3

Witches and Herbs

Witches have a history of being feared and persecuted for their special relationships with nature, being seen as people with “scary” powers that few others possess. This was not always the case; The Witches’ Almanac quotes Robert Graves as saying that natural occult power exists in one out of twenty people, and Colin Wilson, a British author, was quoted in the New York Times as saying five out of every one hundred people were natural Witches. Wilson went on to say that this was so normal no one seemed to be concerned about it until the Church began its persecutions in the thirteenth century.

There is an excellent video (broadcast on The Learning Channel) called The Burning Times, in which the history and possible causes for the Witch burnings in Europe are covered. It convincingly suggests that the so-called religious cases were a mockery of human intelligence and a thinly disguised cover-up for the real cause. The cases were political events designed to wrest power from independent women who had wealth or property, prevent women from being educated, and place women under the domination of a legal male guardian. For example, the use of midwives was curbed so that only male doctors, whose education was actually inferior to that of the country herbalist Green Witch, would dominate in the field of medicine. Religion of this persecutory sort served to elevate an elite ruling class, and had little to do with the Divine.

Today, churches decry a woman’s right to abortion as the murder of infants, but for four centuries, churches both Catholic and Protestant tortured, hung, and burned to death millions of women and children, including infants, as Witches. The figure of nine million killed is frequently seen in Craft writings, but cannot be substantiated. Nevertheless, this terror devastated the population of Europe, and in some cases is known to have wiped out entire villages with the cry of “Kill them all and let God sort out the righteous!”

As then, the matter today is not one of faith, but of domination and authority. For people who believe that abortion is the only cause of the Fundamentalists, a quick look at some Fundamentalist literature makes their agenda clear. It includes far-reaching controls on society, including the banning of contraceptives, enforced Christian faith in public schools, outlawing of Wicca and Paganism, restrictions on the Constitutional freedoms of the Bill of Rights, and inclusion of religious tests for the holding of public office (which is specifically prohibited in Article 6 of the Constitution). For Fundamentalists, the idea of creating God’s heaven on earth—a concept that denies God’s ability to do anything on his own—would require the destruction of the Constitution and the establishment of a dictatorship.

The Importance of Herbal Knowledge

In modern times, what has remained of the herbal lore of the Witch is being painstakingly rediscovered and compiled by numerous herbalists. The medical profession is once again opposed to people having the right to approach their health needs through the use of herbs, and severe restrictions on the sale of herbs have been imposed around the United States. For the most part, herbs can be acquired in health food stores, but for the past fifteen or so years, the employees have been forbidden by law to aid the buyer with any information about the benefits or uses of herbs. While something like bulk senna tea is available, the information that too much tea will cause severe diarrhea (it is used as a laxative) is withheld. Likewise, the information about what combinations of teas will promote menstrual flow and which ones can induce abortion is also withheld. By doing so, herbs can then be portrayed as dangerous, and articles can be written about people developing ailments because they misused or overused an herb.

Case Study: Herbs as Contraceptives

It would undermine the power of the predominantly male-dominated medical profession for ordinary people to have an understanding of herbs and their uses. Yet, if a pregnant woman reads in one book that tansy tea is good for morning sickness, she needs to know that it is described in another book as good for inducing menses—hence, a possible spontaneous abortion could result depending on the strength of her tea and the amount consumed. Some books discuss dangerous herbs, and the reader must use caution as serious injury might ensue since a strong dosage could result in anything from no effect to menses to abortion to death. A number of common herbal contraceptives were covered in the March/April 1994 issue of a Newsweek article on ancient contraceptives and abortion techniques, “Ever Since Eve...Birth Control in the Ancient World.” Here it was stated that in rural America, ingesting a teaspoonful of seeds from Queen Ann’s Lace (a common weed with lacy white flowers) stirred into a glass of water after sexual relations is still a country practice. Contraception was not officially illegal in the Catholic Church until 1869, but as early as the first century c.e., the approach of male physicians was inclined against abortion. Nevertheless, population control was being discussed in the ancient world as beneficial to society.

The natives of an isolated Amazonian Jungle tribe only have children every three years because that is all they can feed and support, so they end unwanted pregnancies with herbs. But modern Americans are forbidden this knowledge because of the imposition of Judeo-Christian religious codes, despite the alleged freedom of religion. The insidious undermining of freedoms due to laws based on religious beliefs has resulted in Americans being denied access to the simple French drug that terminates pregnancies with only a pill, taken in the privacy of the home. There would be no need for abortion clinics with the availability of this pill, and private decisions affecting their bodies and their lives would again be in the hands of women. There is a promise of releasing this pill in America in a few years, but already the price being projected is exorbitant. In Europe, it is affordable.

