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Magickal Uses of Herbs
Altar
Decorations/
|
Whether a simple vase of flowers and herbs or more elaborate wreaths, choosing plants for their energy can be rewarding. |
Amulets/
|
Mixtures that are put together for a very specific purpose: protection, purification, love, calming, energizing, healing, etc. |
Aspergers |
Bundles of herbs that are used to sprinkle salt water in a ritual or around the home in purification. |
Baths |
Mixtures of fresh or dried herbs or oils to create magickal baths. Oils can be added to mixtures of epsom salts and baking soda to create wonderful bath salts. Don't forget to use a tea ball, cheesecloth, or something else to keep your herbs from going everywhere! |
Brews |
Herbs steeped in water and breathed in for a particular purpose. These can also be sprinkled. Like teas except they generally are not ingested. |
Dream Pillows |
Herbs stuffed into pillows for a particular purpose; better sleep, psychic dreams, vivid/lucid dreams, etc. |
Food |
Bring specific energies into the food that we eat. |
Healing |
Is a broad catagory that encompasses many different techniques. Do not self-dose, self-medicate without being under the supervision of a professional!!! Also, don’t eat any plant unless you absolutely know that it is safe! |
Incense |
Burning plant materials for a specific purpose. People are most familiar with sticks and cones, but these can be time consuming and messy to make. Try getting incense burning charcoals and putting the plant materials/oils directly on the hot coal. |
Inks |
Especially potent if made specifically for certain spells. Locally, we use pokeberries (or ink berries) to make magickal ink. But it is poisoness, so don't use it on any spells you plan on eating! |
Ointments |
Herbs/oils mixed into some kind of fat/lard/beeswax. |
Perfumes/
|
Used for annointing people, candles or objects. Usually a scented base oil. Please, use only essential, "authentic" oils. Synthetic ones can be nasty and also don't contain the energies of the plant. |
Powders |
Finely ground materials sprinkled on an altar or ritual space to add energy to the working. Be careful that your powders don't contain ingrediants that will stain! |
Potpourri |
Attractive mixtures of scented, usually dried, plant materials. Can be simmered to release scent or used as a dry mixture. |
Soap |
Herbs and oils can be either introduced in soap made from scratch or can be added to commercial Castile or other unscented soap that is “melted down”. Note: Castile soap can be very drying and a bit harsh - so you may want to add a cosmetic oil to the soap. Almond oil or Jojoba oil are good choices. |
Teas |
Steeped herbs/plant material that is then ingested. |
Tinctures |
Plant materials are soaked/infused in an alcohol base. The energies are released into the alcohol and the plant material is strained. |
List of Resources
Aima: Ritual Book of Herbal Spells, Foibles Publications, 1980.
Aima: Perfume Oils, Candles, Seals & Incense, Foibles Publications, 1981.
Beyerl, Paul: The Master Book of Herbalism, Washington D.C.: Phoenix Publishing Co., 1984.
Cunningham, Scott: The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1997.
Cunningham, Scott: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1990.
Cunningham, Scott: The Magic In Food, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1991.
Cunningham, Scott: Magical Aromatherapy, St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1990.
Franklin, Anna & Phillips, Sue: Pagan Feasts, Seasonal Food for the Eight Sabbats, Freshfields, England: Capall Bann Publishing, 1997.
Miller, Richard & Iona: The Magical and Ritual Use of Perfumes, Rochester, NY: Destiny Books, 1990.
Slater, Herman: Magickal Formulary, Volume One, New York: Magickal Childe Publishing, Inc., 1987.
Slater, Herman: Magickal Formulary, Volume Two, New York: Magickal Childe Publishing, Inc.
Smith, Steven R.: Wylundt’s Book of Incense, York Beach, ME: Samuel Weiser, Inc., 1989.
Want to Buy Great Plants?
Check out Companion
Plants.
They have an on-line catalog and ordering system.
7247 N. Coolville Ridge Rd. Athens, Ohio 45701
740.593.3092: FAX (24 hours)
740.592.4643: Phone for all other inquiries
This page was last
updated on March 26, 2000.
Book of Shadows
Artwork
Herbs
--Magickal Uses
--Magickal Properties
--Resources
--History & Uses
of Frankincense
Kitchen Witchery
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All information contained within the Book of Shadows is original and belongs to the respective members and friends of Celestial Tides. Feel free to use this information in your own personal rituals. However, if you use this in a public ritual please give credit where credit is due! This material may not be reprinted anywhere, in any form, without express written permission from the author(s).
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