Herb Meaning Dictionary

Herbs & Their Meanings

Every herb tells a story. Each leaf, petal, and root carries an ancient whisper—a memory, a blessing, a purpose. Use this directory to choose allies for your custom candle or casual ritual. These correspondences are symbolic and drawn from long-standing folk and metaphysical traditions. Follow your intuition first.

A

B

Basil — Love · Prosperity · Protection · Spiritual clarity

Basil is kitchen-witch gold—bright, friendly, and practical. Long associated with abundance and harmonious homes, it’s beautiful for money magic, sweetening relationships, and blessing new ventures.

Use when: calling in prosperity, smoothing household energy, attracting kind connections.

Pairs with: Cinnamon (momentum), Rose (affection), Citrine (abundance).

Bay Leaf — Success · Manifestation · Wisdom

Classic for petitions: write a goal, hold it to your heart, and burn or tuck beneath a candle. Bay clarifies the mind and signals your intention to your future self.

Use when: setting goals, divination, launching projects.

Pairs with: Clear Quartz (amplify), Rosemary (focus).

Butterfly Pea — Creativity · Inspiration · Open-mindedness

Vivid indigo petals that invite fresh vision and imaginative play. Lovely for art spells, dream journaling, and opening to possibility.

Use when: you need new ideas or a playful reset.

Pairs with: Amethyst (intuition), Mint (mental freshness).

C

Carnation — Healing · Protection · Love · Strength

Tender yet sturdy, carnations hold the heart through change. They soothe frayed feelings, protect tender bonds, and fortify courage.

Use when: mending relationships, recovering after stress.

Pairs with: Rose Quartz (gentleness), Yarrow (resilience).

Catnip — Attraction · Joy · Charming presence

Lunar-kissed and playful, catnip brightens the aura and calls in friendly attention. Great for luck, levity, and social ease.

Use when: you want lightness, luck, or sweet encounters.

Pairs with: Shell (emotional ease), Jasmine (allure).

Chrysanthemum — Joy · Hope · Longevity · Positivity

A calm, sun-soft radiance that encourages steady optimism. Traditionally linked with long life and renewed spirit.

Use when: lifting household mood or supporting recovery.

Pairs with: Citrine (joy), Violet (peace).

Cinnamon — Prosperity · Momentum · Energy · Protection

Fire in a pinch. Cinnamon accelerates, warms, and attracts—excellent in money and motivation spells. Use thoughtfully when you want movement.

Use when: increasing drive, sales, or courage to act.

Pairs with: Basil or Bay (abundance), Tiger’s Eye (confidence).

Clove — Protection · Confidence · Warming strength

Comforting and fortifying—clove steadies nerves and wards off heavy energy. Good for boundaries and speaking up.

Use when: you want grounded bravery and clear edges.

Pairs with: Obsidian (shielding), Rosemary (focus).

Clover — Luck · Gentle healing · Blessing

A pocket-charm energy: simple, lucky, kind. Invites little wins and soft recovery after storms.

Use when: calling in ease and friendly outcomes.

Pairs with: Aventurine (luck), Mint (fresh start).

D

Dandelion — Wishes · New beginnings · Transformation

A hardy teacher of rebirth. Dandelion supports courage during change and helps you name what you truly want.

Use when: making decisions, starting fresh, or releasing.

Pairs with: Clear Quartz (clarity), Lemongrass (road-opening).

E

Eucalyptus Leaf — Purification · Clarity · Healing

Refreshing, clearing, and bright. Eucalyptus sweeps out stale atmospheres and supports breath—literal and energetic.

Use when: resetting a room, post-conflict cleansing.

Pairs with: Sage (deep cleanse), Amethyst (calm mind).

F

Fennel Seed — Courage · Strength · Abundance

Old-world protector with a prosperous twist. Encourages sturdy self-belief and practical follow-through.

Use when: building confidence for money or career work.

Pairs with: Citrine (prosperity), Thyme (bravery).

Fig — Love · Fertility · Intuition · Divination

Fig carries temple-soft wisdom and sensual grounding. Wonderful for heart-centered magic and developing inner sight.

Use when: nurturing intimacy or deepening intuitive practice.

Pairs with: Rose (devotion), Lapis Lazuli (truth).

