Apothecary
Catnip.
Nepeta cataria
Also known as Catmint, Nip, Field Balm
Sacred to Bast and beloved of every cat that creeps softly through a witch's house. Catnip carries a soft, beguiling charm — drawing love, easing the heart, and inviting the household spirits to settle into the warmth of the hearth.
Correspondences
Element
Water
Planet
Venus
Zodiac
Cancer
Chakra
Heart
Parts Used
Leaves, flowers
Harvest
Summer
Origin
Europe, waste
Moon Phases
Waxing
Practice
Magical Properties
Cat magic, love, beauty, happiness, relaxation
Grow near the home to attract good spirits. Use in love sachets and spells. Burn to create a peaceful environment. Give to your cat as an offering to Bast.
Mundane
Mundane Uses
Mild sedative and nervine. Used for anxiety, insomnia, and colic in children.
Devotion
Deity Associations
Bast, Freyja
History
Folklore & History
Catnip tea was the standard before Chinese tea became widely available in England. In North American folk magic, large catnip leaves were pressed inside grimoires to bring good luck to the work.
Safety
Safety Notes
Generally safe. Avoid large therapeutic doses in pregnancy.
This information is provided for educational and magical reference only. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using herbs medicinally.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Catnip used for in witchcraft?
Catnip is traditionally used in workings for cat magic, love, beauty, happiness, relaxation. Grow near the home to attract good spirits.
What element is Catnip associated with?
Catnip is associated with the Water element and the sign of Cancer, and resonates with the Heart chakra.
What planet rules Catnip?
Catnip is ruled by Venus. In the classical planetary system, this gives the herb its characteristic energetic signature and indicates which workings it most readily amplifies and which planetary hours best suit it.
Is Catnip safe to use?
Some care is required when working with Catnip. Generally safe. Avoid large therapeutic doses in pregnancy. The information here is provided for educational and magical reference only — always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb medicinally.
In Your Practice
Track your work with Catnip.
Record spells, rituals, and observations in your private digital grimoire.
Related
More Water Herbs
Aloe Vera
Moon
The Plant of Immortality — grown in the homes of Egyptian pharaohs and on the windowsills of modern witches alike. Aloe …
Birch
Venus
The Lady of the Woods — first letter of the Ogham, slender and silver-barked as moonlight itself. Birch is the magic of …
Chamomile
Sun
Sun-yellow and apple-scented, chamomile is the gentlest of the gold-bringers. A wash of its tea over the hands before a …
Be among the first
Grimoire is now available on Android. Join the waitlist to be notified when iOS launches.