Herbs and Magic

In order to understand and tap into the magical energies flowing through herbs, you must first understand the herbs themselves.

For example, every herb has it's own flavor, scent, texture, and growing habits.

Let's talk about garlic as an example. Garlic is a very versatile herb. I've found that it grows well in both sun and shade. It is a very spicy herb, therefore, it is associated with both the element of fire and the plant Mars. It is also a natural antibiotic and is a potent magical herb as well.

In magic garlic is used as protection against the evil eye, evil/malevolent spirits and other negative forces and energies. Hanging strands or garlands of garlic in your home will help to ward off and absorb negative energies. You need to replace them every three to six months and these strands of garlic should never be consumed or used for culinary purposes.

When used in healing spells garlic cloves are peeled and rubbed on the affected are to absorb disease and infection.

In banishing spells, powdered garlic is sprinkled around the home to ward off unwanted energies and entities. A similar technique involves carving protective runes onto the peeled cloves of garlic and burying them at the front and rear entrances of the home.

My point here is that herbs can tell you their magical uses by their flavor, texture, scent, and growing habits.

Take the time to study and get to know your herb and see what they tell you.

Source:

Llewellyn's 2004 Herbal Almanac

~ Article~ The Magic of Garlic ~ Written by S.Y. Zenith, p. 257-270

The following are lists of herbs associated with the four directions, the Goddess and God, the Sabbats, and the Full Moon.

Herbs For the Circle:

These herbs and plants can be used to mark the quarters of the circle during circle casting. These are just of few, as I wanted to have a list of the ones that would be easiest for everyone to find.

North:

Corn, fern, honeysuckle, and vervain.

East:

Clover, dandelion, lavender, mint, parsley, and pine.

South:

Basil, carnation, dill, ginger, marigold, and peppermint.

West:

Catnip, daffodil, heather, and grape.

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Herbs for the Sabbats:

These herbs can be placed on the alter or worked into the Sabbat

celebration itself.

Yule:

Ivy, bay, rosemary, and pine. -> Offerings of apples, oranges, nuts, lemons, and cinnamon sticks can be placed on the Yule tree as gifts to the God.

Imbolc:

Snowdrop, rowan, and the first flowers of the year.

Ostara:

Daffodil, violet, iris, and peony.

Beltane:

Hawthorn, honeysuckle, St. John's Wort, and all flowers.

Litha (a.k.a Midsummer):

Chamomile, rose, lily, oak, lavender, ivy, yarrow, fern, wild thyme, daisy, carnation.

Lughnasadh:

All grains, grapes, heather, blackberries, crab apples, and pears.

Mabon:

Hazel, corn, oak sprigs, autumn leaves, wheat stalks, cypress cones, and pine cones.

Samhain:

Apples, hazel, pomegranates, harvested fruits and nuts, pumpkins, and corn.

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Herbs for the Full Moon:

White roses, carnations, gardenia, lily, iris, and moon flowers.

Herbs of the Goddess:

Lily, hyacinth, magnolia, heather, lilac.

Herbs for the God:

Basil, clover, lavender, pine, pine cones, and sunflowers.

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Herbs and the Elements:

Earth: corn, ferns, honeysuckle, magnolia, oats, primrose, tulip, wheat

Air: almond, anise, clover, dandelion, lavender, lemon grass, mint, parsley, sage

Fire: allspice, basil, bay, carnation, cinnamon, clove, dill, fennel garlic, ginger, marigold, rosemary, st. john's wort, sunflower, walnut

Water: aloe, apple, catnip, chamomile, heather, iris, jasmine, lemon balm, raspberry, rose, spearmint, strawberry, violet

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Herbs For Love:

Herbs For Happiness:

Herbs For Well-Being & Comfort:

Herbs For Protection:

Herbs For Prosperity:

Herbs for Psychic Awareness:

Sources:

Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner -> by Scott

Cunningham

"Herb Magic for Beginners: Down-to Earth Enchantments" ~ Ellen Dugan

Herb List A-Z:

I had to break this into section in order to fit everything.

Ague Weed : protection

Agrimony : sends negative energies back to the sender, works as a shield to protect the caster from unwanted energies, etc.

Angelica : powerful protection herb, often carried as a protective amulet. It can be used as a banishing rituals, exorcisms, and as a smudging herb.

