Bay Leaf Meaning, Healing, and Magical Uses
Welcome to the Masters’ Grimoire of Magical Herbs page for Bay Leaf. Here you will learn everything you've ever wanted to know about this herb including Bay Leaf's magical uses, Bay Leaf physical healing, and emotional healing properties, plus its use in meditation, Bay Leaf lore and legends, and much more!
Introduction to Bay Leaf
Bay leaf, also known as bay laurel, sweet bay, true laurel, and Grecian laurel, has been cultivated from ancient times. Its leaves were uses in the wreaths of laurel that crowned victorious athletes in ancient Greece because the Greeks associated the leaf with honor and glory. During the Middle Ages, bay leaves were used medicinally against snake bites, wasp and bee stings, and general pains in the ear.
In modern times, bay leaves are a staple in European cuisines, especially Mediterranean, as well as in the Americas. They are used in soups, stews, brines, meat, seafood, vegetable dishes, and sauces. The leaves are also a classic ingredient in French and Italian dishes.
Scientifically, bay laurel, or laurus nobilis, is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous (smooth) leaves. It is in the flowering plant family, Lauraceae and is native to the Mediterranean region thence its popular use in the region's cooking and its mention in local folklore.
Bay Leaf Magical Uses and Purposes
Key Uses: Bay leaf is an herb of empowerment, pioneering, innovation, and learning. This is an herb of self-awareness and observation. Its energies encourage you to open your mind and be receptive to guidance and advice from others. Set aside your ego, learn what needs to be learned from the masters, and create your own vision from the knowledge gained.
Writing a wish or intention on a bay leaf and burning will help you manifest the intention in reality. This act of burning a bay leaf is also a useful ritual to help cleanse the energy of a space, banish negativity, and is even said to break curses. Carry bay leaf in a sachet to manifest prosperity and protect you from negative forces. It is also a helpful tool to enhance psychic powers during divinatory practices.
Or, if used in the home, it will protect your home from the Evil Eye and toxic individuals.
NOTE: Chemicals in burning Bay Leaf can cause hallucinations in some people. Don't breath the smoke, and burn them outdoors!
Healing with Bay Leaf
Bay Leaf Physical Health Benefits
Bay leaves have been used traditionally to relieve symptoms of indigestion and other stomach-related ailments.
Bay leaves have strong antibacterial properties. Its essential oil can be used in salves or its leaves used as a poultice to rub on the chest to relieve respiratory issues.
This herb is helpful in treating dandruff and can strengthen hair follicles.
Bay leaves contain a unique phytonutrient, called parthenolide, which can quickly reduce inflammation and irritation when topically applied to affected areas, such as sore joints or areas affected by arthritis.
Caffeic acid and rutin are both important organic compounds, found in bay leaves, that may help enhance our heart health.
Linalool is often associated with thyme and basil, but it is also present in bay leaves. This compound can help lower the level of stress hormones in the body, especially when used in aromatherapy.
Research suggests that bay leaves might have been connected with improved insulin receptor function and regulated blood sugar levels.
Spiritual Healing with Bay Leaf
Bay Leaf is a powerful herb that is useful for spiritual development. It is often used as a whole leaf and the desire for a spell or ritual is written on it.
Emotional Healing with Bay Leaf
Bay Leaf is traditionally used for emotional protection, meaning that it will help guard the mind and spirit from those who may wish you harm or ill will. It will also repel these energies if used in an elixir, spell, or ritual..
Bay Leaf for Chakra Healing
Bay leaves are prescribed for treating imbalances of the Third Eye and Solar Plexus Chakras. The Third Eye Chakra is the center of perception and command. It directs our sight and everyday awareness of the world. Our consciousness is located here. This is the chakra that controls how we see ourselves and the external world. When the Third Eye Chakra is in balance, we can see clearly and understand what we see. This is our 'intuition center' so to speak. We are able to interpret visual cues and our awareness level is high.
The solar plexus chakra is located between the rib cage and the navel is the first of the chakras for relationships. It controls the immune system and digestive systems. When in balance you have strength to fight infections, are free of allergic reactions, and are able to use the nutrients you ingest. You will also feel free to live your live how you want to live without living in fear of others. However, when it is out of balance, physical symptoms may manifest into low tolerance to infection, hormone disorders, or have low tolerance for many foods. On a more spiritual level you will feel worries, fear, and disappointment.
