Botanicals: Angelica

 

Angelica

Angelica (most commonly referring to Angelica archangelica, also known as garden angelica, Norwegian angelica, or wild celery) is a striking, tall herb in the Apiaceae family (the same family as carrots, parsley, and Queen Anne’s lace).

This biennial (or sometimes short-lived perennial) plant is native to damp areas in northern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Greenland, and parts of Siberia. It thrives in moist, rich soil near rivers or water sources.

It has a rich history in traditional European and Nordic folk medicine, where it was valued as a warming, aromatic herb with “angelic” protective qualities—legend even claims it was revealed by an archangel to combat plagues.

The root, seeds, leaves, and sometimes fruits are used medicinally, often as teas, tinctures, infusions, or in compound formulas. Its key bioactive compounds include essential oils, furanocoumarins, flavonoids, and terpenes, contributing to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and other effects.

Traditional and Historical Medicinal Uses

In European herbal traditions (dating back to medieval times), angelica was prized for:

•  Digestive support — Stimulating appetite, relieving indigestion, flatulence, bloating, colic, heartburn, and sluggish digestion; acting as a carminative and bitter tonic to promote gastric juices and enzyme secretion.

•  Respiratory health — As an expectorant for coughs, colds, bronchitis, congestion, and mucus clearance; sometimes used for pleurisy or fevers as a diaphoretic (promoting sweating).

•  Circulatory and warming effects — Improving blood flow, especially to extremities, lungs, or uterus; considered a tonic for general vitality and debility.

•  Nervous system and calming — Easing anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, headaches, and tension; historically used for plague protection, poison resistance, or as an antiseptic/antimicrobial.

•  Other — Menstrual irregularities or cramps (as an emmenagogue), rheumatism, arthritis, skin issues, urinary problems, and even as a diuretic or antimicrobial agent.

It was a staple in Nordic folk medicine and appears in liqueurs like Chartreuse for its aromatic properties.

Potential Modern and Evidence-Based Benefits

Scientific research (mostly preclinical/animal studies, some limited human or pilot trials) suggests promising effects, though robust human evidence remains limited—many uses lack strong clinical support:

•  Digestive aid — Strongest traditional backing; often in combinations (e.g., Iberogast formula with peppermint, chamomile, etc.) for dyspepsia, acid reflux, nausea, and gut spasms.

•  Anti-anxiety and neuroprotective — Animal models show anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) effects comparable to some pharmaceuticals; potential sedative, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties.

•  Anti-inflammatory and pain relief — May help with rheumatism, fibromyalgia, or inflammatory conditions due to compounds like furanocoumarins.

•  Antimicrobial/antifungal — Activity against bacteria, fungi, and some viruses; historically for infections or skin issues.

•  Other emerging areas (mostly animal/preclinical):

•  Liver protection (hepatoprotective against toxicity).

•  Respiratory support (e.g., asthma models).

•  Overactive bladder or nighttime urination reduction (some pilot human data on leaf extract).

•  Anticancer potential (e.g., reducing breast cancer growth in models).

•  Antioxidant effects to counter oxidative stress.

Note: Angelica sinensis (dong quai or Chinese angelica) is a different species, more focused on women’s reproductive health (e.g., menstrual cramps, menopause, blood nourishment) in TCM—it’s not the same as European A. archangelica.

Safety and Precautions

•  Generally considered safe in food amounts or moderate herbal use, but evidence for medicinal doses is limited.

•  Can cause photosensitivity (increased sun sensitivity, risk of burns/rash) due to furanocoumarins—avoid strong sunlight or use sunscreen.

•  Possible side effects: stomach upset, diarrhea, or allergic reactions.

•  Avoid during pregnancy (uterine stimulant potential) or breastfeeding without professional advice.

•  May interact with anticoagulants, blood pressure meds, or photosensitizing drugs.

•  Not recommended for diabetes (may increase urinary sugar) or in high doses long-term.

As always consult a qualified healthcare provider or herbalist before using angelica medicinally, especially if you have health conditions or take medications—it’s not a substitute for professional treatment, and self-diagnosis/treatment can be risky.

Metaphysical Angelica

In metaphysical, esoteric, magical, and herbal folklore traditions (particularly European, Wiccan, Hoodoo, and flower essence systems), Angelica (most commonly Angelica archangelica, also known as garden angelica, archangel root, Holy Ghost root, or Holy Spirit root) is regarded as one of the most potent protective and elevating plant allies. Its name derives from its association with angels—legend holds that it was revealed by the Archangel Michael (or Raphael in some accounts) as a remedy during plagues, linking it directly to divine intervention and celestial guardianship.

