Herbalism and Pagans (rituals, Earth, tradition, spiritual)

[Isabella Lecour]

While posting in another fourm:
I got to thinking.

Do you work with herbs as a part of your religious practice? Why or Why not?
If yes; what do you do with the herbs in your practice?

[Gentoo]

I usually don't. I generally don't feel comfortable using plants (that's if I don't kill them!) The most I use is dried sage, and even then I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet.

[MaddLlama]

I don't very often, since I have a notoriously black thumb, and lack the means of getting certain dried flowers.

Sometimes if I feel it's necessary I use dry herbs in spells, but normally I use them, or would like to use them, more for crafting items, such as a door wreath/swag for home protection, and I like to keep flowers in my house to help me feel more connected to nature. Sadly the lack of natural light kills my plants, and I have this amusing notion of myself as "murderer of houseplants". I'm trying though.

I'm trying to learn more about herbalism in general, both magical and mundane, including a hefty dose of kitchen and hedge witchery, even though it's not exactly "traditional" (well, not traditional for a recon, anyway).

I got this cool program called "HerbMasters", which is a (non-pagan) program about herbs, how to grow them, which are edible, and which have what medical/healing properties. It's incredibly comprehensive.

[Isabella Lecour]

To answer my own questions...I do use herbs as a part of my religious practice. I firmly believe in the healing arts and in the spiritual connection of the earth. I often incorporate herbs in my rituals and in my magic.


Most often I charge the herbs I use according to their "nature." I use herbs in just about anything I can cram them into. It's a side effect of studing herbalism.

[Guitar's Cry]

I use them frequently. I've studied herbalism in my spare time, and I feel close to plants.

I'll use plants for general health purposes, and I'll use them with spells. For example, a favorite home protection spell of mine is to spread White Ash seeds in the four corners of my home.

[BFD_Zayl]

i use herbs as well. Yarrow is a general, all around herb for health and healing. but i burn wormwood as incense during ritual.