Gentle, strong, soothing embrace
To calm the anxious child in everyone
Aromatic plant lives in the path
Protection and luck with the Flower of the Sun

My first experience with chamomile was on a farm that was new to me many years ago.  We had just moved in and that spring, a feathery leafed plant sprung up beside the paved path.  This plant soon had small buds that opened up into a daisy-like flower.  Every time I brushed the plant or stepped on it, it gave off the most heavenly aroma.  A bit of research gave me the story of this plant.

Chamomile is a plant that is both medicinal and gentle.  This plant of the daisy and sunflower family is best known as a gentle, calming tea that helps ease the anxieties of the day.  And yes, it is that.  It is gentle enough that when I had a young child that had trouble sleeping, I steeped a few chamomile buds in some warm goat's milk and sweetened it with a bit of honey.  Thirty minutes after this bed time treat, she was usually sound asleep.

This delicious herb that is used for flavoring drinks, baked goods and jams, has other medicinal uses as well.  Most of these are somewhat related to its calming effect throughout the body.  It seems to work on the nervous system, the smooth muscle system, and the digestive system.  It is one of the herbs that is mentioned for its therapeutic effects in some of the most ancient herbal texts.

The energetic properties of chamomile should come as no surprise.  It is associated with the Gods of the Sun, including Ra and Helios.  It is often seen as an herb of purification and protection.  Some people use it to manifest good luck and prosperity.  If you want to protect your house, plan chamomile around it.

As one of the nine sacred herbs in the Anglo-Saxon Lacnunga, it was often planted in walkways and cottage gardens to lift the spirits of those who traveled those paths.  It has been used to bring love, peace, and money.  When it is added to incense, chamomile brings calm, rest, and deep meditation.  Many people believe that chamomile is an herb of divine energy that brings with it inner vision and ancient wisdom.  It is used to encourage tenacity, strength, and courage.

No matter how you interact with chamomile, this is an herb that is worth getting to know.  It is gentle enough for most people to use every day to calm the nerves and strong enough as a medicinal and energy herb to be the Ancient Egyptian's heal all.

As always, before working with an herb for the first time, consult with your health care provider or herbalist.  One other note:  Fleabane flowers look similar to chamomile flowers.  Make sure that you do not confuse the two.

Here are some of the other sources that I used for this article:
nccih.nih.gov
healthline.com
learnreligions.com

Here is my recipe for bedtime chamomile
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Pervasive weed of White Man's Foot
In spring time salad eat your medicine
Works like magic protecting the body
when insects bite releases the toxins

As of the time of this writing, the weather is starting to settle down into the late spring or early summer pattern that is common in this part of North America.  It's time to be outside a bit more, and with it comes all of its minor irritations.  My mind, of course, goes to ways to soothe those irritations.  This is when I seek out one of my favorite herbs, plantain.

Plantain herb, or plantago, is a family of more than 200 species that is now found around the world.  Of these, 8 are commonly considered medicinal and edible.  These originated in Europe and North and Central Asia and seem to have been spread around the world by European colonization.  Hence some of the other names it has been given, White Man's Foot or English Man's Foot.

In the United States, the three most common species are Broad Leaf Plantain, Plantago major, Black Seeded Plantain, Plantago rugelii, and Narrow Leaf Plantain, Plantago lanceolate.  All three are medicinal, but the two broad leaf plantains are considered to be the best.  These three plantains are widely naturalized in USDA zones 3 to 10.

Plantain leaf and seed is considered to be a safe food source for spring salads and cooked greens that may help you recover from the winter's stresses.  The seeds are also edible and can be used as a flour substitute or as a thickener.  When the seeds are boiled in water, they can create a soothing gelatinous drink.

All of that said, the most common use for plantain is as a soothing treatment for skin issues.  It has been the go to herb for thousands of years for minor cuts, scrapes, bites, and stings.  It has a number of other uses as a medicinal tea as well.  It is generally considered safe for most people, so it is worth researching and trying.  However, if you are taking medications or have underlying conditions, talk to a medical practitioner first.

Plantain is one of the nine sacred herbs mentioned in the Lacnunga, an ancient Anglo-Saxon herbal.  It is believed to be one of the herbs in the charms of Odin.  In general, plantain is a symbol of healing, health, and tenacity for both the person and the environment.

