Magickal properties of wood

by Mother Oak

# ALDER (Alnus spp.) This tree is a water lover. The oily water resistant wood has been used extensively for underwater foundations and pilings in Venice and elsewhere. It is used in dairy vessels and the branches in making whistles. It is associated with Bran, as He used His body as a bridge to span dangerous waters. It is used in the construction of bridges. Bran's Head was oracular. Alder indicates protection and oracular powers.

# APPLE (Malus spp.) A dense, fine-grained, rosy-coloured wood with a slightly sweet smell. The Apple is the earliest cultivated tree. It is associated with choice. At Somerset, an auction was held for single acre plots on two pieces of common land. Plots were marked and matching marks made on the fruit. The apples were then placed in a bag and commoners were allocated land by the distribution of the fruit. All the acres of land were similar, as many times today choices must be made between similar and equally attractive things. Regardless, the choice must be made. In Norse myth, Idunna was the keeper of the 'apples of immortality' which kept the Gods young. The 'fruit-bearing tree' refered to by Tacitus in his description of Norse runic divination may have been the apple. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing magic.

# ASH (Fraxinus spp.) A strong, straight-grained wood; sometimes has 'olive' streaks or stripes in the grain. The European variety (fraxinus excelcior) was referred to in the Eddas as the species of Yggdrasil - the 'World-Tree". The first man, named Ask, was created from an ash log. Ash was commonly used to make spears because of its 'springiness' and straight grain. In North America, strips of black ash were split along the grain to make splints for baskets and hoops. It is used in weaver's beams. Women would weave cloth and intermingling threads together in a tight pattern as the microcosm and the macrocosm are united. Ash can be used in spells requiring focus and strength of purpose, and indicates the linking of the inner and outer worlds.

# BEECH (Fagus spp.) Beech wood is closely grained, very easy to work giving a smooth even surface. At one time Beech tablets were used as writing surfaces because of the above mentioned qualities. Beech and book have the same word origins. Beech is concerned with ancient knowledge as revealed in old objects, places and writings. Beech indicates guidance from the past to gain insight which protects and provides a solid base upon which all relies.

# BIRCH (Betula spp.) A lovely pale, fine-grained wood. Long associated with fertility and healing magic, birch twigs were used to bestow fertility on cattle and newlyweds, and children's cradles were made from its wood. Birch is one of the first trees to grow on bare soil and thus it births the entire forest. Criminals were at one time birched to drive out evil influences on them, to renew them for the new year. Birch was associated with Thor, probably in recognition of his role as an agricultural and fertility deity. Birch is an incredibly useful tree - nearly every part of it is edible, and it's sap was an important source of sugar to Native Americans and early settlers. The inner bark provides a pain reliever and the leaves are used to treat arthritis. It's bark was used for everything from paper to canoe hulls, and axe handles were also made from Birch. Birch is most useful for fertility and healing spells.

# BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) Blackthorn is a winter tree. The sloe, its fruits ripen and sweeten only after the nip of the frost. White flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It is black barked with vicious thorns and grows in dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed.

# ELDER (Sambucus spp.) The Latin name sambucus is derived from a Greek word for a wind instrument made from elder. The pith can easily be removed from the small branches to make a flute. Elder regrows damaged branches with ease and can root rapidly from any part. A tea for purifying the blood can be made from the flowers and wine from the fruit, but in general the tree is poisonous. In Norse mythology, the Goddess Freya chose the black elder as her home. In medieval times it was the abode of witches and it was considered dangerous to sleep under its branches or to cut it down. Sticks of Elder were used as magical horses by Witches. Elder indicates the end in the beginning and the beginning in the end. Life in Death and Death in Life.

# ELM (Ulmus spp.) A slightly fibrous, tan-coloured wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, and was said to be the abode of faeries, explaining Kipling's injunction; "Ailim be the lady's tree; burn it not or cursed ye'll be". Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell.

# FIR (Abies spp.) Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come.

# HAWTHORN (Crataegus oxyacantha) A light, hard, apple-like wood. Hawthorn usually doesn't grow much bigger than a shrub, and is popular in England as a hedge plant. The wood from the Hawthorn provides the hottest fire known. Its leaves and blossoms are used to create a tea to aid with anxiety, appetite loss and poor circulation. The Greeks and Romans saw the hawthorn as symbolic of hope and marriage, but in medieval Europe it was associated with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky. This seeming contradiction is to be expected from a tree with such beautiful blossoms and such deadly-looking thorns. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells.

# HAZEL (Corylus avallania) Hazel is another food tree. In Celtic tradition, the Salmon of Knowledge is said to eat the 9 nuts of poetic wisdom dropped into its sacred pool from the hazel tree growing beside it. Each nut eaten by the salmon becomes a spot on its skin. The Hazel tree provided shade, protection and baskets. In Europe and North America, hazel is commonly used for 'water-witching' - the art of finding water with a forked stick. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration.

# HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium) A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain; looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore. In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be hefted to be thrown the holly indicates directed balance and vigour to fight if the cause is just. Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death.

# LARCH (Larix europaea) A light softwood, very similar to spruce. Larch is one of the few conifers which sheds its needles in the winter. It is closely related to the North American tamarack (larix laricina). The larch plays an important role in Sami (Lapp) and Siberian mythology where it takes the place of the ash as the World-tree. Their shamans use larch wood to rim their ceremonial drums. The smoke from burning larch is said to ward off evil spirits. Larch may be used for protection and to induce visions.

# MAPLE (Acer spp.) A very hard, pale, fine-grained wood. Although the sugar maple has the highest sugar content in its sap, all maple species can be tapped to make syrup and sugar, making them a vital resource to early North American settlers. In north-eastern North America, the annual 'sugaring-off' usually coincides with the vernal equinox, making it one of the first signs of spring. Maple can bring success and abundance.

# OAK (Quercus spp.)

Red Oak (Quercus rubra) A strong, straight-grained, slightly porous wood with a slight reddish hue. Its energy is a bit lighter and more 'firey' than the other oaks.

White Oak (Quercus alba) Darker and denser than red oak. It's strength and density have led to its being used in barrel-making and shipbuilding. Useful for spells requiring strength and solidity.

Brown (English) Oak (Quercus robur) A richly-coloured dark brown wood. Brown oak has a very earthy feel, and is useful for grounding. Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Norse and Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak is frequently associated with Gods of thunder and lightening such as Zeus, Thor, and the Lithuanian God Perkunas. This association may be due to the oak's habit of being hit by lightening during storms. Specific oak trees have also been associated with the 'Wild Hunt', which is led by Herne in England and by Wodin in Germany. In general, oak can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special 'flavour' to the magic.

# PEAR (Pyrrus spp.) The Roman author Tacitus described how the Germanii would carve runes into the wood of a fruit tree. This is often assumed to be the apple tree, but may well have been the pear which is considered by some to be of the same genus as the apple. In the 5th century, Constantius told of a pear tree which was honored by the Northmen. The pear tree is also mentioned in literature and folklore connected with love and temptation.

# PINE (Pinus spp.) The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods". Its needles are a valuable source of vitamin C and can loosen a tight chest. The scent of Pine is useful in the alleviation of guilt. The Bach's flower remedies lists it for dealing with feelings of guilt. Pine indicates issues of guilt within you.

# POPLAR (Populus spp.) The White Poplar flourishes beside rivers, in marshes and in other watery areas. The pith is star shaped. The upper leaves are green, the underside is silver. The wood was used in the making of shields. Leaves move with every puff of wind. It is commonly referred to as the talking, whispering and quivering tree. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem seems to refer to the poplar as being associated with the rune berkano. Heracles wore a crown of poplar leaves when he retrieved Cerberus from Hades, and the upper surface of the leaves was thus darkened from Hades' smokey fumes. In Christian lore, the quaking poplar (aspen) was used to construct Christ's cross, and the leaves of the tree quiver when they remember this fact. The Poplar's ability to resist and to shield, its association with speech, language and the Winds indicates an ability to endure and conquer.

# ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) The Rowan tree (also called Mountain Ash) is long known for aid and protection against enchantment. Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. It was also used in the art of metal divining. Rowan spays and crosses were placed over cattle in pens and over homes for protection. Its lovely red berries feed the birds in winter. The berries have a tiny pentagram on them. The pentagram is the ancient symbol of protection. The Rowan tree indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment and beguiling.

# WILLOW (Salix babylonica) The willow is another water loving tree. Willow bark contains Salicin which is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever and various damp diseases. Her catkins, which appear in early spring before her leaves, attract bees to start the cycle of pollination. In western tradition it is a symbol of mourning and unlucky love. The Latin name for the weeping willow refers to the psalm in which the Hebrews mourn their captivity in Babylon by the willows. Willow indicates cycles, rhythms and the ebb and flux.

