The concept of plant-based witchcraft series is gaining popularity among practitioners of the craft. The main idea behind this series is to explore the magical properties and uses of different plants and herbs in spellwork and rituals. Plant-based witchcraft is rooted in the belief that nature holds immense power and that plants have unique energetic qualities that can be harnessed for magical purposes. In this series, witches delve into the world of botany, studying the properties and correspondences of various plants to enhance their spellcasting and connect with the natural world. Each episode of the plant-based witchcraft series focuses on a specific plant or herb, delving into its history and folklore, as well as its magickal properties and associations. From common herbs like lavender and rosemary to more mystical plants like mugwort and vervain, every episode offers a deep dive into the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of the plant.
"With a counselor's care and a prophet's fire, Richard Beck invites us to pay attention to the holy ground right under our feet. In doing so he offers us a powerful antidote to the poison of our secular age: the presence of the crucified and risen Christ, breathing on our dry bones and calling them to live again."
It s a daunting quest, but he is well-equipped to speak about the breadth and depth of Western Christianity in a way that is accessible if not too easy. Chapter 3-- Eccentric Experiences --uses William James famous chapter on mysticism in The Varieties of Religious Experience to help us widen the view about what encountering God might look or feel like.
From common herbs like lavender and rosemary to more mystical plants like mugwort and vervain, every episode offers a deep dive into the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of the plant. The series not only discusses the magical properties of plants but also provides practical information on how to incorporate them into spellwork. Witches learn how to harvest and store plants, create herbal potions and brews, and use plants in rituals to manifest their desires.
Hunting magid eels
I recently finished reading Richard Beck’s latest book, Hunting Magic Eels. It was a fantastic read and a book I’d recommend to anyone. The subtitle explains his premise well: “Recovering an Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age.”
I was initially drawn to this book as this topic seems to be an underlying premise of so many of our conversations on the Forest and Trees podcast (see: podcast page). In addition, I still think about things Beck wrote in his book Unclean many years after I read that one. Beck writes deeply about the Christian experience from the perspective of psychology (he’s a professor).
One of the themes throughout the book is that we need to be mindful of what gets our attention. And if we want to experience more of God, we need to find ways to aim our attention in that direction.
Faith is a matter of perception. Faith isn’t forcing yourself to believe in unbelievable things; faith is overcoming attentional blindness. Phrased differently, faith is about enchantment or, rather, a re-enchantment: the intentional recovery of a holy capacity to see and experience God in the world.
After his flight from Egypt, Moses is tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the middle of the desert near Mount Horeb. There, in the middle of nowhere, he catches sight of a bush that’s caught fire. Strangely, the bush isn’t being burnt up. Intrigued and fascinated, Moses says, “I must turn aside and see this strange sight.” I must turn aside. This is the key point. Encountering God’s presence requires a shift of attention. Moses must intentionally direct his attention to behold the strange sight.
When faith is a matter of attention, we need visual cues to capture and captivate our hearts and minds.
One of the most profound ideas in the book is how we’ve reduced Christianity to something that has inherently moved us away from experiencing God. Beck says it this way:
When the Christian experience shifts away from the mystical toward “being a good person,” the foundation of faith is relocated and placed in a very vulnerable location, like a cup set dangerously close to the edge of the table or a rock pushed to the edge of a cliff. Why? Because you don’t have to believe in God to be a good person. There are many people who don’t believe in God who are amazing, generous, and loving people. And once you make that observation, that you don’t need God to be good, the whole reason many of us have for believing in God simply evaporates. The glass falls off the table and shatters, and the rock tips over into the abyss.
He also does a great job—as a skeptic himself—showing how we need to challenge our own skepticism.
We still believe in the soul, even in this skeptical age. And we’d be horrified if anyone claimed otherwise. More and more people might doubt the existence of God, but God still haunts us. We crave the magic. We resist reducing our lives to biology. We are convinced that we are “more” than the sum total of our organs, bones, and tissues.
As Dostoevsky once said, “Beauty will save the world.” Music, art, poetry, and architecture, along with the wonders of the natural world, are much better equipped to capture and communicate the ineffable nature of spiritual insights and truths.
