Herbs and magic by Michelle Clarke

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Witches Herbal Chant

'Herb and root seed and flower, bring to me your ancient power.
Growing deep from moon to moon, mother hear my ancient tune.
A pinch of this, a pinch of that, make magic in my witch's vat.'
~ 2002 Barbara Morris

* Agrimony *
Agrimony for matrimony, perfect herb for the -couple- soon to Hand fast. Place a red sachet fill with Agrimony and place between the mattress of lovers to ensure a long relationship/marriage. Agrimony belongs to the element Air, also used for protection spells. Agrimony has also long been used to reverse spells sent against the magician. Used in 'sleep' sachets, place under pillow for a 'deep' rest. Beltane herb.

* Allspice *
Whole Allspice berries hold a wonderful sent of cloves. They look & feel like wood berries or beads. A very vitalizing spice, they are perfect for health amulets. Put out a dish of Allspice in a sick person's room to uplift. Promotes determination and energy.

* Angelica (root)*
Protection, Exorcism.Grow in gardens as a protection, Carry the root with you as an amulet. Burn the dried leaves in exorcism rituals.

* Anise *
Protection, Purification. A good, general cleansing bath is made with a handful of Anise seeds and a few Bay leaves. A pillow of Anise keeps away nightmares.

*Apple *
Apples are the symbol of immortality and sexuality, associated with the planet Venus. Perfect for "couple" magic especially on Friday the 13th... In the language of flowers the Apple stands for Temptation, Love & Fertility. Held in high esteem by witches, as Apples possess a Natural Pentacle at it's center. In Celtic lore Avalon was an isle of enchantment. Avalon means the "Apple-Place".

* Balsam Fir Needles *
Balsam fir OR The Silver Fir is associated with the moon and with the planet of Jupiter. This tree belongs to the triple aspect Goddess in Celtic lore, offering learning, choice and progress. The tree is sacred to many Goddesses. Silver Fir is used for magic involving power, insight, progression, protection, change, feminine rebirth, and birth.

The wood chips or needles are sometimes used as incense and carry a sweet forest scent, these can be burned right on charcoals or mixed with other herbs as an incense mix. Balsam/Silver Fir is the quintessential Yule tree. Its branches can be used as decorations at Yule time either as wreaths or as garland, where it will provide protection for the household and its occupants.

* Basil *
Purification, Protection, Love, Money. Add to money incense, put a pinch of Basil in four corners of you home at the start of each season to bring prosperity your way. It is said that if you grow Basil in your garden, yell and scream at it, to make a strong plant.

* Bay Leaves *
Protection, clairvoyance, purification, healing. Burn the leaves to induce visions. Wear as an amulet to ward off negativity. Burn and scatter on the floor to purify area. Make a dream pillow of Bay, and put under your bed pillow to induce inspiration and prophetic. For the best power do this with the full moon in 'Scorpio'. Write a wish on a 'bay leaf' with 'dragons blood ink' for a powerful out come.

* Black Salt *
Black Salt is used in banishing and binding rituals. Great for bothersome neighbors. Magically used to remove negative energies from items. Often used to remove hexes and other harmful or negative energies. Cleanse your magical implements in a bath of black salt and water... and then wash in a bath of sea salt to purify the item and allow in only positive energies.

A PERFECT ingredient for filling 'Binding Poppets' for a powerful outcome. Place a black candle in a pile of black salt for Samhain Remembrance rituals, sprinkle Ouiji Boards with Black Salt before use.

* Bearberry Leaves *
Magical uses: Use in amulets for animal magic, animal shapshifting. Burn like sage leaves to honor Celtic Gods & Goddess. Burn with meditation incense to heighten one's psychic powers. Sprinkle powder leaves on shoes to take you to your true love. Wonderful little leaves for spellcrafting in candles, around candles on altar.These small, sturdy, elongated leaves are up to approximately 1" long.

* Bergamot *
Bergamot leaves or oil when rubbed on money, will ensure the return of riches; it is also well known for prosperity spells. End bad conditions and promote new love with mate or draw a new lover. Ruled by: Mercury

* Caraway *
Protection, Passion. Add to love sachets and charms to attract a lover (physical sense) Carry the seeds to strengthen memory. Especially powerful to "Gemini's". This herb is where Rye bread gets it's smell.

* Catnip *
Chewed by warriors for fierceness in battle. Large dried leaves are powerful markers in magical books. Give to your "familar" (cat)to create a psychic bond with the animal. Use in spells for "courage"

* Chamomile *
Meditation, relaxation Prosperity. Use in prosperity charms to draw money. Burn as a relaxation incense for meditation. Make a tea with one tablespoon of Chamomile to 8 oz of water, and drink to relax or induce sleep. Sprinkle about room to calm the energy. Add to a pouch & hide in mattress to calm fighting couples.