# YEW (Taxus baccata) A beautifully smooth, gold-coloured wood with a wavy grain. All parts of the tree are poisonous except the fleshy covering of the berry, and its medicinal uses include a recently discovered treatment for cancer. Long associated with magic, death, rebirth and the runes, the yew may be the oldest-lived tree in the world. Ancient yews can be found in churchyards all over Britain, where they often pre-date even the oldest churches. There are some convincing arguements for it being the original 'World-tree' of Scandinavian mythology. In Europe, yew wood was used for making bows, while on the northwest coast of North America, the Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) is used by the Haida and other tribes for making masks and boxes. Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities, and to induce visions.

Herbal symbolism what role the plants play in magick

by Mother Oak
Herb ~ Symbolic Value or Use in Magick

# Acacia ~ protection
# Adders Tongue ~ healing
# African Violet ~ spirituality, protection
# Agrimony ~ protection, sleep
# Alfalfa ~ prosperity, anti-hunger, money
# Allspice ~ money, luck, healing
# Almond ~ money, prosperity, wisdom
# Aloe ~ protection, luck
# Aloes, Wood ~ love, spirituality
# Althea ~ protection
# Alyssum ~ protection, moderating anger
# Amaranth ~ healing, protection
# Anemone ~ health, protection, healing
# Angelica ~ exorcism, protection, healing, visions
# Apple ~ love, healing, garden magick
# Apricot ~ love
# Arabic Gum ~ purify negativity
# Asafoetida ~ exorcism, purification, protection
# Ash ~ protection, prosperity, sea rituals, health
# Aspen ~ eloquence, anti-theft
# Aster ~ love
# Avens ~ exorcism, purification, love
# Avocado ~ love, lust, beauty
# Balm, Lemon ~ love, success, healing
# Balm of Gilead ~ love, manifestations, protection, healing
# Bamboo ~ protection, luck, hex-breaking, wishes
# Banana ~ fertility, potency, prosperity
# Banyan ~ luck
# Barley ~ love, healing, protection
# Basil ~ love, exorcism, wealth, flying, protection
# Bay ~ protection, healing, purification, strength
# Beech ~ wishes
# Beet ~ love
# Benzoin ~ purification, prosperity
# Be-Still ~ luck
# Betony Wood ~ protection, purification, love
# Birch ~ protection, exorcism, purification
# Bistort ~ fertility
# Bittersweet ~ protection, healing
# Blackberry ~ healing, money, protection
# Bladderwrack ~ protection, sea spells, wind spells, money
# Bleeding Heart ~ love
# Bloodroot ~ love, protection, purification
# Bluebell ~ luck, truth, constancy, strength
# Blueberry ~ protection
# Blue Flag ~ money
# Bodhi ~ fertility, protection, wisdom, meditation
# Boneset ~ protection, exorcism
# Borage ~ courage
# Bracken ~ healing, rune magick, prophetic dreams
# Brazil Nut ~ love
# Bromeliad ~ protection, money
# Broom ~ purification, protection, wind spells, divination
# Buchu ~ prophetic dreams
# Buckthorn ~ protection, exorcism, wishes, legal matters
# Buckwheat ~ money, protection
# Burdock ~ protection, healing
# Buttercup ~ prosperity, happiness
# Cabbage ~ luck
# Cactus ~ protection, chastity
# Calamus ~ luck, healing, money, protection
# Camellia ~ riches, gratitude, prosperity
# Camphor ~ chastity, health, divination
# Caper ~ potency, lust, luck
# Caraway ~ protection, lust, health, anti-theft, mental powers
# Cardamon ~ lust, love
# Carnation ~ protection, strength, healing
# Carob ~ protection, health
# Carrot ~ fertility, lust
# Cascara Sagrada ~ legal matters, money, protection,
# Cashew ~ money
# Castor ~ protection
# Catnip ~ cat magick, love, beauty, happiness
# Cattail ~ lust
# Cedar ~ healing, purification, money, protection
# Celery ~ mental powers, lust
# Chamomile ~ money, sleep, love, purification
# Cherry ~ love, divination
# Chestnut ~ love
# Chickweed ~ fertility, love
# Chicory ~ removing obstacles, favors, frigidity
# Chili pepper ~ fidelity, hex breaking, love
# China Berry ~ luck
# Chrysanthemum ~ protection
# Cinchona ~ luck, protection
# Cinnamon ~ spirituality, success, healing, power, lust, protection, love
# Cinquefoil ~ money, protection, prophetic dreams, sleep
# Citron ~ healing
# Clove ~ protection, exorcism, gossip, love, money
# Clover ~ protection, money, love, fidelity, exorcism, success
# Club Moss ~ protection, power
# Coconut ~ purification, protection, chastity
# Columbine ~ courage, love
# Comfrey ~ Safety During travel, money
# Copal ~ love, purification
# Coriander ~ love, health, healing
# Corn ~ protection, luck, divination
# Cotton ~ luck, healing, protection, rain, fishing magick
# Cowslip ~ healing, youth, treasure finding
# Crocus ~ love, visions
# Cuckoo Flower ~ fertility, lover
# Cucumber ~ chastity, healing, fertility
# Cumin ~ protection, fidelity, exorcism
# Curry ~ protection
# Cyclamen ~ fertility, protection, happiness, lust
# Cypress ~ longevity, healing, comfort, protection
# Daffodil ~ love, fertility, luck
# Daisy ~ lust, luck
# Damiana ~ lust, love, visions
# Dandelion ~ divination, wishes, calling spirits
# Deerstongue ~ lust
# Devils Bit ~ exorcism, love, protection, lust
# Devils Shoestring ~ protection, gambling, luck, power, employment
# Dill ~ protection, money, lust, luck
# Dittany of Crete ~ manifestations, astral projection
# Dock ~ healing, fertility, money
# Dodder ~ love, divination, knot magick
# Dogbane ~ love
# Dogwood ~ wishes, protection
# Dragons Blood ~ love, protection, exorcism, potency
# Dulse ~ lust, harmony
# Dutchman's Breeches ~ love
# Echinacea ~ strengthening Spells
# Edelweiss ~ invisibility, Bullet-Proofing
# Elder ~ exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep
# Elecampane ~ love, protection
# Elm ~ love
# Endive ~ lust, love
# Eucalyptus ~ healing, protection
# Euphorbia ~ purification, protection
# Eyebright ~ mental powers
# Fennel ~ protection, healing, purification
# Fenugreek ~ money
# Fern ~ rain making, protection, luck, riches, Eternal youth, health, exorcism
# Feverfew ~ protection
# Fig ~ divination, fertility, love
# Figwort ~ health, protection
# Flax ~ money, protection, beauty, healing
# Fleabane ~ exorcism, protection, chastity
# Foxglove ~ protection (poisonous)
# Frankincense ~ protection, exorcism, spirituality
# Galangal ~ protection, lust, health, money, hex breaking
# Gardenia ~ love, peace, healing, spirituality
# Garlic ~ protection, healing, exorcism, lust, anti-theft
# Gentian ~ love, power
# Geranium ~ fertility, health, love, protection
# Ginger ~ love, money, success, power
# Ginseng ~ love, wishes, healing, beauty, protection, lust
# Goats Rue ~ healing, health
# Goldenrod ~ money, divination
# Golden Seal ~ healing, money
# Gorse ~ protection, money
# Gotu Kola ~ meditation
# Gourd ~ protection
# Grape ~ fertility, Garden magick, mental powers, money
# Grass ~ protection
# Ground Ivy ~ divination
# Groundsel ~ health, healing
# Hawthorn ~ fertility, chastity, fishing magick, happiness
# Hazel ~ luck, fertility, anti-Lightning, protection, wishes
# Heather ~ protection, rain making, luck
# Heliotrope ~ exorcism, prophetic dreams, healing, Wealth, invisibility
# Hemp ~ healing, love, vision, meditation
# Henna ~ healing
# Hibiscus ~ lust, love, divination
# Hickory ~ legal matters
# High John the Conqueror ~ money, love, success, happiness
# Holly ~ protection, anti-Lightning, luck, dream magick
# Honesty ~ money
# Honeysuckle ~ money, protection
# Hops ~ healing, sleep
# Horehound ~ protection, mental powers, exorcism, healing
# Horse Chestnut ~ money, healing
# Horseradish ~ purification, exorcism
# Horsetail ~ snake charming, fertility
# Houndstongue ~ tying dogs tongues
# Houseleek ~ luck, protection, love
# Huckleberry ~ luck, protection, dream magick, hex breaking
# Hyacinth ~ love, protection, happiness
# Hydrangea ~ hex breaking
# Hyssop ~ purification, protection
# Indian Paint Brush ~ love
# Iris ~ purification, wisdom
# Irish Moss ~ money, luck, protection
# Ivy ~ protection, healing
# Jasmine ~ love, money, prophetic dreams
# Jobs Tears ~ healing, wishes, luck
# Juniper ~ protection, anti-theft, love, exorcism, health
# Kava-Kava ~ visions, protection, luck
# Knotweed ~ binding, health
# Lady’s Mantle ~ love
# Lady’s Slipper ~ protection
# Larch ~ protection, anti-theft
# Larkspur ~ health, protection
# Lavender ~ love, protection, sleep, chastity, longevity, purification, happiness, peace
# Leek ~ love, protection, exorcism
# Lemon ~ longevity, purification, love, friendship
# Lemongrass ~ repel snakes, lust
# Lemon Verbena ~ purification, love
# Lettuce ~ chastity, protection, love, divination, sleep
# Licorice ~ love, lust, fidelity
# Lilac ~ exorcism, protection
# Lily ~ protection, breaking love spells
# Lily of the Valley ~ mental powers, happiness
# Lime ~ healing, love, protection
# Linden ~ protection, immortality, luck, love, sleep
# Liquidamber ~ protection
# Liverwort ~ protection
# Loosestrife ~ peace, protection
# Lotus ~ protection, lock-opening
# Lovage ~ love
# Love Seed ~ love, friendship
# Lucky Hand ~ employment, luck, protection, money, travel
# Mace ~ mental powers
# Maguey ~ lust
# Magnolia ~ fidelity
# Mahogany Mountain ~ anti-Lightning
# Maidenhair ~ beauty, love
# Male Fern ~ luck, love
# Mallow ~ love, protection, exorcism
# Mandrake ~ protection, love, money, fertility, health
# Maple ~ love, longevity, money
# Marigold ~ protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters
# Marjoram ~ protection, love, happiness, health, money
# Master Wort ~ strength, courage, protection
# Mastic ~ manifestation, lust
# May Apple ~ money
# Meadow Rue ~ divination
# Meadowsweet ~ love, divination, peace, happiness
# Mesquite ~ healing
# Mimosa ~ protection, love, prophetic dreams, purification
# Mint ~ money, love, lust, healing, exorcism, travel, protection
# Mistletoe ~ protection, love, hunting, fertility, health, exorcism
# Moonwort ~ money, love
# Moss ~ luck, money
# Mugwort ~ strength, protection, prophetic dreams, healing, astral projection
# Mulberry ~ protection, strength
# Mullein ~ courage, protection, health, love ,divination, exorcism
# Mustard ~ fertility, protection, mental powers
# Myrrh ~ protection, exorcism, healing, spirituality
# Myrtle ~ love, fertility, youth, peace, money
# Nettle ~ exorcism, protection, healing, lust
# Norfolk Island Pine ~ protection, anti Hunger
# Nuts ~ fertility, prosperity, love, luck
# Oak ~ protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility, luck
# Oats ~ money
# Olive ~ healing, peace, fertility, Potency, protection, lust
# Onion ~ protection, exorcism, healing, money, prophetic dreams, lust
# Orange ~ love, divination, luck, money
# Orchid ~ love
# Orris ~ love, protection, divination
# Palm, Date ~ fertility, Potency
# Pansy ~ love, rain magick, love, divination
# Papaya ~ love, protection
# Papyrus ~ protection
# Parosela ~ hunting
# Peach ~ love, exorcism, longevity, fertility, wishes
# Pear ~ lust, love
# Pecan ~ money, employment
# Pennyroyal ~ strength, protection, peace
# Peony ~ protection, exorcism
# Pepper ~ protection, exorcism
# Peppermint ~ purification, sleep, love, healing
# Pepper Tree ~ purification, healing, protection
# Periwinkle ~ love, lust, mental powers, money, protection
# Persimmon ~ changing sex, healing, luck
# Plot Weed ~ protection
# Pimento ~ love
# Pimpernel ~ protection, health
# Pine ~ healing, fertility, protection, exorcism, money
# Pineapple ~ luck, money, chastity
# Pistachio ~ breaking love spells
# Plantain ~ healing, protection, strength, Snake Repelling
# Plum ~ healing
# Plumeria ~ love
# Poke ~ courage, hex breaking
# Pomegranate ~ divination, luck, wishes, Wealth, fertility
# Poplar ~ money, flying
# Poppy ~ fertility, love, sleep, money, luck, invisibility
# Potato ~ image magick, healing
# Prickly Ash ~ love
# Primrose ~ protection, love
# Radish ~ protection, lust
# Ragweed ~ courage
# Ragwort ~ protection
# Raspberry ~ protection, love
# Rhododendron ~ peace, strength (poisonous plant)
# Rhubarb ~ protection, fidelity
# Rice ~ protection, rain, fertility, money
# Roots ~ protection, power, divination
# Rose ~ love, healing, love, divination, luck, protection
# Rosemary ~ protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth
# Rowan ~ healing, protection, power, success
# Rue ~ healing, health, mental powers, exorcism, love
# Rye ~ love, fidelity
# Saffron ~ love, healing, happiness, wind raising, lust, strength
# Sage ~ immortality, longevity, wisdom, protection, wishes
# Sagebrush ~ purification, exorcism
# St. Johns Wort ~ health, power, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness
# Sandalwood ~ protection, healing, exorcism, spirituality
# Sarsaparilla ~ love, money
# Sassafras ~ health, money
# Savory/Summer ~ mental powers
# Skullcap ~ love, fidelity, peace
# Senna ~ love
# Sesame ~ money, lust
# Shallot ~ purification
# Skunk Cabbage ~ legal matters
# Slippery Elm ~ halts gossip
# Sloe ~ exorcism, protection
# Snakeroot ~ luck money
# Snakeroot/black ~ love, lust, money
# Snapdragon ~ protection
# Solomon’s Seal ~ protection, exorcism
# Sorrel Wood ~ healing, health
# Southern Wood ~ love, lust, protection
# Spanish Moss ~ protection
# Spearmint ~ healing, love, mental powers
# SpiderWort ~ love
# Spikenard ~ love
# Squill ~ money, protection, hex breaking
# Star Anise ~ luck
# Straw ~ luck, image magick
# Strawberry ~ love, luck
# Sugar Cane ~ love, lust
# Sunflower ~ fertility, wishes, health, wisdom
# Sweetgrass ~ calling spirits
# Sweetpea ~ friendship, chastity, courage, strength
# Tamarind ~ love
# Tamarisk ~ exorcism, protection
# Tansy ~ health, longevity
# Tea ~ riches, courage, strength
# Thistle ~ strength, protection, hex breaking, healing
# Thistle/holy ~ purification, hex breaking
# Thistle/milk ~ snake enraging
# Thyme ~ health, healing, sleep, love, purification, courage
# Ti ~ protection, healing
# Toadflax ~ protection, hex breaking
# Toadstool ~ rain making
# Tobacco ~ healing, purification
# Tulip ~ love, happiness, dreams
# Turmeric ~ purification
# Turnip ~ protection, ending relationships
# Valerian ~ love, sleep, purification, protection
# Vanilla ~ love, lust, mental powers
# Venus Flytrap ~ protection, love
# Vervain ~ love, protection, purification, peace, money, youth, chastity, sleep, healing
# Vetch/Giant ~ fidelity
# Vetivert ~ love, hex breaking, luck, money, anti-theft
# Violet ~ protection, luck, love, lust, wishes, peace, healing
# Wahoo ~ hex-breaking, courage, success
# Walnut ~ health, mental powers, infertility, wishes
# Wax Plant ~ protection
# Wheat ~ fertility, money
# Willow ~ love, divination, protection, healing
# Wintergreen ~ protection, healing, hex breaking
# Winters Bark ~ success
# Witch Grass ~ happiness, lust, love, exorcism
# Witch Hazel ~ protection, chastity
# Wolfs Bane ~ protection, invisibility
# Wood Rose ~ luck
# Woodruff ~ ictory, protection, money
# Wormwood ~ protection, love, calling spirits
# Yarrow ~ courage, love, exorcism
# Yerba Mate ~ fidelity, love, lust
# Yerba Santa ~ beauty, healing, protection
# Yucca ~ transmutation, protection, purification
# Zinnia ~ love, lust, strength

