What is Mandrake?
Scientific and medicinal info
The root of the mandrake plant grows in a branching manner and quite often resembles the arms and legs of a human being. This oddity is what led mandrake to be associated with many magickal properties. The root of the mandrake is toxic and should not be used internally for any reason. It grows wild in Southern Europe and can be grown in warm North American climates. The round fruit of the mandrake plant smells like apple, hence the common name of mayapple.
Also Known As ....
Other names
Latin: Mandragora officinale or Atropa mandragora
Common names: Gallows, Devil's apples, mayapples, mandragona, mannikin, herb of Circe.
A similar species called American Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum) is a different plant altogether.
Magickal Properties
Using mandrake in rituals
The root of the mandrake plant is the part used in magick. Whole pieces of the root are carried for protection. Pieces of root can be kept in the house for protection (over the mantle, if you have one). Mandrake can also be used in spells for love, money or health.
Carrying the dried root is fine to use its protective energies, but to use mandrake in other spellwork requires soaking. You should leave the root in spring water for 3 days to 'wake it'.
Mandrake is reputed to be an excellent aphrodesiac, but since it is poisonous, please don't use internally! The most well-known myth about mandrake is that it screams when uprooted, and that whoever hears this shriek will either drop dead or go mad. This has been popularized by the second Harry Potter movie, where mandrake is also used to cure petrification spells. In times before modern medicine, pieces of mandrake root were given to patients to chew before surgery, as a form of anaesthetic.
More Correspondences
Other properties
Planet: Mercury, Saturn
Element: Fire
Deity: Hecate
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