Herbs ~ Honeysuckle
by Amethyst
Botanical: Lonicera caprifolium
Planetary Associations: Jupiter, Mercury
Element: Earth
Gender: Masculine
Tarot: The Heirophant, The Magician, Cups
Astrological: Cancer
Invocatory: Gwion, Bach, Ganesha, Orunmila, Oshun, Cerridwen
Magickal Classification: Herbe of Immortality, Religious Herbe, Visionary Herbe
Parts used: Flowers, Bark
Synonyms: Goats Leaf, Woodbine, Jin Yin Hua
LORE
Honeysuckle (Lonicera species) is a plant with a sweet scent and rowdy disposition. Honeysuckle vines are easy to grow, vigorous, heat-tolerant, and nearly indestructible. The flashy and fragrant flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies all summer long. The resulting fruit of the Honeysuckle flower will provide a fall treat for your local songbirds as well.
Wild British Honeysuckle was known as "woodbine" or "woodbind" because of its trailing habit. Shakespeare's "woodbine" is said to be morning glory.
The word "honeysuckle" has supposedly come from the honey sweet nectar so loved by pollinating hawk moths.
Folk legend recalls that parents once forbid their teenage daughters from bringing this plant into the home, as it was thought to induce erotic dreams. Another proverb says that if honeysuckle is brought into the house, a wedding will shortly follow.
USAGE
Honeysuckle is used to enhance your spiritual sight. The best application of this herbe is obtained through using the extracted oil. Honeysuckle can increase your understanding of the images and impressions collected in the astral.
Honeysuckle is used in rituals designed to connect you with the mysteries of the Cauldron of Cerridwen.
Representing rebirth and the survival of life through the long winter's death, honeysuckle decorates the Eostara temple, representing the renewal of spring. When used in sabbat rituals the dried, powdered bark may be used as incense. Ring green candles with Honeysuckle flowers to attract money, they may also be added to sachets and charms.
In tree magick, the Honeysuckle encourages us to reach for those desires sought while remaining true to the values and beliefs held. The Honeysuckle will help you to tread safely. The sweet scent of the Honeysuckle signals joy in the search for the self.
An herb of many powers, honeysuckle is magically associated with sparking love or creativity, and encouraging a partner to remain faithful.
Honeysuckle will heighten psychic powers, especially clairvoyance, when burned or placed on the third eye (psychic centre in the middle of the forehead). It is also used for workings to encourage creativity, secure material objects, keep something secret, or improve the memory. Inhaling the fragrant flowers, along with visualizing the way you want your body to look, can help you lose weight, according to Scott Cunningham. Honeysuckle incense is used for determination, good health, prosperity, and tranquillity in the home. The plant is said to keep away thieves. It is also associated with immortality.
Medicinal and Other Uses:
In the East Honeysuckle is used to treat fevers of colds, as an expectorant, an asthma remedy, and for dysentery and diarrhoea. Honeysuckle is used in many cosmetic fragrances. Caution: The berries of some Honeysuckles are toxic.
Energetics: cold, dry, bitter/sweet
Primary Actions: clears heat, alterative, immune stimulant, expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, strongly antiviral and antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, uterine stimulant, relaxant nervine, astringent, lymphatic
Primary organs: Stomach, lungs, liver
Bach Remedies
16 HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera caprifolium)
- Living in the past, longing for the past -
For people who tend to live in the past or to hold on to the past, for instance after the loss of a partner or a pleasant job. They find it difficult to work through that past and let it go; they do not expect good things from the present or future. This is also a good remedy for homesickness and nostalgia.
