Folk Names: Artemis Herb, Artemisia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Deities: Artemis, Diana
Powers: Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection
Magical Uses: Place mugwort in the shoes to gain strength during long walks or runs. For this purpose pick mugwort before sun-rise, saying: Tollam te artemesia, ne lassus sim in via. A pillow stuffed with mugwort and slept upon will produce prophetic dreams. Mugwort is also burned with sandalwood or wormwood during scrying rituals, and a mugwort infusion is drunk (sweetened with honey) before divination. The infusion is also used to wash crys-tal balls and magic mirrors, and mugwort leaves are placed around the base of the ball (or beneath it) to aid in psychic workings. When carrying mugwort you cannot be harmed by poison, wild beasts, or sun-stroke, according to ancient tradition. In a building, mugwort prevents elves and "evil thynges" from entering, and bunches of mugwort are used in Japan by the Ainus to exorcise spirits of disease who are thought to hate the odor. In China, it is hung over doors to keep evil spirits from buildings.
Mugwort is also carried to increase lust and fertility, to prevent backache, and to cure disease and madness. Placed next to the bed, it aids in achieving astral projection.
