Learning to work with herbs in magick

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

I have studied long and hard about the use ofherbs as a magickal tool, I have learned that it is important that as long as you put your energies into the herbs during any ritual or magickal event the effects are very strong and you are more likely to get your desired outcome.
I use herbs mostly to make magickal remedies such as healing and for incense.
I also make sachets for healing as well, I take any peice of cloth and mix a few herbs in them and tie it up with a ribbon and place this under my pillow, I usually use, rosemary,lavendar,and juniper berries. I give them away as gifts as well.
but the funnest thing for me is making my own incense, I combine many herbs together in a large bowl and while I crush them with my hands I visualize what I would like to manifest in my mind. I try to get the images as clear as possible and put my feelings into the herbs, than I place them in a grinder and usually recite an affirmation that go's with my desired manifestation, or I just focus on a certain feeling, such as joy as I grind the herbs.
I than take the powdered insence and place it in a jar, I use mine right away by placeing a small tablespoon into a fire proof bowl, which is my cauldron and light it, I than open up all the windows so the energy gets out into the world, I than sit in front of the window and visualize again my manifestations. I have soft music playing in the background as well. I just relax and let the energies flow out through my window into the world.
I do this alot, since its very soothing and sometimes I just put some frankinsence in the pot and light it and again visualize my outcomes or a feeling and try to release it out into the world.
This is just one of my own ways of magick, I hope some of you find it helpful.
I do beleive that no matter how we perform our magick or meditations, herbs are always helpful and working with them is easy and fun, and they smell great! well most of them, haha.
Sandel wood is good for meditation mixed with frankinsence, together they are very powerful, and the scent is very rich and earthly, I also like patchouly, it has that earth smell as well.
here are some magickal meanings of herbs-

Divination: Anise Bay Laurel, Bistort, Chicory, Cinnamon, Eyebright, Gum Mastic, Juniper, Marigold, Mugwort, Nutmeg, Patchouli, Thyme, Wormwood, Yarrow..

Fertility: Cucumber, Myrtle, Oak, Pine, Pomegranate, Poppy, Rose, Sunflower, Walnut

Healing: Amaranth, Anemone, Apple, Ash, Balm of Gilead, Carnation, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Myrrh, Onion, Peppermint, Red Geranium, Rose, rosemary, Rue, Sage, Spearmint, Thistle, Violet..

Love: Apple, Aster, Caraway, Coriander, Cumin, Jasmine, Lavender, Marjoram..

Mental Powers: Clove, Hazel, Honeysuckle, Periwinkle, Rosemary, Rue..

Money: Almond, Basil, Bergamot, Bryony, Chamomile, Cloves, Honeysuckle, Hyssop, Mint, Patchouli, Pine, Sage, Wheat..

Peace: Basil, Cumin, Frankincense, Rose, Valerian

Protection: Angelica, Ash, Bay, Cyclamen, Dill, Fennel, Fern, Hyssop, Mistletoe*, Mullein, Rose Geranium, St. John's Wort, Tarragon..

Purification: Anise, Basil, Bay Laurel, Dragon's Blood (an incense or resin), Elder, Frankincense, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Lovage, Myrrh, Orange, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Rue, Saffron, Sandalwood, Solomon's Seal

[Lady_Butterfly]

I think herbs are great for a lot of uses, and I would like to maybe try some this year for some remedies. I have not tried this yet, but am very curious. A lot of them just smell good, and are very relaxing! I usually grow herbs in my planters, but I actually like cooking with them!! I was wondering if any of you have tried Green Tea. I try to drink it at least a couple times a week, as it is very high in antioxidents, and I believe it protects the cells in your body. Well I don't want to jinx myself, but I haven't gotten sick in a long long time.... (Knock on wood!) I've heard that White Tea is better, although I haven't tried it yet. I prefer the organic stuff too!!

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

hi Kronic yeah the reason I added this boad is because magick and herbs are a huge interest of mine as well as astral projection.
I use dried dandelion herbs as a tea to clean our my system, also it cleans the liver and the lliver supports the skin and epidermis layers, so I use it for my beauty treatments also.
I also make my own herbal healing teas with chamomile and peppermint both dried herbs, I just infuse them with boiling water and let steep for about 15 minutes.
When I have a headache or I am sick with the flu or just not feeling well I usually add a few aspirans to the teas.
There is so much you can do with herbs, thats why I love them.
Another healing method I use is take a cloth put any dried herbs in it, I use usually lavendar and lemon balm or lemon grass. I than put these in my bath which is very hot, since the heat helps release the properties of the herb and it also releives tension in the body, so combined I just lay in the tub and let the steam take my pain away or sickness I envision the steam as all the built up negativity within my body and releasing and diminishing into the air.
so if you guys are sick you can try this, it helps me everytime...

