Herbal Correspondence for Natural Magic

Introduction

There are a great many uses for herbs, resins, and other organic materials depending on which one you are using and what you want to achieve. The herbal information tables list only a sample. Herbs also may be used in a variety of forms such as their natural form, usually dried, or in oils, powders and incenses. While there are some differences in the methods of use, the properties of the herbs and resins remains the same.

The term "herb" is generally used to cover a wide range of plant materials, including trees, shrubs, weeds, roots, barks, and flowers of virtually any plant that might be used for healing, magic or other spiritual purposes. Resins come from the liquid or sap that is found in trees or other plants, but they are often used in the same manner and for the same purposes as herbs. Also, animal products such as musk and ambergris have been used for their scents though in modern times the animals have become endangered and substitutes scents are used.

Herbs have been used for healing and magic for thousands of years. Methods may include burning, carrying, placing in specific locations, ingesting (for some medicinal herbs) and many others. The correspondences do not give this information for each herb, but their are many books that are helpful.

Correspondences are included where known and include botanical names, common names, planet, element, deity, and magical properties. Some herbs lack a corresponding entry in one category or another. This really isn't surprising since the list is derived from traditions all over the world. However, you can learn to make appropriate substitutes.

Here is one example. Perhaps you want to carry juniper berries for protection and you want to consecrate the berries first. Since no deity is listed as associated with juniper berries, you could petition the god and goddess in your ritual without naming a particular deity. However, you might look at the other correspondences for other possibilities. Since juniper berries are associated with fire and the sun, look for other references to fire and sun and see what magical and deity associations are listed. Fire and sun are entered for carnation with the addition of an association to Jupiter. Since carnation is also used for protection, it's a pretty good bet that Jupiter will be an appropriate deity. It is, in fact, a good choice. However, you really shouldn't stop here. Once you find a possible deity, you should learn as much as you can about it. It's not a good idea to petition a god or goddess of whom you have little knowledge.

The herb information provided here is a place to start your research, not end it. Witchcraft spells and rituals are far more effective if all of the elements are thoroughly studied. The information in these pages comes from a variety of sources as well as years of practice. I wish you great success and joy in your own journey through the magic of herbs!

The preceding information and the charts themselves were compiled by Branwen.
Many thanks to her tireless research and continued support.

References include the following:

and many web sites, discussions, written materials, etc. from which Branwen jotted down an association to try later. I thank all of you who contributed to this effort even if I no longer am aware of the source.