Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020

Sacred Fig Ficus Religiosa
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

meditation, awareness, protection

This plant is sacred to a variety of religions and Magical practices all over the world. Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism all celebrate her—though she is known by other names, including bodhi tree and ashvattha tree. In Santería, she is known as alamo. The tree has a distinctive heart-shaped leaf, and has a life span of 900 to 1,500 years—or longer.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

According to Ayurvedic tradition, sacred fig acts as an aphrodisiac; she can also cure a cold or cough, improve the skin, and aid a troubled digestive system. Her bark and leaves may be ground into a paste and rubbed over the skin, and decoctions of the roots and bark can be consumed safely.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

It was under the sacred fig that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. Sacred fig is an extremely effective aid to meditation, and can help you attain a trance state—the better to connect with your true self. She heightens awareness of all the energy that is around you and within you, and can protect you from outside forces. The wisdom of our ancestors dwells in this plant, and so I often ask for her guidance on such things as life purpose or the next steps in my journey. I also consult her on any decisions I have trouble making on my own.

PLANT WISDOM

If you meet sacred fig in a dream, go and sit with her. If you aren’t advanced in intentional dreaming or lucid dreaming, it may seem impossible—but when sacred fig is present, anything is possible, even for a beginner. She often comes with a message from your higher self, and this connection gives you the power to move freely in your dreams.

Grow this beautiful soul in your yard, so you can sit with her for outside meditation. If you’re growing her as a houseplant, keep her in your sacred space. I also love to have her in the bathroom, to sit with me when I take a bath. She can be a great support while doing a Full Moon ritual bath; her wisdom and guidance are explosive when the Moon is full. I wouldn’t recommend keeping her in a living space where there is a lot of people activity, as she likes her peace just as much as we do.