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Plants & Magic
As witches we try to recognise at all times the sacred spirit within all living things. That each organism has its own spark of Divinity which links them directly back to the Divine Creator is a belief held by many faiths, and Pagans are no different. In the case of Witches and Pagans this Divine Creator is personified by the Goddess and her consort the Horned God. Witches work closely with nature, the changing seasons, the land, the creatures living around us, and of course, the plant life. Our magical equipment, wands, besoms etc are cut from the trees, each tree havingits own magical makeup; therefore our wand will also have the magical attributes from whichever tree we feel drawn to harvest our ritual tools from. We work out on the land, with nature, in nature, for nature. Witches also believe, as do other cultures, that each plant should be honoured and if we need to take from a plant we explain to the plant form what it is we need and why, we then ask its permission. If we feel this is given we harvest what we need, never taking all. If we feel our request is denied, we thank the spirit of that plant and move on to another. If permission is given this will strengthen the magical work we have in mind. A brief note on "magic": Magic is REAL. It is, most simply put, the power of the human psyche, often conjoined with the power of plants and other objects, to manifest change in ones life or circumstances by creating the desired outcome on a spiritual level, or other dimension, and bringing it into being on the physical. The power of thought is itself magic on a basic level. You have an idea, you follow it through, and you bring it into creation. Think of the many great inventions throughout the ages, and in a simplistic view, you have magic! However I must point out that we do not enforce our will upon the Natural Order, but instead work with it in harmony and with respect. Magic is subjective; it is cause and effect, an inner and an outer journey. It is life itself. We all work magic in our daily lives when we show determination to succeed, to help others, to reach out with love to those around us. The history of Herbalism is inextricably linked with the history of magic and religion in its many forms. Mankind is totally dependant on plant life for our very existence - trees and plants are the lungs of the Mother, and without them we could not live. Vegetation provides us with the very air that we breathe, food to nourish us, medicines to help heal and mend the body. Within magic and religion herbs have been used by those who have understood the magical components within each plant. The magical practitioner uses them to release their unconscious connection to the Universe and Deity, to release the natural magic within their psyche that connects ultimately to the Divine Universal Magic, linking through the plant to the God or Gods of their belief system, or Spiritual pantheon. Personally, I have to admit, that on a medical level, my knowledge of the use of herbs is rudimentary. My knowledge of herbs and the like, such as it is, is from a magical background only, and this knowledge has been gained over the years from those that know more than I and simple trial and error! Pretty much all of the plants and herbs used within magic have been used for countless centuries and their uses are therefore traditional and reasonably easy to learn about. As witches we use herbs within spells,
charms, incenses, magical powders, talismans, to name but a few. Their
use is also important within ritual helping us to invoke/evoke our interpretation
of Deity, to raise our consciousness and awareness to a higher level,
enabling us to work our magical rites.
