Magical and Medicinal Uses of Thistle

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Exorcism, Hex-Breaking, Healing, Optimism, Protection, Purification, Strength

Magical Uses and History: Before I dive into the history and lore of thistle, I need to note that the word "thistle" has been used to refer to a variety of plants in the Asteraceae family, including, but not limited to, milk thistle, blessed thistle, and Scotch thistle. Where possible, I have noted the type of thistle experts believe the text references, but the correspondences largely overlap due to their characteristic sharp leaves, prickly spines, and dense purple or pink flower heads.

Thistle, like many plants, has a dualistic cosmogony, appearing as both a plant of the devil as well as a warder of evil. According to artiological legends, God allocated thistle, along with nettle, to the devil:

The Lord God, when He created the world, gave out and distributed various seeds: to people, animals, birds. He also gave a few grains of oats and buckwheat to the devil, but St. Michael said: Lord, these are good for people too, the devil will be just fine with thistles and nettles. – So take those away from him and give him these, God commanded. The angel flew after the devil and caught up with him at the crossroads as the latter screamed incessantly: “My oats, my buckwheat, my oats, my buckwheat!” – What you’re saying! The angel of God stopped him. – I seem to have forgotten – So I’ll remind you: yours is thistle and nettle. – Oh, thank you – and with that the devil carried on and shrieked again: “My thistle, my nettle!”.

Other sources say thistle was created by the devil and refer to it as devil's thistle, devil's seed, and devil's weed. Plants associated with the devil were often considered undesirable weeds. Farmers routinely removed thistle and other "weeds" from their fields, sometimes using magical means to do so. For example, on Christmas Day, rubbish would be swept into the field where thistle grew in hopes of banishing it, while on St. Stephen's Day, oats were spread over fields with thistle while saying "Devil, flee with the thistle, for I am sowing blessed oats." However, it is this association with the devil, as well as its thorny nature, that prompted its use in protection. Thistle was spread on thresholds, stuck in windows, hidden in roof seathing or thatch, and placed in stables and barns to protect against witches, the devil, and other untoward spirits.

Similar myths and legends exist across multiple cultures, where thistle has long been used as a protective amulet. In German folklore, it is said a merchant who forgot to wear his thistle was attacked, robbed, and murdered by a jealous thief. With his dying breath, the merchant placed a "curse of thistle" on the thief so that he would never know peace. Haunted by the curse, the thief eventually confessed to his sins and was hanged. Apuleius wrote some two thousand years ago about wearing amulets of thistle to 'avert all ills,' while in Estonia, thistle was placed on ripening grain to protect it from evil spirits who would spoil it. In the Balkans, silver thistle was carried to protect against slander, while in Russia it was used to protect livestock and children from witches and the devil.

However, one of the most famous uses of thistle for protection is in Scotland, where thistle (Scotch thistle) is believed to have helped the Scots win the Battle of Largs in the 13th century, when a Viking horde sought to ambush the sleeping clansmen. According to the stories, the Norsemen removed their shoes to quiet their footsteps. As they crept across the countryside, however, one of the men stepped on the thorny thistle, crying out in pain. This cry woke the Scots, who in turn defeated their foes.

While the thistle may have saved the Scots from the Norse invaders, the thistle was highly regarded by the Norse for its protective qualities, specifically against lightning. The Norse believed the thistle was created by lightning, thus associating it with Thor, and therefore could protect the wearer from lightning strikes. It was not only worn for such purposes, but also placed in homes for the same reason. As such, all forms of thistle can be used for spells and rituals for protection. Carry thistle on your person, place in your home, or grow in your garden to protect against evil, thieves, unwanted attention, and lightning. Add to baths to wash away unwanted negativity and break hexes. Add to protection bottles and spell bags, or weave into your clothing for similar purposes. Its uses in protection magic are pretty endless.

In the same vein of magic, thistle has also long been used for strength. In Scandinavian folklore, thistle was carried to draw strength and power from another. It was said that while holding thistle, if one thought about another person, they would draw their strength into them, thus weakening the other. Other folklore discusses eating thistle or carrying it to bring strength and vitality.

Apart from protection, thistle (milk thistle) is also associated with milk production and the Virgin Mary. In one Christian myth, milk cascaded from Mary's breast while feeding the infant God, and dropped onto the thistle, thus imbuing it with sacred powers. Imagery from Christian texts and church stained glass often depicts milk thistle, especially in conjunction with Mother Mary. In the Book of Hours, thistle frames Mary and the child, furthering their association with one another, and therefore a symbol of austerity and grace. Furthermore, milk thistle was often used to protect cows' milk from thieves. In Scandinavia, however, thistle is specifically named in runic inscriptions that are believed to aid women in giving birth. Medicinally, thistle was used to help lactating mothers, furthering its association with milk and new life. As such, thistle can be used in lactation spells and remedies, or spells and rituals related to childbirth, new life, and feminine fertility.

As with many plants, thistle has long been used for healing. Carrying thistle or weaving it into charms and amulets was said to dispel melancholy and bring joy. The Anglo-Saxons drank thistle tea to ease stomach pains, while the Romany used it to treat cancer. In Irish folk medicine, thistle was often boiled in milk to cure asthma and whooping cough. Culpepper wrote of thistle's use in treating venomous animal bites, boils, and plague sores, a cure Charlemagne also praised when thistle was used to treat disease when it broke out in his camp. Pliny the Elder said it could cure snakebites, treat bad breath, flatulence, and even baldness. Today, modern scientific advancements have proven thistle's use to treat gastrointestinal issues related to bile production as well as enhance breastmilk production. With this in mind, thistle can be used in spells, rituals, and remedies for health and wellness, especially for issues related to lactation and galbladder/liver function.

While most of the folklore focuses on protection and healing, some sources discuss thistle's use in love potions and divinations. Thistle was combined with cloves, laurel seeds, and sparrow wort in pigeon broth and drunk to ensnare a lover. Other spells involve planting thistle in a mixture of dirt from a blooming rose garden and semen from a black stallion, which is then watered by the urine of a white mare for one month before eating. To divine love, thistle flowers were placed in the four corners of one's pillow, each named from a different suitor. Whoever's head grew a new shoot first was said to foretell your future spouse. Finally, carrying thistle was said to make men better lovers. As such, thistle can be used in spells and rituals for love, specifically to attract it or ensare it.

Thistle can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Healing Spells

      Strength Magic

      Protection Spells

      Love Spells

      Excocisms

Medicinal Uses: While I discussed thistles as a whole in the previous section, for medicinal purposes I will focus only on milk thistle (Silybum marianum), as it is the most widely used variety in medicine. Please pay attention to scientific names when working with medicinal plants. The seeds and leaves of milk thistle are a galactagogue, meaning they can be used to promote milk secretion (hence the name milk thistle). It is also a cholagogue, helping to stimulate the flow of bile from the gallbladder and liver, making it useful in treating gallbladder- and liver-related bile issues.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine one cup of boiling water with 1 teaspoon dried leaves. Let the mixture infuse for 10-15 minutes before enjoying. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 1-2 milliliters up to three times a day.

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