Educating Yourself about Herbs

For those who want herbal information as part of their personal education, there are books available on the subject and courses through correspondence at some local colleges. But for that same person to then tell others about the herbs is to risk a charge of practicing medicine without a license. So the Witches of today may suggest acetaminophen to a friend with a headache and no one complains, but recommend an herbal remedy to someone, and you are culpable under the law. The ramifications of all this have caused public schools to forbid students bringing any medication at all to school—including any kind of over-the-counter headache or menstrual symptom remedy—to avoid the possibility of lawsuit should any adverse reaction take place on school grounds. Self-medication has been presented by the medical profession as highly dangerous and reckless, yet people have a history of self-medication that spans the millennia.

For further study about the medical uses of herbs, I recommend Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Jude’s Herbal Home Remedies (by Jude C. Williams, M.H.), and The New Age Herbalist. For a wealth of magical information about herbs, I recommend Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. The Green element of the Craft is basically an herbal one, and herbs are used both for medicinal and magical purposes. Almost any spell or charm is improved if herbs are worked into it. For practicing the Craft, a basic garden of favorite herbs is a must, even if this means potted plants. The very contact with Mother Earth and green growing things is a source of renewal of energy and power for any Witch.

Most herbs prefer sandy, well-drained soil, but there are some that thrive in damp, water-retaining soil. If you do not have both types in your yard, as is most likely the case, you can get around this problem by planting your herbs in raised herb beds filled with the appropriate soil. Planting and harvesting tips along with sun and water needs (and even some arts and crafts suggestions) are in many herb gardening books. Starting seeds in cups with bottom drainage holes is easiest, and then transplanting the seedlings into the garden.

A Witch’s Herb Garden

Since there are reliably good books on herbs, how to grow them, how to use them, and what crafts can be made of them, I shall not focus on these matters. Instead, I want to consider the magical use of herbs. Many herbs can be purchased by mail order and at occult supply stores, and Appendix B lists stores I have found good for ordering herbs, oils, and various other supplies. There is nothing wrong with being a busy Witch and ordering supplies from a reputable source, but of course it is always more rewarding to make your own oils and grow, collect, and store your own herbs. I have done it both ways, and, as in all practice of the Craft, the magic comes from within the practitioner—the supplies are an aid in focusing that magic.

The Witch’s garden should contain certain basic herbs. The individual knows what use the herbs will be put to and should plant with this in mind. Depending on how much you feel you will need, the plots may be small or large. Some Witches create herbal crafts for others or grow herbs for distribution at shops, requiring large gardens, while others have more simple needs, and maintain smaller gardens. The following lists give examples of herbs found in an all-around versatile Witch’s garden:

agrimony	angelica	avens
basil	bay	betony
birch	broom	burdock
catnip	chamomile	chives
cinquefoil	coltsfoot	comfrey
coriander	dandelion	dianthus
dill	elecampane	fennel
feverfew	garlic	gentian
heather	hops	hyssop
lavender	lemon balm	lemon verbena
lovage	marigold	marjoram
mint	mugwort	mullein
nasturtium	oregano	parsley
rose	rosemary	rue
sage	St. John’s Wort	savory
tansy	tarragon	thyme
trefoil	vervain	valerian
woodruff	wormwood	yarrow

Trees, shrubs, and flowers useful for their particular properties and as ornamental accents may include:

alder	elder	foxglove
hawthorn	hazel	heather
oak	rowan	willow

Herbs and their Qualities

Some common cooking spices do double duty as herbs that can be utilized in the Craft. Using these herbs fresh in food preparation adds magic to a meal, and can make it part of a ritual. By learning what uses you can make of herbs in magical practice, the creating of spells begins to follow a pattern that works for the individual, yet is based upon accepted attributes. Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a very useful tool, particularly if you desire to match the spell you want to create with an herb by its characteristics, planetary and elemental associations, and so forth. I rarely give very much attention to astrological relationships as regards the herbs themselves, but many people do. My listing of herbs and their uses tends to be more succinct. The following is an herbal listing I keep in my spellbook. Caution: Be careful with poisonous plants since even inhaling the smoke may be dangerous.

