary Branch Covered with a Snowy Spider Web (Looks magical to me!) |
Other magical uses for rosemary include protection, retaining youth, combating jealousy, and strengthening mental clarity and focus. The wood should be smelled often to promote youthful vitality. Magic practitioners recommend stuffing rosemary into poppets or sachets to draw new suitors or placing a fresh sprig of rosemary by your pillow to promote a solid night's sleep, which is a key component to retaining one's youthful vitality. This is also said to drive away nightmares, demons, and evil spirits. Laid under the bed, it protects the sleeper from all harm.
Additionally, you can make a Rosemary Wreath for yourself from freshly cut rosemary by clicking HERE.
These are just some of the traditional and magical uses for rosemary through history. Please leave any questions or comments you may have in the area below! They are always welcome!
Peace and Love Always,
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| Rosemary with Bright Blue Flowers |
Sources:
Bremness, Leslie. RD Home Handbook: Herbs. Pleasantville: Reader's Digest Association, 1990. Print.
Brown, Deni. The Herb Society of America Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 1995. Print.
Clevely, Andi, and Katherine Richmond. The Complete Book of Herbs. New York: Smithmark, 1994. Print.
Cunnningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1992. Print.
Ehrlich, Steven D. "Rosemary." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland Medical Center, 6 July 2014. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
Gips, Kathleen. Flora's Dictionary: The Victorian Language of Herbs and Flowers . Chagrin Falls: TM Publications, 1995. Print.
Grieve, M. "Rosemary." Botanical.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, eds. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs . Emmaus: Rodale, 1987. Print.
Kruger, Anna. An Illustrated Guide to Herbs. Stamford: Longmeadow, 1993. Print.
Nordqvist, Joseph. "Rosemary: Health Benefits, Precautions, Drug Interactions." Http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/. Medical News Today, 15 Sept. 2015. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
"Rosemary." Web MD. Ed. Therapeutic Research Faculty. Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2009. Web. 2 Oct. 2016.
Shaudys, Phyllis. The Pleasure of Herbs. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1986. Print.
Shaudys, Phyllis V. Herbal Treasures. Pownal: Storey Communications, 1990. Print.
Photo Credits:
History, Lore, and Magic of Rosemary Header Image: Photo Credit: a bunch of rosemary on a black wooden background with a free space top view by maria_savenko
Rosemary in Bloom: Photo Credit: Hans via pixabay.com
Lyre: Photo Credit: by James Steidl
Rosemary in a Square Pot (on Graphic):
Photo credit: Nefi via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-SA
Rosemary Circle:
Photo Credit: Rosemary medicinal and aromatic plant on wooden background (Rosmarinus officinalis) by Alexander Ruiz
Halloween Rosemary:
Photo credit: Hella Delicious via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-SA
Rosemary Covered with Snowy Spiderweb:
Photo credit: Mark A. Bryant via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND
Rosemary with Bright Blue Flowers: Photo Credit: JosepMonter via pixabay.com
History, Lore, and Magic of Rosemary Header Image: Photo Credit: a bunch of rosemary on a black wooden background with a free space top view by maria_savenko
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