In her kitchen, root-laden pots and crocks of unguents crowd the tables; ancient formularies line the shelves. Bundles of odd-scented herbs hang from rafters, a steaming kettle simmers on the hearth. She breaks up a bunch of dried basil, mixes it with rose petals, lavender, vetivert, and myrtle. A pinch of this she places in the middle of a red square of silk. She adds a small piece of copper for Venus, ruler of love, and ties the cloth into a small bundle. This she puts on a shelf near the window to absorb the moonlight for seven days.

The ancient magic of root and bud, leaf and flower has always been the province of witch and healer, whose knowledge of the language of plants gives her the materials for helping or for harm. Wortcunning is traditionally gained after years of apprenticeship, during which the novice learns the lore of herbs and trees: where to find them, when to harvest, and how to draw on her inner vision to use each one--singly or combined with others--to work magic. Herb magic is intuitive, based in one of witchcraft's fundamental tenets--that everything in the universe is connected and created by one source of energy.

For early humans, no separation existed between magic and religion or between magic and medicine. As humans evolved, they experimented with the plantlife around them, learning which plants to eat, which to cure with, and which to avoid. Those plants that helped mediate the everyday maladies of the flesh were likely remembered and gathered by those in the tribe whose place it was to use them, and whose province they became. But the more debilitating diseases and death were different. Not born of any natural causes that early humans could understand, serious illnesses and death were thought to result from offenses to the gods or the work of demons. Herbal remedies were supplemented with incantations, spells, and prayers to the gods that the ill might be made well. Those plant-spell combinations that worked became the secret knowledge of the medicine men and women. As these spell-workings developed into ritual, they became the religious formulas for an evolving healer-priest class in a mosaic of cultures in which magic and medicine was one and the same.

In the minds of the common folk, plants came to represent and contain the power of the healing spells they witnessed. By the time of the earliest written records, herbs were a standard ingredient in magical practice. The common people, especially, used herbs in their spells and amulets because herbs were so easy to obtain, unlike the more specialized animal ingredients used by the temple priests. In fact, the early Greeks made little distinction between types of practitioners who used herbs. Witch, sorceress, herbalist, and poisoner alike could craft the herbal preparations called pharmaka, and all these practitioners were equally known as pharmakoi. Pharmaka were initially magical in function, and only later came to be more closely associated with medicines and healers. In Greek legend, the Thracian witches, who were said to howl their conjurations, were famous for their skill with herbs, especially in the compounding of deadly poisons. The powers to cure or to poison with herbs were seen as two of the many effects that herbal potions might have.

During the period in which the paths of medicine and magic diverged, the magical traditions of the Mediterranean lands and the Near East began to merge into an international magical practice incorporating rituals, gods, symbols, and words of power from many cultures. This period saw the proliferation of recorded magical spells and formulas. Of these texts on magic, perhaps the most interesting are the Greco-Egyptian papyri from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD. These papyri are, for the most part, the private notebooks of magicians, filled with recipes, instructions, hints, and ideas that were likely borrowed and adapted from the recipes of fellow magic workers, or created from scratch. This example from the Greek Magical Papyri of an herbal spell for protection calls for "sulfur and the seed of nile rushes" to be burned as incense to the Moon, as one chants "I call on You, Lady Isis, whom Agathos Daimon permitted to rule in the entire Black Land...." Also from the Greek Magical Papyri comes this Spell for Picking a Plant:

Use it before Sunrise. The Spell to be spoken: "I am picking you, such and such a plant, with my Five-fingered Hand, I, NN, and I am bringing you home so that you may work for me for a Certain Purpose. I adjure you by the Undefiled Name of the God: if you pay no Heed to me, the Earth which produced you will no longer be watered as far as you are concerned-- ever in Life again, if I fail in this Operation, MOUTHABAR NACH BARNACHO'CHA BRAEO' MENDA LAUBRAASSE PHASPHA BENDEO'; fulfil for me the Perfect Charm!"