Herb	Quality
acacia	burn for altar offering, aids psychic powers, meditation
agrimony	protection, returns spells to their sender, promotes sleep
alder	whistles entice the Elemental Air
allspice	burn for prosperity
angelica	sprinkle about the house to ward negativity, protection, divination
anise	purification, protection, entices spirits to aid in spells
apple	bury in the garden on Samhain as food for the departing spirits, love (share an apple with the one you love), health, attracts unicorns
ash	wands, protection, leaves for prophetic dreams, prosperity
avens	purification, love
banana	fertility, prosperity (I mention this for those in tropical climates because the flowers are hermaphroditic and can be used as altar offerings for the Goddess and God as One—I use the image of Shiva Ardhanari for this aspect of the Divine)

Herb	Quality
basil	protection, wealth, love, repels negativity
bay	burn for psychic powers, purification, wish magic
benzoin	burn for purification, prosperity
bergamot	success
betony	burn at Litha for purification, protection, to be rid of nightmares (put in a pillow under your own pillow), to send away despair (sprinkle around doors and windows), psychic awareness
birch	protection, purification, wards negativity
blackberry	protection, health, prosperity, pies for Lughnassadh
blackthorn	returns evil to the sender
borage	tea aids psychic powers, carry leaves for protection
briar	add to tea for clairvoyant dreams

Herb	Quality
broom	purification (sweep the circle), hang indoors for protection (fairies do not like this plant, and by working with the devas you may also come to loathe the musty scent of broom)
burdock	wards negativity, purifies, protects (can be used in washing floors or wear the dried root strung on red thread)
cardamon	burn for love spells, use in love sachets
carnation (Dianthus)	protection, altar offering for the Goddess, strength
cassia augustifolias (Indian Senna Leaf)	Caution: Tea not to be taken during menstruation or pregnancy (this tea will induce both menses and diarrhea, and if used to bring on menses or to over come constipation, may be followed up after the desired effect with a tea of China Black, chamomile, and rose hips)
catnip	love and cat magic

Herb	Quality
chamomile	meditation, rest (drink in tea), purification, calmness, prosperity, incense for the God
cherry	chips burnt at Sabbats, creativity
cinnamon	burn for spiritual and psychic powers, protection, success
cinquefoil	prosperity, protection, purification, divination dreams
citron	eat to increase psychic ability (the traditional Yule fruitcake usually includes citron in the ingredients)
clove	burn for wealth, purification, and to ward negativity
comfrey	root or leaves for healing, carry for safe travel
coriander	health
cumin	prevents theft, burn for protection
dill	seeds draw money, leaves for protection, flowers for love
elder	Caution: Seeds are poisonous. Wards negative thoughts when used as wind chimes, blessings, wood not to be burned as it is sacred to Hecate, see fairies in these trees at Litha, flowers may be used as an altar offering, berries may be made into Esbat wine, the flowers may be added to a candle spell addressed to Hecate during the new moon

Herb	Quality
elm	attracts elves, love
eyebright	tea for aiding mental powers
fennel	protection, sacred to the God, hung over doors at Litha
ferns	burn indoors for protection, outside for rain
feverfew	wards sickness, wards accidents in travel
foxglove	Caution: Poisonous, although digitalis comes from it. grow in the garden for protection of house and yard
frankincense	protection, blessing, spirituality, meditation, power
furze/gorse	burn at Ostara for protection and as preparation for any conflict
garlic	sacred to Hecate, flowers for altar offering, cloves for protection
ginger	love, success
hawthorn	powerful wands, fertility magic, protection
hazel	string the nuts on a cord and hang it in the house or ritual room to invite the help of plant fairies, used for wands, healing, protection, luck

Herb	Quality
heather	red to start or end an affair, white for protection, purple for spiritual development, use at Samhain to invite spirits to visit
hops	health, aids sleep
hyssop	purification, wards negativity
kelp	wind spells, protection, psychic powers
lavender	attracts elves, burn for purification, peace, use in bath for purification, burn at Litha as offering, love, psychic awareness
lemon balm	success, health, love (soak in wine for three hours, remove and serve wine)
linden	bark used for protection, leaves and flowers for
(lime tree)	immortality, good fortune, sleep, and love
loosestrife	purple restores harmony and brings peace (can be sprinkled in the corners of rooms or given as a gift to bring about an accord)

Herb	Quality
mace	burn for psychic power
marigold	marriage spells, clairvoyant dreams (in a pillow), mixed with water and rubbed over the eyelids to see fairies, protection, enhanced psychic powers, pick in full sun
marjoram	love, protection, wealth
mint	protection, prosperity, altar offering for helpful spirits
moonwort	divination, love, prosperity
mugwort	divination, rub fresh herb on crystal balls and magic mirrors to increase their strength, pick on full moon night
mullein	protection, divination, health, courage
mustard	health, protection, and fertility
myrrh	protection, wards negativity, burn for purification and consecrations (usually combined with frankincense)
nutmeg	burn for prosperity
nuts and cones	use to tip wands for fertility magic
oak	the God, wands, burn leaves to purify the atmosphere, use galls in charms, acorns draw money, burn wood for good health
oats	wealth, offering for the God

