Hi, my loves and welcome to WiccaNow. Recently I’ve been covering some of the common magickal herbs and plants that you might come in contact with in your magickal practice. I’ve written posts about cinnamon, lavender, another about sage, one about rose and most recently a post about mint. All these can also be found in my botanical Witchipidia where I give an overview of a lot of magickal plants and herbs. Today I want to talk about another common magickal herb, today I want to discuss the magickal properties of bay leaves.
Bay laurel, or Laurus Nobilis, is a powerful magickal plant which is ruled by fire and the sun. Its magickal properties include healing, protection, love and success. Its medicinal properties include lowering blood sugar levels, helping with muscle and joint pain and aiding digestion issues. Bay leaf is a common ingredient for cooks, often being used in pickles or for stews and stocks.
So, without further ado, let’s talk about the magickal properties of bay leaves!
Disclaimer: Any medicinal benefits given here are a product of my own research and as such should not be taken over the advice of trained medical professionals. If you are ill, please go and see a doctor. Always make sure that anything you consume is 100% safe and if you are pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife before consuming something you haven’t tired before.
Before you continue reading all about bay leaves below, take a minute to check out this gorgeous plant magick grimoire we’ve created. It contains 29 of our favourite magickal plants and herbs and details their magickal properties along with gorgeous illustrations. This is exclusively available on our website and blog. The best bit? It comes in a hand digital format meaning no twiddling your thumbs waiting for things to arrive in the mail!
A Brief History of Bay Leaves
Bay leaf, also known as laurel leaf, comes from the Lauraceae family and is indigenous Asia Minor from where it spread to the Mediterranean and other regions with a similar climate. It’s a tree that has been cultivated for a very long time. The Ancient Greeks used it as a symbol of victory. The winning Olympic athletes were crowned with a bay leaf wreath as early as 776BC.
Even today the word “laurel” still implies victory and success. Think about how we call Nobel Prize winners “Nobel Laureates”. The definition of a laureate is, in fact, ”a person who is honoured with an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement.”.
Some countries still award a bay laurel wreath to those graduating with a masters degree and many other countries incorporate bay laurel into their ceremonies. It’s amazing how long a tradition can be carried on for, isn’t it?
Fun Facts about Bay Leaves
- The Ancient Egyptians thought bay leaves could help cure hangovers
- “Resting on your laurels” is a term that’s still often used, and implies using your previous successes for your own gain long after you’ve achieved those successes.
- “Look to one’s laurels” is another term, though not as widely used, urging people to be careful as they might be overtaken our outranked by their competition.
Bay leaves in Myths
The Greek word for bay laurel is “dhafni”. This came about because there is a myth about a Nymph called Daphne who caught Apollo’s eye. In order to avoid being raped (why is it that so many women in myths have to have their forms changed in order to avoid sexual violence?) the Earth Goddess Gaea transformed her into a Laurel Tree. Apollo then made this tree sacred and since then it’s been a symbol of honour. Some versions state that Apollo angered Eros, so Eros shot him with an arrow of love for Daphne and shot Daphne with an arrow of hate and repulsion for Apollo.
Many Greeks and Romans believed that bay leaves would protect them from the gods and goddesses responsible for thunder and lighting. They would wear bay leaves during thunderstorms to prevent themselves from being hit by lightning.
Apollo is sometimes known as the God of Poets, so it’s interesting that his sacred tree has given its name to those who achieve outstanding success.
Medicinal Uses of Bay Leaves
Please note that eating whole bay leaves may not be safe as the leaves are undigestable for humans and may become lodged in your digestive tract.
- Can help against diabetes as it can lower blood sugar levels
- Leaves are antibacterial and antifungal
- Good for joint paint
- Helps reduce gas
- Can help with dandruff
- Aids digestion
- May treat migraines
- May help to keep your heart healthy
- May reduce anxiety and stress
Magickal Properties of Bay Leaves
- Strong healing power
- Protection
- Psychic work
- Success
- Wishes
- Love
- Creativity
Associations
Deities: Apollo, Daphne, Gaia
Correspondances
Zodiac: Leo
Planet: Sun
Element:…
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