Incense is particularly important in this respect. Man has unlocked the power of herbs and resins by burning them on hot coals to release the plants scent and power, allowing the practitioner to walk the realms of the Otherworld, or to enter a state of meditation and relaxation enabling them to work their magic. The power of incense has been used within many religions both to purify and sanctify, and the very smell of blended herbs and resins burning on hot charcoal can suggest to the mind a sense of ritual and magic. The plants and resins used in incense are chosen for their particular magical vibrations and are blended together with intent and purpose, to create a blend that will aid in the spiritual work of the practitioner. For instance, if a banishing incense is required herbs such as juniper berries and cloves, traditionally known for their banishing qualities, may be powdered down with resins also known for vibrating on a banishing level and then burnt on a hot charcoal to release their energies and help in a ritual. However, it is important to remember that it is also the practitioners' intent that is paramount as all plants vibrate magically on many levels; e.g. juniper is also known for its healing qualities as are cloves. As the herbs can be used to treat the body, the witch will also use herbs to treat a person on a spiritual level. Within spell work the witch is tapping into the herbs natural magical ability to produce the desired outcome, much the same as she may choose plant materials to blend an incense. For instance, herbs have been used to bring, love, luck, money, success etc. Herbs are added to spells to strengthen the other ingredients in the recipe and are used primarily to bring about change by tapping into their vibrational energies The wise men and women of times past learned that the herbs they used to dispel illness could also be used to dispel negativity, bad spirits etc. They knew that herbs had a dual purpose, healing and magical, and that the two could be used in conjunction with each other or separately, depending on the requirement. Some of the important Magical Herbs in the Witches herb box are as follows: Mandrake (mandragora officinarum) Mandrake has recently been made famous by the Harry Potter novels and movies. It is a very powerful root which has many dark legends surrounding it. Folk lore links this root with death and one of the popular images of the mandrake root is that of the root screaming as it is pulled from the earth. It was also said to grow from the blood and spilled semen of a hanged murderer, and one of its folk names is "gallows root". The folk memory that condemns mandrake as a dark herb of death probably stems from the earlier association of the root with the Goddess Hecate, a Greek triple Goddess of the Moon still revered by many modern witches. Hecate is mainly associated with the Crone aspect or Dark Moon aspect of the Moon Goddess. It is Hecate that is invoked to aid travel between this world and the next, and the mandrake is sacred to her. She is the guardian of the three way crossroads and therefore of the past, present and future. As Christianity took root throughout Europe Hecate was denigrated evil along with all that was associated with her. However, closely associated with death is the other side of the coin, fertility. Mandrake is said to aid fertility. A fully mature root often resembles a human form - it splits at the bottom, creating "legs" and shoots of at the sides giving an impression of arms. "Male" mandrake has a "penis" and the female has bushy "hair" springing from the top and is sometimes called "womandrake". In cases of infertility, the man would carry the male root and the female the womandrake. Today it is used within the Craft as a powerful protection herb. It is used within exorcisms, sex magic and to empower visions, helping to bring those visions into manifestation - magic! This can be achieved by meditating on the aura of the root and tapping into its spiritual core, or adding it in small doses to incense to commune with Hecate to allow the veils between the worlds to open. Taken internally and with extreme care, (only a minute amount is required to tap into the spiritual energy of the plant - which is poisonous) mandrake will help to make the practitioner more psychically aware and can increase the gifts of clairvoyance and other psychic skills. However I would not recommend experimenting with the dosage and would therefore suggest that it is not ingested. Better be safe than sorry! A common Witch's use of mandrake is in Moon Water (again mandrakes association with the Moon Goddess Hecate). You need a piece of mandrake and spring water. Pour the water into a chalice (or glass) and place the root in it. Leave on a windowsill from dusk till dawn, from the New Moon to the Full. Keep it out of sunlight at all times. When ready pour it into a dark glass bottle with an air tight lid. The mandrake can be dried and kept on the person to aid protection and the water can be used to sprinkle around the home or sacred space for the same intent paying particular attention to doors, windows etc. The root, in its mature state can also be used as a poppet, that is, an image to represent a particular person within sympathetic magic. This can be used either to heal or harm - as can all magic and medicine.
Aconite (Aconitum Napellus) Aconite is also known by the names of Monkshood and Wolfsbane. This herb is also sacred to the Goddess Hecate and also to the Greek sorceress Medea. It is a very poisonous plant and great care should be taken when using it. However, like the Mandrake, aconite is an important plant to witches. Its primary use is in the ritual of consecration, particularly of ritual blades. The witches blade or athame is a fairly modern ritual tool, the witches of old would not have kept a special knife - it would have been death to do so in the times of persecution. If they had need of a knife they would have simply used their every day blade, however they may have "cleaned" the blade with aconite prior to their magical working. Within modern witchcraft the athame has become an important ritual tool and it is important to ritually consecrate it before use to dispel past influences and any negativity it may have absorbed before it came to you, even if were purchased new. An infusion of the leaves and root of aconite are ideal for this purpose, banishing old energies and infusing the blade with a protectiveness and watchfulness. A tincture can also be made from the fresh flowers and kept to periodically refresh the blade as needed. Aconite is another plant that is used during Underworld work, again partly because of its association with Hecate and also because it is deadly. However extreme care should be taken. Its mysteries are not for those people who do not truly understand the nature of this plant. It is best to just hold the plant, root or flower in your hand and meditate upon it, to see what the Spirit of the plant can give to you before you ever attempt the deeper journey that aconite can lead you on. In past times aconite was said to be administered as a "death cup" to the dying at the point of death, to ease their way to the Otherworld. It was often planted on graves, again from the older custom of beseeching Hecate for safe passage to the Summerlands.
