Course Five: Spectrum, Part 1 223
POMEGRANATE: Pomegran-
ate juice is great to drink
during the heat of Sum-
mer, and it can also be
used to lower fevers.
According to the
prophet Mohamed,
eating pomegranates purges an-
ger and jealousy out of the system.POTATO: When you eat potatoes always include the
skin, as that is where the vitamins are. However, if the
skin has turned green cut that section off or discard
the potato, as it will then contain alkaloids, a type of
poison. Did you know that potatoes
are in the same family as deadly night-
shade? If you mix potatoes and corn
together it makes a complete protein.
Potatoes have citric acid, which
builds the immune system and repairs
tissue, and the skins have vitamin K,
which aids in blood clotting.PUMPKIN SEEDS: Eating pumpkin seeds will help
get worms out of your system. (Did you know that at
any given time 80% of the human population has
worms? We get them from walking around barefoot
and from frequent contact with dogs, cats, and other
animals.) You will need to fast from other foods while
eating the seeds. Start on an empty stomach and eat a
handful of seeds every hour for three hours. Chew the
seeds thoroughly. You can also drink “pumpkin milk”
at the same time, made by placing the seeds in the
blender with cold water. Follow with a dose of castor
oil to drive out the worms. Repeat the whole process if
necessary. If you have a tapeworm be sure the whole
thing comes out!PRUNES: Prunes are actually
dried plums. They are slightly
laxative and should be eaten
stewed by those who need help
maintaining healthy bowel move-
ments. (We all do from time to time!)VINEGAR: Vinegar is an ancient and re-
spected folk remedy for many conditions. Apple
cider vinegar is an amazing aid to health. Many claim
vinegar has magickal healing properties. As a daily
tonic and cleanser, drink a glass of water with a tea-
spoon of honey and 3 tablespoons to ¼ cup of apple
cider vinegar. Vinegar is also a great rinse for your hair
(the smell goes away in a minute or two). To keep your
cauldron clean, use vinegar to dissolve any crusty
residue that may build up from use in burning. Vinegar
is great for cleaning any metal ritual objects; rinse
with clear water and wipe dry.WATERCRESS: Watercress
grows in streams. It is a valu-
able source of trace miner-
als and also helps clean the
liver. By eating watercress
and parsley often, you will get
just about all the minerals
available from land veg-
etables. Only seaweeds have
more blood-building and tissue-
nourishing trace elements. Watercress is
used as a garnish and added to salads and egg dishes.
Its leaves contain phosphorus, potassium, iron, man-
ganese, fluorine, copper, sulfur, iodine, and zinc.Lesson 3: Magickal Uses
of HerbsIn addition to the above medicinal uses of herbs in
healing and kitchen witchery, wortcunning includes
the magickal uses of herbs for spells, amulets, talis-
mans, and so on. Just as with gems and minerals, plants
also have their own prana, or life force. Indeed, be-
cause they are living things, they each have a spirit
unique to their species. Many feel, in fact, that Faeries
are really plant spirits (sometimes called devas), who
may be perceived in quasi-human forms as our minds
interpret them.
For millennia, certain roots and herbs have been
used in spells for the magickal qualities attributed to
them. Many herbs and roots are used not only for
their properties, but also because of their appearance.
Mandrake root is used to gain power over others, but
is most powerful if it is in the shape of a person. Mul-
lein promotes gentleness partly because of its soft,
fuzzy appearance. Magicians through the ages have
concentrated on these various plant powers and have
thus built up particular morphogenic fields around
them. By working with the appropriate plants, you can
tap into these fields and use them effectively for your
own purposes.
Most of the roots and herbs listed below are acti-
vated by being carried on your person in a mojo bag.
Sometimes, however, when they are meant to influ-
ence others (as in healing), you must put them onto
the other person—or at least as near to them as you
can. Most of them can also be ground into powder
and burned as incense in a ritual (see below under
“Incenses”). Always keep a strong intention in your
mind when making up an herbal spell or charm. In
making a charm for another, explain to them what each
element is for. This will help them to understand and
concentrate on the intent. You must also tell each herb
or root exactly what you want it to do—creating a com-
bined force of your own will with the spirit of the plant.
Many of these herbs and roots you will find only
in botanicas or magickal herb stores. When using them,- Spectrum 1.p65 223 1/15/2004, 9:15 AM