Rosemary (Rosmarius Officinalis) is another common herb you may find in your garden, or at least in your spice cupboard. Its Latin name means “sea-dew”and may refer to the plant’s appearance and preference to grow close to the sea.
Rosemary tends to be easier to cultivate from cuttings than from seeds. It needs a well-drained soil and a sunny spot in the garden. Don’t cut it back in autumn as it may not recover during frosts. It’s unlikely to suffer pests and can be harvested all year round (McVicar, 2010).
There are a few Christian legends associated with the plant. In one of the stories the plant gains its fragrance when Virgin Mary spreads baby Jesus’ clothes on its bush to dry. In another story Mary was resting during her journey to Egypt and hung her robes on a rosemary bush. When she removed them, the previously white flowers have turned blue (Linford, 2010). In a different version of the story Mary was hiding from soldiers, kneeling behind a rosemary bush with her cloak spread over it (McVicar, 2006).
Rosemary is linked to memory and remembrance, as mentioned in Shakespeare’s “Ophelia”. It is also seen as protective against evil in many cultures, and symbolic of friendship and love (Linford, 2010). Couples would carry rosemary as a sign of fidelity in Elizabethan times. Throughout history it was often used to freshen and cleanse air during sickness (McVicar, 2006), which links to its protective and cleansing qualities.
Rosemary essential oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, and can be rubbed onto joints to help poor circulation. It can be applied externally to the forehead to aid headaches, or a few drops can be added to a bath to soothe muscles and help lift mood, however it should not be used internally. Rosemary tea, on the other hand, can be drunk in small doses to aid digestion or used as mouthwash. Care should be taken, as extremely large doses of rosemary can be dangerous and have the potential to cause abortions and convulsions (McVicar, 2006; Plucknett,1996).
Traditionally, we can see that rosemary was used for love and fidelity, thus we can incorporate it in those spells if needed, or hand-fasting rituals. There are also potent purifying and protective properties which can be used in smoke cleansing, protective charms and wards. This can include incorporating sprigs of the herb or anointing objects with its essential oil. Lastly it can be used to aid memory when studying, in spells linked to memory or learning, and by extension to aid dream recall.
References:
McVicar, J. (2006). Jekka’s Complete Herb Book. Leicester: Silverdale Books.
Linford, J. (2010). A Concise Guide to Herbs. Bath: Parragon Book Ltd.
Plucknett. J. (1996). Traditional Herbal Remedies. Bristol: Parragon Book Service Ltd.
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