Apple/Apple blossoms : used for love, peace, fertility and relaxation.

Asafetida : used for exorcism, banishing, and purification.

Alfalfa : used in money and wealth spells, also useful in spells for luck.

Allspice : affects the mind of the individual it is used on. It is used for luck/success, love, psychic work, and money.

Althea(marshmallow root) : often used as a persuasion herb. It is burned with roses and apple blossom for love spells. It is also believed to at

Bergamot : luck and clairvoyance.

Bistort : good luck in financial issues.

Balm of Gilead : protection, love, energy, and grounding.

Barberry : hexes

Bayberry : hexes, money, prosperity, attracts love for men.

Bay : protection, banishing, love, money, and psychic dreams.

Benzoin : Added to herbs to increase their power. It can also improve communication and can be combined with cinnamon to bring success in business. It can also be used for purification, but should not be used with hex herbs.

Bergamot : protection, psychic awareness/visions, luck, and prosperity.

Betony : banishing and warding off negative energies.

Blueberry : offers protection from deceit and any ill will that may be sent out to you.

Bindweed : binding, protection, and hexes.

Bistort : fertility, money, and divination.

Borage : courage, fights dishonesty.

Broom Tops : purification, protection, warding off negative spirits/energies.

Black Snakeroot : Men use it to attract love. It can also be used to ward off an unwanted lover.

Buchu leaves : improves psychic awareness.

Cactus : It can be used in spells for protection and chastity. The spines of the cactus are often used in witch bottles.

Camellia : wealth and money drawing spells.

Camphor : It is used in spells for divination, health/healing, and chastity.

Caraway : It can be used in spells to increase mental abilities/focus, protection, passion, and health/healing.

Cardamon : Used in spells for both love and lust.

Carnation : Used in spells for protection, healing, and strength.

Carob : Used in spells for protection and health/healing.

Cascara Sagrada : It can be used in spells to improve legal matters, protection, and money drawing spells.

Catnip : It is used in spells for love, beauty, and to promote happiness.

Cedar : It is used in spells for health/healing, money, purification, and protection.

Celandine : It is used in spells for protection, healing, and success in legal matters.

Centaury : It is burned to remove snakes.

Chamomile : It is used in spells for love, relaxation/sleep, purification, and money drawing.

Cherry : It is used in spells for love and divination.

Chestnut : It is used in spells to promote love.

Chickweed : It is used in spells for love and fertility.

Chicory : It is used in spells to remove obstacles, promote frugality, and favors.

Chili Pepper : It is used in spells for love, fidelity, and hex breaking.

Chrysanthemum : It is used in protection spells.

Cinnamon : It is used in spells for love, protection, success, and prosperity. The incense can be burned to promote spirituality and psychic awareness.

Cinquefoil : It is used in spells for wealth, protection, sleep, and to induce prophetic dreams.

Citron : It is used in spells for healing and to increase psychic awareness.

Clove : It is used in spells for protection, wealth, love, and exorcisms.

Clover : It is used in spells for faithfulness, wealth, love, protection, good luck, success, and exorcisms.

Club Moss : It is used in spells to increase protection and power.

Coconut : It is used in spells for purification, chastity, and protection.

Coffee : A ritual stimulant.

Cohosh, Black : It is used in spells to increase potency, protection, love, and courage.

Coltsfoot : It is used in spells to promote love and psychic visions.

Columbine : It is used in spells to promote love and courage.

Comfrey : It is used to promote safety while traveling and to attract money.

Copal : It is used in spells for love and purification.

Coriander : It is used in spells for love, healing, and health.

Corn : It is used in spells to promote luck, divination, and protection.

Cornflower : Promotes psychic awareness.

Cotton : It is used in spells to bring rain, good luck, healing, and protection.

Cowslip : It is used in spells for healing, youth, and treasure seeking.

Crocus : It is used in spells to promote love and psychic visions.

Cumin : It is used in spells for exorcism, protection, and faithfulness.

Curry : It is used in spells for protection.

Cyclamen : It is used in spells for lust, fertility, happiness, and protection.

Cypress : It is used in spells to promote protection, healing, comfort, peace, and longevity.

Daffodil : They can be used in spells or rituals for love, luck, and fertility.