Herbal Cross Reference Listing Common, botanical, & folk names

by Mother Oak

Common Name ~ Botanical Name ~ Folk Names

ACACIA (Acacia senegal) Also called Gum Arabic Tree, Cape Gum, or Egyptian Thorn

AGRIMONY (Agrimonia eupatoria) Also called Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Garclive, Philanthropos, Sticklewort, Stickwort

ALLSPICE (Pimemta dioica or officinalis) Also known as Pimento, Jamaica Pepper

ALMOND (Prunus dulcis) Also called Sweet Almond

ALOE Aloe vera or Aloe ssp.) Also called Burn Plant, Medicine Plant

ANGELICA (Angelica archangelica) Also called Wild Parsnip, Herb of Angels, Archange, Masterwort, Angel Food

ANISE (Pimpinella anisum) Also called Aniseed, Anneys

APPLE (Malus spp.) Also called Fruit of the Gods, Fruit of the underworld, Silver Branch, The Silver Bough, Tree of Love

ASAFETIDA (Ferula asafoetida) Also called Assyfetida, Devils Dung, Food of the Gods

ASH TREE (Fraxinus americana or excelsior) Also called Nion, Common Ash, Weeping Ash

AVENS (Geum urbanum ) Also known as Colewort, Herb Bennet, City Avens, Wild Rye, Way Bennet, Goldy Star, Clove Root

BARBERRY (Berberis vulgaris ) Also known as Berbery, Pipperidge Bush, Berberis Dumetorum

BASIL (Oncimum basilicum) Also called Sweet Basil, Common Basil, Albahaca, American Dittenay, "Our Herb", St. Joseph's Wort, Sweet Basil, Witches Herb

BAYBERRY (Myrica cerifera) Also called Wax Myrtle, Myrica, Candle Berry, Arbre à suif, Myricæ cortex, Tallow Shrub, Wachsgagle

BAY LAUREL (Laurus nobilis) Also called Sweet Bay, Bay tree, Baie, Daphne, Grecian Laurel, Laurel, Laurier d'Apollon, Laurier Sauce, Lorbeer, Noble Laurel, Roman Laurel.

