Gathering them, drying them for future use, and even storing them are all part of the magical ritual that connects you with the Earths healing energy. Use that energy as you decide which herbs to use. Dance and sing with complete joy and abandon. These early versions of the Goddess were honored for their fertility and sexuality. You are again at a powerful point of transformation in the yearly cycle of life. When we begin to explore the world of herbs, we are really gradually teaching ourselves to reconnect with nature. Meditat- ing near a Rowan tree will help you heal your body, clear your mind and expand your personal power. Water is symbolic of our emotional side; it is deep and flowing. It will illuminate w alnut will: Increase fertility, Deepen your your way, helping you stay on the right path easily spiritual connection, Help you stay on your path, and effortlessly. The earth gives birth to all the plants, seeds, flowers, herbs, trees, and animals. Then open your heart and your mind to this mushrooms magical spirit. Thyme is a wonderful cleansing tonic for the body. A medical papyrus was discovered by Georg Moritz Ebers, a German novelist and Egyptologist, in Luxor. and family To cleanse your home and property, raise the spiritual vibration, and create a bubble of protec- t he plant: A member of the Mint family, Sage tion, burn some Sage and walk around your home is native to the Mediterranean and Asia but now and property with it. Ginger root, lemon and honey make an excellent tea that will warm your heart and fill you with a sense of love for everyone and everything. It is the colors of a magnificent dawn. trees in most of Englands forests. Finally, whenever you work with earth magic, When burned as incense, dried Hyssop will leave some Tobacco and cornmeal behind as an raise the spiritual vibrations of your home and offering of thanks. This is also an ideal time to deepen and expand your understanding of the herbal kingdom. Meditating near a willow tree will help you remember to be more flexible, will assist you in releasing limiting beliefs, and allow you to release emotions from your uncon- scious mind. sacred ceremonies, initiates often had to drink a tea made from its leaves to induce visions as part h arness hyssops magical properties: of their training to become a shaman. Find things that are meaningful to you. It helps prevent respiratory infections so adding it to your diet will help you remain healthy during the short days of winter. To make the tea, immerse two tablespoons of the dried flowers in a warm cup of water for a half hour. And to protect your money, put some leaves in your wallet; this t he plant: The Magnolia tree can grow up to will make sure no one but you touches it. In a Vanilla plantation, the vines are grown on poles or shade trees and folded downward by hand each year to make them easier to harvest. It will help you see clearly at night and deepen your connection with the moon. If you decide to harvest your own herbs and havent grown them yourself, make sure you ask permission from the landowner. Plants are preparing for the long sleep of the coming winter. Sprinkled around your home, it will help visitors feel welcomed and loved. around the rooms while holding the sacred intent of blessing and clearing the area. Placing acorns on your altar and Europe and North America. There irritations. You may see a flash of light or just feel a loving presence. In All Things Of Nature There Is Something Marvelous. aristotle Indeed, the practice of using herbs, plants, and It is important to note that the medicinal uses of flowers to nurture and heal our minds, bodies, and the herbs, plants, and flowers listed in this book are spirits is a time-honored tradition. Store your dried herbs, plants, and flowers in glass bottles in a dark place away from heat. Inroucion A garden is truly a place of enchantment. If youd creatures with spirits and wisdom. Though their practices were not recorded in writing, their traditions and magic were passed down through the ages to other earth-based philosophies and religions. It combines the sacredness and spirituality of love and sexual expression. You can consciously choose to transform all of your limiting beliefs into inspirations that will guide you to new heights of freedom and joy. m edicinal uses: The flowers are used in making a fermented liquor called Cowslip Wine. If you look closely you may even see a plant diva or fairy. 38 The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised It is the first tree to pro- duce leaves in the spring and has greenish yellow blossoms. It can be made into a Sprinkle a few pinches of the dried herb in a poultice and added to flannel to make a plaster for circle around your home to fill it with love, peace, treating neuralgia or rheumatism. Create a ceremony of balance by tuning into the earth and feeling the balance of day and night at this time of year. Each time you make tea, you can practice connecting to the spirit of the plants Another way to harness the magic of herbs is to burn them as incense. m edicinal uses: Elecampane is chiefly used to treat coughs, consumption, and other pulmonary complaints. There is no right or wrong way; simply allow your intuition to guide you. The powdered h ow to harness calamus roots mag- root mixed into a glass of white wine helps to ical properties: Sprinkling a small amount settle an upset stomach. First wash them in cool water, remove any damaged portions, and shake off the excess water. Observe how the moon cycles affect you and the world around you. Spend time outside when the moon is dark. Sit with your favorite herb and allow it to teach you the gifts held within. Take some time designing your garden. Given as a St. Johns Wort with your left hand after asking tea before bedtime, it will help children who are the plant for permission. When you clean, add a few seeds to the water to purify and protect your home. To raise your homes energy, place a bean on your altar. 