The name of a plant often reflects the magical properties the plant possesses and how it came by those properties. In some cultures, it was believed that the soul inhabited trees or plants after physical death. In others, plants were imbued with their individual power by the gods, and stories of how plants came into existence flourished. Greek myth tells how Myrrha, pursued by her father, was pitied by the gods and turned into a tree, still weeping fragrant tears of myrrh. The scientific name for the reed is taken from the Acadian nymph Syrinx, who prayed to be turned into a reed to evade the pursuit of Pan; from that reed Pan created the pipes upon which he played his haunting melodies. The youth Narcissus, who pined away for love of his own reflection, became the flower by that name. The words narcissus and narcotic both come from the Greek root word narke-, meaning "stupor." In legend, Pluto used the intoxicating fragrance of the narcissus to daze Proserpine and carry her into the Underworld.

Plants were often named for their resemblances to other things. Thus we have such picturesque folk names for herbs as "fairy fingers" for foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), "graveyard dust" for mullein (Verbascum thapus), and "witches' hair" for dodder (Cuscuta glomurata). Naming a plant for its resemblance to part of an animal was quite common, giving us names like lamb's tongue, coltsfoot, and cranesbill.

Welcome to the World of Wortcunning ("herbal wisdom")! This is the old word used for the knowledge of the secret properties of herbs, and this has always been a particular study of the Wise. Wortcunning includes all aspects of herbal lore and plant magicks. This area also covers practical work—such as Gardening and Kitchen Witchery.

If you have been to these boards on Light & Shadows, you already have an idea of what is involved in Wortcunning. This is not a subject I can cover and have you learn everything in a two week period so this will be something that you will learn through doing as you progress through your path. This study will be mearly a 101 of Worcunning. There are so many things to learn I hardly know where to begin, but beings this is a magickal craft I will start with the properties of some basic plants that a witch usually is familiar with and does work with. Below is a short overview of a few. I advise you to copy them to your BoS to have handy in future use.

Alfalfa �?abundance, prosperity, money
Alkanet �?repel negativity, attract prosperity
Allspice �?money, luck, healing
Almond �?prosperity, success in business ventures
Aloe �?protection, luck, money, repel evil
Althea �?protection, psychic power, attract good spirits
Alyssum �?protection, calm anger
Amaranth �?healing, protection
Anemone �?health, protection, healing
Angelica �?protection, exorcism, remove curses and hexes, healing, visions
Anise �?sleep, protection, repel evil, purification, call in good spirits
Apple �?love, healing, garden blessing
Apricot �?love
Arabic Gum �?purification, spirituality
Arbutus �?exorcism, protection
Asafoetida �?purification, protection, exorcism
Ash �?prosperity, protection, healing, love
Aspen �?protection
Aster �?love
Avens �?exorcism, love, purification
Avocado �?beauty, love, lust

Bachelor’s Buttons �?love
Balm of Gilead �?protection, healing, love
Bamboo �?protection, luck, break hexes, wishes
Banana �?prosperity, fertility, potency
Banyan �?luck, happiness
Barley �?healing, protection, love
Basil �?exorcism, love, protection, prosperity, wealth
Bay �?psychic powers, protection, healing, purification, strength
Bean �?love, protection, exorcism
Beech �?creativity, wishes
Beet �?love
Belladonna �?(TOXIC) visions, astral protection
Benzoin �?purification, prosperity
Be-Still - (TOXIC) luck
Birch �?purification, protection, exorcism
Bistort �?fertility, psychic powers
Bittersweet - (TOXIC) protection, healing
Black Cohosh �?courage, love, protection, potency
Black Hellebore - (TOXIC) invisibility, exorcism, astral projection
Black Snakeroot �?love, lust, money
Blackberry �?healing, protection, prosperity, money
Bladderwrack �?psychic powers, protection, money
Bleeding Heart �?love
Blessed Thistle �?protection, animal healing
Bloodroot �?(TOXIC) love, purification, protection
Bluebell �?luck, truth
Blueberry �?protection
Blue Flag �?(TOXIC) money, wealth, success in business
Bodhi �?wisdom, fertility, protection, meditation
Boneset �?protection, exorcism
Borage �?courage, psychic powers
Bracken �?protection, healing, fertility, prophetic dreams
Brazil Nut �?love
Briony �?protection, money
Bromeliad �?protection, money
Broom �?(TOXIC) protection, purification, divination
Buchu �?prophetic dreams, psychic powers
Buckeye �?luck, divination, money, wealth, prosperity
Buckthorn �?protection, exorcism, wishes, legal matters
Buckwheat �?protection, money
Burdock �?protection, healing

