Wednesday, March 29, 2017

SUPERNATURAL NATURE: USING PLANTS FOR RITUAL, PART TWO


Welcome to The Divination Nation blog!

 We are Pleasant Gehman and Crystal Ravenwolf, a duo of divination divas, “spiritual sisters from another mister”. We’re life-long Tarotistas, obsessed with all things esoteric and paranormal. Look for our forthcoming book, “Walking The Tarot Path” in 2017.

We’ve created this blog to share our knowledge and to connect with the vibrant worldwide metaphysical and paranormal community. We hope it’s as fun for you to read as it is for us to write…Enjoy!

 This is Part Two in our series of plants that are used in ritual and magic.  If you haven’t read Part One yet, you can find it here: 

http://divinationnation.blogspot.com/2016/06/nature-and-supernatural-beginners-guide_9.html

Since the beginning of time, plants have been used for healing and magick. Witches, sorcerers, conjurers, root workers, and medicine people from every continent and culture have employed the bounty of nature into their occult and therapeutic practices. Even some of your grandma’s home remedies were probably at one time considered magick! Today, homeopathic medicine, and spiritual practices using botanical ingredients are widely accepted across the globe…and are every bit as important as they once were in ancient times.

Each and every plant has it’s own unique vibration, and when matched with your intent -or ailment- can serve you in manifesting your desires or as an herbal cure or beauty aid. Nowadays, we no longer have to rely on using plants that are native to our geographic location, so the natural materials you use for your practice can come from anywhere- a local farmer’s market, a metaphysical shop, Home Depot or even from Etsy!

 Before you start using plants and seeds for your magick, be sure to do thorough research, because some can be quite toxic to you or your pets.

 For example, plants that are extremely poisonous for cats include-but aren’t limited to- most lilies, geraniums, chrysanthemums, and good old marijuana. Dogs can die if they ingest daffodils, amaryllis, tulips and many other species. Oleander, along with several plants and seeds are also deadly to humans. It’s kind of crazy to think that a beautiful shrub growing in your backyard could kill you, but it’s the truth.

 A hard and fast rule when working with any plants is that if you’re not one hundred percent sure about its potential toxicity, never ingest or burn it!

  If you’d like to start incorporating plants in your magickal practice, you won’t have to go much father than your local grocery store, and you probably already have several in your kitchen.

We made a short beginner’s list of some readily available herbs, fruits and seeds that are commonly used in magick…and none of them are toxic. Have fun kitchen witchin’!

 Allspice
Allspice tastes great and is often used during the holidays; it’s sprinkled on eggnog or as an ingredient in pumpkin or mince pie; however most of us have no clue that the ancient Mayans used it in the process of embalming their dead!

Aside from cooking, the magickal properties of the spice itself, the berries it comes from or Allspice oil is all used in prosperity and good luck spells.  It is said that if you keep seven berries in a mojo bag (and on your person) for a week, you’ll have good luck the whole time. On the seventh and last day, throw the berries into running water and make a wish.

 Allspice purportedly has great healing attributes too: sleeping with mojo bag or bowl full allspice near you is said to increase physical stamina and  provide and energetic uplift. Allspice oil or powder is often used in money-drawing work.  It’s believed that if you sprinkle the threshold of your home or business with Allspice, it will improve your finances.

  Calendula
  You probably know Calendula by its more common name: Marigold. A favorite garden flower, this hardy plant has been symbolic of love and faithfulness for centuries. The petals are edible and have been used in salads or as a festive garnish.

This plant also has several magickal uses. The flower petals are an ingredient in love spells from many different cultures, and can also be used to consecrate an area for ritual. A Calendula sachet placed under your pillow can inspire visionary dreams; oil or the petals can also be used as candle dressings to promote clairvoyance.

 Traditionally, wreaths of Marigold or Calendula   are hung on the front door to protect a house from evil spirits or the ill will of humans.

 Comfrey
 This plant, which grows wild in cooler climates, has a variety of uses. 
  It is used as a protective herb for travellers- place a comfrey sachet in your luggage to prevent it from getting lost, or in your car for a safe journey.

Comfrey has always been used for healing, and some of it’s colloquial names- bruisewort, boneset, knitbone-reflect that. Comfrey leaves have a high concentration of allanatoin, a natural compound found in many commercial dermatological products.   Allanatoin-rich Comfrey has been used to soothe the skin, curb inflammation from acne and can aid in wound closure.

 Scatter Comfrey leaves and flowers in a ritual bath to boost a love spell… and if it turned out that lover wasn’t good for you, Comfrey can also be used for healing after breaking off a bad relationship.


 Palo Santo
 The Spanish words Palo Santo mean “Holy Wood”, and accordingly Palo Santo sticks have been used by several cultures for spiritual work. Palo Santo grows in the tropical dry forests of South America, and belongs to Burseraceae, the same botanical family as the trees that myrrh and frankincense come from. Its shamanic use can be traced back to the Inca people. 

Medicinally, Palo Santo oil can be used to boost the immune system and to combat stomachaches and arthritic inflammation.  It is also well known as a safe and natural insect repellent.

 Today it is widely available today in occult or New Age stores.  Similar to sage or cedar, Palo Santo is known for it’s purifying and cleansing properties. It’s pleasing scent   while burning- a mixture of citrus and woodsy fragrances- makes it fantastic to use as incense or for a smudge stick. Either way, the smoke will encourage grounding, decrease negative thoughts, alleviate stress   and clear away negative energy.  


 Yarrow
   The Yarrow plant is what is known as a nervine- meaning it has an effect on the nervous system.  Like Hops, which are used in beer, Yarrow is a relaxant nervine; it will also cause a warming sensation within the body. Because of this, it has been used for centuries as a pain reliever and anti-spasmodic and is often included in in tinctures or baths to ease menstrual cramps or reduce fevers. It’s relaxing properties   also make it an ideal herb to mix with chamomile to make a tranquil sleep-promoting tea. Many like to use Yarrow in dream pillows because they believe it promotes vivid dreams.

Folkloric Magick has  several other uses for Yarrow, too.  During the Middle Ages, this herb was used to summon-and banish- Satan himself. Hanging a bouquet of the pretty white or pale yellow flowers above a bed on the wedding night will bring happiness and good fortune to the newlywed couple. And if the activities on the wedding night result in a pregnancy, it’s said that if the mother-to-be holds a bunch of Yarrow during child birth her labor will be quick and easy.

 Yarrow can be burned, used in oil or infused in tea to promote psychic vision, prophetic dreams and spirit communication

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To find out more about Pleasant or request a reading or healing session, click here: http://pleasantgehman.com/tarot.html
 For more on Crystal’s background, or request a reading or healing session, click here: http://crystalravenwolf.com

Our new book, “Walking The Tarot Path”, will be available for pre-order soon!


 
Walking The Tarot Path: photo by Maharet Hughes


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