You’ll find a plethora of magickal information on Herbs at this link. (Get out your pencils and notebooks!) 🙂
https://amythystraine.blogspot.com/p/magickal-herbs.html
In this episode of Frequently Asked Questions, the topics are:
1. Herbs ~ When they get old, do I have to throw them out?
2. Male Witches
3. Queen Stage of Women’s Mysteries ~ I also discuss the Maiden, Mother, Crone, and how they all transcend age and biology!
“The Smell of Magick”
https://wytchymystique.com/2011/09/10/the-smell-of-magick/
http://ladyamythyst.com
http://wytchymystique.com
http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com
This week the goddess is Airmed. The topics are herbs and green witchcraft. Our project– we’re going to create a Witch’s Bottle for Love Magick. You’ll also find a section at this video on precautions for love magick, encouraging common sense, as well as the use of mundane efforts to keep your life running smoothly, and to keep yourself safe. The National Domestic Abuse Hotline number will be found at the end of this video.
I’m VERY PROUD to be featured in the first edition of this NEW PAGAN MAGAZINE:
Available in Digital or Print
The Spellery: FB Fan-page
Old school Witchcraft 101…those of you who’ve thrown some magickal energy around (in a good way, of course), cast a few circles, chanted a few chants, those who have walked this path for any length of time and tapped into the magickal realm of witchcraft and wizardry, are going to be familiar with the information in this blog post, but be patient with me. This post is for the new kids on the block. (Better than being patient, why don’t you add your magickal two cents to this post with a comment by leaving some of your own wisdom for new witches to pick up on, things you’ve learned through your own experience and practice…thank you in advance.)
Below are the planets and their special energies and ten of my favorite herbs for each planet:
MOON— Day/Monday– this is the planet that is immersed in the energy of the goddess, feminine energy, intuition, inner mysteries, dreams, the filmy ethereal world of fairies and mythical creatures, and the element of Water
The herbs: calamus, lemon balm, gardenia, passion flower, jasmine, lotus, moonwort, myrrh, sandalwood, poppy, camellia
MERCURY— Day/Wednesday– this is the planet connected to communication and creativity, it centers on intelligence and wonderful lucid moments of awareness, and the element of Air
The herbs: fennel, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, peppermint, almond, bittersweet, flax, horehound, lily of the valley
VENUS— Day/Friday– this is the planet connected to love and romance, beauty and luxury, it’s bathed in the warm glow of healthy narcissism and mutual attraction, sexuality, warm and fuzzy friendships, and the element of Water
The herbs: apple, aster, magnolia, hibiscus, foxglove, geranium, blackberry, corn, lilac, willow
MARS— Day/Tuesday– this is the harsh, hot, in-your-face energy of the warrior, it encompasses strength, it protects, it challenges, it sets boundaries and patrols the parameters of our world, on the watch for negative energy, and it is connected to the element of Fire
The herbs: cumin, garlic, ginger, holly, pine, tobacco, wormwood, coriander, allspice, hawthorn
JUPITER— Day/Thursday– this is the planet of growth and expansion, it touches and influences the financial commercial world we inhabit, it infiltrates the judicial system, the institutions that keep our society running smoothly, and it’s influenced by the element of Earth
The herbs: anise, dandelion, sage, nutmeg, witch grass, clove, honeysuckle, hyssop, maple, fig
SATURN— Day/Saturday– the dark side, the shadow world is found here, the place that so many tend to tip-toe through, but the energy so often needed, this is the planet that will bring the truth to light and punish those who have harmed others, and it’s connected with the element of Earth and Fire
The herbs: skullcap, slippery elm, wolf’s bane, morning glory (devil’s guts), hemlock, hemp, belladonna, comfrey, mimosa, knot weed
The Acorn:
Good luck, protection, wisdom, and personal power. A dried acorn is an excellent natural amulet for keeping a youthful appearance.
Technically, I’m not sure if the acorn counts as an “herb”, since it springs from the mighty Oak Tree…however, I do know that it most definitely is full of magickal energy, and it is part of the sacred world of plants, so we’ll include it here. Just so you know, I have an entire glass container full of acorns for my own magickal use. 🙂
The lore:
The oak is a sacred tree to many cultures and spiritual practitioners, including the Druids. There is a Nordic tale of the great god Thor sheltering beneath a mighty oak tree during a storm. The goddess Diana is often depicted wearing a necklace of acorns. The Celts and Druids found the oak tree especially symbolic of the Samhain season. The tree is a symbol of the Horned God, Herne (or Cernunnos)
The acorn is considered the first sacred food of civilization. It’s symbolic of security and abundance, and it counteracts loneliness, illnesses, and pain. It’s energy aids in maintaining longevity, draws good luck, and preserves the illusion of youth.
