This well rounded and renowned plant has been widely used throughout history for medicinal, as well as metaphysical uses. When speaking of Chamomile, there are two types: Roman and German, both of which are used almost interchangeably. Medicinally, Chamomile has been used to treat a seemingly endless list of conditions. The great thing about Chamomile is it can be used internally or externally. Because it is antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antispasmodic plant, it can be ingested as a tea for calming and soothing the digestive tract and is usually very safe, mild enough to be used in children. It is exceptionally soothing to the skin and has been known to treat skin conditions like eczema and can relieve itching and irritation from poison oak/ivy. It helps treat gastritis, heartburn, and colic. It can help treat burns and rashes, clear phlegm from your airways, ease the symptoms of hay fever, and even reduce swelling. And finally, it is very well known for its uses as an effective sedative to treat serious anxiety, nervousness, even insomnia. It even bares the nickname ‘plant’s physician’ – as it seems to grow extremely near ailing plants and helps to perk them right up!
In many Native American cultures, this plant was well used. The Aleut were known to drink teas in order to help rid themselves of gas, while the Cherokee drank tea for ‘regularity’! In the Mexican folkloric tradition, manzanilla was used to support healthy respiratory function and for soothing the stomach and easing digestion. In the highlands of southern Mexico, the Tzeltal Maya make a chamomile tea containing an orange and a lime leaf to lift the mood. Common preparations were teas, baths and sitzbaths, gargles, inhalations, and compresses. Germans refer to this herb as alles zutraut meaning ‘capable of anything.’ Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemelum nobile are similar and have been traditionally used interchangeably to some degree, although differences in taste and action have been noted. (Mountain Rose Herbs – Chamomile Flowers, https://mountainroseherbs.com/chamomile-flowers, 2020)
Metaphysically speaking, this herb is very well rounded. Because of its planetary alignment of the Sun, it has a very ‘sunny’ disposition – meaning it is amazing at attracting things. This makes it ideal for attracting love, money, prosperity, protection, and all good things. It can also help remove curses, induce sleep and meditation, and can help with dream magic.
Now we dive into the Northern European shamanic and folkloric uses of this awesome plant. As a plant associated with the Sun, it is also associated with the God, Baldur, making it a plant of Asgard, the land of the Aesir. Having such a close connection with the Sun, it was believed that this plant could actually harness the power of the sun – hence the reason the flowers are golden. It was likely burned during ritual to send messages to the Aesir. Because of the uplifting spirit and benefits of this herb, it was used to burn away the darkness and combat depression. In doing so, it helps one purge themselves of self-loathing thoughts and negative speak. Over time, it has become known as quite a powerful antidepressant, both medicinally as well as metaphysically. It helps us let go of things, thereby promotes healthy, sound, peaceful sleep – allowing the body and mind to rest and heal.
Some of the best ways to use this herb are to dress candles, photos or even altar tools with Chamomile Oil before spellcrafting. As you dress these items, focus on burning away the darkness and letting go of things that hold you (or your target) back. You can also grind up the flower and use it along with the oil. This also works very well for love or money drawing rituals. On the flip side of this coin, if you dress a black candle, upside down, with this oil, it can promote banishing of negative energies or even toxic people from you (or your target’s) life. You can also sprinkle a tiny bit of the oil, or dried chamomile flowers in your shoes to help release negativity throughout the day as you walk. I, personally, have found the oil and the flowers, exceptionally useful when working with or communicating with the land spirits around my home.
You can also use the oil on your temples and other pulse points to help you ground, relax and begin meditation. The flowers can also be burned as an incense before and during meditation. Gamblers, for decades, have been known to use a handwash made from chamomile before a friendly card game. Carry Chamomile flowers in a sachet in your car for safety when you drive. Any time you make a tea or infusion of this herb, sprinkle it around your doors and windows for an added boost of serious protection around you and your home. (Wigington, Patti. “Chamomile.” Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/chamomile-2562019)
Here at Inexplicable Things, we are often asked what the best way is to keep prosperity coming your way, without having to constantly burn money-drawing candles.
