Last updated on: October 19, 2020 at 5:11 pm By Lilith Dorsey
The Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic by Christina Oakley Harrington photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
I enjoy surprises so when I opened up a package from London, I couldn’t have been more excited. The fabulous package contained The Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic by Christina Oakley Harrington. There were also a variety of very useful herbs, candles, and other ritual goodies from my favorite shop in London.
I’ve seen a lot of herb books over the years, one of my minors in college was Plant Science, and most days I like plants more than people. Don’t tell anyone. Because of this I’ve read a lot of plant books. My shelves are full of everything from Culpeper’s Complete Herbal to A Modern Herbal written by Maud Grieve in 1931.
This is honestly the best herb book I have seen in a long time. It has everything I expected and need from a book like this: Latin names, common names, attributions, and even a segment on spells and potions. The Treadwell’s Book of Plant Magic starts with a short section titled “problems and solutions.” Here Harrington tells us to use marigold and vervain for money, and clover to detect liars. In fact almost every possibility is addressed. However, the bulk of the book is dedicated to addressing each of the magickal plants in detail. The reader can learn how to use garlic to stop jealousy and envy by rubbing it on your possessions on a Tuesday, the day of Mars. A whole host of plants are detailed here from Agnus Castus to Yew and everything in between. Harrington is the founder of the famous Treadwell’s bookshop in London. Starting as an academic historian, she now focuses on managing lectures at the shop and special projects. She has a lifelong interest in folk magic, which is beautifully present in the text.
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment and share.
Last updated on: March 31, 2020 at 10:33 am By Lilith Dorsey
New Magickal Victory Garden photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
With needs being as they must now is a great time to start a Magickal Victory Garden. Spiritually based gardening is one of my favorite passions. I have always loved plants, what real witch doesn’t, and in college I minored in Plant Science and Horticulture (don’t make me get my chainsaw.)
These days, some people, myself included, don’t necessarily have the space to spread out and create the magickal victory garden of our dreams. This shouldn’t be a barrier, plants, including both important magickal herbs and flowers can be grown on a sunny windowsill or under a grow light. One of my favorite posts is about making a Magickal Protection Window Box. I love my window box, and for my recent years of apartment dwelling it has been a lifesaver.
This year my Magickal Victory Garden includes dill for communication, basil for protection and healing, chives for health and removing negativity, and a few more treasures. Another idea might be to start some ginger, which is said to raise psychic ability and awareness. Or you may even wish to grow some mint, Anyone who has grown mint in their garden knows this plant could almost be considered a weed, hearty and powerful it’s benefits are numerous. Mint can be used in spells for healing, love, money, and psychic power. You can choose from peppermint, spearmint, catmint, and many others. Consequently each have their own specific vibrations, so take those into consideration along with your own personal preferences when stocking your magickal cabinet.
One thing I like to do with my container plants is surround them with crystals and other power items (place these outside the pot.) This will help to establish a beneficial relationship between the stones and the plants. There are many other magickal herb posts on this blog, please check them out if you have the time.
I have a dear friend in Texas planing trees, and another in New Orleans sewing sunflowers. What are you growing in your victory garden, I’d love to hear from all my readers in the comments, drop a list of you favorite plants, or better yet a photo.
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like and most definitely share.
Last updated on: July 7, 2022 at 4:19 pm By Lilith Dorsey
Yemaya candle and herbs photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Yemaya is an Orisha, a mother goddess, and a goddess of the sea. For many she is also a goddess of the moon. People worship her in the religions of Ifa, La Regla Lucumi (Santeria,) Candomble, and to some extent also in New Orleans Voodoo. It is as if her realm has no bounds. Her feast is most often celebrated on September 7th. If you can’t tell clearly she has a special place in my heart. I have been told my path of Oshun is very close to Dos Aguas, the path that celebrates both Oshun and Yemaya. This year in her honor I decided to create a fairly comprehensive list of herbs for her . Use these plants for offering and spiritual preparations, but there is no substitute for Godparents and Teachers in the religion, so please respectfully seek elders out whenever possible.
A Yemaya Herbal
There are a lot of herbs that are offered to Yemaya, each with its own unique purpose and energy, or Ashe.
Anise Seed – The little stars are a standard in Lucumi and other African Traditional Religions. Use them for love and blessings.
Carnation – This flower is known to grant healing and happiness. If you are offering them to Yemaya be sure to choose the white ones.
Coconut – Coconut is more of a food than an herb, and thusly you can use it in ritual dishes for this Orisha.
Eucalyptus – Most people are familiar with this herb and its healing qualities.
Gardenia – In my post Herbal Magick: Gardenia I write that this flower ” symbolizes love, devotion, purity, and spiritual connection.”
