Parsley Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Garden Parsley, Rock Celery
A fresh garden herb for purification, protection and honoring the dead.
- Intentions
- Cleansing, Protection, Love
- Element
- Air
- Planet
- Mercury
- Day
- Wednesday
- Moon phase
- Waning Gibbous
- Parts used
- Leaves, stems
How to use it
- Cleansing bath
Steep a handful of fresh parsley in hot water, strain it, and add it to a bath. Soak while you imagine the day's heaviness washing away and leaving you clear.
- Plate charm
Place a sprig of parsley on each plate at a meal, an old custom said to protect food and those who share it. Eat it as a fresh finish.
- Samhain remembrance
Set a bowl of parsley on your ancestor altar at Samhain to honor those who have passed, following the old link between parsley and the dead.
Works well with
History and folklore
In ancient Greece parsley was linked with death and remembrance. It was woven into wreaths for tombs and for winners of games held in honor of the dead. Old sayings claimed the seed went to the underworld and back several times before it would sprout, explaining its slow germination. Later, Romans tucked it into garlands at feasts. In modern magick, parsley holds both sides of its story: a purifying, protective herb and a gentle way to remember the beloved dead.
A fresh garden herb for purification, protection and honoring the dead.
- Intentions: Cleansing, Protection, Love
- Element: Air
- Planet: Mercury
- Zodiac: Gemini, Virgo
- Day: Wednesday
- Moon phase: Waning Gibbous
- Parts used: Leaves, stems
Safety: Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA list) and can make their skin sensitive to sunlight. Fine in normal cooking amounts for people, but avoid parsley oil, seeds and very large amounts during pregnancy. Fresh sap can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so wash after handling large amounts.
How to use it
- Cleansing bath. Steep a handful of fresh parsley in hot water, strain it, and add it to a bath. Soak while you imagine the day's heaviness washing away and leaving you clear.
- Plate charm. Place a sprig of parsley on each plate at a meal, an old custom said to protect food and those who share it. Eat it as a fresh finish.
- Samhain remembrance. Set a bowl of parsley on your ancestor altar at Samhain to honor those who have passed, following the old link between parsley and the dead.
Works well with: White Candle, Clear Quartz, Wednesday, Samhain
Folklore
In ancient Greece parsley was linked with death and remembrance. It was woven into wreaths for tombs and for winners of games held in honor of the dead. Old sayings claimed the seed went to the underworld and back several times before it would sprout, explaining its slow germination. Later, Romans tucked it into garlands at feasts. In modern magick, parsley holds both sides of its story: a purifying, protective herb and a gentle way to remember the beloved dead.
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.