Nature

Connecting with Nature Spirits

No matter what kind of environment you live in, nature spirits are all around you. They're embodied in trees, flowers, and animals, the wind, the rain, and all other natural phenomena. Just...

Celebrating Samhain: Traditions, Herbs, Symbols & More

Samhain might be the most recognizable Pagan holiday. It stems from a Gaelic festival celebrating the final harvest and beginning of the dark half of the year. Today, some countries observe it...

Celebrating Litha: Traditions, Herbs, Symbols & More

Pagans who base their practices around western European pre-Christian traditions commonly observe a set of holidays. These are often grouped together as the Wheel of the Year, which is a way of...

Herbs For Divination

Divination is a part of many Pagan practices. Far from being simple fortune telling, divination is also used to uncover hidden information about the past and present, determine the outcome of rituals,...

Full Moon Herbs & Essential Oils

The full moon is when the moon's power is at its height. For ages, people have chosen to bask in this energy, celebrate it, or even attune to it and use it...

Druidism: Modern Druidry Guide

A lot of things might come to mind when you hear the word druid -- Stonehenge, robes, long white beards, and so on. These mysterious figures stand as a kind of proto-example...

Wicca For Beginners: Beliefs, Holidays, Herbs & More

When people think of modern witchcraft, Wicca is usually what comes to mind. Though it is only one of many religions with an ingrained magical tradition, it's by far the most popular....

A Guide to Ayahuasca

In shamanic and natural healing circles, many people talk about the profound physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of Ayahuasca. What is Ayahuasca, and should it become a part of your practice? About Ayahuasca Ayahuasca...

Best Herbs For Banishing Negativity & Evil

Magic isn't always about drawing in the things you want. The flip side to attraction is banishing, and it's an equally important skill. This is what allows you to get rid of...

Best Herbs & Essential Oils For Grounding

Grounding is a vital skill for anyone, even those who don't practice magic or energy work. Whenever you feel a little off kilter, or not quite like yourself, it's likely that your...

Best Herbs & Essential Oils For Reality Shifting

Reality shifting is the process of detaching your mind from your current reality, and sending it into your ideal one. There are a lot of reasons why people attempt this -- some...

Herbs & Oils For Divine Feminine Connection

The Divine Feminine is a distinct phenomenon, separate from the human idea of gender and femininity. When the ideas of passive and active, projective and receptive, and conscious and subconscious energy were...

Solar Plexus Chakra Herbs & Essential Oils

The solar plexus chakra is also known as Manipura. It's the seat of the will, confidence, vitality, and personal power. It's called the solar plexus chakra because it's located above the navel,...

Throat Chakra Herbs & Essential Oils

In Hindu tantrism, the throat chakra, Visuddha (or Vishuddha, or Vishuddhi) is the energy center located in the throat area. It's represented by the color blue, and a sixteen-petaled lotus. It's the...

Third Eye Herbs & Essential Oils

The third eye chakra, Ajna, gets a lot of attention. It's the energy center that governs intuition, divination, and perception. People who work with subtle energies focus heavily on the third eye,...

Crown Chakra Herbs & Essential Oils

The crown chakra, Sahasrara, sits at the top of the head. It's considered the seventh primary chakra, and is the apex of the life force flow throughout the energy body. This is...

Root Chakra Herbs & Essential Oils

Muladhara, the root chakra, is possibly the most important energy center. It governs every aspect of our physical survival. It's the base of our fight-or-flight instinct, and the evolutionary drive that pushes...

Sacral Chakra Herbs & Essential Oils

The body's energy centers are fairly sensitive. It's possible for them to become blocked or imbalanced, which may manifest itself as any number of emotional, spiritual, or even physical effects. Fortunately, it's...

Heart Chakra Herbs & Essential Oils

Your body's energy centers react to all kinds of things, both internally and externally. Trauma, lifestyle choices, and the energy you come in contact with can all disrupt their natural function. Fortunately,...

Best Herbs & Essential Oils For Manifestation

Manifestation is a powerful ability. Just picture it -- you could create whatever reality you want to inhabit. What would you do if you were able to manifest all of your desires?...

Herbs For Vivid & Lucid Dreaming

The quality of your sleep and the vividness of your dreams are easily impacted by food, drinks, and supplements. This goes for more than just the things you ingest directly, too --...

Magic in Druidry

Druidry is often viewed as a magical discipline. While this is true, to an extent, there's a big difference in the way magic is viewed and used versus religions like Wicca. Historical records...

Sacred Herbs For Cleansing & Purifying

Have you ever walked into a room and noticed that it felt a little "off"? There might not have been anything specific about it -- just what some might call "bad vibes."...

Herbs For Attracting Love

Pretty much everyone wants to be loved. Even people who aren't interested in romance want to be cared about on some level. In folklore, love magic and divination appear more than almost...

Lemon: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Lemon (Citrus limon) is one of the best-known members of the citrus family. Interestingly, the line for what makes a "real" lemon is often blurry -- flavoring often comes from lemon balm...

