About Thyme
Thyme has been a herb of courage since the Middle Ages, when sprigs were embroidered on scarves given to knights. It also cleanses, heals and is linked to the fair folk in English lore.
Historically given to knights and soldiers for bravery; also a gentle respiratory herb.
History & folklore
Ancient Greeks burned thyme in temples and said it gave courage. In the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered a sprig of thyme with a bee onto scarves for knights going to war. English folklore said the fair folk loved wild thyme beds, and that you might see them if you rubbed your eyelids with thyme oil on Midsummer's Eve.
Correspondences
- Traditional uses
- Courage, healing, psychic ability
- Latin name
- Thymus vulgaris
- Element
- Water
- Planet
- Venus
- Best day
- Friday
- Moon phase
- Waxing moon — for drawing things toward you
- Intentions
- Courage, Healing, Clarity
Ways to work with it
- Carry a sprig or wear it when you need courage for a hard conversation.
- Burn dried thyme to cleanse a room before ritual.
- Add to a healing sachet or a cleansing bath.
Growing & gathering
Thyme is a small, tough perennial for sunny, gravelly soil or pots. Cut sprigs just before flowering, and dry in small bundles. Dried grocery thyme is perfectly good for magic.
Safe as a cooking herb. Thyme oil is strong and irritates skin.
Spells to try
Pairs well with
MintMoney, travel, healing
Lemon BalmHealing, love, success
YarrowCourage, love, psychic ability
ElderflowerProtection, prosperity, 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.