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Blog - Herbalism for Luck

March 17th is a day that has become synonymous with leprechauns, celebrating all things green, and enjoying historical foods like corned beef or Guinness stew. This day is of course the beloved St. Patrick’s Day, in which Irish culture, history, and heritage is celebrated, particularly in the Irish diaspora.

This day, which honors St. Patrick, who was a patron saint of Ireland, and someone largely responsible for the spreading of Christianity during his time, has been celebrated in the United States as early as 1737 when Boston held its first parade.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face, 

And the rains fall soft upon your fields. 

And, until we meet again, 

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

— Irish blessing for good fortune

 

One aspect of Irish culture that is widely recognized on this day is that of luck. Ireland is a country that is long steeped in folklore, with tales of pots of gold or magical elemental beings who may determine your fate based on how you interact with them. Folklore and storytelling are woven into the very fabric of Irish identity and history, as often is with substantially ancient cultures around the world.

We have explored the concept of the relationship that plants have throughout cultures and their ties to folklore and mythology. This is something innately human, and reflects the ways in which we have long interacted with and made sense of the gifts of the natural world. Matter of factly, even the symbolism of the shamrock itself, which is another widely recognized emblem of St. Patrick’s Day, was utilized as a way to describe the Holy Trinity of Christian belief – it is an example of using a reference to nature to explain a broader complex concept.

In honor of this day, and to have a little bit of fun, we wanted to explore other ways that herbs have been used in order to scrounge up a little bit of luck!

 

Historical Relationship with Luck

When we think about the ways that our ancestors would have lived, luck would be something that was quite appealing. Living lives that were often filled with significant challenges, the concept of having influence over the ability to attract prosperity, alleviate ailments, increase wealth, or overall just have good things happen to us regularly would have been welcomed, particularly if this could be done with ease. It is also interesting to note that many of the herbs utilized for increasing one’s luck or good fortune also tended to have protective properties, as again, for our ancestors, it is likely that these two things would have gone hand-in-hand. For example, one might have wished for an abundant crop that season, but also wished that it be protected from harsh natural conditions or pests to ensure that the harvest would be enjoyed.

To help increase prosperity, herbal allies were long incorporated into rituals or ceremonies, or even used in folk spells or charms by everyday folks. This can look like carrying them upon your person, baking them into breads or treats that you would have nourished your family with or even gifted to those you care about, brewing them into potions or medicines, or even tending to them around the home, hearth, or garden.

Additionally, as pointed out by Sacred Plant Co, it is likely that our ancestors may have tapped into the energetic or vibrational properties of plants to better understand which ones support achieving good fortune. There are many plants, such as basil, that in addition to being a delicious culinary herb, also aligns with the energies of abundance and positivity. Therefore, to achieve desired outcomes like these, herbs are also worked with on an energetic level, such as how we receive positive benefits from flower essences, which are vibrational medicine.

 

Exploring Herbs that Enhance Luck

Clover. There is a reason this is often the plant synonymous with luck, as it has been steeped in folklore for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Often a humble and abundantly growing plant with three leaves, it is extra lucky if you find the coveted four-leaf clover. If you happen to stumble upon one of these, you can press the clover and carry it in your wallet or kept securely in a locket to bring about financial abundance.

Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@amybethreed?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Amy Reed</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/close-up-photography-of-person-holding-green-leaf-plant-49ZXvCLerUo?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>
Photo by Amy Reed on Unsplash

 

Bay Leaf. This plant is widely utilized in rituals of manifestation, cleansing, and prosperity. This is because this plant is aligned with the energies of wishes or achieving one’s goals. A common way to work with this herb is to write out that which you want to attract or manifest onto the leaf itself and then burn the leaf whilst simultaneously visualizing or making intentions toward this coming to fruition. However, other ways this plant has been used to help enhance luck is by incorporating them into water used to clean the home, carrying the leaves in your purse or wallet, or even adding them to bath water.

Cinnamon. There is something about the cozy, spicy, and aromatic kitchen herbs that just exhibit abundance and serendipity. This is likely because they are largely present in most homes and have become synonymous with feelings of love, safety, and warmth. Cinnamon is an herb that has long been used to bring about success and prosperity, and this can be called upon by carrying a cinnamon stick with you, or speak your wishes to this herb before you sprinkle it into a culinary dish or delicious beverage. This herb is unique in that it also works as a bit of an activator, enhancing the effect of other luck-conjuring herbs you may also use in tandem.

Lavender. If you love the movie Practical Magic like we do, then you know that you plant Lavender for luck! This deliciously aromatic herb has been long revered for its ability to help calm the mind and invoke feelings of peace and tranquility. It is also known as an herb that energetically promotes feelings of harmony amidst chaos. Utilize lavender in the garden, place it into a dream pillow or a sachet to carry with you, or even hang around the home to help enhance good fortune in your life.

High John the Conquerer Root. This herb is largely utilized in African-American hoodoo as a means of protection, elevating one’s power and influence over others, and for improving good luck. Matter of factly, named after a legendary hero, High John the Conqueror, it is said that slaves seeking freedom by utilizing the Underground Railroad would carry this root to help protect them from being seen by those who were trying to capture them and return them to plantations prior to abolition.

Rosemary. This herb has been used for its mythical properties since Ancient Greece and Rome. A deeply protective herb, this plant is known for helping to ward off evil and negative entities and helps to cleanse one’s energy and space, which enhances energy that promotes abundance. This herb is a fantastic alternative to White Sage, which is sacred to Indigenous peoples of North America and endangered, and can be used as sacred smoke or incense. It can also be carried in a satchet, or used under a pillow to help ward off negative dreams.

 

Are there ways in which you have built relationships with herbs to help promote abundance or good things to happen in your life? We’d love if you could share with us, and as you can tell, this has been something that humans and plants have been working on together from the dawns of time. We also wish you an abundant and fruitful March. Don’t forget, it is time to start planting both metaphorical and physical seeds for the year ahead, and be sure to swing by the shop or check online for seeds for some of your favorite magical and medicinal allies!

 

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