“She held out her hands, cupped and holding a small plant. 'The power to heal is the power to destroy,' she said with the faintest smile.”
―F.T. McKinstry,Crowharrow
I love working with plants. I not only get the feeling I am working with good vibes but also with something living. I mean, for me every plant has its own a spirit and when working with their leaves, seeds, bark, flowers and roots, it includes also the spirit of the plant. I strongly believe every plant has their own character. My rosemary does need much attention to grow well, my honeysuckle definitely is conceited, my sage is stubborn as fuck, my lavender will hate me if I am not asking for permission to harvest it.
Anyhow, this post ist meant to be an introduction to herbalism and how to use it in witchcraft. Please, be patient with me and feel free to correct me or give me feedback. I have only started to work with plants myself and again, this is my experience and the what I‘ve learnt. So, please be sure to do your own research or at least get your information from more than one source. I am only human, too. Or witch in that aspect ;)
When you want to start working with pants and herbs and such you should know, that there are three apects to consider. The medical properties, the magickal attributes and what folklore added to the plants characteristics.
The elements work together to form these beautiful beings. The earth is where they root in, the sun is what makes them grow, water is what gives them live and the air helps to spread the seeds. Those four elements work together to create something that even Aristoteles associated with a psyche, which translated means as much as mind or soul. Even in science plants are considered having a consciousness. They learn through evolution and develop their own protective and reproductive mechanism. Plants are able to communicate with each other through scents, fungi, underground root systems. As humans, and not only for magickal purpose, we need plants to survive. They produce the oxygen we breath and provide the food we eat. Simply being in nature will ground you on a spiritual level.
In magickal practice plants are used in incense, as offerings, in tea Magick,, as medicine, oils or in the kitchen, as well as in spell work and rituals. If you cannot grow or harvest plants yourself, go to a local farmer market or you can even use some of the herbs in your house. What? You don't believe me that you have herbs in your house? Go look into your kitchen pantry! One thing I've learnt is and that is very helpful in my practice, that you can exchange herbs that are originally included in your craft with other herbs with similar properties. Just notice, that if you change the initial spell, the outcome will differ. The more the herb vary from the original, the more the outcome will deviate.
Before you harvest, touch, burn and especially before you ingest any plants, please, please make sure you know a 100% which plant it is. Also, make sure you are not allergic to any and if you start having any reactions please see a doctor or go to a pharmacy!
My little faery keeps my plants company and sees, that nothing bad happens to them. This little statue is from a time I did not know that faeries were considered earth spirits and I just find it cute and loaded with positive energy.
My favorite thing to do with herbs is making jar spells or mojo bags (amulet bags coming from the voodoo traditions). Also, making my own tea blends. I will list a few basic herbs down below together with their medical and magical attributes for you to start learning and working and maybe a little history to the plant. Don't worry, those are all save to use!
You don't have to use the most exotic plants in your craft. Start with learning the plants and their properties in your area. Step after step, who knows maybe you are gonna transform into a green witch ;)
You can use roses as substitute for every flower and rosemary for every herb.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a member of the mint family, even it doesn't taste or look like it.
Rose marinus means a much as "drew of the sea" in Latin. This herb is commonly found in kitchen pantries and used in many dishes. It naturally grows in Mediterranean areas and southern France, but is cultivated worldwide. It is proven, that a little pinch of rosemary in your food will brighten the mood. In France rosemary is burned in hospitals to clear the air of bacteria and negative energy.
It is connected to the Sun and the Leo sign, as well as associated with strong fire energy and the masculine. Because rosemary is so versatile it can substituted every herb and makes it the perfect basic and beginners witch plant. It also tasted great in Italian and French dishes!
- Rosemary is known for its cleansing and rejuverdating properties.
- In Dream work it will help you remember your dream and even dream about your past lives.
- Its essential oils are also very good stimulators for hair growth. You can add 5 drops of natural rosemary oil per ounce to your hair care product and see your hair flourish.
- It is also detoxifying the liver and rosemary tea will sooth indigestion.
- As cream it can help reducing cramping and inhaled it will eliminate nausea.
- In bath water it helps to get wind of negative thoughts and energies and will purify your aura and body. Thus, it is commonly used in purifying ritual baths!
Do not ingest or use rosemary in larger amount if you are pregnant or breast feeding or have bleeding disorder, since it could increase the risk of bleeding!
If you want to grow rosemary yourself, your should plant or put it s pot somewhere sunny and
water it sparely. It grows best next to lavender, sage and basil!
Sage
Also part of the mint family, sage is sometimes called salvia and is very easy to grow.