Daisy : They can be used in spells for lust, passion and luck.

Damiana : They can be used in spells for lust, passion, love, and psychic visions.

Dandelion : They are often used in spells for divination, wishes, and spirit communication.

Datura : They can be used in spells to induce sleep, break hexes, and protection.

Deer's Tongue : They can be used in spells for lust, passion, and psychic awareness.

Devils Bit: They can be used in spells and rituals for love, passion, lust, exorcism, and protection.

Devils Shoestring : It is used in spells for luck (especially in gambling), protection, power, and success in employment.

Dill : It can be used in spells for lust, good luck, protection, and to attract money.

Dittany of Crete : It is used in spells and rituals assocaited with astral projection and manifestation.

Dock : It is used in spells for healing, money drawing, and fertility.

Dodder : It is often used in knot magic and spells for divination and love.

Dogbane : Love spells.

Dogwood : It is used in wish and protection spells.

Dragons Blood : It is used in spells and rituals for exorcism, love, potency, and protection.

Dulse : It is used in spells for lust and harmony.

Dutchmans Breeches : Love spells.

Ebony : It can be used in protection and power spells.

Echinacea : It can be used to strengthen spells.

Elder : It can be used in spells for protection, sleep, healing, prosperity and exorcism.

Elecampane : It is used in spells to increase psychic powers, love, and protection.

Elm : It can be used in love spells.

Endive : It is used in lust and love spells.

Eucalyptus : It is used in spells for protection and healing.

Eyebright : It is used in spells to increase psychic and mental abilities.

Fennel : It can be used in spells for protection, healing, and purification.

Fenugreek : Money and wealth spells.

Fern : It is used in spells for beauty, luck, wealth, protection, health, and exorcism.

Feverfew : Protection spells.

Fig : It is used in spells for fertility, divination, and love.

Figwort : It is used in health and protection spells.

Flax : It is used in spells for beauty, protection, money, healing, and psychic abilities.

Fleabane : It is used in spells for purity, exorcism, and protection.

Frankincense : It is used in spells for exorcism and protection. It also promotes spirituality.

Galangal : Related to the ginger plant. It can be used in spells for protection, health/healing, money, and lust/love.

Gardenia : It is used in spells for love, spirituality, peace, and healing.

Garlic : It can be used in spells to protect against theft, general protection, exorcism, lust, and healing.

Gentian : It is used in spells for power and love.

Geranium : It can be used in spells for fertility, protection, love, and health/healing.

Ginger : It can be used in spells for success, money, power, and love.

Ginseng : It can be used in spells for wishes, beauty, healing, love, lust, and protection.

Goats Rue : It can be used in spells for healing and health. Goats Rue (Galega officinalis) should not be confused with rue (Ruta graveolens) . Goats Rue is often used in medicines. Rue, is an irritant and can cause contact dermatitis if handled without protective clothing.

Goldenrod : It can be used in spells for money and divination.

Golden Seal : It can be used in spells for money and healing.

Gorse : It can be used in spells for money and protection.

Gotu Kola : Often used for meditation purposes.

Gourd : protection.

Grain : protection.

Grains of Paradise : It can be used in spells for wishes, good luck, money, love, and lust.

Grape : It can be used in spells involving garden/nature magic, fertility, money, and mental powers.

Grass : It can be used in spells for protection and to increase psychic powers.

Ground Ivy: divination.

Groundsel : health and healing.

Hawthorn : It is used in spells for chastity/purity, fertility, and happiness.

Hazel : It is used in spells for protection, good luck, wishes, protection against lightening strikes, and fertility.

Heather : It is used in spells for protection and good luck.

Heliotrope : It can be used in spells for healing, psychic dreams, money drawing, and exorcism.

Hemp : It is used in spells for psychic visions, meditation, healing, and love.

Henna : It is used in spells for health/healing.

Hibiscus : It is used in spells for divination and love/lust.

Hickory : It is used in spells for legal matters.

High John the Conqueror : It is used in spells for success, money, love, and happiness.

Holly : It is used in spells for general protection, protection against lightening strikes, good luck, dream magic, and balance.

Honesty : It is used in money drawing spells and in spells to ward off negative energies/influences/entities.

Honeysuckle : It is used in spells to draw money, protection, and psychic abilities.