Cabbage �?luck
Cactus �?protection
Calamus �?(TOXIC) luck, protection, healing, money
Camellia �?prosperity, wealth, luxury
Camphor �?healing, divination
Caper �?lust, love, potency
Caraway �?protection, lust, healing, mental powers, repel negativity
Cardamon �?lust, love
Carnation �?protection, strength, healing
Carob �?protection, health

Carrot �?fertility, lust
Cascara Sagrada �?protection, money, legal matters
Cashew �?prosperity, money
Castor �?(TOXIC) protection, repel negativity
Catnip �?love, beauty, happiness, power, courage
Cat Tail �?lust
Cedar �?healing, purification, money, protection
Celandine �?joy, protection, happiness, escape, legal matters
Celery �?lust, psychic powers, mental clarity, concentration
Chamomile �?purification, tranquility, money, sleep, love, luck, meditation
Cherry �?love, divination
Chestnut �?love
Chickweed �?love, fidelity
Chicory �?favors, frugality, remove obstacles
Chili Pepper �?fidelity, love, break hexes
China Berry �?(TOXIC) luck
Chrysanthemum �?protection
Cinchona �?protection, luck
Cinnamon �?prosperity, success, spirituality, healing, lust, protection, love, psychic powers, passion
Cinquefoil �?money, protection, sleep, prophetic dreams
Citron �?healing, psychic powers
Cloth-of-Gold �?animal communication
Clove �?protection, exorcism, purification, love, money, mental clarity
Clover �?success, protection, money, exorcism, love, fidelity, consecration
Club Moss �?protection, power
Coconut �?purification, protection
Coltsfoot �?love, psychic visions, healing, wealth, prosperity
Columbine �?courage, love
Comfrey �?healing, safe travel, money
Copal �?love, purification
Coriander �?love, health, healing
Corn �?divination, protection, luck
Cotton �?luck, healing, protection
Cowslip �?youth, healing
Crocus �?love, visions
Cubeb �?love
Cuckoo-Flower �?love, fertility
Cucumber �?healing, fertility
Cumin �?exorcism, protection
Curry �?protection, exorcism
Cyclamen �?fertility, protection, happiness, lust
Cypress �?healing, protection, comfort, longevity

Daffodil �?love, luck, fertility
Daisy �?love, lust
Damiana �?divination, love, lust, sex magick, dreams, visions, psychic powers
Dandelion �?purification, divination, wishes, calling spirits
Date Palm �?potency, fertility
Datura �?(TOXIC) protection, sleep, break hexes
Deerstongue �?lust, psychic powers
Devil’s Bit �?love, protection, luck, exorcism
Devil’s Shoestring �?protection, luck, gambling, power, employment
Dill �?protection, money, love, lust
Dittany of Crete �?manifestations, astral projection
Dock �?money, healing, fertility
Dodder �?love divination, knot magic
Dogbane �?love
Dogwood �?protection, wishes
Dragon’s Blood �?power, protection, exorcism, potency, love
Dulse �?harmony, lust
Dutchman’s Breeches �?love

Ebony �?protection, power
Echinacea �?strengthening spells, health
Elder �?protection, exorcism, healing, prosperity, sleep
Elecampane �?love, protection, psychic powers
Elm �?protection, love
Endive �?love, lust
Eryngo �?peace, love, lust, traveler’s luck
Eucalyptus �?healing, protection
Euphorbia �?(TOXIC) protection, purification
Eyebright �?joy, psychic powers, mental clarity

