Natural Witchery (24 page)

Blue—
Blue gems and stones are receptive and often linked to the element of water and the planet Neptune. These crystals promote peace and soothing emotions. They can be used to promote a good night's sleep and may keep away bad dreams. A good blue stone to try is the blue lace agate. This stone has all of the qualities listed above. As blue is a healing color, blue stones are often incorporated into healing rituals, charms, and spells.

Purple—
Purple crystals are receptive and also spiritual. These gems and stones correspond with Jupiter and Neptune. Purple is the color of magick, royalty, and the gods. Purple or violet gemstones such as amethyst promote spirituality, protection, and peace. Purple stones can alleviate tension headaches and help reduce stress and anxiety. Displaying a cluster of amethyst crystal points makes negative energy dissipate, provides balance, and
restores harmony in your home.

Pink—
Pink stones and crystals are also receptive stones and bring warm, fuzzy feelings. They are linked to the planet Venus and are used to promote love, happiness, and friendships, as well as soothe frayed nerves and tempers. Stones such as the rose quartz can help encourage relaxation of both the mind and the spirit. They also can help end the spat between a feuding couple by magnifying loving feelings and relieving anger. Given as a token between friends, pink stones can gently link one magickal friend to another.

White—
White stones and crystals fall in the receptive stone category and are governed by the moon. These stones have the magickal qualities of promoting safe travel, a good night's sleep, psychic abilities, intuition, and, of course, moon magick. White stones such as the moonstone are traditional stones used to open up psychic receptors and to encourage empathy. The moonstone is a popular magickal stone and is often worked into Goddess magick and rituals.

When I am an old woman,
I shall wear purple …

Jenny Joseph

Black—
Black stones are also receptive and sometimes projective. As the color black absorbs light, so, too, will a black stone absorb negativity, despair, and anger. These ebony-colored crystals and gems are ruled by the planet Saturn. Black stones are perfect for protection work, for grounding, and for removing negativity. Some black stones, like jet, can actually help you gain influence over obnoxious or difficult people. These stones are talismans for security, self-control, and power.

• • •

Talk of mysteries!
Think of our life in nature—
daily to be shown matter, to come in contact
with it—rocks, trees, wind on our cheeks!

Henry David Thoreau

A Witch's Dozen of Magickal Herbs

Please note:
These herbs are listed for their use in spells and charm bags only. Be very careful while working with botanicals. Avoid handling them if you are pregnant or nursing. Some herbs are potentially toxic, and others may cause irritation to sensitive skin.

In this list, you will find the common names for the herb followed by the botanical name in italics. This is to help you identify which witchy herb you are working with. Keep all botanicals out of the reach of small children and pets.

For more detailed information on working with herbs in magick, or for growing them in the magickal garden, please refer to my previous books
Garden Witchery
and
Herb Magic for Beginners
.

Basil, Sweet Basil, Garden Basil—
(Ocimum basilicum)
Basil brings compassion and helps end bickering and feuds between two people; an herb of loving vibrations.

Dill—
(Anethum graveolens)
Dill is worked into spells and charms for protection and prosperity.

Feverfew—
(Tanacetum parthenium)
This dainty flowering herb brings healing and protection from illness.

Garlic—
(Allium sativum)
Garlic protects and banishes evil. A rope of garlic hung in the kitchen denotes a kitchen Witch's domain. Helps ward off
psychic vampires, too!

Heliotrope—
(Heliotropium arborescens)
When this flowering herb is planted in your garden, it helps keep nosey neighbors distracted. This herb classically is used to confer invisibility. (The foliage may cause contact dermatitis.)

I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows …

Shakespeare

Mugwort—
(Artemisia vulgaris)
Mugwort promotes psychic powers, protection, and prophetic dreams. (Do not ingest, and avoid handling while pregnant.)

Peony—
(Paeonia officinalis)
This common flowering shrub is, in fact, an herb. The blossoms ward off nightmares; use its flowers in protection magick.

Rose—
(
Rosa
ssp.) The petals of the rose speed up your magick, and the flowers promote love. (Note that the different colors of the rose will each have their own specialties.)

Rosemary, Dew of the Sea—
(Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary ensures a good night's sleep and is worked into charms for remembrance and love.

Rue—
(Ruta graveolens)
A classic protection magick herb. Rue is toxic and should be kept out of the reach of children and avoided by pregnant women. This herb removes the evil eye, breaks manipulative magick, and is very protective; I think of it as the “hex buster.”

Thyme, Common Thyme—
(
Thymus vulgaris)
This delicate herb encourages prophetic dreams and psychic abilities.

Valerian—
(Valeriana officinalis)
The fragrant flowers are used for protection and to drive away negativity. Tuck it into your gardens to mark the boundaries of a magickal garden, and give it lots of room to flourish.

Yarrow, Milfoil—
(Achillea millefolium)
The wise woman's herb, yarrow is an all-purpose botanical. It's a gorgeous blooming perennial that dries well and is popular for enchanting arts and crafts and flower arranging. This flower is also thought to keep a couple happily married for seven years. (Warning: yarrow may cause contact dermatitis.)

• • •

Correct handling of flowers refines the personality.

Gustie L. Herrigel

Flower Fascinations from A–Z

The folklore of flowers is a fascinating subject, and it is simple to work into natural spells and charms. Check out this alphabet of common garden blossoms and see what type of natural magick you can add to your next spell or charm by employing the language of flowers. (For a more detailed listing, please refer to
Garden Witchery.
)

Azalea—
First love, a tender romance.

Begonia—
A warning. Also, red begonias are traditional protective flowers for windowboxes.

Crocus—
New beginnings, youth, and happiness.

Daisy—
Innocence, simplicity, and joy.

Echinacea—
(Coneflower) Skill and dexterity.

Foxglove—
Faerie magick, a wish.

Gardenia—
Charmed, “I love you.”

Hydrangea—
Protection, “hopelessly devoted to you.”

Iris—
Messages sacred to the Greco-Roman goddess of the rainbow, Iris.

Jonquil—
Esteem, chivalry, and holding someone in high regard.

Kalanchoe—
Fame and personal status.

Lilac—
First love, beauty, a faerie favorite.

Morning Glory (blue)—
Protection, and it is sacred to the goddess Venus/ Aphrodite.

The Zinnia's solitary flower,
which blooms in forests lone and deep,
are like the visions fair and bright
that faithful, absent hearts will keep.

Flora's Interpreter

Nigella (Love in a Mist)—
Kiss me, a rare love.

Orchid—
Exotic passion, luxury, and love.

Pansy—
Ease a broken heart and bring affection and cheer.

Queen Anne's Lace—
Homecoming and shelter.

Ranunculus—
Bedazzled.

Sunflower—
The magick and might of the sun; esteem and riches.

Tiger Lily—
Energy and erotic love.

Violet—
Enchantment and protection against faerie mischief.

Wisteria—
Welcome.

Yellow Rose—
Friendship and sunshine.

Zinnia—
Friendship.

• • •

Herbal Arts and Witchcraft Projects

Making Wreaths

As long as you are warming up the creative side of your brain, consider this: herbal wreaths are magickal craft items that are fun to create. These wreaths may even be incorporated into a variety of spells and charms. This way, you are not only getting your spell-writing juices flowing, you are also creatively working with the herbs at the same time!