As the Latin name suggests this herb is considered sacred
to the Greek Goddess Artemis and her Roman counterpart Diana. Also as
the name suggests it is an ingredient in the alcoholic drink Absinth,
a drink that is making a come back after years of being banned in many
countries. It was a highly addictive drink that could cause blindness!
The ingredients have since been moderated! A great way to use wormwood is to help dispel anger. Wormwood gives a sense of peace and of finding the way through a disagreement. It works particularly well within groups, such as covens, when disagreement arises and the group has to find a way through to a solution. Wormwood can be burnt as incense or just thrown onto the fire. It can be used to promote peace on all levels, of the mind, world peace, group peace etc. Mugwort (Artemisia Vulgaris) Another good Artemisia herb, and a must have for the witch. Again associated with Artemis and Diana. Mugwort is a good all rounder and aids the adept in developing psychic powers. It is great to burn when travelling the astral planes as it will gently guide you out, but strengthens the links between your astral body and you physical , providing a strong protection for you whilst travelling. Drunk in a tea just before any divinatory work this herb will prepare your mind and open the channels required to heighten your psychic perception. Witches use an infusion of Mugwort
to regularly wash their ritual equipment, particularly their scrying
equipment, crystal balls, dark mirrors, sprinkled on tarot cards, dowsing
crystals. It has an affinity with quartz crystals in general so is great
for charging and cleansing these. It is good for protection of the family
and the hearth, keeps all safe from dark forces and protects whilst
travelling. Throw onto the fire in the home or even a need fire in the
cauldron. This is another very Witchy herb and
has much magical lore surrounding it. It has been used throughout antiquity
by many cultures. It is mentioned by both Pliny and Discorides, was
used by the Romans as an Alter herb and used for its powers of purification.
The name is derived from the Celtic word Ferfaen ; fer meaning to drive
away and faen meaning "stone". This is believed to be because the herb
was said to drive away emotional pressures. The Druids used this herb
as one of the ingredients in their "lustral water" which was used to
cleanse an Alter or sacred space. This herb was only gathered by the
Druids at the rising of the Dog Star, it was dug up with the left hand
and a libation of honey was left in the earth as a gift or libation.
The herb is also thought to be part of the ingredients in the Cauldron
of Cerridwen, which when brewed with other herbs within the Cauldron
would make a potion that would bestow the powers of eloquence, inspiration,
prophesy and song.
