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Herbs for Lunar, Baby Blessing, Handfasting and more
RITUALS
of HOUSE BLESSING
When one moves into a new home the first thing one should do is cleanse and
bless the space BEFORE moving in. �Do this after signing the lease or
the mortgage but before you actually move your own things into the new dwelling.
�The purpose to cleanse the space of any and all energies pertaining
to past owners and visitors so that only your energies and those of your
family or those living with you will inhabit the dwelling. �Also to
bring spirituality into the home by blessing it and consecrating the space
to yourself and those who will live there along with the God and Goddess.
Herbs which are included in this type of rituals are but not limited to:
BASIL--add this to the water for scrubbing and cleansing the floors and walls.
�AFTER moving in �if possible a basil plant should be planted near
the home (or inside in a pot) to bring protection and good fortune to everyone
who lives inside.
BAY LAUREL--is usually hung some place in the new home, it may hung separately
or with other herbs in the corners and over the doorways, in this manner
it will bring protection from thunderstorms and attract love into the home.
BITTERSWEET--is hung in the home either alone or with other herbs. In this
manner it protects the family and friends from negative energies. �For
it to be especially powerful it should be hung in secret.
CAMPHOR--is added to the water for cleansing purposes. �It should also
be burnt atop a piece of charcoal in as many rooms as it takes to fully envelope
the dwelling in the smoke, this will cleanse and exorcise the dwelling of
the strongest negative energies which have been left by previous owners or
visitors.
CARAWAY--is used when first cleansing your new Sacred Space or Ritual Area.
ROWAN--a small tree should be planted on the property and allowed to grow
with the family. Small talismans and amulets of protection may be made from
its wood for those who will live inside the home.
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RITUALS OF PURIFICATION
Here they include rituals which purify, mainly, the self and the spirit.
They are done to rid the self of doubts, fears, troubles, negative energies
which are very strong, self-doubts and the like. �They can also be done
as a type of exorcism. �In this area a ritual is performed to prepare
the person about to be purified for the before initiation, Handfasting or
some other manner. �
Herbs for this purpose include but are not limited to:
ANGELICA--is used in the bath before the actual rite of purification. �It
may also be added to the ritual cup and incense.
ASAFOETIDA--is used to cense the Circle. �
BASIL--one of the best for this purpose. �Use in it the bath, the ritual
cup and the incense.
ELECAMPAGNE--may be used in the incense or the cup.
FRANKINCENSE--also one of the best choices for the incense.
HYSSOP--should be used in the bath. �You may also add some to wash water
for your clothes.
VALERIAN--is a wonderful cleansing herb and may taken in the ritual cup.
�Use in moderation as it does have very sleepy side effects! �You
may also use it to cleanse the area before the ritual.
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WICCANING/BABY BLESSING
This is one of the happiest occasion among Pagan Folke! �We welcome
a new member into our lives and into our Circles. �The primary purpose
of this ritual is not to induct the new baby into the Coven or the path but
to welcome the new life into the world and to name the child.
Herbs appropriate for this include but are not limited to:
CEDAR--makes an excellent incense for this purpose. �It's warming and
joyful.
DAISIES--are used to decorate the crib as it will attract the Faeries and
their blessings to the new baby.
FLAX--if possible the baby should be allowed to sleep or lay in a field of
flax. �In this manner it will bring beauty to the child for all the
days of his/her life. �
IRIS--a patch should be planted this day in honor of the child to bring him/her
growing happiness.
MILKWEED--the juice may be used to anoint the child bringing the child
inspiration, imagination and creativity.
MULBERRY--a leaf should be placed near the crib to bring protection.
ROSEMARY--is added to the incense so that all in attendance will remember
this day.