Hops : It can be used in spells for sleep and healing.

Horehound : It can be used in spells for protection, mental powers/awareness, healing/health, and exorcism.

Horse Chestnut : It can be used in spells for money and healing.

Horseradish : It can be used in spells for exorcism and purification.

Horsetail: It is used in spells for fertility and according to folklore it was used for snake charming. However, I wouldn't advise you to try to charm snakes with it for obvious reasons.

Houseleek : It can be used in spells for good luck, protection, and love.

Huckleberry : It is used in spells to remove hexes, bring good luck, protection, and dream magic.

Hyacinth : It can be used in spells for protection, love, and happiness.

Hydrangea : It can be used to break hexes.

Hyssop : It can be used in spells for purification and protection.

Indian Paint Brush : It can be used in love spells.

Iris : It can be used in spells for purification and wisdom.

Irish Moss : It can be used in spells for good luck, money, and protection.

Ivy : It can be used in protection and healing spells.

Jasmine : It can be used in spells for money, love, and psychic dreams.

Jobs Tears : It can be used in spells for wishes, good luck, and healing.

Joe-Pye Weed : It can be used in spells for respect and love.

Juniper : It can be used in spells for theft prevention, protection, health/healing, love, and exorcism.

Kava-Kava : It can be used in spells for good luck, protection, and psychic visions.

Knotweed : It can be used in spells for binging and health/healing.

Ladys mantle : It is most often used in love spells.

Ladys slipper: It is most often used in protection spells.

Larch : It is used in spells to ward of thieves and for general protection.

Larkspur : It is used in spells for health and protection.

Lavender : It is used in spells for protection, sleep, chastity, purification, peace, longevity, happiness, and love.

Leek : Is is used for exorcism, protection, and love.

Lemon : It is used for love, purification, friendship, and longevity.

Lemongrass : It is used for lust spells and spells to increase psychic awareness. This plant is also believed to have the power to repel snakes.

Lemon Verbena : It is used in spells for love and purification.

Lettuce : It is used in spells for love, divination, sleep, chastity, and protection.

Licorice : It is used in spells for love, fidelity, and lust.

Life Everlasting : It is used in spells for longevity and healing/health.

Lilac : It is used in spells for protection, beauty, and exorcism.

Lily : It is used to negate love spells and in protection spells.

Lily of the Valley : It is used in spells for happiness and to improve mental abilities.

Lime : It is used in spells for love, protection, and healing.

Linden : It is used in spells for good luck, sleep, love, and protection.

Liquidambar : Protection spells.

Liverwort : Protection and love spells.

Loosestrife : Peace and protection spells.

Lotus : Protection spells.

Lovage : Love spells.

Love Seed : Love and friendship spells.

Lucky Hand : Good luck, protection, protection during travel, money, and employment.

Mace - Psychic Powers and Mental Powers

Magnolia - Fidelity

Maidenhair - Beauty and Love Male

Maple Fern - Luck and Love

Mallow - Love, Protection, and Exorcism

Maple - Love, Longevity, and Money

Marigold - Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Legal Matters, and Psychic Powers.

Marjoram - Protection, Love, Happiness, Health, and Money

Mastic - Psychic Powers, Manifestations, and Lust

Meadow Rue - Divination

Meadowsweet - Love, Divination, Peace, and Happiness

Mesquite - Healing

Mimosa - Protection, Love, Prophetic Dreams, and Purification

Mint - Money, Love, Lust, Healing, Exorcism, Travel, and Protection

Mistletoe - Protection, Love, Hunting, Fertility, Health, and Exorcism.

Moonwort - Money and Love Moss - Luck and Money

Mugwort - Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, and Astral Projection.

Mulberry - Protection and Strength

Mullein - Courage, Protection, Health, Love, Divination, and Exorcism

Mustard - Fertility, Protection, and Mental Powers

Myrrh - Protection, Exorcism, Healing, and Spirituality

Myrtle - Love, Fertility, Youth, Peace, and Money

Nettle - Exorcism, Protection, Healing, and Lust

Norfolk Island Pine - Protection and Anti-Hunger

Nuts - Fertility, Prosperity, Love, and Luck

Oak - Protection, Health, Money, Healing, Potency, Fertility, and Luck

Oats - Money

Olive - Healing, Peace, Fertility, Potency, Protection, and Lust

Onion - Protection, Exorcism, Healing, Money, Prophetic Dreams, and Lust

Orange - Love, Divination, Luck, and Money

Orchid - Love

Oregon Grape - Money and Prosperity

Orris - Love, Protection, and Divination.

