Spanish Moss Meaning, Healing, and Magical Uses
Welcome to the Masters’ Grimoire of Magical Herbs page for Spanish Moss. Here you will learn everything you've ever wanted to know about this herb including Spanish Moss' magical uses, Spanish Moss physical healing, and emotional healing properties, plus its use in meditation, lore and legends, and much more!
Introduction to Spanish Moss
Neither from Spain. nor a moss, Spanish moss is an unusual herb. Associated with the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire, Pele, and favored by Arael, The Angel of the Birds, this is a herb of many magical uses.
It is a herb of rest, of care, of gentleness, of comfort, and of relaxation. While certainly unusual in its growing habit, hanging from tree limbs in the warm southern climes, it is one well worth getting to know.
Spanish Moss seems to have been named for its appearance to a beard. We call it that because one Native American name for this plant translated to 'tree beard'. And the plant, often being gray and having down from a tree reminded the French settlers of the beards of the Spanish conquistadors,
They called it a name that translate to 'Spanish Beard'. The name Spanish moss just evolved from these names. It is actually a flowering plant called an angiosperm, in the family Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads). It grows hanging from tree branches in full sun through partial shade.
The scientific name for Spanish Moss is Tillandsia usneoides. It is an epiphytic flowering plant that usually grows on large tropical tress. It is native to most of the southern United States, Mexico and Central America although it has been cultivated elsewhere such as in Hawaii and Australia. You can easily find it in Florida where it is plentiful. The sacred number of Spanish Moss is 9.
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Notes from the Masters
When I hear the words Spanish moss, I always have this picture in my head of moss hanging in the southern bayous of Louisiana and groves in Florida.
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Spanish Moss Magical Uses and Purposes
Spanish Moss is an herb of caution and patience and taking small steps. Life can be confusing when we have big projects, big worries, and big responsibilities. Sometimes we need help to just have the patience to “take small bites” and wait. Like the small breezes that move the cloud fronts, small nudges are sometimes called for in life and love.
This is the premier herb of gentleness. Gentleness is often a powerful way to accomplish goals. Much of life is enhanced by a gentle touch. If you have issues or objectives that may well be dealt with using a gentle touch, Spanish Moss should be your go-to herb. Used in sachets with other soft energy herbs it can be a powerful addition to your magical efforts.
Healing with Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss Physical Health Benefits
Spanish Moss is a comfort, an oasis in disguise. It drapes from the trees giving off a feeling of ease, a feeling of pure relaxation and of seemingly unending afternoons of just letting the afternoon consume us. The healing of Spanish Moss is a mix of physical and mental healing. In a physical way just the sight of the moss is almost like taking a nap. Your body relaxes and the aches and pains of life seem to ease as the moss gently sways in the breeze. A summer afternoon under a mossy tree is the essence of the good things in life.
Several studies undertaken on animals in laboratories have been found that oral extracts from Spanish moss are helpful in lowering the levels of blood cholesterol.In animal studies, extracts of Spanish Moss reduced the amount of time for wound healing. Common skin bacteria such as S. aureus, S. epidermis, and P. aeruginosa pose problems because of their ability to cause infection in an open wound, ultimately slowing the healing process. Organic extracts of Spanish Moss produce growth limiting the activity against each of these microbes.
Locals traditionally used Spanish Moss as an herbal remedy to treat all sorts of ailments, either by brewing it into teas or stuffing it in shoes.
Modern studies indicate that extracts from Spanish moss could aid in healing wounds and preventing skin infections, thanks to antibacterial properties, and it may even help reduce blood sugar.
Spanish moss was also used in Native American sweat baths for healing purposes. The patient was first wrapped in several layers of moss, and then positioned across a low cane bed. An earthenware pot of herbs was set to slowly simmer below the bed, which then caused the patient to sweat.
Spiritual Healing with Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss is good for your spirit. It brings the energy of soothing summer days and evenings in the woods and parks to your soul. It is an easy herb to handle, and one that seems made for comfort. It does have a practical use as a cushion or pillow and it seems to do the same for the spirit.
In Hoodoo, Spanish moss is used in love and revenge workings. Most often it’s stuffed in doll babies (poppets) with other herbs and ingredients to either draw love or exact revenge. It’s also put in bottles of War water (a nasty potion used to take down one’s enemy). Therefore, Spanish moss magic properties include love, healing, and revenge/justice in the Hoodoo tradition.
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Notes from the Masters
To me Spanish Moss is St Augustine, beaches, and summer breezes, and sitting in the shade letting the world go by. I think there is some of that feeling in the moss that makes it a special magical herb.
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Emotional Healing with Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss, more than anything is a soothing emotional healer of the first order. Not traditionally used by many practitioners, nevertheless it is a zephyr in your mind. It’s energy says, slow down, be cautious, be rested, be calm. It soothes, relaxes, and almost leads you into a trance of slowly drifting, like you were a cloud on a summer day.
According to some Native American traditions, Spanish moss was sometimes worn by mourners, typically women. And it was worn by women of higher nobility in certain tribes.
