Star Anise whole (Illicium verum)

How to Use It

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Psychic incense: crush a pod and burn a pinch on charcoal before tarot or scrying.
• Seer’s charm: wear or carry a whole star as a focus for psychic work.
• Lucky piece: keep a whole star in a purse or wallet as a charm for good fortune.

A Simple Working

• Set out your tarot deck, a purple chime candle and a whole star anise.
• Light the candle and place the star in front of it.
• Break off one point and crumble it onto a lit charcoal disc.
• Breathe the scent and shuffle until the cards feel ready.
• Lay a three-card spread and read it.
• Keep the rest of the star with your deck between readings.

Pairs Well With

• Mugwort, the classic herb of psychic and dream work.
• Bay leaves, for divination incense.
• Cinnamon, a warm partner in luck sachets.
• A purple chime candle, for psychic workings.

What You Receive

Whole dried star anise pods, available in 1 oz, 2 oz and 1 lb.

Origin & Lore

Illicium verum is an evergreen tree of southern China and Vietnam. Its dried star-shaped fruit is a staple of Chinese cooking and one of the ingredients of five-spice powder, and it was traditionally used in Chinese herbal practice.

Each pod is a natural eight-pointed star with a seed in every arm, which has made it a favourite altar marker, pendant and charm.

Star anise reached Europe in the late sixteenth century along the trade routes from China. A related tree, Japanese star anise, is planted at Buddhist temples and graves in Japan and its branches burned as incense; it is a different species from the culinary spice.