Herbs For Attracting Luck

Have you ever had a really great opportunity come your way? It might hinge on outshining a handful of competitors, or making sure you put your best self forward. Sometimes, all you...

Herbs For Money, Wealth & Prosperity

One of the biggest reasons people seek out magic spells is to bring in more money. Traditions all over the world have specific herbs, tools, and rituals dedicated to increasing prosperity and...

Powerful Herbs For Protection

Looking for the perfect herb for a protection sachet or homemade incense? Magical protection is one of the most often-practiced (and important) types of the craft. If you're putting together a special...

Parsley: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is probably best known as the fluffy green used to fill up empty spots on plates. Frequently turned to for its visual appeal, parsley has the distinction of being...

Catnip: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Long beloved by feline friends, catnip (Nepeta cataria) is just as well-liked by humans -- albeit for different reasons. Native to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, this fragrant perennial is also...

Lemon Balm: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a delightful perennial herb named for its bright, lemony flavor. The genus name is Greek for "honey bee," and this plant is wonderful for attracting pollinators with...

Vanilla: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

If you have a sweet tooth, chances are you're very familiar with the scent and flavor of vanilla (Vanilla species, especially V. planifolia). This spice actually comes from a type of orchid,...

Oregano: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is one of the most distinctive flavors in Italian food. With its warm, subtly bitter flavor and unique fragrance produced by a bouquet of potent aromatics, this member of...

Paganism For Beginners: What is Paganism?

Paganism, as a concept, is an ever-changing target. Originally, the term came from the Latin "paganus," meaning a rustic country-dweller, and was used as a pejorative. When Christianity swept across the land,...

Wormwood: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an herbaceous perennial originally native to Eurasia and northern Africa. It has since become naturalized in much of Canada and the United States, and these feathery, silvery plants...

Ancient Druidism: Who Were the Ancient Druids?

When you hear the word "druid," a lot of images probably come to mind -- old men with staffs and robes, Stonehenge, and the like. In reality, the ancient druids are a...

Shamanic Soul Retrieval: Benefits, After Effects & More

Trauma impacts every facet of a person's being. From the physical to the emotional, a single traumatic event can be the seed that grows into a lifetime of pain, disconnection, and fear....

Calendula: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), also known as pot marigold, poet's marigold, or English marigold, is unmistakable. These bright yellow-orange flowers with their unusual fragrance are a mainstay of many gardens. Not to be...

Cinnamon: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

There's no mistaking the warm, comforting flavor of cinnamon (Cinnamomum species, especially C. verum). A culinary staple all over the world, it's a staple in beverages, savory dishes, sauces, and desserts alike....

Shamanism For Beginners: Beliefs, Practices & More

Shamanism is a worldwide phenomenon. All across the globe, different cultures evolved remarkably similar ways of interacting with their environment and the spirit world beyond. Though the word "shaman" may be derived...

Yarrow: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Believe it or not, yarrow (Achillea species, especially millefolium) is probably most familiar as a ditch weed. Native to temperate areas of Asia, Europe, and North America, this tough perennial grows abundantly...

Chamomile: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

The cheerful, daisy-like flowers of chamomile are well known as a relaxing herbal tea. Both German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) exhibit very similar properties, and are virtually indistinguishable...

Shamanic Realms: A Guide to Shamanic Worlds

Shamans live with one foot in the mundane world, and one in the world of spirits. This parallel realm is called non-ordinary reality. One of the most interesting things about it is...

What is Shamanic Journeying?

Throughout history, shamans have acted as the interface between the spirit and mundane worlds. Shamans keep an eye on the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of their people, as well as the...

Garlic: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

It's a mainstay of Italian and French cooking, and a remedy against vampires. Look in just about any supermarket's produce section, and you'll find it. Look in your kitchen, and you might...

Black Pepper: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is one of the best-known spices in the world. A native of India, it is now produced in Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and Ethiopia. These berries lend...

Rose: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

The relationship between humans and roses (Rosa species) goes back over 5,000 years. In that time, roses have been the subject of folklore, poetry, legend, and medical science alike. There are over...

Ginger: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an unmistakable member of the spice family. These beige roots with their many knobs are mainstays of most grocery stores, whether fresh and whole, pickled, candied, or dried...

Cloves: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

There's no mistaking cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) in the spice aisle. Nothing else looks quite like these distinctive woody brown buds. Sometimes, you might even smell them before you see them -- their...

Lemongrass: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) is one of the most distinctive flavors of Thai cuisine. Long held in high regard by the perfume industry, this herb is nonetheless a relative newcomer when it comes...

Frankincense: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Frankincense (Boswellia species) is one of the best known sacred resins used in incense. The name "frankincense" even comes from a phrase meaning "choice incense," indicating its value for fumigation. Beyond its...

Jasmine: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Jasmine's (Jasminum officinale) sensual, subtly musky floral fragrance has captivated people for millennia. The distinctive flowers might be small, but they pack an olfactory and magical punch. For as long as humans...

