Garden Witch's Herbal

by Ellen Dugan

  By the light of the Lady’s waxing crescent moon,

  Artemis, hear my call, and grant me now/this child a boon.

  Please bless and protect me/them through all of my/their days,

  May I/they come to know your magick in wonderful ways.

  By the fascination of flowers and the charm of daisies,

  May my request be granted with the power of three times three.

  Allow the daisies to remain in their vase until the flowers begin to fade. Once they do, remove the ribbon, and then return the flowers to nature neatly by adding them to your compost pile or putting the faded flowers with your other yard waste. Save the ribbon as a token of the Goddess’s favor and affection.

  Midsummer

  Summer Solstice

  Merry Margaret,

  As midsummer flower,

  Gentle as falcon

  Or hawk of the tower.

  john skelton

  Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

  Vervain is a plant with power and magickal versatility; some folk names include enchanter’s plant and holy wort. Vervain is a hardy perennial plant with small, pale pink- and lilac- colored flowers that bloom midsummer. It is the herb most often used to “make spells go,” as vervain gives magick a little extra kick and punch and speeds up the outcome of your spellwork. It will nicely complement any type of spellwork—love, protection, vision questing, purification, prosperity, turning your rival into your ally, bestowing peace, healing, and granting a good night’s sleep.

  In the language of flowers, this feminine herb speaks of granting good luck and making wishes come true—perhaps because of this, vervain is considered to be an excellent herb for a bride to carry in her bouquet. In the older language of flowers, the definition of the blooming vervain is just one word: Witchcraft.

  Other quick herb magick tips include tucking a sprig of vervain into your wallet; it’s thought to help you hold on to your cash. If you grow vervain in your Witch’s garden, it will bring prosperity to your whole house. Lastly, if the blossoms are hung in the bedroom, they promote conjugal bliss and pleasant dreams. The planetary correspondence is Venus. The elemental association is Earth.

  A Vervain Charm for Prosperity

  A good time to work this spell would be during a waxing moon. As the moon grows fuller, so will your cash increase. If you do not have the option of waiting for the waxing moon, then work your prosperity spells on a Thursday. Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter and the magickal influences of prosperity, financial gain, and health.

  To begin, take a fresh sprig of vervain (you could use dried if that’s all you can find), and hold the herb in your hands. Close your eyes, and visualize that the herb is surrounded with a bright green light. It pulses with positive energy, and your hands will probably start to feel warmer. Clearly see that this herbal charm will bring prosperity and cash in the best possible way, straight into your hands. Then tuck the herb in your purse or wallet, and repeat the following charm three times:

  As I tuck a sprig of vervain into my purse or pocket,

  Money will always be found, so they say, right in my wallet.

  I empower this herb of Venus to grant me prosperity,

  Bound by the element of earth and the power of three time three.

  Cinquefoil (Potentilia reptans)

  This herb is also called five-finger grass, as the shape of the leaves look like little hands. Wearing a sprig of cinquefoil is very protective and will bestow articulacy upon the wearer. Magickally, cinquefoil increases cash, strengthens the bond between mother and child, and it can also cleanse you of any negativity. But what this herb is most famous for is that it can break any spells cast on or against you, whether you feel this is a serious problem from an unethical caster, an overzealous lover who is dabbling, or someone who is trying to persuade you to be their friend. In this last scenario, you would feel tugged or pulled toward another person that you previously disliked or were very distrustful of. Now you notice these new feelings out of the blue, and when such a switch is out of character for you, there might be manipulative magick afoot. If you begin to suspect that someone else’s magick is at work and it is influencing your actions, then this is the masculine herb to work with for both speedy and excellent results.

  According to some floral languages, cinquefoil symbolizes a loving relationship between mother and daughter, which is interesting, as traditional magickal correspondences list this as an herb aligned with masculine energies. Its astrological correspondence is Jupiter, and the elemental association is fire.

  St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

  Folk names for this herb include “the leaf of the blessed” and Tipton’s weed. This perennial herb has woody stems and grows up to three feet in height. The five-petaled, golden yellow flowers bloom midsummer and yield yellow and red dyes. Some sources claim that the plant is toxic and may harm livestock if eaten in large doses, while other herbal reference guides warn that it may cause contact dermatitis (skin rash). This perennial is aggressive and can take over a garden in a few years, so plant it in a spot where it can go crazy or be prepared to keep it under control by thinning it out every other year.

  If St. John’s wort is gathered on the day of the summer solstice, it is thought to be doubly powerful, granting the powers of invincibility and making you seem irresistible to others. Flower folklore also states that it will help improve your mood and ward off depression. If the stems of this herb are bundled together with a red string or ribbon and hung inside the home, it is thought to protect your home from lightning and from negative entities or ghosts.

  Another simple herbal spell calls for the blossoms and leaves of the herb to be placed under your pillow before you turn in for the night. If you do, it is thought to grant visions of your future spouse.

