Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs - Scott Cunningham 1985

Saffron
The Herbs

(Crocus saliva) D+ P

Folk Names: Autumn Crocus, Crocus, Karcom, Krokos, Kunkuma (Sanskrit), Saffer (Arabic), Spanish Saffron

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Deities: Eros, Ashtoreth

Powers: Love, Healing, Happiness, Wind Raising, Lust, Strength, Psychic Powers

Ritual Uses: The Phoenecians baked saffron into crescent-shaped cakes, which they ate in honor of the Moon and fertility Goddess, Ashtoreth

Magical Uses: Saffron is added to love sachets as well as those aimed at raising lustful feelings. It is used in healing spells, and the infusion is used as wash water for the hands prior to healing rituals.

At one time in Persia (Iran) pregnant women wore a ball of saffron at the pit of the stomach to ensure a speedy delivery.

The infusion, drunk, enables you to foresee the future, and simply ingesting saffron dispels melancholy. In fact, one early author warns against eating too much saffron lest one should “die of excessive joy”!

Saffron in the home keeps lizards from venturing in, and wearing a chaplet of saffron will protect you from inebriation (and will probably be the subject of a few comments from your friends).

Sheets were rinsed with a saffron infusion in Ireland so that the arms and legs would be strengthened during sleep, and the ancient Persians utilized saffron to raise the wind.