Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) belongs to the Artemesia genus of plants (the Artemisia genus being named after the Greek goddess Artemis (Diana in Roman mythology).
Mugwort is native to temperate parts of Europe, Asia, North Africa, Alaska and can now be found in North America.
There are several stories about how Mugwort received its name. One common story is that Mugwort was named after its use as a flavouring for alcohol (mug referring to the drinking vessel), specifically beer, prior to the introduction of Hops. Another theory is that it was named after it’s usage in the days of Dioscorides (Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40 AD – 90 AD)- a Greek physician, pharmacologist and botanist who wrote De materia medica) to deter moths. This theory suggests that “mug” comes from the word moughte meaning moth or maggot).
Magickal Properties Of Mugwort
Mugwort has long been considered a staple in any witch’s herb cabinet and is often used with other staples such as Wormwood and Sandalwood. It has a long history of use around the world, particularly in parts of Europe, Asia and North America where it grows naturally. Some of the cultural uses of Mugwort include hanging it above doorways
to dissuade evil from entering, or to exorcise spirits from a building. In some Native American practices, it is burnt to in funeral rituals where it is said to calm the restless dead. It is also said to be worn by those mourning the deceased whilst sleeping to keep unwanted spirits away.
According to Anglo-Saxon lore, Mugwort is also said to be one of the nine sacred healing herbs of the famous 9 Herbs Prayer- a recipe that is touted to have many magical properties. It is especially useful in divination work, spirit work and enhancing one’s magic.
Considered a feminine herb, Mugwort is connected to the moon and is considered to be sacred to lunar goddesses. In order to balance out its energies, it is often used in conjunction with Wormwood which is considered to be a masculine herb.
When burned as an incense, Mugwort is often used in conjunction with Wormwood and Sandalwood.
Comon Names: Artemis Herb, Artemisia, Chrysanthemum weed, Common Wormwood, Cronewort, Felon Herb, Muggons, Mugwort, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Riverside Wormwood, Sailor’s Tobacco, St. John’s Plant (not St John’s Wort which is a completely different plant), Wild Wormwood, Yldost Wyrta (Old English meaning “oldest worth”).
Parts Used:
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Deities: Artemis, Diana
Zodiac Signs: Pisces
Element: Earth
Daily Correspondences: Friday
Powers: Amplification Of Other Magic, Astral Travel, Clairvoyance, Divination, Healing, Intuition, Prophetic dreaming, Protection From Evil, Psychic Ability, Psychic communication, Spirituality Strength
How To Use Mugwort For Magick
- Mugwort can be used as an incense to induce a trance state and aid in divination.
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A tea made with Mugwort and sweetened with honey can be drunk to aid in
divination practices such as scrying.
- Mugwort can be used as an offering to spirit when performing rituals.
- Burn as an incense with Sandalwood and Wormwood to increase psychic communication during scrying rituals and divination.
- Add Mugwort to your anointing oils and apply to your magickal tools, especially those used for divination such as scrying mirrors and crystal balls.
- If you prefer not to use oil on your tools, a Mugwort infusion/ tea can be made and used to anoint your sacred tools. It can be used to wash scrying mirrors, crystals, pendulums etc. This is especially helpful is working with the energy of the moon as Mugworts lunar associations are said to increase the effectiveness of the tools in this instance.
- Wash crystal balls and scrying mirrors with Mugwort to promote deeper insight and clarity of communication.
- Infuse Mugwort in water and use to consecrate and bless sacred spaces.
- Bathe in warm water infused with Mugwort prior to performing meditation or divination to increase intuitive abilities and connect more deeply with spirit.
- A mugwort infusion can also be sprinkled on the table where divination is being performed.
- Use Mugwort as a libation to deities.
- Mugwort can be used to connect to the dark moon and crone goddesses.
- Mugwort tea can be drunk to aid in dream recall. If you do not wish to drink the tea, mugwort essential oil can be used in a diffuser for the same effect (Do not consume the oil- it is toxic!)
- Add dried Mugwort to dream pillows when you wish to have prophetic dreams.
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Mugwort can be turned into a smudge stick and used to rid people of ghosts
or to cleanse an area.
- Hang Mugwort from windows/ doorways to repel evil.
- Placing Mugwort next to the bed is said to aid astral projection.
- Hang Mugwort above your doorway to deter the Evil Eye.
- Burn Mugwort as an incense when performing banishing and protection spells.
- Stuff a dream pillow with Mugwort and hang it above your bed to prevent nightmares and promote lucid dreaming.
**Mugwort, despite its many benefits is both a nasty tasting tea (yes I do drink it occasionally) and very potent! Do not consume if you are pregnant or looking to conceive as it is known as an abortifacient (causing abortions).
**If you have any allergies to ragweed be careful with this plant as it has been known to cause issues in persons sensitive to ragweed.
The Magickal benefits of this herb are not set in stone. These magickal benefits are from a Eurocentric viewpoint, as is my personal background/ research and what I am familiar with.
Do your own research before working with each ingredient always and consult sources from your own ancestral background. What is right for me in my situation, may be completely wrong for you.
Let us know what you think about this fantastic plant. Do you grow it? If so, what has been your experience with it? Do you use it for mundane purposes, magickal purposes, or both? We'd love to hear your experiences.
Please note: The author of this blog is not a medical professional & the information presented in this blog is solely for entertainment and informational purposes. No information contained within this bog is intended to serve as professional advice of any description. Please consult a healthcare professional if you are seeking treatment for any medical condition. If you choose to perform any type of self-treatment or follow advice off the internet you do so at your own risk.
If you are looking for products or books containing Mugwort, check out the ones we sell here.
References:
Kane, A. (2021). Herbal Magic (p.133). Wellfleet Press.
Mastros, S. L. (2021). The Big Book Of Magical Incense (pp. 47-49). Weiser Books.
Grieve, M., Mrs. (1978). A Modern Herbal (pp. 556-558). Penguin Books.
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 17). Artemisia vulgaris. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:06, July 25, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Artemisia_vulgaris&oldid=1229472996
Wikipedia contributors. (2024, April 25). Pedanius Dioscorides. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 02:19, July 25, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pedanius_Dioscorides&oldid=1220648757