Working With The Cycle Of The Seasons Plant Magic

Today we have the luxury of buying what we want whenever we want; however, change is afoot in the mundane world with a movement that focuses on seasonal and local food. For Pagans and Wiccans, this goes hand-in-hand with a spirituality that celebrates the seasonal wheel of the year.

While we use plants for a range of magical purposes, they do not always coincide with the cycle of the green world around us. Granted, we can dry and store plants for later use as people have done for thousands of years, but how many of us know when to gather cinquefoil, sweet woodruff, or haws? Do we even know where to look for mullein or snake root? Oh, what would those wise folk of the past think of us?

The easiest and most effective way to begin is to observe what is going on in your garden and in the wild areas around where you live. Even in cities there are parks and trees, and don’t overlook the weeds that sprout from sidewalk cracks. Now, let’s start with a brief stroll through the year to see what we may find for magic as we work with the seasons.

For many of us, the year starts out cold and often snowy. While there is not much to do in the garden or find in the wild, house-plants can be the focus of our plant magic. The popular and unassuming spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a powerhouse. Representing the element air, it absorbs negativity while improving and lifting the energy of our homes. It actually helps to filter the air, too. A spider plant with babies, or “spiderettes,” symbolizes fertility and abundance. Hang it in the bedroom if you are planning on a pregnancy or in the kitchen to invite prosperity to your house.

In early spring, signs that the earth is awakening become visible as the bonds of winter are loosened. Known for its chalice-shaped flowers, the crocus (Crocus spp.) is a signal that the wheel of the year has turned toward warmth. Place one or two dried crocus flowers in a small sachet to carry as a love charm or keep the sachet by your bedside at night to banish nightmares. Crumble a dried leaf into a powder and sprinkle it on an incense charcoal before divination to enhance your session.