Hi, my loves, and welcome to WiccaNow. Recently I’ve been sharing guides to all my favourite magickal plants and herbs with you, like this post about the magickal properties of lemon balm. I’ve also shared a post all about the magick of oak and acorns, a guide to using oregano in magick, another post all about parsley and most recently a guide to the magickal properties of nettles. Today I want to continue down this wonderful path by sharing my guide to the magickal properties of thyme with you!
Thyme has been used for thousands of years in order to treat wounds, prevent sickness and to keep nightmares at bay. It is strongly antiseptic and was used by the Ancient Egyptians as part of their embalming process. The magickal properties of thyme include purification, love, abundance and courage among others.
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. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor or midwife before consuming something you haven’t tried before.
If you enjoy reading about the magickal properties of different herbs and plants, check out this gorgeous plant magick grimoire we’ve created! It contains 29 beautifully illustrated pages for all our favourite plants. The best bit? This version comes as a digital download, so you don’t have to wait through pesky shipping times or delays. What’s not to love? Check it out below or keep scrolling to read all about the magick of fennel!
History of Thyme
Thyme, the most common of which is called Thymus vulgaris, is a member of the Lamiaceae family which also contains mint, lavender and sage among others. There are more than 350 different species of thyme, most of which grow no taller than 40cm. Thyme is native to temperate regions in Europe, Asia and North Africa.
The use of thyme goes back thousands of years. The first written mention of it dates back to the famous Sumerian cuneiform tablets from around 2400BC. These tablets are thought to be the earliest written medical texts and contain a recipe for a poultice made with dried thyme, pear, fig and water.
The Ancient Egyptians used thyme as part of their embalming process as it is strongly antiseptic. The Ancient Greeks used to bath with it and also burned it in their temples as they believed that it would bring them courage and purify them. They also flavoured cheese and liqueurs with it. It’s mentioned by the poet Horace (65 – 8BC) who said that it was grown extensively by beekeepers.
Thyme was actually spread all through Europe by the Romans. They believed it was an important herb and took it with them whenever they invaded another part of Europe. They would plant it where they camped and in this way, it was spread relatively quickly.
The Romans loved to eat thyme before or after every meal as they believed that it would protect whoever ate it from poison. They believed that taking a bath with thyme would negate the effects of inadvertently consumed poison. This made it a particular favourite with the upper classes and the Emporers. I guess they believed in the magickal properties of thyme too!
Roman soldiers would exchange thyme springs as a sign of respect for each other. They believed that it would increase their strength and bravery during battle while also giving them a boost of courage. Both the Ancient Greeks and Romans believed in these properties and would burn thyme as a way of invoking the spirit of courage.
During the Middle Ages, thyme was used to ward off nightmares, bring sweet dreams and aid with sleep. Women also gave knights or warriors they were interested in charms made of thyme to give them courage while they fought. These charms were often carried in a pocket during battle although there are some records of soldiers pinning these charms to their clothing as a badge of honour.
Carrying thyme during battle also served a different purpose. It was used during funerals as people believe it assured the departed an easy passage into the next life. This meant that warriors wearing thyme were given both courage, and an easy journey if they happened to fall during battle.
In the late 1340s, when the Plaque hit, many people turned to thyme in the hopes of an antidote. It was worn in herbal posies around the neck to prevent the wearer from catching the plague. It was also used in poultices which were applied directly to the skin of those suffering in the hopes of giving some relief. While there isn’t actually any evidence that this would have helped, thyme does contain…
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