Forget-Me-Not — Enduring love · Remembrance · Friendship

A gentle vow-keeper. Beautiful in workings for lasting bonds, ancestral remembrance, and loyal companionship.

Use when: honoring relationships and shared memories.

Pairs with: Rose Quartz (tenderness), Violet (peace).

G

Ginkgo Biloba — Hope · Peace · Mental clarity

Resilient and serene; invites perspective and steady thought. Lovely for study, planning, and gentle renewal.

Use when: you need calm focus and long-view wisdom.

Pairs with: Clear Quartz (focus), Mint (freshness).

Gynostemma — Purification · Vitality · Spiritual growth

Traditionally associated with uplift and life-giving energy. Use for inner restoration and quiet resilience.

Use when: tending energy levels and positive momentum.

Pairs with: Ze Lan (vitality), Rosemary (clarity).

H

Herba Pyrrosiae — Emotional soothing · Grounding · Peace

Traditionally associated with calming scattered feelings and easing mental static—good for centering before meditation.

Use when: emotions feel noisy or unmoored.

Pairs with: Amethyst (soothing), Lavender (balance).

Hyssop — Spiritual cleansing · Protection · Renewal

A temple purifier across ages. Hyssop resets spaces and hearts, inviting fresh starts with dignity.

Use when: after endings, in forgiveness work, during new cycles.

Pairs with: Sage (deep cleanse), Clear Quartz (clarity).

J

Jasmine — Sensuality · Romance · Harmony · Lunar intuition

Queen of the night. Jasmine opens the heart and heightens perception—beautiful for dream and attraction work.

Use when: inviting tenderness, enhancing allure, softening into trust.

Pairs with: Rose (devotion), Moon-linked stones (Selenite/Quartz).

L

Lavender — Calm · Cleansing · Psychic openness · Balance

Lavender is the deep exhale—eases overthinking, clears gentle spiritual residue, and supports intuitive listening.

Use when: you need rest, clarity, or soft boundaries.

Pairs with: Amethyst (intuition), Rose (heart-softening).

Lemongrass — Road-opening · Clarity · Communication

Cuts through confusion and invites clean, forward motion. Great for fresh starts and honest conversations.

Use when: unsticking plans, clearing mixed signals.

Pairs with: Mint (refresh), Clear Quartz (focus).

Lily — Purity · Protection · Peace

Moon-water grace. Lily protects tender emotions and restores quiet in the heart.

Use when: you need sanctuary, sleep rituals, or grief care.

Pairs with: Violet (peace), White stones (Howlite/“White Turquoise”).

Lotus — Rebirth · Enlightenment · Inner peace

From mud to bloom. Lotus encourages patient transformation and spiritual composure.

Use when: releasing old identities; meditation & blessing.

Pairs with: Clear Quartz (purity), Amethyst (higher mind).

M

Mint — Prosperity · Clarity · Refresh · Protection

A bright breeze for body and mind. Mint lifts fog, invites wins, and motivates movement.

Use when: starting anew, studying, or energizing a plan.

Pairs with: Aventurine (luck), Citrine (confidence).

Mugwort — Dreams · Intuition · Safe travel

Dream-door opener. Mugwort supports second sight, liminal journeys, and recalling what the night reveals.

Use when: lucid dreaming, tarot/intuition, travel blessings.

Pairs with: Amethyst (vision), Lavender (soothing).

Mulberry Leaf — Harmony · Strength · Vitality

Steady and adaptable. Encourages peaceful bonds and quietly sustained energy.

Use when: tending relationships, pacing yourself well.

Pairs with: Rose (connection), Ginkgo (calm focus).

N

Nettle Leaf — Protection · Boundaries · Resilience

A fierce nurturer. Nettle teaches healthy no’s and helps reclaim personal power kindly but firmly.

Use when: cutting cords, ending patterns, strengthening resolve.

Pairs with: Obsidian (shield), Yarrow (courage).

O

One-Thousand-Day Red (Gomphrena) — Loyalty · Vitality · Lasting love

Bright, enduring blooms; wonderful for promises you intend to keep and passions that deserve stamina.

Use when: renewing vows, sustaining creative fire.

Pairs with: Garnet (devotion), Red Agate (steadiness).