Here are the primary metaphysical properties attributed to Angelica across these traditions:

•  Powerful Protection & Warding
Angelica is a premier guardian herb. It banishes negativity, repels evil spirits, hexes, curses, jinxes, and malevolent influences. Sprinkling powdered root around the home, carrying a piece as an amulet, or adding it to baths/floor washes creates strong boundaries against psychic attack, witchcraft, or spiritual interference. It’s especially noted for protecting women, children, infants, and the home/family unit.

•  Exorcism, Purification & Banishing
Used in exorcism rituals, incense blends, or smoke cleansing to drive out unwanted entities or stagnant energies. Its fiery, solar quality purifies spaces, objects, and people, restoring clarity and moral/energetic cleanliness.

•  Connection to Angels & Higher Realms
Angelica opens pathways to angelic beings, spirit guides, ancestors, and the divine. It fosters a tangible sense of guardianship, especially during crises, thresholds (birth, death, major life passages), or spiritual disconnection. In flower essence work, it helps shift from abstract/intellectual spirituality to a felt, embodied relationship with spiritual presences—particularly angels—providing comfort, courage, and guidance.

•  Psychic Enhancement & Visionary Work
It amplifies intuition, clairvoyance, and psychic abilities; opens the third eye chakra; and encourages prophetic dreams, visions, or messages from higher realms. Burned as incense during divination or spirit communication, it clears mental fog and invites inspirational downloads.

•  Healing & Restoration (Spiritual/Emotional)
Angelica brings inner strength, emotional temperance/balance, and a “golden light” that hugs the heart. It supports those feeling spiritually orphaned, traumatised , anxious, or disconnected from source. It grounds while elevating, reconnecting the soul to its transcendent nature and reminding one of inherent protection and love.

•  Blessing, Luck & Positive Attraction
It attracts blessings, good fortune, family harmony, peace in the home, and longevity. Sometimes used in abundance or gambling luck workings (due to its protective clearing of obstacles), and occasionally in love/relationship magic to foster faithfulness and harmony.

•  Inspiration, Mental Clarity & Imagination
As a “tonic for the imagination,” it uplifts mood, sharpens mental focus, stimulates creativity, and bridges the material and spiritual worlds—helping transform overly rational mindsets into inspired, spiritually attuned ones.

Key Correspondences (common in Western esotericism):

•  Planet — Sun (radiant power, vitality, divine light)

•  Element — Fire (purification, strength, transformation)

•  Gender/Energy — Masculine

•  Associated Deity/Being — Archangel Michael (primary), sometimes Raphael or general angelic hosts

•  Chakra — Often third eye (vision) and solar plexus/heart (strength/protection)

Angelica’s hollow stem is sometimes seen as a metaphysical “ladder” between worlds, and its tall, radiant growth mirrors solar/angelic ascent.

In practice, the root is most commonly used for metaphysical purposes (dried, powdered, carried, burned, or infused), though leaves/seeds appear in some blends. It’s considered safe for external/ritual use but handled with respect—internal use requires caution (consult a qualified herbalist, as fresh root can be toxic in excess, and it’s contraindicated in pregnancy).

Overall, Angelica embodies celestial guardianship—a warm, fierce, maternal-protector energy from the angelic realm that clears darkness, restores connection, and empowers the soul to walk in safety and inspiration. It’s often called the “Mama Bear of the Spirit Realm” for its nurturing yet unyielding defence .

Protective Mojo Bag / Charm (Personal or Home Guardian)

•  Purpose: Carry for ongoing protection (especially women/children), ward hexes, or guard hearth/family.

•  Ingredients:

•  Small white or red flannel pouch

•  1 small piece or chip of angelica root (whole root if small)

•  Pinch of salt

•  Optional: protective herbs (rosemary, rue), small angel figurine/charm, petition paper

•  Method:

1.  Hold root, charge it: “Angelica, guardian of light, shield [name/home] from all harm.”

2.  Add to pouch with other items.

3.  Anoint with protection oil (or olive oil prayed over, e.g., Psalm 23).

4.  Tie shut, breathe intent into it.

5.  Carry on person, hang over doors, place under bed (especially for newborns), or bury at property corners.

•  Variation: For women facing harm, pair with St. Michael image and Fiery Wall oil.