Herb	Quality
orange	peels for love, incense for good fortune, divination
parsley	purification, protection
patchouli	incense for drawing money, fertility, earth, Underworld
pecan	prosperity
pepper	use in amulets or grow for protection, wards negativity
pine	brush outdoor ritual area with a branch to purify and sanctify, burn for cleansing, pine needles used in money spells
rosemary	burn for purification, wards negativity, protection, love, health, grown to attract elves, blessing, consecration
rowan	wands and amulets for knowledge, incense of leaves and berries for divination, fires to call upon spirits for help, grow for protection of the home, inspiration
rue	blessing, consecration, protection, use in altar oil, health
sage	protection, wisdom, health
St. John’s Wort	burn at Litha to send away negativity, wear for invincibility, health, willpower, gathered at Litha

Herb	Quality
sandalwood	burn for protection, full moon Esbats, wards negativity, spirit offering
Solomon’s Seal (dropberry, sealroot)	an offering to the elementals for their aid, protection
star anise	burn for psychic power, good fortune
straw	attracts fairies, do not burn magic-infused straw as that will bring ill fortune, can be used as an image to protect an area (when no longer needed, release and toss to the wind)
tansy	health
thyme	wards negativity, burn for purification and healing spells
trefoil	decorate altar, protection, luck, when taking one, leave a bit of ginger or milk poured into the ground as payment to the fairies

Herb	Quality
vervain	gather/burn at Litha, altar offering, love, purification,
(verbena)	draws riches, creativity, wards psychic attack
vetivert	love, money, wards negativity
wheat	fertility, wealth
willow	burn bark with sandalwood for divination, love, protection
woodruff	add to Beltane wine to clear away barriers, protection, success, changes, psychic awareness
wormwood (absinthe)	Caution: Poisonous. If burned, use in well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, evocation, divination, and scrying (stronger when combined with mugwort) at Samhain, protection, sacred to the moon
yarrow	divination, love, happy marriage (a wedding bouquet), wards negativity, defense, protection, gather at Litha
yew	Caution: Poisonous. Yule symbol of death and rebirth, used for dagger handles

Herbs and the Moon’s Cycles

In planting and harvesting herbs for magical use, the phases of the moon play an important part in your schedule. For planning purposes, most calendars designate the days of the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter (an almanac will also have this information). Plant flowering annuals and above-ground crops with exterior seeds (such as wheat) when the moon is waxing between the new moon and the first quarter. Between the first quarter and the waxing full moon, plant above-ground crops with interior seeds (such as peas). Root crops, bulbs, biennials, and perennials (such as most herbs) should be planted between the waning full moon and the last quarter. Nothing is planted between the last quarter and the new moon.

Many people not only plant during the right phase of the moon, but under the proper astrological sign as well. Using the moon in relation to astrological signs is often featured in almanacs. Since the information is a common feature of Wicca, you should know that the moon remains in an astrological sign about two and one-half days, and again an almanac is your best source for this information. Fruitful signs, used for planting and pruning for growth, are Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces, Taurus, Capricorn, and Libra. The barren signs, used for weeding, cultivating, and harvesting herbs, are Leo, Virgo, and Sagittarius, with Aries, Gemini, and Aquarius for harvesting herbs and roots in particular.

I have found from experience that conditions vary according to what region you are in, so I have gone by the phase of the moon and how nature prompts me for my planting and harvesting. The order of harvests is determined by the plant’s natural growth cycle, and weeding and pruning come as required. This is based on the natural interaction of the earth, moon, and sun for the signals of seasonal changes. The generic nature of the Green level of the Craft allows for the incorporation of astrology for people who like more ritual in their lives.

Herbs for Incense and Candle Magic

Herbs are often burned for incense during a spell or ritual. Charcoal blocks are available for this purpose in gift and candle shops as well as occult supply stores, but there are times when the herbs are burned in candles that are consecrated to a particular work. This herbal listing shows uses for incense or candle magic. Caution: Remember, wormwood is poisonous if burned, so use good ventilation.

Quality	Herb
balance	basil, chamomile, comfrey, mullein, woodruff
blessing/consecration	chamomile, dianthus, elder flowers, fennel, mint, oats, rosemary, rue, vervain
cleansing/purification	avens, betony, benzoin, burdock, clove, hyssop, lavender, mullein, parsley, rosemary, thyme, vervain, wormwood, yarrow
creativity	vervain
courage	mullein, rosemary
divination	bay, cinquefoil, marigold, moonwort, mugwort, mullein, orange peel, thyme, woodruff, wormwood, yarrow
encourage changes	linden, purple heather, woodruff
energy/power/ strength	cinquefoil, elder flower, fennel, St. John’s Wort, vervain
fortune/justice	bay, bergamot, cinquefoil, lemon balm, orange peel, star anise, vervain, violet, woodruff
happiness/peace	jasmine, lavender, rosemary, vervain
healing	cinquefoil, comfrey, coriander, hops, lavender, lemon balm, mullein, mustard, rosemary, rue, sage, St. John’s Wort, tansy, thyme