P

Peony — Protection · Prosperity · Love · Opportunity

Velvet-petaled abundance. Peony shields what’s tender and beckons blessings in love and livelihood.

Use when: you want safety + sweetness + success together.

Pairs with: Rose Quartz (heart), Citrine (fortune).

R

Red Rose Petal — Romance · Devotion · Emotional depth

Queen of flowers. Rose refines passion into presence and invites sacred tenderness.

Use when: deepening intimacy, self-affection, or grief balm.

Pairs with: Rubellite (heart fire), Carnation (healing).

Rosemary — Memory · Protection · Devotion

Bright, evergreen clarity. Rosemary strengthens recall, clears residue, and honors commitments.

Use when: studying, ancestor work, home blessing.

Pairs with: Clear Quartz (focus), Clove (strength).

Roselle — Passion · Love · Independence · Divination balance

Water meets fire. Roselle harmonizes heart-heat with emotional wisdom.

Use when: asserting needs while staying connected.

Pairs with: Tiger’s Eye (confidence), Rose (devotion).

S

Sage — Cleansing · Wisdom · Clarity

A classic purifier and truth-bringer. Use to reset rooms and mindsets.

Use when: after conflict, before ritual, for discernment.

Pairs with: Eucalyptus (refresh), Hyssop (renewal).

Sophora — Protection · Banishing · Emotional soothing

Traditionally associated with warding the evil eye and quieting unrest—good for keeping thresholds calm.

Use when: shielding the home or sacred work.

Pairs with: Obsidian (ward), Yarrow (bravery).

St. John’s Wort — Joy · Protection · Inner sunlight

Summer-solstice brightness in plant form; warms spirits and keeps shadows at bay.

Use when: inviting lightness and optimism.

Pairs with: Citrine (joy), Rosemary (clarity).

T

Thyme — Cleansing · Courage · Sleep · Memory

Small leaves, bold heart. Thyme clears subtle clutter and emboldens action, then settles you for honest rest.

Use when: you need brave calm and tidy thoughts.

Pairs with: Red Agate (nerve), Lavender (sleep).

V

Violet — Tranquility · Harmony · Peace · Hope

Quiet grace. Violet cools hot feelings and encourages gentle self-regard and reconciliation.

Use when: making amends, softening inner criticism.

Pairs with: Rose Quartz (tenderness), Shell (ease).

W

White Snake Grass — Protection · Spiritual clarity · Fresh start

Traditionally associated with clean beginnings and graceful vitality.

Use when: stepping into new identity with clear boundaries.

Pairs with: Clear Quartz (purity), Lemongrass (reset).

Y

Yarrow — Courage · Healing · Psychic boundaries

Warrior-healer. Yarrow seals the aura, supports recovery, and sharpens intuitive edges.

Use when: energetic shielding or tender self-repair.

Pairs with: Obsidian (ward), Amethyst (discernment).

Z

Ze Lan — Vitality · Healing · Positive energy

Traditionally linked to life-giving encouragement—good for gently rebuilding momentum.

Use when: recovering strength, blessing new habits.

Pairs with: Gynostemma (vitality), Citrine (uplift).


Quick Intention Index

  • Love & Connection: Red Rose Petal, Jasmine, Carnation, Peony, Violet, Roselle
  • Protection & Boundaries: Sage, Clove, Yarrow, Nettle Leaf, Sophora
  • Prosperity & Growth: Basil, Cinnamon, Mint, Fennel Seed, Dandelion
  • Calm & Emotional Healing: Lavender, Violet, Rosemary, Forget-Me-Not, Lily
  • Intuition & Dreams: Mugwort, Lavender, Butterfly Pea, Jasmine
  • Fresh Starts & Clarity: Lemongrass, Mint, Eucalyptus, White Snake Grass

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Transparency & Safety

Correspondences are symbolic and offered for educational/spiritual use. They are not medical advice or a substitute for professional care.

Some plants can be irritating or contraindicated for certain people; handle thoughtfully and keep away from children/pets. Burn herbs responsibly and never leave flames unattended.

Where to next

Correspondences are symbolic and for educational/spiritual use. Keep botanicals and stones away from active flame; never leave a candle unattended.