Blessing Bath for Self-Love & Attracting Healthy Love

•  Purpose: Clears emotional baggage, boosts self-worth (making you more magnetic), and invites loving connections under angelic guidance.

•  Ingredients:

•  2 tbsp angelica root (or strong tea steeped from it)

•  Rose petals, chamomile, or lavender

•  1 cup Epsom/sea salt

•  Optional: honey (sweeten life/love)

•  Method:

1.  Steep herbs in hot water 20 min; strain into bath.

2.  Add salt/honey; soak while visualizing golden light filling your heart.

3.  Affirm: “I am worthy of pure, protected love; angels guide harmonious romance to me.”

4.  Air-dry; repeat weekly during waxing moon.

Paranormal Places: Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire

 

The Ghosts of Buildwas Abbey, Shropshire UK

The ruins of Buildwas Abbey crouch beside the slow, dark coil of the River Severn in Shropshire, their pale stone arches clawing at a sky that never quite forgets to bruise purple at dusk. 

Founded in the chill of the 12th century, the Cistercian monastery once pulsed with the low, ceaseless murmur of prayer, the scrape of quills on vellum, the rustle of coarse wool habits in narrow corridors. Now the wind whistles through broken windows like the last breath of dying men, and the silence between each gust is deeper than any living quiet.

As daylight bleeds away, the place exhales something colder. Mist rises from the river like slow smoke, threading between the pillars, wrapping the nave in grey veils that swallow sound. The turf underfoot grows unnaturally soft, spongy, as though the earth itself remembers the weight of plague-shrouded bodies lowered into shallow graves. Shadows stretch impossibly long, pooling in the chapter house where abbots once pronounced judgment, and the air carries the faint, sour tang of old incense mingled with wet stone and something metallic—blood, perhaps, or the memory of it. Our own psychic investigation resulted in Carrie sensing that the abbey may, at the time of the English Civil War, have harboured or looked after the wounded . There’s a lingering sense of soldiers and armoury in one of the halls. We have not however been able to conclusively determine if the abbey was involved in such a way. 

The most relentless presence is the Black Monk, a figure carved from midnight itself. Tall, hooded, faceless beneath the cowl, he drifts rather than walks, the hem of his robe brushing the flagstones without disturbing a single leaf. Legends whisper two truths: he is the humble brother who, in the black year of 1349, when the pestilence clawed through Shropshire and the abbey became a charnel house, could endure the abbot’s greed no longer. While villagers starved outside the gates and brothers coughed their lungs into rags, the abbot hoarded grain in the undercroft and sold absolution for gold. One fevered night the brother followed him down into the crypt, raised a stone or a knife—accounts differ—and ended the tyranny in silence. The killer vanished into the forest, never judged by man. Yet the abbot did not rest.

Or perhaps the spectre is the abbot, damned to pace the corridors he defiled, forever seeking the mercy he denied others. Either way, the Black Monk appears when the moon hides its face or when fog thickens until the river seems to breathe beside you. Hikers report the sudden conviction of eyes boring into their backs, then turn to see the silhouette framed in a ruined arch, utterly still, the darkness beneath the hood somehow deeper than the surrounding night.

The most relentless presence is the Black Monk, a figure carved from midnight itself. Tall, hooded, faceless beneath the cowl, he drifts rather than walks, the hem of his robe brushing the flagstones without disturbing a single leaf. Legends whisper two truths: he is the humble brother who, in the black year of 1349, when the pestilence clawed through Shropshire and the abbey became a charnel house, could endure the abbot’s greed no longer. 

While villagers starved outside the gates and brothers coughed their lungs into rags, the abbot hoarded grain in the undercroft and sold absolution for gold. One fevered night the brother followed him down into the crypt, raised a stone or a knife—accounts differ—and ended the tyranny in silence. The killer vanished into the forest, never judged by man. Yet the abbot did not rest.

Or perhaps the spectre is the abbot, damned to pace the corridors he defiled, forever seeking the mercy he denied others. Either way, the Black Monk appears when the moon hides its face or when fog thickens until the river seems to breathe beside you. Hikers report the sudden conviction of eyes boring into their backs, then turn to see the silhouette framed in a ruined arch, utterly still, the darkness beneath the hood somehow deeper than the surrounding night.

