Archan – The Publisher -2019 Cover Image: “Wild Flowers” – Author Unknown. (PD-ART) The Book of Traditional Magickal Plants & Herbs Tom Long The Seal of the OLR i Copyright © Tom Long. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, scanning, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the author and the publisher. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published. The publisher can accept no responsibility for the veracity of any claims made within this eBook. The material contained here describes processes and activities that may be hazardous environmentally, physically or mentally. Readers who choose to ignore this warning and attempt any of these activities do so entirely at their own risk, but be aware of the potential risks involved in these processes and activities. The author and publisher of this eBook shall have no liability nor responsibility with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused by reading or following any of the instructions in this eBook. The information is used for research, study purposes and at your own risk. First Publication Date: June 2013. Corrected and Updated: January 2019 Long, Tom The Book of Traditional Magickal Plants & Herbs / Tom Long Includes biographical references 3.. Plants 2. Magic. 1. Title ISBN Number: None – Electronic Book. (eBook) PLEASE NOTE: These notes on the use of herbs have been compiled for general interest and are not intended as medical advice, for which you should consult a professional herbalist, or your doctor. Published by: Archan – The Publisher www.archan-publishing.com ii Disclaimer. The Author or Publisher cannot be held responsible for the effects on a person or persons taking advice or instructions from the information in this eBook or accuracy of the information, if you are pregnant or breast feeding or have a pre-existing medical condition always consult a qualified medical professional before taking ANY herbs. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Chapter 2 The Plants 2 Chapter 3 The Doctrine of Signatures 66 Chapter 4 The Moon and the Garden 67 Chapter 5 Potions, Lotions, Definitions & Preparations 68 Chapter 6 Storage of Herbs and Plants 70 Chapter 7 Magickal Preparations 71 Chapter 8 Herbal Magickal Items 78 Chapter 9 Herbal Beauty Preparations 79 Chapter 10 Herbal Wines and Ales 83 Appendices 85 Biography & References 90 “Man, at work in herb garden” – Woodcut by Hans Weidig – (PD-ART) iv 1.0 Introduction We all live a fast-paced environment, with little time to do what we most want to. This applies to tramping around the countryside looking for specific plants and herbs. Also, modern herbicides are destroying our natural environment and many of our native plants are becoming scarcer. What do most magicians do? Many grow their own plants and herbs? Or use a reliable occult supplier, who can guarantee their products as authentic? Considering these questions when I decided to write this book, I made the decision not to put a description of the particular plant in the listing, mainly because there have been cases of mis-identification, so unless highly accurate photographs of each plant is shown, and this, in my case, was impossible due to the potentially end product cost. So, I have only given a description of the plants medical and magick properties, common names, and parts used, together with planetary and elemental association. For those who tread the traditional magickal path I have tried to stay true to medieval plants (circa 1600's), those which were to be found in the countryside during the time when traditional magick and witchcraft was practiced. So non-European plants have been excluded from the listing, unless they were known, and used during this period* for this I have extensively used Culpeper's Herbal as a reference. A word of warning, some of the listed plants are known to be poisonous, and have been identified as such. However, the reader must make sure for themselves the properties of any and all plant material listed within this eBook, as to their safe usage, internally or externally. Plants are magickal, to quote the late Scott Cunningham, who so elegantly summarised the power of plant magick as: "Herb magic, then, is the use of herbs to cause needed changes. These plants contain energies—each as distinct as a human face. For maximum effects the herbs chosen for a spell should possess vibrations that match your need.............. Herb magic is easy because the powers (i.e., vibrations) lie in the herbs themselves. No outside forces need be called into play, for the power is resident within the organic matter." Finally, to balance everything I give instruction on how to make process your herb/plants, how to use the plants in herbal magickal items, beauty products, wines and ales. So, let us look at the plants first. Tom Long. * These have been identified as American = Native to America and probably known or used in Medieval England during the 1600's, due to trade between the countries. 