Post by Allan on Aug 6, 2007 22:24:27 GMT -5
All professions and avocations have their own tools of the trade, and magic is no exception. Tools are the objects w/ which change is wrought. Magic is sometimes defined as "change wrought by psychic means," so the tools used in magic should be carefully selected, made or prepared in order to carry out their function.
The most important tool used in herbal magic is the magic knife. This is the first cousin to the atheme, the Witches' mystic knife which is used in religious and magical rites by initiates of the Old Religion. The basic difference between the athame and the magic knife is that the former is used purely for symbolic or energy-directing purposes, whereas the magic knife is used for cutting herbs, thread, cloth, etc.., as well as for banishing, exorcisin, enchanting, and so on.
To make your knife, find one w/ a wooden handle and a steel blade that fits comfortable in your hand. Be sure that it is new and clean. Buy it w/o haggling over the price. Wrap it up in a clean white cotton or linen cloth and hide it where it will not be disturbed until the next Full Moon.
On this night, just after sunset, go to a lonely wild place, far out in the countryside. Ideally, there will be a stream running nearby, a small hill, and complete privacy. Clear an area on the ground and gater a lil wood to make a fire. Lay a book of matches beside the wood. if no stream is available, bring a bowl of silver or pewter and fill it w/ spring water. If you cannot leave the city, perform the rite in your garden or, failing even this, in your home, using a flowerpot filled w/ earth, a fireplace or candle, and the bowl of water.
Now, finding a quiet spot, bury the knife in the Earth up to the hilt, so that the handle points to the sky. Kneel before it. Placing your hands upon the ground on either side of it, facing North, say these words:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the powers of the Earth, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Count to thirty slowly, then grip the handle in your strong hand(the one you write w/) and pull it from the earth.
Now walk to the highest nearby spot, a hill or rock, and climb to the top. Holding your knife up to the sky and facing the East, say these words:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the power of the Winds, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Next, build a small fire of the wood and light it, then, facing South, thrust the blade amidst the flames and say these or similar words:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the powers of the Flames, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Next, walk to the stream and dip the blade into the running water(or the filled bowl). Say these or like words as you face West:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the powers of the Water, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Now wrap the knife in a clean, white cloth, quench the fire w/ the water from the stream or bowl, and return home. Keep the knife safely hidden until needed.
With this knife you will cut all herbs, flowers, plants, seeds, cords, cloth; whatever is needed for your magical practices. Keep it sharp and shiny..
Magical Herbalism Scott Cunningham
The most important tool used in herbal magic is the magic knife. This is the first cousin to the atheme, the Witches' mystic knife which is used in religious and magical rites by initiates of the Old Religion. The basic difference between the athame and the magic knife is that the former is used purely for symbolic or energy-directing purposes, whereas the magic knife is used for cutting herbs, thread, cloth, etc.., as well as for banishing, exorcisin, enchanting, and so on.
To make your knife, find one w/ a wooden handle and a steel blade that fits comfortable in your hand. Be sure that it is new and clean. Buy it w/o haggling over the price. Wrap it up in a clean white cotton or linen cloth and hide it where it will not be disturbed until the next Full Moon.
On this night, just after sunset, go to a lonely wild place, far out in the countryside. Ideally, there will be a stream running nearby, a small hill, and complete privacy. Clear an area on the ground and gater a lil wood to make a fire. Lay a book of matches beside the wood. if no stream is available, bring a bowl of silver or pewter and fill it w/ spring water. If you cannot leave the city, perform the rite in your garden or, failing even this, in your home, using a flowerpot filled w/ earth, a fireplace or candle, and the bowl of water.
Now, finding a quiet spot, bury the knife in the Earth up to the hilt, so that the handle points to the sky. Kneel before it. Placing your hands upon the ground on either side of it, facing North, say these words:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the powers of the Earth, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Count to thirty slowly, then grip the handle in your strong hand(the one you write w/) and pull it from the earth.
Now walk to the highest nearby spot, a hill or rock, and climb to the top. Holding your knife up to the sky and facing the East, say these words:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the power of the Winds, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Next, build a small fire of the wood and light it, then, facing South, thrust the blade amidst the flames and say these or similar words:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the powers of the Flames, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Next, walk to the stream and dip the blade into the running water(or the filled bowl). Say these or like words as you face West:
I conjure thee, O Knife of Steel, by the powers of the Water, that thou shalt be of service to me in the magical art of herbalism.
Now wrap the knife in a clean, white cloth, quench the fire w/ the water from the stream or bowl, and return home. Keep the knife safely hidden until needed.
With this knife you will cut all herbs, flowers, plants, seeds, cords, cloth; whatever is needed for your magical practices. Keep it sharp and shiny..
Magical Herbalism Scott Cunningham