Articles — herbs

Guest Post: How To Forage for Herbs for Witchcraft

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Guest Post: How To Forage for Herbs for Witchcraft

What's better than shopping for witchy herbs? Why, foraging them yourself, of course! There are so many plants out there that have beneficial properties, and gathering them in the wild can be a great way to connect with nature and your craft. Whether you’re a beginner witch looking to get started or an experienced practitioner looking to expand your knowledge, here’s how to get started collecting your own herbs. Some people assume that nothing grows in the city besides useless weeds, but that is definitely not the case. Even humble or common plants can have amazing spiritual properties. Think of...

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Magickal properties of Burdock

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Magickal properties of Burdock

Burdock has a magickal reputation that belies its humble, earthy appearance. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Burdock has been an ingredient in medicinal and brewing recipes since at least medieval times. (It was used as a bittering agent in beer before the widespread adoption of hops.) Eventually, this persistent Old World herb spread to North America where it was foraged as a folk medicine and occasional food source. American conjurers and rootworkers adopted Burdock into their magickal pantries and elevated its status as a Witch’s herb. Bat Root and Beggar’s Buttons—referring to the bright round flowers—are folkloric names...

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The no-nonsense smudging guide: Easy tips and tricks for clearing your space

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The no-nonsense smudging guide: Easy tips and tricks for clearing your space

Freshen up your life with the cleansing power of herbal incense! Smudging questions are some of the most common ones we get around the shop, so I’ve put them together in little bundle (heh). We cover why and when to smudge, some popular smudging herbs, and other questions people ask about smudging and space cleansing.  Skip to the bottom of this article for a sample smudging ritual that is easy to do and suitable for most situations. What is smudging? Smudging is the practice of spiritual cleansing with smoke, especially from sacred herbs.  You can smudge a person, a place,...

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The Faery dozen: 12 herbs for Faery gardens, offerings, and magick

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The Faery dozen: 12 herbs for Faery gardens, offerings, and magick

  In the hidden land of Faery, travelers say, there are marvelous herbs and flowers completely unknown in the human world. Brilliant colors, intoxicating scents, and magickal plants that bring joy, visions, or sleep. And yet, over the years, fairies seem to have taken a liking to some of the more common plants right here on Earth. This list of twelve fairy favorites is drawn mainly from folklore and literature about fairies (as well as a touch of personal experience). Since fairies live close to nature, many plants and herbs are associated with the Fae—but these ones are particularly liked...

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Magickal properties of Birch

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Magickal properties of Birch

Called the “White Lady of the Woods,” Birch is a tree of great strength and beauty. As one of the first plants to sprout new leaves in the spring, Birch has long been associated with renewal. Birch is extremely important in Celtic, European, and Native American folklore. Birch is linked to the Norse rune Berkana and also to Beith, the first letter of the Ogham alphabet The Birch is a medium-sized, straight-grained tree that tends to grow in groups or “stands.” It is slender, graceful, and hardy. Birch trees are found all over the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in all but...

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