Ronni

[Martha]

Ronni, cool post you have here. I also use herbs quite
a bit. Back in the day, when I was not in such a good
place, Mother Winbush had me to make a protection
out of herbs.

I used red pepper, sage, and salt. I mixed the dry
ingredients together in a bowl. She then had me to
sprinkle this mixture in every corner of my home and
all around the outside too.

It acted as a purging for me. As I said , at that time I
was not in such a good place. (Long story) to those
that don't know it already.

By keeping my hands in it so long while I was sprinkling
it, it purged some stuff from me that I can't fully explain.

I began to vomit and had a terrible case of (the green
apple trotts) lol. I was sick as a dog. But after a few
minutes I began to feel better and actually felt better
than when I began.

Mother said it was a very good thing. It was cleansing
me mind, body and spirit

[BenHangen]

Martha

Would you say this was specific to you or for common use? Also was there a specific type of salt used?

Sometimes table salt is OK then othertimes raw organic salt is sometimes preffered.

[Martha]

Hi Ben. How are you doing? Well table salt can be
used, however I use Sea Salt when I have it.

This a general protection that anyone can use. It really
helped to keep some bad things from me.

There was the husband that needed to go and to stay
gone. It was a rough road to get him gone but he has
stayed away. And trust me, he was determined not to
lose his free ride.

He had said that he was not going anywhere. If any-
thing, he said he would make me sale the homeplace
given to me by my father, years before I even met this
guy.

Between some things that Mother did for me and some
things she had me to do, he left. Not of his own free
will, but Mother said be patient and do as I tell you, he
will leave whether he wants to or not.

Within a short period of time he took me on a wild ride
forcing me to drive him around looking for drugs and
screaming at me for hours while I just drove, not
knowing what he would do.

After hours of this, he finally allowed me to stop at a
store, I was thirsty. He went in too but while his back
was turned, I slipped a note to the clerk and she had
the cops stop our car, within like 5 min. they had him
and I was free.

This protection has worked to keep him away too.
Take care Ben. Martha

[BenHangen]

Ronni:

Your choice of incense are my favorite, my wife hates the patchouli oil that I love so I don’t spread it around like I want. I do have a question, you mentioned a healing tea.
“I also make my own herbal healing teas with chamomile and peppermint both dried herbs, I just infuse them with boiling water and let steep for about 15 minutes.
When I have a headache or I am sick with the flu or just not feeling well I usually add a few aspirans to the teas.”<br>
Instead of aspirin have you ever thought about using willow bark? It’s the natural form of acetylsalicylic acid, it used to be chewed on along with snakeroot (Echinacea) for this problem. It’s much better to use the Echinacea in a combined tea rather than chew it, it’s bitter and numbs your mouth. Oh it’s the root of a plant that is at least 5 years old that you want. Around here if you get caught harvesting snakeroot out of season and is not at least 3 years old you get a big fine. It’s also a perennial and a beautiful flower to have around the house, outside of course.

Also when you mentioned the dandelion were you meaning the yard weed or the giant dandelion that grows to about 3’ high? I have some of them around my house and wont cut them down and have heard that they have many uses. Do you know of any?

I’m just beginning to revive all that I used to do so whatever potions anyone has I’ll be willing to copy and try out.

Ben

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

Martha I beleive any salt is a good purifier, and I usually just use table salt to be honest, and it seems to do the trick.
Ben, yeah I love patchouli oil and the herb, I have some placed in a bowl right in front of my door, to attract wealth and abundance.
I think the dandelion that grows big is the one..but im not sure, all I know is that I found some at my local herb shop and have used it alot and I soon I will need more.hmm I just basicly know that dandelion is great for cleaning the system out of impurities.
Ben do you have any potions to share with us?

Ronni

[Martha]

Ronni, you are right, regular table salt is just fine to
use. I mostly like using the sea salt for herbal baths.
It makes the skin soft.

I use the regular salt to cleanse my crystals and in
making protections and the like.

What Ben said about white willow bark is so true. It
works great.

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

yeah white willow bark I know is good, I had some but I didnt really use it much. I would like to get more.

any potions to share with us martha??

[Martha]

Well I have a cleansing bath. It removes negative
energy, whether it comes from an internal or external
source.

It takes bay leaves, 1 lemon, salt, and flour.
You put nine bay leaves, the juice of 1 lemon,
3 fistfuls of salt, and a sprinkling of flour to a
full tub of very warm water.

