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

Hickory Carya
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

strength, healing, spiritual development

Hickory trees are very slow growing, and their wood is extremely hard. There are harder woods, but hickory combines strength, toughness, and resistance, making it an exceptionally valuable wood, especially for crafting tools. It has been used for bows, wheel spokes, and paddles, among many other useful objects. Hickory bark can also be made into a syrup, rather like a dark and smoky version of maple syrup. Some hickory nuts are edible, while other varieties are overly bitter.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Native American tribes have used hickory bark for a variety of purposes, including easing arthritis pain and headaches.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

For healing spells or spells pertaining to strength, work with hickory bark. You can carry it with you on days when you feel you need to be more present or patient. Keep the bark close to your heart center, perhaps on a necklace or in a pocket. After my father passed away, my mom used to tape hickory bark on my chest.

Hickory Strength Syrup

This syrup will bring you strength during tough times. You can add it to hickory tea to double its healing properties, or to any foods or Magical workings. If you can collect the bark yourself, make sure to use bark from fallen branches. Do not pull the bark from the tree, unless it is already loose. And make sure to clean your bark—scrub each piece on both sides, preferably under running water, and remove any insects or lichen. After you’re done, place the bark aside to dry or pat with a towel.

WHAT YOU NEED

1 large piece of clean hickory bark, approximately 12 inches

4 cups water

4 cups cane sugar

WHAT TO DO

· Preheat the oven to 325°F.

· Break the bark into small pieces—about 4 inches long is fine.

· Spread a layer of bark onto a cookie sheet.

· Toast the bark for 25 to 35 minutes, by which point you should be able to smell hickory’s enchanting scent.

· Place your toasted bark into a large pot and cover it with filtered water.

· Bring to a boil, and immediately lower the heat. Simmer 20 to 30 minutes, then strain out the liquid. Add 1 cup of cane sugar for each cup of hickory tea. Stir well, and then return to a boil. Allow the liquid to reduce to your desired syrupy consistency.

· Pour into a glass jar with a strong lip.

PLANT WISDOM

Hickory can inspire us with her strength, and with her patience. Hickory grows slowly, but into such a majestic and purposeful tree. She teaches us to slow down and take our journey one day at a time—her message is of mindfulness and being present in the moment. To work with her is to work on the inner self, on self-growth, and spiritual development.

Invite hickory into your dreams to help you communicate with a passed loved one, or to navigate through whatever is troubling you—she will bring peace and clarity. Try drinking hickory tea before bedtime; she will soothe the heart and bring you a peaceful sleep.