The Herbal Alchemist's Handbook: A Complete Guide to Magickal Herbs and How to Use Them

by Karen Harrison, Arin Murphy-Hiscock (Foreword by)

Overview

An herbal magick grimoire of philtres, elixirs, essential oils, incense, and formulas with dozens of recipes from a trusted author.

Herbs have been used for medicine, magic, and ritual for centuries. The ancient arts of herbal alchemy and herbal magick combine the healing and energizing effects of herbs (roots, leaves, flowers, resins, and essential oils) with the cycles of the natural world—the astrological movement of the stars and planets, and the cycles of the earth’s seasons.

In this easy-to-use compendium of herbs and their energy associations, master herbalist and magick practitioner Karen Harrison offers formulas anyone can use to obtain courage, creativity, lasting health, prosperity, and enhanced psychic and spiritual powers.

Harrison shows how to select herbs based on their astrological associations as well as their medicinal properties. With a materia magica of more than 150 herbs and a multitude of recipes, readers will learn how to blend incense, ceremonial oils, bath salts, herbal amulets, fluid condensers, and herbal philtres and how to use them in meditation, ritual, or energy work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578637058
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	04/01/2020
Series:	Weiser Classics Series
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	198,289
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Karen Harrison earned a master of herbology from the Emerson College of Herbology in Montreal and is the proprietress of Moon Magick Alchemical Apothecary. Through her store she has a strong social media presence, with 22,000 followers.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Preface xiii

Introduction xv

Part 1 The Herbs and Their Planetary Signatures 1

Chapter 1 The Herbs of the Sun-Personal Power, Health, and Success 3

Chapter 2 The Herbs of the Moon-Dreamwork and the Inner Self 7

Chapter 3 The Herbs of Mars-Courage and Motivation 13

Chapter 4 The Herbs of Mercury-Communication, Knowledge, and Business 19

Chapter 5 The Herbs of Jupiter-Prosperity and Honor 25

Chapter 6 The Herbs of Venus-Love and the Arts 29

Chapter 7 The Herbs of Saturn-Grounding, Protection, and Stability 35

Chapter 8 The Herbs of Neptune-Creative Inspiration, Mysticism, and Imagination 41

Chapter 9 The Herbs of Uranus-Innovation, Originality, and New Thought Patterns 47

Chapter 10 The Herbs of Pluto-Karma and the Unconscious Mind 53

Part 2 Practicum: The Creation, Composition, and Blending of Alchemical Herbal Formulas 59

Chapter 11 Magickal Incense 61

Chapter 12 Ritual Oils 67

Chapter 13 Bath Salts and Purifying Bath Herbs 71

Chapter 14 Herbal Amulets and Magickal Potpourri 77

Chapter 15 Philtres, Elixirs, and Fluid Condensers 83

Part 3 Combining the Planetary and Elemental Influences 89

Chapter 16 Custom Formulas to Balance, Transform, Empower, and Manifest 91

Chapter 17 Creating Custom Formulas Using Numerology 101

Chapter 18 Creating Custom Formulas Using Astrology-Natal Charts 107

Chapter 19 Advanced Herbal Alchemical Work with an Astrological Chart 113

Appendix A Herbal Materia Magicka 119

Appendix B Planetary Energy and Herb Affinity 199

Appendix C Moon Phase and Planetary Day 205

Appendix D Elements and Their Corresponding Herbs 209

Appendix E Formulas and Recipes 215

Appendix F Table of Correspondences 223

Appendix G Table of Planetary Correspondences 227

Appendix H Necessary Supplies 231

Index 237

Editorial Reviews

"Karen Harrison's book is a boon to herbalists, alchemists, witches and magicians alike. Based on the philosophy and teachings of Paracelsus, it details—in every sense of the word—the use of herbs, examining the spirit or chi of the plants, and suggests how that special individual power might be used both mundanely and magically. This is an eminently practical book. It is fully annotated and offers recipes for the blending of incenses, for ceremonial oils, philtres and more. For me, this book will have a permanent place in my collection. It is a joy to read, a wealth of knowledge." —Raymond Buckland, author of Buckland's Book of Gypsy Magic

Raymond Buckland

"Being a well trained and experienced herbologist, the author has created a modern-day herbal grimoire by presenting valuable material in an easy to follow format. She gathers ancient wisdom and illustrates its use in a intelligible style convenient for the modern practitioner. Delightful reading for the herbalist, witch and astrologer alike." —Theitic, editor/publisher of The Witches' Almanac

Theitic

"Karen Harrison's got the goods! I met Karen in the flesh in 1987, although my company had been selling her Moon Magic line of oils and incenses for years. I thought I knew something about herbs—this was before my first real conversation with her! I am delighted that she has finally distilled her years of herbal practice, Qabalistic study, astrological knowledge and magical expertise into a book that will benefit any student of the occult arts, from novice to adept. Well done, Karen!" —Judith Hawkins-Tillirson, author of The Weiser Concise Guide to Herbal Magick

Judith Hawkins-Tillirson

"Powerful, practical and deliciously magickal! I love The Herbal Alchemists Handbook! Not only does it have excellent recipes, but it tells you the how and why behind the principles of formulation rooted in tradition but not afraid to add new, practical and firsthand knowledge. In particular, Karen takes a tough topic, formulation with your numerology or astrology and explains the process in clear terms and makes it fun as well as informative." —Christopher Penczak, author of The Temple of Witchcraft series and The Plant Spirit Familiar

Christopher Penczak

"A thorough and remarkably usable handbook." —Lon Milo DuQuette, author of Enochian Vision Magick

Lon Milo DuQuette

"Being a well trained and experienced herbologist, the author has created a modern-day herbal grimoire by presenting valuable material in an easy to follow format. She gathers ancient wisdom and illustrates its use in a intelligible style convenient for the modern practitioner. Delightful reading for the herbalist, witch and astrologer alike." —Theitic, editor/publisher of The Witches' Almanac

Theitic