Herbs for Spellwork

As with all the ways of witching, the important piece to remember is to tap into your intuition, allow your highest self to guide you—both in the herbs you choose to work with, and the ways you wield your magic.

Developing a relationship with the plants is a wonderful place to begin herbal spellwork. There’s no need to know “what a plant does” in order to connect with it. In fact, I’d encourage you to get to know a plant you are drawn to without researching it first!

Observe its colors, leaf shape, growing environment, and any other sensory information you can gather. Think of this like getting acquainted with a new friend—before you hear their whole life story, you’re first drawn to them just by the way they carry themselves and the vibe they put out to the world. Plants are much the same.

---

There are certainly some tried-and-true, traditional herbs associated with spellwork to get you started though. Here are a few of my favorites and the types of spells they are most connected to:

Bay leaf - manifestation, abundance

 Mugwort - activating the dreamworld

Rose - self-love, connection

  Tansy - longevity, protection

 Orange - luck, wealth

 Rosemary - protection, memory (ancestral connections)

Juniper - health, protection

The most simple of herb spells can be enacted by carrying them as a talisman like you would a crystal. For example, adding a few rose petals to a pouch you carry with you as a necklace or in your purse to call in deeper self-love and heart-centered connections.

*********************************************************************

Here’s a manifesting ritual spell that uses a trusted herb friend found amongst the most common kitchen ingredients—bay leaf!

Bay Leaf Manifestation Spell

• Select a whole, dried bay leaf (you may want to choose one that is larger in size so you can write on it).
• Set up your altar or ceremonial space—you’ll need a fire proof bowl or plate, matches/lighter, and any other ritual tools that help you to ground and amplify your energy.
• Begin with a few moments of rhythmic deep breathing, allowing yourself to become aware of how your body feels, and breathing into any stuck or stagnant energy that may be found as you scan your physical container.
• Once you feel rooted and aware, call to mind what you desire to manifest in your life.
• Take the bay leaf gently in your left hand and place your right hand on your heart space.
• As you hold the vision in your mind of what you are calling in, get clear on how it will feel to receive this magical manifestation into your life. Notice how your body feels within this vision.
• Craft a short phrase that embodies the essence of this vision in the present tense as a verbal spell (e.g. “Abundance flows to me with ease and grace” or “I am deeply comfortable and at home in my body”).
• Write this phrase onto the bay leaf with a marker and place the bay leaf in fireproof the bowl or plate.
• Light one end of the bay leaf as you speak your spell aloud. Continue repeating it as the bay leaf burns, making sure to hold your vision clearly in your mind’s eye and the feeling in your body associated with receiving this manifestation.
• Once the bay leaf has burned out, close your ceremonial space in whatever way you feel called. Perhaps taking the remains of the bay leaf outside and returning them to the earth or letting the wind carry it away. 

Remember, your spellwork is an intuitive process, and is something that the plants are there to support you in. There is no need to feel like you have to follow a bunch of “rules” when it comes to herbs for spellwork. Let your intuition guide you to the plants and herbs that call you.

You may wish to work with the elements to amplify your spells. Weaving words with the herbs combines the elements of earth and air, while casting a spell by a body of water and igniting plant material beckon in water and fire.

The ways of working with herbs in spellwork are endless—from burning incense, drinking tea, or eating herb-infused treats, crafting herb swag bundles to hang by the door or over your bed, creating plant mandalas, and even the simple act of tending to living plants around your home, these are all wonderful ways to let the energy of plants infuse your daily experience with a bit more magic and wonder.

***************************************************************************

Get to work using these tips with all the tools you'll need in our Nature Magick Box or subscribe to receive the latest Goddess Provisions Box!

Big thank you to Em, Headwitch @GardenoftheMoon for this contribution. Check out her instagram page for more plant magic!