You can identify your true love by labeling two acorn caps with your name and the name of your beloved. Float them in a bowl of water, if they drift together, you’ve made a successful match, if they float apart…so does your love.
For more magickal information on herbs,
follow this link:
St. John’s Wort
Planet: Sun; Element: Fire; Energy: Masculine (projective)
Health, protection, strength, love divination, happiness, exorcism. A Druid sacred herb. Use in protection and exorcism spells and incenses of all kinds. Use as a tea to treat depression. Use the leaves in a necklace to ward off sickness and tension. Carry to strengthen your courage and conviction. Burn to banish negative thoughts and energies.
The teas are great, if you’re going to drink lots of tea to combat the doldrums, that is to kill anxiety and mild depression; but a more efficient way to ingest this drug, and to ingest it in the dosage that will actually do you some good, is to get the capsules. I finally broke down and bought a bottle at our local Wal-Mart, and I do have to say that this works. It sort of overrides that panic-stricken feeling people get sometimes when life is just moving too fast, too much coming at you, too many negative things to deal with, or too many high pressure things to deal with. The dosage on this over-the-counter herbal supplement reads “2 capsules three times a day, preferably with meals”. You have to use it for 2-3 weeks before you begin to feel the effects, but believe me, it’s worth it– and there are none of the negative side effects that you would find in many of the pharmaceuticals that are used as anti-anxiety medication.
As for the sacred herb itself and the magickal uses, this is one of the main herbs on my magickal shelf.
Source: Some of the info for this post was taken from…
http://www.ladyamythyst.com/magickal-herbs
*Note: check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplement,
especially if you are currently prescribed other medications.
In the spirit of Kitchen Wytchery, let’s find the magick in a cup of tea, and I’m not talking about a special cup of tea that we’re brewing just for some magickal mysterious purpose, but a ready-made tea purchased at the local grocery store. *These teas are chockfull of herbs which all contain magickal occult properties, something the average person is totally unaware of. We’re going through the ingredients to find out just what kind of energies we’re working with:
The tea: “Dream Easy”
The brand: “Hyvee” (a local grocery store chain here in the mid-west, this is their store brand)
The ingredients: chamomile, spearmint, lemon grass, tilia flowers, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, hawthorn berries, rosebuds
The Magick:
1. Chamomile: energy/projective (masculine); planet/Sun; element/Water. First, I beg to differ with the source I’m using for this info, but I find the fact that this herb’s energy is masculine (projective) and it’s planetary association (the Sun) is also masculine, yet it’s linked to the feminine element of Water– I get it “sleepy time, relaxing, etc.”; and, Water, as in dreams. But this still doesn’t feel right to me– the sun, the energy, all points to the element of Fire. Just saying.
Magickal energies: for sleep, to promote calmness, but also for luck in money matters; used in issues dealing with god energy– men’s mysteries, men’s health, etc., healing energies in general.
2. Spearmint: energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water.
Magickal energies: used to promote healing, especially of the lungs (respiratory issues); used to promote love– actually to generate a little lust it’s said, though this herb would not be my first choice in this matter, way too tame to ignite this kind of raw passion, if you ask me, spearmint would lend itself better to something quieter and more deliberate, like sultry seduction; used to sharpen your mental faculties, though the element used for this endeavor would best be left to Air. It’s also said that this is the herb you want to tuck into your pillow, or keep near your bed, as it will protect you at your most vulnerable– when you’re asleep.
3. Lemon grass: energy/projective (masculine); planet/Mercury; element/Air.
Magickal energies: This herb is used to repel snakes– though, unless they were poisonous or dangerous, I don’t know why anyone would deliberately want to repel snakes, unless they had some deep seated phobia. Snakes are beneficial to your garden, and reflective of wisdom and goddess energy. Lemon grass is also used to heighten your psychic awareness, and again, this is another herb used to enhance lust.
4. Tilia flowers: (also known as “linden flowers” or “lime flowers”) energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water.
Magickal energies: the energies are geared to love, luck, sleep, rest, dreams, weddings, and beauty. What’s not to love about tilia flowers. The energy of the Linden trees are said to be protective, this is also a ‘tree of immortality’, which would lend it’s energy perfectly for magickal spells of eternal youth and beauty; this is a favorite herb for all kinds of love magicks. Make a dream pillow of equal parts lavender and tilia which promotes both restful sleep and prophetic dreams.
5. Blackberry leaves: energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water. This herb is sacred to the old Celtic goddess Brighid, renowned for healing, poetry, and smithcraft. She’s most notably celebrated on February 2nd, a holiday called Imbolc.
