How do we add power and relevance to our rituals? I believe the first step is looking to your ancestors and the energetic weight and power found in their traditions, objects, and beliefs.

When we hold a family heirloom it’s always more than an object. If it broke, and you found a replacement, would you feel the same when you held it? When you find a four-leaf clover, do you feel a little extra lucky that day?

Plants and objects hold energetic weight. Whether it’s through a personal meaning that we attach to something, or through the culture and traditions that are passed on to us from those who came before, we can often feel these energetic shifts in us.

As I’ve studied plants, I’ve loved learning about the traditional meanings as well as the medicinal benefits. Often the meaning a plant brings relates to how it looks, or what it does. Violet’s sweet, heart-shaped leaves bring love and devotion. Yarrow is known for protection and healing, both because of its ability to do so, and also because it’s historically been carried by soldiers into battle.

The magic of meaning is in our intention. When we work with intention, everyday things blossom into something more. A cup of tea can be more than a good beverage, it can bring you harmony, love, and clarity…all in that one little cup. A candle can bring more than a loving light and beautiful scent – it can fill your room with protection, balance, or prosperity.