The Powers of Herbs
To practice herb magic you must know the powers of the plants. This book contains that information. To fulfill a need, just manipulate the herbs to give their powers direction. It is that simple. Herb magic is easy because the powers (i.e., vibrations) lie in the herbs themselves. No outside forces need be called into play, for the power is resident within the organic matter. A few simple procedures are all that is necessary. These “rites” include tying knots, boiling water, lighting candles, sewing and burying things in the Earth. More important than its simplicity, perhaps, is the fact that herb magic works. How does it work? First, there must be a reason to call upon magical powers. This reason is a need. A desire often masquerades as a need, but in magic a “desire” is not enough; there must exist an all-encompassing need. The nature of the need determines which plants are used. Attracting love, for example, is a common magical need and several dozen plants do the job. (For a comprehensive listing of plants and their corresponding magical needs, see Part III of this book.) Next, a spell or ritual may need to be devised; much herb magic doesn’t need a complete spell but some of it does. This spell may be as simple as tying up the herbs in a piece of cloth, or placing them around the base of a candle, lighting the wick, and visualizing your need. If you wish, your spell can be complex, involving boiling water in a cauldron over a mesquite-wood fire at the edge of the desert while waiting for the Moon to rise, before throwing roots and leaves into the pot. All-purpose spells are included in chapter 3. Third, the herbs can be enchanted (chapter 3) to ensure that their vibrations are attuned to the need. Fourth, the spell is worked, in complete confidence and secrecy. Not that magic is anything to be ashamed of, but rather because mocking glances and disbelief only serve to cause you to doubt yourself and hinder your magic’s effectiveness. Fifth, once the spell has been worked, it should be forgotten. This allows it to “cook” and bring your need into manifestation. (When baking a cake, if you look into the oven every few minutes the cake will be spoiled. In magic, as in cooking, keep the oven door shut!) Attempt to forget the spell completely. And there you have it. This is how herb magic is worked. Does it sound basic? It is. These are the first steps. As with any art the student may take magic further, exploring strange corners. Sensibly, few wish to venture too far from this familiar, homey magic. There are dark ways in herb magic as there are in every aspect of life. Those who wish to pursue such paths, to wreak