Magickal energies: healing, money, and protection.
6. Orange Blossoms: energy/projective (masculine); planet/Sun; element/Fire.
Magickal energies: love (known as “Love Fruit”), divination, luck, and money. The dried peel and seeds are used in a wide array of love magick, whether it be candle magick, mojo bags, or dollies, and this magick is serious– whompom serious– this is magick geared to culminate with a walk down the aisle. (I think it’s a hoot that orange blossoms are tremendously popular in wedding bouquets, but the general public doesn’t have a clue as to why.) Enhance your beauty by adding orange seeds to your bath water, or by drinking orange juice with this intention. This adds a new dimension to the old saying “beautiful inside and out”, no kidding, there are many forms of beauty, and what you are inside is going to show on the outside. (There’s a few specific people I’d like to point this out to but, ahem, we’ll move on.) Orange blossoms are added to love and lust potions, and since the element here is Fire, use with discretion, I imagine these potions carry quite a punch. The divination aspect, specifically for yes/no questions– ask a question, eat an orange, count the seeds– even/yes; odd/no.
7. Hawthorn berries: energy/projective (masculine); planet/ Mars; element/Fire.
Magickal energies: fertility, chastity, fishing luck, happiness. Because of it’s ability to increase fertility, this herb was long used in wedding ceremonies; on the other side of this coin, and it’s quite a flip– the leaves of the Hawthorn tree are said to promote chastity. I would imagine that these leaves, along with nutmeg, could be used in some high-falutin fidelity magick, but this would best be done with extreme caution, or there might be a whole lot of people who are going to find themselves suddenly celibate when this is not the desired outcome. Carry these berries with you on fishing ventures to fill your nets (and your skillet); use these berries to help alleviate depression (magically speaking, mind you); and turn to the Hawthorn for protection from lightening and evil spirits.
The Hawthorn tree does have some weight in the world of the witch– they use to be used to decorate Maypoles for Beltaine, and as far as lore goes, it was believed that Hawthorn trees were actually witches who transformed themselves into the tree (to avoid being burned at the stake, no doubt). Hawthorn trees are sacred to the witch.
8. Rosebuds: energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water.
Magickal energies: love (and divination for love), psychic powers, healing, protection.
Are you kidding, this is The Ultimate Herb used for all kinds of love magicks, bar none. It is the epitome of love magick, encompassing human coupling on every level imaginable, and many levels you haven’t imagined yet. It’s worn for this purpose, given as a gift for this purpose, used in candle magick, mojo bags, hoodoo dollies, and in any significant way that a practitioner can come up with; it’s been burned, buried, and frozen, all in the name of love. A tea made of rosebuds is drank at bedtime to promote healthy sleep and prophetic dreams– and what do you think the main topic of these dreams will be– you got it. Rosebuds and rosehips are used in spells to attract fairies to your garden, to heal minor aches and pains, as well as to relieve stress.
Now, drink your tea…
*Note: This statement is not meant to alarm anyone who doesn’t practice witchcraft. By using these teas, you are not inadvertently casting magick spells hither and thither. Remember– everything used and done to cast a spell must be used and done with intention. It’s all in the mind; it’s all in your purpose.
The sources for this article: “Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs” by Scott Cunningham, and my own Book of Shadows
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*Note: the photo is courtesy of Pinterest
Putting a spell together takes some thought, some research, some planning, and some foot-work (particularly if you don’t have necessary items on hand and have to purchase them, or cultivate them from nature). So start with a question: What kind of spell do you need?
Okay, I have a volunteer– “Stacy”. She has asked me to put a spell together for her to help her with issues of fertility; and she has kindly agreed to allow the making of this spell to be posted publicly, though her identity will be kept secret. (Thank you, Stacy!)
First, what does this issue involve deity-wise; what planetary and elemental connections are we talking about here; what sort of herbs would add the energy needed; candle color; timing; what sort of ritual to set this magic off– informal, most likely for a solitary practitioner who practices quietly; what other objects or ‘personal items’ would we need to collect; how would we finish this spell up– release the energy– dispose of the remnants (Or would we dispose of the remnants?). Can you see all the questions involved in constructing a spell? Can you see why the practice of witchcraft can be a lot of work? It requires a vesting of our energy, our mental thought and attention; it can be time consuming, and it must be carried off to work in the first place– which means making the time to actually cast the spell.