* Cinquefoil / Five finger grass *
The five points of the leaves represent love, money, health, power, and wisdom. If carried, all these will be granted. Good for love magic and to promote an abundant harvest. Contains the energy to manifest one's ideas. An ingredient in mediaeval flying ointments.

Placed under pillow to dream of your future lover or mate. Money, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Sleep. Used to make witch charms for all it's properties.

* Devils Shoestring (root) *
To attain & keep employment, gain control at your work environment. Good luck for job search. Power in the work place, Employment.

* Dragons Blood (resin) *
Energy, Protection, purification. You will know if you have the real thing, if it burns pinkesh/red smoke. Used in the Drudic ritual "The Pelan Tan" during "Samhain". Put a pinch in with your magical tools, to keep unwanted eyes away. Use in "binding" spells to resemble human blood.

* Elder Berries *
The ability to protect; induce vivid dreams, particularly of the Faerie realms; to heal; and to exorcise or remove negative spells and influences are among Elder's pagan attributes. It was said that to wear or carry Elder wood, leaves, flowers or berries would protect you from attack. Elderberry oil or water was used in blessing rituals. Protection, Prosperity, Sleep and Healing.

* Elder Flowers *
Sacred to the "White Lady" and midsummer solstice. The Druids used it to both bless and curse, Burn at "Beltane" to comfort the Fae. These small tiny yellowish flowers carry a strong pundgunt smell.

* Frankincense (tears, resin)*
Grown in the Middle east. when a "Frankincense tree is cut" the sap makes 'tears", hence the name. Burn to raise vibrations, to purify your Magical working area. Burn during sunrise rituals of all kinds. Mix with Cumin for a powerful protective incense useful for all general workings. There is NOTHING that smells like it, soapy, sensual and the smoke is thick and white.

* Hawthorn Berries *
Also known as the May tree, the Hawthorn tree is sacred to the Druids. The small berries are wrinkled and red and perfect for adding to your Beltane altar for May day offerings. Add to amulets for power & strength of the ancient Druids.

* Hops *
Wonderful in healing sachets and incenses. A pillow of the dried white to gold "fruit" like buds, helps bring on sleep. String a bunch of the fresh buds and hang in bedroom of sick person, for inprovment in health.

* Jasmine *
Good luck in love and wealth. Aphrodisiac. Alleviates depression, and tension. Raises self-esteem. Opens the heart chakra and stimulates clarity of thought. Enables one to lucid dream, when it is used before sleeping. Mix with Lavender for the ultimate Dream Pillow.

* Juniper Berries *
Used with Thyme in Druid incense for visions. Juniper berries strewn at the door discourages thieves. The mature berries can be strung and hung in the house to attract love. Crush berries in a mortar to release their "pine filled" aroma, mix with cedar or pine needles for a wonderful "Winter Solstice incense" burn on charcoal tabs.

* Lavender Flowers *
Love, purification. Used in love sachets and incense. Put 2 handfuls of "Lavender Flowers"into a square of cheese cloth and tie with a white ribbon use this aromatic "washcloth" in place of your usual one. Lavender was thrown into Midsummer fires by witches as a sacrifice to the ancient Gods. Also used as an insect repellent.

* Lemon Grass *
Properties: Mercury, Masculine, Element Air Lemongrass planted around the home and in the garden it will repel snakes. It is also used in lust potions, as well as in an amulet to aid in developing psychic powers & divination, Add a handful of Lemon grass to your Tarot bag to keep cards attuned. Scatter the Lemongrass around table before Tarot or Rune reading.

* Life everlasting Flowers *
Purify, protection. Use in charm bags to keep young.Burn at Midsummer to honor the maiden. Bundle flowers with white ribbons and put under pillow to give sweet dreams.

* Mandrake (Americian)(Mayapple)*
Place in the home for a powerful protective charm or poppet. The roots are used in image magic, as the American version (Mayapple) and the European version, resemble the limbs of humans. Grind and sprinkle in cupboards, Book of shadows to keep away prying eyes.