Two words: Money Lamp
When you want to bring money and prosperity in, but you really cannot afford to constantly be lighting money-drawing candles, a money lamp is a great way to incorporate these energies into your daily routine. And to be clear, the energies should not be about bringing more in – that can borderline on greed. Rather focus on being thankful! Be grateful! Both for the things you already have, as well as those things yet to come.
Here is my swamp conjure take on a prosperity lamp.
Start with a Hurricane lamp – you know, the old school kind with the large glass base that held the oil. You can find them either online, thrift stores, or if you live in the South like we do, Walmart carries them!
Gather up things that represent money and prosperity to you. I like to use things that actually are money – like a few coins, some paper money, even joss paper or bank Hell Notes. Add these to the base.
Next I add some natural curios – like crystals and stones that will help to amplify the power of the lamp. I usually incorporate quartz, maybe some pyrite, a lode stone would also work nicely.
Don’t forget to add money-drawing herbs. I usually will cinnamon sticks and bay leaves to mine. Allspice berries, mint, alfalfa, agrimony, and other herbs such as these.
Next, add fun curios for things you want to bring in. I am not a gambler, but taking risks is a part of our business, so I added a tiny green die I had. If you enjoy gambling, add things like dice, a playing card, perhaps, or even an unscratched lottery ticket. Add things like cowrie shells, or things from magickal and tribal traditions that were often used as currency.
I also use a bit of red pepper – I like to keep things spicy and moving along. Not alot, but a touch works nicely.
And then add those things that are goals: a blank key from the hardware store for a new car or even a new home; a photo of a vacation spot; a job announcement for something you are applying for. Get creative! * blank keys are important . . . do not get a key that is already ‘keyed’ for something that you don’t know where it leads! *
Add anything you feel says ‘prosperity‘ to you. And remember, prosperity isn’t always money. It can be happy home, healthy family members, charitable donations, etc. Add a petition or prayer if you wish.
Finish up by adding any money-drawing or success oils or powders that you normally like to use on candles. I usually add a few drops of a Road Opener, just to keep those roads open, and a few drops of a Protection oil – you work your ass off making that money, you might as well throw down some protection for that money, right?! Yeah you right, baby!
Light her up – make her shine. Just 10 minutes a day is all you need. You can do it before work, mid-day, or even right before bed. In fact, I know some that will light it for about 15 minutes before bed, and make a meditation.
Remember, the key is focusing on thanks, not asking for more.
You can see a short little video of how I make mine at inexplicablethings.org – under the Mama’s Tips & Tricks link!
I wrote a blog about 2 years ago, that offered a good variety of suggestions for reading up on conjure. I recently went back over that list, made some tweaks and edits, adding a few titles here and there.
Many of these books are also found on the suggested reading lists of other practitioners – such as Moma Sarah (Conjured Cardea), Matthew Venus, and several others, have recommended many of these.
Please remember – to each their own. I know that more than one of the authors listed here are surrounded in controversy – be your own judge. Reading is knowledge and knowledge is power – so, by all means, do not make this list or their words, be your gospel – but learn what you can, apply what you can, and make up your own mind!
This is NOT all inclusive, but will give a very well-rounded picture! Also, this list is for conjure related – not my list for witchcraft-specific. I have thousands of books that I have read over the years – and can offer suggestions for those, as well.
Inexplicable Things’ Suggested Reading List –
(These are my personal favorites & those that I have found beneficial throughout my life)
* Sticks, Stones, Roots and Bones – Stephanie Rose Bird (I love anything this lady writes!)
* Black & White Magic (attributed to Marie Laveau) – by Bivins, N.D.P
* The Key of Solomon the King: Clavicula Salomonis (translated by S.L. MacGregor Mathers)
* Backwood Shamanism – Ray Hess
* The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook – Denise Alvarado
* Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells – Judika Illes (I love all of her stuff!)