Even though it is considered to be a sacred herb by the Anglo-Saxons, there is very little spiritual and energetic information about plantain.  Some believe that it imparts toughness, calm, and tenacity.  Some people believe that it protects against snake bite.  It Seems to be a grounding herb that enhances the magical properties of other herbs.  Some people bind plantain to their head to relieve headaches.  (Personally, I would make a strong tea of plantain and use it as a warm or cool compress on the forehead.)  Some people put it in their shoes to relieve weariness.  According to Cunningham, If you hang it up, it will protect a space from evil spirits.

According to at least one Native American legend, a dog was once bitten by a rattle snake.  This poor dog was in a great amount of agony until the owner treated it with a special blend.  According to the story, the special blend was plantain juice and salt applied to the wound.  According to the story passed down through a number of hands, the dog made a full recovery.

Based on my experience, the energetic uses of plantain make sense.  I have used t for spider bites, insect bites, and minor infections.  I have used it to soothe my mouth after having a tooth pulled.

As always, do some research and consult with a medical practitioner or herbalist before using any herb for first aid.
Here is a link to an article on Buy Me a Coffee on how I use back yard weeds for first aid:
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Here are some of the sources that I used for this article:
healthline.com
eldrumherbs.co.uk
livingmedicineproject.com
Native American Herbalists Bible by Christina Bennett

Ancient addictive bitter herb
Purifying medicine of space and wound
Sacred herb for the Goddess of the Hunt
Bring on visions as incense burned
Witches plant of immortality
Connections with spirit do abound

Wormwood is a temperate species of Artemisia
(Artemisia absenthium) that originated in Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa.  It was introduced into North America in the early 1800's for medicinal use.  By 1841, it had become naturalized in the U.S. and Canada.  It is often grown as an ornamental or a medicinal.  However, it is considered to be invasive in many areas of the U.S.

This relative of Sweet Annie and prairie sage is traditionally used in addictive and bitter liqueurs and in a number of medicines.  Although it is often taken internally, it is not considered to be a safe herb for consumption.  It should only be consumed with caution and with the advice of an herbalist or medical practitioner.  It is considered to be safe to use topically for minor wounds, irritations, and infections.  Farmers and animal care takers love this herb for the control of parasites.

All Artemisias, and especially wormwood, are considered to be sacred to Artemis.  It is believed that this Goddess of the Hunt used it as she protected the forest and the children.  It has been used as an incense to encourage altered states and psychic visions.  It has always been associated with  The Goddess, the moon, and powerful women.  Some consider this to be The Witches Plant and in Greece, it was considered to be a plant of immortality.

This highly energetic plant has ancient use as a connection to spirit and higher consciousness.  It was used for divination, clairvoyance, and protection.  It was believed to purify both the space and the body when it was burned as an incense.  Some have used it in spells for love, wealth, and protection.  Wormwood is used to neutralize harmful energies and if you put a pinch in the doorway, it is believed to bring abundance to the house.

Wormwood has been used by cultures from ancient China, to the Mediterranean, to Europe for its spiritual and magical feel.  According to the I-Ching, Artemisia is used to find direction and purpose.  It is believed to encourage good debate and persuasion.  It may also help you take advice from knowledgeable people.  Wormwood is an herb of empowerment and being able to see other viewpoints, self-expression and listening, Inspired creativity and will power.

Wormwood is a highly useful and energetic herb.  However, it can be invasive.  It is both medicinal and toxic.  This is an herb to be honored and respected.

Other sources for this article:
verywellhealth.com
webmd.com
crystalvaults.com
​magickalspot.com

Ancient herb of magic and health
Assertive fire of healing and protection
Planted around the garden gate
For families guard and manifestation
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Ah, garlic, both mysterious and common.  This ancient herb has been cultivated for at least 5000 years.  It's actual origins has been largely lost in the mists of time, and its ancestors, as far as I know, is no longer found in the wild.  It is believed to have originated in the Dead Sea region as there is evidence there of its use from sites dating back to the Neolithic age.

Garlic was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Indians, Chinese, and Babylonians.  By the middle ages, this powerful herb had spread throughout much of Europe and Asia.  It was introduced into the Americas by the voyages of Columbus.  This spread is largely due to the benefits of garlic on every level from cooking, to health, to magic.

This highly valued culinary herb is a beautiful flavoring for many savory dishes of vegetables, grains, and meats.  Many of its health benefits can be enjoyed by cooking with garlic regularly.

