Jormundgand's Herbs
Jormundgand has three
magical plants that are sacred to its energy. The Big Snake’s first herb is
Bistort (Polygonum bistorta), also
known as Snakeweed, Adderwort, Serpentaria, Columbrina, Serpentary, Dragonwort, Twice-Writhen, and a few other names. The
Serpent-Plant is
native to nearly the entirety of Eurasia, being found as far north as Siberia,
as far east as Japan, and as high as the Himalayas. It was, however, later in
coming to the British Isles, where it had naturalized by the time of the
Anglo-Saxon herbals. The roots were often soaked and roasted
and eaten in cold-climate areas such as Russia, Siberia, and Iceland. It tends
to cluster in patches, which are almost impossible to eradicate due to its
creeping rootstock.
Bistort can be used to mark boundaries for protection. The Serpent is also good for invoking in order to make sense of strange nonverbal images that come to you; s/he speaks in a language without words. As the Big Snake is hermaphroditic, Bistort root carved with a Ior rune is a good charm for third-gender spirit-workers.
The Snake’s second plant is the Ivy (Hedera helix), long associated with snake deities all over Europe due to its twining properties. It is used, among other things, for Binding spells. This is a plant sacred to Jormundgand in its capacity as knotter and binder, and pieces of Ivy can be used on one’s self or another for any kind of spell for behavioral change. Just tie the strands in a knot while calling upon the Great Snake to bind something unwanted. It won’t get rid of it, just prevent it from occurring.
Hir third plant is the Willow (Salix alba). Jormundgand's protection can be invoked by making a talisman of Willow wood with Ior, the Rune of the Serpent, on it. This charm, using Willow, will create clear boundaries in one's life. It is also a good charm for walkers between worlds, those who travel in liminal spaces between one thing and the next, and need not to get lost or confused as to which is what reality. As the living boundary between Midgard and the other worlds, Jormundgand can give that gift. Carve a ring of Willow wood, put the rune Ior on it, and pour salt water over the Willow charm to seal the magic. Say the following charm over it:
Serpent separate, lay the lines clear,
Be boundary between in the Willowy water.
For medicinal (and more magical) uses for these plants, check out The Northern Shamanic Herbal.