A Druid's Handbook to the Spiritual Power of Plants: Spagyrics in Magical and Sexual Rituals - Jon G. Hughes 2014

Hygiene
The Principles of Arriving at the Complex and the Incense
Alchemy: Its Relationship to the Druidic Tradition

The process of arriving at the plant complex and incense begins with the correct harvesting of the part(s) of the plant we intend to use. This seems to have little relevance in other traditions, but to the Druid, knowing the provenance of all the materials he or she works with is essential. The process of harvesting is so important to the Druid that it is actually enacted as a formal ritual. As we shall see, the first step is the identification of suitable donor plants, establishing a rapport with them, and ensuring their suitability (and willingness) as donors.

In Druidic lore there is no argument for using bought or found source materials. It is not just the simple question of whether fresh or dried plant material is more effective; it is a much more involved principle than that. It is fundamental to the effectiveness of any of the plant’s derivatives that the location, environment, general health, approximate age, and even the compass orientation of the part of the plant used is precisely known before it may be utilized to its full potential. It is also essential to know that the time, date, and method of harvesting are appropriate and that the harvested plant has been correctly preserved between its time of harvest and when it is used. This is why most Druidic priests and priestesses insist on harvesting all of their materials personally. Only in this way may the plant material be guaranteed suitable for its planned use.

As many of the complexes yielded by the plant will be used internally or on open wounds, cuts, and abrasions, it is essential that the highest standards of hygiene be maintained throughout.

Following its harvest, the plant material will be cleansed either in a fast-moving stream or in a bath of moon-cleansed water. There are no scientific cleansing agents used in either of these processes. The ancient Druids had no “scientific” understanding of hygiene. They did, of course, have experience of the effects of poor hygiene, but had no real understanding of their cause.

Purists would argue against the need for proprietary sterilizing agents, particularly at this early stage of the process, as it interferes with the natural essences and attributes of the plant. But as always, the choice is yours. If your plant materials are harvested from a clean, unpolluted environment and the stream used for initial cleansing is pure, you may consider this sufficient, as the purists do. I suggest you read through the rest of the details of the plant’s treatment before making your decision. These involve soaking in alcohol and fermentation, and you may decide that these processes prove sufficient for your needs. Alternatively, there is a range of natural, herbal sterilizing agents that you may choose to use.

However, the need for sterile vessels, bottles, and equipment for the refinement of the complexes and incenses is unequivocal—not only because of the health hazards involved in using unsterile equipment but also because the refinement process itself involves the controlled use of certain bacteria, which will undoubtedly be impaired by the introduction of uncontrolled bacterial agents.

The traditional sterilization methods taught to me are immersing the vessels in rapidly boiling water for a few minutes or baking them in a hot oven for half an hour before use. These methods are equally effective; use the facilities you have available to you at the time.

As far as workshop cleanliness is concerned, the Druidic tradition has nothing to say on the matter. Many of the workshops I have seen and used are a long way from what I would call hygienic. Often they are in corners of sheds, outbuildings, or spare rooms. Very rarely are they designed specifically for their Druidic applications. The ancient Druidic practices survived despite these conditions, but you may choose to plan a suitably hygienic environment for your activities from the outset.

When asked about the standards of hygiene required for the safe practice of Druidic “workshop” activities in general, I always refer people to the standards required for the commercial preparation of food. These health and safety standards are normally defined by law, and copies of the standards may usually be obtained from your local government authority. Adherence to these standards will ensure that the products of your workshop are risk-free.