Grains of Paradise – These are a very versatile ingredient which can be used to attract luck, success and money, and also in spells to remove evil and protect.
Indigo – The color of this Orisha is blue, so obviously the magickal ingredient of Indigo is used for her.
Jasmine – This is an herb for love and joy.
Lemon Balm – Both lemons and lemon balm are sacred to Yemaya. Use them in spells for peace and calm.
Lotus – Use Lotus for love, luck, and spiritual connection.
Myrrh – Technically this is not an herb, but instead a resin. Myrrh is used primarily for protection, luck, and healing.
Magnolia – A stunning white flower, Magnolia represents love and purity.
Poppy Seed – This tiny seed can be intoxicating, quite literally. It provides prophetic dreams and clarity.
Purple Basil – Basil in general is good for removing negativity, and this variety in particular excels at this.
Sandalwood – Use sandalwood in all workings for peace and success.
Spearmint – This is one of the most popular herbs for Yemaya. It will bring both protection and joy.
Seaweed – Many of the ritual items for this Orisha remind us of the Sea. This one actually comes from it.
Blue Dancer (Yemaya) Cuba by James Emery licensed under CC 2.0.
Last updated on: July 9, 2018 at 8:56 pm By Lilith Dorsey
Brooklyn Magick at the Brooklyn Bridge photo by Lilith Dorsey
There a saying that “Only the Dead know Brooklyn”, and the same can be said for its sacred sights. In many of these sights the ancestors come to life, and each one has it’s own unique power.
Sacred Sights- Prospect Park
Prospect Park is the sacred forest of Brooklyn. The park opened in 1867 and has been a central figure of Brooklyn ever since. It was planned around one of the highest points in the area, Mount Prospect which is 200 feet above sea level. The park and several of it’s buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While the surrounding neighborhoods, before the advent of hipsters, have long been the home of Haitian and other Caribbean- American communities. Consequently the sight has often been the home of drum circles, ceremonies, and rituals both open and secret.
Famous for Sakura Matsuri, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens is one of the most beautiful places in town. In my post Herbal Magick: Cherry Blossoms I write “Over a hundred years ago, in 1912, Japan gifted the U.S. with 3,000 flowering cherry trees. Traditional Japanese culture views cherry blossoms as a representation of how precious, and also precarious life can be. The beauty of the blossoms is superb, yet temporary. Chinese culture sees the blooms as representative of feminine power and sexuality. While in American folklore, Cherry blossoms bring intelligence, happiness, honesty, vitality, and love. Some Hoodoo practitioners use Cherry Blossom as a road opener spell when combined with orange oil. Clearly there are many ways to utilize this delightful pink blossom.”
In addition to the sea of Cherry Blossoms, the Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place for reflecting, relaxing, and most importantly learning. An impressive display of herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees are present.
Sacred Sights- Coney Island
One of the places people think of when they think of Brooklyn is Coney Island. It has a boardwark, hot dogs, amusement park rids, and most importantly the beach. Growing up in Brooklyn it always had a bit of a shady reputation. Accidents would happen on the Cyclone, a roller coaster with a rickety character. In addition the Boardwalk, or more importantly under it, was known for some salacious activity.
Sacred Sights: Brooklyn Bridge
Second line across the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo by Lilith Dorsey
Magickally for me bridges are sacred sights that always represent a connection, a transition between realms. In a way they are what we call liminal, or in between spaces. As any witch knows, these in-between spaces is where the magick can happen. The way the Brooklyn bridge is set up people are walking over cars, which are driving over boats. There have been a few times in my life, like the centennial celebrations where the bridge has been closed down. One fond memory is when a Second Line Jazz parade went over the Brooklyn bridge. There is always something happening there, and consequently it is a popular site with tourists and natives alike.
In recent years the city has expanded Brooklyn Bridge park which now goes from under the Manhattan Bridge to almost the neighborhood of Sunset Park. There are boat docks, sports fields, small beaches, a carousel and more. It is one of the handful of places in Brooklyn where it is easy to access the river, so it is a common place for offerings and honorings.
Sacred Sights- Greenwood Cemetery
Greenwood Cemetery is the most popular cemetery in Brooklyn. Founded in 1838, the location sits on over 478 acres in the middle of the city. It is the final resting place of artist Jean Michel Basquiat, composer Leonard Bernstein, politician Boss Tweed, journalist Horace Greeley, Doctor Susan Smith McKinney-Steward, and many other notables. For those who have never visitied let me assure you it is a beautiful place. The grounds are full of statuary and beautiful monuments to admire. Earlier on this blog we got the notion to go visit Basquiat’s grave leaving offerings and prayers. You can watch for yourself in The Search for Samo-
As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please check out the other posts in our new Brooklyn Magick series, and remember to like, comment, and share !
