It is generally understood that we create our own reality from the quality of our thoughts and emotions, but this is only one form of magick, which is most suited to humans, as our greatest tools are our desire, imagination and expectation. However, when dealing with plants, we are working with a completely different type of consciousness, therefore we will need to embrace some different forms of magick. There are two in particular we will need: resonance magick and co-creation magick. 

Resonance Magick

Resonance is about understanding the vibrational nature of energy, and how waves affect each other. Our normal measurement of power by force no longer works, as waves do not push each other along; they simply blend and create new wave patterns. We can start to apply this to our own process of creation by seeing our overall life pattern as a complex standing wave pattern. Trying to change it by force doesn’t work; it will always create new, unexpected patterns we often describe as karma. If, instead, we consider the many different waves that have combined to create our life pattern, and we remove just one of those waves, the whole standing wave pattern collapses and rearranges into a new pattern. Adding new resonant patterns will also change the overall wave pattern. 

Various natural elements hold strong positive resonant energies that can be very useful to us – herbs and crystals being the most obvious. One secret of plant magick is to pick plants that provide just the right resonance to shift your energy pattern in the direction you want it.  Can this be as effective as hard work and struggle towards our goals? Actually, it’s how evolution occurs. Whenever a being is overwhelmed by too much input from its environment, it breaks down and reorganises at a more complex level. The new form is now able to handle the input from its environment easily, and is non-linear and non-causal with the form that was before: i.e. we make complete changes to ourselves and our lives without the need to know how. We are changed on a profound level by the resonances from our environment. This should give you some idea of the vast potential of allowing natural resonance to change you, if you just let go and don’t try to control the process. 

Co-creation Magick

Co-creation is a power that is between, through and beyond the individuals co-creating, and is far more than the sum of the parts. It is often said that the highest truth is that we create our own reality, but this isn’t quite true: we co-create our reality. There are always other consciousnesses having a say in how our creation turns out; from spirits, ancestors, other people and also from plants and crystals IF we invite them to work with us. The only criteria in co-creation is that you have a common goal. Do plants have goals? Yes. They may not have the complex visions we have, but they have the simple will to survive, heal, protect themselves and grow, and because they are not distracted by other goals, their intent is very strong and clear. 

So let’s apply this to our rituals of protection. We first find plants that have developed efficient ways of protecting themselves from various threats: some by having thorns or stings, others produce oils that repel harmful insects, slugs etc, some that kill harmful fungi and bacteria, and some that produce poison to kill whatever threatens them. What we are looking for is a combination of a very positive and harmonious resonance with a strong will to protect. 

Some of the stinging and thorned plants don’t have harmonious resonance, so we will leave them out. What fits the bill are the plants with beautiful, relaxing and uplifting scent, that also repel anything that would harm them. There are many aromatic herbs in this category: lavender, balm, rosemary, sage, dill, vervain, cedar, eucalyptus and lemongrass are some common ones. 

Smudging with sage is a well known practice, but it is far more powerful if we co-create with the sage by engaging it through prayer. All you need to do is take a moment to connect with the sage spirit, feel your common intention of cleansing, protecting and raising the vibration of the environment, then pray as you smudge, to keep that intention focused. This simple ritual will produce far better results than just burning the sage without the conscious co-creation. 

Part of the power is to recognise your own power as creator, as you can’t be a co-creator without first being a creator. So adopt a strong positive attitude when doing ritual, knowing that you are a powerful being, co-creating with other powerful beings, and your combined power is far more than the sum of the parts.

Ways to use Herbs

The first way is through burning.  Fire is also purifying, so it adds to the power of the plants. Just as you use sage sticks for smudging, you can do just as well with lavender, rosemary, balm, cedar etc. 

Another way is through baths and washes, in this case adding the cleansing power of water. Add the herbs to the bath as you pray for cleansing, then soak in the bath as you imagine all toxic energy being taken out of you. Soak for 15 minutes, then stand up, turn anti-clockwise 3 times, then step out of the bath. When you pull the plug, see all the negative energy going down the plughole.

You can also make a strong solution of herbs, praying as you boil them down, and use it to wash the floor and walls in your home.

Prayers for use when preparing herbs, smudging etc

It is perfectly fine to pray in your own way, but for those who would rather have some ready made prayers, here are a few suggestions:

The banishing ritual of the pentagram (shown in the video above)

The throne verse (ayat al kursi), Islamic.

Shree Rudram (Hindu)

Kali Kavacham (Hindu)

Heart sutra (Buddhist).

Banishing Ritual – Goddess Version

Here is my banishing ritual, goddess version:

Goddess, to thee I call, in thee I believe

I open my heart, thy power to receive

Grant me thy presence, let me feel thy grace

Help me to cleanse and bless this space

 

Consecrate this place in thy holy name

And lend me thy power to do the same

Let it be thy presence that keeps me still

As I charge all present to obey thy will

 

The presence of the goddess is about to appear

So let this space be pure and  clear

All dross and creatures of decay and strife

Go, lest ye profane the source of life

 

Goddess, now let thy presence be fully known

Within my heart where is found thy throne

Manifest here, show us thy will

Guide our work and  keep our spirits still

 

In recognition of thee I draw this ring

So within it thy gifts thou may bring

Grant that it may keep us free

Of all that is not at one with thee

 

Great goddess, as we receive thy gifts from above

Of light and power and strength and love

We pray that you may guard our souls

And keep us aligned to our rightful goals

 

As we stand firm upon the earth

We recognise the goddess who gave us birth

And accept the life that flows from below

Enabling us to truly grow

 

Goddess, Grant me now the power of air

And the protection of thy spirits fair

And grant that nothing will pass this gate

That is not aligned to my true, noble fate

 

Goddess, grant me now the power of fire

To protect all that is your heart’s desire

Let the Guardian of the South stand firm and clear

To protect all that we hold dear

 

Let thy watery power Guard this western door

So  that thy blessings can truly pour

Into our lives, into this space

 that  we may feel thine Infinite Grace

 

Let thy power Guard  the Portal of North

So that naught but love may pour forth

To fill our minds, our hearts, our souls

And hold us firm in our greater goals

 

My space is now dedicated to these principles four

Above Me light, below me life, within me love, around me law

Maintained by the guardians of each elemental door

and that one great source that I stand for

 

Goddess, now you protect this space

And so we surrender to thine infinite grace

And thank thee for giving us the room

Within thy safe, encompassing womb