Cunningham - Magical Herbalism

Llewellyn Publications

Woodbury, Minnesota

Copyright Information

Magical Herbalism: The Secret Craft of the Wise 1982 and 1983 by Scott Cunningham and 2002 by the Scott Cunningham estate.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Llewellyn Publications, except in the form of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Any unauthorized usage of the text without express written permission of the publisher is a violation of the authors copyright and is illegal and punishable by law.

First e-book edition 2013

E-book ISBN: 9780738716725

Third Edition

Ninth Printing, 2012

First edition, two printings

Second edition, fifteen printings

Book design and editing by Kimberly Nightingale

Herbal safety editing by Melissa Mierva

Cover art 2001 by Robert M. Place FR

Cover design by Gavin Dayton Duffy

Llewellyn Publications is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

Llewellyn Publications does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.

Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific reference will continue or be maintained. Please refer to the publishers website for links to current author websites.

The old-fashioned remedies in this book are historical references used for teaching purposes only. The recipes are not for commercial use or profit. The contents are not meant to diagnose, treat, prescribe, or substitute consultation with a licensed healthcare professional.

Llewellyn Publications

Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.

2143 Wooddale Drive

Woodbury, MN 55125

www.llewellyn.com

Manufactured in the United States of America

To the countless Witcheswise men and women
who, down through the ages, have innovated,
perfected, and preserved these secrets

Contents

PART ONE: Preparations

Tools of the Magical Herbalist

MagicA Short Primer

Identifying, Gathering, Drying, and Storing Herbs

The Language of Magical Herbalism

PART TWO: Herbal Secrets

Protection

Divination

Healing

Love

Herbs of the Elements and Magical Fluid Condensers

Scented Oils and Perfumes

Incenses

Amulets

Witchs Herbal

PART THREE: The Magic Garden

Your Herbal Garden

Appendices

The Magical Names of Herbs, Flowers, Trees, and Roots

Baneful Herbs and Flying Ointments

Sources for Herbs and Oils

Herbal Redes

Introduction

I n centuries past, when the nightmares we know of as cities had yet to be born, we lived in harmony with the earth and used her treasures wisely. Many knew the old magics of herbs and plants.

Knowledge was passed down from one generation to another, and so the lore was widely circulated and used. Most country folk knew one herb that was a powerful protection against evil, or a certain flower that produced prophetic dreams, and perhaps a sure-fire love charm or two.

Witches had their own intricate operations of herbal magic, as did the magicians and alchemists. Soon a body of magical knowledge accumulated surrounding the simple herbs that grew by fast-running streams, in verdant meadows, and high on lonely cliffs.

Many of our ancestors, however, looked to the stars, away from the earth, and dreamed of greater things. In racing toward mechanized perfection, humanity became orphaned of the earth, and much of the old lore was forgotten.

Fortunately, it was not lost completely. Witches became the keepers of the secrets of the earth; thus, they were looked upon with fear by those who had already turned their backs on the Old Ways. Terror and hatred forced the Witches into hiding, and for centuries their secrets re-mained untouched.

When the old Witches died, many of their secrets died with them, for as the centuries passed there were fewer and fewer who cared to learn the ancient arts of magic.

Today we are experiencing a resurgence of earth awareness. Ecological organizations prosper. Recycling is a booming business. People are turning away from chemicals and artificially preserved foods to more healthy fare.

Herbs long unadored have once again come into their own. But aside from hints and speculation, the magical art of herbalism has largely been left unexplored and unexplained.

This book is an attempt to fill this gap in herbal knowledge. Though these instructions have long been the pro-vince of the Witch and her kin, all that is required to successfully practice magical herbalism is an earnest desire to better your life, and the lives of those you know and love.

This is a complete and practical guide. No esoteric, misty treatise, it should serve well as an introduction to herbal magicthe postive aspects of herbal magic. Aside from an appendix that discusses the use of baneful herbs, no poisoning, cursing, controlling, compelling, binding, or otherwise evil magical information is contained herein, for such practices have no place in the divine magic of the herbalist.

In magic, especially herbal magic, an herb is a plant prized for its vibrations, or energies. Thus, the herbs of this book include seaweeds, cacti, trees, fruits, and flowers that one might not normally consider to be herbs.