The Extraordinary Magic of Lemon Balm
Gender-Feminine
Planetary Association- Moon or Neptune
Elemental Association-Water.
Deities: Venus, Jupiter, Diana
Folklore/History- The botanical name, Melissa, is Greek for “bee”. Lemon balm has been cultivated in the Mediterranean region for about 2000 years. The Muslim herbalist Avicenna recommended lemon balm “to make the heart merry”. Paracelsus claimed this herb could completely revitalize the body and called it the “elixir of life”, and 14th century French King Charles V drank its tea every day to keep his health. The famous Carmelite Water, first made by 17th century Carmelite nuns to treat nervous headache and neuralgia, combined lemon balm with lemon-peel, nutmeg, coriander and angelica root.
Sacred to the temple of Diana, lemon balm was called “heart’s delight” in southern Europe. Its virtue of dispelling melancholy has been praised by herbal writers for centuries, and it is still used today in aromatherapy to counter depression. In ancient times Lemon Balm was planted by ones front door to drive away evil spirits, and I, personally, still adhere to this practice. In ancient Turkey it was planted near bee hives to encourage the bees to return home to the hive rather than swarm away.
Magical uses: Love potions, aphrodisiacs, fertility, anti depressant.
Drink as an infusion to soothe emotional pains after a relationship ends. Lemon balm is ideally suited for healing those who suffer from mental or nervous disorders. It is also very useful for those of sound mind who need to keep their mental processes in superior condition. A tea made of the leaves brings calm, which is appropriate for magical students while preparing for ritual work. Considered sacred to Diana, it is believed that it was once used in her temples. Balm may also be used as a bathing herb toward a variety of goals. It may be used as part of the ritual process of invoking the Goddess; it may be used when sharing a ritual bath with one’s partner; or it may be used to find the fulfillment of one’s personal desires. This usage of lemon balm opens one to the divine love of the Goddess, but is also believed to add energy to one’s being which makes you more appealing in the world of love and romance. Lemon Balm is used in spells to bring Animal healing, compassion, endings, fertility, happiness, healing, longevity, love, mental, prosperity, psychic, release, success,and youth.
Writers over the centuries have praised lemon balm for its ability to dispel melancholy and in aromatherapy it is still used to combat depression. Its pleasing scent makes it a popular ingredient in herbal pillows, often used to promote relaxation and sound sleep. Lemon balm is associated with the energies of the moon and used to help balance emotions, allowing us to perceive our feelings without becoming wrapped up in them.
Tradition holds that Amazons, a tribe of female warriors, founded the ancient city that later became known as Ephesus, and that the goddess Diana was born in the nearby woods. A great temple was erected to honor the goddess, who was also known as Artemis or Cybele — the Goddess of Nature and Fertility. Like Beltane, Cybele’s annual festival occurred in the spring. Ritual Uses: Lemon Balm is primarily used in the pursuit of romance. It is an herb which attracts, and is sometimes made into a charm and worn to bring a lover into one’s life. It may also be used as a bathing herb, some of the delightfully scented leaves scattered over the water, or an infusion poured to mix with the bath. This is also said to attract romance. A tea made of the leaves brings calm, which is appropriate for magical students while preparing for ritual work.
Lemon balm can also be used in as an ingredient or substitute for related to lunar matters. It guides us as we traverse the misty emotional state of the Moon and enables us to view our emotions and feelings without getting lost in them. If you use this magical herb in your rituals and spells use it for healing, astral travel, sleeping/dreaming, and vitality specifically.
Used as a bathing herb toward a variety of goals it may be used to find the fulfillment of one’s personal desires. Lemon Balm is bound to the moon and water. It is used in spells associated with healing, health, friendship, love, and success. Can be used in love spells and charms. Historically, it is a symbolic plant used to transmit messages between lovers. Drink as a tea to ease emotional pain after the break-up of a relationship or other personal hurt.
Soak leaves in wine for several hours, strain, then share the wine with the object of your desire.
Carmelite Water (from Manahedgewitch)
In a 3 L bottle of alcohol ( the most popular one is 40% vodka ), add:
– 500 g of melissa leaves
– 125 g of lemon zest
– 15 g of dried angelica roots
– a spring or two of sweet marjoram
Close bottle tightly and let sit for 10 days, shaking it everyday. Strain through a cloth than add these spices to the alcohol:
– 200 g of bruised coriander seeds
– 40 g of ground nutmeg
– 40 g of cinnamon
– 5 g of clove
Close bottle tightly and let it sit for 8 days (shaking it everyday). Strain and bottle.
Emotion Potion Spell:
~Mix Rosehips, Hibiscus flower, Lemon Balm, Peppermint and Meadow-Sweet together clockwise and place into container until needed. ~When wanted to drink, take 2 tablespoons and place in teapot with boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes. Visualize and chant:
"Herbal brew of lover’s emotion, With intent I fortify. When two people share this potion, Their lover shall intensify."