The Celtic Connection

[Kaylara]

http://www.wicca.com has a wonderful herbal section if you are interested.

BB,
Kaylara

[Polaris]

MM
kaylara,are/were you joined onto the message board there? i was but i quit because it was too slow moving. i think they deleted me. I was Kestrel.
MP
Polaris

[mol]

Originally posted by Polaris
MM
kaylara,are/were you joined onto the message board there? i was but i quit because it was too slow moving. i think they deleted me. I was Kestrel.
MP
Polaris

I dont like their boards...always seemed slow and clunky..but, of course, I am probably biased. ;)

[eaglewolf]

I have always been against herbal list which simply state the "magickal" properties of herbs.

How many times have you seen something like this...

apple seed - luck, protection, love, prosperity, lust, psychic power, divinity, sleep, charm, luck, cleansing

Is it just me or... (huh?)

My point is this, in order to use herbs effectively you need to discern what they mean to you.

No one can really ever seem to agree about the uses for herbs, so who's right? YOU are! Get the picture?

Find a more mundane list of herbs. Look at pictures of the herbs, or better yet, grow some for yourself. Then get in touch with the things that herb means to YOU. What does it look like, smell like, feel like? Does it bring you joy, look "evil," beautiful? Think about the works you are trying to accomplish and what herbs you feel are best for the job.

Incorporate what you have found into your work, and you will become an adept practitioner.

Just a thought...

~ew

[Lady Tana]

'sage' advice ew..... (heh ...i had to)

but as much as i agree with you i also know that 'knowing' can help alot...

when i started with my herbs i didnt know ANYTHING about them... other than basics.. (cooking) so it was nice to have a 'list' to think about... to go buy.... to get an idea from... :)

just another opinion

[eaglewolf]

I totally agree, expounding upon what others have done is a great way to learn.

In my experience, however, many of the magickal listings found in books or especially on the web, are vague at best.

How many of you can see the name of an herb and actually picture the herb in your mind?

Online lists are, in my opinion, just that... lists. They are a good place to start, especially when familiarizing yourself with all of the different herbs.

There are more herbs, plants, fruits etc. used in magickal practices than I have ever seen on any website or book, save a few... very few.

First hand knowledge, and forming your own opinion about the knowledge obtained is rewarding, both spiritually and mentally. I did a search for the use of mugwort the other day. I came up with 14 different uses for this one herb alone...

...making the work your own is the only way to be sure what the magick means to you, and how valuable it will be to your practice.

That, after all, is the important thing... I think.

~ew

[mol]

Gain knowledge from others...throw out what doesnt work for me...then expand that knowledge...

thus..

Personal Growth.

[Lynnaea]

Originally posted by eaglewolf
I have always been against herbal list which simply state the "magickal" properties of herbs.

snip......
Find a more mundane list of herbs. Look at pictures of the herbs, or better yet, grow some for yourself. Then get in touch with the things that herb means to YOU. What does it look like, smell like, feel like? Does it bring you joy, look "evil," beautiful? Think about the works you are trying to accomplish and what herbs you feel are best for the job.

Incorporate what you have found into your work, and you will become an adept practitioner.

Just a thought...

~ew

Hear, hear, my opinion exactly. If you are serious about furthering your craft, find someone in your area that is a practitioner and try to get lessons in herbal medicine. Spieces varieties vary in different places, you need hands on expertise in what is growing in your area. Pictures are great to learn to identify them, I recommend the Peterson Field Guide to medicinal plants. There is also a Peterson Field guide to edible plants that I also use. Keep them with you always, get into the habit of looking at what "weeds" are growing along side the roads.

Yes, I also use herbs for magic, but you have to get to know the plant first, if you can learn from a Native American or one that was taught that way you will get the whole picture. For instance, poke is classified a "warrior" plant, witches would say it is ruled by Mars. You can use it to fight disease or for magical strength.

They don't call this the craft of the wise for nuttin', we have to study.