Magic and Medicine of Plants Throughout history, plants have held a significant place in both the realms of magic and medicine. The inherent power and healing properties found in various plant species have been harnessed and respected by civilizations around the world. From ancient herbal remedies to modern pharmaceuticals, plants have played a vital role in human health and well-being. In the realm of magic and folklore, plants have been associated with mystical properties and supernatural abilities. Different plants have been used in rituals and spellcasting to invoke certain energies or achieve specific outcomes. For example, the ancient Greeks believed that the laurel tree had the ability to grant wisdom and protection, so it was often used as a symbol of victory and honor.
Witchcraft: Eight Myths and Misconceptions
Witchcraft is an area of history that most people feel familiar with. From the Salem Witch Trials to the witches of Macbeth, the figure of the witch is embedded in our culture. The problem is that most of what we think we know is wrong.
Professor Diane Purkiss debunks eight of the most common myths about witchcraft.
shared > blocks > AdvancedItemSectionBlock.cshtml -->In England witches were hanged, not burned. This illustration is taken from a 1655 pamphlet by Ralph Gardiner © Bettmann/Getty
1. Witches were burned at the stake
Not in English-speaking countries. Witchcraft was a felony in both England and its American colonies, and therefore witches were hanged, not burned. However, witches’ bodies were burned in Scotland, though they were strangled to death first.
2. Nine million witches died in the years of the witch persecutions
About 30,000–60,000 people were executed in the whole of the main era of witchcraft persecutions, from the 1427–36 witch-hunts in Savoy (in the western Alps) to the execution of Anna Goldi in the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1782. These figures include estimates for cases where no records exist.
3. Once accused, a witch had no chance of proving her innocence
Only 25 per cent of those tried across the period in England were found guilty and executed.
The Spanish Inquisition persecuted those perceived as heretics by the Catholic Church, but witchcraft was largely regarded as a superstition, and wasn’t pursued as a heresy by officials except in rare cases © Prisma/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
4. Millions of innocent people were rounded up on suspicion of witchcraft
The total number of people tried for witchcraft in England throughout the period of persecution was no more than 2,000. Most judges and many jurymen were highly sceptical about the existence of magical powers, seeing the whole thing as a huge con trick by fraudsters. Many others knew that old women could be persecuted by their neighbours for no reason other than that they weren’t very attractive.
5. The Spanish Inquisition and the Catholic Church instigated the witch trials
All four of the major western Christian denominations (the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican churches) persecuted witches to some degree. Eastern Christian, or Orthodox, churches carried out almost no witch-hunting. In England, Scotland, Scandinavia and Geneva, witch trials were carried out by Protestant states. The Spanish Inquisition executed only two witches in total.
Illustration from the 1591 pamphlet ‘Newes from Scotland’, which reported on the events of the North Berwick witch trials of 1590. The accused women are shown casting spells over a cauldron (top right) and conjuring the Devil (left) © Courtesy of the British Library
6. King James I was terrified of witches and was responsible for their hunting and execution
More accused witches were executed in the last decade of Elizabeth I’s reign (1558–1603) than under her successor, James I (1603–25).
The first Witchcraft Act was passed under Henry VIII, in 1542, and made all pact witchcraft (in which a deal is made with the Devil) or summoning of spirits a capital crime. The 1604 Witchcraft Act under James could be described as a reversion to that status quo rather than an innovation.
In Scotland, where he had ruled as James VI since 1587, James had personally intervened in the 1590 trial of the North Berwick witches, who were accused of attempting to kill him. He wrote the treatise Daemonologie, published in 1597. However, when King of England, James spent some time exposing fraudulent cases of demonic possession, rather than finding and prosecuting witches.
The Elizabethan philosopher and alchemist John Dee faced accusations of witchcraft throughout his life. Other men accused of witchcraft include the healer Dr Fian, who was executed as part of the North Berwick witch trials in 1590 © Hulton Archive/Getty Images
7. Witch-hunting was really women-hunting, since most witches were women
In England the majority of those accused were women. In other countries, including some of the Scandinavian countries, men were in a slight majority. Even in England, the idea of a male witch was perfectly feasible. Across Europe, in the years of witch persecution around 6,000 men – 10 to 15 per cent of the total – were executed for witchcraft.
In England, most of the accusers and those making written complaints against witches were women.
