I’m very drawn to the whole artemisia family of plants, and mugwort is so obliging and easy to grow. It dries wonderfully and retains its fragrance when burned, so can be added to smudge sticks and incense. What more could you ask for in an herb?!
I grow both the California native mugwort and the artemisia vulgaris or common mugwort. Both herbs are great for setting the stage for meditation, divination and astral work. Use an infusion of mugwort to wash your divination tools…the waterproof ones….
It is sacred to Cerridwen, a goddess bff of mine. 💜 And, of course, belonging to the artemesia group of plants, it is sacred to the goddess, Artemis. It has a definite feminine feel to it. Some say it is ruled by Venus and some say the Moon. Maybe it’s a switch hitter. Explore mugwort: sit next to the plant, meditate, and have a little astral tete a tete. See what she has to communicate to you personally.
The name, “Mugwort”, is believed by some to have originated in the practice of using it to make beer before hops were discovered to be of use in brewing. “Mug” for the drinking vessel and “wort”, which is an old-timey word for “plant” or “herb”.
There are medicinal uses for mugwort but it should not be used for more than a week at a time, and definitely not if you are pregnant. Read the article in Witchipedia if you are interested in its healing properties. Mugwort
I have dried a bunch and plan to use it in incense, smudge and as an addition to a protective wreath. I may even put some in a dream pillow to help with lucid dreaming, but I am allergic to ragweed (one of its plant cousins) so will need to go slowly with that experiment.
Mugwort is easy to grow from seed or cuttings. It likes well draining soil and a sunny location. It will spread through underground stolons, so make sure your neighbor likes mugwort, too, or grow it in a pot. Harold Roth at Alchemy Works sells the seeds here: Alchemy Works Mugwort Seeds
Magickal mugwort! Every Magickal person should grow some in their enchanted garden. It’s a wonderful addition to your witchy apothecary.
Worty Blessings!
Sarina
The Magickal Cottage 