BEARBERRY (Arctostaphylow Urva-Ursi) Also called Arbutus Uva-Ursi, Uva Ursi

BEE BALM (Monarda didyma) Also called Bergamot, Scarlet Monarda, Oswego Tea

BENZOIN (Styrax benzoin) Also called Ben, Benjamen, Gum Benjamin, Gum Benzoin, Siam Benzoin, Siamese Benzoin, Sumatra Benzoin

BERGAMOT (Citrus bergamia) Also called Orange Mint, Orange Bergamot

BERGAMOT MINT (Mentha x piperita 'citrata')

BETONY (Stachys officonalis or Stachys betonica or Betonica officinalis) Also called Wood Betony, Bishopwort, Lousewort, Purple Betony

BIRCH (Betula alba) Also called Common Birch, White Birch, Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau, Lady of the Woods, Monoecia triandria, B. pubescens, B. verrucosa

BLACKBERRY (Rubus fructicosus); ((Rubus villosus)American Blackberry) Also called Bly, Bramble, Brombeere, Fingerberry, Bramble-Kite, Bumble-Kite, Cloudberry, Dewberry, Thimbleberry, Brummel, Brameberry, Scaldhead, Brambleberry, R. cuneifolius

BLACKTHORN (Prunus spinosa) Also called Sloe, Mother of the Wood, Wishing Thorn

BORAGE (Borago officinalis) Also called Bugloss, Burrage, Herb of Gladness

BRIAR ROSE (Rosa rubiginosa) Also called Wild Rose, Hip, Old Garden Rose

BROOM (Genista scoparius syn. Cytisus scoparius and Sarothamnus scoparious) Also known as Scotch Broom, Banal, Basam, Besom, Bisom, Bizzon, Breeam, Broom Tops, Brum, Genista Green Broom, Irish Tops, Link, Irish broom.

CAMPHOR (Cinnamomum camphora) Also called Laurel Camphor, Gum Camphor

CARAWAY (Carum carvi) Also called Caraway Seed

CARDAMOM (Elettario cardamomum) Also known as Amomum Cardamonum, Alpinia Cardamomum, Matonia cardamomu, Cardamomum minus, Amomum repens, Cardamomi Semina, Cardamom Seeds, Malabar, Cardamums, Ebil, Kakelah seghar, Capalaga, Gujattati elachi, Ilachi, Ailum

CARNATION (Dianthus caryophyllus) Also called Pink , Clove Pink, Gillies, Gillieflower, Jove's Flower, Nelka, Scaffold Flower, Sops-In-Wine, Gilly Flower.

CASSIA (Cinnamomum aromaticum var. cassia) Bastard Cinnamon, Chinese Cinnamon, Cassia lignea, Cassia Bark, Cassia aromaticum, Canton Cassia

CATNIP (Nepeta Catoria) Also called Cat, Catmint, Catnep, Catrup, Cat's Wort, Field Balm, Nepeta, Nip

CEDARWOOD (Cedrus libani or Cedrus spp. or Thuja occidentalis or T. spp) Also known as Cedar, Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae (Thuja occidentalis) or Yellow Cedar (T. occidentalis)

CELANDINE, GREATER (Chelidonium majus) Common Celandine, Garden Celandine

CELANDINE, LESSER (Ranunculus ficaria) Small Celandine, Figwort, Smallwort, Pilewort

CHAMOMILE (Chamaemelum nobile or Anthemis nobilis) Also called Roman chamomile, English chamomile, Perennial Chamomile, Wild Chamomile, Camomyle, Chamaimelon, Maythen (Saxon), Whig plant, Heermannchen (German), Manzanilla (Spanish), Ground Apple.

CHERRY (Prunus serotina) Also known as Black Cherry, Wild Cherry, Sweet Cherry (P. avium), Virginian Prune, Chokecherry (P. virginiana).

CINNAMON (Cinnamomum verum or zeylanicum) Also called Sweet Wood, Laurus cinnamomum

CINQUEFOIL (Pontentilla reptans) Also called Five Fingered Grass, Creeping cinquefoil, Crampweed, Five Fingered Blossom, Goosegrass, Goose Tansy, Moor Grass, Pentaphylon, Silver Cinquefoil, Silverweed, Sunkfield, Synkefoyle, Five Finger Grass, Five Leaved Grass.

CLARY SAGE Salvia sclarea) Clarry, Orvale, Toute-bonne, Clear Eye, See Bright, Eyebright

CLOVE (Syzgium aromaticum) Also known as Eugenia aromatica

CLUB MOSS (Lycopodium selago or clavatum) Also called Selago, Foxtail, Lycopod, Vegetable Sulpher, Wolf Claw or Stag's Horn Moss. Also known as Muscus terrestris repens

COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara) Also called Horsehoof, Horsefoot, Foal's Foot, Coughwort, Hallfoot, Ass's Foot, Foalswort, Fieldhove, Bullsfoot, Donnhove, Pas d'âne (French)

COMFREY (Symphytum officonale) Also called Slippery Root, Knitbone, Blackwort, Assear, Black Wort, Boneset, Bruisewort, Consolida, Consound, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knit Back, Yalluc (Saxon), Ass Ear, Miracle Herb, Wallwort

COPAL (Bursera odorata)

CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum) Also called Chinese Parsley, Cilantro, Cilentro, Culantro

CUMIN (Cuminum cyminum) Also called Cumino aigro (Malta)

CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens) Also called Tree of Death

DANDELION (taraxacum officinale) Also called Blowball, Cankerwort, Lion's Tooth, Piss-a-Bed, Priest's Crown, Puffball, Swine Snout, White Endive, Wild Endive

DILL (Anethum graveolens) Also called Aneton, Dill Weed, Dilly, Garden Dill.

DRAGONS BLOOD (Draceana draco spp.) Also called Blood, Blume, Calumus draco, Draconis resina, Sanguis draconis, Dragon's Blood Palm.

ECHINACEA (Echinacea angustifolia) Also called Black Sampson, Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Niggerhead, Rudbeckia, Brauneria pallida

ELDER (Sambucus canadensis or nigra) Also known as Ellhorn (Low Saxon), Hollunder (German), Elderberry, Lady Elder, Black Berried Elder, Old Gal, Old Lady, Pipe Tree, Rob Elder, Tree of Doom, Bour Tree (14th Century), Bore Tree, Elrum, Alhuren, Battree, Hylder, Hylantree, Eldrum (Anglo-Saxon), Sureau (French), Sweet Elder.