* Santeria: the Religion: Faith, Rites, Magic – Migene Gonzalez-Wippler
* The Magical Power of the Saints – Ray Malbrough
* Papa Jim’s Herbal Magick Workbook
* Candle and the Crossroads– Orion Foxwood
* Jambalaya – Luisah Teish
* Hoodoo, Herb, and Root Magic – Catherine Yronwode
* A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo – Tony Kail
* The Hand Book: Hoodoo Mojos, Gris Gris, Medincine Bags, Jackballs and Paquets – Talia Felix
* Healing with Herbs and Rituals– Eliseo Torres
* Of Mules and Men– Zora Hurston
* The Conjure Workbook – Volume One – Starr Casas
* The Master Book of Candle Burning– Henry Gamache
* Voodoo & Hoodoo – Jim Haskins
* The Diloggun: The Orishas, Proverbs, Sacrifices, and Prohibitions of Cuban Santeria –Ochani Lele
We all know that working a spell for quick financial gain will not alleviate the need to repeat the spell at a later time. What we need to do is look for ways of increasing our abundance, each day, long term – so the need for the singular prosperity spells becomes a thing of the past.
From cultures around the globe, we see similarities in charms, talismans, herbs and stones. Therefore, there must be some validity, wouldn’t you think?
Wealth Powder
3 parts egg shell
1 part dried dill
1 part dried basil
½ part ground cinnamon
Grind them all together and use for money, wealth and prosperity spells. Sprinkle around your home.
Carry abundance charms, such as a 4-leaf clover. Some cultures feel the 4 leaf clover is a sign of bad luck, while others see it as very beneficial. Each leaf bestows some level of wealth or happiness into your life. Upper right is said to bring love, while the upper left brings wealth. The lower right grants good health and the lower left brings you fame.
Create a small pouch – using green material, sewn with gold thread. Add stones of prosperity, such as aventurine, pyrite (fool’s gold) and peridot. Add three silver coins, a pinch of lavender and a pinch of borage. Sew it up. Carry it on your person for abundance.
Obtain a new dollar bill from a bank. Cleanse and empower it with brilliant sunshine for a few moments, on each time. Anoint the bill, in a 5 star pattern, with peppermint oil. Fold the bill in half, long ways, and towards you. Wrap it around a quartz point and tie it with bright green yarn. Keep this as an altar piece to attract wealth to you.
Write wishes on bay leaves and burn them to help make those wishes come true.
Repeat a mantra such as: I love abundance and prosperity and I attract it naturally. Mantras work well when repeated about 6 times each hour.
You can “grow” your wealth! Take a thriving houseplant – such a basil, a money plant, even aloe vera will work. Sprinkle some dried alfalfa on the soil around the plant. “Plant” a silver or gold coin in the dirt under the plant. Place the coin so that half of it is sticking out of the dirt – like it was planted and should start growing. When new money begins to manifest in your life, spend that coin right away. Replant a new one, it’s in place.
Crush 3 large cloves together. Place them in a mason jar. Add a cinnamon stick and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Place in a dark corner of a cabinet.
An old Strega ritual involves using a lemon (representative of the Moon) and sticking it with straight pins with green pin heads. Cover the lemon. Tie with a piece of natural hemp cord and hand somewhere in your home.
Pour 2 cups of sand into a large mouth mason jar. Place cowrie shells and sand dollars on top of the sand. Place the lid on the jar and tie a sea green ribbon around the lid. As you wrap the ribbon, say the following:
By the Will and Power of Mother Ocean,
To whom I give my devotion,
I ask to receive the gifts of your bounty,
Within this jar of sand, dollar and cowrie.
Decorate with mermaid and sea turtle charms, if you wish. When you are done, place the jar somewhere that you will see it often. Whenever you see the jar, visualize yourself growing more and more prosperous each day.
One of the most often overlooked prosperity ingredients is lucky money rice. When fixed and prayed over successful, this easy ingredient can become a secret weapon for combating financial hardships. There are some fun things you can do. Fling handfuls of the green sparkly rice in the air – feel the shower of gifts from the Divine. Sweep it all up when finished and place in a bowl on your altar.
Carry a few grains of green rice in your wallet or coin purse to attract money on an ongoing basis. Place a small pile of this rice on a tray and trace out symbols and sigils of prosperity for your needs. After the rice is empowered, fill a small bag with some and carry it with you until your wishes are fulfilled.
Leave an offering of green money rice at the base of a tree as an offering.
And never throw or sweep your luck away! Whenever you sweep anything up, always make sure to make at least one stroke inward – toward the center of your home or property.
Be sure to visit Miss Sha’ @ inexplicablethings.com for questions about using, making or purchasing Fixed Green Money Rice!