Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham 1985

Onion
The Herbs

(Allium cepa) G

Folk Names: Oingnum, Onyoun, Unyoun, Yn-leac

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Deity: Isis

Powers: Protection, Exorcism, Healing, Money, Prophetic Dreams, Lust

Ritual Uses: According to some ancient authorities, the onion was worshipped in some cities in ancient Egypt, and was sometimes invoked while taking oaths.

Magical Uses: Take a small white onion, stick it full of black-headed pins, and place in a window. This will guard against the intrusion of evil into the home. The flowers are decorative and protective, and can be dried and placed in the home for an unusual and attractive protective amulet. Carried, the onion gives protection against venomous beasts. Grown in pots or in the garden they also shield against evil.

Halved or quartered onions, placed in the house, will absorb negativity and evil, as well as disease.

For healing, rub the cut edge of an onion against the afflicted part of the body, visualizing the disease going into the onion. Then destroy the onion (burn or smash to pieces and bury). Settlers in New England hung strings of onions over doorways to guard against infections, and a cut onion placed beneath the kitchen sink has long been used for the same purpose. To cure warts, rub them with a piece of onion and throw over your right shoulder. Walk away without looking back. A large red onion tied to the bedpost protects its occupants against sickness, and aids in recuperation.

Never throw onion skins and peelings onto the ground; if you do, you throw away your prosperity. Instead, burn them in the fireplace or cookstove to attract riches.

An onion placed beneath the pillow can produce prophetic dreams. If you are faced with making a decision, scratch your options on onions, one to each onion. Place them in the dark. The first one that sprouts answers you.

Some ancient authorities state that when eaten, the onion “provokes to venery,” i.e., produces lust.

Magical knives and swords are purified by rubbing their blades with cut fresh onions, and if you throw an onion after a bride you’ll throw away her tears.