* Marigold *
Magical attributes include prophesy, legal matters, the psychic, seeing magical creatures, love, clairvoyance, dreams, business or legal affairs and renewing personal energy. Be sure to gather your Marigolds for magical workings at noon. A fresh Marigold flower can be worn to court for a favorable outcome of a trial. If you place Marigold in your mattress, you will have prophetic dreams... and if you place it under your mattress it will make whatever you dream come true. Since the Marigold embodies the sun, it can make a person more attractive and confident. Add Marigold to your bath water to make this happen. A vase of fresh and bright Marigolds in a room brings a renewed surge of life to those in the room. The leaves can eaten as a salad and a yellow dye has also been extracted from the flower, by boiling.

* MiloBerries (Pink) *
These tiny berries are clustered on stems & about the diameter of a tomato seed. Bright HOT pink these berries are perfect for Faery magic, Friendships spells and Peace rituals.

* Mistletoe *
Protection, love. Wear as a protective amulet. A good anti-lightning charm.Extinguishes fires. Hang Mistletoe and kiss the one you want, hence "Kissing under the Mistletoe.

* Mugwort *
Clairvoyance, Scrying, Physic healing work, divination, Protection.
Rub this herb on Magic Mirrors, Crystal balls or Tarot decks to strengthen their powers.
Add to scrying,clairvoyance and divination incenses.

Use 3 tablespoons to 1\2 gallon spring (or rain) water to cleanse your "Magical mirrors" crystals and stones.
To experience interesting dreams that are said to reveal one's future, stuff a dream pillow with about a pound of this herb and sleep on it.

* Mullein the 'Candlewick Plant'*
A truly magical herb, this plants texture is like wool or cashmere, extremely soft and fuzzy. I just had to include a pic. Hope you can tell from the photo (scanned) just how textured it is. In the olden days folks would use the dried leaves as "Candlewicks", hence the name. The shape of the leaf resemble a candle flame. They burn similar to cotton. I use these leaves in "Remembrance Rituals" at Samhain. One is burned for each soul remembered. They burn quite unusual, as the flame creeps up the maine stem. " Nick name's Hag's tapers, Feltwort, Candlewick Plant. Carry to keep animals away from you in the woods. Wear to instill courage. The powdered leaves are know as "graveyard dust" and are acceptable to use when such is called for in old recipes". A must for a "witches garden"

* Myrrh (resin) *
Myrrh is used in magic for protection, peace, exorcism, healing, consecration, blessing, meditation and heightening spirituality. As an incense Myrrh can be used to help deepen mediation and to aid contemplation. Myrrh can be used in any ritual to the Goddess Isis, since Myrrh is a Goddess plant of the moon's sphere and is sacred to Isis. Myrrh can also be burned so that its smoke can purify and protect an area, and the smoke can also be used to consecrate and bless objects like rings, amulets, and ritual tools.

* Oak Moss *
A natural wonder, Oak Moss belongs to the element Earth, growing on barks of trees, with a gray suede like appearance. Use this sweet smelling 'moss' in Prosperity spells, Gnome magic and spells to Mother Earth. Use in -Witch Bottles- for home & business. Oak Moss attracts Male lust, placing a sachet of Oak Moss in bra When MALE lover is near. A natural scent fixative, use in incense blends and magical potpourri's, it will help 'hold' scent.

* Olive Leaves *
Healing, health & peace. The Olive leaf has long been used to symbolize peace, hence the saying 'extending an olive branch in peace'. Use in spells to calm and quiet a quarreling home. Use after performing a house blessing or -spring- cleaning. Strew about home under doormats, corners of room's etc. Add 9 Olive leaves to spring or rain water, soak for 3 days, strain and use as blessing water for house blessings, magic circles. Place olive leaves & wine in Chalice as altar offering.

* Passion Flower *

Passion flower is a vine and should be planted where it can climb. Use in protection and love magic. When Passionflower is used, it calms and brings peace to the home. You can sprinkle dried or fresh Passionflower over the doorsteps of your house or apartment to keep harm away. If you carry some of the herb in an amulet bag, you will make friends easier since it will work to increase your personal charisma making you more attractive and more likable. Place Passionflower in a dream pillow and it will help you get a good nights sleep. place it in power bundles and use in love spells to attract love. You can also burn it as an incense to promote understanding.

* Pennyroyal *
Put in the shoes to prevent weariness. Add to summer incenses and to prevent getting lost in the woods. Tie it to your bedpost for, not only does it keep mosquitos away, but it is said to make one more aware and alert, and increase brain power Brings peace between husband and wife when kept in a small bowl on a table or a dresser in the home. Carry Pennyroyal when traveling by water and never know the pangs of seasickness

* Rose *
Rose is known as *THE* herb of love. Add Rose bud petals to bath water to conjure up a lover.
Put red Rose petals in a red velvet bag and pin this under your clothes to attract love
You can wear Rosehips as beads to bring love to you.
Rose oil and Rose incense are both used in love spells.
If you wash your hands with Rose water before mixing love potions, the potions will be stronger.

