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