nature based religions and spells part 1?

Question

is the use of plants and herbs etc the basis for most spells and healing practises in Wicca etc ?

feel free to elaborate if you wish xx

Answer 1

It depends on what you want to work with. Herbs are the most proven among shamanic traditions as far as healing is concerned so I recommend them. Far quicker effect than other methods, short of general medicine, BUT you must understand herbs in such a way that you are aware of their side effects AND any "drug"/herb interactions... many herbs DO interact with medications and other herbs in a way that could kill you or your "patient"... EDUCATE then use and keep a handy herb/drug interaction guide on hand. YOU HAVE to know what you're doing or people can die.

_()_

Answer 2

The basis for magick in ANY style (I myself am an ex-Wiccan, former Ceremonial Magus, present Black Magick/Chaos Theory Practitioner with Satanist Philosophy and Intention) is your intention. I have, in fact, received better results with my most recent style - just thoughts. As a Wiccan, I would have used the usual, Circle, Ingredients, Utensils, Spell, Unbind and as a Ceremonial Magus, more or less the above (just more dangerous!!!!) although I felt my success was severely limited by the above - Im happiest simply using Direct Magick (for more info on Direct Magick - and extremely useful skill - http://www.angelfire.com/mi3/tomekeeper/index.html ) Hence, proving that the basis is in fact, Intention. Or at least, subconscious intention (though thats a COMPLETELY different ball-game!). Which method suits you depends on your opinion and disposition, but I recommend trying out different styles before devoting yourself. I would have regretted not changing - and Ive tried a MYRIAD of magick-s. Just keep a journal of all ur spells, successes and failures, and see judge which ur best at. Then devote youself to it. Remember, magick is a life-long path - not just a hobbyas some white-lighters may see it (:P). Good luck, I wish you the best.

Answer 3

From my knowledge, plants and herbs are used in achieving different mind states, meditational states. I'm not going to say my way is good, and i am not really religious, but you did use the word spells, so im going to answer anyway (even if you think im bad or evil lol).

Any and everything you use in spells are merely ways to connect to the 'magical' part of your brain which then connects to your inner self, soul or the God or Goddess inside of you. You can cast spells without using any props, it's called empty hand magick. Healing/creating is much harder than destroying, thats for sure.

Answer 4

not necessarily. A spell is technically driving your thoughts and desires towards a specific goal. A spell doesn't even need to be said out aloud or made into a gesture, but the more things done to affirm or focus the desire the powerful it is believed to be. Hence why people invoke deities, rhyme, use crystals or colours or phases of the planets or moon, and also herbs. Herbs provide a conenction to the power in the earth but also the smell or taste allows a connection beyond sight and touch, it focuses the senses towards the energies you're trying to invoke.

Answer 5

Spells are a way of directing intent and energy not unlike prayer.
The use of herbs and such help us to focus on that intent, and of course every thing has it's own energy.

Plant life in healing practices is a bit different, as some herbs actually do have chemical properties that assist healing. Like white willow bark, or aspirin as most people know it.

Answer 6

Yes-ish. Spells really come from your intention and belief in it. The herbs, tools, and words all are just things that focus your energy into a specific goal. It's all about shifting your mind into a magickal mode, a psychic second gear. Herbs also have chemical properties, but that is more of a homeopathic thing than a Wiccan thing.

Answer 7

Well, I'm not wiccan, but I do practice a nature-based spiritual path.. the use of plants/herbs is both medicinal and magical. Plants resonate with their own energy, and that's what we work with magically. Plants also have healing properties, as modern medical practioners will tell you.. we get our medicines from plants (some are now synthetically manufactured) originally.

I hope this answers your question.
Hugs,
Kallan

Answer 8

Plants and herbs, yes. After that, fire - the second most important thing to primitive man, I'm certain.

Really, all the "ingredients" in our spells were important to early man. Herbs, plants, stones, fire, water. The only reason we don't use animal hide, I'm sure, is because we've evolved the concept of humane treatment.

Answer 9

There are MANY disciplines within magickal traditions, but they are not necessarily the basis for "most" spells. They do play a part in many spells, particularly the more complicated ones.

There is candle magick, color magick, rope/cord/knot magick, astral magick, evocations, and many more that are somewhat independent studies, but even so, these spells will often use plants to enhance and/or direct magickal energies.

Answer 10

Yes! Under the wildlife and countryside act, it is now illegal for practitioners to collect snakes, frogs, toads, newts,any mammal, bird,reptile, insect, or amphibian. Together with a shortage of virgins nationwide, it looks like a lean year !