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HANDFASTING
Another joyous occasion in the pagan traditions. �On this day two people
come forth and ask that they be joined together before their Coven and all
the Gods. �In today's world this ceremony may or may not be legally
binding. �If you're wishing for it to be a pact between the two of you
and the Gods without legal ramifications then any HP or HPS may perform the
ceremony or you can >simply do it alone, just the two of you. �If
you're wishing for it be legally binding you will need to find someone, Justice
of the Peace, local reverend or an HP or HPS who is legally ordained to perform
the ceremony.
Herbs for this purpose include but are not limited to:
ANISE SEED--is baked into the cake. �In this manner it is said to act
as an aphrodisiac but it may also invoke Apollo in thia manner as well.
BROOM--should be gathered live and tied with r ribbons into bunches. �It
is used to decorate the entire space and is also made into a broom which
the couple jumps over at the end of the ceremony. �In this manner it
cleanses the space and when jumping over it brings joy and survival to the
new union.
CORIANDER--add some to the ritual cup. �In this manner it brings love
and peace to the union
and those in attendance.
LAVENDER--is also taken in the ritual cup and is woven into wreaths along
with rosemary for the bride and groom.
MARJORAM--is a good herb to use in the incense. �It is sacred to Venus
and will bring romantic fulfillment to the union.
MEADOWSWEET--should be included in the bride's bouquet. �It is sacred
to the Goddess Blodeuwedd and will bring happiness to the bride and the
marriage.
MISTLETOE--two berries should be added to the ritual cup.
QUINCE--should be included as part of the feast. �Also sacred to Venus
it is a token of everlasting love.
ROSES--primarily RED but any and all colors are fine to decorate the entire
space with at this time.
ROSEMARY--along with being added to the wreaths, small sprigs tied with bright
ribbon should be given to the guests as favors so that they will remember
the occasion fondly.
SKULLCAP--a small amount should be placed in the ritual cup. �In this
manner it binds the couple together.
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RITUALS OF THE DEAD
Without doubt losing someone close to you is one of the hardest times in
anyones life. �The rituals performed by the Pagan peoples have two primary
purposes, one is to pay homage to the deceased person and see them safely
off on their journey to the Summerland where they will await rebirth. �The
other is help those of left behind deal with fact that our loved one has
left us.
Herbs for these rituals include but are not limited to:
ACONITE--if possible is administered in the ritual cup to the dying person,
preferably at the moment death is occurring. �DO NOT administer this
to anyone, dying or not, if you don't know what you're doing! This is a HIGHLY
POISONOUS herb. �Some of this herb should also be planted on the burial
ground and may be used as incense during the ritual.
ANEMONE--flowers may be tossed into the cauldron or fire during the ceremony.
�It brings the wish for reincarnation.
ASPHODEL--is traditionally planted upon the grave and is used to wash the
body of the decease.
BASIL--should be burned as incense during the ritual as it will bring courage
and strength to those left behind.
BLUEBELLS--maybe planted upon the grave to bring peace and blessings to the
deceased.
ELDER--if the body is to be cremated and your laws permit it, Elder is the
best wood to use in the funeral pyre. �If this is not possible place
a piece of Elder with the deceased person before burying or cremating.
LOTUS--should be used liberally in the incense. �It aids in the releasing
process.
PENNYROYAL--long considered an herb of Immortality, the body should be washed
with this as well as Asphodel.
PERIWINKLE--should be woven into a wreath and placed upon the coffin,
particularly the coffins of children. �It banished negativity from the
site and aids in the reincarnation process.
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LUNAR
RITUALS
These are, of course, the "normal" rituals done twice a month at the Full
Moon and the New Moon. �The herbs listed here are appropria te for both
occasions.
CHAMOMILE--is used in the cup by the Priest to invoke the God.
CHASTE TREE--is used by the Priestess in the cup to invoke the Goddess.
CORNFLOWER--may also be used to invoke the Goddess and may be taken by all
who are reaching out to the Moon.
CUCUMBER--lay pieces of the peel on the eyelids as you meditate during the
Circle.
GARLIC--is appropriate for waning and New Moon rituals.
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