Marigold (Calendula officinalis) Marigold is an annual bedding plant with lots of different varieties (different species) but all gold, yellow and orange flowers that have a strong scent. It is said that slugs don’t like the taste…whoever said it was lying…I have the proof. Marigold is my plant of choice whenever I am putting together any spells or incense blends for psychic powers. Put marigold flowers under your bed to ensure a good sleep and keep away nightmares and invi

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) A perennial plant with feathery dark green leaves and heads of white or occasionally pink flowers during summer and early autumn, it can be found on roadsides and in meadows. Achilles used yarrow as a field dressing for the wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan war, he obviously didn’t have enough left to use on his heel… The herb was often referred to as the Devil’s plaything and indeed during the 17th Century a woman was tried as a witch for

Carnation (Dianthus carphyllus) Probably one of the most common bunches of flowers purchased from supermarkets and petrol stations. They come in all sorts of colour variations and the flowers in a vase last for a long period of time. Carnation for me is THE healing flower (used in the Middle Ages to ease fever). Wear a carnation in your lapel to bring about personal courage you could also add carnation petals to an amulet or charm. You all know the idea about going on a bl

Geranium (Pelargonium maculatum/P.odoratissimum/Hortorum) Traditionally a witch would grow red geraniums in the garden to ward off negative energies and warn when visitors were coming. I have the vision in my head of the flowers in Alice in Wonderland, all turning and shouting to the witch that ‘visitors are on the way’. And before I have all the horticulturists on at me – geranium is a common name we use for the bedding plants we are familiar with, but they are actually of

Rose (Rosa spp) We must all be familiar with the rose, whether it is as a bush, a climber or in a bunch of flowers. It is a perennial with more varieties and colours than you can shake a stick at. The flowers bloom between May and September and are followed by rosehips. You can also find certain varieties growing in the wild. I have several rose bushes and climbers in my garden and dry all the petals, which is incredibly easy, I sprinkle the petals on a large tray and leav

Poppy (Papaver spp) An annual plant the wild poppy has bright red flowers that continue to bloom throughout the summer, the cultivated varieties come in all sorts of colours, and I have orange ones in my garden which I like to use in success workings (orange being the colour of success). Whenever I think of poppies I am reminded of the scene in the Wizard of Oz where the poppy field makes them all go to sleep so it works well in any workings for insomnia and to help with a re

Grass (Graminoids) Yep grass…the green stuff you have in your lawn, on roadsides, in the park…well pretty much everywhere really – I know it might seem common and boring but it still has magical properties. If you have the patience you can ‘weave’ a ball of grass and hang it up in your home to provide protection you can also plait the longer stems to make witches ladders. Use long blades of grass for knot magic. Use grass in incense blends to increase your psychic powers and

Columbine/Aquilegia (Aquilegia Canadensis, Aquilegia vulgaris) Perennial plants found in fields and meadows, I have them in my garden and they self seed everywhere. The Latin word for eagle is ‘aquila’ which reflects the shape of the flower petals as they resemble an eagle’s claw. Columbine comes from the Latin word for ‘dove’ as the flower looks like five doves all sitting together (honestly it does…go have a look). Although the plant corresponds to the element of wate

Pansy (Viola tricolor) A perennial plant but often grown as annuals the pansy is a beautifully happy bright and colourful flower coming in all sorts of colours. Place pansies on your altar to help you focus and find your direction. Use pansies in all love magical workings, they can help strengthen and deepen love and also attract new love to you. Use in rain magic spells. Folklore says that picking a pansy on a sunny day will cause it to rain…but I’ve also seen the suggestio

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis, Dicentra formosa) You can find this in garden centres in the UK and it makes a nice perennial herbaceous border plant, the flowers hang like pendulums from the stalk in a row and are heart shaped. The fact that the flowers are heart shaped makes them perfect for any kind of love magic. Bleeding Heart Magical Properties: Love Ruling planet – Venus Element – Water Gender – Feminine Taken from A Kitchen Witch's World of Magical Plants & Herb