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Notes from the Masters
I admit that bay leaf has been sort of a mystery to me even in cooking. I tend to keep a jar for random recipes that call for it, mostly stews, but was never sure what exactly it was doing by adding it. Now I know that it is much more than a cooking agent but a powerful healing and magical herb as well!
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Color Energy of Bay Leaf
The color ray for Bay Leaf is Yellow. The yellow color ray brings in vibrations of happiness, clarity, enlightenment, energy, and optimism. It is also wonderful for getting things organized around you and in your mind. Yellow energy can help you communicate better with others while becoming more alert and aware.
White is the color of the feminine gender, manifested as the Goddess in many cultures, and, as such, the color of the world of birth, and regeneration. It is the color of the full moon reflected on a snow-covered field. It is cold, but a sleeping cold that is inconspicuously reflecting great heat. White is the color of freedom and the color of hope.
White is often the color used for the spiritual world; one that is sensed but not seen. It offers illumination, innocence, purity, and unity. This color is one said to bring Moon energy and the ability to release you of burdensome inhibitions.
Angels Associated with Bay Leaf
Bay Leaf is associated with Azrael, the Archangel of Death and Transformation.
Call on the Angel Azrael to help dying people transition peacefully to the afterlife and to comfort those who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Bay Leaf is also associated with the Angel Nanael, who is the Protector and Ruler of the dates December 13th-16th; and the sign of Sagittarius. Consider using Bay leaves during these dates
Also, Bay leaf is associated with the Angel Sharahiel, the Master of the 4th Tarot Card "The Emperor". Consider using Bay Leaf in conjunction with the Emperor tarot card to bring in guidance from the Angel Sharahiel as well as energies of leadership and strength.
Bay Leaf and the Goddess
Bay Leaf is related to Deities such as Apollo, Eros, Mars, Ares, and Ceres. Sol, Apollo, Helios and other solar gods are usually related to divination, among their other attributes.
Daphne and Gaia are goddesses associated with Bay Leaf. Daphne is a Greek naiad goddess, a variety of female nymph associated with fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of freshwater. She is also associated with the Greek myth associated with Apollo. (See Magickal Uses Above) Gaia is a personification of Earth, also known as the Earth Mother or Mother Goddess. In ancient Greek mythology, she was the mother and wife to Uranus (the sky), from whose union she bore the Titans (themselves parents of many of the Olympian gods), the Cyclopes, and the Giants; as well as of Pontus (the sea), from whose union she bore the primordial sea gods.
Bay Leaf Birth Herb
Bay Leaf is one of the birth herbs for those born on January 5, February 4, February 12, March 3, May 6, May 9, June 3, June 5, June 22, July 29, August 13, September 2, September 9, October 5, October 17, November 1, November 2, December 9, and December 10. Those with birthdays on these dates will find they have special attraction to bay leaves and the magical energies of bay leaves may be dominate in their personality traits.
BayvLeaf I Ching Hexagram
Bay Leaf is governed by Hexagram 56, Crossing Unfamiliar Territory. Key energies are: “Trailblazers, pioneers, wanderers, sightseers, sojourners, visitors, newbies, tourists, fish out of water, travelers, beginners. ”
Bay Leaf Astrological Sign
The zodiac sign associated with Bay Leaf Is Cancer.
Bay Leaf is associated with the third Mansion of the Moon, the Mansion of Dawn. Collect it at Dawn for best energy.
Uses of Bay Leaf in Feng Shui
Bay Leaf brings Metal Energy to Feng Shui practices. With unyielding persistence, the leaves of plants seek the sunlight with determination that is absolute. These attributes of persistence, determination and strength of desire and total focus are the energy of the metal element. Use (Bay Leaf's metal energy when you need strength, a total focus, to strengthen desire, to stretch towards your goals and to maintain a clear path to what you seek
Metal energy is the energy of intelligence, contraction, healing, and creativity. It is the energy of togetherness and crystallization – of ideas, concepts, and groups. It is hard, sharp, and often destructive, yet an essential element in all lives. We have to be sharp, unyielding, and hard at times to find our way without being a victim of others. The metal element brings the power of concentration and determination to our lives and our dwellings.
