Witch Hazel Leaf

Description

Witch Hazel Leaf

Hamamelis virginiea

Planet: Mercury or Sol (the Sun)

Astrological Sign: Virgo

Magickal Element: Fire

Gender: Feminine

Some Additional, Folk Names: Snapping Hazelnut, Winterbloom, Spotted Alder

Size: 1 ounce

Uses of Witch Hazel

This shrub is not the same as Hazel but it possesses similar characteristics, both physically and in witchcraft.

The magickal uses of Witch Hazel are those of protection, chastity and divination, specifically through dowsing. The Twigs of the tree that produce this leaf are ideal for finding water and other dowsing targets. It is the bark and the twigs which are protective from magickal malefica but any part is good for cooling the passions, such as those brought on by a broken heart. See also Passionflower.

Some attribute Witch Hazel to the Sun and others to Mercury. While I hold with the verdict of Elemental Fire, I side more with an attribution of Mercury here, than to the Sun. It does burn away impurities, both in the skin and the emotional self. Yet, it does so with a Mercury-type precision, that careful sorting and labeling process of Virgo.

Whether you see it is as solar or as mercurial, it makes a fine addition to the offering dish, on either altar.

Medical Uses

Medicinally, Witch Hazel produces an astringent that’s good for the skin. You find this in the stores but you can easily create your own, by boiling these leaves in pure water and straining them into rubbing alcohol. If you wish to forego the alcohol, then you’ll have to have a preservative to add in, unless you’re using it all at once.

 

Sold as a curio only

Certified Organic

Use organic ingredients in your conjure operations and it makes your work pure, closer to the source. Going organic puts you deeper in tune with Earth and… no hazardous pesticides or toxic fertilizers to deal with.

The herbs, roots and other, materia magica here are organic and many are wild-harvested. They’re great for your spell work and additionally, they’re purer, pulled straight from Mother Earth. Many of them are ideal to use in homeopathic medicines and the spices are great for general cooking! Please read the descriptions carefully and do outside research.

Consult your physician before you ingest any new herbs and test them out by using just a small amount. Some people have allergies and since even 100% organic substances may aggravate, consult your physician first. Something can be completely harmless for one person but it might cause someone else problems. Everyone has a different system and some people may just need to use caution when trying something new.