Sketchy Herbs & Magic Rocks: Chrysocolla and Calendula

This newest segment of the podcast will highlight an herb and a stone or crystal who’s energy can be used for magic that follows the general theme of the show. As a natural witch I regularly use herbs and stones in my spells, magic and just every day life … and I just love talking about them.

 Listen to the episode these were featured in here: Episode 12 – Not Every Goddess Has a Sacred Womb

Calendula

This one was requested by instagram user janeclairebradley and it turns out she had perfect timing! A few days later I ended up using it in an incense blend. Isn’t it funny how that works out? Calendula, or Marigold as the flowers are called, has a lot of amazing, non-magical uses that many people are familiar with – most notably it’s awesome healing qualities – but it’s got magickal uses too! So let’s check out what Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs has to say about Calendula.

Folk Names: Bride of the Sun, Calendula, Drunkard, Goldes, Holigolde, Husbandman’s Dial, Marybud, Marygold, Mary Gowles, Ruddes, Ruddles, Spousa Solis, Summer’s Bride
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Powers: Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Legal Matters, Psychic Powers

Calendula is used in magick for protection, prophetic dreams, and good luck in legal matters. Putting marigolds around the house is said to keep evil entities out, and putting the petals under your bed or in a dream pillow can help bring on prophetic dreams. Carrying marigolds is said to increase your respectability, and maybe sway a verdict in your favour in court.

In Mexico, Marigolds are a big part of Day of the Dead celebrations and frequently adorn altars (or offrendas) and graves. It’s said that good spirits are attracted to the smell of the flowers and are lead home so they can see their families. They’re also used as a ward against spirits that mean to do people harm, since the veil is thin at this time.

The incense blend I made last week was to honour Santa Muerta, the undesignated Mexican saint of death and the disenfranchised. It’s tie to Mexican death traditions and it’s help in legal matters made it an awesome fit – since Santa Muerta is called on in times of hardship.

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Chrysocolla

I jokingly refer to Chrysocolla as “rich man’s turquoise” because it’s EVEN MORE expensive that turquoise is right now. It’s also often confused for turquoise, partly because of it’s similar colour palette and because it also had a prominent place in Native American jewellery.

Chrysocolla is a stone associated with confidence and female empowerment but, unlike other stones for female power like moonstone, has nothing to do with reproductive organs or the physical body at all.

Chrysocolla helps to clear the subconscious of negative feelings like guilt, fear and anxiety, while bringing out your inner strength. It helps to release resentment and is exceptionally helpful in dealing with the anger and pain associated with abuse of any kind, including sexual assault. It also helps you stand up for yourself in allowing you to express your more fiery emotions, like anger, passion, excitement and even disappointment. You’ll never let go of those if you don’t let them out once in a while!

It’s also a very spiritual stone, and makes excellent pendulums.

Chrysocolla works best as a touch stone or a piece of jewellery that is in constant contact with the skin.