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

Calamus Acorus calamus
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

control, balance

Calamus, also known as sweet flag, grows tall in the wetlands of Europe, India, Africa, and much of Asia, as well as North America. Ancient Egyptians made perfume with calamus, and she is still a common ingredient in perfumes today, as well as in cooking.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Native American tribes, particularly the Chipewyan people, work with calamus to soothe a sore throat or calm an upset stomach, and she is valued in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine traditions as well. However, reports of severe vomiting have caused calamus to be banned as an herbal supplement in the United States—thanks to those who don’t follow dosages properly.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Calamus root chips are an essential ingredient in commanding powder, a mixture founded in voodoo. Calamus root can help you to regain control over a situation—or over yourself. Calamus root brings me back into balance. If you’re feeling anxious, or as though you’re unable to manage what’s going on in your life, burning calamus roots or leaves or adding them to a spell can help you regain a sense of calm and find your inner balance so that you can feel in control once more.

PLANT WISDOM

Calamus root dreams come when you ask for them. You can sit and meditate with a calamus in your hand and ask her spirit to show up in your dreams to help you work out any issues you need help with, particularly a lack of having self-control, wanting to get rid of bad habits, and so forth. Calamus root teaches us to take hold of our inner power, allowing us to be fearless in our mighty strength.