Spirit | History | Healing
Let’s continue weaving the tapestry of sage wisdom… next in our sacred circle are Clary Sage, Black Sage (Dream Sage), and Purple Sage. Each of these carries a distinct spirit and voice in both healing and magick. Let’s unfurl their stories:
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Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
The Visionary’s Ally
Spiritual Use:
Clary Sage is the herb of clear sight—its very name echoes clarity. Used in spellwork to amplify intuition, dreamwork, and second sight, it awakens the third eye and softens emotional fog. Its aroma is known to release fear and invite clarity, especially during spiritual awakenings or crossroads.
Historical Lore:
In medieval herbalism, Clary Sage was called “clear-eye” and used as a remedy for eye conditions… physically and metaphorically. Monks and mystics alike believed it granted prophetic vision. It has long been associated with feminine energy, lunar rituals, and trance states.
Medicinal Wisdom:
Clary Sage essential oil is a powerful hormonal balancer: used for PMS, menopause, and emotional mood swings. It is calming for anxiety and supports restful sleep. Its antispasmodic properties also ease muscle tension and digestive cramps.
Magickal Notes:
- Element: Water
- Planet: Moon
- Chakra: Third Eye
- Energetics: Cooling, clarifying, euphoric
- Best paired with: Blue lotus, jasmine, amethyst
“For when the veil is thick or the path uncertain, clary sage lifts the fog and shows the way forward.”
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Black Sage (Salvia mellifera or Artemisia douglasiana)
The Dream Weaver
Spiritual Use:
Often called “Dream Sage,” this mysterious sage is used for astral travel, lucid dreaming, and spirit journeying. Burned before bed or stuffed into a dream pillow, it invites visions and deep soul messages. In shamanic traditions, it’s used to enter trance states and communicate with ancestors.
Historical Lore:
Black Sage is native to the western U.S., where it was used by coastal tribes for spiritual protection and dream guidance. The plant’s dark leaves and deep scent were seen as a bridge to the unseen. Traditionally, it was smoked or steeped into strong brews during vision quests.
Medicinal Wisdom:
Mildly sedative, used to calm nerves, relieve pain, and help with insomnia. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can ease menstrual pain or headaches when applied topically as an infused oil or salve.
Magickal Notes:
- Element: Water & Air
- Planet: Neptune
- Chakra: Third Eye & Crown
- Energetics: Deepening, dream-enhancing, protective
- Best paired with: Mugwort, skullcap, labradorite
“Black sage walks between the worlds, where shadows become guides and dreams are doorways.”
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Purple Sage (Salvia leucophylla or Salvia dorrii var. purpurea)
The Mystic Shield
Spiritual Use:
A lesser-known but powerful protective herb, purple sage is used in rituals to ward off psychic attack, anchor the spirit, and promote deep spiritual insight. It radiates regal energy… sacred, strong, and commanding.
Historical Lore:
Used by Indigenous Californian and desert tribes, purple sage was a protective and cleansing herb, often used by shamans. Its vibrant hues made it symbolic of royalty, wisdom, and spiritual sovereignty.
Medicinal Wisdom:
Like other sages, it is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It can be used as a steam for sinus issues or a rinse for minor skin conditions. Some species have been used to help with fever and chest congestion.
Magick Notes:
- Element: Earth & Fire
- Planet: Saturn
- Chakra: Root & Crown
- Energetics: Grounding, shielding, empowering
- Best paired with: Myrrh, cedar, obsidian
“Where wisdom meets warriorship, purple sage plants the feet and lifts the crown.”
Coming soon in this series: we’ll move to the wild-hearted Mullein—the torchbearer, the lung healer, the ancestral beacon.