CINNAMON

Cinnamomum verum (syn. C. zeylanicum)

Common Name: Cinnamon, ceylon, true cinnamon
Family: Lauraceae
Part/s Used: Dried inner bark
Energetics: Warming, stimulating, demulcent
Taste: Sweet, spicy, pungent, astringent
Actions: Demulcent, stimulating diaphoretic, carminative, hemostatic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gastrointestinal tonic, yang tonic, flavoring
Constituents: Procyanidin, oligomers, cinnamaldehyde, methoxy cinnamaldehyde, flavonoids, mucilage, resins, sugars, salicylic acid, anhydrocinnzelanol, eugenol
Tissue state: Depression, atrophy, relaxation  
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Zodiac: Aquarius
Magickal and Ritual uses: With its association with the fire element, cinnamon can be added to any spell to help it manifest more quickly. It increases spirituality and attracts abundance, power, and success. Sprinkle Cinnamon in your spells to ignite love and lust. Burn cinnamon incense to awaken desire. Hang a cinnamon broom over the doorway to ward off ill intentions.

Potions and Brews: 

Tincture: 1:4 40-50% alcohol

Cinnamon extract is highly aromatic and acts as a warming "driver" in herbal formulations, igniting circulation and enhancing the effectiveness of other ingredients. Add a drop to tea or spell drinks to stir energy and lend a touch of fiery sweetness. 

Tea: Long decoction. Use ½ teaspoon of cinnamon bark per cup of water, infused for 25 minutes. Keep the lid on while simmering to retain essential oils. A sip of this brew with a squeeze of lemon and honey carries the essence of protection and healing.

Whole quills have a longer shelf life and are preferred over powdered cinnamon for potion making.

Habitat and Botanical Description:

Cinnamon is a tree of ancient power and belongs to the laurel family and thrives in tropical realms. Reaching up to 30 feet tall in the wild, it stretches toward the sun with its glossy, dark green leaves, small white or yellow flowers, and dark  berries. It flourishes in the warm and humid climates under the embrace of taller trees. 

Two enchanted varieties exist:

  • Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): The true cinnamon of old magick, revered for its gentle sweetness and potent energy. Native to Sri Lanka and India, it is the spice of choice for spellwork.
  • Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia): A stronger, bolder cousin, commonly found in mundane markets. While still powerful, it lacks the refined essence of its Ceylon kin

Medicinal Uses:

Cinnamon has been used for thousands of years in various cultures. It was mentioned in ancient Egyptian texts for use in mummification, perfumes, oils, and incense, and it appears in the Bible. Today, cinnamon is widely used in culinary and medicinal applications.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cinnamon is used to fuel the inner fires, dispelling cold and sluggishness, restoring warmth.

In Ayurveda, it is a beloved herb of Vata energies, wrapping its warmth around those who run cold, grounding the scattered mind, and soothing the restless spirit.

Cinnamon is indicated for individuals with low vitality, weak immunity, and chilled to the bone. Cinnamon rekindles the flame. It is useful during colds, flus, sinus congestion, bronchitis, and asthma accompanied by chills. Sprinkle cinnamon in applesauce to soothe sore throats, making it a gentle remedy for children.

For those who feel drained, weak, and chilled to the bone, cinnamon rekindles the flame. It is a guardian against winter’s touch, warding off colds, flus, and bronchial chills. Add a pinch of cinnamon to applesauce for children with sore throats, or brew a warming potion when illness lurks. 

Digestive Support: Cinnamon’s fiery essence awakens the digestive fires, breaking down food and dispelling stagnation. A natural purifier, it banishes harmful spirits from the gut, bringing harmony and ease. Sprinkle it upon cool fruits and desserts to counterbalance their dampness. Perfect for those troubled by bloating and sluggish digestion. Beyond its healing benefits, Cinnamon enhances the flavor of baked goods, warming elixirs, feasts, making each bite a spell of nourishment and delight.

Anointing: Cinnamon oil has antimicrobial properties that support wound healing and infection prevention. It is commonly used in foot baths for athlete’s foot and in full-body baths to soothe sore muscles and promote tissue repair. Cinnamon’s ability to stimulate collagen production makes it beneficial for wound healing. It can also be added to toothpaste to inhibit bacteria and freshen breath. As a hemostatic, powdered cinnamon can be sprinkled on minor cuts to stop bleeding.

Beauty and Glamour Magick:

Ground cinnamon is used in cosmetics, including natural foundations and bronzers. It can stimulate circulation and provide a warming glow in natural beauty blends, making it a beloved ingredient in beauty rituals and spells. Its fiery energy associated with vitality and confidence, makes cinnamon a powerful ally in enhancing one's natural radiance and magnetism.

Cinnamon-Infused Beauty Oil:
For a daily beauty ritual, infuse a carrier oil (like jojoba or sweet almond oil) with a cinnamon stick. Place the cinnamon stick in a small glass bottle, cover with the oil, and let it sit in a sunny spot for a week, shaking gently each day. This oil can be used to anoint your pulse points before going out, adding not only a subtle warm scent but also imbuing you with cinnamon's energetic qualities of attraction, vitality, and charm.

