Category: Herbalism

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Witch At The Crossroads: Purge, Protect, & Burn Stuff at Midsummer

By Katrina Rasbold

Of all of the holidays, it can be argued that most cultures at some time or another celebrated Midsummer. The Sun reigns at its full power and dominates the sky for the longest day of the year on Litha. It is commonly believed that the Faeries are most active during this time; an idea perpetuated by William Shakespeare’s famous play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The power of herbs and plants is said to be strongest at this time, so many of the summer herbs are harvested on this day. Continue reading Witch At The Crossroads: Purge, Protect, & Burn Stuff at Midsummer

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Lemon Balm

By Katrina Rasbold

Lemon balm is one of the most common herbs we have covered so far, known for its aromatic citrus smell. It is related to the mint family and the leaves are very similar, even if the scent is not. Its fancy name is “Melissa” and it flourishes in any warm or temperate area worldwide. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Lemon Balm

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Cascara Sagrada

By Katrina Rasbold

Cascara sagrada grows in the Pacific Northwest and is an extract from the bark of the buckthorn tree. You will noticed that we previously covered the wonderful effects of buckthorn in an earlier column. Interestingly, like buckthorn, cascara sagrada was one of the first magical herbs I used in my practice. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Cascara Sagrada

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Job’s Tears

By Katrina Rasbold

Like kava kava, Job’s tears are a foreign plant to everyone who does not live in Asia, which is where the plant almost exclusively grows. As mentioned in the article on kava kava, we always achieve a higher energy impact on our shellwork when we use herbs and stones native to our geographical area. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Job’s Tears

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Kava Kava

By Katrina Rasbold

Kava kava is an interesting plant in that all seeds it produces are sterile. This means that the only way to propagate the plant is through cuttings. It is high needs, so you will not likely be able to grow it in a pot or even in a greenhouse. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Kava Kava

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Witch Hazel

By Katrina Rasbold

Those of us who are of a particular age remember using witch hazel as a facial astringent back in “the day.” I am sure few of us realized the intense magical influence we were dabbing all over our pretty faces. Intention is everything, but the inherent powers of this plant shine through on their own. I’m sure our parents were pleased with the results it gave to us. (wink) Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Witch Hazel

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Slippery Elm

By Katrina Rasbold

What we loosely call “herbs” when we talk about magical herbalism is an inclusive label that also includes flowers, roots, barks, and in this case, trees. Where most people think of small green things growing in pretty pots when they talk about herbs, Witches and other magical folks basically mean, “botany” and we are voracious about studying the energy of all parts of pretty much any plant. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Slippery Elm

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Buckthorn

By Katrina Rasbold

Buckthorn was one of the first magical herbs I learned about back in the 1980s. I was in Scorpio Herbs (no longer in operation) in Texas and one of the folks working in the shop told me that buckthorn “brings the magic together.” She went on to explain that if you include herbs in your spell work, you should also throw in some buckthorn because it encourages the other herbs to work together more cohesively toward your goal.

Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Buckthorn

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Elecampane

By Katrina Rasbold

Legend says Elecampane (Inula helenium) as named for Helen of Troy and grew in the places where her tears fell. Related to the sunflower, this plant is quite tall, up to sixty inches or so. It has a rigid stem with leaves that are green on the top and white on the bottom. It has vibrant yellow blooms that smell a bit like sweet camphor. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Elecampane

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Lavender

By Katrina Rasbold

Lovely, fragrant lavender is a favorite herb of Green Witches, appreciated for its peaceful, calming influence, this herb is frequently infused into oils and included in perfumes, soaps, and incenses.

Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Lavender

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Comfrey

By Katrina Rasbold

Comfrey is a plant with large leaves requiring plenty of moisture, so it does not thrive in heavy sunlight. It has lovely dark green leaves and beautiful purple flowers that overhang in a fountain effect. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Comfrey

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Ginger Root

By Katrina Rasbold

Most of you are likely familiar with this weeks herb: ginger. Cooks commonly use ginger to add its unique flavor to sauces and baked desserts. If you have tasted it, you know it heats up the flavor palette of any dish and that is exactly how it works from a magical perspective. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Ginger Root

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Saint John’s Wort

By Katrina Rasbold

This week’s herb is one many Witches use for self-care and that is Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum). This herb grows well in the Western US and throughout Europe and Asia. I was pleased to find it growing wild next to my new home when I moved in. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Saint John’s Wort

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day

 By Katrina Rasbold

Unfortunately, life obligations made is so that Cat Gina Cole can no longer continue her Herbalism column for this blog. Since that was one of our most popular columns, I am going to do my meager best to step in and provide a not-nearly-as-good herbalism segment. This week, we’re talking about how to use herbs in magical work. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Chamomile

By Cat Gina Cole

Today from my herbal journal I found one of my favorite herbs, chamomile. I love how the plant looks when it is growing: wild and bushy, pushing all its white and yellow flowers up at you. Its smell is delightful and the entire plant is just cheerful. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Chamomile

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Purslane & Mallow

By Cat Gina Cole

I have to admit, I am enjoying the re-discovery of my herbal journal as I write this column each week. Each time, it is like finding something new and getting excited about it all over again. Today, I rediscovered this crumpled and handwritten note. It is crumpled because back when I was doing my studies, I had the habit of throwing away my notes once they were on the computer. My husband, Mike, was very against this and would rescue them from the trash bin. He would give them back to me saying “Here you lost this, it is something you need.”  And I think he was right. Just look at the memories a crumpled bit of paper can have and the joy it evokes.
Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Purslane & Mallow

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Basil & Bergamot Oils

By Cat Gina Cole

This week in my herbal journal, I found a couple of oils to share with you. Since I have studied these and wrote the notes on them, I have made them and used them together in an oil for an irritable bowel or stomach with other ingredients. Sadly, I committed the sin of all herbalists and did not write down the recipe for it, but I will keep looking as it worked very well. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Basil & Bergamot Oils

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Plants of the Zodiac

By Cat Gina Cole

This week as I turn the page to my very disorganized herbal journal, I wrote years ago; I find Plants of the Zodiac. These are the magical spiritual uses for these herbs. Please know that this list is not a complete compendium, rather it is my study notes. The source for these notes is the book, Garden Witches Herbal by Ellen Dugan. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Plants of the Zodiac

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Herbalism For Your Day: Angelica

By Cat Gina Cole

Today as I open my journal from 2014, I find angelica. What I find interesting about this herb is it has so many lookalikes. Pretty much the entire family of umbelliferae are lookalikes for angelica. The family includes about 460 genera and 4,250 species. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Angelica