Wicca Herbal Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Practicing Wiccan Herbal Magic, with Simple Herb Spells By Lisa Chamberlain Wicca Herbal Magic—Copyright © 2015 by L. Chamberlain. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the author. Reviewers may quote brief passages in reviews. Disclaimer No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, or transmitted by email without permission in writing from the publisher. While all attempts have been made to verify the information provided in this publication, neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretations of the subject matter herein. This book is for entertainment purposes only. The views expressed are those of the author alone, and should not be taken as expert instruction or commands. The reader is responsible for his or her own actions. Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, including international, federal, state, and local governing professional licensing, business practices, advertising, and all other aspects of doing business in the US, Canada, or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the purchaser or reader. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes any responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of the purchaser or reader of these materials. Any perceived slight of any individual or organization is purely unintentional. Your FREE Gift As a way of showing my appreciation for downloading my book, I’m giving away an exclusive, free eBook to my readers—Wicca: Little Book of Wiccan Spells. The book is ideal for any Wiccans who want to start practicing magic. It contains a collection of ten spells that I have deemed suitable for beginners. You can download it by clicking here. I hope you enjoy it. www.wiccaliving.com/bonus TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION SECTION ONE: THE ANCIENT ART OF HERBALISM An Introduction to Herbalism Magic and Medicine Shamanism and the Early Herbal Pioneers The Many Meanings of “Herb” Herbs in Practice The Magical Power of Plants The Power of Correspondence Intelligent Life on Earth Next Steps SECTION TWO: GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH HERBS Where to Start Thirteen Magical Herbs Basil Bay Laurel Chamomile Cinnamon Dandelion Elecampane Hibiscus Lavender Mugwort Nutmeg Rosemary Sage Thyme Practical and Magical Tips for Working with Herbs Purchasing Herbs Creating Your Own Magical Garden Astrology and the Elements in Gardening Gathering in the Wild Magical Harvesting Drying and Storing Herbs Charging Herbs for Magical Use Are You Ready for Some Magic? SECTION THREE: AN HERBAL GRIMOIRE Getting Started with Herbal Magic Magical Teas Magical Evening Tea Divination Tea Lucky Prosperity Tea Magical Baths Clear Channel Psychic Bath Good Vibrations Bath Herb and Candle Spell Healing Love Spell Money Attraction Spell Magical Creations Magical Oils Prosperity Oil Love Attraction Oil Luck Charm Sachet Prophetic Dream Pillow Smudging Rituals Clearing Unwanted Energy Preparing for Magical Work A Blessing for Magical Gardens Enhancing Communications with Plant Spirits CONCLUSION Tables of Correspondence Sample Tables of Correspondence: Herbs Sample Tables of Correspondence: Essential Oils Sample Tables of Correspondence: Incense Suggestions for Further Reading Did You Enjoy Wicca Herbal Magic? Other Guides by Lisa Chamberlain FREE Gift Reminder INTRODUCTION To those who are starting out on their path in the Craft, the word “magic” may bring to mind images of robed figures working with wands, athames, pentacles, candles, and other man-made objects in highly ritualized ways. This is not at all an inaccurate vision. Many forms of Wicca and other Witchcraft focus heavily on these tools, and most involve a ritual structure inspired, at least to some degree, by occult societies such as the Ordo Templi Orientis and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. The symbolism inherent in these tools of the Craft contributes to their power in helping the Witch to bring about desired results. And the intentional energy that goes into making magical tools can also be a great “boost” of power in this regard. However, magic in contemporary Witchcraft has another source of influence that many would argue is of equal importance: the use of nature-made tools, in the form of water, wind, earth, stone, fire, fur, feathers, etc. In fact, drawing on the power of the natural environment to manifest one’s desires into being is a tradition much older than any known form of Wicca or other Witchcraft—older than the Western Mystery Tradition altogether. And of course, the greatest and most diverse source of naturally occurring magical tools is the plant kingdom. Whether we’re talking about trees, shrubs, creepers, vines, flowers, grasses, evergreens, succulents, annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables, or just plain “weeds,” the world of plant life holds limitless possibilities for any Witch willing to learn its secrets. Herbal magic is a wonderful form of magic to practice, as it keeps Witches literally in touch with the powers of the Earth—not to mention the Sun, the rain, and the wind, as well as the role played by insects and other animal life in sustaining the cycle of life and death in all of its forms. The inherent magical power of herbs comes directly from the source of all creation and has the potential to transform lives on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Indeed, while the seeds, roots, stems, leaves, or flowers of a common plant may seem small or ordinary (or perhaps even strange) to the novice, the study and patient practice of herbal magic can prove to be the most rewarding form of the Craft a Witch can discover. This guide provides an overview of the use of herbs in contemporary Witchcraft. First, you’ll get a brief orientation to the history of the human relationship with the magic of the plant kingdom, as well as a basic understanding of how these silent but powerful beings are able to aid us. You’ll also meet 13 delightful herbs commonly used in magic, and gain practical advice for obtaining and properly caring for herbs in a way that maximizes their magical potential. Finally, you’ll find several spells and other magical workings for you to try as you begin to cultivate a rewarding practice of your own. Enjoy the journey, and Blessed Be! SECTION ONE: THE ANCIENT ART OF HERBALISM An Introduction to Herbalism It all begins with a tiny seed, hidden under the soil, invisible and silent. In due time, the first delicate green shoots emerge, growing taller and