Herbcraft or Herbalism is a vast subject. Learning to identify, grow and use herbs for both magickal and healing purposes would truly be a life long pursuit.
It is said that herbs grow in the footprints of the Goddess/Gods and in fact in many traditions, herbs are said to be earthy incarnations of certain deities. For example MINT is also associated with the Underworld deities Pluto and Hecate, and one story says that Minthe was a nymph with whom Pluto fell in love. He changed her into a mint plant to save her from the wrath of Persephone, his wife. To be changed into vegetation was the fate of many nymphs pursued by gods, but in this way they received a life that was ever-renewing.
A knowledge of Herbalism is a quality often associated with Witches and Shamans of all tradition and cultures. So, even if Herbcaft is not your chosen Path, a knowledge of the use of herbs is still relevant.
1. I would recommend buying a few good books on the subject, such as; “Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs” & “Magickal Herbalism” by Scott Cunningham, “Herbcraft” by Nerys Purchon & Dhenu Jennifer Clary or “Natural Magic” by John Michael Greer. But don’t just look in the New Age/Occult/Western Mysticism section because you will find useful books in the healing and gardening sections as well.
2. It is important to have at hand a supply of a variety of herbs. Ideally, herbs should be grown by yourself by the proper phase of the moon in blessed soil and harvested in a ritualistic manner using consecrated tools. But this isn’t always practical and can actually but anyone off the whole process. So here are some “No Frills” suggestions as to how to start your magical herb collection.
A Way To Start
Use only organic (or home grown) herbs and produce, if possible, for your magickal collection. You can bless, charge or consecrate them at home before storing or using them. Buying your supplies from a New Age or Witchy shops will most often proove expensive, cheaper alternatives may be;
* Go to a Chinese supermarket a buy the biggest mortar & pestle
* Chinese religious supply stores often have SANDLEWOOD by the block much cheaper than new age stores, as well as joss stick of all kinds and an endless amount of other interesting items
* Greek & Lebanese food supply stores often sell CHARCOALS, FRANKENSENSE, MYRRH & BENZOIN in bulk
* Buy fresh, organic herbs such as BASIL, MINT, THYME, ROSEMARY, SAGE, DILL, BAY, CORIANDER AND PARSLEY from your local organic Fruit & Veg supplier or even a supermarket, then hang them to dry out of the sun in a airy dry place.
* Check out the range of organic teas (loose, not in tea bags) & dried herbs such as CHAMOMILE, VALERIAN, NUTMEG, CINNAMON, JUNIPER at the health food shop, as well as other organic produce such as GARLIC, GINGER, ORANGE, APPLES (dried or fresh), HONEY, SEA SALT
* Take a walk in your neighbourhood for ‘wild’ herbs & trees such as DANDELION, FENNEL (often found along train tracks), EUCALYPTUS (particularly lemon scented), OAK, ELM, CEDAR/PINE, WILLOW (beside lakes & creeks in parks)
* Take a look around your own garden or the gardens of friends and relatives for plants such as ROSE, MARIGOLD, IRIS, LAVENDAR, JASMINE, FERN (spores are good to use for invisibility workings), HOLLY, ELDER
* If possible grow a few chosen herbs in pots for yourself, that way you will have magickal herbs for cooking and ritual. Try ROSEMARY or VERVAIN, they are good all round herbs for general blessings & magical work
* Supplement your dried & fresh herbs with oils. Oils are particularly good for healing rituals as you can use their aromatheputic correspondences, also they keep well & can be used in oil burners.
* Start collecting screw top jar (preferably with plastic lids) to keep your dried herbs in.
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