Clary Sage

Description

Often used in dreamwork because it is said to aid vivid and even lucid dreaming. This herb was known as “clear eye” in the Middle Ages, and often plants that have a tradition of being connected to physical eyes are helpful in divination. Some people find this soothing scent to be aphrodisiac, so consider it for love magick perfume oils as well (or put a few drops in a bath for a romantic evening). The Romans were said to have brought clary sage with them to Britain, so you might incorporate it into an oil or perfume honoring Roman deities such as Diana, Juno, or Luna.

This scent often has euphoric effects and so is sometimes used in magickal oils for uplifting the spirits, but that means you shouldn’t use it when working with machinery, like driving a car. It helps in releasing stuck emotions just as it aids in connecting the conscious to the unconscious in divination.

Clary sage is called the “women’s helper” because of a long history treating female reproductive complaints, from the onset of menstruation – cramps and PMS – through to menopause – night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings. The herb contains sclareol, a compound with a chemical structure similar to estrogen; this allows clary sage to mimic the effects of estrogen if there is a deficiency and to help restore hormonal balance. The herb should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy.