Herb Magic for Beginners (4 page)

Full Moon

The full moon rises in the east, just at sunset. The full moon phase is technically the day before the full moon, the day of the full moon, and the day after. This is an incredibly powerful time, so when you need to pull out all the stops, work your herb magic during the full moon. The full moon is an all-purpose lunar phase, as we’ll discuss in the later theme chapters.

Waning Moon

The waning moon begins the day after the full moon, with the advent of the third quarter moon phase, and on into the fourth quarter. The moon rises a little later in the eastern sky each evening, and you will notice that it begins to look slightly lopsided. As each night progresses, the right side of the moon looks a bit more pared down. Work during this lunar phase to push away unwanted energies and to remove negative situations. Now is when you cast herbal spells for “decrease” and to banish. (As the moon shrinks, so does the problem.) Use this phase to drive out illness or fatigue or to banish dread or fear. This is also a great time to cleanse and to send negativity out of your life and your home.

Dark of the Moon

Technically, this phase occurs during the last two days of the fourth lunar phase and on the actual day of the new moon. These are the days when the moon is not visible in the night sky. I have read in various books over the years that this is supposedly a “dangerous” lunar phase and that you should not cast any spells or perform any magics during this time. I strongly disagree. Who started this nonsense anyway?

The moon is an enchanting symbol for the Goddess in all her aspects: the Maiden for the increasing crescent, the Mother for the full moon, and the Crone for the waning moon. Yes, it is true that working in the dark of the moon requires planning and wisdom on your part. But if you carefully plot out your magics and work with good judgment, you can achieve wondrous results. This phase is the best time to work to remove very negative situations. I have had phenomenal success working in the dark of the moon with protection magic. You can work at this time to keep prowlers away, to remove ghosts, to protect your property, and even to banish stalkers.

Moon Goddesses and Lunar Herbs

If you’d like to connect to the power of the moon goddesses while working your herb magic during the various moon phases, take a look at this classic trinity of Greco-Roman lunar goddesses and some of their associated plants.

Artemis

Artemis is a Maiden who is often referred to as a virgin; this term denotes that she belonged to herself. It was rumored that Artemis had lovers both male and female, but according to mythology, her lovers usually met with a sad end. Artemis and her Roman counterpart, Diana, are associated with the waxing crescent moon. This divine huntress is called on to assist in childbirth, to protect women from violence, for courage, and for daring to be yourself and walking your own path. She is associated with the following lunar herbs: daisy, date palm, myrtle, and mugwort. Mugwort’s botanical name is Artemisia—isn’t that interesting? Artemis is also associated with the herbal trees hazel, willow, and cypress.

Selene

Selene, also called Luna in the Roman pantheon, is the Mother aspect and goddess of the full moon. This divine enchantress is invoked for any type of affirmative magic, as she is extremely fond of magic users and Witches in general. Selene is known for her quick, subtle, and commonsense magical assistance. She is associated with these lunar herbs: a white fully open rose, bluebells, and honesty. The botanical name for honesty is Lunaria, another nifty name tie-in. Selene is also associated with the night-blooming jasmine vine and the moonflower vine. Please note that the moonflower vine, while a lovely night-blooming plant, is mildly toxic and should be kept out of reach of children.

Hecate

Hecate, the Crone, is a Greco-Roman goddess and a guardian and patron of Witches. She is wise and all-seeing. Hecate is a triple goddess, and has three faces. Just to keep things interesting, she may appear as a lovely young woman, an attractive matron, or a wise, silver-haired old Crone. Call on Hecate for wisdom, knowledge, and protection. Hecate is associated with these herbs: mint, cyclamen, dandelion, and garlic. She is also associated with the oak and willow trees, as well as many poisonous herbal plants, such as aconite (also known as wolfsbane), belladonna, hemlock, and mandrake.

These last four herbs are noted for interest only. All are very poisonous. Sometimes you will see poisonous herbs listed as being “baneful,” an old term that means basically “herbs that will cause death.” So think about it before you go and hunt down some of those old plants because you think it sounds cool to have them sitting around. They do not add to the atmosphere. You’re not going to impress anyone because you have toxic plants in the cabinet. While it sounds very mysterious to work with old and gothic poisonous herbs, it’s safest to leave toxic herbs alone when you are working herb magic. There are plenty of other safer and easy-to-acquire herbal materials available to you.

Herb Magic Terms You Should Know

The chief merit of language is clearness,
and we know that nothing detracts so much from this
as do unfamiliar terms.

—Galen

As you begin to study herbal plants, don’t let yourself be thrown by the technical jargon. Let’s go over some of the terms and lingo you may encounter while studying herbs and herb magic. This may prevent you from making a mistake. If nothing else, think about how much smarter you’ll feel the next time you thumb through any type of magical book featuring magical plants, trees, and herbs. Plus, the plant terminology does come in handy when you go to a nursery or garden center.

Amulet

A type of herbal charm, ornament, or jewel that aids and protects its wearer.

Annual

A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season.

Baneful (Herb)

A toxic herb. A poisonous herb that causes death if ingested.

Biennial

A plant that grows vegetatively the first year and then is fruiting or dormant the second year. Foxglove, hollyhocks, mullein, and Queen Anne’s lace are prime examples.

Chaplet

A wreath or garland of flowers and herbal foliage worn on the head. These chaplets traditionally symbolized victory or joy. They are popular adornments for Olympic athletes and, of course, brides. Today, they may be employed during ceremonies and special rituals, dedications, initiations, or handfastings, or at sabbat celebrations.

