Star Anise Meaning and magickal uses
Also called Chinese Star Anise, Badian
A star-shaped spice for luck, psychic focus and quiet protection.
- Intentions
- Divination, Luck, Protection
- Element
- Air
- Planet
- Jupiter
- Zodiac
- Sagittarius, Pisces
- Day
- Thursday
- Moon phase
- Full Moon
- Parts used
- Dried seed pods
How to use it
- Charm for your tarot box
Tuck one whole star pod into the box or bag where you keep your cards or pendulum. Each time you open it, let the sweet licorice scent signal that it is time to settle in and focus.
- Wishing star
Hold a pod under the full moon, count its points, and name one hope for each. Keep it on your altar until the next full moon, then return it to the earth with thanks.
- Simmer pot
Add two or three pods to a pot of simmering water with orange peel and cinnamon. Let the scent drift through your home as you set a calm, lucky tone for the week.
Works well with
History and folklore
Star anise grows on an evergreen tree in southern China and Vietnam, and it has flavored food and incense there for centuries. Its eight-pointed pods traveled the spice routes to Europe, where Western witches came to treat them as tiny stars for wishing. In modern magick the pods are traditionally burned or carried to sharpen psychic awareness, and some practitioners place one at each corner of the altar. A pod with a perfect set of points is often kept as a lucky charm.
A star-shaped spice for luck, psychic focus and quiet protection.
- Intentions: Divination, Luck, Protection
- Element: Air
- Planet: Jupiter
- Zodiac: Sagittarius, Pisces
- Day: Thursday
- Moon phase: Full Moon
- Parts used: Dried seed pods
Safety: Buy only culinary Chinese star anise (Illicium verum). Japanese star anise looks almost identical and is toxic if swallowed. Do not give star anise or its tea to babies or young children. Avoid more than culinary amounts while pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep away from pets. The essential oil must never be swallowed and must be diluted for skin.
How to use it
- Charm for your tarot box. Tuck one whole star pod into the box or bag where you keep your cards or pendulum. Each time you open it, let the sweet licorice scent signal that it is time to settle in and focus.
- Wishing star. Hold a pod under the full moon, count its points, and name one hope for each. Keep it on your altar until the next full moon, then return it to the earth with thanks.
- Simmer pot. Add two or three pods to a pot of simmering water with orange peel and cinnamon. Let the scent drift through your home as you set a calm, lucky tone for the week.
Works well with: Purple Candle, Amethyst, Full Moon, Thursday, Sweet Orange
Folklore
Star anise grows on an evergreen tree in southern China and Vietnam, and it has flavored food and incense there for centuries. Its eight-pointed pods traveled the spice routes to Europe, where Western witches came to treat them as tiny stars for wishing. In modern magick the pods are traditionally burned or carried to sharpen psychic awareness, and some practitioners place one at each corner of the altar. A pod with a perfect set of points is often kept as a lucky charm.
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.