1 2.0 The Plants A Acacia -Acacia senegal (AKA: Acacia Gum) Parts Used: Bark, Flower and Acacia Oil. General protection, psychic development, divination, meditation, and spiritual enhancement. Acacia Oil is also used in anointing and blessing rituals. Acacia may be mixed with frankincense and burnt as incense for protection, or mixed with Honeysuckle and Moonwort and again burnt as incense when developing clairvoyance. The plant is sacred to the Sun and the Element of Air. Acacia senegal. Franz Eugen Köhler 1897 – (PD-ART) Aconite - Aconitum napellus, Aconitum anthora, Aconitum lycoctonum - (Poisonous) (AKA: Wolfsbane, Monkshood). Parts Used: Not Recommended Traditionally used to ward off Vampires and Werewolves. It also is an ingredient in witch's flying ointment which consisted of fat of an animal in which you simmer with the juice of jimson weed, water parsnip, aconite, cinquefoil, and deadly nightshade. The plant is sacred to the planet Saturn, and the Element of Water. Agrimony: - Agrimonia eupatoria - (AKA: Liverwort) Parts Used: Shoots, Leaves and Flowers. Useful as a tonic to help with sleep and in the treatment of liver complaints. According to Conway it is also of value for treating dry coughs. Herb for magical protection, so should be incorporated in protection spells, and placed in your home for home protection against malicious magickal spells. In oil may be used as part of a healing ritual. Psychic Protection Incense using Agrimony 1/4 part Broom 1/2 part Agrimony 1/2 part Basil 1/4 part Cranesbill 1/2 part Oregano The plant is sacred to the planet Jupiter and the Element of Air. 2 Alder - Alnus glutinosa - (AKA: black alder, European alder or common alder) Parts Used: Bark and Leaves. Medically it is said that Alpine farmers use the alder leaves to alleviate rheumatism by placing a heated bag full of leaves on the affected areas. Also reduces nervousness and anxiety, as Alder gives you the confidence to respond to challenges, and face the things you do not want to. It is also was believed that Alder allows you to access the fairy realms. Use also in Spells to aid success in your business and academic ventures Beloved by the Celts, and according to Irish legend, the first human male was made out of Alder, and the first woman was made out of Rowan. The planetary associations are numerous and no firm alignment can be given, the tree has been aligned to The Moon. Venus and Neptune and the Elements of Fire and Water. The Alder - Wikipeadia – (PD-ART) Alfalfa - Medicago saliva – ((AKA lucerne). Parts Used: Whole Heb in Flower). Use the herb in rituals designed to bring good luck, money, or prosperity. Traditionally used to restore energy and delay hunger. Place some seed under the rays of a New Moon on a Friday, and call upon the Archangel Anael to empower the seeds with prosperity. Place seeds into a small clean glass jar and place in any cupboard of your house. By doing this it is said that your will ward off poverty. Also use the sprouts and seeds, in incense, during rituals involving love. The plant is sacred to the planet Venus and the Element of Earth. All-Heal - Prunella Vulgaris - (AKA: Hercules Wound Wort, Prunella, Hook-Heal, Slough- Heal) Parts Used: Whole plant. Culpeper recommends that the juice used with oil of roses to anoint the temples and forehead is very effectual to cure a headache, and the same mixed with honey of roses cleaneth and healeth ulcers in the mouth and throat. The tea of all-heal also aids relaxation From a magickal perspective you may aid your mediation by rubbing the leave on your forehead. The plant is sacred to the planet Mars and the Element of Fire. 3 Alkanet - Anchusa Tinctoria - (AKA: Orchanet, Spanish bugloss, Enchusa, Dyer's Bugloss.) Parts Used: Root. Use in purification and prosperity rituals. It should be mixed with frankincense to create pleasant smelling incense. It may be mixed with soap to make a face wash, but beware your skin may be dyed purple! Culpeper indicates that it should be mixed into in wine and drank, as it strengthens the back, and eases the pains thereof. It helps bruises and falls, and is as gallant a remedy to drive out the smallpox and measles as any is; an ointment made of it is excellent for green wounds, pricks or thrusts. The plant is sacred to the planet Venus and the Alkanet - Anchusa sempervirens.