These are some plants I work with quite commonly, and for the bulk of my herbal practice. Magically speaking I use a variety of herbs for different purposes. These are THE plants to me, the ones I reach for often, and with good reason.
Yarrow
The Warriors Herb, known for being incredibly resilient, Yarrow is good for stopping bleeding. Magically speaking, Yarrow is good for protection, for sight, knowledge, and purification. This plant is related to the Hero Achilles, who was taught how to use it by the centaur Charon to stem the bleeding of his soldiers. To this day it is known by the scientific name Achillea millefolium.
Sweet Violets
Also known as Viola odorata, they smell so fragrant and sweet and are the calling card of spring up here in Canada, They're edible too! They are sacred to Venus, and Jupiter, and are known as the Queen of Wildflowers. I use them in friendship bundles, to sweeten things up by making violet sugar. They are also associated traditionally with death and mourning. There are over 100 species of violet.
Rosemary
Beloved plant of the Greenwood, it grows in rocky well draining soil. This plant is healing, astringent, and purifying. Burn it to exorcise a space, and direct energy. Bathe with a couple sprigs of it to refresh the soul, soothe the nerves, and helps encourage positivity within the self.
Lavender
My loved partner plant, it always reminds me of how calm it is, and how much of a comfort it can be. When utilized properly it helps to ease the nerves, and ease sleep. Using a sachet of it under your pillow can help with nightmares. Spray your area with lavender hydrosol and watch it melt away the ache.
Mugwort
One of the high holy herbs of my Witchcraft tradition, Mugwort is a plant of divination, and is often burned for use in ritual. It is also known to aid in dream work. Burn on incense coals and gently inhale the fumes until you entre into a light trance. By burning Mugwort, we can better access our ungated mind, allowing messages to flow, and oracular insight to occur.
Rose
Known as the Queen of the Garden, Roses are that plant to me. Both good for drawing and attracting love, abundance, and protection, its thorns prick with the intention of drawing blood. Rose can be made into a tincture to soothe the heart, it can be added to bath teas for love drawing magic. It can be used as a strewing herb to foster a loving environment. You can protect your space by making a whip out of rose canes. Make a hydrosol with the flower petals, and it makes for an amazing skin tonic.
Self-Heal
Prunella vulgaris. Known to be the friend of bees, this wildflower grows on the wayside, ditches, and other wasteland areas. They are a soothing plant that has many names such as All-heal, Hearts-ease, and Cailleach's tea. It is known to be a folk remedy for Elf-shot, a sickness said to be caused by faeries.
Linden
A shrub or tree that is part of a broader group of species. Linden is used in folk medicine to relax the nerves and it is a well known nerve tonic. It’s flowers make for a lovely tincture, and are often used in perfumery due to their intoxicating scent. They are considered astringent, and good for matters of the heart, it is soft and kind, and known for its giving energy.
Oak
Considered to be the centrepiece to Hekate’s garden is a vast oak tree, lifting high up into the sky where the stars glow down upon them. Oak is considered a faery tree and it’s acorns are used in abundance rituals and to bring in the horn of plenty.
Stand tall as an oak tree and you will always have the strength to carry on despite the tears and pain. That is the strength that oak gives us.
Hawthorn
One of Hekate’s other beloved trees, the Hawthorn is protective, fiery, and loving; representing the deepest parts of the heart and grail, Hawthorn teaches us to love ourselves while maintaining boundaries.
You can make an apotropaic charm by making a cross with the thorns and tying it off with red waxed thread. The berries are used in tinctures to help with nerve and heart health, and it is known to be very good for lowering blood pressure.
Bittersweet Nightshade
Beloved daughter of Belladonna, Bittersweet Nightshade is a climbing vine that is in the nightshade family. Its bright red berries and leaves can be made into a wreath to ward off evil. She is less intense than her mother, Belladonna, but don’t be fooled! She has plenty of strength and can handle her own quite well.
Wormwood
Sister plant to Mugwort, this plant is known for its usage in the drink Absinthe. It is a well known Witching herb, and like its sister is good for enhancing visions and divination sessions. Make a bitter tisane with Wormwood and take a couple drops of it under the tongue to aid in oracular work, dream working, and attuning yourself to the energies around you.
Frankincense
One of the first incenses used so long ago, Frankincense resin has a lot of associations with cleansing work, and it’s aromatic fragrance is known to be purifying. Grind the resin into a fine powder and use as an add-in to other incense blends. Anoint yourself with a body oil of Frankincense to purify the self, and the working space.
Saffron
A delicate spice that is sacred to Hekate, as she is described as being clothed in saffron robes. It is an autumn flowering perennial plant, that produces a vivid dye. The plant it comes from is known as the Crocus, and the Saffron Crocus is the most coveted of them all. Make an oil of saffron to use in warming things up, it is known to be a delicate but fiery companion in the Witches cabinet.
Elder
One of the Faery trees, Elder is known to be an omen in itself; there is folklore stating that one should never cut down an Elder tree, lest the Faeries get wrathful. The berries, and flowers of the Black Elder are known to be very soothing on the throat and are a folk remedy for colds and the flu. They say that if you sit under an Elder tree and take a nap, you will have a dancing vision of the Faeries, who will whisk you away to their world.
Sweet Gale
A powerful shrub of many uses, it is primarily used in beer as a flavourant. It also has its uses as a herb associated with spirit flight, and making a tea from the leaves of Sweet Gale can help the body transition into spirit flight. It also aids in dream working, and recalling experience. Sweet Gale is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to two metres tall. It is a traditional remedy among Eastern Native Canadians to help with stomach troubles, fever, bronchial problems, and liver problems.
Juniper
Juniper is a coniferous shrub or tree that can grow up to 10 – 16 metres tall. The fruits of these trees are known as Juniper Berries, and have a long folkloric history, with its most famous use being in Gin. The berries are usually crushed to release their aromas, and the natural yeasts found on them can be used to make sourdough starter.
It is known as being very anti-fungal in nature, and it is used among the Navajo Natives as a traditional folk remedy, and contraceptive.
Cinnamon
A cleansing and banishing spice, it is fiery and quickens things. It is warming in nature, and is used in baking throughout the world. Dusting ones’ hands with cinnamon is part of hallowing of the working ground. Use cinnamon whenever you feel like you need a warming presence in your life, or to speed up spell work. It is also banishing in nature, so making a honey scrub with it and applying a tiny amount to the face can really clean your up and invigorate you.