Herb Magic for Beginners (12 page)

Add the tag line from chapter 1 to close the spell:

For the good of all, with harm to none.
By herb magic this spell is done.

Birch

The white birch tree (Betula alba) corresponds to the planet Venus and the element of water. This tree is called the Lady tree and is the female counterpart to the masculine oak. This tree also has been associated with the Norse god Thor. Today, birch leaves may be worked into any charm bag or enchantment for security and safety.

The white birch has many links to magic. Birch is a traditional wood for a ceremonial besom (broom), as it is protective and repels negativity. The tall trunk of the birch tree is often used to create a May pole, and is also a popular wood, due to its white papery bark, for creating a Yule log. Wearing a sprig of birch leaves on Beltane or Midsummer’s Night will grant you visions of the faeries.

Branches of the birch tree were often hung over doorways to the home to protect the occupants and to prevent misfortune from entering. Birch branches were thought to ward the home, repel ghosts, and protect from the evil eye and from lightning strikes. Sometimes bundles of birch branches were arranged at the four corners of a person’s property, bound together with strips of red cloth, for the same reasons.

Tie a Red Ribbon ’Round the Old Birch Tree

You may tie a red ribbon on a birch tree branch and make a request for protection to the god Thor. Thor is a good choice for working spells to boost your own magical shields and for enchantments that require you to have courage. This spell may be cast during any moon phase, but for best results, definitely work this herb magic on a Thursday, the day of the week named after this protective and powerful Norse god.

To begin, find a nice, healthy birch tree, and choose a six-inch length of red satin ribbon. Tie the ribbon loosely onto a low branch, and repeat the following charm:

The birch tree is sacred to the god Thor,
Protect me now, keep bad luck from my door.
Tie this red ribbon on, and the spell is begun,
As I will so mote it be, an let it harm none.

Whisper your thanks to the birch tree and to Thor, in your own words. Leave the ribbon, and turn and walk confidently home.

Garden Witchery: From Garden to Cauldron

My garden is run wild!
Where shall I plant anew—
For my bed, that once was covered with thyme,
Is all overrun with rue?

—Mrs. Fleetwood Habergham

Rue

Perennial rue (Ruta graveolens) has the planetary correspondence of Mars and is linked to the element of fire. Rue gets its name from the Latin word ruta, which means “bitterness” or “unpleasantness.” On the other hand, the folk name for rue is the “herb of grace.” This name came from the custom of sprinkling holy water from small branches of rue before religious services. Deity associations include Diana and her daughter, Aradia. Rue is a popular and frequently used herb in Italian Witchcraft, or Stregheria. In medieval times, rue was also one of the more potent disinfecting, strewing herbs.

In the garden, you will need to keep rue clipped back to a neat shape, and care should be taken if you have small children. Rue is toxic and an abortifacient. It may also cause contact dermatitis (a rash) if you have sensitive skin and brush up against the foliage. Use gardening gloves when you go to gather a stem or two, as the leaves are covered in oil glands. The scent is strong and bracing.

In herb magic, the rue plant breaks any hex, evil eye, curse, or manipulative magic. It’s a protective plant, and when grown in the garden, it transforms the entire yard into a magical sanctuary. If you gather a little bundle and hang it indoors, it will ward the entire house. A fresh branch of rue was often used to sprinkle blessed water around a person or place to remove negativity and to perform a cleansing. This gorgeous blue-green plant grows into a miniature shrub in the sunny herb garden. Monarch caterpillars adore munching on it, and you will be rewarded with butterflies that enjoy the bright yellow blossoms. I grow rue in my herb gardens and enjoy its structure, color, and blossoms in the summertime.

Rue and Lavender Ritual for Transformation

In the opening of this chapter, I mentioned a clever Witch I know who transforms negative energy and situations and then puts that energy to positive use. Well, here is a ritual with an herb-magic spin on that idea.

In my mind, the difference between a charm, a spell, and a ritual is the length of time it takes you to perform them. A charm is quick, a spoken verse with few props. A spell is more involved and incorporates several items, such as candles, crystals, herbs, and color magic. A ritual is even more involved, and may require magic that needs to be performed over several days’ time, plus the use of meticulous astrological timing. The magic itself simply takes longer to perform.

This herb magic falls into the “ritual” category. The ritual has several parts and takes seven days to complete. Any day of the week or moon phase may be used for this spell. Remember, what you are doing with this spell is manipulating negative energy and then transforming it into something positive. This requires visualization skills and a firm belief in yourself that you can do it. It is also important that you avoid beginning this ritual when the Moon is “void of course” or when the planet Mercury is retrograde. At these times, magical energy seems to go wonky anyway, so hedge your bets and steer clear of them. I recommend consulting a good astrological calendar before you cast this spell.

