This is especially common in the British Isles, where one plant can be known by as many as two dozen distinct names.įinally, there are a whole bookful of plants with appellations such as “Our Ladies Fingers” or “Old Man’s Oatmeal.” These are plants originally dedicated to the Pagan goddesses and gods of the common folk and after the introduction of Christianity were assigned new roles as representative of the Virgin Mary and the Devil respectively.įollowing is a list of some magical names of herbs, along with their more common ones. Then, too, many plants were given “folk” names which reveal their uses in magic or the superstitions surrounding them. Crow’s foot, dog’s tooth, horse-tongue, Jew’s ear–are all magical and dialectical names for herbs and plants. To cultivate something in the black soil, see it sprout and then bloom, is to watch a. The very act of planting, of beginning new life from seed, is a ritual and a magical act in itself. “Eyes” mean any one of a group of plants resembling the eye, such as the aster, daisy, chamomile, or perhaps even eyebright. In the early spring, many of us who follow earth -based spiritual paths begin planning our gardens for the coming season.

“Tongue of dog” is simply hound’s tongue, a common herb. The list of such names is quite long and varied, but a few examples can be given here. Darkwood Moss : Underdark healing moss Disaster Fruit : An unnaturally hardy plant that is perfect for when disaster strikes. Name Summary Benedrakken : Magical Roots that greatly affect those of Fey and Draconic Lineage, whose properties are based off emotions. Every ingredient he lists as being in the Witches’ pot (filet of a fenny snake/in the cauldron boil and bake:/eye of newt, and toe of frog,/Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,/ adder’s fork, and blindworm’s sting/Lizards leg, and howlet’s wing,/etc.) refers to a plant and not to the gruesome substance popularly thought. Plants or Fungi without an improving, reviewing, or removing template present. The often quoted illustration from Shakespeare’s Macbeth serves as a useful example of this practice.

Magical names for plants