Valerian . . . .
	(Valeriana officinalis) Also known as All-Heal, Garden Heliotrope, Vandal Root, and St. George's Herb. According to legend, the Pied Piper of Hamelin coaxed the rats to follow him not with his magick pipe, but by placing dried roots of valerian in his pockets. Parts Used: Root Magical Uses: Despite the distaste many have for its scent, Valerian grows one of the sweetest scented of all flowers and was in earlier times, highly regarded. the root was placed in clothing and was even used as a base for perfume. Use Valerian in the consecration of Thuribles.
Valerian is added to the chalice as an herb of peace. It is very cleansing and can be used to purify your ritual space. It is one of the herbes said to have been used by King Solomon when aspurging his temple. Even though this is a rather foul smelling herb it is hung in the home as protection from lightning and the Greeks used sprigs of it at windows to keep evil out. Being an herb of peace, place some in the vicinity of a quarreling couple. Add it to love sachets and it is said if a woman wears a sprig of it, it will cause men to "follow her like children." It will also help insomnia by placing it in the pillow. Powdered valerian may be used as a substitute for graveyard dust to repel unwanted presences.
Vervain . . . .
(Verbena officinalis) Also known as Enchanters Herb, Holy Herb, Verbena, Blue Vervain, and Holy Wort. Vervain was so highly regarded by the Druids that offerings were placed on altars. Parts Used: Above ground portions of the herb.
Magical Uses: Vervain is a profoundly magical herb belonging to the sphere of Venus. Roman priests and priestesses used it as an altar plant - it was tied in bundles and used to ritually "sweep" and purify the altar. Druids placed it in water that was sprinkled on worshipers as a blessing. Vervain was picked at the rising of the Dog Star, at the dark of the moon, just before flowering. It was taken from the earth with the sacred sickle and raised aloft in the left hand. After prayers of thanksgiving were spoken the Druid or Druidess left a gift of honey to recompense the Earth for her loss.
Vervain was once infused in wine and worn on the body to to ward off the stings of insects and serpents. It is used in the bath as a protection from enchantments and to make dreams come true. Wearing or bathing in vervain places one under the influence of Diana. After washing your hands in the infusion, it will be possible to engender love in the one you touch. To dispel fears, light a candle daily and surround it with vervain. Speak aloud a prayer to the Gods and Goddesses asking for release from your fear. Do this as long as necessary. On the night of the full moon, go outside with a chalice filled with water, vervain and salt. Take also a candle and a piece of petrified wood. Dip the stone into the water mixture and then pass it through the candle flame. Touch the stone to your feet, hands, shoulders, and head. As you do this ask for the belssings of youth and beauty. Repeat the process seven times. Vervain is worn as a crown during Druidic initiatory rites and as protection for those who are working magic. Sprinkle throughout the home for protection and to bring peace. Keep some in the bedroom to bring tranquil dreams. Keep it in the home to attract wealth and to keep plants healthy. Sprinkle some on the garden as an offering to the elementals and other nature spirits. Drinking the juice of fresh vervain is said to cut sexual desire. Burn it to banish the pangs of unrequited love. Vervain is worn to recover stolen articles. Tucked into a child's cradle, the plant brings joy and a lively intellect. When burned, Vervain is powerful for warding psychic attack, but it is also used in spells for love, purification and attracting wealth. It is a powerful attractant to the opposite sex. Vervain may be used to enhance the dreaming process, making it an excellent choice when working a Dream quest. When consecrating your altar there is no better herbe to use than Vervain. It may be used to consecrate and empower any of your ritual tools. Vervain has long been used to protect one against negative emotions. It is found in many spells and formulas for amulets which protect one against various types of of negation from outside sources. Sometimes it is also used to reverse negative energy.
Vetivert . . . .
	(Vetivera zizanioides) Also known as Khus-khus. The scent is a deep yet refreshing, woody, resinous mixture of myrrh and violets. Parts Used: Root Magical Uses: Vetivert is used for spells to break hexes, bring love, luck, money and as protection from thieves. Use it as incense to overcome evil, prevent theft, and to bring love. It is also used in love powders, sachet and incenses and is added to the bathwater in a sachet to make yourself more attractive to the opposite sex. Vetivert is also used in money spells and mixtures, placed in the cash register to increase business, carried to attract luck, and burned in anti-theft incenses.
Violets . . . .
(Viola odorata) Also known as Heartsease, Little Faces, and Viola. Ancient Greeks wore the violet to calm tempers and to induce sleep Parts Used: Whole Plant Magical Uses: Violets are an herb of love and protection. Violet crowns (chaplets) are said to cure headaches, dizziness, bring sleep, and calm anger. Violets are mixed with lavender, apple blossoms, yarrow, and roses in love potions. The leaf is a protecion from all evil.
Mixed with Lavender, the flowers are a powerful live stimulant and also arouse lust. Custom says that if you pick the first violet of spring your dearest wish will be granted. Violets offers us the virtues of modesty, simplicity, serenity and peace, and they are a source of inspiration and good fortune for women. Violets have been associated with the death of the young. With periwinkle they are said to bring comfort to a grieving heart and are well suited for planting upon a child's grave. they are used in rituals of death and dying or placed on the altar when prayers are offered to keep the child's memory healthy and alive. There is much magick to be had in these simple flowers.
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