It is also considered to be a medicinal herb that has been used for healing since before recorded history.  Traditional uses range from protection against infections, support for healing, and relief from coughs and colds.  The ancients believed that it is a broad spectrum remedy to support general health.  I am not going to go deeper into this aspect of garlic here.  The  information is widely available and you should consult an herbalist or medical practitioner for further information.

Garlic is considered to be a highly energetic and magical herb.  It is believed to be an herb of fire and to be very assertive in its action.  In most cultures, it is believed to be protective against all kinds of evil, from evil spells and negative intent, to vampires.

It is considered to be protection from thieves and plague.  Sailors believed that it was protection against mishaps at sea.  It is believed to protect the home and family when it is placed in the windows and doorways, or planted around the home.

This herb is believed to bring health, strength, and courage.  It is often used in magic spells to bring prosperity, endurance, and healing.  Garlic is believed to bring abundance to a household, attract good luck, and to encourage rain.  The Romans believed that it brought strength and courage in battle.  In some places, it was rubbed on cooking pots to remove negative influences before cooking.

Garlic is considered to be sacred to a number of deities around the world.  The ancient Egyptians seem to have offered it to a number of their gods and remains of garlic have been found in some of the tombs.  It was  also used as an offering to Hecate, and other gods.  Even the Catholic church found uses for garlic.

I have been growing garlic for years.  This ancient crop is relatively easy to grow if you can give it a chill period.  There hundreds of varieties to choose from, both hard neck and soft neck.  I often use at least one clove a day in my cooking for both its wonderful flavor and its health benefits.

My additional sources for this article are:
flyingthehedge.com
magikalspot.com
wonderlust.com
scholarworks.iu.edu
​50 Most Common Medicinal Herbs by Boon and Smith

Protection from evil
From the Seed of Horus
Healing breath and heart
Bring clarity and focus

Horehound is one of the herbs that has been used for medicine and magic since the dawn of civilization and probably earlier.  It was a staple of ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Greek herbal practices.  It was widely used by the Israelites, and in Arabic and Oriental folk traditions.  It was a staple in medieval gardens in Europe and was brought to North America by the European colonists.

White horehound, Marrubium vulgare, is a perennial member of the mint family.  It probably originated in Europe, but was historically found in Europe, North Africa, and Asia.  It is a drought resistant herb that thrives in sandy, poor soil.  In Europe, it can sometimes be found along roadsides and neglected areas.

For the most part, horehound is not used for culinary purposes as it is very bitter.  The one exception that I know of is horehound candy, if you are lucky enough to find it.  This herb is usually grown and used for its many medicinal qualities.  The most common of these is as a cough and sore throat remedy.  Herbalists also know this herb as a digestive remedy and to support brain health.  While horehound is generally considered to be a safe herb, it should be avoided while pregnant.  Consult an herbalist or medical provider before starting an herbal regimen.

Horehound is also a highly energetic herb that is used widely for its symbolic and magical properties.  Some of these are hinted at by some of this herbs other names:  Bull's blood, Seed of Horus, Hound's bane, and the Eye of the Star.

The ancient Egyptians believed Horus's body and sight was restored by horehound.  Therefore they saw this herb as sacred to Horus and to have the power of healing and strength.  They saw it as an herb of vision and truth.  It was often burned to honor Horus and to bring the blessings of power, vision, and healing into  their lives.

In ancient Rome and ancient Greece, this was seen as an herb of power and strength.  It was often used to expel poison and evil from the body.  It was used as an energetic shield against bad intent.

During the middle ages, horehound was used as a protective herb.  It was used to guard against evil spells and bad intent.  It was sometimes burned to dispel evil energy and spirits, or as a protective shield against disease or wild dogs.

The modern energetic uses for horehound mirror many of the older medical and magical practices.  According to Scott Cunningham, this herb is a strong protection against evil and ill intent.  It is burned to clear spaces of negative energy and to protect that space.  It is used to expel the negative from the body and promote healing on all levels.  Drinking horehound tea is said to give mental clarity, focus, and enhanced intellectual powers.

Horehound was one of the first medicinal herbs that I grew for myself.  At the time, I thought that I was going to grow the herb for one of my favorite candies.  Boy was I in for a shock.  This beautiful herb from my garden made one of the most bitter teas that I have ever "enjoyed".  It was nothing like the candy that I loved.  So, I went back to my research and discovered both how the candy was made and the healing properties of horehound.  With some trial and error, I developed  my way f using horehound, without the time and challenges of making the candy.  I was able to get the benefits of horehound, and I could get it down.

