Merry meet!
Are you familiar with fennel?
This common plant can be found in many kitchen gardens and in the produce section of the grocery store. While it can be used fresh, it is perhaps even more popular dried. Check your spice shelf: you may have fennel in your pantry!
When it comes to using fennel in the kitchen, it is popular in Italian and Greek cooking. It is generally categorized as a fall and winter veggie.
Fennel is often used in the kitchen in different ways. For starters, you can eat all parts of the fennel plant: The bulb can be eaten like a vegetable, the fronds are used like an herb, and the seeds are dried for a flavorful spice. Not to mention, fennel is often enjoyed both raw and cooked! Whether you’re slicing up the bulb for a fresh winter salad or roasting the fennel along with other fall vegetables, there’s so much this healthy ingredient can do.
From Pioneer Woman: What is Fennel?
Naturally, in addition to its culinary value, fennel also has a variety of health benefits and magickal uses.
Properties of Fennel
It is believed that the Romans used fennel in the form of infusions to improve their heart health, nervous system, as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever and to eliminate viruses or bacteria.
Teas or infusions with fennel leaves or seeds have many advantages and benefits. It can help relieve indigestion, stomach pain, kidney pain, and discomfort when urinating.
It was allegedly used by witches to ward off demons, evil spirits and other entities. They would put fennel branches into fires or bonfires in sacred places so that no evil would come near.
From Spells8: Fennel Magick
That last point about fennel being used with fire is particularly interesting, as fennel also plays a key role in the Greek myth of Prometheus. In the legend, Prometheus was a titan who lovingly crafted humankind from clay. He engaged in a battle of wits against Zeus with the goal of bettering circumstances for humankind.
In one part of the legend, Prometheus snuck into Olympus and stole back the fire that had been taken from humans. He returned the gift of fire - and life - back in the stalk of a fennel plant.
With the flame concealed inside the Giant Fennel stalk, Prometheus was able to transport fire from Mount Olympus to Earth, thus gifting humanity with the knowledge and skills that allowed them to form what the Greeks considered “civilization".
From Mira Karakitsou: Giant Fennel
Here is a short version of the legend by Iseult Gillespie and TED-ED for anyone interested in a little Greek lore for the day 
In the future, when considering spells for the fire element, life, and security, consider adding fennel 
Blessed be!
May we continue to learn and grow for as long as we can!