Mugwort – a powerful medicinal plant is now in our garden!
Mugwort, scientifically known as Artemisia vulgaris, is a versatile and aromatic herb cherished for centuries for its medicinal, magical and culinary properties.
Native to Europe, Asia, and parts of North America, mugwort is characterised by its deeply lobed leaves and clusters of tiny, yellowish flowers. It has weedlike tendencies, growing in waste areas and deactivated zones.
In traditional medicine, mugwort has been used to alleviate digestive issues, relieve menstrual cramps, and promote relaxation. It is also renowned for its culinary uses, adding a unique flavour to soups, stews, and herbal teas.
Furthermore, mugwort holds cultural significance in various societies, often associated with protection, purification, and spiritual practices. According to Cunningham (1998), it is a visionary herb related to Venus, Earth, Feminine Energy and Artemis (note the reference in its Latin name). Placed under the pillow or drunk as tea, it supports prophetic dreams, astral travel healing and deep protection from evil.
It is a herb associated with Samhain, supporting conversations and connections between this dimension and others when invoked at this time of year.
Grieve (1976) notes that it is harvested after it has flowered and has a wide array of properties supporting women’s health.
Sourcing and Planting
From Dr Maggie Buxton:
“It was challenging to acquire Mugwort. I had to research for several weeks and find growers who could get the plant to our region.
Finally, I successfully sourced 5 rhizomes, which arrived overnight from a home grower in Auckland.
Kim and I ceremonially welcomed them and planted them the same day in our new resilience garden. We then watched and waited for them to show signs of taking.”
Pathways and Mulches
AwhiWorld is an organisation that genuinely exemplifies trans-disciplinary practice. We always aim to transcend disciplines to create new and innovative projects. In this case, combining earth-based spiritual practice with shiny tech and creativity.
Basarab Nicolescu, one of the inspirations for our practice, notes that transdisciplinary always has a spiritual dimension as we transcend traditional boundaries and move into realms not previously explored. (See Rigolot, 2020 and Versluis and Nicolescu (2018)
Mugwort is a plant she has wanted to grow due to its magical and ritual properties. BioSignals is about engaging with plants and finding ways to connect to them and learn what signals we may capture. In the case of Mugwort, it is a plant related to strength and protection, qualities needed if we are to adapt to our changing climate. It is also a plant associated with travel into other dimensions, so it conceptually fits with BioSignals’ goal of sending signals into space.
In the following weeks, we will track the progress of the Mugwort seedlings and our efforts to connect to the plant in some way through special meditations, rituals and engaging with IoT technologies.
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