The Gorgoneion
Protected
O impetuous one, you bring madness to the wicked and prudence to the virtuous.
Male and female, begetter of war, counselor,
she-dragon of many shapes, frenzy-loving, illustrious,
destroyer of the Phlegraian Giants, driver of horses,
Tritogeneia, you free us of suffering, O victorious goddess.
- Orphic Hymn to Athena
Medusa's apotropaic gaze combined with Athena's immortal shield and cunning. Call on the powers of the mighty aegis when you're in need of protection and wise guardianship. The Gorgoneion is a sharp, piercing, green aroma atop a leathery base. All products in The Gorgoneion line are hand-crafted on Thursdays in honour of Zeus - sometimes shield-holder; perennial dispenser of justice.
Notes: Atlas Cedarwood, Labdanum, Mastic, Clary Sage, Juniper, Hyssop, Lemon
The Gorgoneion is infused with the magick of
Atlas Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica)
Element: Fire | Ruling Planets: Jupiter & Sun
Clary Sage (Salvia sclerea)
Element: Air | Ruling Planets: Mercury & Moon
Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Element: Fire | Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Lemon (Citrus limon)
Element: Air | Ruling Planet: Sun
Mastic (Pistacia lentiscus)
Element: Air | Ruling Planets: Mercury & Sun
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Element: Fire | Ruling Planet: Mars
Olive (Olea europaea)
Element: Fire | Ruling Planets: Jupiter & Sun
Vervain
Verbena officinalis
Element: Earth | Ruling Planet: Venus
One of the most widely used herbs in magick, vervain (or Enchanter's Plant) has long been utilized for its protective and purifying qualities. Roman fetials known as verbenarii wore crowns of vervain for protection when negotiating with enemies or engaging in peace talks. In Christian mythology, vervain was used to cleanse Christ's wounds giving it the epithet Herb of the Cross. In addition to corporeal protection, vervain was frequently used to consecrate altars, temples, and sacred sites before rituals to ward off evil and negative energy.
Hyssop
Hyssopus officinalis
Element: Fire | Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Hyssop is a powerful purifier used to cleanse spaces and avert negative energies. It can be used in warding and preventative magick and also to wash away the residue of violation and intrusion. Brushes of hyssop branches were used by the priests of the Temple of Solomon to purify and protect the temple altar. Hyssop also plays a central role in the Adoration at the Bath in the Lesser Key of Solomon, with the declaration "Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, O Lord! and I shall be clean: Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
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Black Horehound operates with humility and reverence on the stolen lands of the Halkomelem-speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land where we are privileged to live and work.