Quality	Herb
love	avens, cardamon, dill flowers, ginger, lavender, linden leaves, marigold, marjoram, moonwort, mustard seed, orange peel, vervain, vetivert, wormwood, yarrow
meditation	acacia, chamomile
money	basil, bergamot, chamomile, clove, dill seeds, mint, moonwort, nutmeg, oats, vetivert
protection/ defense	betony, birch, burdock, cumin, dianthus, dill leaves, fennel, fern, marjoram, mint, mugwort, mullein, mustard, parsley, rosemary, rue, sage, vervain, white heather, woodruff, wormwood, yarrow
psychic	bay, betony, burdock, cinnamon, elder flower,
awareness	lavender, mace, marigold, star anise, woodruff
releasing	betony, clove, hyssop, mugwort, rosemary, St. John’s
negativity	Wort, thyme, vervain, vetivert, yarrow
sealing/sending positive energy	Wormwood. Caution: Poisonous if burned.
spirit contact/blessings	lilac, purple heather, mint, Solomon’s Seal
strength/willpower	rosemary, St. John’s Wort
wisdom	sage

Witches and Trees

Besides herbs, trees are also used in the Green practice. They are grown for a variety of purposes: wands, staffs, and stangs (the forked staff) are made from them, and the bark, wood, leaves, flowers, and fruit are used in spell work. The following is a list of trees and the properties for which they may be utilized:

Tree	Quality
alder	water magic, strength
apple	love, spirit food
ash	study, health, enhances magic, besom, stang
birch	purification, blessing, health, beginnings, besom
elder	cleansing, offering
fir/pine	prosperity, birth and rebirth, stang
hawthorn	purity, protection, wand, attracts fairies
hazel	wisdom, all-around Witch’s wand
holly	enhances magic
ivy	fertility, love
mountain ash (rowan)	protection, enhances magic, stang
oak	fertility, power, balance, protection, success, stang
poplar	success
vine (grape)	happiness
willow	moon magic, wishing, spirits, death passage, besom
yew	psychic awareness, spirits, death passage

Days of the Week and Trees

Trees also have traditional associations with days of the week, certain deities, and other aspects of Craft and spell work.

Day	Tree; Deity; Associations
Monday	willow; Hecate (crone); elder, willow
Tuesday	holly, cedar; elves; elm
Wednesday	hazel; Lady & Lord; rowan (mountain ash)
Thursday	oak, pine; Lord; oak
Friday	apple, myrtle; Lady; birch
Saturday	alder; fairies; hawthorn
Sunday	birch, laurel; Witch’s tree; hawthorn

Ash, oak, and hawthorn grown or found together form what is called a Fairy Triad, where the fair folk may visit and may be seen.

Herb Collection and Storage

Herbs should be collected on a dry day, preferably cut with your bolline. Tell the plant why you are taking a piece and ask for permission. You should either leave something in return or give the plant your blessing, however your herb garden plants are likely to be more generous and less interested in receiving a “gift” because they know you tend them. Nevertheless, it never hurts to be polite to the energies (devas) that inhabit and empower the plants. To retain the magic properties, do not set the cutting on the ground. A garden basket over one arm is very useful. Tie the herbs in small bundles and hang by a string in an airy, dark place to dry (I use red thread or embroidery floss to enhance the power of the herb). Leaves and flowers without stems can be dried in a muslin bag, although I have used paper sacks with equal success. After a week, the herbs should be ready to be crumbled, minced or ground, then stored in the dark in tins or in bottles with screw-top lids. I save larger sized bottles from ready-made sauces and jams for re-use in storing my herbs and teas in a cupboard away from light.

Herbal Treatments

The spellbook you create for yourself should contain a listing of herbal treatments and characteristics. Some may be used internally, others are only for external treatments. There are herbs to stimulate appetite and digestion, others that are tranquilizers or calmatives. Herbs can be used as astringents, laxatives, expectorants, and mild sedatives. The best place to look for information on how to use herbs for medicinal purposes is in a book on herbal remedies. Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft has a listing of properties and equipment, and while my focus here is on magical herbal use, my spellbook also contains references to medicinal uses. Witches normally study all aspects of herbs to be able to apply that knowledge. New Age Herbalist also works well as a reference.