To begin, take a hard look at whatever negative situation you are facing, and keep the goal of transformation firmly in mind. You will need some fabric and ribbon or an organza favor bag to make your herbal charm bag. (You choose the colors. By this time you should have color magic down pat, anyway.) You will also need a white, seven-day jar candle, a few sprigs of rue, and a handful of lavender buds. Lavender is an herb of transformation, so it is just the ingredient to add to this herbal spell. You will also need a safe, flat surface to work on, and a lighter or some matches.

Set up your jar candle in a safe place where it can remain while burning. Pour the lavender buds into the charm bag, and then add the sprigs of rue. Tie the bag closed, and hold it in the palms of your hands. Take a moment to ground and center. Then visualize the transforming powers of lavender and the protective influence of rue swirling together and spinning out into the world to do their job. Know that you can turn whatever negative energy you are facing into a very positive situation. When you feel ready, repeat this spell verse three times:

Rue and lavender make a wonderful pair,
As they bring protection and help clear the air.
Now transform this situation, and spin it away,
Bring good luck and positive change to all of my days.

Set the charm bag aside, and go and light the seven-day candle. Repeat these lines:

With the power of herbs, this spell is begun,
By the light of this candle, this spell is spun.
I safely transform and change all negativity,
For the good of all, as I will it, so mote it be!

Allow the jar candle to burn in a safe place until it goes out on its own. (Try setting it inside an old metal pot or inside your cauldron. The bottom of a shower stall or kitchen sink works well too.) Now keep the herbal charm bag with you for the next seven days, or for as long as it takes for the candle to burn out. Each night before you retire for the evening, repeat the following lines:

Another day has passed, change is coming my way,
Now good luck, protection, and peace, come home to stay.

Once the candle has burned out, return the herbal ingredients neatly to nature, dispose of the empty candle jar, and then wash your hands. Take a deep breath, and go outside and face the sun. Tip your face up to the light, and take a moment to congratulate yourself on a job well done. Then close the ritual with this line:

By the power of herbs, this magic was spun,
I close this now in peace, and brought harm to none.

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula ssp.) is aligned with the planet Mercury and the element of air. This aromatic, shrubby, tender perennial brings purification and peace. Lavender has been worked into various magics for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used lavender. The Greeks and Romans used it most often as a bathing additive. This flowering herb was very popular in the Elizabethan era and was widely grown as a border plant in formal knot gardens. It was also a popular household fragrance for linens, and the herb was added to soaps and perfumes. The essential oil of lavender has antiseptic properties and has been used for centuries to treat scrapes and stings and to dress wounds.

Lavender promotes good luck when grown in the garden. An herb of transformation, lavender is also good for cleansings, restful sleep, and protection. The aroma of lavender is said to help relieve headaches and to encourage relaxation. Lavender was a common strewing herb, as it was believed to keep flies away and it helped hide unpleasant odors.

If you choose to grow lavender at home, make sure you buy a variety that is appropriate for your area. In my Zone 5 gardens, I have great success with Munstead lavender. Lavender is a drought-tolerant plant and will do well in a sunny, hot spot, such as along a sidewalk or driveway. If you snip back the spent blossoms (deadhead), this herb will keep producing those fabulously scented flowers throughout the growing season.

Lavender Sachet for Loving Protection

For this sachet, I suggest using a sheer organza bag, because you will want to see the lavender that is held within. I recommend the color purple, as it is a powerful magical color and it coordinates nicely with the lavender. Try a spice shop or even an arts and crafts store for packages of dried lavender buds. You will be using a good amount, and you don’t want to strip the plants in your garden.

This sachet spell makes a lovely gift, or you can make one for yourself. It can be used as a traditional sachet and tucked into your dresser drawer to lightly scent your clothes. Pour a few handfuls of the lavender buds into the organza bag, and tuck a stem or two of fresh lavender from your magical garden in there as well. Tie it securely closed, and enchant the bag with the following protective charm:

In this purple bag a simple charm is contained,
Bring protection and love to the person I name.

Say the recipient’s name out loud. Then say:

A gift from me to you, this loving charm I cast,
May all your days be filled with joy that surely lasts.

Now, give the lavender sachet bag as a gift, with your best wishes for a sweet, safe, and happy life.

Miracles do not happen in contradiction to nature,
but only in contradiction to what we know of nature.

—Saint Augustine

Chapter Six

Herb Magic for
Prosperity

In this last theme chapter, we will study the topic of herbal prosperity magic. Working with items from nature is a commonsense approach to magic. If you incorporate herbs and natural items that you already have on hand, it will help you to save money, after all.

