Herbal Profile - SAGE

 Hello my lovelies,

I hope you are all enjoying this Herbal Profile series this week whilst I am on holidays ~ I hope it gives you an insight into what I have been doing over the past few weeks ~ getting to know herbs and flowers that I have growing in my garden.  This is going to be the last one for the week, as it is a herb that I am working with whilst on holidays.  Today I bring you the wonderfully wise SAGE.

BOTANIC NAME ~ Salvia Officinalis / Salvia spp.

AKA ~ Common Sage, Garden Sage.

GENDER ~ Male (Hot).

PLANET ~ Jupiter & Moon.

DEITY ~ Jupiter, Venus, Artemis, Diana, Huggeia.

CRYSTAL ~ Clear Quartz.

NOTED ~ For its wisdom - hence the saying "wise old sage". Sage is well named coming from the Latin salvere, to save.

Used by Native American Indians in smudging ceremonies.

FOLKLORE ~ The Chinese drank sage tea as often as possible, and their records show how high a value was placed on the health giving properties - 4lb of china tea was exchanged for 1lb of sage by the merchants of the time.

Sage was used in the Middle Ages to treat many maladies including fevers, liver disease and epilepsy.  It was a common belief that sage strengthened one's memory.

USES ~ Sage can be used for any culinary purpose and is usually mixed with Rosemary and Thyme to be put on meats, pies, baked goods etc.  In a tea, it improves digestion, supports cognitive function and helps with anxiety.

WITCHCRAFT USES ~ Sage is used for Protection, Purification, Wisdom, Longevity & Health, and Prosperity.

Add to healing and prosperity sachets, incenses and amulets.

Sage is used to cleanse a magical space via burning the herb.

It is used to ease grief from the loss of a loved one.

Burn a black candle that has been dressed with sage essential oil for cleansing negative energies from your home.

White Sage was the most common sage used by Witches for these purposes, but due to the unethical over harvesting of white sage, it has now become very hard to get and very expensive.  I have had mine for years and use it sparingly (see picture to the right) I find normal garden sage is just as powerful.

Yes - I did another entry into my little book too...

(My writing is not getting any neater LOL)

GARDENERS ~ Sage needs an alkaline soil, so put plenty of dolomite into the soil and throughout the topsoil when planting.  Sage loves hot sun and dryness so it will give you a sturdy little bush in no time.  She doesn't like wet feet - so make sure drainage is excellent.  She can be a bit like a spoilt child at times and can turn up toes overnight without any apparent reason if the weather or the soil condition is not to her liking.  Talk to her gently, whisper how lovely she is, keep an eye on her needs, and she will love you back.

So this ends my week of blogs on Herbal Profiles.  I will be doing more as I do them, just not all in one week hahaha.... I hope you have enjoyed this brief interlude into the flowers and herbs in my garden and what they are used for.

Until next time, please take care (especially as we are in the Silly Season...),

Blessings to you all.

Annette )O( xxx