20 The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised m edicinal uses: A tea made from the leaves will help treat urinary tract infections, bronchial h ow to harness myrtles magical congestion, and sinus problems. The north represents the hidden world that lies within each of us. You can buy small pieces of charcoal designed specifically for burning incense at health food stores or wherever incense is sold. At the equinoxes you can work on finding balance within, a balance of the physical, mental, and spiritual realms. In the fall, the leaves turn orange and bright red. The yew is often associated with immortality. magic of the plant kingdom to help you create what you want when you want it. You might also hang a branch of it over your front t he plant: St. Johns Wort is plentiful through- doorto repel negativity. The trees were introduced to Europe from in the treatment of skin troubles, particularly Persia but are now naturalized in much of the herpes and eczema. Eating stalks of celery as an appetizer will increase your sexual potency. The earliest records of the Druids come from the third century BCE. The flowers look like a Carrying the wood in an amulet will preserve star and have five petals. a thick, massive trunk. The berries contain several seeds, which are often spread by birds. Define your sincere need. How to Use This Book 21 To remove any curses or negative thoughts, make the sign of the cross three times on your forehead with the leaves. The Church aligned Easter with this ancient ceremony of rebirth. It has small white flowers that produce grown in much of North America. In place of an oak log you can light a candle and place your prayers on a small piece of paper and burn it at dawn. If youd like to attract abundance, carry a Va- nilla bean in your wallet. As you connect with the essence of its spirit, you will find yourself having good luck in all of your endeavors. When we wonderful teachers who can assist you. The flowers are greenish white and grow up to two and a half inches long. m edicinal uses: Some people consider the plant mildly poisonous, while others claim a tea made from its leaves will reduce fevers and help a person relax. To remove negativity, tie a bunch of hyssop branches together to symbolicly sweep your h arness tobaccos magical properties: home, removing any negative energy or spirits. Notice the correlation between the moons cycles and the events in your life. Find a local labyrinth and walk it as part of your Beltane celebration. The root is a wonderful diuretic and can be eaten t he plant: The Latin name for celery means to clear up urinary infections and to treat mild strong smelling. When a candle is held near the plant, the air around the plant will ignite but leave the plant unharmed, hence its name. Trust the process, let go of your wishes, and allow the magic to work. dance To keep your home safe and bless it and the t he plant: Myrtle is an evergreen shrub native occupants, plant some Myrtle in a window box. Our inner life precedes our outer manifestations. Listen to the wind, allow the elements to embrace you, and know you are one with everyone and everything. Sprinkle the leaves around your home for protection. When it has finished fermenting, bottle it. Understanding the Magical and Spiritual Meaning of Colors Each color has a different magical use and spiritual meaning. c elery will: Help you sleep, Increase your Seeds soaked in almond oil and massaged into concentration, Expand your psychic awareness joints will relieve the pain of arthritis and gout. The shift from outer energy to the energy of the inner dimensions is the key to fully under- How to Use This Book 27 You can use your favorite incense and then fan it over yourself with a small fan. A wand made of Rowan branch will strengthen your psychic abilities. The Vanilla orchid grows as a vine, climbing on existing trees. eter, and there are trees in France that are more When you have to take an exam, carry some than three hundred years old that are even wider. Elderberry makes a wonderful jelly, deep in flavor and rich in color. Each cell of every plant holds within it the gift of life and the ability to facilitate change. especially if you have been feeling depressed. After saying a prayer, throw them into the fire and watch them as they transform into light. It helps with skin inflammations and rapidly heals bruises. to southern Europe and northern Africa. Provide protection To fill yourself with a sense of well-being and help transform your life through right action, t he plant: Yucca is a perennial that has fibrous, wash with soap made from the root. All regions of the world have magic in their history, find the area you most resonate with and deepen your connection and understanding with their practices, plants, and ceremonies. There was a sacred connection with the Earth that was honored. Mediterranean region for the last three thousand years. Most of us havent been trained to engage our other senses, to expand our awareness of the world around us, or to use the plant kingdom to more fully savor life. Cowslip Primula veris Helps you find the hidden treasures in your life c owslip will: Discourage visitors, Help you find hidden treasures, Heal your mind, body, and spirit t he plant: Cowslip is a low-growing plant that appears very early in the spring. They will Likewise, within you lie endless possibilities. At both solstices the sun reaches a point in the sky where it seems to stop, then turn around and begin its journey