Witchcraft, often associated with the mystical and supernatural, has long used various herbs as a means of practicing rituals and casting spells. These herbs hold specific meanings and are believed to possess potent energies that aid in manifesting desires and intentions. Understanding the meanings behind these herbs is crucial for any witch or practitioner of witchcraft. Rosemary, with its potent aroma, is considered a protective herb that wards off negative energies and evil spirits. It also symbolizes remembrance and is often used in spells or rituals pertaining to memory enhancement, mental clarity, and spiritual healing. Lavender, known for its soothing scent, is associated with peace, tranquility, and relaxation.
Burdock Root – warding, cleansing, uncrossing and counter-magick
In The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs , learn everything you need to use the most powerful herbs and use them as an essential part of your practice. With more than 15,000 different types of culinary, medicinal, and poisonous herbs, the list of their properties, uses, and effects is almost endless.
Lavender, known for its soothing scent, is associated with peace, tranquility, and relaxation. It is commonly used in love spells, as it is believed to attract love and promote harmonious relationships. Sage, a popular herb used for smudging, has long been associated with cleansing and purification.
A Witch's glossary of herbs
A handy key to the herbs of witchcraft. Each of the herbs listed has its own character and magickal properties. They are revealed to the Witch through study, meditation, and practice.
For this glossary, we’ve limited the description of each herb to a few words. Many herbs have their own articles with more in-depth information, in case you wish to learn more.
Here are the suggested meanings and uses of some popular ritual herbs:
Agrimony – ancient herb of healing, restoration, and benevolent protection (full article)
Alfalfa – good fortune, money magick, healing and cleansing infusions (full article)
Angelica – warding and banishing, angelic magick, summoning strength (full article)
Astragalus - vital energy, protection (shielding), promoting health, mental clarity, concentration
Basil - blessings, love, money, and happiness
Bay Leaf – confers wisdom, strength, and visions, sacred herb of Apollo
Bearberry – psychic awareness, dreams, courage, smudging and offerings (full article)
Birch Bark – new beginnings, psychic protection, strength, devotion, the Goddess (full article)
Blessed Thistle – consecration, protection, healing and cleansing by fire
Blue Sage – smudging, meditation, relaxation, ancestral wisdom, peace
Blue Vervain – spells of love and advancement, astral travel, initiation
Burdock Root – warding, cleansing, uncrossing and counter-magick
Calendula – solar rites, divination, remembrance, honoring the dead
Catnip – love-drawing, relaxation, trance work, feline magick
Cedar – ancient wisdom, protection, maturity, strength and power
Cinnamon – passion, shielding, quick success, spirit evocation, fire magick
Cinquefoil (Five Finger Grass) – for the five blessings: health, money, love, power, and wisdom
Coltsfoot – divination, visions, love magick, healing from within
Comfrey – healing, restoration, lucky herb of travelers and gamblers
Damiana – lust, sex magick, psychic abilities, energy work, spirit quests
Dandelion – wishes, divination, calling spirits, charisma and success
Devil's Claw - protection, exorcism, banishing spells, keeping away evil, confounding enemies
Dill - sexual love, luck, protection against sorcery and disease
Dittany of Crete – rare herb from Greece, renowned for love magick, manifestation, spirit contact (full article)
Elderberry – hidden wisdom, Crone magick, banishing, Faery offerings
Eucalyptus – cleansing, healing, ritual baths, rites of Mercury and Air (full article)
Fennel Seed – psychic protection, counter-magick, confidence and adaptability
Feverfew – humble flower renowned for its curative properties, a magickal “fix-all”
Galangal – strength and power, victory, luck, hex-breaking, male potency
Ginger – fiery herb of passion, success, and personal power
Hawthorn Berry – fidelity, shielding, clarity, ancestor and Faery magick
Hibiscus – love and passion, independence, confidence
Horehound – mental clarity, dispelling illusion, quick action, healing
Hyssop – purification, innocence, blessings, sacred baths and washes (full article)
Irish Moss – financial luck, folk remedies, safety during travel, sea magick
Jasmine – love, dreams, divination, sensuality, luxury and kindness (full article)
Juniper Berry – good luck, prosperity, masculine energy, protection at home
Juniper Leaf – purification, protection, bringing luck, exposing truth
Lavender – love and attraction, purification, relaxation, restful sleep
Lemon Balm – tranquility, attraction, fidelity, teamwork, harmonious home
Lemon Peel – cleansing, purifying, boosting energy, sweetness and charm
Licorice Root – domination, advantage over others, passion, power, persuasion
Lobelia – spirit communication, love and weather magick, trance, blessings and curses
Mandrake – legendary magickal herb for love magick, protection, and curses (full article)
Marjoram - protection, married love, calming the mind, easing grief
Marshmallow Root – love charms, psychic powers, protection, drawing good spirits
Meadowsweet – sacred flower of Spring, the Maiden, and the Underworld
Mistletoe – good luck, love and money spells, many traditional charms
Mugwort – scrying, divination, psychic ability, lucid dreaming, Lunar magick (full article)
Mullein – protection, illumination, courage, hedge-crossing, Crone magick
