About Pine
Pine is the evergreen of winter hope. Its needles and resin clear and purify a space, and pinecones are carried for fertility and long life.
Needles burned or simmered are a simple, effective home-purification method.
History & folklore
Pine was sacred to the Greek god Dionysus and the Phrygian god Attis. Evergreen boughs brought indoors in winter were a promise that life would return. Pinecones topped the staffs of Dionysian worshippers, and the pinecone appears in art from Egypt to the Vatican.
Correspondences
- Traditional uses
- Purification, healing, money
- Latin name
- Pinus spp.
- Element
- Air
- Planet
- Mars
- Best day
- Tuesday
- Moon phase
- Waxing moon — for drawing things toward you
- Intentions
- Cleansing, Healing, Abundance
Ways to work with it
- Simmer a handful of pine needles in water to cleanse the home.
- Place a pinecone on your altar for strength through winter.
- Burn a little pine resin as purifying incense.
Growing & gathering
Pines are common in parks and woodlands. Gather fallen needles and cones rather than cutting. Pine resin can be collected from old wounds on a tree — never cut into bark to get it.
Some trees called 'pine' are toxic, and yew — which looks similar — is deadly. Be sure of your tree. Burn resin only in a fireproof dish.
Spells to try
Pairs well with
ComfreySafe travel, money, healing
AllspiceMoney, healing, luck
MintMoney, travel, healing
CedarPurification, protection, healingCorrespondences 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.