Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020
Butcher’s-Broom Ruscus aculeatus
A Compendium of Plants
ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES
banishing, psychic ability, protection, healing
Butcher’s-broom is an evergreen shrub with bright red berries. Its flat and stiff branches were once used to sweep up a butcher’s block—and interestingly, butcher’s-broom does have antibacterial properties, making her quite good for cleaning these kinds of messes.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Indeed, butcher’s-broom is a powerhouse for medicinal properties. She’s a laxative and a diuretic, and ancient Greeks believed that adding her to wine would remove kidney stones. She can also reduce swelling and help heal a broken bone. Butcher’s-broom benefits the entire circulatory system, especially for those with orthostatic hypotension, and can treat hemorrhoids, gallstones, leg cramps, varicose veins, leg swelling, and so many more ailments.
Butcher’s-Broom Ice Cube Banishing Spell
Use this spell when you have a series of events, habits, or people you want to banish from your life. You’ll be able to be very specific!
WHAT YOU NEED
2 cups water
2 tablespoons dried butcher’s-broom
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon valerian
7 coffee beans
Ice cube tray
Salt
WHAT TO DO
· Bring the water to a boil. Add all the ingredients except the coffee and salt and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.
· Let the mixture cool. You can strain it if you want to, but it isn’t necessary.
· Place each coffee bean in a separate slot in the ice cube tray, and as you do, set an intention for each 1—what do you want to banish or release? Be specific, and make your intention clear and detailed.
· Pour your tea over each coffee bean, filling the ice cube slot. Place the tray in the freezer for 3 days.
· On the fourth day, remove 1 ice cube. Sprinkle salt on it, and as you do, say “I banish you” or “I release you.” Bury your ice in the earth or flush it down the toilet.
· Repeat this ritual every day until you have banished each ice cube.
MAGICAL PROPERTIES
Burning butcher’s-broom provides a calming atmosphere, not only for people but for animals as well. She can help you stay focused, improving your psychic abilities. Scattering butcher’s-broom twigs into the air can invite a gust of wind, while scattering the ashes of butcher’s-broom can cause the winds to move on. I work with butcher’s-broom primarily for protection and banishment. Bring a pot to a boil and add a handful of butcher’s-broom. Let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, strain, and let cool. Use this water for your Magical workings on protection or banishment; I also like to add it to my bath when I feel negative energies weighing me down.
PLANT WISDOM
Dreaming of sweeping with a broom made of this plant symbolizes a heavy heart and spirit. You may have had your heart broken and/or you may have lost someone. When I do healing work for my own childhood trauma, I often dream of drowning in a river with butcher’s-broom floating all around me. I’ve learned to invite this being into my healing work, burning it or keeping its water on my altar, to help me keep a calm heart during the healing process. Butcher’s-broom sends a message of being present—for the pain, the laughs, the good, and the ugly.