Herbal Correspondence for Natural Magic
Introduction
There are a great many uses for herbs, resins, and other organic
materials depending on which one you are using and what you
want to achieve. The herbal information tables list only a sample.
Herbs also may be used in a variety of forms such as their natural
form, usually dried, or in oils, powders and incenses. While
there are some differences in the methods of use, the properties
of the herbs and resins remains the same.
The term "herb" is generally used to cover a wide
range of plant materials, including trees, shrubs, weeds, roots,
barks, and flowers of virtually any plant that might be used
for healing, magic or other spiritual purposes. Resins come
from the liquid or sap that is found in trees or other plants,
but they are often used in the same manner and for the same
purposes as herbs. Also, animal products such as musk and ambergris
have been used for their scents though in modern times the animals
have become endangered and substitutes scents are used.
Herbs have been used for healing and magic for thousands of
years. Methods may include burning, carrying, placing in specific
locations, ingesting (for some medicinal herbs) and many others.
The correspondences do not give this information for each herb,
but their are many books that are helpful.
Correspondences are included where known and include botanical
names, common names, planet, element, deity, and magical properties.
Some herbs lack a corresponding entry in one category or another.
This really isn't surprising since the list is derived from
traditions all over the world. However, you can learn to make
appropriate substitutes.
Here is one example. Perhaps you want to carry juniper berries
for protection and you want to consecrate the berries first.
Since no deity is listed as associated with juniper berries,
you could petition the god and goddess in your ritual without
naming a particular deity. However, you might look at the other
correspondences for other possibilities. Since juniper berries
are associated with fire and the sun, look for other references
to fire and sun and see what magical and deity associations
are listed. Fire and sun are entered for carnation with the
addition of an association to Jupiter. Since carnation is also
used for protection, it's a pretty good bet that Jupiter will
be an appropriate deity. It is, in fact, a good choice. However,
you really shouldn't stop here. Once you find a possible deity,
you should learn as much as you can about it. It's not a good
idea to petition a god or goddess of whom you have little knowledge.
The herb information provided here is a place to start your
research, not end it. Witchcraft spells and rituals are far
more effective if all of the elements are thoroughly studied.
The information in these pages comes from a variety of sources
as well as years of practice. I wish you great success and joy
in your own journey through the magic of herbs!
The preceding information and the charts themselves were
compiled by Branwen. Many thanks to her tireless research
and continued support.
References include the following:
Beyerl, Paul. The Master Book of Herbalism. 1984
Cunningham, Scott. Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. 1985
Smith, Steven R. Wylundt's Book of Incense. 1989
Soloman, Maria. Helping Yourself with Magical Oils A-Z.
1977
and many web sites, discussions, written materials, etc.
from which I jotted down an association to try later. I thank
all of you who contributed to this effort even if I no longer
remember the source.
Go to Herbal
Information
Go to Herbs,
Resins, Roots and Flowers
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