Fennel �?protection, exorcism, healing, purification, virility
Fenugreek �?prosperity, wealth, money
Fern �?protection, luck, riches, health, exorcism
Feverfew �?protection
Fig �?divination, fertility, love
Figwort �?protection, health
Flax �?luck, money, protection, purification, beauty, psychic powers, healing, health
Fleabane �?exorcism, protection
Foxglove �?(TOXIC) protection
Fragrant Bedstraw - love
Frankincense �?exorcism, purification, protection, spirituality
Fumitory �?money, exorcism
Fuzzy Weed �?love

Galangal �?protection, legal matters, lust, health, money, psychic powers, break hexes
Gardenia �?love, peace, healing, spirituality
Garlic �?protection, healing, health, exorcism, lust
Gentian �?power, love, break hexes
Geranium �?health, love, protection, fertility
Giant Vetch - fidelity
Ginger �?love, money, success, power
Ginseng �?longevity, sexual potency, protection, healing, love, lust, wishes, beauty
Goat's Rue �?healing, health
Goldenrod �?prosperity, money, divination
Goldenseal �?money, healing
Gorse �?protection, money
Gotu Kola �?meditation
Gourd �?protection
Grain �?protection
Grains of Paradise �?love, lust, luck, money, wishes
Grape �?mental clarity, money, fertility
Grass �?psychic powers, protection
Ground Ivy �?divination
Groundsel �?health, healing

Hawthorn �?happiness, fertility
Hazel �?luck, fertility, protection, wishes
Heather �?luck, protection
Heliotrope �?(TOXIC) exorcism, prophetic dreams, healing, wealth
Hemlock �?(TOXIC) astral projection, diminish libido, power, purification
Hemp �?healing, love, visions, meditation
Henbane �?(TOXIC) love
Henna �?healing, health, love
Hibiscus �?love, lust, divination
Hickory �?legal matters
High John the Conqueror �?(TOXIC) strength, confidence, health, love, money, success, happiness, break hexes
Holy Thistle �?purification, break hexes
Holly �?protection, luck, dream magic
Honesty �?money, protection
Honeysuckle �?protection, money, psychic powers
Hops �?healing, sleep
Horehound �?exorcism, healing, purification, protection, mental clarity, balance
Horse Chestnut �?(TOXIC) healing, money
Horseradish �?exorcism, purification
Horsetail �?fertility
Houseleek �?love, luck, protection
Huckleberry �?protection, luck, dream magic, break hexes
Hyacinth �?love, protection, happiness
Hydrangea �?break hexes
Hyssop �?healing, protection, purification

Indian Paint Brush �?love
Iris �?purification, wisdom
Irish Moss �?luck, money, protection
Ivy �?protection, healing

Jasmine �?divination, love, money, prophetic dreams
Job's Tears �?luck, wishes, healing
Joe-Pye Weed �?love, respect
Juniper �?protection, love, exorcism, health

Kava Kava �?lust, protection while traveling, astral projection, visions, luck
Knotweed �?health, binding spells, protection

Lady's Mantle �?love
Lady's Slipper �?protection
Larch �?protection
Larkspur �?protection, health
Lavendar �?protection, call in good spirits, love, sleep, longevity, purification, happiness, peace, healing
Leek �?exorcism, love, protection
Lemon �?purification, love, friendship, longevity
Lemon Balm �?love, success, healing
Lemon Verbena �?protection, purification, love, power
Lemongrass �?psychic powers, mental clarity, lust
Lettuce �?love divination, sleep, protection
Licorice �?love, lust, fidelity
Life-Everlasting �?health, healing, longevity
Lilac �?exorcism, protection, purification
Lily �?protection, exorcism, repel negativity, truth, break love spells
Lily of the Valley �?(TOXIC) mental clarity, happiness
Lime �?healing, love, protection
Linden �?healing, protection, luck, love, sleep
Liquidamber �?protection
Liverwort �?love
Lobelia �?(TOXIC) healing, love
Loosestrife �?peace, protection
Lotus �?protection, spirituality
Lovage �?love, attraction
Love Seed �?love, friendship
Lucky Hand �?protection, luck, money, travel, employment

