Tanacetum parthenium
Feverfew
In late Anglo-Saxon lore, feverfew was
a remedy for "elfshot" or flying venom, something like
a severe stich in one's side or shooting pains in a particular area,
that was considered the result of being struck by an arrow shot
by an elf, a hag, or a god. In that case, feverfew was boiled with
red nettle and waybread (plantain) in butter and rubbed into the
pained area. This was applied together with a spoken
charm.* Traditionally, feverfew was picked with the left hand
only and the harvester should not look behind them when doing so. 
Feverfew contains the planetary metal for Jupiter (tin) but is usually
considered to be a Venus plant on account of its use for menstrual
cramps. Some have also pointed out that migraines tend to afflict
women more than men and to occur more around one's period than not,
also signalling the Venus character of this plant. Culpeper advised
boiling feverfew in white wine for help in expelling the afterbirth.
He also recommended the powdered herb in wine for people suffering
from melancholy and sadness of spirits. To me it seems this plant
also has a lot of Mercury qualities because of its use in migraine
(works as a preventative), for headache and in lifting spirits.
Some use feverfew in love magic because it is ruled by Venus, but
I would advise instead it be used for rituals relating to the Mother
because of its herbal uses. Because of its use as an insect repellent
(protection against Martial creatures) in addition to its healing
of elfshot, consider it also for protection against attack magic.
I have regular feverfew as well as seeds of golden-leaf feverfew,
which is a more yellow-green variety I grow myself. I like to pair
this plant with tansy and yarrow.
They just seem to go together.
Mundane Uses
The dried flower buds have been used as a substitute for pyrethrum as a natural insect repellent. Dry the flowers and steep one cup in 1 liter/quart of hot soapy water for an hour, then use this as a spray against insects. It is said along these lines that bees do not like this plant. Feverfew is also known as Chrysanthemum parthenium, Pyrethrum parthenium (although it is not to be confused with pyrethrum), wild chamomile, (from Latin for fever chasing), altamisa, featherfew, featherfoil, flirtwort, febrifuge plant.
How to Grow Feverfew
Germinates in 7-14 days at room temperature. It's best to start this as transplants in the spring. Space transplants 8-12"/20-30cm apart in full sun to partial shade (it seems to do well in both). It gets 24-36"/60-90cm tall and is perennial to zone 5 (-20F/-29C). The small daisy blossoms make nice cut flowers. This herb self-sows very readily, so don't plant it in a perennial bed where you need to do a lot of weeding. I have mine growing around my large rose bush, which seems to be a good place for it. I'm growing it experimentally in a dry bed for aromatic herbs and will post about how it does there. So far the one plant that is trying to take over that area is the dyer's chamomile. General growing info
Loud they were, lo, loud when they rode over the
mound.
They were fierce when they rode over the land.
Shield
yourself now that you may escape this evil.
Out, little spear,
if herein you be!
Stood under linden, under a light shield
where
the mighty women readied their power and their screaming spears
sent.
I back to them again wills end another,
a flying dart
against them in return.
Out, little spear, if herein it be!
Sat
a smith, forged he a knife, little iron strong wound.
Out, little
spear, if herein it be!
Six smiths sat; war-spears they made.
Out,
spear, not in, spear!
It herein be a bit of iron, hag's work,
it shall melt.
If you were in the skin shot, or were in flesh
shot,
or were in the blood shot, or were in bone shot,
or
were in limb shot, may your life never be torn apart.
If it were
Aesir shot, or if it were elves' shot,
or it were hag's shot,
now I will help you.
This your remedy for Aesir shot; this your
remedy for elves' shot;
This your remedy for hag's shot; I will
help you.
It fled there into the mountains...no rest had it.
Whole
be you now! Lord help you!
Then take the knife; dip into liquid.
Top
Tanacetum parthenium
Regular Feverfew
200
organic seeds $3.00
Tanacetum parthenium
Gold-leaf
Feverfew
200
organic seeds $3.00
Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:
Protection from Attack Magic
Protection of Mothers
Venus
Herb
© 2010 Harold A. Roth; No reproduction without permission