Charm

A rhyming series of words (a simple spell) used for a specific magical purpose.

Charm Bag

Similar to a sachet, a charm bag is a small cloth bag filled with aromatic herbs, charged crystals, and other magical ingredients. Charm bags may be carried for any magical purpose: health, safe travel, protection, to increase your confidence, and so on.

Cold Hardiness Zone

The cold hardiness zone is designed to help gardeners predict where a particular plant will thrive in a specific area. Th plant hardiness zone map divides the United States and Canada into eleven zones, and is based on the average minimum winter temperature of an area.

Cultivar

A cultivar is a variant of a plant that has particular characteristics, such as leaf or flower variation. This new variant is developed and maintained under cultivation. The name of the cultivar is printed in roman type, within single quotation marks, and is capitalized. An example is this popular and hearty variety of lavender: Lavandula x angustifiolia ‘Munstead.’ Munstead is the name of the cultivar.

Cunning Man

An old term, traditionally meaning a male practitioner of magic and natural or holistic healing.

Deciduous

Trees, plants, and shrubs that shed their foliage in the fall and become dormant in the winter months.

Enchant

The classic definition is to “sing to.” To enchant something means that you load or charge the object with your personal power and positive intentions.

Flower Fascination

“Fascination” is the art of directing another’s consciousness or will toward you; to command or bewitch. Flower fascinations are elementary flower spells and floral charms used for various magical purposes.

Garden Witch

A practical, down-to-earth type of practitioner. A Witch who is well versed in herbal knowledge and its uses, and is a magical gardener.

Genus

A genus contains one species or several related species. The name appears in italic type and is designated by a Latin, capitalized singular noun, such as the genus for yarrow: Achillea.

Herbaceous Perennial

A plant that is nonwoody, and whose aboveground parts usually die back to the ground each winter. These plants survive by means of their vigorous root systems.

Herbalism

The use of herbs in conjunction with magic to bring about positive change.

Hybrid

A hybrid plant is created when two dissimilar plant species are crossed. Hybridized roses usually spring to mind, but mints, echinacea, columbine, and other herbs such as yarrow may be hybrids too. A hybrid is indicated by a multiplication sign, e.g., Achillea x lewisii. The specific cultivar name of this variety of blooming yarrow plant is ‘King Edward.’

Perennial

A perennial plant is one that lives for three or more years.

Pocket Charm

A pocket charm is a tiny charm bag or herbal amulet that you can carry in your pocket while you are on the go.

Posy

An old term for a small, hand-held bouquet. Also known as a tussie-mussie or nosegay.

Sachet

A small cloth bag filled with aromatic herbs and spices.

Simple

A simple is a basic element; a charm or spell that features only one ingredient, such as an enchanted herb.

Simpling

The art of simpling consists of working with one select magical herb or flower. These spells and charms are quick and, well, simple.

Strewing Herbs

In medieval times, folks used to toss rushes and sweet-smelling herbs on the floors of their homes. This disguised bad smells and helped keep fleas and insects at bay. Some popular strewing herbs were meadowsweet, basil, lavender, and fennel. These aromatic herbs were “strewn” on the floor and thus came to be known as strewing herbs.

Tender perennial

A tender perennial is a plant that, while listed as a “perennial,” will not likely survive the winter season unless steps are taken to protect it from the cold. Many varieties of basil, rosemary, and lavender are tender perennials.

Wisewomen

The first Witches and the custodians of the old herbal knowledge of benevolent spells and charms.

Wort Cunning

Herb craft. Wort is an old word for “herb.”

Tools of the Trade

Every tool carries with it the spirit by which it has been created.

—Werner Karl Heisenberg

All lines of work have their own buzz words and special tools of the trade. Herb magic is no different. Now, while I’m not big on telling folks that they must have certain special accessories and doodads, there are a few things that come in handy when working herbal enchantments. If you don’t have the following tools, don’t run around in a panic. Take your time and enjoy hunting for them. If you can’t find a mortar and pestle at ye old magic shop, then try a specialty spice shop or kitchen store.

You may already have a few of these accessories, like the scissors, which work well for snipping off herbal foliage. Actually, I usually use my garden scissors or pruning shears when I gather herbal materials. That way I get a good, clean cut. As for the fabric, check clearance tables at arts and crafts stores for sale pieces of plain, unbleached muslin or even celestial prints. Watch for spools of satin ribbon to go on sale. You can probably snag several for just a few dollars, and then you’ll have some on hand for charm bags and herbal sachets. Also, there are really easy and inexpensive ways of creating a drying rack. So no worries—be creative. Look around and see what you have at home that you can work with.

Sickle

A sickle is a small hand-held knife with a blade shaped like a curving crescent. The shape of the blade mimics the moon and makes it a sacred tool for gathering herbs. If you have small hands, a sickle may be difficult to work with, so take your time and find a blade that feels comfortable to you.

Scissors

I have a sickle, but I prefer to use scissors. My gardens are large, and the chances of being outdoors during the day without a neighbor popping over to say hello are slim. It’s hard to be discreet with a sickle, especially since mine has purple cords and beads hanging from it, so my garden scissors work out well.

Gathering Basket

A shallow and wide, flat-bottomed basket is ideal, but in a pinch, any type of wicker or wooden basket will do. I like a basket with a handle long enough that I can easily tuck my arm through it. That way my hands are free. With this style of basket, you can easily carry your shears, scissors, or sickle and still have rooms for herbal material.

Mortar and Pestle