Magical Properties, General, Herbs Used For Love Magic
How To Use Catnip In Love Spells And Rituals?
By Mark Piatt
Updated on December 7, 2023
When you make a purchase through our links, we may earn commissions from Amazon and other retailers. You can learn more about our affiliate and privacy policy here.
Using catnip in love spells and rituals has a long history in various folk traditions, including those involving love magick. Catnip is often used for its spiritual properties to attract love (especially for women looking for a man) or to create a romantic atmosphere.
While these metaphysical practices are part of folk magick and have no scientific backing, they hold symbolic significance for many people and are used as a means of focusing intentions and desires in the realm of love and relationships.
In this article, I will explore the fascinating world of how catnip is used in love magick and rituals.
If you are interested in using other herbs in love spells and rituals, please check out my article “Top 21 Herbs Used For Love Magic and Rituals“.
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Occult properties of herbs and essential oils are provided for historical interest only. For possible treatments of physical or mental diseases, please seek a trained and licensed health professional. Enchanted Aromatics is not responsible for any adverse side effects resulting from the use of any suggestions, products, preparations, or procedures mentioned or from the following historical uses of herbs and essential oils.
Symbolism and associations with catnip in love spells and love rituals used in witchcraft and other traditions
Catnip, with its Latin name Nepeta cataria, holds various symbolisms and associations in the realm of love magick and mystical practices. These symbolisms are rooted in folklore, spiritual beliefs, and the traditional uses of the herb.
In Wicca, a nature-based religion with a focus on magick and ritual, catnip is often used in creating love spells due to its symbolic associations with attraction and happiness.
But Wicca is not the only group that uses catnip in their love rituals.
Folk magick practitioners, new age spiritualists, herbalists, natural healers, Eclectic spiritual practitioners, and anyone else interested in personal rituals all use catnip in their love rituals.
Here are different reasons why these groups use catnip in their love rituals:
10 key symbolisms and associations between catnip and love magick
- Attraction and Charm: Catnip is often believed to possess properties that attract good spirits and positive energies. In the context of love magick, this translates to attracting love or enhancing one’s charm and allure.
- Happiness and Joy: The herb is associated with bringing joy and light-heartedness. In love spells, it’s used to foster joyful, loving relationships, or to bring a sense of ease and happiness in romantic pursuits.
- Relaxation and Harmony: Catnip has a calming effect, thanks to a compound known as nepetalactone, which gives it properties similar to valerian. This property is symbolically transferred to love magick, where it’s used to promote harmony and reduce tension in relationships.
- Feline Mystique: Given its well-known effects on cats, catnip sometimes symbolizes the mysterious and playful aspects of love. It can be used in spells to invoke the playful, mysterious nature of romance.
- Sensuality and Seduction: In some traditions, catnip is believed to have aphrodisiac properties. Thus, it’s used in love spells aimed at enhancing sensuality and sexual attraction.
- Spiritual Connection: Catnip is also thought to enhance spiritual connections, making it a choice in rituals that aim to deepen the spiritual or emotional bond between people.
- Protection in Love: Some beliefs hold that catnip can protect against heartache and negative energies in romantic endeavors. It’s used in spells for safeguarding one’s heart or ensuring a relationship is free from negativity.
- Dreamwork and Intuition: Catnip is sometimes used in dream pillows or other sleep-related rituals to induce prophetic dreams about love or to enhance intuition regarding romantic decisions.
- Empowerment in Love: For individuals seeking more control or empowerment in their love life, catnip is used as a symbol of personal strength and assertiveness in relationships.
- Binding and Fidelity: In certain traditions, catnip is used in spells intended to keep a lover faithful or to strengthen the bonds of a relationship.
Love spells and potions that include catnip
Using catnip in love spells and potions is a common ingredient. Catnip is often used to infuse love objects, such as love dolls or charms, with their romantic energy.
There are many, many ways in which catnip is used in love spells.
As an example, catnip can be used in spells to bind love between two lovers or to attract love.
In love magick, catnip is often combined with other herbs like roses or lavender to create potent mixtures in sachets, amulets, or spell jars, believed to draw romantic interests and foster harmonious connections.
Its calming effects, known in herbal medicine, are symbolically transferred to love rituals, where it’s used to promote peace and reduce tension in relationships.
In the crafting of love potions, catnip is infused to create brews that are thought to enhance attractiveness and open the heart to romantic possibilities.
In various spiritual and magickal traditions, catnip is valued for its supposed properties of attraction and charm.
