Herbal Correspondences for Witchcraft and Wiccan Magick

Magical Herb Correspondences

Herbs, resins, and other organic materials can be used in a variety of forms such as their natural form, dried, or in oils, powders, and incenses. And while there may be differences in the way they are used, the properties of the herbs and resins and their effects remain the same.

Herb applies to a wide range of plants, including: grasses, trees, shrubs, weeds, roots, barks, and the flowers of any plant used for healing, magic spells and rituals, witchcraft, Wicca, or other purposes. Resins are concentrated, partially dehydrated derivatives of the liquid or sap of trees and plants and are commonly used in the same manner as herbs. Animal products like musk and ambergris are used similarly to resins and herbs, but primarily for their scents.

Herbs and their by-products have been used for thousands of years by humans and other animals for healing. Even lower life forms are familiar with the benefits gained through the ingestion or application of certain plants. Likewise with the magical aspects of herbs, only this use is limited to humans. For thousands of years humans have used herbs and herbal concoctions for with the intent of altering their world.

Herbs have many possible uses:

• Charms and Sachets
• Incense
• Bath
• Oils
• Teas

The correspondences listed here include each herb's botanical name, common name, ruling planet, dominant element, any associated deity, and its magical properties. This list is no way fully comprehensive. It is offered only as a basis for further research and as a CURIO for personal entertainment purposes ONLY.

The first two lists are "quick and dirty" references. The table is a more comprehensive list of the various herbs and their correspondences.

SUN: peony, sunflower, saffron, cinnamon, laurel

MOON: hyssop, rosemary, moonflower, moonwort, garlic

MARS: garlic, tobacco, wolfsbane

MERCURY: fennel/finoccchio, mint, parsley

JUPITER: basil, mint, henbane

VENUS: lavender, vervain, coriander, laurel

SATURN: rue, cummin, hemlock, mandrake

Angelica: Protects from evil.

Ash (wood): Invincibility.

Balm Melissa: All healing. It's reputed to repel illness.

Betony: Protection against evil spirits.

Borage (flowers): Gives courage.

Bracken: Fern seeds gathered at midsummer are golden and were user to make the wearer invisible and also bring gold.

Briar Rose: Protects from bites of dogs or snakes.

Clover (flowers and leaves): Brings good luck and assists with clairvoyance.

Daisy: Innocence and love.

Dill: Love.

Eglantine (sweet briar): Pleasure.

Elder (use only twigs, do not cut tree): Revered by the Ancients; Elder brings wisdom, joy and delight.

Elm: Childbirth (it is associated with Embla, the first woman in Norse mythology).

Fennel: A sacred herb held in great respect by the Ancients. Wards off evil spirits, bestows strength, courage, and prolongs life.

Harebell: The flower of witches, who used its juice as part of their flying ointment. It is associated with seeing fairies, goblins and earth spirits. It was also thought to bring bad luck..

Hawthorn: Marriage and fertility (not a very attractive smell).

Hay: Pregnancy and fertility.

Hazel (use wood): Sacred in Celtic mythology for fertility and immortality. Wards off rheumatism. This is one of the most popular woods for making sorcerer's wands and dowsing rods.

Heather: Luck.

Honeysuckle: Fidelity and affection. Those who wear it will dream of their own true love.

House Leek (chicks and hens): Keeps evil away and the wearer will never be struck by lightning.

Hyssop (hyacinth): Purifying, cleansing.

Jasmine: Attraction.

Lady's Mantle: For women's problems. Use the pearl of dew that gathers on the leaves at dawn. Causes change in your life, brings luck. Aids spirituality.

Lavender: relaxing and stress relieving.

Lilac: Luck, love.

Lily of the Valley: Counters spells, attracts fairies.

Marjoram: Peace, happiness, joy.

May flowers: The base of the old wild magick. May flowers bring both adventure and chaos into your life.

Mint: Sharpens the mind.

Mistletoe: Energy, fertility, immortality.

Mulberry: Headaches.

Mullein: Asthma, protection from evil.

Nettle: One of the nine sacred herbs of the Anglo Saxons. Protection against demons and evil spells.

Oak : A sacred plant. Protection by the gods, strength, long life.

Onion: Protection against lung illnesses, colds, flu, and the plague, fends off evil spirits.

Orchids: Desire.

Peony wood: A powerful charm against evil.

Poppy: A charm to assist those bewitched into love.

Primrose: Used by the Ancients to see fairies.

Rose: Pure love.

Rosemary: Good memory, friendship, fidelity.

Rue: Luck and protection against the evil eye, freedom.

Saffron: Aphrodisiac.

Sage: Longevity, prosperity (do not cut this plant with metal).

Snowdrop: Used to quicken the passing of sorrow.

Sow Thistle: Increases strength and stamina, repels witches, invisibility from enemies.

St Johns Wort: Considered the most potent of herbs for driving away evil spirits and spells.

Strawberry: Sensuality.

Sweet pea: Good fortune.

Thyme: Relives giddiness and nightmares.

Violet: Love, humility, honesty, virtue.

Walnut: Robs an evil spirit of mobility, repels insects. It is the tree of Jupiter and brings the Gods' blessings.

Wheat: Gaia's blessings, as it contains the spirit of the earth and harvest. Used for growth and fertility.

Willow: To ease sorrow and the loss of a love.

Yew: A sacred tree. Protection against evil. Do not cut the tree, gather only from the ground.