Book of Shadows pt. 4

Green Witch: Herbs

You are an animist (or you will be) so you believe that plants have spirits. These spirits are discrete beings and are not interchangeable, so you can't just pretend rosemary is mullein and vice versa.

Substitutions are possible. Think about it like substituting ingredients in a regular kitchen recipe. You can switch pork for beef, but the end result will not be the same. You can still cook a good dinner, but it will be a different dinner. You can swap out herbs all day long, but the magical effects will be different. Protection from basil is not the same as protection from cloves. The good news is that these effects are often so subtle that it is unlikely you will be able to tell the difference anyway. Just keep in mind that changes are changes.

Working with dried plants is perfectly fine, but it is different than working with a living plant. Remember the animist plant spirits? Well, we believe that those plant spirits are what gives the herbs power. It is not the physical, chemical components of the dried herb that powers our spell. Rather, it is the metaphysical, spiritual power. And dead plants don't have any of that power left. If you were a rose spirit, would you spend time powering all of the dead rose petals on the ground, or would you empower your living children? After a certain period of time, the spirit of a plant departs and the herbs just become bits of dried biomatter.

In order to make these dried plants powerful again, we believe that we need to call the plant spirits back in to them. This is easily done. Take all of the herb you are going to use, and gently exhale on it to give it the 'breath of life'. Say or think some words to call the plant spirit back, like, "spirit of the rose, return to your child." Do this for each individual herb you are going to use.

During spells, you can empower herbs with lots of energy, and either 'program' them, or simply instruct them, on how to act. For example if you have some hot peppers for a hex, you can instruct them on how your enemy is to be harmed, and what the conditions are, and so on.

To actually use plants, you will likely either destroy them or keep them as part of a sachet. Currently I have several herbal sachets sitting on our altar. They provide specific energies which help fuel and direct goals that we have. During other times, dried herbs are stuck to candles or burned as incense. We also often use herbs as part of teas for baths, floor washes, or for drinking! When the herb is destroyed, all its energies are released at once and go in to the environment around it. When herbs are kept and empowered, they release a steady stream of energy around them.

When you keep an herbal sachet, it requires regular empowering and recharging or else the plant spirit will eventually leave it again. Just give it energy, more 'breaths of life', and some attention now and then.

LIST OF HERBS (incomplete)

Acorn: Used for good luck, protection, wisdom, and personal power

African Mojo Beans: carried in a pocket, purse, or mojo for good luck

Agrimony: Overcoming fear & inner blockages and dispelling negative emotions. Reversing spells. Use as a wash or oil for healing rituals. Ward off evil entities and poisons

Alfalfa Leaves: Used in money, prosperity, and anti-hungry spells

Allspice: Money, luck, healing, and obtaining treasure. Added determination and energy to any spell

Angelica Root: Very powerful. Protects against negative energy and attracts positive energy. Used in healing and exorcisms. Protects against curses.

Anise Seeds: Used to help ward off the Evil Eye, find happiness, and stimulate psychic ability. Used in sleep pillows to prevent nightmares

Anise Star: Burned to increase psychic awareness & abilities. Placed on altar to increase power generated or carried to bring good luck

Arabic Gum Powder: Purification and increased spirituality. Burned to reach meditative state