MISSIVES FROM THE APOTHECARY:
Happy New Year!
January 6th, 2025
by Kamden Cornell, our head herbalist and owner of Heart & Vine Apothecary
When it comes to new year planning, everyone wishes they could have a bit of luck on their side just to make sure the year transitions smoothly. LUCKily for us, there are herbs that have been used in luck charms for a very long time that you can use to your benefit, too!
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
It is the seed of this plant that is used in remedy making, cooking, and magic. Each one looks like a little hand, which leads to its use for warding and protective magic, attainment, and also luck. Think of them as helping you to catch all the luck, wealth, and prosperity that is coming your way in the new year.
Basil (Basilicum occidentalis)
I’ve been writing a lot about basil recently, mainly because it's an herb that is very, very useful. The lore states that “evil cannot stand where basil is”, so basil is considered an herb for good luck in that it helps to avert negativity and malicious intent. Add basil to any good luck charm to help safeguard it against the harmful intentions of others.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomila)
The flowers of this delightful herb look like little nuggets of gold, and they are used in charm work to bring in wealth and money. There is a type of magic called sympathetic that utilizes the similarities between things to create a sorcerous link, and because chamomile looks like gold, it can be used to attract “gold” (i.e. money). The same goes for calendula (Calendula officinalis), because the large, open flowers look like gold coins. Because of that difference, consider using chamomile for investments and long-term money planning and using calendula for quick influxes of cash.
Corn (Avena spp.)
Because corn has been an essential food crop and a part of commerce for so long, it is used to nourish the luck you’ve got already and bring in more. Cornmeal is used as an offering to spirits, to draw out magical symbols, and as an addition to powders and other preparations to appease spirits while asking them to work for you.
Take these four herbs (four being a lucky number that also resonates with stability and planting yourself firmly in success) and on a Thursday (the day of prosperity, wealth, business, and expansion, as it is ruled by Jupiter) make a powder, either in a mortar or with a blender. Tidy up your house and sweep it from top to bottom, back to front, and make sure to sweep all the old, built-up energy through the front door. Take your powder and strew it throughout your home, front to back, bottom to top, and fill your home with the blessings of these herbs. You may also take an earthenware bowl, fill it with crossroads dirt and a few magnets, then sprinkle the herbal powder over them before putting them on a high shelf in your home to draw in as much wealth and prosperity as possible over the new year!
Happy crafting, everyone!