Mace �?psychic powers, mental clarity
Maguey �?lust
Magnolia �?fidelity
Maidenhair �?beauty, love
Male Fern �?luck, love
Mallow �?love, protection, exorcism
Mandrake �?(TOXIC) potency, exorcism, protection, fertility, money, love, health
Maple �?money, longevity, love
Marigold �?prophetic dreams, protection, legal matters, psychic powers
Marjoram �?protection, love, happiness, health, money
Masterwort �?protection, strength, courage
Mastic �?psychic powers, lust
May Apple �?(TOXIC) money
Meadow Rue �?love, divination
Meadowsweet �?love, divination, peace, happiness
Mesquite �?healing
Mimosa �?love, protection, prophetic dreams, purification
Mint �?exorcism, protection, money, lust, healing, travel
Mistletoe �?(TOXIC) healing, protection, love, fertility, health, exorcism
Molukka �?protection
Moonwort �?love, money
Morning Glory �?(TOXIC) peace, happiness
Moss �?luck, money
Mugwort �?astral projection, strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, healing
Mulberry �?protection, strength
Mullein �?exorcism, health, protection, courage, love divination, calling spirits
Mustard �?fertility, protection, mental clarity
Myrrh �?spirituality, purification, protection, healing, exorcism
Myrtle �?peace, money, love, youth, fertility

Nettle �?exorcism, protection, healing, lust
Nutmeg �?protection, money, health, luck, fidelity, break hexes
Nuts �?fertility, prosperity, love, luck

Oak �?protection, health, money, healing, potency, fertility, luck
Oats �?money
Oleander �?(TOXIC) love
Olive �?healing, peace, fertility, potency, protection, lust
Onion �?exorcism, healing, protection, purification, money, prophetic dreams, lust
Orange �?love, divination, luck, money
Orange Bergamot �?prosperity, success
Orchid �?love, psychic powers
Oregon Grape �?money
Orris �?divination, protection, love, prosperity, money

Pansy �?love, divination
Papaya �?protection, love, wishes
Papyrus �?protection
Parsley �?purification, protection, lust
Passion Flower �?peace, sleep, friendships prosperity, increase libido
Patchouly �?money, fertility, lust, break hexes
Pea �?money, love
Peach �?exorcism, love, fertility, wishes, longevity
Pear �?love, lust
Pecan �?money, employment
Pennyroyal �?exorcism, consecration, strength, protection, peace
Peony �?exorcism, protection, purification
Pepper �?exorcism, protection
Peppermint �?purification, sleep, love, healing, psychic powers
Pepper Tree �?protection, purification, healing
Periwinkle �?(TOXIC) protection, money, love, lust, mental clarity
Persimmon �?healing, luck
Pilot Weed �?protection
Pimento �?love
Pimpernel �?protection, health
Pine �?protection, exorcism, money, healing, fertility
Pineapple �?luck, money
Pipsissewa �?money, calling in good spirits
Pistachio �?breaking love spells
Plaintain �?protection, healing, strength
Plum �?protection, love
Plumeria �?(TOXIC) love
Poke �?(TOXIC) courage, break hexes
Pomegranate �?divination, luck, wealth, wishes, fertility
Poplar �?money, astral projection
Poppy �?fertility, love, sleep, money, luck
Potato �?healing
Prickly Ash �?love
Primrose �?protection, love
Purslane �?protection, love, happiness, luck, sleep

