
 
Also known as Knight’s Milfoil, Herbe Militaris, Staunchweed, Bloodwort, Soldier’s Woundwort, Nosebleed, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Bad Man's Plaything, Old Man's Pepper, Thousand Weed, Carpenter's Weed, Sanguinary, Yarroway
Besides having a ton of medicinal uses, yarrow has a long magical history filled with legends, stories and charms.
Pollen has been identified in Neanderthal burial caves from 60,000 years ago!
The ancient Chinese said that the stalk of the yarrow had a special spiritual nature and was, suitable for divination. Yarrow stalks are dried, cut and used as a tool for casting the I Ching
Druids used Yarrow to predict seasonal weather. Saxons put in amulets to protect from blindness, robbers, dogs and just about anything else.
As a magic herb, it was used by witches in making incantations, divination and spells. Yarrow is said to aid incantations by carrying the spoken words, delivering them into the air. In A Modern Herbal, published in 1931, it states that yarrow "...was one of the herbs dedicated to the Evil One..." hence the names Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, and Bad Man's Plaything.
In the language of flowers: Yarrow means "cure for heartache" so it's no surprise that it is used in many love spells and magic.
It was brought by bridesmaids to weddings to ensure seven years of love.
By putting a yarrow leaf up your nostril, twitching it and saying "Yarroway, yarroway, bear a white blow; if my love love me, ny nose will bleed now." to determine if a love was true.
To dream of the identity of a future spouse, yarrow was also sewn up in flannel and placed under the pillow and the following recited:
"Thou pretty herb of Venus' tree,
Thy true name it is Yarrow,
Now who my bosom friend my be,
Pray tell thou me to-morrow."
To dream of cabbage instead of a potential sprouse was an omen of death or misfortune!
In divination, yarrow tea is believed to help increase psychic powers. When flowers or leaves are burned, rising smoke indicates a good omen, falling smoke a sign of bad things to come.
Yarrow is also useful in spells of purification, protection and is carried to calm fears.
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