Alexander

Botanical Name: Smyrnium olusatrum (also known as Alexanders, alisanders) Folk Names: Alexanders, black lovage, horse parsley, wild celery, smyrnium, pot-herb of Alexandria, alisander. Parts Used: Leaves, stems, young shoots (spring harvest); seeds (mature black seeds); occasionally roots or whole plant. Forms Used: Fresh or dried leaves/shoots for washes, sachets, or symbolic offerings; seeds for abundance charms; mild incense (burned sparingly due to strong aroma).

Note on Identity Alexander (Smyrnium olusatrum) is a tall, robust biennial/perennial in the Apiaceae family, resembling celery or lovage with glossy green leaves, yellow-green umbel flowers, and shiny black seeds when mature. It has a strong, myrrh-like aromatic scent (hence Smyrnium, from Greek for myrrh). Native to the Mediterranean and widely naturalized in coastal Britain and parts of Europe, it was introduced by Romans as a potherb and valued for its abundance and celery-like flavor. In modern occult practice, it is a Jupiterian herb for abundance, luck, expansion, and prosperity—its prolific growth and generous yield make it ideal for sympathetic magic welcoming plenty.

History and Etymology

The name "Alexander" or "Alexanders" honors Alexander the Great, possibly linked to its prevalence around Alexandria, Egypt, or its introduction during Hellenistic/Roman times. Latin olusatrum combines olus ("kitchen herb" or potherb) and atrum ("black," referring to the dark mature seeds). Smyrnium derives from Greek smyrna (μύρνα, "myrrh") due to its resinous, myrrh-like fragrance noted by Pliny the Elder and Theophrastus.

Known to ancient Greeks (Theophrastus, c. 300 BCE) and Romans (Pliny the Elder in Natural History, Book 19–20), it was a common vegetable, medicinal herb, and scurvy remedy for sailors (high vitamin C content). It was used to flavor broths, clear blood, aid digestion, and treat urinary issues, headaches, and wounds. By medieval times, it flavored ale (before hops dominance) and was revered near religious sites. In British folklore, it persisted as a wild edible long after cultivation declined, with occasional magical associations tied to its abundance and myrrh scent (linking to purification/resins like myrrh/frankincense).

In contemporary witchcraft and herbalism, it is rediscovered as a Jupiter herb for growth and success, especially in coastal or foraging-based practices.

Correspondences

Magical Uses

Alexander is a sympathetic abundance herb—its vigorous, prolific growth and generous edible yield make it perfect for attracting prosperity, expansion, and good fortune. Its myrrh-like scent adds subtle purification/resin-like elevation. Traditional and folk-magic applications include:

• Attracting luck, financial success, business growth, or career expansion
• Welcoming abundance and plenty (sympathetic: "as it grows so abundantly")
• Prosperity spells, money-drawing, or harvest/thanksgiving rituals
• Enhancing personal growth, opportunities, and positive expansion
• Gentle purification (myrrh-like aroma for clearing stagnation)
• Offering to deities of fortune or harvest
• Grounding after manifestation work (Earth energy from its sturdy growth)
• Coastal/water-edge magic (its habitat ties to flow/abundance)

Sample Spells and Rituals

All rituals are for external use only. Alexander is edible in moderation (young shoots/leaves); patch-test topical applications. Avoid large internal use without guidance (mild diuretic/bitters).

1. Abundance Welcome Sachet

• Fill a green or gold pouch with dried Alexander leaves/stems, cinnamon stick piece, bay leaf, and a coin.
• Tie shut and anoint with prosperity oil while saying:

“Alexander grow, abundance flow, luck expand, plenty in hand.”

• Hang in home/office or carry for ongoing prosperity draw.

2. Prosperity Candle Spell

• Carve dollar signs or growth symbols into a green candle.
• Rub with olive oil, roll in crushed dried Alexander, and light while affirming:

“Jupiter’s green, fortune seen, expand my gain, wealth obtain.”

• Burn safely for 7 days or until gone, visualizing opportunities multiplying.

3. Growth & Expansion Offering

• Harvest fresh young Alexander shoots (sustainably).
• Place on altar with coins, grains, or fruits as offering.
• Say:

“Abundant herb, my wish observe, grow my path, bring no wrath.”

• Bury remnants or compost for Earth return.

4. Purification Wash (Myrrh-Like)

• Simmer dried Alexander in water for 15 minutes; strain and cool.
• Use to wash floors, thresholds, or yourself while declaring:

“Smyrnium sweet, clear and meet, stagnation flee, abundance free.”

• Enhances space for prosperity work.

Cautions and Toxicity

Alexander (Smyrnium olusatrum) is generally safe as a wild edible and external herb in moderate amounts.

• Edible: Young shoots/leaves eaten raw/cooked (celery-like flavor); seeds as condiment. High vitamin C historically anti-scurvy.
• External: Safe as washes, sachets, or carried. Rare allergic reactions (Apiaceae family—watch if carrot/celery allergic).
• Internal: Mild diuretic/bitter—avoid large/prolonged use if pregnant, breastfeeding, or with kidney issues (potential diuretic effect).
• Safe around children/pets in external applications.
• Sustainable foraging: Abundant in suitable habitats—harvest responsibly.
• Always positively identify (avoid confusion with toxic look-alikes like hemlock).
• Consult a qualified healthcare provider before internal use.