Hops Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Hop Vine, Humulus, Hop Cones
A drowsy climbing vine for restful sleep, calm and gentle healing.
- Intentions
- Sleep and Dreams, Healing, Peace
- Element
- Air
- Planet
- Mars
- Zodiac
- Scorpio
- Day
- Tuesday
- Moon phase
- Waning Crescent
- Parts used
- Cones (strobiles)
How to use it
- Hop pillow
Stitch dried hop cones into a small pillow with a little lavender. Keep it near your head at bedtime, out of reach of dogs, and let the earthy scent signal it is time to rest.
- Healing charm
Place a few hop cones in a small blue pouch with an amethyst. Hold it during quiet time and picture your body and mind softening into ease.
- Harvest garland
At Mabon, weave hop vines into a garland and hang it over your hearth or altar to honor the harvest and invite a calm, restful season ahead.
Works well with
History and folklore
Hops have flavored and preserved beer in Europe since the Middle Ages, and the climbing vines were once a familiar sight across English hop gardens. Pickers were said to grow sleepy during harvest, and that folk observation gave rise to the hop pillow, famously used by King George III, according to tradition. Witches use hops for sleep, peace and gentle healing. Their late-summer harvest also makes them a lovely decoration for Mabon.
A drowsy climbing vine for restful sleep, calm and gentle healing.
- Intentions: Sleep and Dreams, Healing, Peace
- Element: Air
- Planet: Mars
- Zodiac: Scorpio
- Day: Tuesday
- Moon phase: Waning Crescent
- Parts used: Cones (strobiles)
Safety: Toxic to dogs (ASPCA list): even small amounts of hops, including spent hops from home brewing, can cause a dangerous rise in body temperature, so keep them completely away from dogs. Keep from cats and horses too. Avoid during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Can cause drowsiness. Handling fresh hops can irritate skin, so wear gloves when harvesting.
How to use it
- Hop pillow. Stitch dried hop cones into a small pillow with a little lavender. Keep it near your head at bedtime, out of reach of dogs, and let the earthy scent signal it is time to rest.
- Healing charm. Place a few hop cones in a small blue pouch with an amethyst. Hold it during quiet time and picture your body and mind softening into ease.
- Harvest garland. At Mabon, weave hop vines into a garland and hang it over your hearth or altar to honor the harvest and invite a calm, restful season ahead.
Works well with: Blue Candle, Amethyst, Lepidolite, Mabon, Waning Crescent
Folklore
Hops have flavored and preserved beer in Europe since the Middle Ages, and the climbing vines were once a familiar sight across English hop gardens. Pickers were said to grow sleepy during harvest, and that folk observation gave rise to the hop pillow, famously used by King George III, according to tradition. Witches use hops for sleep, peace and gentle healing. Their late-summer harvest also makes them a lovely decoration for Mabon.
The Witch's Cabinet is a free reference for your practice. Correspondences are traditional associations, not medical advice. Always follow the safety notes, especially with herbs and essential oils around children, pets and during pregnancy.