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

Sicilian Sumac Rhus coriaria
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

protection, love

Some species of sumac are poisonous, so make sure you’re working with Rhus coriaria specifically. This small tree grows clusters of tiny fruits. They are a deep, dusky red and when dried may be ground into a lemony-flavored spice that is often used in Middle Eastern cuisine. The leaves and bark of Sicilian sumac contain high levels of tannins, making them useful for dyeing purposes.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Sicilian sumac ranks very high among antioxidant-rich foods. She can neutralize free radicals that can cause cancer, heart disease, or signs of aging. She is also a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet. Sicilian sumac can give you more energy and help maintain your body’s metabolism. Her boiled fruit can serve as a remedy for painful menstruation, and you can steep her roots and berries in boiling water to make a wash for sores.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Sicilian sumac carries a profound, fiery energy that comes from both her color and her passionate nature. If you need to bring the element of fire into your spellwork, add Sicilian sumac. You can also place her on your altar to represent fire. Sicilian sumac’s fire is protective, like flames warding off the darkness. Sprinkle her on your love candles to ignite passion. If you are seeking a more fiery love with someone else, use a red candle, but if you’re looking to find that passion within yourself, use a pink candle. Add saffron crocus to any creativity spells to bring passion there as well.

PLANT WISDOM

Sicilian sumac is incredibly versatile. She teaches the importance of seeking different perspectives, and never allowing yourself to be closed into a box—or closing yourself in. So often we feel we are nothing more than the titles we give ourselves . . . mother, lawyer, gardener, even Witch. We contain multitudes. Sicilian sumac understands this, and helps us to see that all the different parts of us are still us, and make up a harmonious whole. We are expansive beings, and no box or title will ever hold us in or describe us perfectly.