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Earthmagick's Living Herbs and Perennials
coming soon
"Planting by the Moon"
- a regular column detailing what to plant when
In Stock Now!
at
30 Haig Avenue, Mt. Roskill, Auckland 1004
How Does It Work?
To quote the late Scott Cunningham - a well-known herbalist and practitioner of elemental magic: " The basis of herb magic - and all magic - is The Power. This power has worn many names and forms throughout the centuries. The power is that which generated and maintains the Universe. It is the power that germinates seeds, raises winds and spins our planet. It is the energy behind birth, life and death. Everything in the Universe was created by it, contains a bit of it, and is answerable to it. In other words, the power is the life-force, the stuff of creation. It is the very substance of existence itself."
Now it is not my intention to try to define, in names or any other way, just what that power is or should be called. Everyone has their own ideas on this subject and, to my way of thinking, all are probably right to some extent. Here we are concentrating on the Magickal Power of herbs.
A definition of magic is: " The practice of causing change through the use of powers as yet not defined or accepted by science."
To quote Scott Cunningham again: " The power behind herb magic is formless, shapeless, eternal. It doesn't care whether you call on it in the name of a Witch Goddess or the Virgin Mary - or tap it within no religious framework at all. It is always there, present in abundance no matter where we are or where we travel in the universe. Though the power is formless, it takes on many forms: a wildebeest has the power, so does a computer, or a dandelion. Some materials contain higher concentrations of the power than others; these include plants, gems and metals. Each substance also contains different types of power, or vibrational rates. This vibratory rate is determined by several factors: chemical make-up, form, density and so on. The powers resident in herbs are determined by the plants habitat, scent, colour, form and other considerations. Similar substances usually possess similar vibrations. Herb magic then, is the use of herbs to cause needed changes. These plants contain energies - each as distinct as human faces. For maximum effects the herbs chosen for a spell should possess vibrations that match your need. Cedar is fine for attracting money but wouldn't be of help in a fertility spell."
To practise herb magic, one needs to know the powers of the plants. This catalogue contains that information. To fulfil a need, just manipulate the herbs to give their powers direction. It is that simple. All that are needed are a few simple procedures such as: tying knots, boiling water, lighting candles, sewing and burying things in the earth. More important than its simplicity, perhaps, is the fact that Herb Magick works!
So why 'Living' Herbs in particular? The answer to that is very simple: Living Herbs are far more powerful in their qualities than are dried herbs. At the time the Living Herb is picked - as long as it is done at the right time - it contains up to 200 times more life force than does the equivalent of the dried herb, and thus tend to be much more potent in their use. That is not to say that dried herbs don't have their place. For sure, they do, especially if you want great bulk to store or if you don't have a garden in which to grow your own (by the way, a lot of herbs will thrive quite happily in pots), but imagine the joy of being able to walk out first thing in the morning or during a moonlit night and pick your own Living Herb according to traditional ways and chanting an incantation along the lines of: " I pray thee, vinca pervinca, thee that art to be had for thy many useful qualities, that thou come to me glad blossoming with thy mainfulness, that thou outfit me so that I be shielded and prosperous and undamaged by poisons and water". That, by the way, is the incantation to be used while picking periwinkle under the certain conditions with which it should be harvested.
Anyway, see what we have to offer and enjoy! :) Note: most Living Herbs we have for sale are also medicinal in nature and, at some stage, I'll be adding notes on those qualities also.
