Ritually Harvesting & Using Herbs

Ritually Harvesting Materia

When we buy herbs that have already been processed, dried, and stored for us, it can be easy to forget that those bits of plant were once part of a whole plant body that was rooted within the soil- vibrant and alive. Harvesting yourself, however, is an invitation to see the herbs in their fullest form, and to participate in the process of their gifting. The very act of harvesting itself kindles a connection to the miracle of growth; we cannot help but be inspired by the creative force in nature. Gathering directly from the ground with our own hands gives birth to a desire deep within ourselves not only to appreciate our Plant Allies who are gifting themselves to us, but also to create a kindred beauty and not squander their gift.

Find a suitable specimen- either out in the world (Wild Harvesting), or in your own garden. When you have found it, praise HaShem for its creation of such a perfect being. Next, to call its Spirit forth, circle the plant with a bell three times, then give it one sharp ding above the plant.

The most important thing before harvesting is to both give offerings and gain consent. To do this, sit with the plant for a moment. Close your eyes and take a couple deep breaths to calm and center yourself. Then open your heart and invite a plant you to be present with you. When you are comfortable that a connection has been established between you and the plant's Spirit, begin your adorations; sing Psalms and Blessings to the plant. Praise them. Tell them of their beauty, and of what kinds of magic and medicine you'd like to make with them. While doing so, provide offerings of plant materia and water.

When it comes time, ask permission to take what you need, and allow the answer to come to you.

As you harvest, as they say in carpentry: "Measure twice, cut once"; Be clear about what you're about to do. Before you harvest, however, it is preferable that you learn about the best practices for harvesting and pruning various parts of plants, so as to cause the least amount of damage to the whole plant. When taking, make clean cut with a sharp knife. Clean the blade with strong alcohol or an appropriate belach solution after each use (especially between plants). And never take more than you need from a plant, whether in your garden or wild harvested.

Dark (wild and poison path) plants should be harvested at night, with the right (lunar) hand during the dark moon. Bright (cultivated and healing) plants should be harvested during the day, with the left (solar) hand on the full moon. All harvesting should be done barefoot and in complete silence. Once harvested, the materia should be wrapped in a special cloth meant for that purpose, and safely stowed. No portion which touches the ground after harvesting should be used, as its energy has already escaped back into the Earth.

Using Ritually Harvested Materia

Making plant based products from such materia, where the plant is the sum of the ingredients, should be done at an Altar dedicated specifically to that purpose, with tools blessed for such workings. Doing so aids in keeping the energies better focused, and honors both the process, and the plants used in the preparations.

When it comes time to make such preparations, the materia first needs to be reawakened; through harvesting we have unplugged the plants from their bodies, and from the soil, and dried them- reducing their spiritual and metaphysical energies. The waking process resaturates them with life energy that allows them to perform the work required of them. To do so, close your eyes and begin to rub your hands together, bringing all of your awareness to your hands. Let your hands occupy the whole of your consciousness- feeling them begin to buzz, hum, tingle, or otherwise take on some special sensation as the energy collects there. When you feel sufficient energy has been gathered, begin to run your fingers through the herbs, allowing your energy to mingle with theirs and saturating them with your energy.

Continue this until you feel as if the materia has taken on all the energy it can take. You should receive a small energetic pushback, or experience a full feeling, when this point has been reached. Do not stop, however. Gather your intention at this point and charge the herbs and give them one last final push of energy that carries this intention to them, intil you feel as if they are about to "burst" with energy; our intentions play an integral role in the preparation-making process by helping to direct the fullness of a plant's metaphysical and spiritual energies towards the ideal purpose of the work.

Remove a small portion (maybe a pinch worth) of the materia and set it aside within the Green Vessel. You may now complete the preparation.