Onion

Botanical Name: Allium cepa (common onion); also includes related species like Allium fistulosum (green onion, scallion) and Allium proliferum (walking onion) sometimes grouped in folk traditions. Folk Names: Onion, common onion, bulb onion, garden onion, poor man's truffle, stinkweed, stinking lily, devil's rose, Onyon, Unyoun. Parts Used: Fresh or dried bulb (most common magically); onion skins (outer papery layers for coloring/charms); occasionally fresh green tops or seeds. Forms Used: Whole fresh onions for protective charms, warding, or offerings; dried skins for sachets, protective circles, or spell jars; onion-infused oil (external use) for anointing; onion juice for symbolic cleansing.

Note on Identity Onion is a biennial bulb in the Amaryllidaceae family with layered bulbs, hollow green tops, and white spherical flower heads. Its strong, pungent odor and layered structure make it a classic Mars herb of protection, exorcism, purification, healing, banishing, courage, and justice—renowned across cultures for repelling evil, breaking hexes, and "peeling away" deception or negativity. The layers symbolize hidden truths and resilience; the tears it causes represent emotional release. Onion is non-toxic in culinary amounts and safe for external use (bulb edible as food), though its strong odor limits internal magical applications.

History and Etymology

The name "onion" derives from Latin unio ("union" or "large pearl"), for the bulb's layered unity. Ancient Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans revered onion for healing, strength, and protection—Egyptians offered onions to gods and placed them in tombs; Greeks ate it for stamina before battle.

In medieval Europe, onions were hung over doors to ward off plague, witches, and evil spirits; carried to prevent infection or ensure courage. Onion juice was used for warts, wounds, and as a protective rub. In Hoodoo and conjure, onion became a staple for "hot" protection, uncrossing, banishing, and justice work—often cut and placed at corners to "draw out" evil or used in baths to break hexes.

Correspondences

Magical Uses

Onion is a Mars herb for protection, exorcism, purification, healing, courage, banishing, and reversal—its layered structure "peels away" lies, while the pungent odor repels evil. Traditional and folk-magic applications include:

• Strong protection from evil spirits, curses, hexes, or psychic attack (onion hung or placed at thresholds)
• Exorcism and banishing malevolent entities or heavy negativity (onion cut and placed in corners)
• Healing physical/emotional wounds or "poisoned" energy (onion poultices or symbolic)
• Promoting courage, strength, and resilience in confrontations or challenges
• Reversing hexes or returning harm to sender (onion in reversal jars)
• Purifying spaces or aura (onion-infused washes or smoke from dried skins)
• Warding against theft, betrayal, or "stinging" influences
• Truth-revealing and clarity (onion juice symbolically for "clear eyes")

Sample Spells and Rituals

All rituals are for external use only. Onion is safe externally (bulb edible as food); patch-test washes or oils.

1. Protection & Warding Charm

• Hang a braided onion (or single bulb) over door/window.
• Anoint with protection oil while saying:

“Onion strong, guard lifelong, evil flee, safe with me.”

• Use for home protection or travel warding.

2. Curse Reversal & Banishing Ritual

• Cut an onion in half and place halves in corners of room or at thresholds.
• Affirm:

“Onion bite, curse alight, harm reverse, blessings first.”

• Leave overnight, then bury or dispose outside.

3. Healing & Courage Poultice (Symbolic)

• Use a fresh onion slice (wrapped in cloth) or symbolic onion image over affected area/heart.
• Say:

“Onion heal, wounds conceal, strength arise, fears demise.”

4. Purification & Clarity Wash

• Simmer onion skins (outer layers) in water; strain and cool.
• Use to wash floors, thresholds, or yourself while declaring:

“Onion pure, evil cure, cleanse and clear, truth appear.”

Cautions and Toxicity

Onion (Allium sativum wait—no, Allium cepa) is completely safe for external use and moderate culinary amounts.

• Edible: Bulbs widely used as food; generally safe in food amounts.
• External: Safe as washes, sachets, carried bulbs, or incense. Can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals (patch-test); strong odor may linger.
• Internal: Safe in food amounts; avoid large raw use (can cause stomach upset, heartburn, or blood-thinning).
• Not recommended during pregnancy (uterine stimulant risk in high doses) or before surgery (blood-thinning).
• Essential oil: Must be heavily diluted (0.5–1%) for skin; avoid undiluted use.
• Safe around children/pets in external applications (strong odor may irritate sensitive pets).
• Sustainable sourcing: Widely cultivated—prefer organic.
• Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before internal use.