The Herbal Healing Perspective

I was introduced to this herb some time ago. When I asked what it was for … the shop owner just grinned and said “whatever you want it to do it will – it will give all your concoctions some ‘oomph’.”

Boy was that an understatement!

To write a description of that which is so well known to be growing almost in every garden, I suppose is altogether needless.

In times long ago, when man found an excellent herb, they dedicated it to their gods ….. The bay-tree to Apollo, the Oak to Jupiter or the Vine to Bacchus. The physicians must imitate apes - though they cannot come off half so cleverly - for they blasphemously call Pansies, an herb of the Trinity, because of it’s three colors; and a certain ointment, an ointment of the Apostles, because it consists of twelve ingredients. Alas I am remorseful for their folly, and as the Heathen I am, grieve at their irreverence. Goddess send them wisdom! We Heathens can be dreadful, and worse; the piteous idolaters of the church give names to herbs for their virtues sake, therefore some called this an herb of the Holy Ghost; others, called it Angelica, because of its angelical virtues, and that name it retains still.

Angelica is an herb of the Sun, let it be gathered then. It resists poison, by defending and comforting the heart, blood, and spirits; it was used against the plague and all epidemical diseases. The stalks or roots can be candied and eaten. Water distilled from the root, steeped in wine, and distilled in a glass, is much more effectual than the water of the leaves; and this concoction, was said to ‘eases all pains and torments coming of cold and wind, so that the body be not bound’. It relieves the pains of colic; the stranguary of urine; ‘procures women’s' courses’; expels the afterbirth and briefly ‘eases all windiness and inward swellings’ – what a nice way to say you have gas!

Known in Europe since the 17th century, Angelica is the fleshy root of the wild celery plant. It stimulates production of digestive juices, improves the flow of bile into the digestive tract, and combats digestive spasms. Don't confuse the European variety of this root with Chinese Angelica, or Dong Quai. The Chinese version is used as a remedy for menstrual problems and the symptoms of menopause, tonic for anemia and a treatment for heart disease and high blood pressure. European Angelica, on the other hand, was originally thought to be a cure for plague. Later, it was recommended for the common cold. Today, only its digestive uses are considered valid.

Homemade Drambuie

1 (750 ml)     bottle Johnny Walker black scotch
1 1/2           cups mild honey
2           teaspoons chopped dried angelica root
1/4           teaspoon fennel seeds
1           slice lemons, zest of, 4 inches

Combine all ingredients in a tightly covered container. Shake several times for the first 24 hours.

After 24 hours, remove lemon zest. Cover and let stand for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place shaking gently every other day. Strain through a sieve to remove the angelica and fennel seeds. Cover and let stand in a cool dark place for several months (preferably 6 months).

Pour clear liquid into carafe for drinking enjoyment. Cloudy dregs may be saved for cooking.

Magikal Abilities

RULER: Venus
Element: Fire / Sun
TYPE:
MAGICKAL FORM: Also known as Masterwort. Some folks tell us that they place the root in a white flannel bag, anoint it with Blessing Oil and keep it near the Baby for protection. Others use it in a ritual magic spell called Fiery Wall of Protection. It is also widely claimed that dressing a whole Angelica Root and a pinch of Lavender Flowers and carrying it in a blue flannel bag will bring Peace to the Home and Faithfulness to the Marriage.

There are actually seven Archangels in the Jewish belief, four of whose names are mentioned in scripture. Two of them are symbolically connected to this root. Archangel Michael, the eldest, is used with Angelica Root as a defender of women. Archangel Gabriel is concerned with the announcements of pregnancy, is allied with this root in its role as an herbal tonic for women's reproductive health.


Protection

7 Purple taper candles
1 Black taper candle
1 White cross candle
Equal parts of: [for Fiery Wall of Protection Oil]
Dragons Blood
Frankincense
Myrrh
Kosher Salt
Equal parts of: [for Fiery Command Incense]
Dragons Blood
Frankincense
Myrrh
1 Saint Michael [or Gabriel] Archangel Holy Card
1 packet Graveyard Dirt
1 Whole Angelica Root

In addition to the items here, you'll need a clean white handkerchief, a small square of tin foil, and a photo of the person you wish to be protected from; if no photo is available, write his or her full name 7 times on a small piece of clean paper; if his or her name is unknown to you, write "The Malicious One" 7 times on the paper.

Now you are ready to begin. Make the Fiery Command incense. Place on charcoal on an incense burner. Place the Graveyard Dirt in a glass saucer.

Next, prepare the White Cross Candle for the one to be protected. With a nail, carve the words “Saint [Name] Archangel Defend Me" . Dress the candle with Fiery Wall of Protection oil. Dress the Angelica Root with the same oil and place it at the base of the white cross candle.

Now prepare the 7 Purple candles carving upon them the names of 7 protectors. These may be 7 Saints, 7 people such as family members or co-workers, or 7 officials such as the Police, Fire Department, Child Protective Services, etc. -- or a combination of names from any of these three groups of entities. Dress the 7 Purple candles with Fiery Wall of Protection oil. Place them in a circle around the cross candle. Place the Saint card among the purple candles.

Finally, prepare the Black candle. With a nail, carve the name (or "The Malicious One") on it on one side and the words "Keep Away" on the other side. Do not dress this candle. Place it off to one side, outside the circle of purple candles, on top of his photo or name-paper. Place the saucer of Graveyard Dirt next to this Candle.

Light all the Candles in this order: The Purple first, then the White within the circle, then the Black far outside the circle. Light the incense. While it burns, say out loud your petition. Ask for the intercession of the chosen Saint.

Let the Candles and incense burn until the black Candle is half-burned. Then pick that Candle up and hold it in your hand. Take the perpetrator's photo or name-paper and lay it on the saucer of Graveyard Dirt . Set the photo / name-paper on fire with the black Candle and say,

"Let your malicious nature be your own destruction!"

When the paper has burned, turn the black candle upside down and extinguish it in the Graveyard Dirt and say again,

"Let your malicious effort be your demise!"

Allow the rest of the Candles to burn until they go out. Gather up the Angelica Root and the Saint card and wrap them tightly in the tin foil, making a small packet. Tie the packet up in the white handkerchief with four knots. Dress it lightly with Fiery Wall of Protection Oil. To protect yourself, carry the packet on you; to protect your home, place it by your front door, to protect someone else, give it to them to carry.

CLEANING UP:
Take the left-over materials (melted wax, nail, and so forth) and the saucer of Graveyard Dirt containing the perpetrator's ashes and their extinguished Candle and carry them to a graveyard and throw them against a grave stone, being sure to break the saucer as you throw this mess. Don't say a word; just turn and walk away home and don't look back.
When you get home and everything is all put away and cleaned up, wash down your area with Florida water, you may also take a bath.

author: Tammye Dunn