Palm, Date - Fertility and Potency

Pansy - Love, Rain Magick, Love, and Divination

Papaya - Love and Protection

Parsley - Love, Protection, and Purification

Passion Flower - Peace, Sleep, and Friendship

Patchouly - Money, Fertility, and Lust

Pea - Money and Love

Peach - Love, Exorcism, Longevity, Fertility, and Wishes

Pear - Lust and Love

Pecan - Money and Employment

Pennyroyal - Strength, Protection, and Peace

Peony - Protection and Exorcism

Pepper - Protection and Exorcism

Peppermint - Purification, Sleep, Love, Healing, and Psychic Powers

Persimmon - Healing and Lust

Pimento - Love

Pine - Healing, Fertility, Protection, Exorcism, and Money

Pineapple - Luck, Money, and Chastity

Pistachio - Breaking Love Spells

Plum - Healing

Poke - Courage and Hex Breaking

Pomegranate - Divination, Luck, Wishes, Wealth, and Fertility

Poplar - Money and Flying

Poppy - Fertility, Love, Sleep, Money, Luck, and Invisibility

Potato - Image Magick, and Healing

Prickly Ash - Love

Primrose - Protection and Love

Purslane - Sleep, Love, Luck, Protection, and Happiness

Quince - Protection, Love, and Happiness

Radish - Protection and Lust

Ragweed - Courage

Raspberry - Protection and Love

Rattlesnake Root - Protection and Money

Rhubarb - Protection and Fidelity

Rice - Protection and Fidelity

Roots - Protection, Power, and Divination

Rose - Love, Psychic Powers, Healing, Love, Divination, Luck, and Protection

Rosemary - Protection, Love, Lust, Mental Powers, Exorcism, Purification, Healing, Sleep, and Youth

Rowan - Psychic Powers, Healing, Protection, and Success

Rue - Healing, Health, Mental Powers, Exorcism, and Love

Rye - Love and Fertility

Saffron - Love, Healing, Happiness, Wind Raising, Lust, Strength, and Psychic Powers

Sage - Immortality, Longevity, Wisdom, Protection, and Wishes

Sagebrush - Purification and Exorcism

St. John's Wort - Health, Power, Protection, Strength, Love, Divination, and Happiness

Sandalwood - Protection, Healing, Exorcism, and Spirituality

Sarsaparilla - Love and Money

Sassafras - Health and Money

Savory, Summer - Mental Powers

Skullcap - Love, Fidelity and Peace

Senna - Love

Sesame - Money and Lust

Shallot - Purification

Skunk Cabbage - Legal Matters

Slippery Elm - Stops Gossip

Snakeroot - Luck and Money

Snakeroot, Black - Love, Lust, and Money

Snapdragon - Protection

Solomon's Seal - Protection and Exorcism

Sorrel Wood - Healing and Health

Southern Wood - Love, Lust, and Protection

Spanish Moss - Protection

Spearmint - Healing, Love, and Mental Powers

Spiderwort - Love

Spikenard - Love

Star Anise - Psychic Powers, and Luck

Strawberry - Love and Luck

Sugar Cane - Love and Lust

Sunflower - Fertility, Wishes, Health, and Wisdom

Sweetgrass - Calling Spirits

Sweetpea - Friendship, Chastity, Courage, and Strength

Tansy - Health and Longevity

Tea - Riches, Courage, and Strength

Thistle - Strength, Protection, Hex Breaking, and Healing

Thistle, Holy - Purification and Hex Breaking

Thistle, Milk - Snake enraging

Thyme - Health, Healing, Sleep, Psychic Powers, Love, Purification, and Courage

Toadflax - Protection and Hex Breaking

Toadstool - Believed to bring rain.

Tobacco - Healing and Purification

Turmeric - Purification

Turnip - Protection and bringing an end to relationships.

Uva Ursa - Psychic Work

Valerian - Love, Sleep, Purification, and Protection