Human connection is crucial to developing a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, all things artistic and/or spiritual. This post was conceptualized and written by a human.
BOTANICAL BREAKDOWN
BOTANICAL NAME - Illicium Verum
AKA - Star Anise, Eight Horns, Chinese Star Anise, Siberian Cardamom
PARTS USED - Fruit, seeds
STAR ANISE: THE SPICE OF SEDUCTION
The scientific name of star anise, illicium, stems from the Latin illicio, meaning “seduction”. Not to be confused with its toxic relatives, swamp star anise or Japanese star anise (the latter of which contains a neurotoxin anisatin), or with its similarly culinary Mediterranean name-sharer - pimpinella anisum - or just plain “anise”, true star anise (or Chinese star anise) is used abundantly in cooking (it’s one of the spices in the iconic Chinese five-spice mix!), perfumery, incense, and medicine. Its strong, licorice-y scent can be divisive, however it has strong roots in folk medicine due to its antimicrobial properties.
BOTANICAL PROPERTIES OF STAR ANISE
Cultivated for over three millennia in China and Vietnam, the star-shaped pods are the fruit of an evergreen tree related to magnolia. Each of the eight arms is an individual carpel containing a seed. The flavor is concentrated not in the seed, but the carpels themselves, due to their inclusion of phellandrene and cineole, chemicals used as defense mechanisms by the plant.
As there are several closely related trees that produce the iconic eight-pointed pod, it is not recommended for forage, as a number of variants are toxic.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF STAR ANISE
| This article is not medical advice, it is just a description of how this herb has been used and is for informational purposes only. Many herbs may have adverse or even dangerous effects when misused. |
At risk of being a broken record - remember that there are toxic lookalikes to star anise, which should be purchased from a trusted source, not foraged, due to the high risk.
Star anise has been used extensively in folk medicine due to wealth of medicinal properties. The chemical anethole, which provides the sweet, warming licorice note, as antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Cineole, also found in eucalyptus, is anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial. Phellandrene, the peppery flavor and aroma, is analgesic and anti-inflammatory. As such, it has been used for thousands of years in mouthwashes and toothpaste, creams and ointments, soaps, tinctures, and more. It is additionally used, fairly extensively, in modern medicine. Containing shikimic acid, it has been a main ingredient in making the antiviral Tamiflu, resulting in shortages during flu outbreaks.
MAGICK & MYTHOS
ELEMENT - Air
PLANET - Jupiter
MOON PHASE - New
TAROT - The Devil
CHAKRA - Sacral
DEITIES & ENTITIES - Agkui, Asmodeus, Babalon, Bastet, Dionysus, Erzulie Freda Dahomey, Eshu, Fortuna, Freyja, Gandheswari, Hedone, Hermes, Inanna, Ishtar, Jambhala, Juitian Xannu, Kurukulla, Lakshmi, Nang Kwak, Oshun, Rati, Seven Lucky Gods (esp. Daikokuten), Tyche, Xochiquetzal, Zhao Gongming
MAGICKAL USES OF STAR ANISE
In China, star anise is a symbol of good luck, while its namesake and medicinal properties lend it excellently to both sex and wellness magick.
A few ways to use star anise in spellwork:
- Burn as incense to enhance glamour and sex magic
- Wear a bracelet of star anise to enhance psychic powers
- Use as an offering to enhance the power of the four corners and bring luck
- String together with nutmeg and tonka and wear or carry for an herbal wellness charm
- Use one carpal as a pendulum for divination
- Place on a hearth altar to attract luck to your home
Organic, sustainably harvested star anise is available in our store RIGHT HERE.
Pre-mixed spell ingredients that include star anise are available in our store:
PROPHECY - To open the mind for divination and scrying