Sweet Woodruff, Master of the Woods

Sweet Woodruff, "Master of the Woods"
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Sweet Woodruff is associated with protection, victory, money, and male sexuality. It’s also used for protecting ones home, pantry, and possessions, including finances.
It was once used by Catholics, hung in cathedrals and churches to ward off evil. According to Mrs. Greive's A Modern Herbal, Sweet Woodruff was 'hung and strewn in churches, and St. Barnabas Day and on St. Peter’s, bunches of box, Woodruff, lavender and roses found a place there.’
This is a wonderful herb to incorporate into Beltaine celebrations by wearing the leaves, or decorating the sacred space with sprigs of the leaves and flowers, or by adding it to wreaths.
Sweet Woodruff can be used in rituals that honor Gods associated with the woodland, such as Herne and Cernunnos, and used in spells to stir male sexuality.
· An herb of the Spring, used to clear away the closeness and drabness of the Winter months.
· Carry when wishing to turn over a new leaf., or when wishing to change your outlook on life, especially in the spring.
· Woodruff is carried to attract money and prosperity, to bring victory to athletes and warriors.
Shamanic Use: Sacred to Walburga, the goddess of Walpurgisnacht who may well actually be Ostara, the spring-bringer. Can be used to escape pursuers, as Walburga is pursued through the woods each year by hounds. If you carry it, you can use her trick of standing in a triangle carved into a stump-top, and your pursuers will pass you by.