Magickal Herbs D


Damiana . . . .
(Turnera diffusa or T. aphrodisiaca) Also known as Mexican Damiana A classic aphrodisiac, it works by sending blood to the genital area, which the user interprets as being "turned on." It must be used consistently for several weeks before an effect is noticed. The leaf is infused to treat sexual trauma, frigidity, and impotence.
	Damiana enjoys a modern reputation as a sexual stimulant because it increases arousal. It is employed in many ways, from being the primary ingredient in a smoking mixture or taken in some form of a drink or brought in direct contact with the sexual organs. It may be seeped in an oil to provide one of the best ritual lubricants. A herbal oil of Damiana is among the best for preserving the energy stored within a quartz crystal. It is especially potent when carried in something red.
Use ritually in the cup for the Great Rite. Work with Damiana to open your chakras and increase your psychic ability in your quest for a heightened vision.

Dandelion . . . .
(Taraxum officinale) Also known as Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Piss-a-Bed, Priest's Crown, Puffball, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive. Dandelion belongs to the Belenountion: Herbs associated with the Celtic Diety Belenos. These are yellow plants that are ritually gathered at midsummer in Brittany. They are said to form the body of the God.
Magickal Uses: To promote psychic powers make a tea of the root by drying, roasting and grind (like coffee). The tea, when steaming and placed beside the bed, will call spirits. Blow the seeds off the head in the direction of your loved one, while concentrating on a message. Buried Dandelion in the northwest corner of the house will bring favorable winds. Simple garden magic: pick a "puff ball' on the night of a full moon, call in the sacred directions, and blow your wish to the winds.
It is a sign of rain when the down from a ripened dandelion head falls without wind helping it to do so. To dream of dandelion portends ill fortune. To know how many years you will live, blow the seeds off the head of a dandelion. As many seeds as are left will be the number of years. To tell the time, blow at the seed head three times. The number of seeds left is the hour.

Datura . . . .
	(Datura spp.) - Poison Also known as Devil's Apple, Ghost Flower, Jimsonweed, Love-Will, Mad Apple, Madherb, Manicon, Stinkweed, Sorcerer's Herb, Thornapple, Toloache, Witches' Thimble, Yerba del Diablo. (Spanish: Herb of the Devil) Datura has been used in Shamanism and religious rites for many centuries. The Aztecs considered the plant sacred.
Magickal Uses: Sprinkle Datura around the home to break spells and to protect against evil spirits. To treat insomnia place some Datura leaves into each shoe, then place them under the bed with toes pointing toward the nearest wall. A few leaves placed in the crown of a hat protects the wearer from apoplexy and sunstroke. Datura may be sprinkled around the home to break spells and protect the house and inhabitants from evil spirits. Datura has a long criminal history. The quality of deadening the senses before death, or during the perpetration of a crime, made it of the greatest value to criminals. Dammerschlaf - translated almost literally to "twilight sleep." A mixture of morphine and scopolamine (a constituant of Datura) was used during childbirth to prevent pain and to suppress memory of the incident. Datura is highly hallucinogenic and extremely poisonous, and has proved fatal in some instances. Do not ingest the herb unless under the supervision of a qualified expert - many teenage deaths and injuries result each year when they experiment with this herb. Sensitive skin needs only to touch the herb to be irritated.

Dittany Of Crete . . . .
(Dictamus origanoides) Magickal Uses: This herb is excellent for manifestations of spirits when burned as an incense. Dittany can be mixed with equal parts of vanilla, benzoin and sandalwood to make an astral projection incense. Burn a small amount before making the attempt. The juice of the dittany will drive away venomous beasts, so rub it on your body before entering their domains.
Dittany is sometimes associated with Hallow's Eve, when rituals are done throughout the world to seek communion with those who have passed into the Otherworld. The leaves can be burned as incense or burned in the Hallow's fire when seeking communication which brings wisdom from the other side. Dittany is associated with the Underworld, and can be connected with Persephone, Orris and other deities who can transport into that realm. Dittany may be added to the ritual cup.

Dragon's Blood . . . .
	(Draceana draco spp.) Also known as Blood, Blume, Calamus Draco, Draconis Resina, Sanguis Draconis, Dragon's Blood Palm. Dragon's blood is the resin of the Draceana draco species. The common name of this plant is "dragon tree" hence the name. Parts Used: Resin
Magical Uses: When a woman is sitting near an open window at night and burns the resin as an incense it persuades an errant lovers return. The resin is also a powerful protectant when carried, sprinkled in the home or used as incense. It drives negativity and evil away. Add it to other incenses to increase their potency and power To cure impotency, place a stick under the pillow or mattress. Mix powdered dragon's blood, sugar and salt, and then place in a bottle. Cover tightly and hide it in your home where it won't be discovered. This will bring peace and quite to your home. Dragons Blood has stirred the imagination of many magickal herbalists. The powdered resin burns with a distinctive, highly pleasing aroma and the bright red colour of the herbe itself lends the resin to many magickal workings. It is often used in home-made inks. Such inks are useful for placing one's sigil upon a document, or for writing a vow upon a piece of paper or parchment when giving one's word to the universe. Include Dragon's Blood in incense used in rituals of death.

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