back across the sky. Like this book? Spirit encompasses all of the directions and elements. This is a time to deepen your connection with your dreams and affirm your ability to manifest them easily and effortless in your life as you align with your spirit and the magic and wonder of the universe. The pain of childbirth, speeds labor, and helps expel most famous is the Joshua Tree, which grows up the placenta. h ow to harness agarics magical prop- erties: Place a dried mushroom or a picture of one on your altar. Can plants help you I love the smell of fresh herbs. People would jump the fires to purify themselves while livestock was driven through the smoke to protect them from diseases. Enchanting Herbs 41 An attic is often a wonderful place for drying herbs. Strain the tea and c atnip will: Invite more love into your life, then add it to your bathwater. See the magnificence of the fall colors bathed by the twilight. It is thought to be indigenous to Europe and Asia. Its tea is also said to settle an upset stomach. It also helps relieve the pain of neuralgia. They correspond to the great cycles of life: birth, maturity, death, and rebirth. It is seldom used for medical purposes white and use the smoke of its incense to surround itself but is often added to other mixtures to you as you say your vows to one another. Once again the focus of the celebration became about virginity, purity, and chastity. Earth was seen as the great mother and the goddess was greatly revered. Hazel will help you find inspiration and insights. Most of their spiritual be- liefs were earth-based. How to Use This Book 29 Place the bottle and often have black or red spots. Put them in your bath water before an important meeting and all will go well. Make a walking stick out of Rowan wood. How to Reconnect with Herbs, Flowers, and Other Plants A hundred years ago, an herbal practitioner would know which plants were available in her area. It is known as a mysterious, magical, and lucky mushroom. It grows two regions. The leaves are grayish quantities of it will relieve colic in young children and look almost dusty. Combine that with the smell of lavender and you will have a greater sense of clarity and understanding of the true meaning of your life. This book often recommends using herbs to make a tea or burning them as incense. I hope you also allow your heart and mind to be open to their endless possibilities and Herbs, plants, and flowers are fascinating the magic that is always present in them. Small theyre given some of them. Trees are fully leafed. Gratitude, thanksgiving, and balance are the cornerstones of the autumnal equinox. Experiment and play with the concepts that follow. 6. The cold winter winds come out of the north. I had always been fascinated by nature, magic, correct direction, following the appropriate roads and wishcraft (yes wish, not witch), our inherent and highways. It is time to give thanks to all the energies of the earth and the beings of light that help the earth. From that inner world we create the limitless possibilities that life holds. Imbolic is a time for healing, releasing, and initiation. Think about the end of a beautiful fall day. The powdered roots make an ex- cellent poultice for bruises, piles, inflammations, and tumors. Being mindful and fully present whenever you work with magic is extremely important. out most temperate regions of the world. It is a time where you can really sense the magic of the season. There are no hard and fast rules when dealing with elements and the directions. Fear of magic over the ages distorted this powerful and wonderful time of the year. the complete illustrated encyclopedia of susan gregg Enchanting Herbs 3 winter solstice december 2023 Trees: Pine, Oak Herbs: Yarrow, Thyme, Garlic The winter solstice is a time to reflect, go within, and then look forward to what you would like to create in the coming year. As the earth revolves around the sun the seasons change. Never use sage if you are pregnant, however. Burning Bush exudes an essential oil that is flammable. The Crone has been turned into an old hag and magic downgraded to a game of trick or treat. Labyrinths have often been associated with Beltane. 48 The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised It grows in the cooler forests of north- ern Europe, while close relatives grow throughout much of the world. 36 The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised It can also help with any form of blunt trauma or contusions. Use the dried leaves as incense when you a rnica will: Help you sleep, Increase your meditate to deepen your spiritual connection. West: Water West conjures up images of beautiful sunsets and the enchantment and mysticism of the conclusion of a wonderful journey. It is most powerful if struggling with wetting the bed at night. Take time to meditate and feel your connection to the earth, the herbs, and the potential held within each moment. The quarter festivals are an opportunity to connect with the energy of the coming season. Buckeye Nut Aesculus glabra Gladdens your heart and fills you with joy b uckeye nut will: Bring you good luck, Help enhance a mans sexual performance, Protect your home t he plant: Buckeye is a tree that grows in the central part of the United States, primarily in the Mississippi and Ohio River valley regions. Above all else, allow the process to be fun! Some tribes also used Tobacco or Copal. Enchanting Herbs 35 ment for bruises, sprains, and stiff muscles. 50 The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised, The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Magical Plants, Revised_ A Practical Guide to Creating Healing, Protection, and Prosperity using Plants, Herbs, and Flowers ( PDFDrive ) (1).