With Mercury retrograde creeping up again on us in less than a week, I thought it a good time to make a quick and simple post about a few of my favorite nervines, and to share a recipe of sorts. The messenger god Mercury rules the mind, the brain, and the nervous system. It’s no wonder we feel fried during Mercury retrograde. Other planets in retrograde can affect us as well.
A nervine is simply defined as an herb or medicine used to calm the nerves. Whether you believe Mercury retrograde can cause chaos in one’s life or not, nerve care is something almost every one of us can use.
When a planet is in retrograde it appears to be moving in reverse orbit. What’s actually happening is the Earth's motion and that of the planet’s is not the same. It is a similar effect of sitting still in a car when a truck trailer passes your window. It can seem like you’re moving backward though you are not. When a planet is in retrograde, it is ill-advised to move forward with important work. corresponding to that planet if possible.
As many of us have experienced, it can be downright frustrating. To be wholly honest, I have gone from being a hardcore skeptic to brewing tea to take down the nervous vibrations in a matter of some years. I believe we can be affected, though I’ve read people born during a planet’s retrograde will be affected by it a bit less.
So here are the ingredients to a nerve nourishing tea (try saying that three times fast) that I hand blend to get through trying or stressful times. Keep in mind that these herbs have other medicinal properties and I am only focusing on their nervine aspects for this particular post.
Hawthorn berries are a natural relaxant and can help reduce stress. Though generally considered safe for long term use, check with a healthcare professional before using hawthorn if you take heart medications. The Hawthorn is traditionally viewed as a protective herb. Its thorns can measure up to four inches long. I like the aid of thorn-bearing herbs in protective magic and ritual, so Hawthorn berries also make it into my black salt quite often. Other magical uses for Hawthorn include Fae contact and communication, and death or fertility rituals. It is sacred to Artemis, Ares, Thor, Eris, and others.
Oat straw is used to care for a depleted nervous system. It’s good medicine for those experiencing mental or physical exhaustion, are experiencing irritability, or a lack of focus. Oats may not be for those sensitive to gluten. Oats correspond to Venus and Earth. They can help you with prosperity and money spells.
Passionflower is a well-known nervine, relaxant, and mild sedative. It can help quiet mental chatter, restless agitation, and exhaustion. It may cause drowsiness. Try using passionflower when you’re able to relax the first time to see how it might affect you personally. In witchcraft, passionflower aids us in bringing about tranquility and trance. Because of its sedative effects, some say it is the Moon that rules the passionflower. Others believe it is ruled by Venus. I believe it carries properties of both quite well. Correspondences are not carved in stone and after growing and working with a plant, you may see things differently than what you’ve read or been told. That’s okay and actually quite good because Witchcraft requires critical thinking. It’s perfectly acceptable to come to your own conclusion after putting in a good amount of work with an herb.
Dried organic gala apple is added for slight sweetness and can help boost immunity. I would like to talk further about the magical properties of fruit in a separate post sometime. It is often overlooked for some reason. It’s actually quite wonderful to use and it’s something most of us can get a piece of with little trouble. In Magic, the apple represents wisdom, harvest, and love. It is sacred to Aphrodite, Ceridwen, Eve, Persephone, and Lugh as well as others.
I don’t use a specific recipe. I mostly use the Folk Method and just blend it until it looks right. (Do not use the Folk Method when working with baneful herbs) You really cannot mess this combination up, so blend to your taste. Passionflower can be quite sleepy so add less of it if you need to remain active. Use your own good judgment when creating or modifying recipes. The apples will add a light sweetness. Use honey or a different fruit if you like. 🖤🌙🌿
I offer this tea in my shop. It comes in a 1oz tin for just $3.50 if you’re unable to get all of these herbs yourself.
Many Blessings
-Sabbatha
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*all photos are mine except GIF
“Retrograde Restore” is an herbal tea blend consisting of soothing nervines that can ease the tension we experience during retrogrades a
Each point represents one of the traditional "seven wandering stars," or the seven planets known to ancient alchemists. The points also represent the corresponding days of the week, as well as other magical correspondences that come under the influence of the planets. 🌿 It is also called a Faery Star or Elven Star. These names are very recent. But I kind of like them. 🖤 A friend made this for me as a custom and I am in love with it! Blessed All Hallows’ 🖤🖤
A few herbs traditionally used in Samhain rituals and Otherworld communication:
Tansy has long been symbolic of death and immortality. It has been known a funeral flower and was used in embalming. It is also popular at Ostara.
Wormwood is one of the ingredients in the popular drink absinthe. But it’s not the Wormwood that gives it the unique licorice flavor, that’s the anise that you taste.
Wormwood is used for divination, scrying and necromancy. Perfect for when the veil is thin. It is one of my favorite herbs of the season. Or anytime.
Calendula petals can be used as an incense for divination or sprinkled under the bed to bring prophetic dreams. The plant has a long association with Samhain and Dios de Los Muertos. It can also aid in remembering loved ones.
Mullein is sometimes called Hecate’s Torch and is also sacred to Circe. It’s used for ancestor spirit communication. Its powdered root is sometimes called “graveyard dust.”
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