About Catnip
Catnip is a herb of cats, love and happiness. It draws the friendship of animals, and is used in love charms and gentle joy workings.
Associated with both cat-companion magic and gentle happiness/love workings.
History & folklore
Catnip's effect on cats has delighted people for centuries. Before tea arrived from China, the English drank catnip tea. In folk magic it was chewed by warriors for courage and used in love charms, and it's linked with cat goddesses such as Bastet.
Correspondences
- Traditional uses
- Love, happiness, courage
- Latin name
- Nepeta cataria
- Element
- Water
- Planet
- Venus
- Best day
- Friday
- Moon phase
- Waxing moon — for drawing things toward you
- Intentions
- Love, Joy
Ways to work with it
- Share a little dried catnip with a cat companion to deepen your bond.
- Add it to a love or happiness sachet.
- Grow it in the garden to welcome joy.
Growing & gathering
Catnip is an easy, hardy perennial in the mint family. Cats may flatten young plants, so protect them at first. Harvest flowering tops and hang to dry.
Safe for cats in moderation. People should avoid it during pregnancy.
Spells to try
Pairs well with
DillProtection, love, money
JasmineLove, prophetic dreams, money
JuniperProtection, love, exorcism
VervainProtection, purification, loveCorrespondences are traditional associations gathered from folk practice and modern craft books. They vary between sources, and they are not medical advice. Read our editorial approach.