It isn’t easy being a witch. It’s not like the movies at all. There’s no big ole’ magick wand that we can wave with a special word or two spoken and ‘voila, the spell is cast and magick happens immediately. Get “real”, sez I. Here’s how real magick works, get ready to roll up your sleeves and put your energy into it…
First, the Deity: It might surprise you that I’m not going to choose one of the many goddesses who are connected to physical fertility; instead, I’m going to invoke the energy and spirit of “Papa Legba”. This entity was greatly maligned recently on a popular television program, depicted as a cocaine snorting devil with an unquenchable thirst for pure human souls (babies). It’s wise to remember that a lot of what you watch on tv is Fiction, and that creating a riveting story is part of the screen writer’s job. The ultimate irony in this is that Papa Legba is noted, invoked, and drawn upon by women with fertility issues, he is actually the anti-thesis of his television portrayal:
Papa Legba is the famous, and infamous, spirit of the crossroads, often appearing as an old black man. He’s a spirit from the West African Voodoo tradition, and you will find him under the guise of many other names, including: Elegba, Exu, and Papa La Bas– his New Orleans incarnation.
Papa Legba is a trickster who delights in practical jokes and word games, but he is also a spirit of amazing generosity and protective care. He protects infertile women, removing obstacles to motherhood; and he assists the poor, often opening up paths and removing obstacles that hinder their growth towards prosperity. It is said that Papa Legba stands at the crossroads with his shepherd’s crook, where he opens and closes access to life’s path.
Now that we’ve chosen the deity to invoke for the energy we need, what’s going to go along with him???
Ideally I would prefer to work with the energy of a full moon, or at least a waxing moon. Papa Legba’s ideal days are Mondays and the third day of every month. Mondays– perfect!– connected to the Goddess, women’s mysteries, the Moon, the element of Water, fertility, women’s physical and mental health.
Candle colors and altar colors would be red, black, and white (Also, ironically, these colors are connected with the three faces of the goddess: red, the mother; black, the crone; and white, the maiden.) The unique thing about being notoriously eclectic is that it broadens my spiritual path, allowing me to make connections and magickal links to topics, energies, and entities that those aligned with only one tradition or magickal practice might not think about.
The main herb I want to use with this spell is the strawberry…but you can also incorporate other herbs in this spell, and I would suggest herbs and flowers that produce through abundant seeds, such as dill, dandelion, goober daisies, cherry tomatoes, etc.
Okay, we have our deity, the timing, the colors, the herbs, now you have to decide what kind of magick you’re going to use, how are you going to process this spell and cast it. I’m going to suggest a combination of candle magick with a mojo bag, using the remnants left over to create the mojo bag that will be kept in a safe and sacred spot…and we can even do something especially significant here. Stacy, I’m going to speak directly to you now– go to one of those hobby shops (like Hobby Lobby or Michael’s), buy a small wooden box that you will paint and decorate yourself in a way that resonates with you and your idea of a baby; decorate this box in ways that connect with your deep desire. To this box you can add baby booties, a bottle of baby lotion, a pacifier, a letter to this baby, and whatever else you have room for that will bring this child to life in your mind, that will make its existence real and solid, so that you can almost bury your face in his fuzzy fine hair and smell the scent– most importantly, you will add to this box the mojo bag full of spell remnants– the candle wax and ashes (if you burned any type of spell paper with it). You could also add to the box small bags of the magickal herbs listed above.
Put this box in a very special and safe place, and have patience dear Lady, nature will work it’s own brand of magick at the perfect moment.
Spell Consultations:
http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/spellconsultations.htm
*Note: the photos are courtesy of Pinterest
The following herbs share the energy and power to heal.
Although these herbs have healing powers in common, they also contain individual energies, which can be used in a variety of spells.
Myrrh
Energy: Receptive (Feminine)
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Deities: Isis, Adonis, Ra, Marian
Powers: Protection, Exorcism, healing, Spirituality
Ritual Uses: Myrrh was burned to Ra at noon in ancient Egypt, and was also fumed in the temples of Isis.
Magical Uses:
Burned as an incense myrrh purifies the area, lifts the vibrations and creates peace. However, it is rarely burned alone; usually in conjunction with frankincense or other resins. Myrrh increases the power of any incense to which it is added.
Myrrh is also included in healing incenses and sachets, and its smoke is used to consecrate, purify, and bless objects such as amulets, talismans, charms, and magical tools. Myrrh also aids meditation and contemplation. It is often added to sachets, usually with frankincense.
Sandalwood
Gender: Receptive (Feminine)
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Protection, wishes, healing, exorcism, spirituality
Magical Uses:
Sandalwood powder is burned during protection, healing, and exorcism spells. When mixed with lavender it makes an incense designed to conjure spirits.