Native to mediterranean area, the word sage comes form the latin term salvere, meaning "to heal". Later the name was borrowed by the English form the Old French and turned into sawge, before it turned into the name known nowadays, sage. It is associated with the element of air (the healers element), the masculine energy, as well as the planet Jupiter and the Gemini Zodiac.
Common sage symbolize a happy family and family values. In Witchcraft sage is most commonly used in smudge. Please, do not purchase or harvest white sage, expect you grow it yourself, because white sage is an extincting plant.
- Sage is very purifying and cleansing. It gets rid of every energy - good and bad.
- It is also a strong protection herb. ( I always sleep best with fresh sage harvested and hang to dry in my home)
- It is said to heal grief by building up emotional strength.
- I´ve heard that chewing sage will make you get into a state similar to being high ... well, I have yet to discover that myself.
- Its antimicrobial effects neutralize microbes that can cause dental plague and it can eliminate oral bacteria.
- Sage tea will reduce cholesterol level, too.
If you use sage in incense, make sure to charge afterwards. An easy way is, to add lavender, mint, sandalwood, frankincense etc. to your smudge stick, to charge, protect, attract love and positivity!
Element: Air and Earth
Planet: Jupiter/Mercury
Gender: Masculine
(Pictures are: Blue Sage, wild sage and peach sage)
Lavender
My favorite herb - together with sage and sandalwood. Lavender has many purposes.
- It attracts love, peace and good health.
My favorite evening ritual is honey milk with lavender. It helped me fight insomnia and nightmares within two days.
My recipe: A cup of plant based mil (oat milk preferable), half a spoon of honey (from your local beekeeper, who does not smoke and drug his bees, if possible) or agave sirup and a pinch of dried lavender blossoms. Heat the milk, defuse the honey and after that add the lavender. Let is soak a few minutes till it is cooled down enough to drink and enjoy! It releases headaches and sooths the mind!
- In dream pillows it will ensure peaceful sleep and good nights rest. It is also great to release stress and therefore a great herb for everyone suffering from anxiety.
- Due to its antibiotic nature, it can be applied to stings, burns and cuts.
Before leaving your house, rub some lavender between your palms and wrists to keep you save, your mind at ease and attract love while out.
Lavender will grow best in dry, and or gravel soul. It only needs water when the topmost layer of soil gets dry, otherwise it likes well drained and sunny spots.
Element: Air
Planet: Mercury
Gender: Masculine
Rose
The flower of love. Rose is a versatile flower in a witches practice that can substitute every flower. It owns a powerful and deep Magick. Their different colors are believed to old different properties. For example red roses are used to empower, as well as for love spells and sex magick, white roses are associated with the female energy of lying and a lunar symbol, thus used to enhance pure spiritual powers. Pink roses are great for friendships, while yellow and orange roses are used in spells for joy, creativity and healing. But roses in every color are generally know for healing and protective energy.
- Carry rose pedals to attract good luck and love.
- Drilling rose infused tea before bed will induce prophetic dreams.
- Sprinkling rose petals around your home is said to reduce stress and domestic upheavals.
Roses grow best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil.
Sidenote: The roses we know today are not the same our ancestors used in their craft. If you want to use roses in your practice, burning them, eating or drinking, making balm, please be sure they are not store bought or extremely breed. Those kinds will most likely be fertilized with chemicals and are prepped with chemicals to look fresh longer. If you want to use rose, grow them yourself is the best way to do it to make sure no chemicals are included.
Element: Water and Air
Planet: Venus
Gender : Feminine
Chamomile
Chamomile is great for soothing the mind and calming. Its healing attributes has been known to the ancient Egyptians and in the process of mummification. A couple of cultures used the chamomile, too. For example, the Romans, the Vikings and the Greeks. The flower became popular during the English garden heydays.
- Burned as incense it promotes better sleep and helps with meditation.
- Carried in sachets it attracts money and love.
- Chamomile flowers sprinkled around your home will remove negative energy and curses.
- Washing your hand in chamomile infusion will ensure winning in gambles.
- Due to its natural relaxant properties, it is a great tea to calm down.
Chamomile grows nearly everywhere, but the best asset is, it will provide nearby plants from withering and failing to thrive. Its healing abilities not only work on humans but on plants, too!
Element: Water and Fire
Planet: Sun
Gender: Masculine
So far for my introduction to herbalism, I hope you learnt something new! If you enjoyed it, let me know, or ask questions, my notifications are open all time!
I hope you all have a great day and blessed be,
Silver
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