3 and 9 are numbers of completion. Bay is ruled
by the sun and is used for protection. As you sit
in the tub, it is suggested to chew on a bay leaf
and meditate on the source of what ever the
problem or source of stress is.

Flour is used for purification and stabilization.

The combination of salt and lemon is used to
drive away negative.

You must sit in the tub at least 10 min. longer is
prefered. And do not towel off but allow yourself
to air dry.

[Martha]

Sorry guys I forgot to say, that during this 10 min.
soak you should completely immerse yourself 3 times

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

Martha that is a good recipe I may take it and add it to my magick list if thats okay?
also do you have any thing for strong healing potions?
thanks Martha

Ronni

[Martha]

Ronni of course you may add it to your collection.
Let me do a little research on a healing potion for
you. I will see what I can come up with.

If you find something before I do please let me
know. Thanks...

[Lori]

Wow, interesting subject. I love aroma therapy and I have incense and candles lit often. Where do you all get these dry herbs? Do you grow them yourself or buy them at any store? Also, are any of these herbs you are using in the form of essential oils or are they all in dried form? I would really like to know more about the use of herbs and such.

I am going to print out this post for trying some of the mixtures you all talk about. Thanks.

- Lori

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

Hi Lori,Im glad you like to use herbs too, I get mine at the local witchcraft shop, they sell tons of herbs, I think alot of people go through online, since they don't usually have an herb shop by them.
I got luck I live right down the street from one, I could walk to it. but mine are all dried, I have tried to make my own essential oils,but it didn't work out well at all, so I just bye them, even though they are exspensive I still find them very powerful in healing and making incense.
I will be adding some incense recipes to the board too!

Ronni

[Martha]

Lori

You can grow your own herbs easily. They grow and
spread great. Or you can get them at any health food
store. Fresh is always good but the dried ones seem
to work just as well.

They are easy to dry, just find a corner to hang them
up, upside down, and let nature do the rest.

I have never made my own essential oils so I don't know which to use, but I suppose either.

Look! Its Whitney playing his guitar! lol

[BenHangen]

Ronni:

On your thread Witches Calendar there is no reply button so I will make a post here you seem to get around to this thread. It is a link to a witch’s calendar that is downloadable. It is the Pagan Daybook II and is quite a work of art in itself. www.mindworkshop.com/alchemy/pagan2.html To get the full version you have to by a book.

I almost made a reply when you asked me if I had any spell’s or potions but thought twice because what is used. It is a variation of Martha’s protection spell. It uses potassium nitrate and Datura Stramonium. In alchemy potassium nitrate has been used in protection spells for over a millennia or maybe much longer. It was the Datura Stramonium that changed my mind as it is toxic and has mind-altering effects.

You say you are going to post some of your recopies for incense, do you use potassium nitrate in them? Whenever I have done this I have trouble getting the lever of saltpeter right. Guess I could buy a book on doing this but that takes out a lot of fun in exparamentation.

Like you I live not to far from a bookstore that caries most everything you need for these things and also not that far from an herbal shop. Sounds great but it is still a big city and I don’t like it.

On your herb list you should go outside and see if there is any American Ginseng in your yard, you might think it is one of those weeds because it grows everywhere, just got to know what it looks like.

Martha:
Your brew sounds like it would make a good marinade too, LOL. No dis intended because I am thinking about trying it soon and I don’t usually do baths, I’m a shower person but every once in a while I’ll kick back with the bubbles, a bunch of candles and a few shots of Wild Turkey.

I have brought potassium nitrate and I am looking for ancient alchemy and uses for it in magik. I have a good understanding of it but would like more. Ronnie you make incense and do spells so you look like you should know quite a bit about it. I do not want to spend $40 to buy the book when information can be shared.

[BenHangen]

I forgot I was going to put in a link to my bookstore because you can also order online from them. They boast of having the worlds largest collection of religious books in the world and if they don’t have it they will get it. It doesn’t matter what religion, Satanism, Judaism, Christianity, tarot, or whatever they have it. Also they have oils, herbs, crystals, and music. Did I leave anything out? www.pombookstore.com/pom/

Ben

[~¤LilacSky¤~]

Hi Ben, thanks for the great links, I will check out the witches canlendar, as of right now I am working on a library for the forum, I will be adding all my magickal recipes in their, but I may make it a blog so everyone can add theirs to it ya know, so keep on the lookout for that,
I will be adding that very soon within the next week, I also would like to add an herb list.
I use only resins and herbs in my incense recipes, I don't use anything else, It burns just as good, as long as its not too powdered down ya know.
thanks Ben