Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020

Aloe Vera
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

protection

This gentle and loving succulent has long pointy leaves with tiny spikes growing from the edges. She is both ornamental and medicinal, and grows easily and happily with relatively little care (though of course you should always shower your aloe with love).

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The soothing effects of aloe vera are widely known. While the gel is easy enough to find at a drugstore, simply asking your plant for permission to take a leaf and rubbing the sap onto your skin allows you to connect more directly with her, receiving her healing without any intermediaries. Aloe vera not only soothes burns and accelerates healing, she is also good for the skin in general, helping to seal in moisture. Aloe vera is also edible, and contains antioxidants and antibacterial properties; she can help treat canker sores or other mouth ulcers.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Aloe vera is treasured for her protective nature. Planting aloe vera around the entrance to your home or hanging some dried aloe vera above your door can help keep your household safe. Aloe vera not only protects from outside forces, but also from those of us who are accident-prone. She really wants to help out. I place dried aloe vera in the pockets of my children’s clothes before sending them to school, for protection and to prevent injuries. If you have kids—especially boys, like I do!—then you know they can get hurt easily.

I work often with spirits and ancestors, and the practice in my Indigenous culture is to rub aloe vera on the throat space to help with communication with spirits, and on the third eye to help awaken sight during meditation. If you feel you have a curse placed on you, take a stem of aloe vera, lick it, and then burn it, asking it to burn away any evil that may have been placed on you.

PLANT WISDOM

In dreams, aloe vera is very mothering, kind of like a spiritual life coach. She wants to see you grow just as she does, reminding you that there is a special path for you—you are here on purpose for a purpose. Meditate with her when you need inspiration and empowerment, especially if you are struggling with the meaning of life. Aloe vera grows happily in windows, doorways, and in the center of rooms—these are places where she can do her work and be happy.