Spirituality
Magick Herbalism
Plants are the servants of humankind
The use of plants for herbalism goes back to antiquity. The oldest temple garden on record is one planted in the reign of the Pharaoh Mentuhotpel (c 1975BC) beneath the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
In 3500BC, priestesses of Egyptian temples were burning gums and resins, such as frankincense, to clear the mind. Herbs were used for embalming mummies, and for funeral rituals, as well as for medicinal purposes, as beauty products and for home and personal decoration. Images of plants and gardens are painted on the walls of the tombs of the Pharaohs.
In later years, the Copts, who were the Christian descendants of the ancient Egyptians kept the herbal traditions alive. An ancient legend tells of how vervain was used to treat Christ’s wounds from his cruxifiction, after the plants was seen, for the first time, flowering at the foot of the cross. Vervain became known as the holy herb and it was customary to make the sign of the cross before picking it. Vervain was also credited with the power of curing wounds and providing protection against ‘over-looking,’ the malicious act of someone withering ones crops.
The use of herbs for magick and healing can be seen in Native American, Chinese, Indian and Japanese cultures, as well as in African, Australian and South American native practices.
In the Middle Ages, when Islamic science was at its height, the use of herbs was the subject of many treatises. The Greeks followed up this research, and added their own local knowledge of plants to the specialism. Herbs are mentioned in the Old Testament of the Christian bible, in Greek mythology, and in other ancient writings such as those of Pliny the Elder (AD23079). Ayurveda therapies (evolved over several thousand years) are widely used in the Indian sub-continent, and have been adapted for Western consumption.
Ancient English examples of herbal writings were thought to have been destroyed in the Danish Invasions. During the Middle Ages, English herbalism was primarily the realm of monks who, not only made medicines, but liqueurs such as mead. However, persecution in the name of Christianity, forced this magickal knowledge into hiding where it became the preserve of witches and wise-women.
Our Anglo-Saxon ancestors had an instinctive knowledge of plants’ vibrational energies. They lived and worked closely with nature and were attuned to the beneficial properties of the plants in their environment. These ancient healers were know as Leeches, and they used a form of herbal magick known as Leechdom or Leechcraft.
Inks were made from herbs, and used to divine the future. The ink was dropped into water and the resulting shapes analysed (hydromancy). The ink was also used to write messages onto tree leaves. If the ink dried slowly, the portents were good (sycomancy).
In the 15th century, Alchemists turned from attempting to make gold from base metals to preparing medicines. A leader in this field was Aureolus Paracelsus. He was the first person in Europe to mention zinc, and to use the word alcohol to refer to the spirit of wine — his work was the basis for modern chemistry.
In Elizabethan times carnations were worn to prevent encounters with ghosts, whilst lavender was used to stimulate a greater awareness of discarnates. Occultists, metaphysicians, and healers, used wisteria to attract good spirits to aid in healing. Rosemary was considered to be sacred to the Elf Kingdom, and lilac leaves were used to cleanse haunted houses. In the 17th Century pomanders of oranges and cloves were used to ward off the Black Death.
The emergence of the ‘New Age’ in the 20th Century revived the interest in magickal herbs and other esoteric practices, and we are re-discovering the wonderful power of nature herself, reflected in the plants that we use.
In all primitive societies we see particular individuals picked out — destined to develop special powers — powers to heal the sick, powers to solve difficult problems, and powers to predict the future. These individuals would be singled out and then subjected to rigorous, even dangerous, training during which time they would be expected to undergo tests and torments. They would be initiated into, and experience, worlds existing beyond their own. If these individuals were successful, they would assume the mantle of tribal witchdoctor, medicine man, or shaman, possessing amazing abilities.
Finally
If you choose to practise the art of Magick Herbalism please remember that some plants are very poisonous. You should ensure you undertake a period of training in one of the many Herbalism specialisations which are available today. Once trained, and qualified you should obtain appropriate insurance cover.
Plants were originally classified into botanical orders by Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) and one of the most famous English herbalists, Nicholas Culpeper (17th Century). Culpeper’s writings are still used and his findings available in ‘Culpeper’s Colour Herbal’ published by W Fousham & Co. Ltd.
Another excellent reference book is the ‘Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs’ by Scott Cunningham, published by Llewellyn Publishers.
