Spring brings the Earth back to life: Forging your own Magickal plants & Flowers
- nova ravenswood
- Mar 25, 2023
- 6 min read
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Spring is coming, and Mother Earth will bring many new lives back to us.
You don't have to only be a Green Witch, or a Cottage Witch, you simply need to believe in the Magick that is all around you.
The best part is that you can find Magickal flowers and herbs in almost any location you reside.
I am in Washington State, with that I will provide a list of Magickal wild herbs and flowers commonly found from British Columbia, Canada all the way to So Cal.
Before we delve into the beauty and Magick found in your own town, first we have to remind ourselves that we are taking things that in which weren't ours, so before hitting your local trails, here's a list of items you'll need for the forging and the Magickal parts of it.
For the mundane part of forging:
Good gardening gloves: these are for your safety from thorns or poisonous plants that you're interested in. Having a thick rubber on your gloves is great for forging: Nettle, blackberry, stinging nettle, and plants that can cause bodily harm.
Pruning Sheers; these are great for taking certain parts of particular plants, flowers, and trees so that they can continue to grow.
Spade or mini pointed shovel; this is great for taking the entire plant/flower including the root. The root can be just as Magickal if not more Magickal than the leaf and/or flower
App suggestions: NatureID, this is the app that I personally use, I believe that is $15 for the year and worth every penny if you like to discover new plants and trees. It gives the true name, nicknames, and sometimes its mythology. The best part is that even without reception, if high in the wilderness or out of range, it'll save the pic for later and you can make categories and notes like where you found it. Second: PictureThis, This was the first forging app I was introduced too and used for free of charge for almost 2 years. Similar to the first app just not as advanced or at least wasn't the last time I used it so please choose at your own discretion.
Backpack: This is obviously the most important, as you need water and food and a way to transport your new findings back home. Having separate pockets is highly recommended so that there isn't any sort of cross-contamination.
Small paper bags or Ziploc bags or a combo of both: Bags are very important not just for keeping your findings separate, but also for poisonous reasons, some findings can be used in Magickal and Mundane as others are strictly for Magickal purposes.
Black Sharpie: Not to state the obvious but having a sharpie is highly recommended. Always be prepared and have it on your checklist before heading out for the day/weekend. You need to be able to decipher which is what and the more you do this the more familiar you'll get with your surroundings. I also like to include the dates because I use many flowers and herbs for both magickal and mundane purposes and you can store them in the bag for up to 90 days, always keeping an eye out for molds and other parasites. Do research when back on WiFi and get to know your findings on a deeper level.
Offerings in Place of findings:
In my Witchy opinion this is the most important thing on your list. An offering in exchange for your findings. Why some may ask, well there are many reasons but we just don't have the time to go through all the history, so I do encourage you to do your research before heading to the Wilderness on a Magickal mission.
Tobacco leaf (Organic if possible): For many centuries Native Americans and many indigenous tribes around the world use Tobacco as an offering or in Ritual practices. As Witches we respect mother nature and with that respect we give an offering in exchange for our items that we forge. www.leafonly.com carries high to low-grade Tobacco. I usually prefer, the $9.99 low-grade Organic leaf that comes in shredded form usually, because its not meant to be smoked. I also have Native American heritage so I have a deep respect for this process when I am forging in the Wild. You can use other herbs in place of Tobacco such as; Rosemary, Sea Salt, or any herb that you feel very close too. I like to take my Tobacco in a fanny-pack, yes you heard me. It makes it more accessible when you come across something you want. I also say a blessing and end with "Thank You Mother Earth". Of course you can do this in a manner you see fit. Just remember that you always need to respect your surroundings and know that there are spirits living inside of everything that is living and breathing.
To research or to not?
Being prepared is always a good idea, including if your going to a new place. You can google what wild flowers and herbs are found in your area or destination. The Pro's are being prepared to watch for certain plants/flowers, knowing what is poisonous, and in general being safe.
Con's: you can end up closing your mind off to the idea of finding something new and more Magickal, or simply finding something to take and do more research.
I suggest making your list on your app of choosing so that you have a pic reference but to take twice as many bags then you think you'll need (plus you can re-use them on a later mission), Keep your mind, body and spirit open and take what "calls" to you. It just might be "your" Magickal find for the rest of your life.
Common wild plants of the Pacific Northwest (PNW), Oregon to So Cal:
Here in Washington and Oregon, we hold some of the most beautiful mountain ranges, wild life, plant life, trails, rivers and lakes and mystery.
I don't have to travel far to find this list, but on my way I find 3x more
than I was expecting, but I have been to a lot of trails, rivers and lakes and to this day still find beautiful magickal herbs/flowers I didn't even know we had.
Common Wild flowers, herbs, and shrubs in Eastern Washington are as follows:
Common Yarrow
Yellow Sand Verbena
Western Mt. Heather
Red & White Bane-berry
Fairy Slipper
Western Juniper
Monroe's Globe-mallow
Snow Buckwheat
Purple Sage
Sage Brush
Rose-hips
Horsetail
Oak & Pine
Fern
Balm of Gilead
This is just a tiny amount of Magickal things you can find on your local trails, it also saves you money and builds a bond with each one that you find.
Don't Forget about the Rocks!
Around the world we can find quartz, ruby, gold, etc. So when your out and about don't forget that just because its not "polished" rocky's, gemstones, and crystals can be found almost anywhere. In Washington alone you can forge;
Quartz: Smokey and Milky
Amethyst
Onyx
Lava/Pumice
Common Opal: Fire Opal and Precious Opal
Jasper Many forms
Carnelian
Bloodstone
Agate; Chalcedony
Plasma
These are just ten of the hundreds of beautiful rocks found in Washington State. Now think about the area you are in , could you imagine what you can find.
Why Forge your own Magickal plants?
When students ask me what's the difference from buying product from say an Organic Market vs. the Wild I always smile, and remind them that there are many differences.
First of all, going out in nature is a "witchy" thing to do, to become more in-tuned with Mother Earth. Listening to the natural sounds from all the animals and sometimes no animals (never a good sign fyi). Going out with a good book when ( no reception most of the time.) forging, even if you aren't planning on it, I would still take a book to use as a reference when exploring new plants, flowers, and trees because you never know if your going to find something that peeks your interest.
You also get the chance to bond with each one as you take ONLY what you need, never taking an excess amount. You get to say "thank you", and you become one with Mother Earth.
Forging can be good for making salves, syrups, tinctures, potions, and so much more. Every plant has a purpose, and you can learn first hand what those are or what resonates with you.
Forging book recommendations ( PNW & More):
Wild Harvest, By: Terry Domico
Northwest forging, By: Doug Benoliel
Pacific Northwest Edible plant forging, By: Willow Walsh
Edible & Medicinal plants of the PNW and Wild Berries of the PNW By: J. Duane
Native American Herbalist's Bible- 13 books in 1, By: Ashley Ahoka
Final Thoughts:
No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, always remember that nature is and always will be mystical, powerful, and Magickal. To join Mother nature is to go back in time to your true self. Learning the way of the lands and survival.
Forging your own Magickal plants will always be better as there are no pesticides, poisons, and other harsh chemicals. And the more you go out, the more you'll learn to love, respect, and appreciate what our lands have to offer.
Please always be safe, more so if you forge alone. Always tell someone your drive and foot routes and roughly where you'll be. Mother nature isn't always forgiving, and there are things in the woods that no one can explain.
Good luck, and happy forging.
XoXo,
Nova Ravenswood
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