Sage: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

White sage (Salvia apiana) is one of the new age movement's most popular herbs. While a relative newcomer to European-based witchcraft, other varieties of sage have medicinal and magical traditions known to...

Mugwort: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is the witch's herb par excellence. This lush, green lunar herb has a long history of use in magic and as a healing herb. Once used to flavor beverages...

Bay Leaf: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Tons of recipes call for the addition of a single leaf from the bay laurel tree (Laurus nobilis). Its subtle, complex aroma contributes a je ne sais quoi to anything to which...

Basil: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is one of the signature flavors of Mediterranean cooking. To cooks, it's the king of herbs. To the Hindu religion, it's the manifestation of a goddess. Witches drank it...

Hibiscus: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Hibiscus (Hibiscus species) is a group of over 600 flowering plants in the mallow family. The best known species are probably Hibiscus syriacus and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, with their big, colorful, showy blooms....

Mint: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Mint is one of the most ubiquitous culinary and medicinal herbs known to the western world. If you've ever tasted peppermint tea, most chewing gum, or most toothpastes, you've experienced its cooling...

Star Anise: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Star anise (Illicium verum) is one of the most distinctive herbs in a witch's cabinet. With its striking star-shaped pods and warm, spicy fragrance, it's easy to see how it grew to...

Thyme: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

You don't have to go far to find powerful ingredients for your spells and charms. In fact, you probably have at least one in your home right now: thyme. A much-beloved staple...

Rosemary: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) has a reputation for being the most versatile magical herb, and its medicinal and culinary uses are almost as varied. Some witches even say that it can serve as...

Lavender: Magical Properties, Benefits & Uses

Few herbs are as ubiquitous in modern life as lavender (Lavandula). People use it for relaxation, to keep moths away, to freshen linens, to flavor desserts, and as a decoration. This isn't...

Wicca & Witchcraft Books For Beginners

One of the best ways to expand your knowledge of the Craft is by reading. It's often suggested that new witches read everything they can get their hands on. While witchcraft is...

What is Celtic Witchcraft?

Celtic witchcraft is a practice that uses Celtic lore and folk magic as its basis. This blends well with the basic structure and ritual format of Wicca, so many Celtic witches are...

What is Eclectic Wicca?

If you ask ten witches what Wicca is, you're likely to get ten different answers. Nowhere is this more true than in eclectic Wicca. All branches of the Craft are highly individualized,...

What is Shamanic Healing?

Shamans serve a lot of roles within their communities. It's a life path that comes with considerable sacrifices of time and energy -- not only do shamans have to live with one...

What is Gardnerian Wicca?

Gardnerian Wicca is often regarded as the earliest created Wiccan tradition, and forms the basis for almost all others types of Wicca. It's named for its founder, British civil servant Gerald Gardner,...

What is Dianic Wicca?

Dianic Wicca is a type of witchcraft that exclusively celebrates the divine feminine, and is named for the Roman goddess Diana. There are two well-known forms of Dianic witchcraft. The best known...

What is Elemental Witchcraft?

Most witchcraft follows some form of earth-based framework, meaning that it draws power and inspiration from the natural world. While some forms invoke or evoke deities and spirits of nature, others delve...

What is Alexandrian Wicca?

The Alexandrian Wiccan tradition was among the first offshoots of Gardnerian Wicca. Started by Alex and Maxine Sanders in the 1960s, Alexandrian Wicca has a lot of similarities to the original Gardnerian...

Neoshamanism: Modern Shamanism Guide

The word "shaman" has a long, convoluted etymological history. One story says that it comes from the Sanskrit sramana-s, which referred to an ascetic Buddhist, which morphed into sha men in Chinese....

Shamanism vs Druidism: What’s the Difference?

Historically, shamans and druids both occupied places of honor in their societies -- shamans as healers, diviners, and liaisons between their communities and non-ordinary reality, and druids as healers, diviners, religious leaders,...

Wicca vs Druidism: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to nature-based spirituality, Wicca and Druidry are the two religions most people think of immediately. However, while they do both have a reverence for nature as the heart of...

30 Witch Herbs & Their Magical Properties

Like all earth-centered spiritual practices, Wicca has a large body of herb lore. Herbal magic uses plants to heal, attract good things, and repel the bad. There's virtually no end to the...

Magic in Wicca

Wicca is an earth-centered religion that draws heavily from western European folk practices. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't an ancient practice -- Wicca as we know it came into being in...

Psilocybin & Spirituality

With interest in psilocybin mushrooms reaching the mainstream thanks to what some people refer to as the "Joe Rogan effect," it's easy to think of mushroom use as a new trend. In...

What is Shamanic Drumming?

Music has held a special place in the heart and imagination of mankind for thousands of years. In European bardic traditions, bards were quasi-magical figures whose songs and poems related the history...

Healing Benefits of Psilocybin

Deep healing is hard to find in a world of stigma and limited awareness regarding mental health. Of course, even a person with access to the best psychiatric care can still find...

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