ELECAMPANE (Inula Helenium ) Also called Scabwort, Elf Dock, Wild Sunflower, Horesheal, Velvet Dock

ELM (Ulmus campestris ) Also called, Ulmi cortex, Broad-Leaved Elm, Ulmus suberosa, Common Elm

EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus spp.) Also called Blue Gum Tree, Stringy Bark Tree

LEMON EUCALYPTUS (E. citriodora) Also called Citron Scented Gum, Lemon Gum

EYEBRIGHT (Euphrasia officinalis) Also called Euphrosyne, Red Eyebright, Euphrasia

FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare) Also called Fenkel, Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel

FERNS
# Male Fern (Dryopteris filixmas) Also Called Male Shield Fern
# Lady Fern (Asplenium Felix-foemina ) Also known as Athrythium Filix-foemina
# Maidenhair Fern, True (Adiantum Capillus-veneris ) Also known as Capillaire commun, de Montpellier, Hair of Venus
# Maidenhair Fern, Common (Asplenium trichomanes )
# Shield Fern (Aspidium spinulosum) Also called Prickly-Toothed Shield Fern
# Spleenwort, Common (Asplenium ceterach) Also called Scaly Fern, Finger Fern, Miltwaste, Ceterach (Arabian)
# Spleenwort, Black (Asplenium Adiantum nigrum) Also called Black Maidenhair
# Wall Rue (Asplenium Ruta-muraria ) Also called White Maidenhair, Tenwort
# Hart's Tongue (Scolopendrium vulgare; Asplenium scolopendrium) Also called Hind's Tongue, Buttonhole, Horse Tongue, God's-hair, Lingua cervina
# Bracken (Pteris aquilina) Also called Brake Fern, Female Fern
# Polypody, Common (Polypodium vulgare) Polypody of the Oak, Wall Fern, Brake Root, Rock Brake, Rock of Polypody, Oak Fern (Old)
# Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) Osmund the Waterman, Heart of Osmund, Water Fern, Bog Onion
# Adder's Tongue, English (Ophioglossum vulgatum) Christ's Spear
# Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria)

FEVERFEW (Tanacetum parthenum)also (Chrysanthemum parthenium) Also known as Featherfoil, Febrifuge Plant, Flirtwort, Featherfew, Pyrethrum Parthenium, Bachelor's Buttons

FIR, SILVER (Abies alba) Also known as Birth Tree.

FLAX (Linum usitatissimum) Also called Linseed.

FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea) Also known as Fairy Gloves, Fairy Fingers, Dead Men's Bells, Cow-Flop, Digitalis, Dog;s Finger, Fairy Weed, Fairy Petticoats, Fairy Ghimbles, Floppy-Dock, Floptop Folk's Gloves, Fox Bells, The Great Herb, Mouth, Lusmore, Lus na mbau side (Irish Gaelic), Our Lady's Glove, Witches Bells, Witches Thimbles.

FRANKINCENSE (Boswellia carterii) Also called Incense, Olibans, Olibanum, Olibanus

FUMITORY (Fumaria officinalis ) Also called Earth Smoke, Beggary, Fumus, Vapor, Nidor, Fumus Terræ, Fumiterry, Scheiterigi, Taubenkropp, Kaphnos, Wax Dolls

GALANGAL (Alpinia officionalis or A. galanga) Also known as Low John the Conquerer, Chewing John, China Root, Colic Root, East India Catarrh Root, Galingal, Gargaut, India Root, Kaempferia Gaanga, Rhizoma galangae, Galanga, Kæmpferia Galange, Siamese Ginger.

GARDENIA (Gardenia jasmenoides)

GARLIC (Allium sativum) Also known by Ajo (Spanish), Poor Man's Treacle, Stinkweed

GERANIUM (Pelargonium spp.) Also known as Scented Geranium

GINGER (Zingiber officinale) Also called African Ginger

GINSENG Oriental(Panax ginseng)or North American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) Also called Sang, Wonder of the World Root, Tartar Root, Five Fingers, Red Berry, Man's Health, Aralia quinquefolia

HAWTHORN (Cratageus spp.) Also known as May Tree, May Blossom, White Thorn, Bread and Cheese Tree, Gaxels, Hagthorn, Halves, Haw, Hazels, Huath, Ladies Meat, May, May Bush, Mayflower, Quick, Thorn, Tree of Chastity.

HAZEL (Corylus avellana) Also called European Filbert, Coll.

HEATHER (Calluna vulgaris, or spp. or Erica spp.) There are more than a thousand cultivars of heather. Also known as Heath, Scottish Heather, Common Heather, Ling.

HOLLY (Ilex aquifolium) The American variety is Ilex opaca Also called Aquifolius, Bat's Wings, Christ's Thorn, Holy Tree, Holm Chaste, Hulm, Hulver Bush, Tinne

HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera japonica or caprifolium) Also known as Dutch Honeysuckle, Goat's Leaf, Woodbine

HOPS (Humulus lupulus) Also known as Beer Flavor, Beer Flower, (I)Flores de Cerveza.

HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare) Also called Bull's Blood, Eye of the Star, Haran, Hoarhound, Huran, Llwyd y cwn (Welsh), Marrubium, baruil, Seed of Horus, Soldier's Tea, White Horehound

HORSETAIL (Equisetum spp.) Also called Bottle Brush, Dutch Rushes, Paddock Pipes, Pewterwort, Shavegrass

HYSSOP Hyssopus officinalis Also called Hyssop Herb, Isopo, Ysopo, Yssop

IVY (Hedera helix) Also known as Common Ivy, Gort, Hedera

JASMINE (Jasminum officinale) Also called Jessamine, Yasmin, Moonlight on the Grove

JUNIPER (Juniperus communis) Also called Enegro, Gemeiner Wachholder (German), Geneva, Gin Berry, Ginepro, Gin Plant, Genévrier,

LADY'S MANTLE (Alchemilla vulgaris) Also called Lion's Foot, Bear's Foot, Nine Hooks, Leontopodium, Sellaria, Pied-de-Lion (French, Frauenmantle (German)

LAVENDER (Lavandula species) Also called Elf Leaf; Nard; Nardus; Spike, Spikenard,
# There are at least 28 species of Lavender. Some of the more common are: English Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia or vera or officinalis); French Lavender (L. dentata sp.); Spike Lavender (L. spica, or latifolia); White Lavender (L. angustifolia var. alba); Pink Lavender (L. angustifolia var. nana rosea); Wooly Lavender (L. lanata); Spanish or Italian Lavender (L. stoechas).

LEMON Citrus limon Citrus medica, Citrus Limoum, Citronnier, Neemoo Lemoo, Limoun, Limone

LEMON BALM Melissa officionalis Also called Melissa, Balm, Bee Balm, Sweet Balm, Sweet Melissa

LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus) Also called Melissa Grass, Sereh

LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia triphylla syn. Lippia citriodora) Also called Yerba Louisa, Cedron, Herb Louisa, Verveine citronelle or odorante, Lemon-scented Verbena, Aloysia Citriodora, Verbena triphylla, Lippia triphylla

LICORICE (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Also called Liquorice, Lacris (Welsh), Licourice, Lycorys (13th Century), Reglisse (French), Sweet Root, Liquiritia officinalis, Regolizia (Italian), Lacrisse (German)

LILAC (Syringia vulgaris) Also called Common Lilac

LIME (Citrus limata) Citrus acris, Limettæ Fructus

LINDEN (Tilia spp.) Also called Lime Tree, Linden Flowers, Linn Flowers, Common Lime, Flores Tiliæ, Tilleul

LOOSESTRIFE, PURPLE (Lythrum salicaria) Also called Blooming Sally, Lythrum, Partyke, Purple Willow Herb, Rainbow Weed, Sage Willow, Salicaire

LOTUS (Nelumbo nucifera or Nymphaea lotus) Also called Sacred Lotus

MACE (Myristica fragrans) Also called Arillus Myristicæ, Myristica officinalis, Myristica moschata, Macis, Muscadier

MARIGOLD (Calendula officinalis) Also known as Calendula, Holigold, Pot Marigold, Bride of the Sun, Drunkard, Goldes, Husbandman's Dial, Marybud, Marygold, Mary Gowles, Ruddes, Oculis chrisi, Ruddles, Spousa solis, Summer's Bride.

MARJORAM (Origanum majorana) Also known as Majorana hortensis, Knotted Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram, Wintersweet, Pot Marjoram, Joy of the Mountain, Knotted Marjorane, Marjorlaine, Mountain Mint, (O. onites).

MARSH MALLOW (Althaea officinalis ) Mallards, Mauls, Schloss Tea, Cheeses, Mortification Root, Guimauve (French)

MASTIC (Pistachia lentiscus) Also known as Gum Mastic, Masticke, Lentisk.

MEADOWSWEET (Filipendula ulnaria) Also known as Queen of the Meadow, Gravel Root, Meadowwort, Bride of the Meadow, Bridewort, Dollof, Meadwort, Gravel Root, Little Queen, Steeplebush, Trumpet Weed.

MINTS
# Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Also known as Mentha viridis, Garden Mint, Mackerel Mint, Our Lady's Mint, Green Mint, Spire Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, fish Mint, Menthe de Norte Dame, Erba Santa Maria, Grauen Munze, Lamb Mint
# Peppermint (Mentha piperata) Also called Brandy Mint
# Wild Mint (Mentha sativa) Also called Water or Marsh Mint, Whorled Mint, Hairy Mint. Considered to be a variation of Mentha aquatica.
# Corn Mint (Mentha arvensis)
# Wild Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) Water Mint, Wild Mint, Marsh Mint
# Round-Leaved Mint (Mentha rotundifolia) Also known as Egyptian Mint
# Horse Mint (Mentha sylvestris) Also known as English Horse Mint

MISTLETOE (Viscum album)-European Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavenscens) American Mistletoe Also known as Birdlime, All-Heal, Druid's Herb, Golden Bough, Holy Wood, Misseltoe, Thunderbesem, Witches Broom, Wood of the Cross, Devil's Fuge, Donnerbesen, Herbe de la Croi, Mystyldyne, Lignum Crucis, Korean mistletoe (Viscum coloratum)

MUGWORT (Artemisia vulgaris) Also known as Sailor's Tobacco, Witch Herb, Old Man, Artemis Herb, Hartemisia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Uncle Henry, St. John's Plant, Cingulum Sancti Johannis.

