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Herb of the Month: Ginger

Botanical Name: Zingiber officinale

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Deities: Aphrodite, Isis

Folklore: The women of Senegal wore belts of ginger to sexually arouse their husbands.

Medicinal Uses: Used to treat colds and sore throats, stimulates circulation, Excellent for settling the stomach and treating travel sickness.  

Culinary uses: Add fresh root to stews, sauces, oriental dishes, sweetbreads, cakes biscuits and teas.

Magical properties: Energy, sex, love, money, power, courage.

Growing: Tropical climate, high humidity, partial shade

Essential oil uses: Arthritis, fatigue, muscle pain, congestion, sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea, travel sickness, colds, fever, nervous exhaustion.

CAUTION: Avoid large quantities when pregnant. In excess can cause heartburn and stomach distress. DO NOT CONSUME if prescribed Warfarin.

Crystal of the Month: Garnet

Colours: red

Source: Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Energy: Projective

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Deities: Sacred to many Native American tribes.

Spiritual uses: Cleansing chakras, past life recall

Emotional uses: Inspires love, devotion, courage and hope, alleviates emotional disharmony, opens up heart and bestow self-confidence

Physical uses: Powerfully energising, balances sex drive, good for overcoming depression and trauma.

Magical properties: Amplifies other crystals

Hope and faith. Trust. Good fortune, better situations and good news. Rest and relaxation. Satisfaction. A period of study, growth of knowledge. New life, talents and vigour. Learn to guard against self doubt. Have faith and trust inner wisdom and strengths. Have hope in a happy outcome. Be guided by the star. Don't become dependant on others. Hope should not be blind.

Image from the Fenestra Tarot.

Card of the Month: The Star