To go to the recipe that I use, and some more, click on the button to go to my Buy Me a Coffee article of horehound recipes.
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I take one shot glass of my syrup 2 or 3 times a day at the first sign of a sore throat.  One gulp.  Well - maybe two.  Then I wash it down with something a bit more pleasant.

Here are my sources for this article:
crystalvaults.com
whiterabbitinstituteofhealing.com
oldwayswisdom.com
And the Books from Rodale Press:
Growing and Using Herbs, Weiss and Weiss
The Rodale Herb Book

Sun and Earth living in balance
Food and medicine for healthy life
Native wisdom within the plants
Food hidden by a beautiful sight

Habialaipen or sun root is known as sunchoke or Jerusalem artichoke by western culture.  This beautiful perennial sunflower, Helianthus tuberosus, is an iconic native to much of North 
America.  Along with the three sisters, this was one of the primary food crops cultivated by Native Americans across much of the Eastern Woodlands.  This valuable crop was taken to Europe in the 17th century, where it became an emergency food source there as well.

I'm going to preface the rest of this article with the understanding that 90% or more of Native Americans were killed by European diseases shortly after colonization.  For this and other reasons, much of the cultural wisdom has been lost and we are often turning to the plants themselves to retrieve as much as we can.

In the case of sun choke, this has been an emergency food source if not a primary food source for thousands of years in North America.  Once it was planted and established, it did, and still does, thrive in its location for many years.  Its above ground parts provide food for wild life, birds, and butterflies.  Its primary value for humans is as a highly nutritious root.  When it was introduced into Europe, most Europeans thought that it was just a pretty flower.  However, in times of war, famine, and raiding, sunchoke became a critical survival crop for those who knew what it was as it was overlooked as a "useless ornamental" by the uninformed masses.

This highly nutritious root can be consumed raw, roasted, fried, or boiled.  It can be ground for flour and thickening.  Sunchoke is high in iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and other critical trace minerals.  It contains the fiber inulin and the bitter heliogine.  According to the National Institutes of Health, sunchoke has beneficial health effects for heart health, protection against diabetes, regulation of blood sugar, and protection against cancer, and other health effects.

While I have not personally had a meal of sunchoke, I have helped a friend manage her patch.  I can attest to the fact that it is highly productive and vigorous.  The primary downside seems to be that it can cause intestinal gas.  This effect is reduced after a hard frost kills back the foliage in the fall.

Like many plants native to the United States, there is not a lot of esoteric information on sunchoke.  Therefore, some of this is extrapolated from this being a sunflower.  This is a plant of confidence and action, of personal power and boundaries.  It brings with it the positive flow of light energy and clarity of thought.  In sunchoke, this is balanced with the stability and grounding of Earth magic.  This is a beautiful balancing of Sun and Earth, masculine and feminine, that encourages us to live in the flow of the cycle of life.

This  large, multi-stemmed sunflower draws me to it wherever I find it.  Whether it is in my friend's garden, or the patch down at the river, this beautiful plant both uplifts and grounds.  It is an energy that is rooted firmly in place and yet reaches for the sky.

A digital download of the featured artwork is available on Buy Me a Coffee.
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Sources for this article include:
The website for The National Institutes of Health
wildedible.com
lakewinds.coop
apalacheresearch.com

Medicine of the Eastern Woodland
Sacred feminine, Mother tree
Protect the child, protect the people
Life embraced by leaves three

Ancient and aromatic sassafras is an herbal tree native to the Eastern Woodlands of North America.  This iconic tree with its twisted branches likes the edges and openings of the moist forests of the eastern half of the United States.  It often propagates from the roots of the mother tree as she sends out suckers that draw nutrients from her strength until an opening in the forest occurs.

The easiest way to identify this tree is from its fruity aroma and its leaves.This tree grows three or four types of leaves depending on how you count the types.  The first type is a single oval leaf.  Some of the leaves have the main lobe and a smaller lobe so that it looks like a mitten.  Some of these are the left mitten, some of them are the right mitten.  The final type of leaf has three lobes.

This tree has long been used as a medicinal plant by Native Americans and European colonists.  However, as it contains safrole, its use is restricted for consumption in the United States.

There are a number of other uses for this tree.  The fragrant wood makes a wonderful addition to potpourri and incense.  It is also used in creating perfumes.  The bark creates an orange dye.  This beautiful wood is used for furniture, boxes, cradles, and fence posts.  The fruit is an important food source for wildlife.

