Herb Magick 101

I am frequently asked, "Do I have to be a witch to use magick?" The answer is, no, definitely not.

Magick is a tool to anyone can use to cause change. Everyone has the power to change something they don't like about themselves.

If you identify well with plants, or you are an "earth witch" (meaning your astrological sign is Taurus, Capricorn, or Virgo) Herb Magick will work well for you.

A printed version of this material is available upon request.

Herb magick is earth magick. Spells using herbs should be used when long-lasting effects are the desired outcome. If you need a better permanent job, then herb magick is a good choice. If you need a change in your life to occur right away, you're probably better off using a candle spell or a spell utilizing the wind.

This class is an introduction to herb magick. It is tailored to those who have little or no experience with herb magick. The class is designed for individuals with a basic working knowledge of magickal principles. Anyone may effectively use herb magick.

Herb magick and medicine was my principle study for ten years. The class was constructed using several texts (a list is provided at the end) and the Lionflower Book of Shadows.

Why are herbs used? Herbs are used in magick for their vibrations or essence. What does "essence" mean? Herbs, like people, have gender, are ruled by a planet, an element, and sometimes, are sacred to a certain deity. You can find an herb that has an essence in line with something you need.

Harvesting herbs for magickal use. In herb magick, quality counts more than quantity, so choose or harvest your herbs carefully and in an appropriate manner. Many people who harvest their own herbs for magickal purposes use a special cutting knife called a boleen. Others use a special pair of shears reserved for the purpose of cutting their herbs.

Roots should be harvested during the waning moon, whereas foliage (when used for positive magick) should be cut during the waxing or full moon. Depending upon the complexity of the spell, you can cut your herbs upon the appropriate day of the week (an herb ruled by the Sun would be cut on Sunday), and some people go so far as to cut their herbs at the appropriate hour, when the herb's planet is in the moon's house. This may sound very complicated and intricate, but it's not necessary to delve into so much detail when you are starting out.

Other ways to find herbs. If you don't have the luxury of having a garden, or just lack the desire to put in the hard work, herbs that are bought in bulk from your local health food store can be very effective. There are also mail-order sources for some of the hard-to-get herbs. I personally don't recommend that you use herbs bought from the local supermarket in those fancy little jars - you never know what you're going to get. In a crunch, however, they might do. Another useful form of herb to use in magick is essential oils. The oils of herbs are very strong and pure and little is needed to attain the desired affect.

Many witches have lists of tried-and-true herbs. There are several opinions concerning the "must haves" and nobody can really agree on what is mandatory. The key is: Use whatever works best for you. Everything you need to get started in herbal magick is probably sitting in your back yard (or your kitchen) right now. Let's discuss some of these wonderfully magickal culinary herbs.

Sage is a staple in herbal magick. It is commonly used by magicians as a "smudge", which means it cleanses and purifies, or, more practically, keeps bugs away. Wiccans and other magicians use Sage to cense the sacred space, or circle. Though it is commonly used as incense, it is also widely used in baths, especially the purification bath taken before working magick.

Rosemary The vibrations of this herb lend themselves well to healing magick. It's magickal properties of protection and love makes it a suitable substitute for Frankincense.

Garlic is an herb that is sacred to Hecate. This protective and healing herb can be used in a variety of ways, especially when combining culinary magick with healing herb magick.

Basil Every good Kitchen Witch has Basil within her/his grasp. It's wonderful for tomato dishes, sure, but what about it's magickal aspects? You may be surprised at its diversity. Basil is associated with the element Fire. Primarily, it is used in love and/or protection spells. In a crunch, basil can be used for health spells.

If you intend to pursue herb magick, I recommend that you go out and buy a good reference book that states the magickal properties of herbs. It will include references for these "regular-everyday" herbs as well as some of the hard to find varieties. (See the section on recommended texts.) Let's look at some of the other varieties of herbs, now.

Frankincense This has to be one of the most popular herbs for cleansing and protection. Burned as incense, it has an uplifting affect on the spirit, and all negativity in the area is banished.

Myrrh is usually burned with frankincense. It acts as an amplifier to the effects of the frankincense. However, it has cleansing properties all it's own.

Dragon's Blood is another of my basic essential herbs. On it's own it is effective in love magick (and to bring back one's potency). It is also quite good as an amplifier for dominant herbs in your spells.

Mugwort This plant has several uses. It is infused (made into a tea) and used to wash magickal tools. It can also be used to heighten psychic abilities, or bring visions. Experiment with this herb and learn its many uses for yourself.

Great, we have a list of all kinds of cool herbs. Now what are we going to do with them? Well, let's start with the culinary herbs.

Culinary Herb Magick Let's say I've had a particularly difficult day at work. I'm filled with all kinds of negative energy and it's bringing me down. Since I'm too tired to cook dinner and perform a spell to get rid of my negativity, I'll combine the two activities. As the chicken is thawing out in the microwave, I go to the herb closet and pick out rosemary and sage.

Remember, rosemary is for healing, and sage eliminates negativity (is cleansing). I use the remainder of the time the chicken is thawing to concentrate my need into my herbs (the release of negativity), say a prayer to my deity, and set them aside somewhere clean until they're ready to add to my chicken dish.