Carry a small charm bag filled with ground cinnamon, rose petals, and a clear quartz crystal. This sachet serves as a glamour charm, enhancing your confidence and magnetic allure whenever you carry it in your purse or pocket. You can also sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon into your beauty products (like lip balm or body lotion) to subtly integrate its magick into your daily routine.

In all beauty and glamour magick, cinnamon serves as a fiery catalyst, awakening not just the skin but the spirit, reminding you that true beauty radiates from within.

Astrological and Elemental Influence:

Cinnamon is ruled by Aquarius, as it is closely connected to circulation, blood flow, and the nervous system. Aquarius governs the ankles and calves, areas prone to poor circulation and varicose veins. During Aquarius season, cinnamon can help counteract stagnation, both physically and energetically. Its warming, stimulating properties encourage healthy circulation, preventing the energetic "freeze" that can sometimes accompany the fixed air nature of Aquarius.

Aquarius is an air sign, ruled by Uranus, the planet of sudden insights, innovation, and revolutionary thinking. This often leads Aquarians to dwell in the realm of ideas, dreams, and mental exploration. While this intellectual pursuit can be inspiring, it can also result in mental overstimulation, anxiety, and nervous exhaustion. Cinnamon, with its fiery essence, acts as a grounding force, drawing scattered mental energy back into the body. Its warming nature helps to ignite passion, focus, and clarity, counterbalancing Aquarius’ tendency to become detached or aloof.

In moments of restlessness or insomnia, common for those influenced by Aquarius’ electric energy, a warm cup of cinnamon tea can soothe the nervous system, bringing calm to a racing mind. The sweet, spicy aroma of cinnamon can be used in diffusers or incense to create an atmosphere of warmth and mental clarity, aiding meditation practices and creative brainstorming sessions.

Aquarius thrives on community and collective connection, yet may struggle with emotional detachment. Cinnamon’s association with the heart chakra, through its ability to increase warmth and circulation, can help Aquarians open up emotionally, fostering deeper, more heartfelt connections. It encourages warmth in both the physical and emotional sense, helping to bridge the gap between mind and heart.

In ritual work during Aquarius season, cinnamon can be incorporated to invoke clarity, innovation, and visionary insight. Add it to spell jars, teas, or charm bags designed to spark new ideas or strengthen community bonds. Wearing a drop of diluted cinnamon oil on the pulse points can invigorate the spirit, enhance focus, and serve as a protective charm against mental burnout.

For those with strong Aquarius placements in their natal charts, cinnamon can become a powerful herbal ally, offering both grounding and inspiration, a fiery thread that connects the heights of the mind with the steady rhythm of the heart.

Harvesting:

Cinnamon can be harvested from trees that are at least 2-3 years old. The best time for harvesting is during the rainy season when the bark is most supple and yielding. If necessary, branches can be soaked in water for a few hours before processing.

  • With reverence, saw a section of the cinnamon tree with a diameter of at least 2 inches, offering gratitude to the spirit of the tree.

  • Remove small twigs and branches.

  • Strip away the very outer gray bark layer revealing the red-gold layer beneath. Cut into strips and lay in a single layer to dry under the warmth of the sun or in a well-ventilated space.

  • As the bark dries, it curls into quills, little scrolls of fire and wisdom. Store carefully preserving their power for potions and spells.

  • Alternatively, the entire tree can be cut down; the stump will regenerate and produce new growth within a few years, a testament to the cycle of rebirth and renewal.

Contraindications:

Cinnamon is a potent spice and should be used with caution. Direct contact with mucous membranes and eyes can cause irritation. It should always be diluted in anointing potions, as it can be caustic to the skin. High doses should be avoided by those sensitive to warming herbs or individuals prone to excessive heat conditions.

 Sources:

  • Gladstar, Rosemary. The Science and Art of Herbalism. A Home-Study Course
  • Delahaye, N. Mediavine Publisher Network Architectural Digest 2023. Star Sign Style. https://starsignstyle.com/aromatherapy-astrology-and-the-best-essential-oils-for-aquarius-season/
  • https://mountainroseherbs.com/cinnamon-extract
  • India Science. Harvesting and processing Cinnamonhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMZ_maB4qK8 
  • Kane, Aurora. Herbal Magic, A Handbook of Natural Spells, Charms and Potions. New York, NY: Wellfleet Press; 2021
  • Palmer. R. Cinnamon Materia Medicahttps://goldenpoppyherbs.com/cinnamon-materia-medica/
  • Popham, Sajah. Alchemical Herbalism Course. School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Lecture Notes; 2020
  • Popham, Sajah. The Vitalist Herbal Practitioner Program. School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Lecture Notes. 2021
  • Sinadinos, Christa. Northwest School for Botanical Studies Course. Lecture Notes; 2014
  • Michael. The Way of Herbs. New York, NY: Pocket Books; 1998
  • Tilgner, Sharol Marie. Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth. Third Edition. Wise Acres Publishing. 2020
  • Wardwell, J, Dodt, C, Breedlove, G. Herbal Well Being. San Diego, CA. Storey Publishing; 2002
  • Wood, Matthew. The Earthwise herbal: Volume 1. A complete guide to Old World medicinal plants. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books; 2008

Disclosure: This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.