Witch Grass?

[MacMorrighan]

Hey guys:

Has anyone read any ritual, religious [paleo-pagan or modern Pagan], folklore, or Magickal uses of witch grass ? Herman Slater-- in his wonderful [I]Magickal Formulary & Spellbook--Book II [which is not really a "Formulary," per se, but an herbal companion to his previously published text]-- states: "[f]requently, Voodoo dolls are stuffed with this herb, particularly when the doll is to be used for hexing purposes" (sic). I would also, personally, extend this to when it is necessary for one to "load" a candle as a prteferred form of Magick.

* By the Gods, I love my copy of John Lust's The Herb Book! When I had first gotten my copy of Slater's herbal-- which was the my introduction to this herb-- I was unable to find any information on it within the herbals that were lining my shelves at the time. So, as we speak, John's book just happened to be sitting on my desk, in front of me. And right there, in black and white, there is was: Witch Grass [Agropyrons repens]!

However, this morning I felt like meditation, and decided toi specifically think about this herb, when the following information kept "intruding" on me:

WITCH GRASS: Power-booster; amplifies the respective "charge" of any herb it comes in contact with-- they must be catalyzed afterward, however. As an herb of Saturn (if I correct about this) witch grass is also useful in binding, justice, and vengence, etc.

All my best,
Wade MacMorrighan

[Cindlady2]

Lust'sbook was the very first herb book I ever bought! And yes, I just now reached over for it! LOL!

What I found was this...

Witch Grass (Couch Grass, Dog Grass, Quick Grass)
Gender: M
Planet: Jupiter

Used for (magic): Love, happiness, exorcism, unhexing, binding love


I went to 4 different books just to find that little bit.

However, it's been my experience that if an herb is telling you to use it in a certain way... then try it, it's probably right.

[Meadhbh]

Dog Grass Root is also known by the names Witch Grass, Couch Grass, and Twitch Grass. The parts of this plant used medicinally are the rhizome, root, and seeds. The plant is a native of Europe, Asia and North America. The genus name is derived from "agros", meaning "field", and "puros", meaning "wheat". Dog Grass Root is recommended as a support treatment for gout. Dog Grass Root was an official plant in the Indian and Colonial Addendum of the British Pharmacopoeia for use in the Australasian, Eastern and North American Colonies, where it was much employed. Dog Grass Root may be used effectively in urinary infections such as cystitis, urethritis and prostatitis. Its demulcent properties help soothe irritation and inflammation. It is also useful in the treatment of enlarged prostate glands. Dog Grass Root may also be used in cases of kidney stones and gravel. As a tonic diuretic, Dog Grass Root has been used with other herbs in the treatment of rheumatism. For urinary tract infections, this herb has been used effectively with Buchu Leaf, Bearberry, and Yarrow. It has also been combined with Hydrangea for the treatment of prostate problems. Juice from the root has been used to treat jaundice and liver ailments its high mucilage content makes it soothing to mucus membranes. Eczema is also aided by the use of Dog Grass Root.