Herb Magic for Beginners (2 page)

Man did not weave the web of life: he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

—Chief Seattle

Chapter One

What is Herb Magic?

Magic is the art of effecting positive change in your life. Magic is also a force of nature that is, as yet, unexplained by science. In truth, all of nature is interconnected, like the shimmering strands of a spider’s web. If you touch one part of the web, the entire thing will vibrate. Each and every one of the world’s religions were woven on this spiritual web, and all of creation and nature are interconnected. One way of connecting to this web of life is through the practice of magic. For as we perform magic and cast our spells to bring about positive change, we are gently weaving new patterns into the spiritual web.

Magic is a sympathetic process. It works on the basis of your own personal power and a connection, vibration, or harmony between things. Magic revolves around the essence of life, the power of the four natural elements of earth, air, fire, and water, and a reverence for the natural world. This respect for the life force and empathy with green, growing things are at the very heart of all magical practice.

Herb magic is a natural way to experience this mystery. To work herb magic, you must first understand the elemental powers in plant life and get to know the bewitching abilities of these aromatic plants. The powers that live in an herb are determined by the plant’s growing habits, and its scent, color, texture, and shape. Take a good look at the plants growing in your garden. What can you learn about them through your sense of touch? For example, what do the prickly leaves of the thistle tell you? What does the shape of the holly leaf remind you of? The answers to these magical questions are both simple and profound.

According to herbal tradition, both thistle and holly leaf are protective plants. Because they are associated with the element of fire and the planet Mars, they carry strong, forceful qualities, a type of warrior energy, just as the Roman god Mars did. Plants that have a planetary correspondence to Mars tend to be used for protective purposes. The thistle is a classic protective, Witch’s garden plant. Its spiny stems and leaves ward away intruders and protect the bearer from melancholy.

Holly leaves have the charming folk name of “bat wings,” and if you take a good look at the spiny leaves, you can see how the leaves have a bat-wing look. The holly shrub (yes, it is also an herb) protects the home from lightning and is often incorporated into midwinter festivities, as it is an evergreen plant and symbolizes life, good luck, and renewal. These are just a few examples of the magic and folklore of herbal plants. The truth is that there is much more to herbs than you might imagine.

By studying the path of the magical herbalist, you will be uncovering older plant folklore and knowledge. This herb-garden path is in fact a well-worn road, made smooth and peaceful by the wisdom and healing traditions of the many women and men who blazed the trail for us so long ago. Herb magic gives us the opportunity to work hand in hand with nature. Here, as we grow our herbs in pots and containers, or tend to them in our backyard gardens, we are joined by the spirits of the Wise Ones throughout time.

So, consider this your chance to acquaint yourself with one of the oldest forms of folk wisdom and magic. Plan on spending some time outdoors, reconnecting to nature. Take a good look around and discover all of the magic and mystery that the natural world and plant kingdom have to offer you. There was a time when all plant life was considered sacred, magical, and important to humans. Today, herbs present us with a rewarding combination of beauty, enchantment, and usefulness.

What Is an Herb?

The definition of an herb has changed over the centuries. Once upon a time, it meant “grass, green crops, and leafy plants.” Today, an herb is understood to be a plant that is used for medicine, food, flavoring, or scent. Any part of the plant—the roots, stem, bark, leaves, fruits, seeds, or flowers—may be used for such purposes. An herb may be a tree, shrub, woody perennial, flower, annual, or fern.

Herbs are a varied and multipurpose group of plants that have been valued throughout time for their many culinary, healing, and magical uses. In days past, they were the main source for medicines, dietary supplements, and, of course, culinary seasonings. Herbs also fulfilled a wide variety of household needs. They provided fragrance in the home, were mixed into beauty and bath preparations, were used as cleaning agents, and were used to dye cloth and to repel insects.

Today, herbs are cultivated as culinary herbs, to flavor dishes and meals. They are grown for their beauty, form, and history. They can also be grown ornamentally to create a type of magical garden. In these magical places, herbal flowers, plants, trees, and shrubs are grown together to encourage an atmosphere of enchantment. They are grown and tended to provide supplies for spellcasting, and to help create a serene and sacred outdoor space.

Where to Find Your Herbal Materials

To begin, you can try growing your own herbs. Magic works in harmony with nature. See what you can learn by tending plants and following the natural cycles of the growing season. You can consider incorporating into your spells and charms many varieties of blooming plants that are also classified as herbs. A few examples include the pansy, peony, and rose, but there are dozens of others of which you may be unaware (although I’m aiming to fix that for you in very short order). Also, we’ll take a look here at a few types of trees that are commonly available, such as the sugar maple, silver birch, willow, and oak. Surprise! These are all classified as herbal trees.

Pick up some starter herb packs at the nursery or garden center this year, and pot them in pretty containers. Place these on a sunny windowsill or porch, and see how they do for you. Or you could really live on the edge and plant them outside in the garden. Check out the little tags that come with your garden plants and herbs for instructions on how to plant and care for them. However, there are some good gardening practices every magical herbalist should follow, and it certainly would benefit you to add the following practical information to your repertoire.

Gardening Tips:
The Three S’s—Site, Soil, and Sun

The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies.

—gertrude jekyll

Site

Do your homework and know your area. What cold hardiness zone do you live in? What is your lowest average temperature in the winter? Will the plants you are considering survive your winter lows or your summer highs? Is your garden easy to get to? Can you climb around the garden, or will it be difficult to maintain? Can you water it easily, or will you have to drag out a garden hose?