  The folklore about this plant is fascinating. The plant’s botanical name, Hypericum, is derived from a Greek term meaning “over an apparition,” which links into the belief that the herb was so intolerable to evil spirits that a mere hint of the fragrance of the plant would cause them to fly away. This also explains the custom of bundling the herb with a red ribbon and then hanging it up in your home on Midsummer’s day.

  In the language of flowers, this magickal herb declares that you are a prophet, and it also symbolizes protection and superstition. A masculine herb that has long been associated with Midsummer as it blossoms right at that time, St. John’s wort has myriad other magickal uses too. This herb may be worked into spells for faerie magick, protection from malevolent faeries, healing, protection, potency, love, joy, and divination. Its astrological association is the sun, and the elemental correspondence is fire.

  Lughnasadh

  August 1

  If August passes flowerless,

  and the frosts come,

  will I have learned to rejoice enough

  in the sober wonder

  of green healthy leaves?

  denise levertov

  Sunflower (Helianthus annus)

  The sunflower is indeed classified as an herb, as the seeds are edible. This fast-growing and stately flower comes in myriad varieties, colors, and heights these days. The stems are typically thick, tall, and hairy. The sunflower produces heart-shaped leaves, and typically its blooming time is late summer. The sunflower is easy to start from seeds and is a very popular garden plant for sunny gardens—especially children’s magickal gardens. The sunflower is a plant of the Americas and was utilized in Aztec rituals and perhaps worn by priestesses to denote their rank. Also, the sunflower is thought to be a favored plant by the garden faeries.

  According to flower folklore, sleeping with a sunflower beneath your pillow will tell you the truth in any matter. In florigraphy, the sunflower symbolizes haughtiness and ostentation. Other definitions declare that this bright solar flower says you have lofty but pure goals.<
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  Magickally, the sunflower is used to symbolize fame, riches, and royalty. Growing the tall flowers in your sunny gardens is thought to bring success and good fortune to the gardener of the home. As you would expect, the masculine energies of sunflowers carry the planetary association of the sun, for the head of the flower turns toward the sun and follows it during the day. Its elemental correspondence is fire.

  Hollyhock (Althea rosea)

  What is an old-fashioned Witch’s garden without the stately hollyhock? There are over sixty varieties of these plants, which are classified as biennials. If you are unfamiliar with the term, a biennial is a plant that grows vegetatively the first year and then is fruiting or dormant the second year. Hollyhocks thrive in full sun and are drought-resistant plants. They can grow up to six feet in height and come in single- and double-blooming varieties. They come in a rainbow of colors: white, red, burgundy, dark purple, yellow, and many shades of pink, from the palest blush to a deep rose. I love these old-fashioned flowers and have yellow hollyhocks planted next to my arbor.

  The flowers of the hollyhock are at their peak in July and August, thus making it a perfect flower for Lughnasadh. In the language of flowers, the hollyhock symbolizes fertility and abundance. It also says that “You have inspired me to achieve great things.” A white blooming hollyhock indicates female ambition.

  Magickally, hollyhock flowers will attract prosperity, success, and wealth. These are a favorite faerie plant, and if you plant hollyhocks by the entrance of your garden, the plant’s lucky energies will bless your home with prosperity all year long. The faeries are thought to favor white and pink hollyhocks most of all; supposedly they like to use the hollyhock petals for dresses. The hollyhock’s astrological influence is the planet Venus, and it is considered to be a feminine plant. The suggested elemental correspondence is water.

  Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

  Folk names for calendula include pot marigold, summer’s bride, and marygold. This tender perennial can grow up to twenty-eight inches in height and is not to be confused with the French marigold. The calendula bears tall, orange-yellow flowers that resemble daisies, and their leaves are paddle shaped. The petals of the pot marigold may be tucked into a charm bag and taken into court to help grant a favorable outcome of the proceedings. Sprinkling the golden calendula petals under the bed will make your dreams come true.

  Magickally, the flowers themselves promote cheer and good health. They were also popular as bridal flowers and are often worked into love-promoting sachets and romantic charm bags. In florigraphy, the calendula blossoms symbolize affection, constancy, and an enduring love. The pot marigold is considered to be an herb with masculine energies. Its planetary association is the sun, and its elemental correspondence is fire.

  French Marigold (Tagetes patula)

  This little pungent sun-loving annual is a popular bedding plant, and when you say marigold, typically this is the variety of plant everyone pictures. What makes the French marigold so strongly scented? The fernlike leaves are dotted with scent glands. Marigolds come in a variety of colors: gold, orange, and yellow and red combinations. They are typically found ready to plant in six-pack cells at the nursery and garden center.

  French marigolds are popular companion-planting specimens. I always plant marigolds with my tomatoes, as they strengthen the tomato plant and actually ward off some pests that tomatoes are prone to. The marigold will also protect other plants from rose, tulip, and potato nematodes. All the flowers of the Tagetes species will yield a yellow dye, and the flowers are often added to potpourri mixes for their sharp scent and bright colors.

  A common magickal use for the French marigold is to string together heads of the golden flower and to create a garland out of them. Then the garland is hung across the doorway to repel evil and stop it from entering the house. Oddly enough, in the language of flowers, the French marigold warns of jealousy.