stronger as the hours and days go by. Soon enough, leaves and stems are taking their shape and drinking in the light they need to survive. Under the soil, the roots are also expanding, with the help of the water that moistens their dark surroundings. As the plant grows and flourishes, it produces buds, blossoms, fruits, and more seeds, in order to start the process all over again. Depending on its type and what it experiences, it may live only for a season, or for thousands of years. But no matter what form it eventually takes, it was once simply a seed. You don’t have to be a Witch to witness this kind of magic. Anyone who has ever done any kind of gardening has experienced it in one form or another— with the possible exception of those who didn’t meet with success at first and decided they don’t have “the green thumb.” Herbalists, botanists, master gardeners and farmers are of course intimately familiar with plant life. But it could be argued that Witches have an extra degree of appreciation for the processes that create and sustain plant life (and therefore all life), as they know that plants have even more power than non- Witches—even the experts—are able to comprehend. There has been a resurgence of interest in herbal knowledge in many healing fields over the last several decades. But since the beginning of human history, we have been making use of these gifts of the Earth. In fact, there is anthropological evidence that herbs were being used for deliberate purposes as long as 50,000 years ago. Around the globe, all ancient societies had their own working relationships with herbs. We see this, for example, in clay tablets from the Sumerians, which listed hundreds of plants with medicinal properties. The oldest known book on herbal medicine was written by a Chinese emperor over 5,000 years ago, and is believed to be based on even older oral traditions. The ancient Greeks and Romans also had extensive knowledge of herbs, which was spread throughout parts of Europe as the Roman Empire expanded, and was still being used in medical texts 1500 years later. The ancient Druids—the healers and magical practitioners of the Celts—were also well-versed in the use of many herbs. Magic and Medicine The healers, shamans, and other medicine men and women of the “old days” understood that herbs are useful for more than just nutrition and physical cures. While they may not have been called “Witches” in their day, they certainly made use of the magical properties of herbs as part of their practice. In fact, physical healing was often accompanied by ritual and prayer, so that a “patient” might be treated with an herbal decoction (or tea) as well as a smudging ritual and an incantation to the spirits for a speedy recovery. One or more herbs would be involved in the physical remedy as well as the smudging ritual, and the treatment might also involve an additional herbal offering to the spirits. Actually, compared to the entire history of humankind, the separation of “medicine” and “magic” is a relatively new development—only a few centuries separate us from the long traditions of the two being intertwined. As modern medicine developed, along with other branches of science and the general shift into a more “rational,” evidence-based view of the world in the West, cultures let go of their understanding of magic, and instead began to call it “superstition.” (And this word is now used to describe the remaining traces of older traditions around herbs—such as kissing under the mistletoe and the use of Christmas wreaths.) Sadly, even the use of herbal remedies on a strictly physical basis largely faded from Western society, as allopathic medicine, with its scientifically- proven methods, came to dominate the way we address health. And even as we seem to be catching back up to ourselves in this regard over the past few decades, mainstream society views herbal cures for anything with a lot of skepticism. Yet traditional healing systems in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania continue to employ herbs in both medicine and magic—“magic” being defined as any phenomena that science cannot explain—in a seamless interweaving manner, recognizing no real separation between the physical plane and the spiritual plane. This can be seen today in the practices of the curanderas of Central and South America, who view all illnesses as energies that affect the mind, body, and spirit, and use a variety of methods, including herbs, candles, and divination tools in their approach to healing. Likewise, hoodoo and other “mountain medicine” practitioners in the Southeastern United States employ herbal prescriptions as well as candle spells and working with spirits as ways of supporting the healing of their clients. These practitioners tend to work in tandem with conventional medicine, rather than attempting to replace it, but their clients consider the spiritual, or “magical” component to be every bit as important as whatever remedies their regular doctors provide. And in recent years, we’ve seen a rise in the West of Aryuvedic and Chinese medicine systems, which address the spiritual level in terms of the invisible energy systems of chakras and the flow of chi. Neither of these concepts have any parallels in conventional medicine, but as healing modalities they are increasingly gaining mainstream respect, even by allopathic doctors. Because magic and healing are truly intertwined in the traditions that eventually led to modern Witchcraft, this guide does cover information about physical healing to some degree. In fact, both the magical and the medicinal properties of herbs may be drawn upon during spellwork. However, it’s important to note here that contemporary herbal magic in Wicca and other Witchcraft is not at all the same thing as modern medical herbal healing, and should not be confused as such. While it’s safe enough to use some magical herbs in certain simple remedies for physical ailments, such as drinking nettle tea to help speed recovery from a common cold, herbs are complex substances that require specialized knowledge to be used safely and effectively for most medical issues— especially serious ones. The information in this guide is not meant to be taken as medical advice, and anyone with serious conditions or taking regular medications should certainly do their due diligence in researching possible complications or drug interactions before ingesting any herbs. (Sadly, few allopathic doctors have much knowledge about herbal medicine, but it doesn’t hurt to ask your physician if you’re unsure after seeking answers elsewhere.)