Star Anise
Illicium verum

This Moon herb is carried whole for luck, and it is burned for clairvoyance and to increase psychic awareness.  Some people make a necklace out of these stars.  In Hoodoo, star anise is put under the pillow in order to dream of someone far away, and it is added to mojo bags. Others say that star anise keeps away nightmares.  This herb is great for New Moon work, since it is dark. It's so aromatic that just a small handful ground up is enough to strongly scent a jar of oil, and it makes an incense all on its own.

Mundane Uses
This magick herb is native to China and Vietnam and was first introduced to Europe in the 1600s. In Mandarin China, these seeds were once chewed as a kind of after-dinner mint. It's widely used in Chinese cooking and is a component in Five Spices.  It has a strong licorice flavor.   Medicinally, star anise is traditionally used for stomach pains, for bronchitis, and for rheumatism. How to make star anise liqueur.

Organic whole star anise
1 oz. $3.90

Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:

Luck
Clairvoyance
Dreamwork
Protection Spells
Incense Ingredient
Meditation Aid
Moon Herb

Other spices: cassia, grains of Paradise, juniper berries, nutmeg, peppercorns

© 2004, 2013, 2013 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission

Star Anise Liqueur

Couple anise stars, crushed
1 1/2 cups vodka
1/2 cup sugar syrup*

Steep herb in vodka for 2 weeks. Filter, add syrup, and put a whole star anise in the bottle for decoration.  By the way, all non-distilled liqueurs follow this basic recipe.

*How to make sugar syrup, which is an ingredient in non-distilled liqueurs and desserts.  You can make it in three consistencies:

Thin  -- 3 parts water to 1 part sugar
Medium  --  2 parts water to 1 part sugar
Heavy  -- equal parts water and sugar

Combine sugar and water and cook over low heat until clear, then boil for a couple minutes.  That's it!

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