Native Americans have a number of legends around sassafras that range from flood stories to healing stories, and stories of protection for children.  In the Eastern Woodlands, Weyonoke (sassafras), is honored as the protective and healing mother tree.  It is seen as a symbol of wealth, health, and good fortune.

For energy workers, sassafras carries the strong energy of the sacred feminine.  It is the mother tree of protection, nurture, and healing.   A sassafras tree growing near by is believed to protect the community.  Some believe that sassafras wood helps keep evil away.  The wood is used for good luck and to protect what is dear.  Many see this wood as bringing wealth, abundance, and safety.

In conventional thinking, when something is seen as beneficial, it should be collected and horded.  In the past, this was done with sassafras and many of the other plants of North America to devastating effect.  I find that these plants have their greatest benefit and greatest magic and energy when they are treated with respect, honor, and reverence.  Sassafras is one of those powerful trees that I believe can protect and heal.  This is best done by the sustainable harvest of suckers and respectful harvest of wood and leaves.  The disrespect of poor harvesting practices, in my experience, does great damage to the environment, the community, and the power of these resources.  Sassafras maintains her strongest connection and energy where she is honored and respected.

Some of my sources for this article include:
thedruidsgarden.com
thespruce.com
​USDA Plant Database

Sacred plant around the world
Home to spirits and protection
Channel positive magical power
Tree of Life and purification

Cedar has a tendency to be a colloquial term for a number of species from around the world.  Each of these trees or shrubs that are called "cedar" have very similar culinary, medicinal, and energetic signatures.  In reality, true cedar, from the genus cedrus, is a small number of species found around the Mediterranean.  These trees were sacred to the Egyptians, Sumerians, and Celts.

Since I am in the Eastern Woodlands of the United States, I am going to focus the rest of this article on the "cedar" species of North America.  Here, several species of the cypress are called cedar.  The three most commonly used for ceremonial purposes are:

EASTERN WHITE CEDAR - Thuja occidentalis
EASTERN RED CEDAR - Juniprus virginiana
WESTERN RED CEDAR - Thuja plicata

Each of these cedars have culinary and medicinal uses.  However, because of the potential for toxicity if too much is taken internally, it is best to consult a trained herbalist before consuming these plants.

All of these trees have a long history of practical uses.  This is a rot resistant and insect resistant wood that is used for house construction and shingles, and outdoor structures.  Cedar wood is used as an insect repellent.  This makes this aromatic wood perfect for boxes, cabinets, and paneling, especially for storing items that need to be protected from insects.  Its anti-fungal properties tend to prevent mustiness as well.  Cedar is a beautiful wood for flutes, canoes, and baskets.  Cedar dust can be used as a base for incense.

As much as I love cedar woodwork and boxes, it is the spiritual and energetic uses for cedar that inspires me to seek it out.  Cedar is believed to purify and protect people and spaces.  It is believed to be a channel and connection to nature spirits.  It is believed to break up and dispel negative energies.  Some traditions use cedar to channel positive energetic power.  It is believed by some that cedar trees are the homes of powerful native spirits.

In my ceremonial practice, cedar plays a key function.  As one of the four sacred herbs of Native American spirituality, in my practice, cedar holds the place of the North Shield.  It is the first herb that I use and the last herb that I use.  It is the herb that completes the cycle.  I use cedar to set up and protect my ceremonial space.  I use tobacco, sage, and sweetgrass during my ceremony where appropriate.  I end my ceremony with a cedar smudge.  I do this to seal and protect the energy and intention that was created during the ceremony.  Only then do I release the ceremonial space.  I also often use cedar to create a protective energy around a camp or an entry point.

Here are a few final thoughts on cedar and its energy.  Cedar is one of the herbs that is used for smudging to cleanse and protect a person's energy field.  It is one of the herbs that is used in sweat lodge ceremonies.  This tree plays a key part in many Native American legends, and is considered to be The Tree of Life.  Cedar is one tree that I would plant on any property that I owned as it lends its gentle and protective energy to the space where it exists.

Here are some other sources that I used for this article:
magic.com
iowaherbalist.com
aischgo.org
​native-languages.org

Medicine plant for cold and cough
Heal the skin at rapid pace
Healing plant in the garden
Protection for person and space

This year we had a mullein plant volunteer in the garden.  Since we were in the process of redoing the garden, I just left it where it was.  It was a beautiful addition and its broad spread kept the weeds out of a section that wasn't being used.  What a beautiful gift that unintended plant became.  When it was time to start preparing the garden for the end of the season, I harvested the plant for medicine.  So, now is a good time to write about mullein.