Different color Roses have different meanings so you can use Roses to give someone a message magically.
Below are what the different Rose colors mean:

~ Red ~ I love you
~ White ~ I love you not
~ Yellow ~ I love another
~ Moss ~ I admire you from afar
~ Pink ~ My love for you is innocent
~ Orange ~ I love you vigorously
~ Amethyst ~ I will love you forever
~ Wild ~ I love you because you are fair and innocent

* Rosemary *
Wear a chaplet of Rosemary to aid in the memory. A good protective sachet for boat and ship passengers. Make a fresh wreath of rosemary for protection, hang in the home. Burn Rosemary and Juniper for a recuperation incense. Use for rememberance in Samhain rituals.

* Sage (White) *
Burn to purify a ritual area or magical tools. Used as a main ingredient in"Smudgesticks"and "herb bundles". Put in with "Tarot" cards or "Runes" to protect and keep clean. Sage is used for fertility, longevity, wishes, wisdom, protection, money attraction, purification, healing, and health magic. Sage that is being gathered for magical use should not be cut with a metal knife known as a Boline. It is said that if you eat Sage you will become more wise and also immortal. Sage is often an herb used at handfastings since it will help bring about a long life and domestic virtue for the happy couple. Sage can be added to almost any healing spell. A good healing amulet may be made by putting a clove of Garlic, a bit of Eucalyptus and Cinnamon, two pinches of Sage and one pinch of Saffron into a small blue bag. This bag can then be worn or carried to promote healing. Sage can be used for attracting money and for wish manifestations.

* St.Johnswort *
Celtic traditon held that the druids wore it in battle for invincibility.
Burn to excorcise negative spirits and calm a space.

* Sun Flower Petals *
Sunflower belongs to the Sun, it's gender is male (God) and belongs to the element Fire. Magical uses are Fertility, Health and Wisdom. Powerful flower to use on Sunday as an offering to the God for home as well. Use for May day & Beltane offerings and charms

* Thistle (Blessed) *
Thistle has great value in protection spells and also is used to bring spiritual and financial blessings. Thistle can be carried in an amulet bag for joy, energy, vitality, and protection - in fact men who carry Thistle become better lovers!. Thistle can be burned as an incense for protection and also to counteract hexing. Thistle powder can also be added to ritual baths to give added protection. Thistle can be grown in the garden to ward of those dreaded vegetable thieves, and a bowl of fresh Thistle will give off such good strengthening energies that it is the perfect thing to have in a sickroom. Thistle is a wonderful material to use to make magic wands for spirit conjuring and magical walking sticks. In England, the wizards of old were said to select the tallest thistle and use it as a wand or walking stick.

* Valerian *
Love, Harmony, Use in love spells and to keep fighting couples together. Use in a bath sachet for a calming effect. Valerian has been used to treat nervous tension and panic attacks. Use 1 tablespoon to 8 oz water for a calming tea. Wonderful for folks who suffer from "panic attacks".

* Wolfs bane, ( Aconite Also called monkshood, blue rocket )*
Protection & Invisibility. Use this herb with great caution to consecrate the athame or ritual knife. Make an infusion with the leaves or root to banish prior energy from magical blades and to infuse it with protection. DO NOT DRINK ! The root or leaves may be burned as incense for the same purpose. Brings protection and magical watchfulness against negative energies in ritual. Wash a new cauldron in the infusion or burn aconite in its first fire. Used to invoke Hecate. Carry to become invisible at will. Also as protection from and a cure for werewolves. *POISON* Don't ingest.)

* Wormwood *
Throw onto fires on "Samhain" to gain protection from bad spirits roaming the night. One of the major ingredients in "Absinthe" Burn in incense to raise spirits.

* Yarrow *
The witches herb. Love, Clairvoyance.Used in love sachets and marriage charms, as it has the power to keep a couple together happily for seven years. Worn as an amulet it wards of negativity. A tea made of1 tablespoon to 8 oz of water will enhance one's powers of perception. Held in the hand it stops all fear. The beautiful flowers are a welcome addition to any magical altar. Yarrow is nick named "A witches best friend".

= Note "Some" of the above herbal information was taken from
Scott Cunningham's "Magical Herbalism", D.J. Conway's "Celtic Magic"
"Earth Magic" by Claire Nahmad and "Victorian Grimoire" by Patricia Telesco
* Additional herbal information and recipes are Orignally Written by Barbara Morris 1999-2011

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