Tansy has been used in Easter cakes and puddings for hundreds of years, and as such can be linked to the imagery surrounding the goddess Eostre and her holiday. It is a plant of rebirth and new beggings as well as the spring time of life. This can be seen in one belief that by placing a leaf of Tansy on her navel a pregnant woman could induce childbirth. Good runes to use with Tansy may be Géar, Beorc, Sigel, and Daeg .
Thistle Cnicus acaulis carduus Benedictus cirsium vulgare
The three varieties of plants called thistle all share the same spiritual characteristics, and all are thought hallowed to Thunor (Thor). They were used in love divination much as Midsummer Men were and found several uses in charms. Thistle appears frequently in the Anglo-Saxon herbals and apparently had several uses in healing. Thorn is a good rune to use with thistle.
Teasel Dipsacus sylvestris
The seed head of teasel was once fastened to spindles, and then used to "tease" the nap of woolen cloth in lieu of a teasing comb, and it is from this use whence its name comes. Considering this use of Teasel ing spinning it may have be hallowed to any of the "spinning" goddesses such as Frige (Frigg) or Holda. Therefore one should expect teasel to reflect many of the qualities of Flax, and perhaps aspects of love in marriage, knowledge, household affairs, and so forth. teasel also has a link to the goddess Eostre though, for water collected from the base of its leaves on Easter morning was considered holy. Good runes to use with teasel may be Beorc, Sigel , and D‘g.
Thyme
After Clover, thyme was the favored plant to place near bee hives to improve the taste of honey. Bees are not the only ones to like its flavor however, as the Elven kind also are said to favor Thyme. Thyme was once used on house floors to give the home a pleasant odour, and has served as a food additive for years. Thyme was once believed to stay off depression and to give one courage.
Valerian/Wayland's Wort
Wayland's
Wort was thought hallowed to the great smith Wayland, and it is said to
allow one to commune with the dead, and inspires love. It is also loved
by cats. Good runes to use with Wayland's Wort may be Os, C‚n,
and Giefu.
Vervain/Feverweed
Vervain was once used by the Druids, the priests of the Celtic tribes, who used only an iron tool to harvest it, much as they did a silver tool to harvest mistletoe. It had to be harvested when neither the Sun nor the Moon were in the sky, and when Sirius was rising. Honey was then poured into the ground to replace the loss. Germanic Heathenry seems to have revered vervain as well, as it found its way into most witch's brews, and is frequently mentioned elsewhere. Bathing in vervain's undiluted juices was said to allow one to see the webs of Wyrd, fulfill their every wish, cure disease, be a friend to all, and be warded against all charms and enchantments. Needless to say it was used in love potions and bridal wreathes. Modern followers of Asatru have not really used vervain much... perhaps we should. Good runes to use with Veravin may be Os, Giefu , and Wynn.
Walnut
The name of this nut bearing tree in Anglo-Saxon means "foreign nut," and indicates the Anglo-Saxons were unfamiliar with it. This seems doubtful as the tree can be found in most parts of Europe. Witches, Elves, and Dwarves were once said to gather beneath the Walnut's branches, and a branch from a Walnut tree singed in the Easter bonfires were believed to ward houses from lightning.
Willow
Willow has been seen as a tree of life, not to mention water, but more often it has been associated with funerals, sadness, and heartbreak. Of course, sadness and heartbreak often accompany funeral rites. It was once believed, one could, by tying knots in a branch of a willow, bind or kill an enemy, and this, along with its uses in funeral rites calls to mind Woden (Odin) and his boasts of knowing spells to bind his enemies. Thus the willow may be hallowed to Woden (Odhinn) and his Waelcyrgien (Valkyries). Torches made of willow were once used in parts of Europe on Whitsuntide, though this may be a Slavic practice. Os and N¡ed may be good runes to use with willow.
Yarrow/Milifoil Achillea millefolium
Yarrow was yet another herb used in love divination, though the methods varied. Supposedly, Yarrow picked from a young man's grave was best. Hung up at Midsummer it was said to prevent illness year round. Yarrow is also said to give strength to plants around it, and if a leaf is held against the eye lids, it was thought to allow one to see another's thoughts. Good runes to use with yarrow may be Ur and Eolh-secg.
Yew, European
Many believe the World Tree is a yew, and not an ash, and therefore is linked to Woden (Odin). It is a tree of the dead, and can be found in many ancient European grave yards. Its leaves were placed in shrouds, and to dream of yew meant an aged person would die, leaving much wealth for their heirs. Yew was used in rune wands and bows and Wuldor's (Ullr's) home is named "Yew Dales." The yew as an evergreen symbolizes eternal life in death, for this tree is also deadly poisonous, and yet it is "ever green, worldly representative of the World Tree". These qualities made the yew good for defensive magic for just as it could endure all, so could the one that bore it. The thirteenth rune is named ihwaz which in proto-Germanic means "yew." In the Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem, the Yew is described as a powerful tree, the "watcher of fire," and called a "joy on the estate." These lines describe the World Tree as tall and strong, ever watchful for the all consuming fire, while bringing joy to many. Yew was the favored wood for bows. Os and Eoh may be good runes to use with yew.
Herb & Wort Lore A-B
Herb & Wort Lore C-D
Herb & Wort Lore E-L
Herb & Wort Lore M-S