Manifestation is a powerful tool with many, many methods. Whether it’s creating a digital mood board, crafting your very own vision board, or even enlisting the help of crystals to visualize your dreams, there are tons of ways to manifest. But manifest what exactly? That’s up to you. However, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, don’t be afraid to admit that love might just be on your mind. And while you can manifest with crystals and meditation and mindfulness exercises on social media, you can actually manifest love… with a bay leaf.
Yup, you read that right. A bay leaf — you know, those yummy little garnishes that you put in your stew (or, if your Pinoy like me, your adobo)? Turns out, they’re a powerful manifestation tool — especially when it comes to manifesting love.
ICYMI, manifestation-tok is a pretty big deal. The #manifestation has over 26 billion views, and is full of creators sharing their manifestation tips and tricks. However, one of the most popular methods of manifestation on the app involves nothing more than a bay leaf, a pen, a lighter, and an intention.
So, whether you’re ready to manifest a successful cuffing season, or simply just invite more love into your life, here’s how you can manifest love with a bay leaf. Just, be safe around the fire. OK?
Wait, Why a bay leaf?
I know what you’re thinking: how can an item from my spice rack help me manifest love? In order to understand this, we can look back on the origins of the bay leaf in spirituality… all the way back to ancient Greece. According to Grecian mythology, Apollo — god of prophecy, healing, and poetry — was madly in love with a nymph named Daphne. However, as a means to reject Apollo, Daphne turned herself into a bay tree. But once Apollo learned of this, he declared the bay trees to be sacred. Throughout the millenniums, bay leaves have been seen as a way to ward off evil, and have become powerful tools in spiritual practices.
How do I manifest love using bay leaves?
Manifesting love using bay leaves is actually pretty simple. First, you need to head to any local grocery store to pick up a pack of bay leaves. From there, make sure all of your work for the day is done — manifestation works best at either the beginning or end of the day, so make sure that you’re not in-between tasks.
Whenever you start manifesting, take some time to really meditate on your intentions — especially when it comes to love. Think deeper about why and what you’re trying to manifest: are you manifesting a specific person? Space for an SO? More platonic love in your life? Whatever it may be, it’s essential to manifest with intention. Otherwise, the universe will be clouded as to what you’re looking for.
Once your intentions are set, and your bay leaves secured, it’s time to manifest. On your bay leaf, take a pen or marker and write your wish. It could be the name of someone, the word “partner”, or simply just the word “love.” From there, think deeply about your wish, and look at it with intention. Then, when the time feels right, use a candle to burn your bay leaf into ash. Since you’re working with fire, it’s important to be safe when you’re burning your bay leaf — keep things to extinguish your fire nearby, remove any flammable substances in your space, and place a fie-safe dish underneath your candle to catch the ashes.
However, if you’re not in a space to use fire, you can simply write your manifestation on a bay leaf and place it under your pillow — thinking about that intention as you fall asleep. The choice is yours!