Citron
(Citrus medica) Info Humans
were using this ancestor of all modern citrus fruits in Mesopotamia
(modern-day Iraq) as far back as 4000 BCE. This highly fragrant fruit is almost
all rind, but the scent is extraordinary - much sweeter and
stronger than lemon, a truly glorious fragrance. During the Babylonian exile,
Jews adopted it for
use in the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles or Festival of
Ingathering, a harvest celebration. This magick herb became one of the "four species"
- willow, myrtle, palm, and citron (or esrog/etrog) - that worshippers
held and shook in the six directions to stimulate the winter rains.
Some believe that this herb is the female half of the Four Species
(the other three comprise the male half because they are tied or woven
together in one long bundle), although in many magickal correspondence
charts, citron is designated as male, most likely because of its
association with the Sun. Jews spread citron through ancient Greece and
Rome, where it was used medicinally, mostly as an antidote to poison
(so consider it highly protective). In fact, in Malaya, a decoction of
the fruit is drunk to drive away evil spirits. top
In Asia, whole fruits were offered in the temple. In China, this
particular type of citron - Buddha's Hand - represents long life and
wealth, and its shape is often carved from jade or other semiprecious
stones to act as an amulet for the home. In India, the Hindu god
Kubera, guardian of the gods' wealth, is depicted
holding a citron. Kubera is one of the pre-Hindu gods; in ancient
times, he was
a god of evil and darkness. He is still depicted as white-skinned dwarf
with three legs
who has so much trouble getting around that he has to travel in an
ancient equivalent of a wheelchair, a chariot. This is no ordinary chariot but a magical one - built by an architect god, it can
fly and can hold and entire city. Kubera is associated with the north
- he is
connected to the Himalayas and by extension, to the riches mined in the
mountains, and so he guards the Hindu gods' wealth and sees that people
are rewarded monetarily. In some ways he is like Hades, also a dark
god, who becomes Pluto, a pre-Olympian deity of underground
wealth. And his three-leggedness is like the lameness
that is often encountered in Greek religion among those who arose from
the earth, like Cadmus. In Tibet, Kubera is known as Vaisravana and is
often depicted as fat,
dripping in jewels, and holding a citron (jambhara), a pun on his
other name,
Jambhala. If you consider that this is a Sun herb, it is especially
interesting that such underground gods as Kubera should be depicted
holding it. It makes sense, since the Earth is where the Sun appears to go at night. This
draws our attention to the connections between Sun and Earth in magick. top
Mundane Uses
Citron was supposedly used in ancient Egypt as part of the emblaming
process, but most archeologists do not believe that the ancient
Egyptians knew of this fruit. In China, the dried fruits were used to
repel moths and the juice used to wash
linens. It's also a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Citron is
made into a fruit tea in Korea. Theophrastus reported that a decoction
was good for sweetening the
breath (it's antibacterial). It is still a flavoring for Yule cakes in
central Europe, where it is often candied. It's a wonderful pot pourri
ingredient, being highly fragrant, which is fitting for an Air herb.
Citron is also known as citron melon, Corsican citron, diamante citron,
esrog, ethrog, etrog,
Leghorn citron, preserving melon, stock melon, citrus apple, Persian
apple, Buddha's hand, and Buddha's fingers. top
Uses in
Witchcraft & Magic
Celebrating Harvest Rain Magic Protection
Spells Money Magic Sun/Air Herb
Citron
(Citrus medica) Info