Magickal Properties of Rosemary for Herbalism & Witchcraft

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Native to the Mediterranean and known initially as Corona Regis, rosemary is part of the Mint family; its uses, from culinary to medicinal to occult, have spanned centuries.

Lore & History

In Greek mythology, rosemary is linked to Aphrodite, where she rose from the sea draped in it. In Ancient Greece, students would place sprigs behind their ears or in their hair to enhance their memory.

The Romans used rosemary wreaths to honor their household gods and would burn their leaves to purify the scent of livestock. 

In the Middle Ages, rosemary was placed on the floor to help release a more pleasant aroma when those would step on it, as well as perfuming the stepper. Rosemary was also burned in homes to protect themselves from the plague and other sicknesses. This led the French to burn thyme and rosemary in hospitals to purify the air as well as embalm the dead.

In European weddings, the bride wore a wreath with rosemary. Rosemary branches were also presented at weddings as a gift, believing it promoted fidelity within the marriage.

Rosemary also has a history of funerals. In Ancient Rome, it was used in burial rites and laid on graves in later Europe, symbolizing remembrance and eternal love and life.

Rosemary was used to safeguard against the evil eye and witches. This led to the belief that where rosemary grew, the house was ruled by a woman. Later, this belief caused men to destroy it in and around their homes. 

In Sicily, it was believed fairies would sleep within the rosemary flowers.

In Christian mythology, a rosemary bushed was believed to give shelter to the Virgin Mary during her flight into Egypt. There is further mythology that the Virgin Mary laid her blue cloak over a rosemary bush, causing the flowers to turn blue.

The Welsh would place rosemary under their heads to promote rest by protecting against nightmares and anxiety. One would put a sprig of rosemary dipped in wine, vinegar, and water on one's breast on the eve of St. Magdalen to induce prophetic dreams.

Magickal Attributes

Rosemary is a powerhouse of magickal attributes. However, it does contain powers associated with multiple planets, it is often referenced to the fire element and sun planet.

Per its lore, it is often associated with Venus, Aphrodite, and the Virgin Mary and can make great offerings.

It's occult attributes range and include: Beauty, Communication, Curse-lifting, Divination, Exorcism, Fidelity, Fortification, Healing, Longevity, Love, Lust, Mental Powers, New Beginnings,

Protection, Purification, Rest, Sleep, Youth.

Due to its wide range of attributes, it is considered the white candle of herbs when it comes to witchcraft and magick and can often be used to replace a different herb.

Magickal Uses

• Drink Rosemary tea to create clarity and strengthen mental alertness

• Add herb to healing spell dishes 

• Place Rosemary on a loved one's grave to ensure they are remembered

• Sleep with Rosemary under pillow to prevent nightmares & promote rest

• Use rosemary perfume to protect against negative energies & increase attractiveness

• Clean with Rosemary to purify space

• Plant rosemary by gates & doors to fortify the house from thieves

• Give your significant other rosemary laced food to promote fidelity

• Bath in Rosemary to enhance beauty and youth

• Burn rosemary (or use rosemary oil) in a room of sick for purification and healing.

• Add fresh rosemary to chicken soup for a healing spell 

• Rub diluted rosemary oils on temples when studying or creating to help enhance memory and wisdom. 

Medicinal Actions of Rosemary

Rosemary is a strong antimicrobial, antibacterial & antifungal, make it excellent for cleansing and purifying spaces & preventing colds.

It has a strong and distinct flavoring that adds to cooking and has been known to help improve digestibility. Including stomach issues related to anxiety, as it helps uplift energy and restore the nervous system.

Energetically, rosemary is warming, drying, stimulating, and restorative.

Medicinal Actions include: Analegesic, Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative, Cholagogue, Circulatry Stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diurectic, Emmenagogue, Nervine, Restorative, Rubefacient

*Safety: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should keep rosemary to culinary use.

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. St Leonards, Nsw., Dorling Kindersley, 2001.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury, Mn., Llewellyn Publications, 2013.

---. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. Llewellyn Worldwide, 8 Apr. 2012.

Giesecke, Annette, and P Ovidius Naso. The Mythology of Plants : Botanical Lore from Ancient Greece and Rome. Los Angeles, Ca, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2014.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism : The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vt., Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Schulke, Daniel, and Benjamin Vierling. The Green Mysteries an Occult Herbarium. Three Hands Pr, 2017.

Information offered on From the Witch's Kitchen websites is for educational purposes only. The From the Witch's Kitchen makes neither medical claim, nor intends to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. The From the Witch's Kitchen neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Readers must do their own research concerning the safety and usage of any herbs or supplements.