If you’re struggling with disenchantment, odds are you’re thinking rather than paying attention.
And in case you fear this is some progressive mumbo-jumbo, the book also explores how to seek out an enchantment that is able to challenge you to grow and get better rather than just reassure you that all your opinions and actions are perfect.
The critical issue, then, for both the religious and the spiritual alike, is this: Can your enchantment judge, criticize, and unsettle you? Can your enchantment point out your selfishness and self-indulgence? Can your enchantment, be it burning sage for your spell or singing “God Bless America” in your pew, hold a mirror up to your hypocrisy? Can your enchantment weigh your nation or political party on the scales and find it wanting? Does your enchantment create sacrificial obligations and duties in your life that you cannot avoid or ignore? Does your enchantment call you to extend grace to people you’d prefer to hate? Does your enchantment bust up your cozy self-satisfaction and dogmatic self-righteousness? These are questions that won’t be asked by an enchantment bought on Amazon. This fierce and honest moral examination can only be conducted by an enchantment that is “over and above” us, an enchantment that can judge us and hold our feet to the fire, an enchantment that cannot be avoided or blown off like the latest fad. These are the questions we have to ask when we seek to “discern the spirits,” when we want to determine if the voice we are hearing is from God or from our own egos.
This is a book that gave me lots to chew on while also nudging me closer to experiencing Jesus in new ways. What a gift to find both in one book.
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Furthermore, the plant-based witchcraft series emphasizes the importance of ethical and sustainable practices. Witches are encouraged to cultivate their own magical gardens or support local and organic suppliers. This approach fosters a deeper connection to nature and promotes the idea of living in harmony with the environment. The plant-based witchcraft series seeks to empower witches to harness the ancient wisdom of plants and harness their natural energies for personal growth and transformation. By integrating plants into their craft, witches can deepen their magical practice and create a stronger connection with the natural world. In conclusion, the plant-based witchcraft series explores the magical properties and uses of plants and herbs for spellwork and rituals. By delving into the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of plants, witches can enhance their magical practice and deepen their connection to nature..
Reviews for "Elemental Magick: Incorporating Plants into Your Witchcraft Practice"
1. John D. - 2 out of 5 stars
I found the "Plant based witchcraft series" to be extremely dull and uninteresting. I was expecting more exciting and fascinating content, but all I got were basic herbal recipes and repetitive information about plants. The series lacked depth and failed to capture my attention. Overall, I was left disappointed and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for an engaging series on witchcraft.
2. Sarah M. - 1 out of 5 stars
I can't believe I wasted my time watching the "Plant based witchcraft series." It was nothing more than a bunch of random information about plants and some vague references to witchcraft. The content felt disjointed and lacked any real substance. I was expecting to learn more about the connection between plants and witchcraft, but instead, I was left feeling confused and underwhelmed. Save yourself the trouble and skip this series.
3. Robert L. - 2 out of 5 stars
I had high hopes for the "Plant based witchcraft series," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The presenter seemed unenthusiastic and lacked any real passion for the subject matter. The information provided was basic and didn't offer any valuable insights or unique perspectives. I was hoping for a more in-depth exploration of plant-based magic, but what I got was a shallow and uninspiring series. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone serious about learning about witchcraft.
4. Emma S. - 3 out of 5 stars
I was initially intrigued by the concept of the "Plant based witchcraft series," but as I watched more episodes, my excitement faded. While the information shared about plants was interesting, I felt that the series lacked focus and failed to deliver on its promise of exploring the connection between plants and witchcraft. It felt more like a basic introduction to herbalism rather than a deep exploration of plant-based magic. Although there were some enjoyable moments, overall, I found the series to be a missed opportunity.
5. Ryan H. - 2 out of 5 stars
I expected the "Plant based witchcraft series" to provide a unique and insightful perspective on witchcraft and its relationship with plants. However, I was disappointed to find that the content felt repetitive and lacked any real substance. The information presented was rudimentary and didn't delve into the more complex aspects of plant-based magic. I would have appreciated a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter, rather than the surface-level introduction that was provided. Overall, this series didn't meet my expectations.