Mullein is a biennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia.  It has become naturalized in the United States, where most people consider it to be a weed.  It is often considered to be invasive.  It is a reasonably easy plant to recognize for wild sourcing, but check your favorite guide for a positive ID.  It is a fuzzy leafed, grey-green plant that grows in a low rosette the first year.  The second year, it shoots up a flower stalk that is about three feet tall with yellow flowers.  Every part of this plant has medicinal value.  Some parts of the plant have utilitarian value.
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Mullein is best known as a medicine plant.  It is often used as a tea for coughs and colds.  It can also be used for skin irritations and infections, but it can cause contact dermatitis.  The flowers and roots also have medicinal value.  As with all herbal remedies, consult a good herbal, like 20,000 Secrets of Tea, an herbalist, or medical practitioner.

There are some interesting practical uses for mullein as well.  It has been used to line shoes for comfort and warmth.  The stalk dipped in tallow makes a torch.  The dried leaves can be used as tinder.   It makes a wonderful garden mulch and conditioner, adding vital nutrients for the next year's growth.  It can also be used for cleaning and as a toilet paper.  However, I'm not sure that I would choose to use it on sensitive skin.

Like most powerful herbs, mullein has a number of energetic uses.  It is believed to encourage divine and spiritual connection.  It is used to repel evil and bad intent.  Warriors use it to enhance courage.  If you like divination and dream work, mullein might help.  It is said to enhance and encourage intuition.  Mullein is used for ritual offerings and purification of people and spaces.  It is said to attract both fairies and butterflies, and halt bad luck.
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Right now, I have a rosette of leaves drying.  Later, they will be stored for tea.  I chopped the roots and am currently soaking them in vodka.  It is turning out to be an interesting experiment.  In another month or so, the tincture will be ready, just in time for flu season.

Walnut is a group of deciduous tree species of the genus Juglans that are found in Europe, Asia, West India, South America, and North America.  Most of the 20 species of walnut are stately trees with compound leaves.  Most species have edible seeds and beautiful wood.  Most climates have at least one species of Juglan.  The most common walnuts used worldwide are English walnut from Europe and England, Black walnut from North America, Persian walnut, and Butternut from North America.  There are other Juglan species in North America, Columbia, Japan, Korea, Brazil, and other places.

The walnut is a highly valuable tree for a number of reasons.  It's greatest value, in my opinion, is as a nutritious food source.  The edible seeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and anti-oxidants.  They are high in vitamins, minerals, and protein.  They are a source of melatonin, iodine, and selenium.  This healthy food source can also be tapped like a maple tree and the seeds can be pressed for oil.  Walnut seeds, husks, and leaves do have a number of medicinal uses.  However, the leaves, bark, and husks contain juglone, which can be toxic in high concentrations.
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Walnut, especially black walnut, has a number of practical uses as well.  The wood is used for furniture, floors, cabinetry, carving, tools, and flutes.  The oil can be used for cooking, wood polish and conditioner, paint carrier, varnish, lamp oil, and herbal carrier.  The leaves can be used for contact dying or to suppress plant growth.  The husks are used to create dye for wood or cloth.  The husks can also be used to create ink and paint.  The nut shells can be used to create tiny boxes, ornaments, and jewelry.

Like most trees, walnut also has a number of energetic uses.  Some of the symbolism of walnut includes abundance, strength, and resilience.  It is a reminder that during times of adversity to rely on your own intuition to discern what would be helpful.  Walnut is believed to expel negative or unwanted energy and to increase mental powers.  The ink is used for spell casting.  The wood has been used for talking sticks, wands, and staves.  It is used for runes and spirit boards.  Walnut is a beautiful wood for protective boxes for treasures and sacred tools, and more.

The walnut that I am most familiar with is the Eastern North American black walnut.  I have spent most of my life foraging for black walnuts, a habit, good or bad, that was taught to me by my grandfather.  To me, walnut is abundance, and even survival, as I have had times in my life when walnuts were my primary source of protein.  Black walnut is a delicious food source for cooking in desserts, rice dishes, stir fries, or just eating fresh.  When I collect walnuts, I create a beautiful brown dye for wool and wood.  Since one of my art forms is pen and ink.  My next experiment is to create walnut husk ink.