  This marigold is also wildly popular in the Hispanic Festival of the Dead celebration and is used as decorations on November 1. The petals are scattered on gravesites, and the marigolds are strung together into garlands that adorn the graves of the beloved dead. The planetary association for the French marigold is the sun, and the elemental correspondence is fire.

  A Marigold Protection Charm

  For this herbal charm, you will need thirty-six inches of strong, white cotton thread, a medium-sized sewing needle, and about twelve to eighteen marigold blossoms. I would work this spell on a bright sunny day. If you’d like to add some energies for specific days of the week, consider a Sunday for success, a Tuesday to incorporate Mar’s warrior energy, or choose a Saturday to add the banishing energies of Saturn.

  To begin, thread the needle and tie a large knot at the end of the thread. Set this aside for the moment. Now, from your garden, gather a dozen or so French marigold blossoms. Remember that the scent of these flowers is strong, so if you find it displeasing, wear garden gloves as you gather the blossoms. Once you have the flower heads gathered, pick up your needle and thread, and string the flowers one by one onto the thread. I find it best to go through the green, fleshy part of the flower underneath the petals.

  Thread them together carefully; if you get too rough with the flowers, they will shatter or break apart. Once the flowers are all strung, slide them to the center of the thread, and remove the needle and put it away. Now, tie a knot on the other end and fasten the marigold garland above the outside of your front door. Arrange the flowers again as you like. You can space them out or keep them in the center.

  Once they are set up to your liking, hold your hands up to the garland and enchant it with a bit of your own personal power. Visualize that the marigold garland is growing brightly and will deflect and neutralize any negativity. See in your mind’s eye that the flowers act like a barrier and no evil or bad luck will be able to enter your home. Now open your eyes, and repeat the following charm three times:

  With this garland of French marigolds,

  All around my home protection grows.

  On a bright summer day, I spin this spell,

  Bringing harm to none, may it turn out well.

  Allow the garland to stay in place as long as you wish. Once the flowers dry out, you may save the garland and use it in other protection spells, or if you feel that the magick in the flowers is spent, return the flowers to nature by adding them to your compost pile or into your yard waste.

  Mabon

  Autumn Equinox

  Autumn resumes the land, ruffles the woods with smoky wings, entangles them.

  geoffrey hill

  Maple Tree (Acer spp.)

  What is autumn without the maples turning red, orange, and yellow across North America? The maple tree can reach heights of up to 115 feet. The maple tree is also an herbal tree, as the sap of the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is boiled down into maple syrup. In fact, it is the syrup that “flavors” the magickal associations of this gorgeous herbal tree; magickal uses include prosperity, sweetening up someone, children’s magick, and love spells.

  In the language of flowers, the maple leaf symbolizes elegance and beauty, while other floral languages say it signifies reserve and shyness. Astrological associations for all species of this masculine tree are Jupiter, and the tree has the elemental association of air.

  A Harvest Maple Leaf Spell for Abundance

  For best results, work this spell on a Thursday (Jupiter’s day) during a waxing moon. You will need one orange candle, a candleholder, matches, maple leaves, and a safe, flat surface to set the spell up on.

  Gather together a handful of pretty maple leaves that have started to change over to their autumn colors. Arrange these around the base of the orange candle in its holder. (We are using the color orange in this herbal candle spell to symbolize success and the season of harvest.) Please be sure to keep the foliage well away from the candle f
lame. Once the candle is burning away, repeat the following spell verse three times:

  I call upon the power of Jupiter—aid me, please,

  Bring abundance into my life by the power of three.

  I am open to new opportunities and success,

  As this maple leaf spell spins out, may I be truly blessed.

  By the power of the harvest and of the herbal trees,

  In the best possible way, abundance will come to me!

  Allow the candle to burn out in a safe place. Once it does, gather up the maple leaves and any leftover candle wax, and tuck them into a small envelope. Seal up the envelope, and carry it with you to keep those prosperous and abundant vibes going strong.

  Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum officinale)

  Folk names include lady’s seal and St. Mary’s seal. This shady perennial belongs to the same family as lily of the valley. It is readily available as a nursery plant and grows from eighteen inches to two feet in height. It bears white, tubular flowers that dangle from the stems in clusters. While the plant is considered toxic, so long as you do not have toddlers running amok who may want to nibble on the leaves, you should be fine. Consider adding this enchanting plant to your shady sorceress gardens this year.

  Magickal uses include exorcism and protection. Some texts suggest sprinkling the plant in the corners of the house to drive away entities and all negativity. Since this herb is toxic, though, I would suggest instead that you place some of the foliage and the flowers into sachet bags and then tuck those up and out of reach of pets or small children. Classically, however, it is the root that is often used in magickal procedures.

  This enchanting herb is considered to be feminine. The astrological correspondence is Saturn, and the elemental association is water.

  Woodbine (Lonicera caprifolium)

  Woodbine is known today as honeysuckle. This shrub and vine blooms in the summer, and then it continues to bloom sporadically throughout the early fall. It adapts easily to sun or shade and is worth growing in your magickal gardens.