Here is a simple example of how you might incorporate catnip into a love attraction spell.
Catnip love attraction spell
The following spell is designed to attract a lover or to enhance a relationship. In this spell, you will create a sachet that you carry with you or place under your pillow.
Materials Needed:
- Dried catnip
- Dried rose petals
- Pink candle
- Bowl
- Small pouch or piece of cloth
- Ribbon
Steps:
- Begin by lighting the pink candle, as pink is often associated with love and affection.
- Mix equal parts of dried catnip and dried rose petals in a bowl. While doing so, focus on your intention to attract love.
- Once mixed, place the herbs in a small pouch or cloth. If using a cloth, gather the corners and tie them with a ribbon to create a sachet.
- Hold the sachet in your hands, close your eyes, and visualize your desired outcome, whether it’s attracting a new love or enhancing an existing relationship.
- After the ritual, carry the sachet with you, place it under your pillow, or keep it in a special place to continue drawing love into your life.
Here are some links to the supplies needed for the above love attraction spell.
Dried catnip leaves – Starwest Botanicals Catnip Leaf C/S, 1 Pound
Dried rose petals – Dried Rose Petals and Rose Buds – Red – 1 Pound
Pink candle – Small Hugging Lovers Candle
Small Pouch – Shukii Velvet Drawstring Pouches
Catnip love attraction spell #2
As a more complex love spell, here is yet another love attraction spell that not only uses catnip, but also uses rose quartz, rose petals, lavender petals, and paper and pen.
Materials Needed:
- Dried Catnip: Symbolizes attraction and charm.
- Pink or Red Candle: Represents love and passion.
- Rose Quartz: Known as the stone of love.
- Paper and Pen: Write down your intentions.
- Lavender or Rose Petals: For peace and romance.
- Small Jar or Sachet Bag
Steps:
-
Set the Scene: Choose a quiet time and space where you won’t be disturbed. Some prefer to do this kind of work during a waxing moon, which is associated with growth and attraction.
-
Prepare Your Materials: Gather all your materials in your chosen space. Light the pink or red candle to set the intention for love and romance.
-
Write Your Intentions: On a piece of paper, write down the qualities you are looking for in a partner or the feelings you wish to experience in your love life. Be clear and specific.
-
Create a Herbal Mix: Blend the dried catnip with lavender or rose petals. As you mix them, focus on your intention and what you wish to attract.
-
Charge the Rose Quartz: Hold the rose quartz in your hands and visualize it filling up with the energy of your intentions. Imagine it glowing with a warm, inviting light.
-
Assemble the Sachet or Jar: Place the paper with your written intentions at the bottom of the sachet bag or jar. Add the herbal mix on top of the paper, then place the charged rose quartz on top.
-
Seal the Spell: Close the sachet or jar. If you’re using a sachet, you might want to tie it with a ribbon. Hold the sealed sachet or jar in your hands and again focus on your intentions, imagining them manifesting in your life.
-
Conclude the Ritual: Thank the elements or any deities/spirits you believe in for their guidance and assistance. Blow out the candle, or let it burn down safely.
-
Place the Sachet or Jar: Keep the sachet or jar in a safe place, such as under your pillow, by your bedside, or in a personal sacred space.
Afterward:
- Regularly hold the sachet or jar, remembering your intention and feeling as if it’s already manifesting.
- Renew the spell every so often, especially under a new or waxing moon, to reinforce your intention.
Here are some links to the supplies needed for the above love attraction spell.
Dried Catnip Leaves – Starwest Botanicals Catnip Leaf C/S, 1 Pound
Dried Rose Petals – Dried Rose Petals and Rose Buds – Red – 1 Pound
Dried Lavender – Starwest Botanicals Organic Dried Lavender Flowers Extra Grade, 1 Pound
Red Candle – 9 INCH Jumbo Pillar Candle (Wicca Spell Altar Magick Spiritual Work) (Red)
Rose Quartz Crystal – Rose Quartz Bulk Natural Healing Crystals 0.45lb
Small Pouch – Shukii Velvet Drawstring Pouches
Here are 10 other ways you could use catnip in your love rituals
1. Love Sachets and Amulets:
-
- Description: Dried catnip is placed in small bags or pouches, often combined with other herbs associated with love, like rose petals or lavender.
- Purpose: These sachets or amulets are carried by individuals to attract love, enhance personal charm, or bring happiness in love matters.
2. Anointing Oils:
-
- Description: Catnip essential oil is used to anoint candles, talismans, or oneself during rituals.