Quassia �?love
Quince �?protection, love, happiness

Radish �?protection, lust
Ragweed �?courage
Ragwort �?protection
Raspberry �?healing, visions, protection, love
Rattlesnake Root �?protection, money
Rhubarb �?health, protection, fidelity
Rice �?protection, money, fertility
Roots �?protection, divination, power
Rose �?beauty, protection, purification, love, psychic powers, healing, divination, peace
Rose Hips �?healing, luck, call in good spirits
Rosemary �?exorcism, protection, purification, healing, love, lust, mental clarity, sleep, youth
Rowan �?protection, success, psychic powers, healing, power
Rue �?exorcism, protection, purification, break hexes, health, mental clarity, healing
Rye �?love, fidelity

Saffron �?love, lust, healing, strength, happiness, psychic powers
Sage �?purification, protection, wisdom, longevity, wishes
Sagebrush �?exorcism, protection, purification
St. John’s Wort �?(TOXIC) exorcism, protection, courage, strength, happiness, health, love divination
Sandalwood �?protection, exorcism, purification, wishes, healing, spirituality

Sarsaparilla �?love, money
Sassafras �?money, health, healing
Scullcap �?peace, love, fidelity
Senna �?love
Sesame �?money, success in business, lust
Shallot �?purification
Skunk Cabbage �?good fortune, legal matters
Sloe �?exorcism, protection, banish negative energy/entities
Snakeroot �?money, luck, break hexes
Snapdragon �?protection, break hexes
Solomon's Seal �?love, exorcism, protection
Southernwood �?love, lust, protection
Spanish Moss �?protection
Spearmint �?healing, love, mental clarity
Spiderwort �?love
Spikenard �?health, fidelity
Squill �?protection, money, break hexes
Star Anise �?psychic powers, luck
Stillengia �?psychic powers
Straw �?luck
Strawberry �?love, luck
Sugar Cane �?love, lust
Sumbul �?psychic powers, love, luck, health
Summer Savory �?mental clarity and strength
Sunflower �?wisdom, health, wishes, fertility, happiness
Sweetgrass �?calling in good spirits
Sweetpea �?strength, courage, friendship

Tamarind �?love
Tamarisk �?exorcism, protection
Tansy �?healing, health, longevity
Tea �?strength, courage, prosperity, riches
Thistle �?exorcism, protection, healing, strength, break hexes
Thyme �?purification, courage, healing, health, psychic powers, sleep
Ti �?protection, healing
Toadflax �?protection, break hexes
Tobacco �?(TOXIC) healing, purification, offerings
Tomato �?protection, prosperity, love
Tonka �?(TOXIC) courage, love, money, wishes
Tormentil �?protection, love
Trillium �?love, luck, money
Tulip �?protection, prosperity, love
Turmeric �?purification
Turnip �?protection, endings, banish negativity

Uva Ursa �?(TOXIC) psychic powers

Valerian �?protection, purification, love, sleep
Vanilla �?love, lust, mental clarity
Venus Flytrap �?protection, love
Vervain �?sleep, protection, purification, love, money, peace, healing
Vetivert �?love, luck, money, break hexes
Violet �?protection, healing, love, lust, luck, wishes, peace

Wahoo �?(TOXIC) courage, success, break hexes
Walnut �?health, mental clarity, wishes
Wax Plant �?protection, power
Wheat �?money, fertility
White Willow Bark �?healing, blessings, binding

Wild Plum - healing
Willow �?protection, healing, love, divination
Wintergreen �?protection, healing, break hexes
Winter's Bark �?success
Witch Grass �?exorcism, happiness, love, lust
Witch Hazel �?protection
Wolf's Bane �?(TOXIC) protection
Wood Betony �?love, purification, protection
Wood Rose �?luck
Wood Sorrel �?healing, health
Woodruff �?protection, money, victory
Wormwood �?(TOXIC) exorcism, protection, love, psychic powers, calling spirits, protection while traveling

Yarrow �?healing, divination, exorcism, protection, courage, love, psychic powers
Yerba Mate �?love, lust, fidelity
Yerba Santa �?protection, healing, psychic powers, beauty
Yew �?(TOXIC) raising the dead
Yohimbe �?(TOXIC) love, lust
Yucca �?protection, purification, transmutation