Tag: green witch

Camomile

Everyone knows camomile, though I’m not certain everyone realises just how awesome this little plant is. Camomile (Chamaemelum) comes from a Greek word for “ground apple” due to its specific, sweet scent. It is native to Western Europe and North America.

You can sow camomile from seeds in spring, patting it lightly into the soil rather than covering it, as it needs lots of sunlight to germinate. Pick a sunny place for it to grow in well-drained soil, so that its cheery domed centre can face the Sun. It is known as Physician’s Plant due to its restorative properties when planted near diseased plants. Its strong scent makes for a fantastic insect repellent and therefore pest control. You may choose to plant it near cabbage, potatoes, celery, leek, onions, or garlic for these properties. It is best to harvest the flowers when they are mid-bloom, when the petals are horizontal rather than facing downward. They then have to be dried quickly in thin layers, so that they preserve their natural colour and do not crumble (Kapusta, 2012).

Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay

Camomile is probably best known as a soothing tea. It can indeed be used this way to aid sleep and relaxation. Tea can also be used to treat indigestion and to aid the digestive system (Linford, 2010). Moreover, it has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties, which make it great for treating skin irritation and inflammation if used in baths or as a wash, or mouth infections if used as a gargle. In Slavic countries, camomile plants were used to make mattresses which were supposed to relieve pain if slept on (Kapusta, 2012). To make camomile tea simply steep a heaped teaspoon of fresh or dried flowers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. However, excessive consumption can cause vertigo or vomiting (McVicar, 2006).

There are other uses for this lovely plant. Some prefer to have a camomile lawn instead of usual grass. Though it can require more upkeep, you will be rewarded by much more fragrant lawn in the summer. Its sweet scent also makes it a good addition to herb pillows, and it can be made into a condition to brighten fine hair (McVicar, 2006).

In terms of magical use, camomile can aid relaxed meditative state and sleep, which would make it a great addition to dream pillows or spells focused on dreamwork. It’s associated with the Sun, possibly due to its sunny centre. This might make it well suited for summer and spring rituals which focus on the return of the Sun. It’s also associated with purification, happiness, and luck. Burn it, bathe in it or wear it as part of your spell-work in these areas.

References:
Kapusta, J. (2012). Apteczka Domowa. Warsaw: Buchmann
McVicar, J. (2006). Jekka’s Complete Herb Book. Leicester: Silverdale Books.
Linford, J. (2010). A Concise Guide to Herbs. Bath: Parragon Book Ltd.

Plant Spirits and Allies

Animism is the belief that all things have a spirit. This can include spirits of places, such as meadows or forests, spirits of natural features, such as stones or plants, spirits of everyday objects, such as lamps or your house, etc. There can, of course, be some debate as to where one spirit ends and another begins. Is is that every room, or every wall, or every brick in every wall has its own spirit, or is it all of the above? If a plant reproduces to make more versions of itself, are those still the same spirit or are they new ones? Do they develop their individuality over time? Whatever your specific views may be, many agree that such spirits can make powerful allies if we build relationships with them.

In Shamanism, relationships with plant spirits are particularly important. They can provide valuable information and support when it is needed. The plant can reveal information on its healing properties, and the spirit itself an greatly aid the healing process. Some argue that experiences generated by certain natural psychedelic substances taken to aid shamanic journeys, are in fact messages from the plant spirits conveyed in the form of visions (Baghramian, 2015).

In order to learn from a plant spirit, one should find a plant they feel called to, observe it for a while, and begin talking to its spirit. Permission should be sought to take a part of the plant away, and this should be done in a respectful way which will not harm the plant. One can then journey to meet the plant spirit in non-ordinary reality and converse with it (Baghramina, 2015). Another method is to find a plant one is attracted to while holding their intention or question clear in their mind . An offering can be made to the plant, though it is important that it is suitable and does not harm the plant or wildlife around it. While sitting in a meditative state with the plant, attention should be paid to any messages that are received. These messages can be visual, auditory, kinaesthetic, or cognitive, and as such present themselves as seeing, hearing, feeling or knowing (Farmer, 2009).

Violas in my garden.

With time and patience, plant spirits can become allies who are willing to aid us in our endeavours. However, as with any relationship, there has to be some give and take, some reciprocity, and efforts should be made to maintain the relationship. With time, you may even be able to ask your plant spirit ally to perform certain tasks for you, such as warding your home for example (Sebastiani, 2017).

There are many ways to deepen our relationship with spirits and allies. So, in the spirit of making these alliances (terrible pun intended), why not challenge yourself to explore something different. May marks the beginning of the 30 Day Plant Spirit Ally Challenge, organised by Hagstone Publishing. I’m excited to try it!

References:
Baghramian, A. (2015). The Magic of Shamanism. Barcelona: Guid Publicaciones.
Farmer, S. D. (2009). Earth Magic: Ancient Shamanic Wisdom for Healing Yourself, Others and the Planet. London: Hay House UK Ltd.
Sebastiani, A. (2017). By Rust of Nail & Prick of Thorn: The Theory and Practice of Effective Home Warding. Smashwords Edition.