- Purpose: The anointing process is believed to transfer the properties of catnip into the object or person, enhancing their ability to attract love.
3. Love Potions and Infusions:
-
- Description: Catnip is brewed into teas or added to other concoctions believed to have love-attracting properties.
- Purpose: Consuming these potions or infusions is thought to make one more alluring or to open one’s heart to love.
4. Bathing Rituals:
-
- Description: Catnip is added to bathwater, often alongside rose petals or essential oils.
- Purpose: Bathing in water infused with catnip is believed to cleanse the aura and attract romantic interests.
5. Candle Magick:
-
- Description: Catnip is used to dress candles, which are then lit as part of a spell or ritual focused on love.
- Purpose: The burning of the catnip-anointed candle is thought to release the herb’s energy, aiding in attracting love or enhancing romantic feelings.
6. Rituals and Altar Work:
-
- Description: Catnip is placed on altars or used in ritual circles dedicated to love.
- Purpose: Its presence on an altar is believed to draw the energies of love and happiness, enhancing the effectiveness of love spells.
7. Spell Jars:
-
- Description: Small jars are filled with catnip and other ingredients symbolizing love and affection.
- Purpose: These jars are kept in hidden places to continuously attract love or to maintain the loving energy in a relationship.
8. Incense:
-
- Description: Catnip is burned as incense during rituals or spell casting.
- Purpose: The smoke is believed to carry one’s intentions into the universe, attracting love and positive relationships.
9. Dream Pillows:
-
- Description: Catnip is placed in pillows or under the bed.
- Purpose: It’s used to induce love dreams or to reveal insights about one’s romantic future.
10. Herbal Mixtures and Grids:
-
- Description: Catnip is combined with other herbs and crystals in grids or mixtures tailored for love attraction.
- Purpose: These mixtures are used to amplify the energy and intentions directed towards finding or enhancing love.
Magickal resources
There are many resources I have used to learn about magick and to compile these articles.
If you are interested in plant magick (or magick in general), here are 4 books that should be in your collection: (but there are many more).
Plant Magic for the Beginner Witch: An Herbalist’s Guide to Heal, Protect, and Manifest
Solitary Witch: The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the New Generation
Are you interested in getting started in magick or witchcraft but don’t know what to purchase?
The following magick products include things every witch or practitioner of magick needs.
| Product | Price | Product Specifics |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Magic Kit | Check On Amazon | This is a Huge complete Witchcraft Starter Kit for beginners and Advanced Practitioners. Comes with 116 Wiccan Supplies and Tools. |
| 45 Crystal Gemstones In Glass Bottles | Check On Amazon | Each Bottle Size: Height 30mm, Width 22mm, Weight: Total of About 780 Grams |
| 36 Colored Tapered Candles | Check On Amazon | Includes 36 colored candlesticks (12 colors), each measuring 5" in height and 1/2" in diameter, 6 well-fitting mini candle holders, 12 parchments, a detailed guidebook, and an e-book—everything you need in one package |
| 50 Velvet Drawstring Bags | Check On Amazon | This velvet bag is made of high-quality single-sided flocking fabric, which is made by using a needle hole flocking process on the surface of the fabric to produce a lot of fluff. VARIOUS SIZES. |
| Leather Journal | Check On Amazon | Hand-Cut, 100% Full Grain Soft Buffalo Leather for a beautifully authentic, rustic look. 8.75” x 6.25”. Lined or un-lined paper. |
| Cast Iron Cauldron | Check On Amazon | Various cast-iron pots for creating potions, burning incense, or smudging.. |
Conclusion
Catnip, revered for its alluring properties in feline behavior (all my cats have always gone crazy for their catnip pillows and toys), finds a unique place in the realm of love magick, rituals, and potions.
Using catnip in love spells and rituals is deeply symbolic, drawing parallels from its ability to attract cats to its role in attracting love and positive energies in human relationships.
The widespread use of catnip in spells and rituals reflects a cultural and spiritual tradition where herbs are imbued with metaphysical properties, serving as tools for focusing intentions and manifesting desires in the realm of love.
Its popularity underscores a deep-rooted belief in the power of nature to influence emotions and relationships, a testament to the enduring magick and mystique of herbal lore.
If you are interested in learning about some general magickal properties of other essential oils and herbs, check out my article “15 Magical Properties of Essential Oils“.
If you know of other magickal properties of catnip or different ways in which you use catnip in your love rituals, I would love to hear from you so I may incorporate what you share in this article.
