Magickal Uses For Herbs
By Dr. Charlotte Pipes
It is April and the season of Spring is upon us! Everywhere we look we see new growth and possibilities, both in our homes and in our lives. Just like the vegetation surging forth all around us, we seek to grow personally and professionally. We are in luck! Spring is also the season when herb plants begin their surge of growth. Using these burgeoning herbs in magickal work that seeks growth is both timely and synchronous with the natural world.
Historically, there are three basic categories for the use of herbs:
Nutrition/culinary uses
Healing/medicinal uses
Spell work /shamanic experiences
The use of herbs by mankind is apparent in widely diverse cultures. Early man was nomadic and in his foraging he discovered many edible plants, herbs among them. By trial and error he acquainted himself with the different properties of each plant. Many archeologists have uncovered proof of the early medicinal use of herbs. One famous example is the “Ice Man” discovered in the Alps. Soon after his death, he was frozen in a glacier, and thus preserved. He died approximately 3300 BC and he carried in his shoulder bag several pieces of birch fungus. This fungus is known to possess antibacterial properties.
Along with medicinal uses, we believe that ancient shamans ingested various herbs to induce an altered state of consciousness. They entered into these altered states in order to commune with the spirit world. Some modern shamans still practice this tradition.
Some popular modern uses in practice today are:
Smudging for purification – sage
Aromatherapy – lavender, sweet margoram
Medicinal use/healing – mixed into teas to drink as nutritional supplement
(ginkgo biloba) or salves/ointments (aloe vera or eucalyptus)
Because herbal traditions are so old, every culture on earth has its own categories and magickal correspondences. Some of the more popular pairings are:
Basil – Love
Bay – Protection, Psychic Powers
Chamomile – Calming, sleep
Eucalyptus – Healing
Lavender – Love, sleep, happiness, peace
Lemon Balm – Relief, rejuvenation
Licorice – Love, fidelity
Marjoram – Love
Mint – Money
Parsley – Protection, purification
Peppermint – Healing, prosperity
Pennyroyal – Strength, protection
Rosemary – Protection, love, healing
Sage – Purification, wisdom, long life
Spearmint – Healing, prosperity
Thyme – Health, healing, purification
You can purchase small potted herbs at most plant nurseries during this season. You can also find them at hardware stores and produce markets. Decide what type of spell work you will be performing and make a list of the plants you will need. When you purchase them, you can decide whether you will keep them growing in pots or plant them in the soil of your garden. They are not difficult to cultivate. They are far less hybridized than most modern crops and ornamental plants. They are closer genetically to their original wild state. So you will find that they require less maintenance on your part than your other plants. Keep in mind that they will probably only last one season, so plan ahead to harvest them while they are still healthy and vibrant. Living in the Deep South, my plants usually start to wilt and weaken in late July, so I plan ahead to harvest them before that time.
If you have ever wanted to contact the nature spirits of your garden, use your herbs as focal points for initiating that rapport. Whenever you introduce a new herb into your garden or whenever one of your plants is ailing, ask the elementals in your garden for advice. The simplest way to contact them is by using a pendulum. Ask questions that only require a “yes” or “no” answer. If you are planting a new herb, ask your elementals where to place it. Locate the four directions in your garden—north, south, east and west. Then ask, “Should I plant this herb in the north part of the garden?” Ask about the other directions until you get a “yes” response. Then ask exactly where in that direction would be best; next to your sage plant? Or next to your lavender, perhaps?
If you have a plant that seems to be ailing ask the elementals about it. Keep to questions that only require a “yes” or “no” response. Ask them, “Is this plant getting too much sunlight? Not enough sunlight? Too much moisture? Not enough moisture?” Go slowly and methodically. Wait for an answer each time.
I advocate growing your own herbs because using your own herbs in spell work usually makes your magick more successful. Why? Because the herb will be influenced by three energies: the energy of the elemental who fostered it, the energy of Mother Earth who created it, and YOUR energy as you nurtured it. The herb plant will have part of you in it. It follows that when you call upon the herb in magickal work that it will respond more readily to you. It will recognize your energy.
Growing your own herbs also gives you a deeper connection to the changing energies of the Earth. It strengthens your awareness of the cycle of the seasons. Even if you are new to performing spell work with herbs, give it a try. You will be honoring an ancient tradition. And you just may find a new and inspiring addition to your magick.
Blessed Be.
Recommended Reading:
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Llewellyn Publications, 1985.
Gilbertie, Sal and Maggie Oster. Growing Herbs in Containers. Excerpted from “The Herbal Palate Cookbook.” Storey Publishing, LLC., 1998.
Hill, Madalene, Gwen Barclay, with Jean Hardy. Southern Herb Growing. Shearer Publishing, 1997.
Morrison, Dorothy. Bud, Blossom, & Leaf: the Magical Herb Gardener’s Handbook. Llewellyn Publications, 2001.
Wright, Machaelle Small. Perelandra Garden Workbook, 2nd Ed. A Complete Guide to Gardening with Nature Intelligences. Perelandra, LTD., 1993.
-------------------------------------------------
If you like this article, you will like others like it - you can subscribe to the PSH Leaning Times Newsletter for FREE: Subscribe
------------------------------------------------
To e-mail: Charlotte@psychicschoolhouse.com or see Charlotte's Web site at: Charlotte's Web site
---------------------------------------------------------------
Return to: Library