A Magickal Herball Compleat.pdf - Magicka School

Putting it all Together
Having knowledge of all the above properties is only half the task, for one must
now use this information in practical work. Here a single herb may be chosen or
the qualities of several can be blended. So, for example, for a purification ritual I
might only choose sage, but if working a spell of protection I might choose garlic,
nettle and dandelion. The two Martian and protective herbs will ward off
unpleasant influences whilst dandelion helps to maintain cheerfulness at a difficult
time. However, exact use of the herbs is very much down to an individual’s
inclinations although they will not be randomly chosen but firmly based on an
individuals understanding of their qualities. In the next section I discuss some of
the different ways that a wide variety of herbs can be used by a Witch or Magician.
Practical Applications
Having selected the right herb for a given task the next step is to choose the
correct application for a desired effect. A number of methods of employing herbs
are considered below:
Making Herbal Charms
Perhaps the most common technique regularly used by Witches is that of the
herbal charm. These consist of small pouches of herbs that frequently contain
other objects used to centre the power of the mind on a given outcome. All the
herbal associations written of in the preceding section come into play and help to
create a compelling way of reinforcing the will and achieving a desired result. That
they work is not so much because the herbs (or other objects included in the
pouch) have an intrinsic magickal value in themselves. Rather, because they are
thought of as corresponding to certain areas of life they are, in a way, glyphs of
things one may want to realise. By focussing on a symbol one attunes to its
properties, creating powerful associations in the mind that reinforce the resolve to
follow through an intention. Herbal charms can, therefore, be incorporated into
an overall magickal strategy to achieve something.
And it is not just herbs and the things placed in the pouch that have a symbolic
importance; choice of the colour of fabric for their wrapping is also significant.
Different colours have different effects on the mind, and a Witch will think
carefully about the best hues to use for the work in hand.
The table below gives a few basic herbal and colour correspondences although
there are many others that space does not permit to tell of. Please be aware,
though, that the information given is the generally agreed associations, some
individuals will find that they need to use differing herbs and colours to achieve
certain effects.
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