Articles — herbs

A member of the Parsley family, Angelica is known in magickal herbalism as a powerful guardian. It is said to banish negativity and attract positive energy. Angelica grows in tall, blossoming stalks—but typically only the root portion is used in spellwork. Angelica is a staple of American folk magick or rootwork, but it probably acquired its holy reputation hundreds of years ago, in medieval Europe. Angelica was used to ward off disease, cure poisoning, and bring blessings upon the home. Culpeper’s 17th century herbal almanac recommends making a candy of the roots and stalks to be eaten when ill or...

Agrimony is a tall, perennial herb with yellow flowers. It grows abundantly in England, Europe, and parts of North America. Agrimony is the common name for several different species of Agrimonia. The folkloric name is Cocklebur. All are distantly related to the Rose. Agrimony was known to the ancients as a heal-all tonic, easing everything from cataracts to sore feet. The herb was steeped in baths or consumed as a tea. Nicholas Culpeper's Complete Herbal (1653) recommends cleansing sores with an infusion of Agrimony. Agrimony tea is sometimes taken as a refreshing Spring beverage. The occult legacy of Agrimony is...

Mugwort is one of the most popular herbs for the Witch’s pantry. It’s known as a psychic/Lunar herb that’s also strongly protective. This article describes Artemisia vulgaris, common Mugwort. Mugwort’s magickal virtues (combined with its low cost) make it our best-selling loose herb. But how did this unassuming ditch-weed become the Witch Queen of the herb aisle? It started as long ago as the Iron Age, when early farmers gathered wild plants to fancy up their bland, grain-based diets. Certain plants became favored for their ability to prevent spoilage and repel insects—a seemingly magickal power. Almost every beer made today...

The rich, complex fragrance of amber is a favorite for meditation and love magick. Amber is available as an incense, perfume oil, and solid resin. But what is amber anyway? Is it related to the gemstone of the same name? Read on for all the details on this ancient, mystical perfume. Amber Resin Properly speaking, amber is a solid incense with its roots in the Middle East. Amber is a compound fragrance, meaning it is made up of a mix of ingredients. It is not the same as the semi-precious gem amber (fossilized tree resin) or ambergris (a perfume ingredient...

Dittany of Crete is a Mediterranean herb closely related to Marjoram and Oregano. But Dittany is not the kind of green stuff you put on roast chicken. Oh no. Its reputation as a magickal ingredient has far outgrown the stature of this unassuming little pot herb. Dittany (the name probably comes from Dicte, the mountain range) grows wild only on the Aegean isle of Crete. Ever since ancient times, it has been prized as an aromatic, medicinal, and culinary herb. Dittany is a small and fuzzy perennial, with beautiful pink flowers that appear in the summer. In Cretan tradition, it...