Soil

What is your soil like? Is it clay or loam? Rocky or sandy? Contact your local university extension office and the local chapter of Master Gardener volunteers and get some practical gardening information and soil tips for your area. Always add some organic material, such as compost, to your garden, and work it in. This will bump up the nutrient level of your soil, and your plants will thank you.

Sun

Know your garden and the sun and shade patterns. Every yard will be unique. Make a map of your sun and shade patterns and then add your plants accordingly (“the right plant in the right place”). Sun-loving plants will sulk in too much shade. Likewise, shade-loving plants will fry in too much sun. Read the plant tags and follow the recommended sun requirements. If the sun tolerance doesn’t work out, move the plant to a better location.

Gathering Live Herbs for Magical Use:
Do’s and Don’ts

Now that I’ve piqued your curiosity, let’s discuss how to gather your herb materials from the garden. Just as with any other type of enchantment, there are some friendly and earth-conscious rules and guidelines to consider while gathering live herbs for magic.

Gathering Do’s

• Harm none.

• Do use a sharp knife or pair of garden scissors.

• Do cut the leaves or stems cleanly.

• Do pay back the plant with fertilizer and care.

• Do know how to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac.

• Do take a tree-identification guidebook along if you are looking for leaves.

• Do leave the area looking better than you found it.

• Do take the smallest amount of plant material possible, no more than an eighth of the plant. It’s not the quantity that counts in magic—it’s the quality.

• Do say a charm over the plant while you gather the herb (see the following).

A Gathering Charm

Whenever you go to gather your live plant material, be it blossom, leaf, or bud, enchant or bless the herb by saying a charm over it. This is a traditional part of gathering plant material for spellwork. All of nature is sacred, and a plant’s life force should be respected. The following verse is a quick and easy charm to memorize, and better yet, it’s an all-purpose one. Try it out.

I gather this herb for a magic spell, bringing harm to none.
May it turn out well.

Gathering Don’ts

• Don’t snitch flowers and herbs from someone else’s private garden, or from a public garden.

• Don’t take wildflowers or gather plant material from a park. Some species are protected, so you could be fined. You should leave the plants undisturbed for everyone to enjoy.

• Don’t skulk around in the dark; this will not add to the mystique. Because you can’t see what you’re doing, you could gather the wrong plant or nip a finger.

• Don’t break or twist off stems or twigs from plants and trees. Follow some basic pruning rules and cut them away cleanly.

• Don’t medicate yourself or your children with herbs. Always consult a qualified, licensed herbalist or physician concerning health issues.

• Don’t be foolish. The herbs listed in this book are to be used in charms and spells. They are not intended to treat medical problems. Also, if you have sensitive skin, wear gardening gloves while gathering the plants. Some lovely garden herbs, like heliotrope, can cause skin irritation. Keep poison-control information in a handy spot, just in case. The National Poison Control hotline number (for adults and children) is 1-800-222-1222. Bottom line: use common sense. Be aware that anything can cause an allergic reaction. If you are not sure what the herb is, leave it alone, and for Goddess’ sake, don’t eat it!

More Options for “Gathering” Herbs: Hit the Stores or Dig in Your Spice Rack

If you do not have the space to grow your own herbal materials, there are other options available to you. Check out the produce section of the grocery store or a specialty cooking store. Many produce sections have a selection of fresh culinary herbs, such as parsley, mint, sage, thyme, basil, and rosemary. All of these herbs are indeed magical plants.

Or, dare to dig around in your spice rack in the kitchen, and try working with dried culinary herbs and spices. Add a pinch of cinnamon to a spell to increase prosperity, a bit of garlic to repel negativity, sage for wisdom, cloves for protection, and so on. There are dozens of cooking spices that are also magical herbs. And yes, we’ll get into those in the later theme chapters—I won’t leave you hanging. By the time you are finished with this book, you’ll never look at plants, herbs, or spices the same way again.

Also, many metaphysical shops carry a selection of dried herbs. Make sure you label them, note any toxic information, and date what you buy. Store these dried herbs in airtight, nonporous glass jars (old sterilized canning jars are ideal for this). Keep the jars out of direct sunlight, and don’t keep dried magical herbs for more than a year. If you end up storing your magical herbs in the kitchen, make sure you keep them well away from your cooking and seasoning spices, so there are no mix-ups. Better safe than sorry.

How Herb Magic Works

The universe is full of magical things
patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.

—eden phillpotts

So, how does this stuff all work, anyway? Well, herb magic works according to several magical principles. It works because the Witch or magic user taps into and directs the energy and power naturally inherent within the plants while also tapping into and directing his or her own personal power. All living things have an essence, a life force, or an energy, if you will. This force has a specific vibration or power. Each of these herbal energies is subtly different from another. Some herbs promote love, others encourage protection, and so on. Now, when the magician draws upon her own personal power, focuses her intention on a positive goal, and combines her knowledge of the herbal energies, this creates herb magic. Essentially, you know what change or goal you want, you do the work, and then you allow yourself to reap the benefits.

You will find that all of the herbal spells and charms in this book are positive ones. There are chapters that focus specifically on the topics of herb magic for love and happiness, health, prosperity, and protection. But before you begin to cast your first herbal spells, you need to ask yourself a few important questions. This is a way of checking to make sure that the changes that you are considering will respect others and cause no harm. Taking the time to reflect on your planned herb magic separates the dabbler from the serious practitioner.

Magic is a divine act in which we seek to create loving change, not to stir up chaos and trouble. Remember that spiritual web we discussed earlier? It is important to reflect on and be considerate of the entire cosmic web, and not just the tiny part you are in. That way, you can be sure your magic will be a positive, life-affirming, and effective use of your personal power. With that in mind, study the following rules of magic.