Also it is important to remember that the prosperity for which you are casting is not going to manifest itself as pound notes or dollar bills that just drop out of the sky. There is no such thing as a free lunch. The truth is that magic follows the path of least resistance. You are going to have to work toward increasing your prosperity. This may happen in many subtle ways. You may have the opportunity to work a little overtime, or to pick up a few extra hours at a part-time job. Or perhaps a new career opportunity will present itself, or you might find yourself up for a raise. Cast your herbal prosperity magic wisely, and remember that this type of magic works on the principle that there is a legitimate need here. A spell will manifest to answer your request and to meet that need, but it will probably not produce results if you’re being greedy.

When casting spells for abundance and prosperity, work during a waxing moon or full moon to pull success toward you. In a pinch, you may cast these prosperity spells in a waning moon—just be sure to work for the removal of stress, money worries, despair, etc. (Remember, as the moon wanes, so do your cash-flow problems.) Then follow up during the next waxing moon to encourage the prosperity to flow toward you.

The most popular day of the week for casting money spells is a Thursday, Jupiter’s day. This day has the correspondence of prosperity and wealth. The symbol for Jupiter looks like this:
. You can carve this into candles or stitch it onto charm bags for a little extra power. You can also cast your herbal prosperity spells on a Sunday, the Sun’s day, which would pull the energies of abundance and success into your magic. The Sun’s astrological symbol is
.

Prosperity magic is also aligned with the element of earth. The earth itself represents stability and abundance. As herb magic is an earthy magic, the positive energies are already there. All you have to do is tap into them, direct them, and then work those herbal spells and charms for your desired outcome.

Prosperity Spells from the Spice Rack

It’s a funny thing about life;
if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.

—William Somerset Maugham

Allspice

Allspice (Pimento officinalis) is linked to the planet Mars and the element of fire. This herb is the dried, unripe berry of the evergreen tree Pimenta dioica, which belongs to the myrtle family. The dried berries are a dark-brown color and small, just about the same size as peppercorns.

The history of allspice is a colorful one. Christopher Columbus discovered allspice in the Caribbean while searching for pepper. Old Columbus had never seen real pepper, and he thought that the allspice plant was what he’d been searching for. He brought the herb back to Spain, where it was called pimenta, the Spanish word for pepper. Today, allspice comes from Jamaica, Mexico, and Honduras.

Allspice is a common seasoning that is often used as a substitute for cinnamon. Nowadays, it is often found in the spice rack and is used as a pickling spice and to season pies and pastries. In herbalism, allspice is used to promote good luck and money. Some herbal texts claim that allspice promotes relief for nervous stomachs, promotes loving vibrations, and speeds healing too. Powdered allspice could even be burned as an incense on charcoal blocks to attract prosperity and to get your cash flowing. For a fast and practical herb magic, try the following charm.

Kitchen Witch Aromatherapy Charm

This practical little charm can be worked at any time or during any moon phase. Try adding a teaspoon of the powdered herb to a few cups of water in a tea kettle, and bring it to a boil on the stove. When the pot starts to steam, it will permeate the air with the wonderful scent and add a prosperous vibration to your home. Try this quick, Kitchen Witch–style charm as the wonderful scent begins to fill your kitchen:

By the power of fire and with this fragrant steam,
Allspice will bring success and help me fulfill my dreams.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) has the planetary association of the Sun and is linked to the element of fire. This popular spice is associated with the goddess Venus/ Aphrodite. Both the ancient Egyptians and Romans used cinnamon, and it was considered a sacred and magical herb. The Egyptians imported the herb from China, and it is thought that the search for cinnamon may have been the main reason for world exploration during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Cinnamon is the dried bark of various laurel trees in the Cinnamomum family, such as the cassia tree. The cinnamon stick is actually long pieces of bark that are rolled, pressed, and dried.

Today, in the kitchen, cinnamon is added to fruit, cheese dishes, chicken, and lamb, and typically flavors pastries, pies, and cakes. Even folks who don’t like to cook usually have powdered cinnamon in the cabinet. These days, most of the cinnamon we use comes from Asia and Central America.

Cinnamon is a handy magical herb to have around. It promotes psychic abilities, success, lust, love, and health. When cinnamon-scented incense is burned, or the actual spice is burned on charcoal blocks, it releases a money-drawing vibration into the air.

For magical purposes, you may work with powdered cinnamon or cinnamon sticks. I have found over the years that small cinnamon sticks are neater and easier to work magic with, but use what you have on hand. Add the fragrant sticks to charm bags and sachets that will pull success and prosperity your way.