MULLEIN (Verbascum thapsus) Also known as Hag's Taper, Candlewick Plant, Aaron's Rod, Velvet Plant, Shepherd's Club, Blanket Leaf, Flannel Pland, Graveyard Dust, Hedge taper, Jupiter's Staff, Lady's Foxglove, Olm Man's Fennel, Peter's Staff, Shepherd's Herb, Torches, Velvetback, Velvet Plant.

MYRRH (Comniphora myrrha) Also called Gum Myrrh Tree, Daran, Mirra Balsom Odendron, Commiphora Myrrha, Mirra, Morr-Didin, Didthin, Bowl

MYRTLE (Myrtus communis)

NUTMEG (Myristica fragrans) Nux Moschata, Myristica offinalis, Myristica, Myristica aromata(

OAK, COMMON (Quercus robur or spp.) Also known as Tanner's Bark, Common Oak, Duir, Jove's Nuts, English Oak
# White Oak (Q. alba)
# Black Oak (Q. tinctoria)
# Red Oak (Q. rubra)
# English Oak (Q. robur)

OAKMOSS (Pseudevernia prunastri)

ORANGE, SWEET (Citrus sinensis) Also called Citrus vulgaris, Citrus Bigaradia, Citrus Aurantium amara, Bigaradier, Gigarade Orange, Bitter Orange, Seville Orange, (Sweet) Portugal Orange, China Orange, Citrus dulcis, Love Fruit

ORRIS ROOT (Iris germanica var.florentina Also Called Florentine Iris, Queen Elizabeth Root

PARSLEY (Petroselinum sativum also crispum) Also called Devil's Oatmeal, Percely, Persil, Petersilie, Petroselinum, Roc Parsley

PATCHOULI (Pogostemon patchouli or heyeanus) Also called Pucha-pot or pucha-pat

PINE (Pinus spp.) White Pine (Pinus strobus, Pinus alba) Also called Oil of Turpentine Tree

ROSE (Rosa spp.)
# Provins Rose (Rosa gallica) Also referred to as Red Rose especially in The British Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopoeia
# Damask Rose (Rosa damascus)
# Musk Rose (Rosa muscatta)
# Cabbage Rose (Rosa centifolia) Also known as Hundred-leaved Rose
# Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
# Wild Rose (Rosa arvensis) Also called Field Rose
# Sweet Briar Rose (Rosa rubiginosa) Also known as Eglantine
# Burnet Rose (Rosa spinossissima) Also called Scotch Rose or Pimpernel Rose
# Downy Rose (Rosa villos )

ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) Also called Compass Weed, Dew of the Sea, Elf Leaf, Guardrobe, Incensier, Libanotis (Grek), Polar Plant, Sea Dew

ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) Also known as Mountain Ash, Witchwood, Witchbane, Sorb Apple, Delight of the Eye, Quickbane, Ran Tree, Roden-Quicken-Royan, Ronetree, Thor's Helper, Whitty, Wicken-tree, Wiggin, Wiggy, Wiky, Wild Ash, Witchen.

RUE (Ruta graveolens) Also known as Herb of Grace, Garden Rue, Herbygrass, Hreow, Mother of the Herbs, Rewe, Ruta.

SAFFRON (Crocus sativus) Also known as Autumn Crocus, Crocus, Karcom, Krokos, Kunkuma (Sanskrit), Saffer (Arabic), Spanish Saffron

SAGE (Salvia officinalis) Also called Garden Sage, Red Sage, Sawge (Old English), Salvia salvatrix, Narrow-leaved White Sage, Broad-leaved White Sage

ST. JOHN'S WORT (Hypericum perforatum) Also called Amber, Fuga daemonum (Latin for Scare-devil), Goat Weed, Herba John, John's Wort, Kamath Weed, Sol Terrestis, Tipton Weed

SANDALWOOD (Santalum album) Also known as Sandal, Santal, White Sandalwood, White Saunders, Yellow Sandalwood, Sanders Wood

SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata) Also called Garden Mint, Our Lady's Mint, Sage of Bethlehem, Erba Santa Maria, Brown Mint, Lamb Mint, Green Mint, Yerba Buena, Green Spine, Mackeral Mint, Mismin (Irish Gaelic).

STAR ANISE (Illicium verum) Also called Chinese Anise

SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus) Also called Corona Solis, Marigold of Peru, Solo Indianus, Chrysanthemum Peruvianum

TARRAGON (Artemisia Dracunculus ) Also called Little Dragon, Herbe au Dragon (French)

TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia) Also called Melaleuca

THYME (Thymus vulgaris) Also known as Common Thyme, Mother of Thyme, and Garden Thyme.

TOBACCO (Nicotiana tabacum) Also called Tabacca, Tabaci Folia

VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis) Also known as Garden Heliotrope, Vandal Root, St. George's Herb, All-Heal, Amantilla, Bloody Butcher, Capon's Tail, Capon's Trailer, Cat's Valerian, English Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Phu, Red Valerian, Sete Wale, Set Well

VERVAIN (Verbena officinalis) Also known as Enchanters Herb, Holy Herb, Verbena, Blue Vervain (V. hastata), Holy Wort, Brittanica , Enchanter's Plant, Herba Sacra, Herb of Enchantment, Herb of Grace, Herb of the Cross Herbe de Sacrée, Juno's Tears, Pigeon's Grass, Pigeonwood, Simpler's Joy, Van-Van, Verbena, Vervan

VETIVERT (Vetivera zizanioides) Also called Khus-khus or Vetiver.

VIOLET (Viola odorata) Also called Heartsease, Little Faces, Sweet Violet, Blue Violet and Viola.

WILLOW (Salix alba) Also known as White Willow, European Willow, Tree of Enchantment, Witches Aspirin, Osier, Pussy Willow, Saille, Salicyn Willow, Saugh Tree, Withe, Withy.

WITCH HAZEL (Hammamelis virginiana) Also called Spotted Alder, Winter Bloom, Snapping Hazelnut

WOAD (Ivatis tinctoria) Also called Wad (Anglo-Saxon, Guéde (French), Guado (Italian), Pastel (Spanish), Weat (Dutch)

WOOD ALOE (Aquilaria agallocha) Also called Lignum Aloes

WORMWOOD (Artemisia absinthium) Also known as Absinthe, Old Woman, Crown for a King, Green Ginger

YARROW (Achillea millefolium) Also known as Seven Year's Love, Milfoil, Achillea, Arrowroot, Bad Man's Plaything, Carpenter's Weed, Death Flower, Devil's Nettle, Devil's Plaything, Evil's Nettle, Eerie, Field Hops, Gwarwe, Hundred Leaved Gradd, Knight's Milfoil, Knyghten, Lady's Mantle, Militaris, Military Herb, Millefolium, Noble Yarrow, Nosebleed, Old Man's Mustard, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Snake's Grass, Soldier's Woundwort, Stanch Griss, Stanch Weed, Thousand Seal, WoundWort, Yarroway, Yerw.

YLANG-YLANG (Cananga odorata) Also called Flower of Flowers

Herbal Substitutions For magickal uses

by Mother Oak

THESE SUBSTITUTIONS ARE FOR MAGICKAL PURPOSES ONLY! Not to be used for medicinal, culinary, or any other purposes!