Other echoes linger. On winter nights the Office of the Dead rises again—fragmented Latin chant drifting from the empty choir, the same antiphon repeated in weary, hopeless loops, as though the long-scattered community still pleads for souls that never found peace. A phantom bell tolls from a tower reduced to stumps, its single note hanging in the mist like a warning. In the chapter house a solitary hooded shape sometimes materialises on the abbot’s stone seat, head bowed in eternal contrition, only to dissolve when footsteps approach, leaving behind the faint scent of decay.

The Dissolution came in 1536 like a second death. Lead peeled from roofs, bells silenced, monks driven out into a world that no longer needed them. The buildings were left to rot, yet Buildwas never surrendered its charge. The stones remember betrayal. The river remembers the cries carried on its current. And the dead—murderer, murdered, pious and profane—refuse to depart the place where plague, greed, and violence fused into something eternal.

So come at twilight if you dare. Walk softly among the arches that frame nothing but sky and shadow. Speak no louder than a whisper. And if you hear the pad of unseen feet trailing yours, or glimpse a tall, cowled form motionless against the dying light, do not run. Do not call out. Some presences are stirred by fear, fed by it, and Buildwas Abbey has waited centuries for company.

Dare you enter the haunted crypt?

Above is a photograph of what we believe was used as a cellar. It does, however, feel very oppressive, cold and there’s a sense of isolation and even dread. Was someone indeed locked inside or even killed? Our psychic researcher Carrie felt a sad, heavy presence there.

At the abbey the past does not merely linger. It hungers. It watches. And when the mist closes in, it walks beside you—close enough to feel its chill breath on your neck—forever patient, forever near.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/buildwas-abbey/

Manly P Hall publications

Very important people 

Manly P. Hall

Hall was a Canadian-born American writer, lecturer, astrologer, and mystic (March 18, 1901 – August 29, 1990). Born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, he moved to the United States in his youth and spent most of his life in Los Angeles, California.

Over his 70-year career, Hall delivered thousands of lectures and authored over 150 volumes on philosophy, esoteric traditions, comparative religion, mysticism, and related subjects. His most famous and influential work is The Secret Teachings of All Ages(published in 1928 when he was 27), an encyclopedic overview of ancient wisdom traditions, symbolism, Freemasonry, Hermeticism, Rosicrucianism, Qabbalah, and more—often richly illustrated and still widely read today in esoteric circles.

In 1934, he founded the Philosophical Research Society (PRS) in Los Angeles, a nonprofit dedicated to studying world wisdom literature, philosophy, mysticism, and metaphysics. He served as its president until his death, and the organisation continues to exist (with a library, publications, and programs).

Hall was heavily influenced by esoteric and occult traditions, including Rosicrucian ideas (his mother was involved with the Rosicrucian Fellowship), and he wrote extensively on Freemasonry (e.g., The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923). He later became a 33° Scottish Rite Mason.

His work remains popular among those interested in occult philosophy, self-improvement through ancient wisdom, and symbolic interpretations of religion and mythology. Many of his lectures are available online (audio/video), and books like The Secret Teachings of All Ages are still in print and studied. It can be downloaded free from online sources including our own free digital library.

The Secret Teachings of All Ages is a landmark work in esoteric literature, widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive encyclopedias of occult, mystical, and symbolic philosophy ever written.

The book was first self-published in 1928 when Hall was just 27 years old. He financed and produced a lavish limited edition (originally around 1,000 copies or so in a grand format), featuring intricate illustrations by artist J. Augustus Knapp (including 54 full-colour  plates in some editions) and elaborate design by printer John Henry Nash. The full subtitle captures its ambitious scope:

An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy: Being an Interpretation of the Secret Teachings Concealed Within the Rituals, Allegories, and Mysteries of All Ages.

Hall drew from hundreds of sources across mythology, religion, philosophy, and the occult to argue that a universal, hidden wisdom tradition—often called the “perennial philosophy” or the secret doctrine—underlies many ancient and modern spiritual systems. He believed this esoteric knowledge was deliberately veiled in symbols, myths, and rituals to protect it from misuse, and that it had been preserved by mystery schools, secret societies, and initiated teachers throughout history.

