About Nutmeg
A whole nutmeg is a classic pocket luck charm — carried for good fortune, money and clear second sight. Gamblers traditionally carried one.
Carried whole in a pocket as a traditional luck charm.
History & folklore
Nutmeg comes from the Banda Islands of Indonesia and was once so valuable that, in 1667, the Dutch agreed to let the English keep Manhattan in exchange for Run, a tiny nutmeg island. In European folk magic, a whole nutmeg was carried as a charm against rheumatism, boils and bad luck.
Correspondences
- Traditional uses
- Luck, money, psychic ability
- Latin name
- Myristica fragrans
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- Jupiter
- Best day
- Thursday
- Moon phase
- Waxing moon — for drawing things toward you
- Intentions
- Abundance, Clarity
Ways to work with it
- Carry a whole nutmeg in your pocket as a luck charm.
- Grate a pinch into a money jar.
- Add to a divination incense in very small amounts.
Growing & gathering
Nutmeg is bought whole or ground. Whole nutmeg lasts for years; grate it fresh as needed. Mace is the lacy red covering of the same seed.
Nutmeg is safe in cooking quantities but toxic in larger amounts — never eat more than a pinch. Keep it away from children and pets.
Spells to try
Pairs well with
HoneysuckleMoney, psychic power, protection
MintMoney, travel, healing
AllspiceMoney, healing, luck
CloveProtection, money, banishing gossipCorrespondences 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.