herbs for beltane - 5/1

happy beltane everyone !! this gaelic festival celebrates the beginning of summer. as temperatures rise and days get longer, this is a great holiday for using fire magic and fire element herbs like the following:

• birch: represents purity, renewal, and love. besom (birch) brooms were also used historically to 'sweep away' bad spirits from the household and garden
• oak: associated with strength, wisdom, and truth. it promotes vitality and protection against sickness, whether physical or spiritual
• fir: brings progress, growth, and emotional fortitude. helps us withstand the difficulties of life. great for reversal spells and breaking hexes
• basil: encourages fidelity and love in our relationships, delivers friendship to us; associated with positivity, wealth, and community
• ginger: promotes success, victory, and healthy accomplishment. good for purifying social spaces before attaining prosperity or achievement. prevents anger
• cayenne pepper: excellent for removing obstacles and negative influences from our lives. an aggressive protection herb; most peppers work well for exorcizing spaces
• carnation: brings catharsis, emotional stability and relief, healing, patience, and gratitude. helps create more peace within the household