Nettle – courage, consecration, protection, healing, deterring evil
Orange Peel – uplifiting and centering Solar herb of joy, blessings, and good luck
Orris Root – charms of love, persuasion, popularity, charisma and success
Patchouli – love and sex magick, attraction, fertility, rites of Earth
Pennyroyal – calmness, endurance, patience, dispelling anger, warding
Peppermint – healing, purification, psychic awareness, love and energy
Pine - persistence, moderation, prosperity, and good health
Raspberry Leaf – love and enjoyment, tempting others, divination
Red Sandalwood – used in incenses for meditation, healing, and trance work
Rose – charms of love and beauty, harmony, divination, Goddess rites
Rosemary – cleansing, purification, vitality, wisdom, protection (full article)
Rue – warding, exorcism, cleansing, love-drawing and protective charms
Spearmint – love, psychic ability, cleansing, renewal, house blessing
Star Anise – clairvoyance, good luck, psychic dreams, travel charms
Thyme - beauty, strength, courage, a favorite herb of Faeries
Valerian – warding, enemy spells, transmuting negativity, feline magick
Vervain – Old World herb of wisdom, healing, and second sight
White Sage – cleansing, house blessing, meditation, healing
White Willow Bark – solace, wisdom, long-lasting love, divination, Lunar magick
Wild Lettuce – visions, trance, dream magick, enthrallment and sleep
Witch Hazel – comfort and healing, wisdom, protection, soothing of anger
Wood Betony – herb of St. Bride, used in charms against ill luck, anxiety, and despair
Wormwood – psychic vision, spirit evocation, hexes and curses, reversal magick
Yarrow – ancient medicinal flower used for courage, divination, good fortune
Many of these magickal herbs are offered in our online Pagan shop. Others are easily found in the garden, kitchen, or grocery store. Please use caution with herbs, and don't take them internally without proper research and guidance. We never recommend herbal magick as a substitute for medical, legal, or financial advice.
We package our herbs in small, airtight packages for your ritual use. (Most are $3 and under!) Check out our herb collection here.
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Its smoke is believed to clear away negative energies and bring balance and harmony into one's surroundings. Sage is seen as a sacred herb and is often used in rituals for spiritual cleansing, protection, and wisdom. Mugwort, an herb with an ancient history, is often revered for its divinatory properties. It is believed to enhance psychic abilities, lucid dreaming, and astrological pursuits. Mugwort is commonly used in rituals and spells involving prophecy, protection during travel, and connecting with spirit guides or ancestors. Nettle, a powerful herb, is associated with protection, dispelling negativity, and hex-breaking. It is used in spells to neutralize harmful energies and to banish unwanted influences. Nettle is also known for its healing properties and can be used in rituals pertaining to physical health, vitality, and overall well-being. Thyme, known for its cleansing and purifying qualities, is associated with courage, strength, and inspiration. It is often used in spells or rituals to boost one's confidence, enhance willpower, and encourage personal growth. These are just a few examples of the numerous herbs used in witchcraft and their meanings. Each herb possesses unique properties and can be utilized in various ways depending on the practitioner's intentions and desired outcomes. Proper research, knowledge, and respect for these herbs are essential when incorporating them into any witchcraft practice..
Reviews for "The Significance of Witchcraft Herbs in Spellcasting: Their Symbolism"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Witchcraft Herbs Meanings". The book claims to provide in-depth information about the meanings and uses of different herbs in witchcraft, but it fell short in delivering on its promise. The book lacked depth and was quite surface level, providing only basic and generic information that is readily available online. I was hoping for more detailed explanations and insights into the historical and cultural significance of each herb. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and money, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide on the subject.
2. Daniel - 2 stars
As someone who has been practicing witchcraft for several years, I was looking forward to “Witchcraft Herbs Meanings". However, I was quite disappointed with what I found. The book provided a very limited selection of herbs and their meanings, leaving out many commonly used herbs in witchcraft. Additionally, the information provided was quite basic and lacked depth. I found myself craving more detailed explanations and guidance. While this book may be helpful for absolute beginners, it falls short for those who already have a basic understanding of herbalism and witchcraft.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars
"Witchcraft Herbs Meanings" was a decent attempt at providing information about the meanings of various herbs, but it lacked organization and coherence. The book seemed to jump randomly from one herb to another without a clear structure, making it difficult to follow. Furthermore, the information provided was quite repetitive, with similar explanations for different herbs. I wish the author had focused more on providing unique and detailed insights into each herb’s significance instead of repeating the same information over and over again. Overall, I don't think this book added much value to my knowledge of witchcraft herbalism.