Knowing intimately the secret life of plants and trees—not just biologically, but spiritually, and even emotionally–is the true path of the green witch.
Green magic is fundamentally the respectful study of the vibrant, lush, breathing natural world.
Don’t know where to start? We recommend you begin by going outside. 🙂
Here’s 9 plants and herbs to look for.
Oak
If you never climbed into the strong, graceful arms of a 100-year-old oak tree as a child, find one as an adult and try it now.
The power and the majesty of an old oak captivates anyone quiet enough to notice their silent grandeur.
Use oak leaves in spells and rituals for wisdom, enlightenment, or to connect with your elders.
Moss
Where moss grows, the forest floor comes alive.
Thriving in the deepest shade, this plant’s creative power emerges with very small amounts of light.
Grow moss in the parts of your garden where nothing else will.
This plant brightens darkness and makes a lovely habitat for the spirits of the woodlands.
Lavender
Use lavender to bring out natural beauty, promote insightful dreams and unwind at the end of the day.
Add a few drops of its essential oil into your bathwater or an oil diffuser at night before you go to bed.
Or, add it to your unscented body oil and anoint yourself to bring out your natural beauty.
Ferns
Everywhere ferns grow, so too does the local folklore around them.
The Celts believed fairies dwelled beneath their thick, low canopies..
English poets composed entire sonnets in awe of their enchanted beauty.
Grow ferns in the home to invite magic inside and purify your space. Ferns grown indoors neutralize the toxic technological vibes given off by screens and electronics.
Mint
Every gardener knows mint digs in and takes over.
Mint’s magical properties mirror its tenacity and abundance.
Use it in spells for prosperity, determination, and to calm stressful emotions.
Mugwort
Doesn’t the name just sound like something you toss in a cauldron with frog legs and baby fat?
mugwort promotes clairvoyance or “third sight.” Store your tarot cards or runes with some dried mugwort to charge them with psychic vibes.
Or, use it in your dream work to compliment next-level sleep sessions.
Willow
This dreamy, painterly tree thrives near rivers and lakes. It is powerfully associated with moon cycles and freshwater tides.
Willow is sacred to Hekate, the Greek goddess of witchcraft and sorcery.
Sit beneath a willow tree for meditation, use its branches to make wands, or pour water on its roots as an offering to balance emotions and restore spiritual wellbeing.
Aloe
Your mother probably kept this spikey plant on her kitchen window to rub on your burns when you foolishly ignored her warnings about getting too close to the stove.
Or, maybe that’s just why they stick out in my childhood memory. 🙂
These same medicinal properties translate well into aloe’s magical uses.
Include aloe in magical salves, ointments, and potions to soothe flared tempers and cool anxious worries.
Sources & References
Claims Based on Documented Sources
- Green magic as respectful study of natural world: Documented in green witch philosophy
- Oak for wisdom and enlightenment: Documented in tree magic correspondence
- Oak connecting with elders: Documented in plant symbolism tradition
- Moss thriving in deep shade: Documented in botanical/ecological knowledge
- Moss creating woodland habitat: Documented in nature magic and fairy tradition
- Lavender for natural beauty: Documented in herbal correspondence
- Lavender for dream promotion: Documented in herbal magic tradition
- Lavender essential oil use: Documented in aromatherapy and herbal practice
- Ferns in Celtic folklore and fairy belief: Documented in cultural folklore
- Ferns in English poetry tradition: Documented in literary history
- Ferns neutralizing technology: Documented in contemporary air purification belief
- Mint for prosperity: Documented in herb magic correspondence
- Mint for determination: Documented in herbal symbolism
- Mint for stress relief: Documented in herbal properties
- Mugwort promoting clairvoyance: Documented in herbal divination tradition
- Mugwort charging tarot/runes: Documented in contemporary spell-craft
- Mugwort in dream work: Documented in herbal sleep magic
- Willow near water: Documented in botanical habitat and tree magic
- Willow and moon cycles: Documented in lunar correspondence
- Willow sacred to Hekate: Documented in goddess correspondence
- Aloe in magical salves: Documented in herbal potion tradition
- Aloe for soothing energy: Documented in herbal correspondence
Claims Based on Personal Practice & Experience
- 20+ years experience with modern pagan community (Lumina Indigo)
- Professional tarot reader and kitchen witch expertise (Lumina Indigo)
- Personal garden and plant knowledge (Lumina Indigo)
- Professional review (Tina Caro)
Recommended Reading
- Green witch philosophy and practice
- Tree and plant magic correspondence
- Herbal magic and witchcraft
- Fairy and woodland folklore
- Moon and water magic
- Dream work and divination herbs
- Goddess correspondence and worship
- Salve and potion making
About the Author
Written by Lumina Indigo (Moody Moons founder, est. 2012), specializing in in-depth research on modern spirituality. With 20+ years of pagan community experience, Lumina is a professional tarot reader and kitchen witch. Reviewed by Tina Caro.
Note
Green magic fundamentally respectful study of natural world’s vibrant, lush, breathing energy. Nine essential plants/herbs: Oak—wisdom, enlightenment, elder connection; climb ancient trees to experience silent grandeur; use leaves in spells/rituals. Moss—thrives in deep shade; creative power emerging with minimal light; grow in garden darkness; brightens shade areas; creates woodland spirit habitat. Lavender—natural beauty enhancement; promotes insightful dreams; unwinding aid; add essential oil to bathwater/diffuser/body oil for anointment. Ferns—Celtic fairy dwelling tradition; English poetic enchantment; grow indoors to invite magic/purify space; neutralize technology toxins from screens/electronics. Mint—tenacious grower mirroring abundance magic; prosperity/determination spells; calms stressful emotions. Mugwort—promotes clairvoyance/”third sight”; store with tarot cards/runes for psychic charging; dream work enhancement; cauldron-worthy name. Willow—dreamy riverside tree; powerful Moon cycle association; sacred to Hekate (witchcraft/sorcery goddess); meditation beneath; wand-making; water offerings for emotional balance/spiritual restoration. Aloe—medicinal burn remedy translates magically; include in salves/ointments/potions to soothe flared tempers and cool anxious worries. Foundation: go outside; respectful study of plants’ biological, spiritual, emotional secret lives; this is true green witch path.
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