Spanish Moss for Chakra Healing
Spanish Moss is a herb of the heart. It’s tiny green flowers bring a soothing energy to this chakra.The heart chakra is located near the center of the breastbone. It regulates our interaction with the external world. It controls what we embrace and what we resist. It gives us the balancing ability to keep neither too aloof nor too involved in the world around us. It
The heart chakra balances our inner being – our “self” with our environment. When it is in balance we are relaxed accepting, and interact easily with others and with the demands of the world. We also know when our needs are being compromised and we easily find a balance between external and internal needs. We can deal with the ebbs and flows of emotional relationships, understand their cyclic nature, and accept the changes.
When the heart chakra is in balance we can understand our own needs and emotions clearly. We are able to sustain balanced relationships as a result: healthy, happy, and mutually nurturing.
Color Energy of Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss with its green color energy from its flower color is a potent aid in nurturing, whether of fledgling family relationships or new business ventures. With a project well started, a gleaming green tourmaline or emerald will ensure that your focus remains constant and your path stays one of successful growth and development. herbs with green color energy like Spanish Moss are perfect for keeping a venture on course, a project on schedule, and a life on track.
Green is the color of fertility and renewal, and the use of green energy herbs can bring the energy of a new life into a family, a community, or an organization.
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Notes from the Masters
Living in the South, Spanish Moss isn't hard to come by! I often pluck some from nearby trees and use it in love and healing spells. I also like to keep a small handful in a dish by my front door, along with a chunk of Obsidian, to keep unwanted, negative energies at bay.
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Angels Associated with Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss is associated with the following angels:
Af - the angel that aids you while dealing with Anger.
Arael The Angel of the Birds.
We find it interesting that Spanish Moss is associated with Ariel, the Angel of the Birds. We have watched the birds with the Spanish Moss around St Augustine in Florida. It seems to be a synergistic relationship. The birds help spread the Moss and the moss holds the insects that the birds are hunting.
Spanish Moss and the Goddess
Eventually making its way to humid climes around the world, Spanish Moss traveled to Hawaii, where it is often called “Pele’s hair”after the Goddess Pele. Pele is the Goddess of Fire Pele was born of the spirit Haumea in what is now know as Tahiti. She was a wanderer and set out with her little sister Hi’iaka, (in the form of an egg) under her arm in a canoe to what is now Hawaii. The story is she was pursued by Na-maka-o-kaha’i, her sister, the Goddess of the Seas because Pele had seduced Na-maka-o-kaha’i, husband. Pele, the legend tells, landed first on Kauai, but her sister flooded her fire pits, so she continued on until she found a place high on the top of Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. She lives there still.
The Hawaiians have many stories of Pele and her antics. Pele, according to legend was quite a lover, but a difficult one. The lava fields around Mauna Loa are filled with lava pillars – the remains of lovers that displeased her. There is a lesson here about fury and a woman scorned.
Spanish Moss Birth Herb
Spanish Moss is a birth herb of those born on March 3, May 26, May 29, July 29, and Dec 17.
Those with birthday on these dates will find they have special attraction to Spanish Moss and the magic of this herb may well be strong in them.
Spanish Moss I Ching Hexagram
Spanish Moss is governed by Hexagram 9 Taking Small Steps. Key words are: Prioritizing, perspective, immediacy, alertness, subtle influence, baby steps, and living in the moment.
Spanish Moss Astrological Sign
Spanish Moss is associated with the zodiac signs of Aquarius the last and most mature of the Air Energy signs. The bearded look and the growing pattern flowing in the breezes under the trees gives us this association.
In Moon Astrology, Spanish Moss is associated with the Mansion of the Wind and the Mansion of the Trees. When the Moon is transiting these two mansions is a time of special Spanish Moss energy potency.
Uses of Spanish Moss in Feng Shui
Spanish Moss brings Wood energy. Wood element energy is the creative energy of motivation, personal growth, and renewal. Like the time of the new moon and the Winter solstice - wood energy is new beginnings, hope, and rebirth. Use Spanish Moss when you need the energy of growth, renewal, and creativity.
Uses of Spanish Moss in Talismans and Amulets
Spanish Moss is a very versatile herb for talismans and Amulets. Use it for Citizenship, Earth, Deal with Grief, Humanity, Deal with Indifference, Deal with Loss, Memory Improvement, Accessing Past Lives. Recover Memories, Rehabilitation, Responsibility, Sensitivity, Service, Stability, Deal with Superficiality, Temperance, Heal Emotional Wounds, Nature, Acceptance, Choice, Deal with Discontent, Individuality, Deal with Irritability, Change, and Adventure.
Using Spanish Moss in Divination
Spanish Moss is used in Divinations to discern the gentle approach to a difficult issue.
Meditation with Spanish Moss
Spanish Moss is used in meditations to find easy, simple, careful steps to take in tackling a large and difficult situation.
Lore and Legends of Spanish Moss
In earlier days, green Spanish moss was brewed and consumed in the form of an herbal tea by expectant mothers, apparently to promote the production and secretion of breast milk in addition to make childbirth easier. In folk medicine, a tea prepared from this herb was also consumed to treat rheumatism. According to claims, this herb was used in Mexico for treating epilepsy among infants. During the beginning of the 1950s, this plant was employed as a substitute for estrogen.
by Hank Mason
Hank is the founding Crystal Master of the Crystal Guild, and the Course Author and Director of their Crystal Master Herbalist Course. He is an author for Llewellyn International, holds an MBA from UCLA, and is the founder of the Crystal Vaults.
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References
Mark McElroy. I Ching for Beginners: A Modern Interpretation of the Ancient Oracle (For Beginners (Llewellyn's))
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