*Rosemary can be substituted for any other herb

*Rose can be substituted for any other flower

*Frankincense can be substituted for any gum resin

*Copal can be substituted for any gum resin

*Tobacco can be substituted for any poisonous herb

Herb needed - Herbal Substitution

# ACACIA-Gum Arabic
# ACACIA, GUM-Gum Arabic
# ACONITE-Tobacco
# ARABIC, GUM-Frankincense; Gum Mastic
# AMMONIAC GUM-Asafetida
# ASAFOETIDA-Tobacco; Valerian
# BALM OF GILEAD-Rose Buds; Gum Mastic
# BELLADONNA-Tobacco
# BENZOIN-Gum Arabic; Gum Mastic
# CAMPHOR OIL-Eucalyptus Oil; Lavender Oil
# CARNATION-Rose petals anointed with a few drops of Cinnamon Oil
# CASSIA-Cinnamon
# CASTOR BEANS-A few drops Castor Oil
# CEDAR-Sandalwood
# CINQUEFOIL-Clover; Trefoil
# CITRON-Equal parts Orange Peel and Lemon Peel
# CLOVE-Mace; Nutmeg
# CLOVER-Cinquefoil
# COPAL-Frankincense; Cedar
# COWBANE-Tobacco
# CYPRESS-Juniper; Pine Needles
# DEERS TONGUE-Tonka Bean; Woodruff; Vanilla
# DITTANY OF CRETE-Gum Mastic
# DRAGON'S BLOOD-Equal parts Frankincense and Red Sandalwood
# EUCALYPTUS OIL-Camphor Oil; Lavender Oil
# EUPHORBIUM-Tobacco
# FRANKINCENSE-Copal; Pine Resin
# GALANGAL-Ginger Root
# GRAINS OF PARADISE-Black Pepper
# GUM AMMONIAC-Asafetida
# GUM BDELLIUM-Copal; Pine Resin; Dragon's Blood
# HELLEBORE-Tobacco; Nettle
# HEMLOCK-Tobacco
# HEMP-Nutmeg; Damiana; Star Anise; Bay
# HENBANE-Tobacco
# HYSSOP-Lavender
# IVY-Cinquefoil
# JASMINE-Rose
# JUNIPER-Pine
# LAVENDER-Rose
# LEMON GRASS-Lemon Peel
# LEMON PEEL-Lemon Peel
# LEMON VERBENA-Lemon Grass; Lemon Peel
# MACE-Nutmeg
# MANDRAKE-Tobacco
# MASTIC, GUM-Gum Arabic; Frankincense
# MINT-Sage
# MISTLETOE-Mint; Sage
# MUGWORT-Wormwood
# NEROLI OIL-Orange Oil
# NIGHTSHADE-Tobacco
# NUTMEG-Mace; Cinnamon
# OAKMOSS-Patchouli
# ORANGE-Tangerine Peel
# ORANGE FLOWERS-Orange Peel
# PATCHOULI-Oakmoss
# PEPPERMINT-Spearmint
# PEPPERWORT-Rue; Grains of Paradise; Black Pepper
# PINE-Juniper
# PINE RESIN-Frankincense; Copal
# RED SANDALWOOD-Sandalwood mixed with a pinch of Dragon's Blood
# ROSE-Yarrow
# ROSE GERANIUM-Rose
# RUE-Rosemary mixed with a pinch of Black Pepper
# SAFFRON-Orange Peel
# SANDALWOOD-Cedar
# SARSPARILLA-Sassafras
# SASSAFRASS-Sarsaparilla
# SPEARMINT-Peppermint
# SULFER-Tobacco; Club Moss; Asafetida
# THYME-Rosemary
# TOBACCO-Bay
# TONKA BEAN-Deerstongue; Woodruff; Vanilla Bean
# TREFOIL-Cinquefoil
# VALERIAN-Asafetida
# VANILLA-Woodruff; Deerstongue; Tonka Bean
# VETIVERT-Calamus
# WOLFSBANE-Tobacco
# WOOD ALOE-Sandalwood sprinkled with Ambergris Oil
# WOODRUFF-Deerstongue; Vanilla
# WORMWOOD-Mugwort
# YARROW-Rose
# YEW-Tobacco

Harvesting basics Pick em, don't strip em

by Mother Oak

No matter how you intend to use your herbs after harvesting a few basic rules still apply.
# Tree Leaves should be gathered before Midsummer. After that, the percentage of natural insecticides in the leaves are too high.
# Leaves are at their most fragrant, and richest in volatile oils, before any flowers have opened. The exceptions to this are: borage, coltsfoot, cowsslip, fenugreek, lungwort and sweet violet; they should be gathered after flowering. Rosemary can be gathered at any stage. Gather early on a dry day, after the dew has dried but before the sun is too strong. Dry in a shady, cool, and airy place away from any strong heat sources. Avoid steamy places such as kitchens or bathrooms. Once dry, crumble the leaves and discard large pieces of stem, store them in a lidded glass or ceramic jar away from the light.
# Flowers are gathered on a dry day when the flowers first begin to open. They should always be dried in the shade. Carefully cut each flower head off the stalk, remove any insects or dirt, and place on a paper lined tray. Leave to dry in a warm place and turn regularly Small flowers such as lavender, are dried in the same way as seeds - by hanging them upside down and collecting the flowers in a paper bag. Once dried, store in a lidded glass or ceramic jar. Dark colored jars are best because they keep out the light. Calendula petals should be separated from the center part once they are dry.
# Roots are generally gathered in the fall after the plant has begun to die back. The exception to this is dandelion roots, they should be gathered in the early spring. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt. Chop large roots into smaller pieces to speed up the drying process. Spread the root pieces on a paper lined tray. Preheat the oven and turn it off. Place the trays inside with the door ajar for 3-6 hours (depending on how large the pieces are). Transfer the trays to a warm room away from the sun until completely dry. Store in airtight containers away from the light. Check periodically as dried roots have a tendency to reabsorb moisture from the air, discard any pieces that become soft.
# Seeds should be gathered as they ripen, usually in the fall. Seed heads should be hung to dry inside a paper bag. Don't use plastic as any condensation that gathers could lead to mildew and cause the seeds to rot. Once dry separate the seeds from their cases and store in the same manner as leaves and flowers.
# Berries are harvested when they are just ripe, usually in the early fall, before they have become too soft to dry effectively. Spread on paper lined trays, discard any that show signs of mold. Preheat your oven and then turn it off. Place the trays of berries inside with the door ajar for 3-4 hours. Transfer the trays to a warm, airy spot, away from the sun until completely dry. Turn regularly to ensure even drying.
# Tree barks generally contain the desired medicinal properties in the soft inner layer (cambium) between the sapwood and the dead outer bark, or the bark of the root. Bark should be harvested in the autumn when the sap is falling. This will avoid damaging the tree too much. Never remove all the bark or even a strip of bark completely surrounding the tree. Dust or wipe bark to remove moss or insects. Break into small pieces (about 1-2 inches). Spread the bark on paper lined trays and leave to dry in a warm, airy room away from the sun.

Tools of The Craft The basics and then some

by Mother Oak

The Altar
The altar or working space is the first thing you'll need in any magickal working. Ideally, you should have a special room for this, but few of us live in ideal situations. Your altar can be as simple as a coffee table or as elaborate as you wish. The ritual altar serves a dual purpose; it's a place to keep your ritual tools and materials; and it serves as a visual focus for your magickal work. Some traditions hold that the altar should always face the East, or the South, or in the center, etc., etc... Put your altar where it feels right for you. More important, put it somewhere where you will be able to see it easily, where you'll be able to reach the things you need to reach, and where you won't trip over it.

If your practice includes deity worship, then the right side of the altar is usually dedicated to the God. A red, yellow or gold candle, or an appropriate figure, is usually place there, as are the censor, wand, athame, bolline and a bowl of salt. The left half of the altar is usually dedicated to the goddess. Tools sacred to Her are placed there: the cup, the pentacle, bell, crystal, cauldron and the bowl of water. An image of the Goddess may also stand there, or a green, silver or white candle can be substituted. The besom or broom may be laid against the left side of the altar. The cauldron is also sometimes placed on the floor to the left of the altar if there isn't room on top.


The Pentacle
The pentacle is a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle. The five points represent earth, air, fire, water, and the spirit. The circle represents the protection of these five. It can be worn around the neck for protection. It doesn't need to be a fancy solid gold work of art. You can scratch a pentacle into a clay disk or wooden tile if you want. It's all a very personal matter of preference so just wing it and make or acquire one that feels right to you.


The Cauldron
The cauldron is traditionally a black cast-iron pot, but can be made of any material. It represents the womb of the Mother Goddess, and is used to brew potions, burn incense, and hold flowers, herbs etc. The cauldron can also be used as a tool for divining. A wonderful use for your worn out or damaged cauldrons is using them as a planter for your herbs. The energies collected from years of use are a wonderful boost to the already potent plants and will infuse them with your essence for a more personal connection.


The Book of Shadows
The book of shadows is as important to Witches as the Bible is to Christians. In it you write spells, thoughts, recordings of magickal rites, recipes for potions, dreams, and anything else you see as being important to your Craft. The book can be leather bound with a pentacle on the front, a $2.00 spiral notebook purchased from an office supply store, or a hard cover blank journal with rainbows and fluffy kittens. Again, it's all personal choice. Make one from sewn bundles of hand made natural papers in a soft thong tied flap-style leather cover or natural cotton or hemp woven textile if you prefer not to use leather goods. No-one except you (if you are solitary) should be allowed to access and read it, because it is private, like a personal diary. Covens usually have a Book of Shadows which is shared by the entire coven, and can be written in by the whole coven. Because it is your personal book, it should be hand written; however many Witches nowadays prefer to have a Disk of Shadows, for easier and faster use.


The Athame
The Athame is a ritual dagger with a black handle and a double-edged blade which is traditionally engraved with magickal symbols. It represents the element of air. It is used to draw and cast circles, and exorcise evil and negative forces.


