Mullein Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Hag's Taper, Witch's Candle, Velvet Plant
A soft, tall herb once used as a torch, for courage, protection and banishing.
- Intentions
- Protection, Confidence, Banishing, Divination
- Element
- Fire
- Planet
- Saturn
- Day
- Saturday
- Moon phase
- Waning Crescent
- Parts used
- Leaves, flowers, stalks
- Also used for
- Graveyard dust substitute
How to use it
- Courage leaf
Carry a dried mullein leaf in your shoe or pocket when you face something daunting. Feel its softness as a reminder that gentleness and strength can live together.
- Protective sachet
Stuff a small pouch with dried leaves and hang it above your door or bed. Ask that harm and nightmares stay outside while you rest safely within.
- Banishing powder
Crumble dried leaves into a fine powder and use it in banishing or protection spells, sprinkling a thin line across your threshold under the waning moon.
History and folklore
Mullein's tall flower stalks were once dipped in tallow and burned as torches, which gave it folk names such as hag's taper and witch's candle. Ancient Greek and Roman writers mention it, and in European folklore it was carried to keep away wild animals and evil spirits. Its dried leaves have also been used as a stand-in for graveyard dust in some folk practices. Modern witches traditionally turn to mullein for courage, protection, banishing and dream work.
A soft, tall herb once used as a torch, for courage, protection and banishing.
- Intentions: Protection, Confidence, Banishing, Divination
- Element: Fire
- Planet: Saturn
- Zodiac: Capricorn, Aquarius
- Day: Saturday
- Moon phase: Waning Crescent
- Parts used: Leaves, flowers, stalks
- Also used for: Graveyard dust substitute
Safety: The fuzzy leaf hairs can irritate skin, eyes and throat; wear gloves when handling and strain any liquid through fine cloth. Avoid internal use while pregnant or breastfeeding. Mullein seeds are toxic; do not eat them. Pet safety is not well established, so keep it away from cats and dogs. Ventilate if burning.
How to use it
- Courage leaf. Carry a dried mullein leaf in your shoe or pocket when you face something daunting. Feel its softness as a reminder that gentleness and strength can live together.
- Protective sachet. Stuff a small pouch with dried leaves and hang it above your door or bed. Ask that harm and nightmares stay outside while you rest safely within.
- Banishing powder. Crumble dried leaves into a fine powder and use it in banishing or protection spells, sprinkling a thin line across your threshold under the waning moon.
Works well with: Black Candle, Yellow Candle, Smoky Quartz, Saturday, Samhain, Waning Crescent
Folklore
Mullein's tall flower stalks were once dipped in tallow and burned as torches, which gave it folk names such as hag's taper and witch's candle. Ancient Greek and Roman writers mention it, and in European folklore it was carried to keep away wild animals and evil spirits. Its dried leaves have also been used as a stand-in for graveyard dust in some folk practices. Modern witches traditionally turn to mullein for courage, protection, banishing and dream work.
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.