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

Oak Quercus alba
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

protection, banishing, opening the door between realms, strength, wisdom

Oak is known as King of the Grove, for this holy tree is the master of truth. All parts of the tree are valuable and useful, from the leaves to the acorn to the bark to the wood. The oak has been a symbol of strength and endurance for thousands of years, and is sacred in a wide variety of religious and spiritual beliefs, from Christianity to Greek and Norse mythology to druidism and Witchcraft.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Oak bark is an astringent and antiseptic, and when combined with chamomile can calm a fever. When you’ve been ill with the stomach flu and are dehydrated, make a decoction of oak bark to help calm your stomach down so you can retain fluids. This decoction will also soothe a sore throat. Acorns are edible, but they’re bitter unless boiled first; they can relieve bad breath and constipation, and may be used to treat alcoholism.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Oak is deeply protective, and she will spread her branches over you and your home, sheltering you. If you carry an oak leaf near your heart, no one will be able to lie to you, and bathing with oak leaves will cleanse your spirit and give you the strength to face whatever comes. Work with oak to amplify your banishing and reversal spellwork, as she is a believer in sending back what isn’t yours, especially something sent your way with bad intentions.

PLANT WISDOM

The oak has been here since before humankind, more than 65 million years ago. She is an elder god in the plant kingdom. All of our ancestors have befriended an oak tree, leaving traces of wisdom and enlightenment within their roots. Sitting under an oak tree and meditating, taking a nap, or simply resting in silence will connect you to ancestral wisdom. Keep one question in your mind, repeating it over and over until you feel energy rising from the roots into your body—and then be still—body, mind, and spirit—and await your answer. To journey with oak in your visions or dreams, you must visit an oak 13 times within 13 days, then wait patiently for her spirit to visit you in the dreamworld.