Medicinal Terms

Term	Meaning
decoction	add boiling water to the herb for extraction (teas)
infusion	pour hot or cold water over herbs for extraction
maceration	steep in alcohol or oil (olive is best) and shake at intervals for extraction
percolation	like coffee percolators, only with herbs (or use special equipment)
filtration	like coffee filters, only with herbs (or use special equipment)
clarification	melt and skim or filter
poultices	mix crushed herbs with water and cornmeal into a paste and place on affected area (used for swellings, boils, sores)
salves	mince herbs with vegetable fat (or lard) and beeswax, cover and place in sun or low oven for four hours, strain through cheesecloth and let set in a clean container (do not re-melt)
composition powders	mix dry herbs as medicine for flu and fever
syrups	dissolve brown sugar and add to herbs until sappy, then strain through cheesecloth into a clean bottle and store
simples	steep herb in hot water for twenty minutes (do not use aluminum)

Herbal Baths

To make an herbal bath, combine the minced leaves/flowers in a jar, then place two or three tablespoons inside a cotton or muslin bag (sufficiently porous for the herbal essence to pass through but still prevent the leaves from scattering into the bath water) with a drawstring. Tie it off and place inside the tub as you fill it with water. You may want to add salt for purification baths. Herbal baths may consist of combinations of chamomile, clove, heather, hops, lavender, lemon balm, marigold, mint, pansy, rose, rosemary, and savory. Think of the benefits of the herbs you are using and call upon the energies of the plants to cleanse, energize and revive you as you bathe.

Dream Pillows

One of the popular magics for herbs is fashioning Dream Pillows. These are little pillows stuffed with herbs to affect a desired result and placed under the pillow of the person to be affected. I have made pillows for everyone in the family and vary them according to need or special request. They make lovely gifts for Imbolc. The color of the pillow varies as do the herbs depending on the purpose for which it is made. Combinations of colors can also be used. For Imbolc, the typical herb mixes stuffed into the pillow are mugwort, rosemary, and hops, or lavender, mugwort, and rose. Herbs for dreaming should be collected during the waxing or full moon.

The colors for the pillow material (cotton is best for herbal containers as it is a natural plant fiber) are white for meditation; lavender for psychic growth and divination; green for balance; pink for emotional love; purple for intuition and spiritual development; light blue for meditation and understanding; and yellow for clairvoyance and divination. I like to make each side of the pillow a different color: yellow/purple for divination and spiritual development; green/white for protection and peace; blue/white for understanding and peace; yellow/blue for divination and understanding; yellow/green for divination and balance; and pink/green for emotional love and balance.

Color Relationships

Color	Association
amber	develop Witchery skills
black	ward negativity, remove hexes, protection, spirit contact, the universe, night, truth, remove discord or confusion
blue (dark)	the Goddess (representative ritual candle), Water Elemental, truth, dreams, protection, change, meditation, impulse
blue (light)	psychic awareness, intuition, opportunity, understanding, quests, safe journey, patience, tranquility, ward depression
blue (any shade)	health
brown	Earth Elemental, endurance, animal health, steadiness, houses and homes, physical objects, uncertainties
gold	the God, solar energy, power, physical strength, success, achievement, mental growth, skill sought, healing energy, intuition, divination, fortune
gray	non-nature-type fairy magic such as communication with the fairy realms, travel to the Otherworld, vision quests, veiling, cancellation, hesitation, neutrality
green	Lord and Lady of Greenwood, Earth Elemental, herb magics, nature-type fairy magic (such as blessing a garden), luck, fertility, healing, balance, employment, prosperity, courage, agriculture, changing direction or attitudes

Color	Association
greenish- yellow	to negate discord, sickness, anger, jealousy
indigo	meditation, spirit communication, karma workings, learn the ancient wisdom, neutralize another’s magic, ward slander
lavender	spiritual development, psychic growth, divination, sensitivity to the Otherworld, blessings
orange	the God (representative ritual candle), strength, healing, pulling things to you, adaptability, luck, vitality, encouragement, clearing the mind, dominance
pink	honor, morality, friendships, emotional love
purple	power, spiritual development, intuition, ambition, healing, progress, business, spiritual communication, protection, occult wisdom
red	Fire Elemental, strength, power, energy, health, vigor, enthusiasm, courage, passion, sexuality
silver	the Goddess, lunar magic, meditation, psychic development, success, balance, wards negativity
variegated	inner development through relaxation and introspection
violet	self-improvement, intuition, success in searches
white	the Lady and the Lord together, full moon magic, purity, protection, truth, meditation, peace, sincerity, justice, warding of doubts and fears
yellow	Air Elemental, divination, clairvoyance, mental alertness, intellectual growth, prosperity, learning, changes, harmony, creativity

Herb Significance

Besides Dream Pillows, there are other types of dream charms using herbs. Various herbs are conducive to producing specific results:

Herb	Usage; Results
agrimony	sprinkled under the pillow (hereafter abbreviated as U/P); calms and brings healing sleep
anise seeds	(U/P); spiritual protection
ash leaves	(U/P); insightful and prophetic dreams
bay leaves	(U/P); dreaming of the future
bracken fern root	(U/P); dream solutions to problems
buchu leaves	burn at bedtime with frankincense for guidance dream
catnip	drink as warm tea for restful sleep and healing dreams
cedar	burn at bedtime for spiritual healing, cleansing, and protection
cinquefoil	(U/P); guidance in love and insights to the future
frankincense	burn at bedtime to dream spiritual growth and insight to the future
heliotrope	(U/P); divination

Herbs in Rituals

As Offerings

Herbs may be used as tokens of esteem and respect for the deities and energies of the Craft. The Goddess may be honored by herbal offerings at those phases of the moon in which her identity is that of maiden, mother, or crone. I do this to relate to a particular aspect of the Lady through the visual appearance, texture, and scent of the appropriate herb. The act of dropping the herbs into the flame brings the focus of the ritual to the altar and stimulates the intimate bond between the Witch and the greater deity aspect. It is a gift rather like saying, “All things, including myself, come from the Lady and Lord, and I offer back to you a portion of what I have gathered from you.” In the Bible, the gift of Cain was rejected by the Judaic god because at the time the Bible was written (625 b.c.e.) it was a gift recognized as being suited to the Goddess. As plants of various kinds have customarily been offered to the Lady, herbal offerings can be especially meaningful for their particular significance and properties.

In Sabbat Rituals

During the eight Sabbats, some herbs are burned and others are used as altar offerings and decorations or hung about the ritual area.

Sabbat	Related Herbs
Samhain	heather, mullein, patchouli, and sage may be burned; acorns, apples, pumpkins, oak leaves, straw, broom, dittany, ferns, and flax may be decorations
Yule	bay, bayberry, chamomile, frankincense, rosemary, and sage may be burned; holly, juniper, mistletoe, moss, oak, pine cones, cedar, evergreen, and blessed thistle may be decorations
Imbolc	basil, bay, benzoin, and celandine may be burned; angelica, myrrh, yellow flowers, and white flowers may be decorations
Ostara	celandine, cinquefoil, jasmine, rose, tansy, and violets may be burned; acorn, crocus, daffodil, dogwood, honeysuckle, iris, lily, and strawberry may be decorations
Beltane	almond, ash, cinquefoil, frankincense, marigold, meadowsweet, and woodruff may be burned; angelica, bluebells, daisy, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, primrose, and rose may be decorations
Litha	chamomile, cinquefoil, elder flower, fennel, lavender, mugwort, thyme, and vervain may be burned; hemp, larkspur, pine, rose, St. John’s Wort, and wisteria may be decorations
Lughnassadh	cornstalks, heather, frankincense, and wheat may be burned; acacia flowers, corn ears, hollyhock, myrtle, oak leaves, and wheat may be decorations
Mabon	benzoin, marigold, myrrh, sage, and thistles may be burned; acorns, asters, ferns, honeysuckle, milkweed, mums, oak leaves, pine, and rose may be decorations

In Moon Rituals

The new or crescent moon represents the maiden aspect and is a time for personal rituals and meditations, setting new goals, and doing wish magic. The herbs that may be used at the start of these rituals are jasmine, myrrh, rosemary, or vanilla, burned in a white or silver candle. During the full moon, the mother aspect may be honored with ash, gardenia, lotus, oak, palm, or rose, burned in a red or green candle during a ritual for acknowledging successful workings, completions, and honoring the energies or spirit guides. The waning or dark moon represents the crone aspect and is a time for banishings, purgings, letting go of bad habits, removing obstacles, divination, and purification. The herbs that may be used at the start of these rituals include frankincense, elder flowers, or willow, burned in a black candle.

During a particular moon ritual, the altar may be prepared with the above suggested herbs in the color of candle listed, but if you are performing a specific spell or other magic for a particular purpose at an Esbat, you may want to show your respect for the Lady first, then use candles and herbs appropriate for the work you have in mind afterwards. There is a great deal of flexibility in the Green level of the Craft, and the Witch is encouraged to do what feels right.

In Timing Rituals

For some people, the need to get as much positive alignment as possible leads to concerns about the proper day to do a spell, the time of day, and the planetary influence. The Green element has a moon and sun orientation rather than an astrological one, but since it is the base level of any Craft practice, it can be adapted, or overlaid, with the use of favorable days, hours, and signs. The normal reality, however, is that rituals are usually very simple, and these factors really do not enter into consideration. I have felt a need for a spell and performed it, then out of curiosity checked to see if the timing was appropriate, and I have never found that it was not. There are many ways to approach the timing of magic workings, and a listing of days and hours can be easily manipulated to suit your needs whenever they arise. Nevertheless, since this is a common feature of Craft practice, I do keep a fairly standard schedule for reference should I feel inclined to use it.

