Nicole Explains It All

Happy Sunday, my cosmic companions! If you know anything about planetary magic (or just, well, the days of the week!), you’ll know that today belongs to the ultimate celestial body: the Sun.

After the deep, often heavy work of Saturn on Saturday—which I love for its foundational power—Sunday is my day to literally and figuratively shine. It’s all about vitality, success, confidence, and just generally feeling like the main character of my own life. And let me tell you, as someone who navigates the complexities of AI ethics and the sometimes-dark corners of Giallo cinema, I need that burst of solar energy to recharge!

Tune Into the Sun on Sunday

For me, Sunday is a sacred pause. It’s the moment I set intentions for the week ahead, nurture my own spirit, and bask in the pure, unadulterated joy of being alive. Just as the Sun makes the flowers turn their heads and gives life to everything, the herbs associated with it carry that same vibrant, reviving energy. They often have golden or orange flowers, smell absolutely divine, and make you feel good.

Go-To Solar Powerhouses

When I’m prepping for my Sunday rituals, these are the plants and resins I reach for:

• Frankincense: The High Vibrational Lift. This resin is my absolute favorite for purifying my space and raising the spiritual “vibration.” I’ll burn a little as incense to consecrate my tools (or just my coffee cup!) and call in success for the week. It has this incredible “lucid flame” quality that just feels inherently solar.
• Bay Laurel: The Oracle’s Whisper. I always have Bay Laurel on hand. As someone constantly seeking clarity and big-picture understanding, burning a Bay leaf or even just meditating with one helps clear my mind. It’s sacred to Apollo, the sun god, and perfect for inviting prophetic visions or just clear insights.
• Marigold (Calendula): Summer’s Own Success Story. You know those bright, golden-orange flowers that always seem to be smiling at the sun? That’s Marigold. I love using it when I need a boost of confidence or if I’m manifesting success in a particular venture.
• Sunflower: Pure Joy and Vitality. Is there anything more overtly solar than a Sunflower? Just looking at one makes me feel happy! I love to incorporate sunflower seeds into my Sunday meals or even have a small flower in my space to bring in vitality and help my wishes come to fruition.
• Rosemary: The Mental Spark. Ah, Rosemary. It smells like sunshine and clarity to me. I use it for mental alertness, especially if I’m planning out complex AI strategy or diving deep into philosophical texts. It’s also fantastic for purification—a good smudge with rosemary clears out any lingering “Saturnian heaviness” from Saturday.
• Cinnamon: Prosperity & Psychic Fire. This warm, sweet spice isn’t just for baking! I’ll sprinkle a bit of cinnamon into my coffee or add it to a candle dressing to raise spiritual vibrations and draw in prosperity. It’s got that fiery, stimulating quality that just screams “Sun!”

Trees That Touch the Sky

The Sun also rules some magnificent trees that offer profound strength and protection:

• Cedar: I love burning Cedar chips for purification and to call in abundance. It’s got a grounded yet uplifting scent.
• Oak: While sometimes associated with Jupiter, Oak feels incredibly solar to me—it embodies strength, longevity, and steadfast protection.

Sunday Intentions: Why These Herbs Matter

On Sundays, I’m focusing on:

• Success and Ambition: Whether it’s a new blog series or a big project at work, I use Frankincense and Bay to set myself up for a win.
• Healing and Vitality: After a demanding week, solar herbs like Cinnamon and Angelica restore my equilibrium and vital energy. I want to feel vibrant and ready!
• Protection & Clearing: Sometimes, the best defense is a radiant offense! St. John’s Wort (especially potent if gathered at Midsummer!) and Rosemary are fantastic for banishing any lingering negativity and creating a protective shield of pure light around me.

So, what’s your Sunday ritual? How do you tap into the boundless energy of the Sun to recharge and prepare for the week ahead? Let me know in the comments below!

(And yes, that’s what I’ll be doing with Salem and Bree today—basking in some sunbeams!)

Full List of Herbs associated with the Sun

Herbs associated with the Sun and Sunday are typically utilized in rituals concerning authority, success, vitality, health, prosperity, and spiritual illumination. In the doctrine of signatures, these plants often possess golden or orange flowers, turn their heads toward the sun (heliotropic), or have a reviving and aromatic scent.

Primary Herbs of the Sun (Sunday)

The following herbs, resins, and trees are attributed to the Sun and are best used on Sundays for magical workings involving ambition, confidence, and employment:

• Frankincense: A resin burned to raise vibrations, purify, promote success, and consecrate tools; it is associated with the sun due to its nature as a “lucid flame” and its use in offering to solar deities like Ra and Apollo.
• Bay Laurel: Sacred to the sun god Apollo, it is used for protection, healing, purification, and inducing prophetic visions.
• Marigold (Calendula): Known as the “Summer’s Bride,” its golden-orange flowers follow the sun; it is used for legal matters, success, and protection.
• Sunflower: This plant follows the path of the sun and is used to bring life, vitality, fertility, and the fulfillment of wishes.
• Rosemary: Associated with the Sun and the element of Fire, it is used for mental alertness, protection, purification, and healing.
• Cinnamon: Burned to raise high spiritual vibrations, draw money, and stimulate psychic powers; it is considered solary due to its sweet and aromatic nature.
• Angelica: A powerful protective herb associated with the sun and fire, used for exorcism, healing, and producing visions.
• St. John’s Wort: gathered at Midsummer (a solar festival), it is used to banish spirits, protect against fire and lightning, and instill courage.
• Saffron: Used for prosperity, healing, and inducing clairvoyance; it is Solary due to its golden color and capacity to “cheer up the mind”.

Trees and Woods

• Cedar: Associated with the Sun and Jupiter, it is burned for purification, money, and healing.
• Ash: A solar tree used for protection and prosperity; its leaves and wood are used for wands and healing.
• Walnut: Associated with the Sun and Fire, it is used to promote strength and health.
• Juniper: Its berries and branches are used for protection, health, and exorcism.
• Oak: While sometimes attributed to Jupiter, the Oak is often listed as a Sun tree, representing strength, longevity, and protection.

Other Solar Plants Agrippa and other sources list a vast array of additional plants under the dominion of the Sun, including Celandine, Gentian, Dittany, Vervain, Lotus, Peony, Ginger, Mastic, Zedoary, Mint, and Cloves.

Magical Applications for Sunday

Sunday workings are best suited for rituals involving:

• Success and Ambition: Use Frankincense, Bay, and High John the Conqueror (often Mars, but associated with success).
• Healing: Solar herbs restore equilibrium and vital energy; Cinnamon and Angelica are noted for their restorative properties.
• Legal Matters: Marigold is specifically cited for gaining favor in court.
• Protection/Exorcism: St. John’s Wort and Rosemary are burned to banish negativity and protect the home.