| Aquilegia
species
Description: we offer two varieties of Aquilegia at present; the alpina and the quaint Nora Barlow. Aquilegias prefer rich soil, in light to moderate shade with plenty of moisture. |
Folk Name: Lion's Herb
Gender: Feminine Planet: Venus Element: Water Powers: Courage, Love Magical Uses: Rub your hands on the herb to induce courage and daring, or carry it with you. The seeds are used as a love perfume; when pulverised, they are rubbed onto the hands and body to attract love. Both sexes can use this spell. |
 Betony
(Stachys
betonica)
Description: an attractive and tough, weed-suppressing groundcover given adequate drainage. Folk Names: Bishopwort, Lousewort, Purple BetonyGender: Masculine Planet: Jupiter Element: Fire Powers: Love, Purification, Protection |
Magical Uses: Betony has long been celebrated as a protective and purificatory herb. It is added to purification and protective mixtures and incenses and it is traditional on Midsummer to burn it on a bonfire and jump through the smoke to purify the body of ills and evils. Betony is also grown in gardens to protect the home and is scattered near doors and windows. This forms a kind of protective wall around the home through which no evil can pass. Betony is a good plant to carry when making love advances and is said to reunite quarrelling couples if added to food. |
 Blue
Eyed Grass
(Sisyrinchium
bellum) |
Description: tufts of grass-like leaves and sprays of bright violet blue yellow-eyed flowers. Sunny position. |
 Catnip
(Nepeta cataria)
Description: 70cm by 50cm, grey-green leaves, white or pale pink flowers. |
Folk Names: Cat, Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Cat's Wort, Field Balm, Nepeta,
Nip
Gender: Feminine Planet: Venus Element: Water Deity: Bast Powers: Cat Magic, Love, Beauty, Happiness Magical Uses: Given to your cat, catnip creates a psychic bond between you. It is also intoxicating to the cat. Use in love sachets in conjunction with rose petals. If you hold catnip in the hand until warm, then hold anyone else's hand, they will forever be your friend, as long as you keep the catnip in some safe place. Grow near the home or hang over the door to attract good spirits and great luck. Also use in spells to enhance beauty and happiness. |
 Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale)
Description: Large-leaved perennial groundcover, 90cm tall, damp, blue/pink flowers. |
Folk Names: Assear, Black Wort, Boneset, Bruisewort, Consolida, Healing
Herb, Knit Back, Knit Bone, Miracle Herb, Slippery Root, Wallwort, Yalluc
Gender: Feminine Planet: Saturn Element: Water Powers: Travel Safety, Money Magical Uses: Worn or carried, comfrey protects during travel. Also tuck some into your suitcases so that they aren't lost or stolen. The root is also used in money spells. |
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Description: 20cm tall, shady position, yellow flowers. |
Folk Names: Arthritica,
Buckles, Drelip, Fairycup, Herb Peter, Key Flower, Key of Heaven,
Lady's Key, Paigle, Password, Plumrocks
Gender: Feminine Planet: Venus Element: Water Powers: Healing, Youth, Treasure-Hunting Magical Uses: A bit of cowslip placed under the front porch will discourage visitors if you don't wish to have company. Cowslip, when carried or worn, will preserve youth, or restore it when lost. The odour of cowslip is healing, and a bunch of the flowers held in the hand will help you find hidden treasure. |
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Description: Will grow pretty much anywhere and is an attractive plant with reddish, autumn-toned foliage. Grows to approximately 130cm in height. |
Mexican-tea is a strong scented herb which is frequently used as a treatment of internal parasites in both humans and animals. A Mexican/South American native, its strong, unusual aromatic flavour is often used in seasoning black beans, corn, fish and in many tortilla dishes. |
 Evening Primrose,
Yellow
(Oenothera
biennis)
Description: tall biennial, 1m by 30cm. Many yellow flowers, good self-seeder, fragrant. Sun. |
Folk Name: War Poison
Magical Uses: American Indians rubbed this plant against their moccasins
and body to ensure a good hunt.
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Description: Similar to wild fennel but with bronze-green foliage. Open, sunny position in well drained, fertile soil. 180cm tall. Magical Uses: Grown around the home, fennel confers protection. Wearing a piece of fennel in the left shoe will prevent wood ticks from biting your legs. Fennel is also hung up at windows and doors to ward off evil spirits, and the seeds can be carried for the same reason. Fennel is used in purification sachets as well as in healing mixtures. |
Folk Names: Samar,
Sweet Fennel, Sheeh Gender: Masculine Planet: Mercury Element: Fire Powers: Healing, Purification, Protection Ritual Uses: The thyrsus, which figured in Dionysian ceremonies, was often made of giant fennel stalks with pine cones attached to the ends. |
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Description: a stunningly elegant plant which loves semi-shade and humus rich soil (although ours grows in very poor soil). Dormant in winter. |
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mercury Element: Air Powers: Rain-making, Protection, Luck, Riches, Health, Exorcism Magical Uses: The fern is included in vases of flowers for its protective properties, and also planted at the doorstep. Dried fern is thrown upon hot coals to exorcise evil spirits. When burned outdoors, fern causes rain to fall. The smoke is also supposed to drive away snakes. Carried or worn, fern has the power to guide its bearer to discover treasures, and the person who breaks the first fern frond of spring will have good luck |
