Anise in Witchcraft: Symbolism, Healing & Magical Properties

Anise (Pimpinellaa anisum) is a graceful, feathery annual resembling members of the carrot family with branching ridged, round stems and small, star like white flowers which appear in clusters in the late summer.

The leaves are broad, toothed, and round with lobed lower leaves and finely divided upper leaves. It grows to 12-18 inches and may be erect or prostrate. Anise carries the scent of licorice.

Other Names: Aniseseed, Sweet Cumin, Anisi Fructose

History and Folklore

Anise is one of the oldest known plants grown for culinary and medicinal use. It was an important in 2nd century BCE Egypt where it was grown for food and medicine and as an ingredient in liquor.

Anise was one of the ingredients in mustaceus, a special cake made with digestive herbs that was served as a finishing dish for feasts. This may be the origin of the modern-day wedding cake.

In 1305, King Edward I declared anise a taxable drug and the revenue earned through its import helped repair damages to the London Bridge.

The Native Americans called anise “Tut-te See-hua”, which means, “It expels the wind”

The best anise is grown in Spain, but it is also grown in Turkey and Egypt.

Magical Attributes of Anise

Anise is associated with the element of air, the God Apollo, the planets Mercury and Jupiter and the astrological sign Gemini. Anise is also considered masculine.

Below, I listed 10 creative ways to use star anise in witcchraft.  Written by Lumina. Enjoy!

Include it in fall or winter ritual incense. 

Anise keeps its powerful, spicy scent well through the winter season.  Use it for winter and late fall rites for purification and cleansing.

Use it during dark moon divination.

When the moon goes dark once a month, the stars light up, appearing to brighten against the otherwise black sky.  The shape of star anise symbolizes a moonless horizon.  Place it on the altar during divination to “light up” your intuition.

Make garland or wreaths from it for home protection. 

Because star anise is gorgeous to the point of being a natural phenomenon, it makes the ideal feature in home decor and crafts intended for their protective qualities.

Burn it as natural incense. 

You need not even blend it with anything else.  Star anise emits such a strong natural fragrance, feel free to burn it all on its own using a charcoal disk.

Try this kitchen witch recipe. 

Kitchen witches all over explore different uses for their magical herbs in the kitchen.

Throw it in the hearth fire. 

Similarly, if you don’t have any charcoal incense disks, just toss it in your fireplace and set it ablaze to enchant your hearth and fill your home with the warm, soothing scent of this classic protection herb.  Or, you can make these super awesome natural firestarters.

Combine it with cinnamon sticks and steep it in hot water.  

This infusion makes a great psychic tea for use before divination or heightened dreaming abilities.

Feature it gift wrap for Yule or other pagan presents. 

Do this!  Next time you give something to someone in your coven or a like-minded friend, wrap it in plain paper, then glue star anise all over it in patterns or just randomly.  Especially nice for protection charms or dream-related gifts.

Ring candles with it for Imbolc. 

Make candle rings for winter Sabbats like Yule and Imbolc.  It looks so pretty and natural on the altar!

Slow cook it in oil for a dream potion. 

Very low and slow, cook star anise in a natural oil (like olive, coconut, or jojoba), then anoint your wrists or temples with it before bedtime.

Other DIY magic uses of Anise

Hang an anise seed head from your bedpost to restore lost youth.

Use anise in dream pillows to keep away nightmares and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Fresh anise leaves or anise seeds used in a potpourri will protect a room from evil spirits and intentions.

It can be used in holy waters for blessing and exorcisms.

It is said that the scent stirs up lust.

Anise seeds carried in a sachet will ward off the evil eye.

Anise aids in divination and may be added to a ritual bath and/or burned while meditating or divining.

Anise has been used as an offering to entice spirits to aid in magical operations.

Healing Attributes

Anise is helpful for all sorts of coughs and helps to relieve congestion. It is useful added to syrups and lozenges. Alternatively, a tea can be made by steeping one teaspoon of the seeds in a cup of boiling water for ten minutes.

Take up to one and a half cups per day. You can also make a tincture to keep on hand by using two ounces of seeds per ½ quart brandy and a pinch of lemon peel. Let sit two to three weeks. Take one teaspoon as needed.

Some say anise is high in estrogen content and can be used to stimulate the flow of breast milk. It is also used to ease the pains of childbirth. It may also help relieve the discomfort of menopause.

Anise seed is good for the digestive system and can stimulate the appetite, aid digestion, or relieve cramps, nausea, flatulence, or colic. A few seeds taken with water will cure hiccups.

Anise may increase the amount of iron that is absorbed into the body.

Additional Notes

Large quantities of anise can be toxic. Do not use the essential oil without dilution and never take essential oil internally.

Because anise may increase the amount of iron absorbed into the body, use caution when taking both iron supplements and anise simultaneously.

Anise can be used with dogs like catnip with cats. Don’t let them overdo it, though; see above toxicity warnings!