Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants - Juliet Diaz 2020

Heather Calluna vulgaris
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

protection, weather manipulation

Heather is a low-growing shrub, and can cover a vast area, such as the moors of Scotland, Ireland, and England. Heather can be used for dyeing, and is an important food source for sheep and deer. She is wonderful for making besoms, or small handmade brooms.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Heather can soothe a migraine, and can also relieve stress and negative thinking. Steep the flowers and then add them to a bath to help strengthen and tone muscles. You can also make heather tea to treat kidney issues, arthritis, sleep disorders, and coughs or colds.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Heather is extremely protective, particularly in cases of violence against women. She keeps intruders out—intruders of the mind, body, and spirit. She believes in the sacredness of our vessels, and helps us remember that no one should have access to us without our permission. Work with her in spells that deal with repelling a person and/or energy.

Burning heather is said to bring the rain, but before you do, I need for you to understand that this should be done only if the rain is truly needed. We do not burn the members of our plant family without good reason. Remember, we don’t use plants, we work with them . . . and in fact, plant Magic will not work if your intentions aren’t pure.

PLANT WISDOM

I was abused as a child, sexually, mentally, and spiritually, and because of this I have had a difficult time with relationships for much of my life. I had trouble letting people in, or being fully present. But in my late teens, I began working with heather, and she told me stories of the power we all carry. She taught me that this power is never taken away from us, and that even when we are abused or traumatized, that power is never lost—it is simply hidden in the spaces we hid within to cope with that abuse or trauma. Heather can help you uncover that power, reminding you not to fear it—just because someone has used their power to hurt you doesn’t mean using your power will do the same. Heather will help you reclaim your power, and understand the sacredness of its pure roots. Dreaming of heather symbolizes freedom, peacefulness, and resilience.