Gathering plants

[Eeeloxddx]

Hi everyone! I have a question for you regarding your approach to gathering herbs for magical purposes. I am an animist and believe that every plant has a spirit; many animists believe one should ask a plant for permission before picking it. Do you practice this? Personally, I don’t—I know people who don’t ask plants for consent but simply treat them with respect and leave an offering, which is perfectly sufficient. I do the same, and it works well. Moreover, in the ancestral tradition I draw from, asking for permission isn't required; instead, you should thank the plant and explain the purpose for which you are gathering it.

 

[Ignotus]

When i harvest herbs or plants from my own garden, I usually just take what I need. Since i care for these plants and spend a lot of time with them, I feel that i have already built a good realtionship with their spirits and with the elementals in my garden.
With wild plants, like for example in the forest, I respectfully harvest a bit, without taking too much and afterwards thank the plant and the spirits of the forest

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I also often do rituals in the forest i usually go to and sometimes when it feels right or it fits the ritual, I leave some small offerings in the forest. Like apples that i cut up and place in a ring of oats, or even a bit of tobacco that i burn for the elementals and forest spirits. So i don´t think they would mind if I simpy took or picked something, but it just feels right to say thanks. And I´m sure the deer and squirrels in the forest enjoy my offerings too, not just the spirits^^

 

[Caridoc Tacitus]

I recently read an article about how plowing natural grasslands permanently disrupts the ability of the grass to grow back and wonder if the reason why the roots of so many plants are so potent is because it exacts a terrible cost we never fully understand. Food for thought, literally.

 

[Soror Epihania]

I think the notion of asking a plant spirit for consent before taking pieces is overly simplistic and leaves a lot of room for projection and fantasy, especially for folks in the early stages of living out an animist path. Generally I think we're good as long as we aren't over-harvesting or damaging the plant. Pay attention, be respectful, and be mindful of the space you're taking from. Consider how abundant the plant your taking is and how long it will take for nature to regenerate what you cut away.

As for swaying the spirit to aid in your work and retain its virtue in whatever portion you cut off, I think it's important to approach the plant with sensual awareness. Try to feel its place in the systems around it, notice the way it catches wind and sun or moonlight. What relations it might have with other local fauna and flora. Stop and breathe with it for awhile. Then speak to it in a firm but gentle voice, tell it what you're taking and why and ask it to aid you in your work. Make an offering that will not cause any harm to the soil or ecosystem, I like honeyed spring water myself. You may also want to invoke any allied gods or spirits who preside over the herbal path and plant magic. For me it's usually Hekate and Heramael from the Grimorium Verum.

 

[BBMage]

I do practice this. I also often leave offerings for the plant or the guardian of the plant, usually an old tree. If you asks the trees they will show you which one. It can teach you things as well. I have agreements with the forest guardian in the area I usually gather my plants. I feel like it brings a lot more connection to the components of my practice.