Planet: Jupiter
Element: Fire
Powers: Exorcism, Healing, Love, Money, Protection
Magical Uses and History: The name "clove" originates from the Old French world clou and the Latin clavus meaning "nail" for its shape, like that of a nail. For this reason, cloves are often seen as protective. Native to the Molucca Islands, cloves were a prized commodity of the Ancient Romans and Chinese. In fact, cloves were so prized wars were waged over them and the Dutch, wishing to capitalize on the clove market, took control of most of the clove groves, destroying all trees outside of their territory. To increase prices, the Dutch even set fire to many of their own trees and those of the natives to create an artificial shortage. At the time, cloves were worth their weight in gold and could often only be afforded by the wealthy. Because of this, cloves are often associated with money and prosperity. Today, clove incense is often burned (oh, the irony) to attract wealth and prosperity and to dispell negativity.
Natives in the Molucca Islands historically planted a clove tree for each child born. It was believed that the tree was directly linked to the fate of the child. A healthy, thriving tree meant a healthy, thriving child, while a sickly, dying tree was believed to forboding. These trees were protected and cared for so that the child would also be protected. When the Dutch began destroying these trees, the natives revolted, forcing the Dutch out and causing clove growing practices to change.
Cloves are also historically linked to healing and protection from illness. Clove oil has been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments, especially dental ailments and is naturally antiseptic. The Chinese would chew cloves before meeting with the emperor or other royal figures to ensure their breath was pleasant. However, one of its most famous uses is in the pomander ball or pomme d'ambre which translates to "apple of amber." Pomanders were balls made from different perfumes that were worn or carried in a vase for protection against infection and bad smells. While it originally started out as mixtures molded to look like fruit and kept in wooden, metal, or porcelain (as seen in several paintings of Queen Elizabeth I), more recent adaptations of this charm include an orange (apple of amber) covered in cloves and wrapped in ribbon. Beginning in the eighteenth century, many wealthy Europeans ran with the idea of studding oranges with cloves and giving them to loved ones as a gift for Christmas or the New Year, hence why modern pomanders are often associated with Yule and Christmas. This charm is often allowed to cure dry and placed in drawers and closets to protect again pests, or as a charm to help the ill recover faster. While cloves were not nearly as expensive as they had been, oranges were, making orange and clove pomanders something only the wealthy originally indulged in. And let's be honest, only the wealthy can afford to use food as an air freshener instead of eating it. As such, modern pomanders are also associated with wealth and prosperity and is said to bring good luck to those that have them.
Cloves can be used in a number of spells including:
Protection Spells
Banishing Magic
Money Spells
Healing Rituals
Medicinal Uses: Cloves can be used to soothe nausea, vomiting, and even flatulence as well as to stimulate the digestive system. Furthermore, cloves are naturally antiseptic and a mild anesthetic, which makes it great for treating toothaches before you can get to the dentist as it contains a chemical called eugenol. Furthermore, some early research suggests that clove oil may repel mosquitos for up to 5 hours!
Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, place some cloves (as many as you want depending on how strong you want the infusion to be) into a cup of boiling water and allow to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day. For a toothache, a whole clove can be placed directly onto or near the tooth in question and "sucked" on until the pain is gone. Do not chew. I have found that slightly grinding the clove with some water to create a mash works best. Clove oil can also be used by placing a small amount on a cotton ball or Q-tip and putting this near the tooth. Clove oil can burn so keep this in mind when using. Smelling cloves can also heighten your senses and clear your mind. Please be aware the eugenol slows blood clotting and should not be taken with aspirin or other blood thinners."
Fantastic read thank you for the helpful information I love clove
ReplyDeleteGreat information! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete💫♾️Thank you Willow!!!!☯️💫
ReplyDeleteI tried to do it through Google, but it didn't work. My name is Elizabeth and I loved your informative article on cloves. When I was a girl my mum used to get us making pomanders in half term (Autumn). With a large orange wrap a ribbon around it twice to make four segments. Fill each segment by pressing a clove into the orange skin. Leave in the airing cupboard. The orange dries out (you can do it with a lemon too) and it is amazing and lasts for years. The smell of orange and close together is on a whole other level, especially when you've made it yourself.
ReplyDeleteI looooove pomanders!
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