Herbal Magickal Correspondences
The power behind herb magic is formless, shapeless, eternal. It doesn’t care whether you call on it in the name of a Witch Goddess or the Virgin Mary – or tap it within no religious framework at all. It is always there, present in abundance no matter where we are or where we travel in the universe.
Though the power is formless, some materials contain higher concentrations of power than others; these include plants, gems, and metals. Each substance also contain different types of power, or vibrational rates. The vibrations of a piece of pine wood, for example, are far different from those of a perfect, faceted diamond.
This vibratory rate is determined by several factors: chemical make-up, form, density, and so on. The powers resident in herbs are determined by the plant’s habitat, scent, color, form, etc. Similar substances usually possess similar vibrations.
Herb magic, then, is the use of herbs to cause needed changes. These plants contain energies – each as distinct as human faces. For maximum effect, the herbs chosen for a spell should possess vibrations that match your need. Cedar is fine for attracting money, but wouldn’t be of help in a fertility spell.
How does herbal magic work? First, there must be a need. A desire often masquerades as a need, but in magic a “desire” is not enough; there must exist an all-encompassing need.
The nature of the need determines which plants are used. Attracting love, for example, is a common magical need and several dozen plants do the job. (A comprehensive list of plants and their corresponding magical needs is coming up…)
Next, a spell or ritual may need to be devised; much herb magic doesn’t need a complete spell, but some of it does. This spell may be as simple as tying up the herbs in a piece of cloth, or placing them around the base of a candle, lighting the wick, and visualizing your need.
If you wish, your spell can be complex, involving boiling water in a cauldron over a mesquite-wood fire at the edge of the desert while waiting for the Moon to rise, before throwing roots and leaves into the pot.
Third, the herbs can be enchanted to ensure that their vibrations are attuned to the need. To do this, you can simply hold the plant material in your hands and visualize aligning the vibrations of the plant(s) with your magical need.
For example: “I gather you, rosemary, herb of the sun, to increase my mental powers and concentration.”
Fourth, the spell is worked, if you choose to perform this step.
Fifth, once the spell has been worked, or the herbs enchanted and the need visualized, it should be forgotten. This allows it to “cook” and bring your need into manifestation.
When baking a cake, if you look into the oven every few minutes the cake will be spoiled. In magic, as in cooking, keep the oven door shut!
And there you have it. This is how herb magic is worked. Does it sound basic? It is. These are the first steps. As with any art, the student may take herb magic further, exploring new territories. For instance, you may wish to incorporate planetary and days-of-the-week correspondences into your herbal magic workings as well.
| Agrimony | Protection, banishes negative energy, sleep(air) |
| Allspice | Prosperity, courage, energy, strength (fire) |
| Almond | Money, wisdom (air) |
| Angelica | Protection, exorcism, health, meditation, divination (fire) |
| Anise | Protection, psychic awareness, repels evil spirits (air) |
| Basil | Mend quarrels, sympathy, happiness (fire) |
| Benzoin resin | Prosperity, astral projection, purification (air) |
| Betony | Protects against nightmares and despair (fire) |
| Borage | Psychic abilities, financial gain |
| Broom | Used to bless weddings (air) |
| Carnation | Feminine energy, healing, strength (water) |
| Cedar | Home purification, good fortune, luck (fire) |
| Chamomile | Love, meditation, peace (water) |
| Cinnamon | Energy, creativity, financial matters (fire) |
| Clove | Banishing, love (fire) |
| Copal resin | Purification, cleansing (fire) |
| Damiana | Love, lust (fire) |
| Dill | Money, luck, protection (fire) |
| Fennel | Protection, healing (fire) |
| Frankincense resin | Exorcism, purification, spirituality (fire) |
| Galangal | Psychic abilities, luck, money (fire) |
| Gardenia | Love, peace, healing (water) |
| Ginger | Success, courage, strength (fire) |
| Hazel | Divination, psychic abilities, dreams (air) |
| Holly | Protection, luck (fire) |
| Honeysuckle | Healing, love, creativity (earth) |
| Horehound | Protection, exorcism, mental clarity (air) |
| Hyssop | Purification, repel negativity (fire) |
| Jasmine | Dreams, sexuality (water) |
| Lavender | Love, sleep, dreams, meditation, protection (air) |
| Lemongrass | Psychic abilities (air) |
| Lilac | Protection, divination (water) |
| Marigold | Legal matters, dreams, divination (fire) |
| Meadowsweet | Love, peace (air) |
| Mint | Healing, prosperity, creativity (air) |
| Mistletoe | Protection, fertility, exorcism (fire) |
| Mugwort | Psychic abilities, divination, protection (earth) |
| Myrrh resin | Purification, healing, spirituality (water) |
| Orris Root | Love (water) |
| Patchouli | Money, lust, fertility (earth) |
| Pine | Prosperity, fertility, healing (air) |
| Rose | Love, healing, friendship (water) |
| Rosemary | Cleansing, purification, exorcism (fire) |
| Rue | Banishing, protection (fire) |
| Sage | Purification, repels negativity, wisdom (air) |
| Sandalwood | Spirituality, exorcism, healing (water) |
| Thyme | Sleep, protection, courage (water) |
| Valerian | Love, sleep, protection (water) |
| Vanilla | Lust, love, courage (water) |
| Vervain | Love, prosperity, sleep, healing, creativity (earth) |
| Wormwood | Scrying, divination, exorcism (fire) |
| Yarrow | Love, psychic abilitities, banishing (water) |
Theme: Form, Work, Order, Practicality, Discipline
Astro Association: Aries
Tarot Association: Emperor
Astro Association: Moon
Astro Association: Virgo
Astro Association: Mercury
Witches Of The Craft® 
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