Herbs are used in a remarkable number of ways in magic. Some of these uses are brand-new, while others have been magicians for as long as we've been using these green treasures of the Earth.
Here's a quick look at some of the ways of herb magic.
Oils
For centuries, herbalists had to be content with using scented oils, creating by placing fragrant herbs into vegetable oils. The herbs and oil were slowly heated (either over flame or in the sunlight) to extract the scent into the oil. Today, true essential oils (created by distillation) are available. Essential oils are mixed, blened in a base of vegetable oil, and rubbed onto the body or added to ritual baths for magical proposes.
Incense
This is the simplest method of all: the herb(s) are smothered on glowing charcoal to release their fragrances and theri energies.
There are many other methods of using herbs in magic exict; these have been only a few of them.
Magical Aromatherapy
This consists of onhaling the fragrances of true essential oils, combined with visualization (creating pictures of the magical goal in the mind), as a means of bringing plant energies within the magician to create positive change.
Amulets
Whole herbs (roots, fruits or seeds) or combinations of herbs (usually contained in a small clith bag) are placed in the home, worn or carried to confer protection. Amulets are always protection.
Bath Salts
Essential oils are added to mixed salts to create ritual bath salts, which are poured into the water before special baths.
Talismans
Whole herbs or cloth-wrapped combinations of herbs may be worn, carried or placed in the home to attract a specific type of energy, such as love, money, purification, health, courage, spirituality and psychic awareness. By this definition, tlisman are never protective in nature.
Powders
Herbs are powdered in a motar and pestle and are sprinkled to disperse their energies. These are quite popular for purification and protection rites.
Brews
There are many types of brews. Some are as simple as herb teas, drunk to effect a specific magical change within the magician (such as rose petal tea for love) Others may be made to create magical-charged liquids that are used to wash an object or the body. Alternately, herbs may be placed into pots of steaming water to release their powers and fragrances into the air (much like simmering potpourri is used). Still anther type of brew is made when a cloth bag of herbs is placed into a hot tub of water. The "brew" is then bathed in to bring specific influences into the bather. (Brews are also known as philters and, populaly, as "potions")
Herb Pillows
These are simply larger talismans, made with soft, fragrant herbs and strong cotton cloth. The magician either sleeps directly on the herb pillow or places it beneath the pillow at night.
