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

Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana
A Compendium of Plants

ESSENTIAL PROPERTIES

opening the door between realms

Witch hazels are small trees or large shrubs, depending on who you ask. They have fragrant flowers that glow like fiery embers in the Sun. In this case the “witch” in witch hazel doesn’t refer to Magical practitioners—it’s derived from the middle English word wiche, which means “bendy” or “pliable.” Her branches, like that of her cousin the willow, make for powerful dowsing rods, telling the secrets of the underground rivers that flow beneath our very feet.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

As an antimicrobial and antibacterial, witch hazel makes a very good toner. If you’re struggling with acne, try her out! She can also help with scalp sensitivity, and is useful for treating minor wounds, scratches, and insect bites.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES

Witch hazel harnesses the energy of the Sun; work with her when you need a fire element or want to amplify fire energies—so any spellwork that involves love, passion, self-love, creativity, or power. I especially love to work with her while I’m doing candle Magic. Witch hazel can also help you connect to your center, your core. This space is where we hold powerful energies, but is unfortunately often ignored, which can lead to anxiety, foggy mind, and even health issues. Work with witch hazel to tap into this space and you can learn to use this energy for spiritual work, even spells. This energy from the center core is grounding, and is great for manifesting money, good health, success, and healing.

PLANT WISDOM

When you’ve been working with witch hazel for a few months, she will grant you energies that open portals, particularly to those of the spirit realm, fairy realm, and demigod realm. Reaching a particular being from any of these areas will be much more effective when you’ve got witch hazel helping you. Witch hazel does not visit in dreams, but you can form a relationship with her either through meditation, or simply by working with her in your Magical and spiritual practice.