Last updated on: December 18, 2016 at 2:26 pm By Lilith Dorsey
Frankincense and Myrrh are the first introduction many people have to the magickal world. Along with Gold they were gifts for the Christ child brought by the Magi (wise men.) Actually both Frankincense and Myrrh are resins that come from the same plant family, Burseraceae. They have also both been in use as sacred perfumes for over 3700 years. Supposedly when a sacred Phoenix transforms it builds a nest of these resins to set alight. Although it’s not just myth and history that values these two, there are ways you can use them now in your spells and ritual work.
There are many different ways you can use Frankincense and Myrrh in your magick. Use them in ritual oils, incense, and herbal medicine bags to bring about clarity, peace, protection and prosperity. If you need more information about Frankincense and Myrrh please see the posts Magickal Uses of Myrrh and Fabulous Facts About Frankincense.
Frankincense and Myrrh magick infographic by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Happy Holidays, and lastly please do us a favor and share, like, and comment on this post.
Last updated on: December 13, 2016 at 7:34 pm By Lilith Dorsey
Must Have Herbs photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Luckily most witches know that everything is magickal in it’s own special way. Spiritual people often combine all the elements to bring about positive change and blessing in their lives. If you are just starting out working with herbs it can be difficult to know where to begin. There are hundreds of herbs available to us, each with it’s own unique properties and energy. Herbs are a lot like people in that way. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the money or the space to stock their shelves with absolutely everything out there, however there are a few things that we just can’t do without. While putting together this list I hope to provide a well rounded and generalized sampling that will get you through most situations that could arise in everyday or everynight life.
9 Absolutely Must Have Herbs For Your Magick
Basil – Basil is a great all purpose herb that can be used for both blessing and curse removal if you use it correctly. It grows easily in almost anyone’s garden or window-box and can also be tied together with other herbs to make a blessing wand or scourge.
Mint – Anyone who has grown mint in their garden knows this plant could almost be considered a weed, hearty and powerful it’s benefits are numerous. Mint can be used in spells for healing, love, money, and psychic power. You can choose from peppermint, spearmint, catmint, and many others. Consequently each have their own specific vibrations, so take those into consideration along with your own personal preferences when stocking your magickal cabinet.
Lavender– This delicate purple beauty is a great addition to your spells and ritual work. It can be used for calm, peace, knowledge, and clarity. Lavender is said to vibrate with the element of air.
Sage– Sage is a staple herb in Native American spiritual workings, and has been adopted by many Pagan practitioners as well.
Myrrh– Myrrh is an ancient herb that has been used over the ages to provide protection, connection to the divine, and sacred blessing. It’s history is as exotic as it’s name and in my post Magickal Uses of Myrrh I write, “Even the Queen of Sheba is said to have used myrrh and it’s magickally enticing properties to her advantage.” It’s energy vibrates with the moon and can be used in many lunar spells and formulas.
Rose-Sweet, sensual roses are found in both the hearts and minds of history. Roses will bring love, and healing to your magick.
Sea Salt– While not technically an herb, I include Sea salt here because it is a vital ingredient for protecting
Black Salt, White Salt photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
your home and yourself.
Rosemary– This herb is used frequently in the religion of La Regla Lucumi, also referred to as Santeria. It is a primary component in baths, floorwashes, and herbal mixes. Use this to provide protection, and financial success. Clearly rosemary can be used in a wide variety of magicks.
Dill – Check out my recent video post Lilith’s Garden Dill. There I talk about how you can use this for everything from communication to healing. Please follow the link to learn more.
Obviously this list is just a beginning, what herbs do you feel like you can’t live without? I’d love to hear about it in the comment section below ! And please if you have enjoyed what your read here please remember to share, share, share !
Last updated on: October 18, 2015 at 6:45 pm By Lilith Dorsey
Gris Gris fixing photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.
Gris Gris Bags are herbal medicine preparations commonly found in the religion of New Orleans Voodoo, and also among some Hoodoo practices. Before beginning, assemble your possible ingredients together, light a white candle and make sure you are in the proper state of mind. Do your best to eliminate any disturbances, and direct your energy on the task at hand. When you are done crafting your magick mixture you can place it in a bag and carry it in your pocket, or attach it to a cord and wear it around your neck or waist.
The following video contains detailed instructions on making your own Gris Gris bag for focus, energy and concentration. We have created many more of these Gris Gris videos to be posted here on Voodoo Universe in the near future, so subscribe to our youtube channel and stay tuned !
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