Key Topics Covered

The book is massive (often 600–800+ pages depending on the edition) and organized into nearly 50 dense chapters. It explores:

•  Ancient mystery religions and secret societies (e.g., Eleusinian, Mithraic, Druidic, Gnostic)

•  Atlantis and lost civilizations

•  Hermes Trismegistus and Hermeticism

•  Pythagorean philosophy, mathematics, music, and color theory

•  Symbolism of the human body, animals, plants, stones, metals, and gems

•  The Zodiac, solar deities, and astrology

•  Alchemy, ceremonial magic, and the elements

•  The Qabbalah (Kabbalah), Rosicrucianism, and Freemasonry

•  Isis, the Bembine Table, and Egyptian mysteries

•  Interpretations of figures like Bacon (and theories linking him to Shakespeare), Islam’s esoteric side, and even American Indian symbolism

Each chapter is packed with historical references, symbolic analysis, and philosophical commentary, making it feel like a condensed library of arcane knowledge.

Style and Reception

Hall’s writing is eloquent, scholarly, and somewhat archaic in tone—dense but accessible for those interested in the subject. It’s not a beginner’s primer but a serious reference work that assumes curiosity about deeper mysteries. While hugely influential in 20th-century occult circles (often called a “codex” to esoteric traditions), it’s more of a synthesis and interpretation than rigorous academic history—some claims reflect early 20th-century scholarship or speculative ideas that later research has nuanced or challenged.

The book has remained continuously in print for nearly a century, with various editions:

•  Original 1928 oversized folio (rare and collectible)

•  Reader’s editions (more compact, affordable, often with black-and-white or selected color illustrations)

•  Deluxe reprints (e.g., Philosophical Research Society editions, Taschen facsimiles with restored artwork)

It’s available in public domain scans online (since the copyright wasn’t renewed), as audiobooks (some over 30 hours long), and in modern printings.

In short, The Secret Teachings of All Ages is Hall’s magnum opus—a timeless gateway into the symbolic and mystical undercurrents of human spirituality. If you’re drawn to the hidden dimensions of myth, religion, and philosophy, it’s considered essential reading, even if you approach it as a fascinating historical artifact rather than literal doctrine. Many readers return to it repeatedly as a reference.

While The Secret Teachings of All Ages (1928) remains his most famous and comprehensive work, here are some of his other notable and widely recognised books (roughly in chronological order of original publication where known):

•  The Initiates of the Flame (1922) — One of his earliest works, a short mystical treatise on inner enlightenment and the “flame” of spiritual knowledge.

•  The Ways of the Lonely Ones (1922) — Reflective essays on spiritual solitude and the path of the seeker.

•  The Lost Keys of Freemasonry (1923) — A classic in Masonic esoterica, exploring the symbolic and philosophical depths of Freemasonry (often subtitled The Secret of Hiram Abiff).

•  Melchizedek and the Mystery of Fire (1929) — A short but profound exploration of the biblical figure Melchizedek and fire symbolism in mystery traditions.

•  The Secret Destiny of America (1944, expanded editions later) — Perhaps his second-most popular book today; it discusses esoteric influences on America’s founding, including ideas about Atlantis, Freemasonry, and a “great plan” for the nation.

•  Lectures on Ancient Philosophy (1929/1930s, compiled) — A companion volume to The Secret Teachings, offering deeper philosophical insights into ancient wisdom schools.

•  Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians (1937) — Examines alleged connections between Egyptian mysteries and Masonic symbolism.

•  The Dionysian Artificers (1936) — Focuses on ancient Greek mystery cults and their influence on later esoteric traditions.

•  Masonic Orders of Fraternity (1950) — Discusses various Masonic rites and their philosophical underpinnings.

•  The Occult Anatomy of Man (various editions, originally 1920s–1930s) — Explores the symbolic and esoteric correspondences of the human body.

•  The Pineal Gland: The Eye of God (mid-20th century pamphlet/monograph) — A short work on the “third eye” and its mystical significance.

•  Magic: A Treatise on Natural Occultism (various reprints) — Covers practical and philosophical aspects of magic.

•  Collected Writings (multi-volume sets, e.g., Vol. I and II) — Compilations of essays, lectures, and shorter pieces on diverse esoteric topics.

•  Later works include titles like The Blessed Angels: A Monograph, Buddhism & Psychotherapy, The Adepts in the Eastern Esoteric Tradition series, and Great Books on Religion & Esoteric Philosophy (a bibliographic guide).

If you’re interested in diving deeper, the PRS website (prs.org) maintains a current catalog of his available works, and sites like Goodreads or archive.org have extensive lists and free scans of many public-domain titles. His output reflects a lifelong dedication to synthesizing and popularizing ancient wisdom for modern readers.