Herbs For Magic

Plants have always seemed magical to me, from the miracle of a small seed turning into a gigantic, floppy plant, which gaily proliferates throughout the garden, to the healing effects of an herbal tea which can comfort and soothe an overwhelmed psyche, appease an upset stomach, relieve a headache or insomnia. In times past, plants were believed to hold strong powers and could facilitate anything from attracting a lover to communing with fairies.

Plant-Based Spells

Do you have a cauldron just waiting for an herbal blend to bring you wealth, love, protection, or a glimpse of the future? There are plenty of choices and ways to use them. Many spells and enchantments involved waiting for the proper season, a specific phase of the moon, a particular wind direction or time of day. These were all thought to enhance the effectiveness of the process. You could drink a potion, burn it, make an ointment to apply to your skin, or carry it with you in a sachet.

One of the simplest ways of doing a spell was working with the four elements. For example; earth—burying a sachet of herbs with your written wish folded inside, air and fire—burning the sachet in a fire or cauldron, water—drinking herbs in a tea or bathing with them.

Special purifying herbs like the artemisias and sweet grass are still used today to clear negativity and illness. Frankincense is used in churches for evoking the divine. Even your common culinary herbs like basil have been used for magical purposes. It's reputed to harmonize relations and attract wealth. I guess I never thought of it as magic, but for years I have been making and using smudge sticks. I gather small dried bunches of artemisia and, starting at the bottom of the bundle, I wind thread tightly up to the top and down again in a circular fashion. I end up with a fairly tight wand, which I light, blow out, and let the smoke drift around me. I use it to clear my thoughts when I'm feeling muddled or to release chaotic energies after illness or general discord, and when certain family members are coming. Does it work? It seems to, and it smells nice. I often intersperse lavender to enhance the fragrance.

Magical Herbs to Grow at Home

Want to experiment? Here are a few to try:

• Angelica—Angelica archangelica—Used for protection. Grow it in the garden for your own personal sentry or take a bath with it to remove any nasty curses or hexes.
• Balm—Melissa officinalis—Soothes fears and heals injuries, especially those related to love.
• Burdock—Arctium lappa—A purifying herb to release negative energy and pessimism.
• Clover—Trifolium—If you place a clover in your left shoe, it will help protect you from bad intentions. The powerful four leaved clover will help men avoid military service, protect against madness, strengthen your psychic skills, and lead you to gold and treasure. No wonder they write songs about it.
• Garlic—Allium sativum—Strong protective herb, good for just about anything from werewolves and witches to the plague.
• Hawthorn—Crataegus oxycantha—Used for fertility, to ensure a good catch while fishing, to protect against lightning and to bring success and happiness at work. In Ireland, hawthorn trees and hedges are where the fairies live. Best not to disturb, especially after midnight.
• Mandrake—Mandragora officinale—Ancient magical herb, popularized by screaming at Harry Potter. Used for protection, fertility, prosperity and as a strong luck charm. Poisonous.
• Marjoram—Origanum majorana—Used to help accept big changes in life, promote happiness, and to strengthen love.
• Mint—Mentha piperita—Used to take excessive heat off of situations and emotions and to increase prosperity.
• Nettles—Urtica dioca—A purifying and protective herb. Helps to eliminate prickly situations, envy, jealousy, hexes, all the nasties.
• Parsley—Petroselinum sativum—Good for improving health and vitality. A wreath of parsley worn on the head is thought to prevent inebriation. Haven't had too much luck with this one.
• Rosemary—Rosemarinus officinalis—Good for cleansing, purifying, memory, and youthfulness. If you place it under you pillow it will help to insure a sound sleep and keep away nightmares.
• Sage—Salvia officinalis—Used to promote wisdom and to ensure a long life. For wishes, write your wish onto a sage leaf. Put it under your pillow and sleep on it for three nights. If you dream of your wish, it will come true.
• Thyme—Thymus vulgaris—Used for courage and strength. It is worn to attract health and healing. Well there you have it, time to bubble and boil. Plenty of plants for your spells and rituals. I'm planning on putting together some mustard, poplar, celery seed, and basil juice for a flying ointment. Always looking for the travel bargain.