TYPE 4

intro to herbs

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INTRODUCTION TO HERBS.

As a modern Wiccan or Neo Pagan herbalist or magic user, please use the Latin

name to identify your herb of choice. Many herbs, trees & plants are

poisonous, so even if you are using it for altar greenery or spell work,

check before picking your spec imen. There are also plants that can give you

a nasty burn or the spines or thorns piercing your flesh will give you a

painful wound or rash which will have to be treated by a doctor. Often these

same plants are copy cat types that grow along side th e real herb in the

Many old books & some modern ones will give only the common name used in the

area where the author lives, avoid using this type of book. There are many

others to choose from that have been more carefully researched.

Often two or more herbs are called by the same common name & using the wrong

herb can cause your spell to back fire or worse your patient to die or fall

into a coma.

Start with a few herbs at a time & get to know them well, by using them,

meditating & perhaps growing it in your garden or if the herb can be grown in

a pot , place in a sunny position in your home. Many of these herbs can be

bought in their dry state from your super market or local health shop or

occult shop. This can be costly when you take into consideration that you

will have to collect & bottle many herbs for storing in your magical

cupboard. [Please use glass bottles that are clearly labe lled with common

name, Latin name & date & store in a dark place, replace at least once a

year. Some herbs loose their power sooner than others so check date before

using.] Your herb book is very important in magical work so update each herb

when ev er you find any new information. Growing your own herbs will not only

save you money, but will also contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere, give

your home protection & supply you with herbs that are used in the kitchen to

enhance your food, & as me dicines & tonics. But also provide you with insect

repellents both in & around your home, & best of all supply your magical

components for your rituals & spells.

Many common names are descriptive of the herbs use, others were used

deliberately to hide from the profane the identity of the herb. Some were

changed with the coming of Christianity, those referring to the Goddess

became Mary's this or that or Our l ady's this or that. Other useful herbs

became known by saints names or the names of the Archangels. Herbs, plants &

trees associated with the old Gods became the devils this or that until the

monks found a use for it.

Those associated with underworld Gods were referred to as Gallowswort,

Witchwort, Felonswort, Dragonswort, Serpentwort, Snakewort, Fairywort etc. &

many of these became taboo to all Christians due to early church pressure.

The monks started growing their own herbs & the common people were at first

discouraged from doing so, then later, they were persecuted as witches if

they did so. The modern witch has to sort through this white washing of names

or should I say black washing & get to the source before using any herb

successfully. One of the misconceptions that Cowans [ non witches] have of

the craft is that we use all sorts of nasty evil ingredients in our

cauldrons. This is due to the many local names herbs have, many passed on by

the chu rch during the witch burning times.

Some witches delight in using the old recipes, which call for Bloody fingers,

Bats wings, Dragonsblood, Adderstongue, Toad, Cats paw, Gallows grass,

Devils oatmeal, Sorcerers root, Wolfsbane, Graveyard dust etc. All the above

are the common names for herbs. But we as witches should remember that these

names were used to discredit us in the past by our enemies & the burning

times are not yet over. By using the Latin name you are safer on all levels

as these do not change from town to town or coun try to country as the

common names do.

The word wort simply means herb & bane refers to negative energies or

attributes connected with the herb.

BLESSED BE.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

As from July 1st 1995 The Coven Of The Wheel will regretfully no longer be

operating as a Training Coven.

Due to the limited time now before we immigrate, we have decided to return to

the Traditional format of Coven Degree system. In other words we will no

longer operate on the 13 training degree system & will be returning to the "

Year & A Day Apprentice, " & then the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Degree. At which point

you will be able to leave & start your own group. [ Spin off] Depending on

your in-put you will be leaving at this point as Priest /Priestess or High

Priest / High Priestess.

Those who now wish to enter the Coven from the Outer Circle will have to have

attended the Lesson nights regularly & have attended at least 3 Festivals.

They will also have to have done their Self Dedication to the Gods, have

their own working tools, Karmic headband, white cord & robe, & will be

expected to petition in writing & be over 18. At this point a vote will be

taken by Coven members as to whether the applicant is worthy. Once initiated

& after a year & a day, with the 1st degree initiat ion they will need a

black robe & green cord. It is also a good idea to have a black cape cape

with a hood made for outdoor rituals & winter rites. The new Coven member

will be tested & may move from one Degree to the next every 3 moons. With

each De gree they will have to acquire special Wiccan Jewellery for each

separate Degree.