This fragrant wood possesses very high spiritual vibrations and is burned at séances and Full Moon rituals when mixed with frankincense. Write your wish on a chip of sandalwood and burn in the censer or cauldron. As it burns it sets the magic flowing, but remember to visualize your wish at the same time.
Sandalwood beads are protective and promote a spiritual awareness when worn.
Powdered sandalwood can be scattered about a place to clear it of negativity, and is also used as an incense base.
Carnation
Gender: Projective (Masculine)
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Deity: Jupiter
Powers: Protection, strength, healing
Magical Uses:
Worn during Elizabethan times to prevent coming to an untimely death on the scaffold, carnations can be used in all-purpose protective spells.
Carnations are placed in convalescent rooms to give the healing patient strength and energy, and are also used in healing spells. Place fresh carnations (red are best) on the altar during healing rituals and add the dried blossoms to sachets and incense for the same purpose.
Disclaimer:
Never ingest any herbs, or feed them to someone else, if you are not absolutely sure they are safe!
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This information was originally posted in
the July 2010 edition of the newsletter from:
I have friends who live in warmer climates, and they tell me that their rosemary and lavender are perennials. That’s not the case where I live, except for a huge mound of sage I planted years ago which comes up faithfully every year, and several plants that are native to my area (Nebraska). So every spring I make a list of the herbs I want to re-plant, rosemary and lavender being right up there at the top. I’m in the process of making my list right now, and I’m going to post it here, along with some magickal information on the correspondences and uses for these herbs.
Rosemary
Gender: masculine (or projective)
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Magickal Energies: protection, cleansing, purification, exorcism, healing, beauty/youth
I use rosemary for cleansing a space of unwanted negative energy. You can add it to the water you’re going to use to scrub the floor; burn it, using the smoke to magickally smudge an area; hang dried bunches of the plant in the four corners of a room, over the threshold of doorways, or above the windows. I’ve made a tincture of rosemary to use as an astringent for my face– I took a nice size bottle, filled it with spring water, added a pretty sprig of rosemary and let it sit and seep overnight, in the moonlight. The next day, you can remove the sprig of rosemary– though I chose to leave mine in the bottle– and refrigerate. To use it, just pour a little on a cotton-ball and use it to wipe down your face after you’ve washed your face as usual to remove makeup. Not only is the rosemary good for your complexion, you are tapping into the magickal energy of this herb to preserve the appearance of youth and beauty.
Lavender
Gender: masculine (or projective)
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Magickal Energies: love, sleep, romance, purification, destressing, communication, enhancment of creative energy
I most often use lavender in mojo bags and poppets aimed at romance; for mojo bags kept beneath pillows to enhance sleep; for candle spells to remove negative and stressful energies from an individual, from a set of circumstances, or from a particular space. Burn a yellow candle dressed in Witch’s Oil and rolled in crushed lavender before beginning a project connected with communication, such as a writing project or assignment, or a personal letter. Keep a bowl of lavender by the computer for this same magickal enhancement, because this is an area that is engulfed in the energy and act of communicating with others. Finally, at the end of the day, drop a sprig or two in your bathwater to destress, to find peace and comfort, to shed the energies of all those people with whom you’ve come in contact with all day long.
Dill
Gender: masculine (or projective)
Planet: Mercury
Element: Fire
Magickal Energies: protection, power, lust, fertility, money mojo
I have used dill seeds in money spells, especially money spells geared towards children– such as cases involving child support disputes or other issues of this nature. The other thing that I’ve most called on Dill for is protection. Grind the leaves of this plant and add it to a red flannel bag, along with a rusty nail (or a cemetery nail, if you have it), a snip of hair from your head and a fingernail clipping, along with a pinch of whole cloves. Next, tear a page from a bible containing the 23rd psalm, write your name in large bold letters across the page (in dragon’s blood ink, if you have it), fold this paper up to fit inside the red bag. Hang this bag near the front door of your home to prevent enemies from entering; this means anyone who would wish you ill, even someone you may not recognize as an enemy.
I’m sure this isn’t it for my planting, but at least it’s a start to my list. I’m going to have to wait until the green-houses open up in my area to see what’s available. One thing about planting dill, my daughters love the huge brilliant catapillars that are attracted to it. They are really stunning– black, white, and yellow. I didn’t plant any last year, and we missed watching them. I have to say that over the years I’ve tried potting some of my outdoor herbs and bringing them inside to winter, including my rosemary and lavender, but this just never seems to work for me, the plants just don’t last long indoors. Not enough sunny windows perhaps, or maybe I water them too much/not enough. Anyway, we’ve been taking advantage of this wonderful and warmer than average weather to do some yard work and get our garden spots ready for spring planting.