The Bolline
This is usually a white handled knife traditionally used for physical cutting since you don't want to use your Athame for that. It is simply a practial, working as opposed to a purely ritualistic magick knife. It is used to cut wands or sacred herbs, inscribe symbols onto candles or on wood, clay or, wax, and in cutting cords for use in magick. Some Witches dictate that the white-handled knife be used only within the magick circle. This would, of course, limit its usefulness. Do what feels right to you.


The Chalice
The chalice is placed on the altar during rituals and Sabbats, and usually holds the sacred wine. It is traditionally made of silver, and carved with magickal symbols. Many modern Witches use brass or crystal chalices.


The Wand
The magick wand is a slender wooden rod made from the branch of a tree. It is a symbol of strength, will, and the magickal power of the Witch who owns it. The wand can be used to draw and cast circles, draw magickal symbols on the ground, direct energy, and stir cauldron brews. Many different trees can be used to carve the wand from, as each tree has a different meaning. Examples: For a healing wand carve the wand from an ash tree, and a wand to be used in lunar magick could be carved from willow and rowan trees.


The Sword
The sword is an optional Witchcraft tool. The use of the sword comes mostly from British ceremonial magick and isn’t part of most Witchcraft traditions. There is honest disagreement among Witches as to which element the sword corresponds with. Some Witches believe that the sword corresponds to the element fire. Some Witches believe the sword corresponds with the element air. Experiment and see which works best for you personally, but honor the right for other Witches to honestly have a different choice. The sword is considered to be a phallic tool and therefore of masculine element and male energy. A sword can be used for most of the same purposes as an athame, but is more formal. Witches that use a sword reserve the use of the sword for highly formal occassions. The sword is not an ordinary, everyday Witchcraft tool.


The Bell
Some Witches use a bell in their rituals, though certainly not all. Sound is vibration and vibrations are important, not only in everyday life but, especially, magick. To help achieve the right vibrations, the right "mood" or "frequency", it helps to ring a bell. It can actually be just as effective-and thereby as important-as the burning of incense, which also affects vibrations. Don't overdo the bell ringing. A very occasional single-, double-, or triple-ring, scattered throughout the ritual, can be far more effective than a constant jangling. The bell you use should be chosen carefully. Don't just take any bell - each has its own particular timbre. Find one which seems "right" to you, one which soothes and mellows rather than one which is harsh and strident. If possible, remove the handle and replace it with a leather loop. In this way you can carry the bell strung from you belt (if you prefer that is!). The bell is a feminine symbol and so is often used to invoke the Goddess in ritual. It is also rung to ward off evil spells and spirits, to halt storms, or to evoke good energies. Placed in cupboards or hung on the door, it guards the home.


The Besom/Broom
The Besom is used to cleanse the ritual area. There are those who insist that a besom must be made of broom, but this isn't necessarily true. In fact, it is said that fairies hate the scent of broom. Straw or grass brooms are fine for indoors, while outdoors, any leafy twig found on the ground will work well. Many stores and craft shops carry the old-fashioned "witch" broom made of straw or grass that is perfectly acceptable as long as it feels right to you. To cleanse your ritual area, start in the center and moving deosil (clockwise) sweep the circle from the center to the outer edges, all the while envisioning and chanting that negativity is being swept out and the circle is being cleaned. Since this is a ritual tool, it should not be used for standard cleaning and sweeping.


Candles
Candles are associated with Fire and Air, and are used for everything from lighting the altar to specifics in spells. The type of wax or scent does not matter, Color is what is important here. For basic magickal working the basic candle colors needed are white, black, green, red, yellow, blue, gold, and silver. When your candles get old or if you happen to purchase some from a thrift store that have been used, you can melt them down and make new candles. This is a good way to not only save money (these things aren't cheap, face it!), but you can make custom spell candles infused with essential oils or mix herbs and stones directly into the candle for more potency. I like to recycle my candles and bits of dripped wax cleaned off the altar and use the leftovers for sealing containers and seed packets. The uses are endless!


Herbs & Oils
Herbs are often burned for incense during a spell or ritual. Charcoal blocks are available for this purpose in gift and candle shops as well as new age and occult supply stores. Essential oils are used for anointing candles, tools, the altar and the body in rituals and spell working. They may be used as tokens of esteem and respect for the deities and energies of the Craft. As plants of various kinds have customarily been offered to the Lady, herbal offerings can be especially meaningful for their particular significance and properties. Since all herbs and oils have their own particular energies they can be a valuable, if not essential, addition to your magickal matierials. Herbs are always associated with the element Earth.


Robes
A robe that is only saved for spellworking can be a fundamental part of your magickal paraphernalia, (if your tradition doesn't call for you being skyclad that is!). It can be plain, decorated, and of any color that appeals to you as long as it makes you feel "magickal". It is nice to have more than one robe, each in a different color. The colors can be matched to the candle colors required for a particular spellworking. If you don't like the idea of a robe, wear whatever feels comfortable to you. The idea is to feel at ease not to be "fashionable".


Stones & Crystals
Colorful stones of various shapes and sizes are used in some spellworks. Whether you purchase them or find them yourself, be certain that their vibrations feel comfortable to you. Crystals and other stones are good conductors of magickal energy in their natural state and need not be polished to be of use. All stones and crystals are of the Element Earth and play an important part in spellworkings. Don't feel like you must have a gigantic museum quality stone to accomplish what you want. You can find an abundance of reference books and web sites out there that will help you identify stones you can find locally. You'd be suprised what your very own back yard may hold!


Offerings & Tokens
I was very suprised to find that not many use these very important little items! It is said that when you take a plant or material from nature that you should offer a little something in return along with your thanks for their contribution to your workings. Offerings and tokens are the perfect way to ensure that your thanks is given appropriately. These can be seeds, coins, wooden tiles, stones, beads, or anything you feel would be accepted. I use small wooden disks decorated with symbols, large seeds with a symbol drawn on them with non toxic ink or food coloring, and stones with symbols etched on them. When I take a plant clipping, I will generally plant the seed (far enough away from the offering plant that it doesn't crowd it out later) or other offering or token and give my thanks for the plants sacrifice. As a result I now have a lovely "wild garden" with a variety of plants that are useful to my needs!

Hedge Witchery

The word hedgewitch comes from the Saxon word haegtessa meaning 'hedge-rider'. The hedge in hedge witchery is not a fence of shrubs and wildlife, but instead represents the border between our material world and the otherworld - the unknown. In trance-work (also called journey-work or journeying) the hedgewitch crosses this border in order to contact spirits on the other side to learn from them and bring back knowledge to the material world. A hedgewitch may also use this ability to enter trance in healing rituals, both physical and mental, and also to perform divination. These practices are very shamanistic in nature. Shamans from around the world would talk to spirits and ancestors through trancework in order to learn about specific chants and herbs for healing. Illnesses were sometimes thought to be caused by evil spirits and it was the shaman's job, along with the help of their spirit guides, to drive out the evil spirits from the afflicted person. These practices can be linked from the fairy doctors of the UK to the halaait of British Columbia. The hedgewitch is essentially a witch doctor, with the difference being that their practices are usually based on European witchcraft most likely stemming from the spaewives, völvas, seiðkona, and fairy doctors of our pagan ancestors.

Hedgewitches use various methods to enter into trance including: entheogens (hallucinogens), meditation, breathing exercises, dancing, drumming, visualization, and others. Usually hedge witchery is not a path on its own, but instead is part of the practices of a cultural or traditional witch. The practices of contacting ancestors (both ancient and recently deceased family members), spirit guides (familiar spirits), the good folk, and others are all a part of traditional witchcraft practices. The use of entheogens is always controversial. There is evidence along with recipes for the use of hallucinogens by witches in the Middle Ages and later, one example being the use of flying ointments. Before then, psychoactive plants may have been used by our pagan ancestors in their religious rituals and ceremonies. (Note: Do NOT attempt to make and use a flying ointment unless guided by a professional herbalist or a very experienced practitioner, many of the ingredients are poisonous and harmfull even just to the touch)

Disambiguation

The use of Hedge Witchery in this entry is not to be confused with the definition presented in Rae Beth's books, which is more akin to green witchcraft.

Resources

Books:

Cunning-Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic by Emma Wilby
R.J. Stewart Books
The Real Middle Earth: Exploring the Magic and Mystery of the Dark Ages (don't be fooled this book is an academic text and not about LOTR)
Crossing the Borderlines: Guising, Masking, and Ritual Animal Disguises in the European Tradition
Hallucinogens and Shamanism
The Magical and Ritual Use of Herbs
The Magical and Ritual Use of Aphrodisiacs


Articles:

Witches' Ointments
"Drugs, Witches, and the Flight to the Sabbat" by Jeremy Harte
"Hedgecraft" by Draig Tiernan
"If Witches No Longer Fly: Today's Pagans and Solanaceous Plants" by Chas S. Clifton (PDF)
"How You Can Produce a Profound Shamanic Trance" by Joseph Wilson

copied from Lolair