Uses of Bay Leaf in Talismans and Amulets
Bay Leaves are used to make amulets and talismans for: Ancient Wisdom, Anticipation, Apprehension, Calm, Brow Chakra, Cheerfulness, Cleanliness, Constructive Thought, Deal with Despair, Divine Energy, Enlightenment, Expectations, Faith, Deal with Gloominess, Hope, Illumination, Inner Vision, Inspiration, Inventiveness, Manifestations, Deal with Meanness, Deal with Melancholy, Deal with Negative Thoughts, Overcome Negativity from Others, New Love, New Perspectives, Optimism, Overcome Pessimism, Positive Outlook, Regeneration, Rejuvenation, Reliability, Deal with Sadness, Self Enlightenment, Serenity, Deal with Sorrow, Spiritual Awakening, Sun Energy, Deal with Tragedy, Tranquility, Ease Worry, Yang Energy, Discovery, Energy, Awakening, Contemplation, Creativity, Solar Energy, Encouragement, Receptiveness, Calmness, and New Beginnings.
Using Bay Leaf in Divination
Use Bay Leaf in Divinations for guidance in facing the unknown with courage and determination.
Meditation with Bay Leaf
You push onward toward new horizons because “the greatest traveler does not know where he is going.” If you follow, there are no limits to what you might become.
Lore and Legends of Bay Leaf
In Greek Mythology, the Bay leaf was named after the river lymph, Daphne, who was relentlessly pursued by Apollo. She wanted nothing to do with him, wanting to maintain her freedom and virginity, so she ran. Apollo followed her as she fled through rivers, valleys, and mountains. He would not cease his pursuit, so Daphne, exhausted, called upon Gaia and her father, the river, to change her living form rather than let Apollo have her.Her legs took root, her body became the trunk, her limbs formed the branches, and her head transformed into the leaves. Dismayed, Apollo cried out and proclaimed his love would never die. For his sacred crown, Apollo would forever wear the Laurel Wreath.
From that moment forward, Bay was used in Greek crowning ceremonies, especially for scholars and poets. The Ancient Romans also crowned their Generals, Emperors and War Heroes with Laurel Wreaths. Julius Caesar, is famously depicted as wearing a wreath of laurel upon his head.
The Greek Oracles of Delphi also held the bay leaf in high regard. In order to induce prophetic visions, the Delphi nymphs would also chew on Bay leaves.
Later, in Europe, the bay leaf was used for general protection and was believed to prevent the plague. It was also widely believed to cast out evil, could offer protection from lightning and storms, and divert the evil eye. In love matters, young girls used Bay to discover their future husbands by placing a Bay leaf under their pillow before they went to sleep.
by Nicole Farmer
Nicole is the resident Tarot Master at Crystal Inner Circle. She studied English at the University of Florida and has been working in Crystal Healing including Divination, Feng Shui, and Alchemy for the past seven years. She specializes in herbs and is the co-author and teacher of the Crystal Master Herbalist Course offered by the Crystal Guild.
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References
1. https://plentifulearth.com/magickal-correspondences-bay-leaves/
2 https://www.greeklegendsandmyths.com/gaia.html
3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2613499/
4 https://www.cafeausoul.com/oracles/iching/chin-progress
5 Mark McElroy. I Ching for Beginners: A Modern Interpretation of the Ancient Oracle (For Beginners (Llewellyn's)) (Kindle Locations 914-916). Kindle Edition.
6. https://www.thespruce.com/herbs-corresponding-to-horoscope-1762360
Sacred numbers of herbs are revealed in the “Ritual of the Sacred Number” ceremony performed monthly by Crystal Master Herbalist when the Moon is transiting the Mansion of the Herbalist.
(Please note: Information on this website is no substitute for consulting a health care professional. All information contained on this website, including information relating to medical and health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. Please see your doctor or health care professional before starting any alternative treatments, diets, supplements, or exercise programs.)