Sundays Are for Success Charm Bag

For best results, try working this charm on a bright, sunny Sunday afternoon. Since cinnamon is associated with the Sun and fire, this would be your best bet. For this charm bag, the ingredients are simple. You’ll need a few small cinnamon sticks and a dollar bill, plus a six-inch square of green fabric and coordinating ribbons to tie it closed, or a sheer organza favor bag in green. Roll up the dollar bill and then insert it and the cinnamon sticks inside the organza bag, or place them in the center of the fabric and gather up the edges. Tie the bag closed with three knots, saying:

By all the power of three times three,
As I will it, so shall it be.

Now, take the bag to a sunny window, or go outside, weather permitting. Stand in the sunshine for a few moments and hold the charm bag in the palms of your hands, allowing the sunlight to fall upon it. Feel the might and power of the sun soak into the bag and empower the herbs within. When you are ready, repeat this charm three times:

Cinnamon sticks do align with prosperity,
A little herb magic brings change quickly to me.
Empowered by the sun, for fortune and success,
May my prosperity charm bag be truly blessed.

Pocket the charm bag, or place it inside your briefcase or purse. Go about your business, and be assured that success and prosperity will come quickly into your life. If you decide to dismantle this charm bag at a later date, do not spend the dollar, but instead donate it to charity.

Ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has the planetary association of Mars and is linked to the element of fire. It was first grown by the Chinese and the Indians. The name actually comes from the Sanskrit word sinabera, which translates to “shaped like horns.” Ginger is a native plant of tropical Asia and was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Romans brought it to Britain, where it was grown carefully in medieval gardens but had to be harvested well before the first cold days of fall. The ginger perished quickly, root and all, at the first hint of cold temperatures.

Ginger root may be purchased whole, or you can find it dried, ground, or crystallized with sugar. Today, most of our ginger comes from India and Jamaica and gives breads and cookies a warm, comforting taste. Ginger root is back in vogue these days as a popular cooking spice. But if you don’t care to work with the roots, the powdered ginger from the spice rack is easy to obtain and simple to work herb magic with. Try sprinkling some powdered ginger in your pockets to attract money into your life, or create an herbal sachet with pieces of ginger root to encourage prosperity and success.

Ginger Root Sachet

Try this spell on a Thursday, for abundance and prosperity, or a Sunday, for riches and success. Work in the waxing moon, to pull positive energies toward you, or the night of the full moon, for extra power. For this sachet, we will be incorporating one of the other featured herbal trees from this prosperity chapter—the oak tree. This charm bag not only helps improve your financial situation, but it also grants you the wisdom to help you manage your new prosperity.

You will need a handful of chopped ginger root (or a small piece), a silver coin, and one pretty leaf from an oak tree. As usual, the type of sachet bag you use is completely up to you. You can sew one up on a machine, tie the corners together from a square of fabric, or use a premade, sheer favor bag. Suggested colors for ribbons and fabrics would be green, silver, and gold.

Place the ginger, the coin, and the oak leaf inside the herbal sachet, and fasten it closed. Then repeat this charm three times:

Add a pinch of ginger root to a charm bag so green,
It pulls money into your life and works like a dream.
Add a silver coin for riches, and one oak leaf so fine,
Now you’ll be blessed with success and wisdom for all time.

Close the spell as you wish, or use the tag line from chapter 1:

For the good of all, with harm to none.
By herb magic this spell is done.

Carry the sachet with you, in a pocket or purse, for one month. Then open the bag, save the silver coin for another time, and return the herbal contents to nature.

Oats

Oats (Avena sativa) are aligned with the planet Venus and the element of earth. Deities associated with this grain are Earth Mother goddesses and goddesses of the harvest. The cultivated oat plant and the wild oat (Avena Fatua) are described as annual plants with upright stems, bladelike leaves, and clusters of three florets that form the grain. The dried stems of the oat plant are called oatstraw. Oats are easy to digest and are good for you to boot. In the olden days, oats were fed to the livestock and were a staple food for people, as they were made into porridge, oatcakes, pastries, and, of course in modern times, breads, cakes, and cookies. Oatmeal, a very healthy and popular food these days, is rich in vitamin E, minerals, and protein. Plus, it’s thought that eating a bowl of oatmeal every morning will help lower your cholesterol.

Oats are a great additive to the bath to relieve dry skin. Try adding a half cup of dry oatmeal to your bath water to soften and soothe itchy, dry skin. If you don’t want loose oats going down the pipes, then stack up a couple of coffee filters, add a handful of oats to the center, and fasten it closed tightly with a rubber band. Toss the bundle in the water, and see how that works for you.

In herbalism, oats are often incorporated into money and prosperity spells. This grain can be a symbol for the Earth Mother and the Greco-Roman goddesses of the harvest, such as Demeter and Ceres. Best of all, you probably have some oatmeal in your pantry, and it is a nice, inexpensive ingredient to add to prosperity spells and sachets.

Harvest Goddess Spell for Abundance