8. Witches were really goddess-worshipping herbalist midwives
Nobody was goddess-worshipping during the period of the witch-hunts, or if they were, they have left no trace in the historical records. Despite the beliefs of lawyers, historians and politicians (such as Karl Ernst Jarcke, Franz-Josef Mone, Jules Michelet, Margaret Murray and Heinrich Himmler among others), there was no ‘real’ pagan witchcraft. There was some residual paganism in a very few trials.
The idea that those accused of witchcraft were midwives or herbalists, and especially that they were midwives possessed of feminine expertise that threatened male authority, is a myth. Midwives were rarely accused. Instead, they were more likely to work side by side with the accusers to help them to identify witch marks. These were marks on the body believed to indicate that an individual was a witch (not to be confused with the marks scratched or carved on buildings to ward off witches).
Diane Purkiss is Professor of English Literature at Keble College, University of Oxford
Top image : Detail from ‘Witches’, a 1508 painting depicting the Witches’ Sabbath
( © Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo)
6 SIGNS YOU WERE A WITCH IN A PAST LIFE
Witches have been persecuted continually over the past 2,000 years. As a result, the word witch has been given a bad name.
It was very easy to be accused as a witch in the past. You simply had to be a strange woman or man that threatened anybody and you were a called a witch.
The number of witches burnt at the stake or killed in some horrible manner ranges from tens of thousands to millions according to the different sources.
That means if we continually incarnate on Earth there is a good chance you were a witch at one point.
As a psychic medium, it’s not uncommon for me to learn that a client has been a witch in a past life and killed for it. How do you know if you were a witch in a past life? Here are six signs:
For example, the ancient Greeks believed that the laurel tree had the ability to grant wisdom and protection, so it was often used as a symbol of victory and honor. Similarly, sage has long been associated with purification and cleansing, and is still commonly used in smudging rituals to clear negative energy. In traditional medicine, plants have been used for centuries to treat a wide range of ailments and diseases.
1. You Do Witchy Things Now
If you are a psychic medium, energy healer, Tarot card reader, sorcerer, magick practitioner, herbalist or something similar, then you were a witch in a past life.
The fact that you are drawn to these subjects, and not even practicing, probably means you were a witch.
The study of herbalism, or the medicinal use of plants, has been an integral part of many cultures. Indigenous tribes, in particular, have relied on their knowledge of local plant species to heal and strengthen their communities. For example, the Amazon rainforest is home to countless medicinal plants that have been traditionally used by indigenous tribes to treat various illnesses. Today, modern medicine continues to draw inspiration from the natural world. Many pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants or are synthesized based on compounds found in plant species. Aspirin, for instance, is a synthetic drug that was originally derived from the bark of willow trees. Additionally, many traditional herbal remedies from around the world have been scientifically studied and validated for their therapeutic effects. This integration of traditional knowledge and modern science has led to the development of herbal supplements and alternative medicine practices. However, it is important to approach the magic and medicine of plants with caution and respect. While some plants may have proven medicinal properties, others can be toxic or have negative side effects. It is essential to seek guidance from trained professionals or experts when using plants for medicinal or magical purposes. In conclusion, the magic and medicine of plants have both held significant roles in human history. Whether it be through ancient rituals and beliefs or modern pharmaceuticals, plants have provided humans with healing and transformative powers. As we continue to explore the natural world, it is crucial to maintain a balance between traditional wisdom and scientific advancement, ensuring the safe and effective use of plants for the benefit of all..
Reviews for "The Shaman's Toolkit: Exploring the Magical Plants Used in Shamanic Healing"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Magic and Medicine of Plants". The book promised to provide a comprehensive guide to the magical and medicinal properties of plants, but it fell short in delivering that. The information provided was scarce and not well-researched. I felt like the author was more focused on the magical aspect and didn't give enough attention to the medicinal side. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and money.
2. Mark - 2 stars - As someone who was looking for practical knowledge about plants and their medicinal uses, "Magic and Medicine of Plants" left me feeling unsatisfied. The book was filled with folklore and mystical explanations, but lacked the concrete information I was looking for. I struggled to find details on specific plants and their properties. While the magical aspect might be interesting to some, I wanted a more scientific approach to understanding the medicinal benefits of plants. Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations.
3. Jennifer - 1 star - "Magic and Medicine of Plants" was a complete disappointment for me. The author seemed more interested in weaving tales of ancient legends and myths associated with plants, rather than providing practical information. I expected a well-researched guidebook on using plants for healing purposes, but instead, I got a collection of mystical stories that had no basis in scientific facts. If you're looking for a serious resource on plant medicine, look elsewhere. This book is more suited for those interested in folklore and fantasy.