Days

Days	Associations
Monday	(planet) Moon (colors) silver, white, gray (herb) moonwort (influences) dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, theft
Tuesday	(planet) Mars (colors) red, orange (herb) basil (influences) dynamic energy, matrimony, war, enemies, prison, hunting, surgery, courage, politics, contests
Wednesday	(planet) Mercury (colors) yellow, gray, violet (herb) lavender (influences) communication, teaching, reason, divination, skill, self-improvement, debt, fear, loss
Thursday	(planet) Jupiter (colors) blue, purple (herb) cinquefoil (influences) health, honor, luck, riches, clothing, money, legal matters, desires
Friday	(planet) Venus (colors) pink, aqua, green (herb) thyme (influences) love, friendship, social activities, strangers, pleasure, art, music, incense and perfumes
Saturday	(planet) Saturn (colors) black, indigo (herb) mullein (influences) self-discipline, life, building, doctrine, protection, freedom, elderly, destroying diseases and pests
Sunday	(planet) Sun (colors) yellow, orange, gold (herb) St. John’s Wort (influences) individuality, hope, fortune, money, work, power, healing, promotions, strength, spirituality

Hours

An almanac with a magical focus will have a schedule of the hours of the day (after sunrise and after sunset) showing what planet rules when for each day of the week. The sequence is Sun, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, then repeat, beginning on Sunday; the same sequence begins on Monday with the Moon, Tuesday with Mars, and so forth so that each day, the first hour after sunrise is ruled by the planet of that day, and you progress through twenty four hours with the first twelve being the after sunrise hours, and the second twelve being the after sunset hours. You can make up your own chart with the days of the week across the top, and the hours of the day listed down the side, then simply start in the sequence shown for each day. You can adjust your workings according to what hour it is after sunrise or sunset, because the times are not equal but twice a year. Once you have the chart made, the use is easy.

A Witch’s Spellbook

You may have noticed that I refer to my spellbook rather than to a Book of Shadows, as is most common in Wiccan traditions. There are actually two distinct books that form the backbone of my approach to the Craft—the spellbook, which contains the information gathered over years of practice and experience from which spells, charms, and rituals may be derived; and the Book of Rituals, recognizable as a facet of the Wiccan Book of Shadows, which contains the rites for Sabbats and Esbats. Rites of Passage and individual Sabbat celebrations can be found in Chapters 7–16, but you really should not attempt to leap into rituals without knowing the basics and basis for them. The spellbook is a useful tool that the Witch composes, rather like a recipe book, under different headings.

I like to use bound and lined journals with decorative covers that can be found in almost any bookstore. I use small tabs (stationary and business supply stores carry these) to index the pages. The book will acquire a friendly, useful feel about it as you fill it with pertinent information. You can select the cover that appeals to you and expresses what you want to achieve in the Craft. I have never liked the solid black books often associated with Witchcraft simply because the Green elements are those of browns and greens, flowers and herbs, sun and moon, sky and earth. My spellbook is brown with a green, leafy vine around it and a red-orange rose in the center, but my Book of Rituals is green with clusters of gold leaves and red roses in the corners.

Besides these two books, I also keep a book of divinations and a journal that acts both as a dream diary and a record of impressions from other events, such as meditations and visions. Most Witches keep dream journals, divination records, and descriptions of their encounters with the Otherworld for reference, and I highly recommend the practice.

A Witch’s Relationship with Nature

The Witch whose practice is centered on the Green level feels close to the growing things of the earth and frequently talks to plants, insects, rocks, and all the creations in nature. The animistic and pantheistic aspect of the Craft makes this a logical step, albeit one that has often been used by other people with varying degrees of hostility. The non-Witch will curse at weeds, for example, whereas I will scold them and remind them that they have the whole yard to play in, so stay out of the herb garden. When I pick weeds out of the garden (I never cut them, but pull them out roots and all), I simply toss them onto the ground where they quickly take root and live quite happily. To me, weeds are not pests, but more like mischievous children playing hide and seek among the herbs, waiting to see how long it will take me to notice them.

With trees, I have found that some are more receptive and predisposed to communing with people than others. Some trees need to get to know the person close by them before bothering to respond. I have encountered trees that are rather aloof, and others that are quite content to be visited and talked to. But there are a few trees that effuse love and affection for humans, and these are a joy to be near. Generally, however, once a tree recognizes that you care about it and are not exploitative, it will blend its energies with you. The devas of the plant world bond with people who care about them, and you will be changed so that wherever you go, the green growing things will recognize you are a friend and reach out to you with their energies.

[contents]