Runes began as letters used by Germanic speaking peoples long before becoming modern divination tools. Explore the runic alphabets, Odin's pursuit of the runes, historical evidence for magic and divination, and the development of contemporary rune reading.
Glycyrrhiza glabra hides its characteristic sweetness within fibrous yellow roots. Explore glycyrrhizin, its long history of use, botanical lookalikes and associations with attraction and influence.
Nutmeg is the aromatic seed of Myristica fragrans, once wrapped in the scarlet aril that becomes mace. Explore its marbled interior, Banda Islands origin and extraordinary history as a valuable traded spice.
Illicium verum produces the woody star shaped fruits known as star anise. Explore how its unusual fruit develops, why it smells like unrelated anise and the symbolism gathered around its naturally distinctive shape.
Turnera diffusa is an aromatic American shrub better known as damiana. Explore its fragrant leaves, changing botanical classification and enduring associations with desire and attraction.