When the chicken dish is cooked and I sit down to eat, I visualize, with every bite, the negativity leaving my body as the cleansing herbs enter it. This is a very simple form of herb magick. It is also very effective.

Herbs as Charged Incense Another way to use herbs in magick is as a charged incense. By focusing your need into herbs and then smoldering the herbs on charcoal, you are releasing the energy as well as tuning with the vibrations of the herbs to work a spell.

For example, as a simple hex breaking spell (or to get rid of a rut of ill fortune), hold some rosemary in your hand and visualize white or blue light surrounding it, then permeating it, until the rosemary becomes one with the light. Remember, rosemary is for purification. Set the charged herb on a burning charcoal and as you do chant something appropriate, or pray.

Your need combined with the (cleansing) vibrations of the herb are sent as the charged herb is burning. The energy is being released to the universe, and your need will be heard.

Other Ways to Use Herbs in Magick There are many other uses for herbs in magick. You can use your essential oils to dress candles for candle magick, and therefore are combining both candle and herb magick. (Keep in mind that you are mixing fire and earth magick, so that would mean long-lasting results happening as soon as possible.)

You can stuff sachets or poppets with appropriate herbs for a small charm. If you use Faerie magick, essential oil mixed with a carrier oil can make an appealing scent for a focal point for your spells.

It's not the amount of herbs you use, but the quality. Pure herbs cut for specific purposes are best because their vibrations are what is used in herbal magick. Some herbs, like garlic, have a specific deity they tune to. Herbs in spells can be used individually, or in a group as amplifiers, carriers, or the main herb. Let's look now at how an herbal spell is structured.

Many workers of magick use the essence information of the herb to achieve peak effectiveness in spells. Just as you would never burn incense in your chalice, you would not use aloe (planet: moon, element: water) as a primary plant to raise your passion. You would probably choose Dragon's Blood (planet: Mars, element: fire) as your primary herb for a passion spell, especially if you are male. As in all magick, you should align your spell to the days of the week and the phases of the moon.

(NOTE: Raising someone's passion without their knowledge or consent goes against the basic law of folk magick: Harm none. You should NEVER use your magick to interfere with the free will of another being.)

Three Fold Herb Spell To make a really interesting and successful culinary dish you would probably use more than one ingredient. The same goes for herb magick. Many herbs compliment each other magickally. They may act as accelerators or amplifiers to the primary herb. Let's look into this in depth.

Above we mentioned using Dragon's Blood in a spell to increase passion. Alone, this would probably do quite well, but to drive the spell home and to obtain the focus I desire, I would add cinnamon.

Cinnamon (planet: Sun, element: fire) acts as an amplifier to many herbal spells. It has the element Fire in common with Dragon's Blood, but adds the power of the Sun to the spell. Cinnamon, alone, has characteristics of an aphrodisiac and therefore compliments the main herb.

Just two herbs in a spell are awkward (unless you are doing a spell for balance) so I would probably add ginger (planet: Sun, element, Fire). Ginger is primarily used for love, but since this is a carrier herb, I would be focusing upon it's success characteristics, and charge it with that intent.

Putting it All Together The spell consists of the following steps, each to be performed one after the other and in order:

Layered Herb Spell A layered spell is a spell within a spell (I recommend gaining some experience with performing spells before attempting this one). Visualize an onion, and you get the basic idea of how a layered spell works.

The Center I made a charm for a sister of mine to help her get through a difficult time at work. For this spell, I started off with a stick of cinnamon. My intent for this stick of cinnamon was one of power. I wanted it to be like a capacitor: to lend a burst of energy to this person when she needed it most. I raised a significant amount of energy and sent it all into this stick of cinnamon. I put it carefully aside upon my pentacle (a "cleansed" dish or cloth will do). Then I began formulating the rest of the spell.

The Calm My sister needed a sense of calm at work to help her deal effectively and successfully with conflict. I wove a spell that included:
chamomile (planet: Sun, element: water, vibes: money, sleep, relaxation)
lavender (planet: Mercury, element: air, vibes: happiness, peace)

The Intuition Finally, I added an element that would increase her intuition so she could stay out of trouble and solve problems clearly. I charged up a bit of lemon grass (planet: Mercury, element: air, vibes: psychic powers) with this intent.

How These Spells Worked Together My intent was to help her calmly overcome any obstacles at work (chamomile and lavender), increase her intuition which aids in problem solving (lemon grass), and give her that extra boost of energy to get through the difficult times (cinnamon). Each herb was charged for a different purpose. I charged each separately and added them one by one and sewed them into a blue satin sachet (for healing, and healing runes embroidered upon the face) with the cinnamon stick in the center of all. To finish the spell, I visualized her happy success at work, raised energy, and sent that magickal energy into the finished product.

Herb magick is not only fun, but it is also diverse. It is easily incorporated into every day life. Herbal spells can be simple as you need, or complex as you desire. Experimentation is the key here. Do your research, have fun with it. Magick is all around. Herbs are just one more tool of initiating the process of change.

* There are hundreds of texts out there on herbs and herbal medicine and magick. Find one that is best suited to your style and inclinations.

There are many many more suppliers out there. The back of any herbal reference book will have a list. These will get you started at least.