Get a seedling from a friend or have someone else do the job. However, it is said to be unlucky to plant it for yourself. If you wish to try to grow your own, take heart: Sage prospers in most home gardens (even in pots). Sage is available in both fresh and dried forms. It appears in countless spells of kitchen witchery, especially those stemming from European traditions. Magickally, Sage is associated with protection and the granting of wishes. It builds emotional strength and may help to heal grief. Sage is used to promote wisdom and bring in good luck. An Italian proverb states, “Why should a man die when he has Sage in his garden?” Sage was associated in European traditions with wisdom, long life, and even immortality. The genus name Salvia is related to the Latin word salvere, meaning to heal, preserve or redeem.
In Roman times, Sage was sacred to Jove and was gathered with great ceremony. For a detailed comparison of smudging herbs, see our article " Sage advice". However, both plants have a solid magickal pedigree, and many of their correspondences are similar. It is distinct from the White Sage (Salvia apiana) commonly used for smudging.
This article refers to Common Sage or Garden Sage, Salvia officinalis. An Old World herb, Sage was brought to the Americas by colonists for use in their gardens and kitchens. It is now best-known as a culinary herb for the dishes of Autumn, from roast turkey to sausage stuffing to pumpkin soup. Sage was used medicinally in Egyptian, Roman, and Greek medicine. Its velvety leaves release their fragrance when rubbed. Sage grows well in most temperate climates. Sage is a popular garden herb with a sweet and savory aroma.