With the first initiation they will need a silver bell on a cord & a gilded

acorn on a cord. They should also bring some soil from their homes for the

Coven cauldron as this signifies a willingness to blend their energies with

those within Coven, & a pot of live white flowers & a white candle.

If you are thinking of coming into Coven please keep this in mind, those

already within will be seeing you as part of their extended family & will be

there for you in good times & in times of trouble. Are you willing to do the

same for them? Those who work magic together are often bound together for

many lifetimes. Are you willing to give of your time & energy ? Are you

willing to officially declare yourself a Pagan? Are you willing to be present

each Esbat night & Festival Rite?

For this will be expected of you. Are you willing to share your knowledge &

expertise with others? Please don't rush into this, be 100% sure.

How does the change from Training Coven affect those in the outer Circle?

The Lesson Nights will continue as usual & information that was once part of

the Training Degree system will now be available to those who attend. You may

come to the lessons for as long as you wish with no pressure to join the

Coven, as long as you pay for that month, the lesson material for that month

will be yours. Please pay on the first lesson of the month, Jannie will now

be collecting the money.

Any back notes you wish can now be obtained at 20 cents per page. Please

check your Print out list, & let Pagan [ Lynn ] know of your request.

All outer Circle members are still welcome to attend the Festival rites.

May there always be light on your paths.

BLESSED BE.

HERB LORE.

Although we don't normally give out herb information or notes to those not

initiated into the coven, we have decided to allow the following notes to be

supplied to the Outer Court /circle who attend lesson nights.

1. A short introduction on herbs.

2. Cross reference of common & Latin names.

3. A table of magical uses.

4. A table of substitute herbs.

& 1 herb used in Wiccan rites. This will be mugwort known as " The Mother of

Herbs."

These notes will help the student to start his or her herb book. Further

notes will be supplied during the Degree that Herb Magic, healing &

meditation are done, as will other herb related work, such as magical oils

,brews & incenses, paper making, magical ink, Aromatheraphy & the power of

scent, herb craft work, the combination of herbs & stones / crystals

,vegetables & their uses in magic, Magical trees, various other charts etc.

Please dont use a herb / tree / plant without reading up on it first, using

several books as a reference rather than one authors thoughts & ideas. If you

accidently use the wrong dose for an infusion or brew, you could cause

internal bleeding, perma nent mental disorders, organ damage or death. Please

do not prolong any treatment, many herbs are highly poisonous when taken in

large doses or over a long period of time. Even our so- called kitchen herbs

can sometimes cause startling side effects , like the over stimulation of

body fluids, the lowering or highering of blood pressure, sleeplessness or

drousyness, weight fluctuation, heart palputations & failure,the clotting of

blood or the thinning of it so that there is a constant leaking from

capilliares & veins causing internal haemorage & other herbs can cause

miscarriage.Remember to ask about any other medication they may be taking, it

may clash with your herb medication. If the medication is a permanent one ask

them to check with thei r doctor first.

If a herb is classed as poison & you need it for a spell or ritual, handle

with care, use gloves when handling or scrub hands as soon as possible, after

your work is done bury, dont leave it lying around. Never use a poisonous

plant as an incense th e fumes may kill you. Never use unknown wood for your

ritual bonfires or braai with just any wood. Many people have died by using a

stick from an unknown tree to stir or cook their food or by simply inhaling

the fumes from a burning fire.

Become "HERB WISE". Herbs can aid those "who know' in their magical & healing

work. In the wrong hands they can cause chaos & misery.

No herb will give you an instant magical high. It is simply an aid to calm

the body, clear the mind, open up psychic centres & allow you to tune into

its energies. Used with will power, correct breathing & the clear

visualization of your need it can be a wonderful boost to your psychic

abilities & clarity to thought patterns in divination & ritual. We seek to

control self not be controlled by any substance.

Many old books give recipes that can cause bodily harm if taken internally or

rubbed on the body as an oil, please check all ingredients before using,

there are many substitutes for baneful herbs.

BLESSED BE.