Vervain Seeds from Alchemy Works - Seeds for Magick Herbs and Pagan Gardens

Verbena flower Verbena officinalis
Vervain
This herb was revered by the Druids and was connected to Cerridwen. The Romans associated it with Venus and Diana and believed it could rekindle lost love; many use it to this day in love magick, especially philtres. Verbena was also a traditional magick herb during the Middle Ages and is still considered good for dreamwork and inspiring creativity. Some tie this plant to Mercury. It is often incorporated into Midsummer celebrations and protects against negative magick, especially when carried as a fresh sprig. It's great for asperging and when combined with dill, especially effective as a room wash for ridding areas of negative influences. This plant is most powerful fresh, so growing your own makes sense. Traditionally, it is harvested beneath a sunless, moonless sky, like during the New Moon, and when the Dog Star, Sirius, is rising, with a libation of honey. Some consider it a potentiator for any sort of magical work involving herbs.

Mundane Uses
Medicinally, it has been used for insomnia (has some Moon in it), as a nerve tonic (here's the Mercury aspect), and is said to relieve those who feel driven by hormones.

Culture
This perennial plant prospers quite far north (zone 3) but does not like the Deep South. It grows +2 ft/35-80cm tall. Bees love it, and planting herbs for our busy little sisters is always a good idea--a bee-filled garden is a happy garden. Butterflies like this plant too. The flowers are small but many, and blooming lasts a long time. This is a great wetlands plant. Top

Verbena plant How to grow Vervain. Barely cover seeds to germinate in 3-4 weeks at 60-70F/18-21C or sow on Winter Solstice (see special directions on the Solstice Sowing page).Transplant to full sun in light, rich soil after the seedlings get their second set of true leaves. You can make more plants from cuttings in the fall. Leaves are best to harvest before the flowers open. Harvest roots in the fall, after the plant has died down. General growing info Top

Uses in Witchcraft & Magick:

Astral Herb
Venus Herb
Love Magick
Medieval Gardens
Protection Spells
Asperging