A Guide to Using Magickal Herbs

A guide to using magickal herbs in Pagan, Wiccan or spiritual practice.

In any Pagan or Wiccan practice, herb usage is fairly commonplace. Pagan and Wiccan rituals include an array of uses for the various herbs – spiritual herbs, magickal herbs and psychic herbs. Books like Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, or Paul Beyerl’s Master Book of Herbalism are filled with information on an array of different herbs, their correspondences and methods of utilization.
Learning About Herb Properties and Uses

When researching herbs for any use, magickal or otherwise, be sure to check for the Latin names for the herbs and not just their common or folk names. Common names and folk names for herbs can be misleading if you’re in a different country from where the book was published. In New Zealand, what is commonly known as Lobelia is Lobelia erinus, a small border plant, not the Lobelia inflata of Cunningham’s Book. Some books refer to Wolfbane, which is the common name for three different herbs – Aconita, Arnica and Monkshood.

Many websites have lists of “herbs magickal,” and each entry is generally followed with “protection, prophecy, cleansing” or similar. Very few sites tell the reader which part of the herb is used for what purpose, or how to use marigold for prompting prophetic dreams, for instance.

Magickal Incense and Powders

Incense is the simplest and one of the oldest methods of utilising magickal herbs. Incense sticks — also called joss sticks — can be used for various practices, but it can be difficult to determine the precise ingredients in commercial incense sticks.

Loose

Incense: Crafting and Use of Magickal Scents

Making your own incense with natural ingredients is a powerful way to connect with earth energies-and it’s much healthier to burn indoors than the chemical-laden commercial variety. Incense is your complete guide to making your own homemade blends.

Master incense maker Carl F. Neal has created dozens of unique incense recipes-and includes easy conversion tables for different systems of measurement so your recipes will turn out just right every time!

Whether you want to

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is easy to make. A pinch of ground herbs is sprinkled on a burning charcoal. This makes it easy to control what herbs are used (especially vital if allergies are an issue) and how much incense is burned.

Magickal incense can be used to cleanse or bless items by passing them through the incense smoke, or a room, by allowing the room to fill with incense smoke. Magickal incense provide atmosphere to a ritual or it may improve focus during a spell. There are a number of books that provide detailed information on magickal incense herbs, which part of the herb is used, and recipes for making magickal incense.

Magickal Powders use herbs in much the same process as making incense, although generally, a powder doesn’t need to be ground as finely as incense. Magickal Powders can be put into a small bag and worn or carried, with or without a written wish. In one spell, the practitioner can obtain a shallow box in which to place several bills; write “Paid in Full” on each bill and sprinkle a little money powder over them (do make sure you make the effort to pay the bill, though).

Magickal Teas, Tinctures and Washes

Brewing magickal herbs into teas and tinctures is another way to use the magickal properties of herbs. Be very careful that the chosen herbs are safe to take internally before trying this. A tea of thyme and sage can be useful before a divination, and adding rosemary will help to remember the wisdom learned. A magickal wash can be brewed from herbs that are not safe to ingest, and sprinkled around a ritual space, or used to wash magickal tools. Magickal herbs can be brewed up together and poured out as a libation or offering.

The ways to use magickal herbs is limited only by the imagination and how much research is performed beforehand. Don’t be shy about experimenting.

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publications, St Paul, Minnesota, 2002.

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (Cunningham’s Encyclopedia Series)

Do you work magic with herbs? Do you use them in spells, for talismans or simply use their innate powers? If you don’t have Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, you need to get it right away. This book has become a classic in its field. Paul Beyerl, a respected author on herbs calls it “…an essential reference book by students of herbalism and magick alike … Scott’s personable charm touches every page… I highly recommend this book.” And Jeanne Rose, famous author of books on herbs a

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The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl, Phoenix Publishing Ltd, Custer, Washington, 1996.

The Master Book of Herbalism

Outstanding in its completeness, The Master Book of Herbalism fulfills a need that has long been felt by students of the magickal arts. In his sincere and gentle manner, Paul brings over 15 years experience as he writes about: the medicinal use of herbs, including illustrations of plants easily found in the wild; history and religious lore with specific background information on individual herbs; herb gathering and storage the magickal way; the herbalist as a magickal practitioner; incenses, oil

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Wylundt’s Book of Incense, Samuel Weiser Inc, York Beach, Maine, 1996.