About Rosemary
Rosemary is the herb of remembrance, carried at weddings and funerals alike. Folk tradition plants it by the door to guard the home, and its bright, resinous smoke is one of the oldest household cleansing methods.
Traditionally burned to cleanse a space; also a genuine cognitive-alertness herb in aromatherapy research.
History & folklore
'There's rosemary, that's for remembrance,' says Ophelia in Hamlet. Greek students wore rosemary garlands while studying, and English brides carried it in their bouquets. Sprigs were tossed into graves, burned in sickrooms, and it was said that rosemary grows best where the woman rules the household.
Correspondences
- Traditional uses
- Protection, memory, purification
- Latin name
- Salvia rosmarinus
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- Sun
- Best day
- Sunday
- Moon phase
- Waning moon — for protection, clearing and letting go
- Intentions
- Protection, Clarity
Ways to work with it
- Hang a sprig over the front door or grow a pot on the step for household protection.
- Simmer a sprig in water on the stove to clear the air after an argument.
- Keep a sprig on your desk while studying — remembrance and focus.
Growing & gathering
Rosemary is an evergreen shrub that thrives in a sunny, sheltered spot and handles dry weather well. Snip sprigs any time of year, taking no more than a third of the plant at once. It dries easily hung in bundles; supermarket cooking rosemary works perfectly well for magic too.
Safe as a cooking herb. Avoid concentrated rosemary oil during pregnancy or if you have epilepsy.
Spells to try
Pairs well with
MarigoldPsychic power, protection, legal matters
AniseProtection, purification, psychic ability
Sage (Garden)Cleansing, wisdom, protection
MugwortDivination, dreams, protectionCorrespondences 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.