Welcome to "The Gods Are Bored," where we have never, ever understood why someone can buy a fifth of whiskey and get into a raging drunk -- legally -- while a peaceful little spliff gets you sent to jail. This, my friends, is injustice.
We at TGAB quickly add that we do not partake of either whiskey or spliffs, feeling one to be evil and the other to be illegal. Enough said.
However, there is a weed growing rampant in my yard that has my curiosity piqued. It's mugwort.
The Druids considered mugwort a magical herb that led to enlightenment. Now the state of Louisiana wants to make it illegal to grow mugwort. Is there something promising in this hardy perennial that has choked out everything else in my garden?
Please, if you have any anecdotal information on the ingestion of mugwort, please share. It's April 20, and I'm going outside to make a fire of a certain pesky perennial ... just on the odd chance that ...
This is New Jersey, after all, not Louisiana.
21 comments:
I recently planted it, because so many of my books that have rituals in them call for it. As someone who has no chance in hell of finding a local coven, books are my best way to get a magical education; hence the mugwort planting. I haven't noticed anything at all in it's use.
Mugwort?! Try Urtica Dioica dried, and mixed with just a touch of Mullien for rich pleasing relaxation. :)
Never heard of mugwort being inhaled, but it's good scrying smoke, and fae-touched astringent face-wash.
interesting...
I'm sure the other herbal folks here might be able to elaborate.
Illegal to grow? It's a weed fer cryin' out loud! How do you stop that from growing? That said, my lovely spouse has tried growing it in a giant planter. Couldn't get it to grow. Hmmmmm...
(and the captcha for this is "beeris")
Mugwort is conducive to interesting dreams. You can dry it and bundle it up and use it as a smudge, like sage. As Maebius suggests, my dear sister stinging nettle makes a very nice smoked mixed with mullein and, yes, mugwort.
Cut the long stalks, let 'em dry, and put them on the fire to add some visionary power to your rituals. Mugwort itself is not all that psychoactive, but it does very gently open up your other eyes.
My teacher says that the mark of a healer is mugwort growing by her door - it's how you tell where the witches live. My theory as to that is that we're the only ones who don't pull it up - everyone else clears it out. Making mugwort illegal would be like making dandelions illegal, or squirrels. It's ridiculous.
(my capcha is "aforago" -I read that as a-foraging-we-go)
Yes, (sigh) I am the above named witch who is reduced to buying an herb that is officially labeled a pernicious weed in the State of New Jersey. I make a tisane with it, which I drink before certain rituals and trance workings.
I suspect you answered your own question by noting that mugwort is a perennial which has "choked out everything else" in your garden. That's probably why Louisiana wants to ban it -- so it won't choke out native or other diverse plants. Sort of like purple loosestrife.
There are some plants (or anyways trees) that are basically weeds, and have been outlawed in some places for that reason.
I only know about this because I have two different neighbors with a tree each that are outlawed in some places, and the other members of my family complain (LOUDLY) about them, and the fact that they're legal here.
Mugwort is much in demand amongst my colleagues for its efficacy in sorting out blocked sinuses and other pesky conditions.
I was growing it, too, before my puppy decided it needed to be eaten.Now I use the dried stuff.
Love,
Terri in Joburg
Here's what I found about mugwort.
http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_mugwort.htm
http://www.altnature.com/thegarden/Mugwort.html
Kudzu is legal yet complained about loudly for the same reason - it chokes other living things out of existence. Poison ivy is legal despite the fact that it can cause horrible rashes externally as well as internally and I have a hard time imagining things more horrible than poison ivy in the lungs. I don't really understand any of it but the rationale of making illegal those things that grow naturally is idiocy that I'm incapable of comprehending.
Pot+brewing= potbeer! Maybe some experimental mugwort ale?
If you are going to use it in a tea, make sure you use just a little and plenty of honey because it is kind of bitter. I have found it produces interesting dreams.
@ Sinead-maybe it is an aquired taste-I don't sweeten it, unless there are specific, spell related reasons for doing so. Now wormwood-that is a different thing altogether!
Mugwort is indeed good for dreaming, but the following day you will feel the effects of sleeping very lightly. Still, it is worth experiencing. I made an herb/wine jelly with mugwort for use as a "dream jelly." I used a recipe from the Ball Complete Book of Preserving for herb wine jelly, substituting mugwort for whatever it was they used. It came out great. I used a dab of the jelly on a little cream cheese on a cracker before bed. The fat of the cream cheese helps alkaloids be absorbed, I have been told. It certainly worked very well.
I think you were looking for this ... http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/90186517.html
Here's what I have on Mugwort... in addition I did a rather long post on Mugwort on the blog:
http://awitchintime.wordpress.com/2008/06/22/saturday-what-herb-is-this-mugwort/
Clairvoyance, Scrying, Protection. Rub this herb on "Magic Mirrors" and "Crystal balls" to strengthen their powers. It is an herb of Protection, tossing some into a fireplace or cauldron is said to keep the home safe from lightning, some burnt in the room brings protection to the children.
Add to scrying, clairvoyance and divination incenses. Magical Associations: Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection
Use 3 tablespoons to 1\2 gallon spring (or rain) water
to cleanse your "Magical mirrors" crystals and stones. It is used in
magic as a love-divining herb. To experience interesting dreams that
are said to reveal one's future, stuff a pillow with about a pound of this herb and sleep on it. The Indians used a decoction of the leaves for colds, bronchitis, rheumatism, and fever, and a poultice for wounds. The fresh juice is used to ease the itch of poison oak. To cure a headache, stick a leaf up your nose.
Soothing bath for Tension Headaches -
1 Oz. each of:
mugwort,
valerian,
chamomile,
agrimony
Add to1 pt of boiling water. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes. Strain and add to bath water. Very good for aching muscles.
well, im from NJ and use mugwort semi regularly as a smoking herb, tea, both at the same time, dream enhancer, chill out starter, and any other use I can find for it. its sad it was made illegal for some people because it got caught in the K2/spice illegalization efforts while the main culprit (synthetic drugs added to the herb blend) should be totally illegal and were given the same treatment as a harmless and delicious plant. well, that's my rant for now, I have a big mug of it waiting for me in the kitchen!
thanks for the info
Estafiate
Wow great article. thanks. Ottoman
There are some plants (or anyways trees) that are basically weeds, and have been outlawed in some places for that reason.
I only know about this because I have two different neighbors with a tree each that are outlawed in some places, and the other members of my family complain (LOUDLY) about them, and the fact that they're legal here.Security
Very nice and informative blog you have share I like your work.
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