🪴Mugwort: The Dream Herb of Witches Past and Present

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) isn’t one of those glamorous herbs with beautiful flowers, ain't pretty, but don’t let its appearance fool you because here is the thing, in the world of magick and herbalism, mugwort is revered as one of the most powerful plants for the intuitive, the dreamer, and the witch.

Mugwort is native to Europe, Asia, and parts of North America and it belongs to the Artemisia genus, named after the Greek goddess Artemis, protector of women, wild things, and the moon.

In folklore and traditional medicine, mugwort has been many things: a healing plant, a traveler’s protector, a visionary’s tool, and even a culinary spice (before modern hops, mugwort was used to flavor beer, a practice known as “gruit brewing”).

In ancient Rome, soldiers reportedly placed mugwort in their sandals to prevent fatigue on long marches. In medieval Europe, bundles of mugwort were hung above doorways or worn on Midsummer's Eve to ward off evil spirits and illness. In Chinese medicine, it’s still widely used in moxibustion, a technique involving the burning of mugwort near acupuncture points to move stagnant energy and stimulate healing.

But beyond its physical applications, mugwort has always held a deeper reputation, as a gateway between worlds.It's really an interesting plant.

Known as the "dream herb", mugwort is deeply connected with the moon, the subconscious, and divination. It’s often associated with the element Earth, but its action is more aligned with Air and Spirit, facilitating altered states of consciousness and spiritual insight.

Mugwort is best known for enhancing vivid dreams, lucid dreaming, and astral projection. A traditional practice is to place a small sachet of dried mugwort under your pillow or in a dream journal pouch. This is believed to promote deeper sleep and more memorable dreams, often ones that feel “charged” or symbolic.

Some practitioners also make mugwort tea or use mugwort-infused oils to anoint the third eye before bedtime. The herb doesn’t “cause” dreams, but it opens the channels for the subconscious to speak louder.

💡 Tip: Keep a notebook beside your bed and write your dreams down first thing in the morning.

Burning dried mugwort, either as loose leaves, incense, or bundled into a wand, is a powerful method for cleansing a space or aura. While sage is more commonly associated with smoke cleansing in pop culture, mugwort offers a softer, more psychic and protective energy.

It’s especially good to use before:

• Divination sessions (tarot, scrying, pendulum)

• Meditations or trance journeys

• Spirit communication

• House protection rituals

The smoke is believed to dispel negativity, raise spiritual vibrations, and strengthen intuitive channels.

Mugwort is sometimes called “black sage” but it’s not actually sage! Always check botanical names (look for Artemisia vulgaris) to be sure. Mugwort has long been considered a witch’s herb for prophecy. It can be used to cleanse divination tools, tarot cards, crystal balls, runes, or to prepare oneself for readings.

💥💥💥While mugwort is generally safe when used externally (smoke, sachets, infused oils), you should be cautious with internal use. It’s not recommended for pregnant women as it may stimulate uterine contractions. If you’re prone to allergies, especially to plants in the daisy or ragweed family, please test carefully.

Always research and, if in doubt, consult a medical professional before ingesting mugwort in teas or tinctures.