Trees and Witchcraft
Man has always had a deeply special relationship with trees. Since time began mankind has been using wood for all kinds of practical purposes, such as feeding fires, making tools and weapons, providing shelters, just for its beauty and many other things. Man has also built up a spiritual relationship with trees, recognising the sacred within them. Man soon saw the spirit within the trees and recognised that the wood is a living thing that contains the energy of its particular species. Trees became sacred to many cultures around the world. In Witchcraft we recognise that if we fashion a magical item from a particular wood we are then harnessing the magical properties of that tree. For instance many Witches cut wands from the hazel tree as this is a tree of knowledge and divination. In ritual it has a mercurial energy that is harnessed to gain both poetical and magical inspiration. By using hazel in this way we hope to tap into these magical and spiritual energies. One way that Witches use the energies is in a Need Fire. A Need Fire was originally the central fire of a community, from where all other dwellings took their own fires. This was traditionally made up of nine sacred woods that would have been gathered ritually and laid in a certain way
Need Fire A need Fire is a magical fire often used when covens work out of doors but can be built on your hearth at home or even burned in your cauldron. The Need Fire was originally the central fire of a community, one that was kept burning all year round and kept as a meeting place, a place for visitors to warm themselves, and the fire from which all other fires within the community were lit. The Celts would have built a Need Fire at all of their major festivals; the most renowned festival for this type of Fire was Beltane, which means "bright fire". Two fires were built between which livestock were driven to purify and bless them. Witches still make a Need Fire at the Sabbats, either outside or if a large fire is not practical, in a cauldron with just a few twigs of each tree. The Wiccan Rede mentions the nine sacred woods, and this version (reprinted in part) goes on to name the woods themselves:
The beautiful birch tree has the reputation within the occult law of being able to block or banish evil spirits. In the Ogham it symbolises new beginnings. The inner bark can be used as a pain reliever, and is particularly good for the pain caused by arthritis. Birch can also aid in fertility, healing, and, and peace
The oak tree has powerful protective qualities, and was thought of as the King of the woods by our Celtic ancestors. The oak stands at the doorway to all other realms and mysteries. In the Ogham Oak represents spiritual growth and self awareness. Oak wood, leaves, and acorns can aid in success, protection, prosperity, and focus.
The rowan tree is said to be able
to summon spirits from the Otherworld. It also has major powers of protection
and will guard against evil. In the Ogham rowan represents good fortune
and new ventures. The wood from the rowan tree can aid in strength and
focus, helping in meditation, and can be used when we attempt to contact
someone in the spirit realm. The willow tree leads the seeker to the Underworld and is sacred to the Goddess in her Crone aspect. In the Ogham willow represents the feminine and the emergence of deep emotions. It is known as the witch's tree and as a tree of enchantment. Its bark contains salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylic acid is closely related to aspirin, the synthetic drug that has displaced willow bark from popular use
The hawthorn is traditionally the guardian of the gateway to the Fairy Realm. If you commune with this tree you commune with the Fey Folk. In Ogham the hawthorn represents fertility; it also indicates a time to spend with the self, a time of contemplation. Hawthorn can aid in love, binding, protection, and marriage spells.
Hazel is believed to be a door or
gateway to the Otherworld. In the Ogham it is a symbol of creativity,
inspiration and knowledge. It is popular choice for magical wands. Hazel
can be used for all types of divination and dowsing. A concoction made
from hazel nuts can alleviate a bad cough. Apple is described as the Silver Bough or Faery Wood of Avalon, and is the key that opens the door to the Otherworld. In the Ogham apple represents a decision to be made. Apple wood and fruit can aid in healing and love magic. When the fruit is cut in half vertically the core resembles a pentagram. Vine The vine is believed to be able to invoke oracle powers. In the Ogham the vine symbolises a time of plenty and encourages a person to trust their intuition and to speak their truth.
The fir is attributed with the power to invoke visions. In the Ogham the fir symbolises clear vision and long sight. Its wood can aid in healing, and alleviating guilt.
The elder can aid in all types of magic, especially divination and purification. In the Ogham the elder is seen as the "cauldron of life" which all should enter at death so they may be reborn, so this is a tree of death and rebirth. It is also known as the Witch of the Wood and this tree was said to hold the secrets of the highest forms of magic. Anyone who cut this tree would be turned to stone.
Magical herb lore and tree lore is a vast and wonderful subject and one that can only be touched upon here in this article. If you want to read further I can fully recommend the book "Tree Wisdom" by Jacqueline Memory Paterson, a wonderful magical account of British trees and the Ogham alphabet. Also highly recommended are the books "Herb Craft" by Susan Lavender and Anna Franklin, and "A Compendium of Herbal Magic" by Paul Beyerl. Both great books and highly informative.
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