Herb of the Week – Alkanet Root (Alkanna tinctoria)

Element: Water

Planetary: Venus

Astrological: Libra, Virgo, Taurus, Cancer, Pisces, & Scorpio

Deities: Aphrodite/Venus, Hathor, Sekhmet, Horus, Durga, & Lakshmi

Magical Properties: Good fortune, love, prosperity, & protection

This is an herb that is not as well-known today as it was in antiquity. In ancient Greece this herb was all the rage, particularly for those who were devotees of the goddess Aphrodite. Alkanet Root is perhaps better known as a colorant for cloth, cosmetics, and for coloring spell components such as oils, incense, and magical inks.

• Used as an incense, it blends very well with frankincense and sandalwood. It purifies the space and drives away all negative energies. Used with Rosemary or Thyme, can be used for all kinds of protection and purification. Alkanet used with mint, patchouli, and cinquefoil are excellent for drawing money into your life. Alkanet also enhances meditation and can help ground you.

• If you’re job hunting or hoping for a promotion at your current job, putting a pinch of alkanet in your shoes can help make such endeavors more successful.

• If you own your own business, sprinkle a bit of powdered Alkanet Root on your floor at closing time, and then sweep it up first thing in the morning to bring prosperity. A little bit of Alkanet can be added to mop water at night for the same purpose.

• If you want to encourage prophetic dreams, place a sachet with a bit of Alkanet under your pillow to protect you while you sleep. Carrying some alkanet in a charm bag can also act as a protecting talisman.

• Alkanet Root is also excellent when you want to open up your intuition, particularly because it’s connected to your third eye chakra.

If you want to explore the magical properties of Alkanet Root for yourself, we now have it in stock at the shop.