As discussed over the past two entries, protection is a multi-step, many stage affair that has a great deal to do with preparation, awareness, skill, and flexibility. Learning to improvise is good, but being prepared is better.
When your preparations have failed you, its time to get creative and work with what you got. In keeping with this theme, I've decided to discuss herbs that can be used for protective magic. Some are offensive, some are defensive, and some are a mixture of the two. There are those in this list that only work (for protection) when combined with other materia magica too. I'll do what I can to summarize a portion of those tidbits here, but rest assured that you're going to have to play with the mixtures you want to use to learn the ins and outs of the spirits behind the flesh. I'll be using both folk names and Latin names where possible.
When your preparations have failed you, its time to get creative and work with what you got. In keeping with this theme, I've decided to discuss herbs that can be used for protective magic. Some are offensive, some are defensive, and some are a mixture of the two. There are those in this list that only work (for protection) when combined with other materia magica too. I'll do what I can to summarize a portion of those tidbits here, but rest assured that you're going to have to play with the mixtures you want to use to learn the ins and outs of the spirits behind the flesh. I'll be using both folk names and Latin names where possible.
Bear in mind that this list of herbs and their properties is not an overly scientific compendium. When I mention herb interactions, I am not speaking to their medical effects. Do not ingest these herbs without doing further research from medical texts, and if you're not sure about whether or not you're allergic to them, use gloves. Some of these are quite toxic if used internally, and as such it'll be up to you to do your research.
I am providing this information purely to spark your curiosity and give you some ideas on how to utilize various herbs for magical protection. The rest is all you.
I am providing this information purely to spark your curiosity and give you some ideas on how to utilize various herbs for magical protection. The rest is all you.
Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Sometimes called Angel root, the connection between Angelica root and the Celestial is pretty damned obvious. This herb is used to invoke the protection of Angels in sorcery and rootwork.
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea)
Arrowroot is notably used in a great many Native American recipes and workings to heal the sick, cut down on pain, and is generally considered to be an all-out healing herb. As such, it is useful for warding off sickness and ailments, be they physical, mental, or spiritual.
Asafoetida (Ferula asafetida)
Also called Devil's Dung, its my experience that Asafoetida (literally, "stinky weed") smells as bad to spirits as it does to us. The plant stinks to high hell but is absolutely wonderful at nixing spiritual influences. Particularly when those influences are not terribly positive or helpful.
Its used frequently in Indian cooking and a little bit goes a long way. Your house will smell terrible after burning it, but if you do go that route chances are nothing spirity will want to remain anywhere near you or the home.
Its used frequently in Indian cooking and a little bit goes a long way. Your house will smell terrible after burning it, but if you do go that route chances are nothing spirity will want to remain anywhere near you or the home.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
Anise (not to be confused with Fennel or Star Anise) is a blessing herb that's sometimes used in food. It is frequently used as a digestive, and thus can be used to help you understand information you read or see. It is a processing agent, in a manner of speaking.
When used in protection, it can be used to force people to process information they may wish to avoid seeing, for example.
When used in protection, it can be used to force people to process information they may wish to avoid seeing, for example.
The aforementioned four herbs are only a small list of potential aids when doing protective magic. There are literally hundreds more, but over the next wee while I'll be posting a few more entries on specific herbs and their uses to help flesh out your knowledge.
There's much, much more to learn about these herbs than what can be cleanly fit into an easy-to-digest blog article. I've studied them for years, both from a medical and a magical point of view, and I'm still learning something new all the time. That being the case, if Herbology is your passion, I thoroughly recommend reading whatever you can on the subject. From a homeopathic standpoint, the data is changing all the time, so be sure to keep up on your reading if you want to use them in a Naturopathic way.
Take care folks,
SE
There's much, much more to learn about these herbs than what can be cleanly fit into an easy-to-digest blog article. I've studied them for years, both from a medical and a magical point of view, and I'm still learning something new all the time. That being the case, if Herbology is your passion, I thoroughly recommend reading whatever you can on the subject. From a homeopathic standpoint, the data is changing all the time, so be sure to keep up on your reading if you want to use them in a Naturopathic way.
Take care folks,
SE