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No, not that kind of witch. The name witch hazel is a bit misleading. It does not, in fact, refer to the practitioners of witchcraft, instead being a modernization of the Old English wice (to bend) or wiche (weak), in reference to the pliable branches. They were used functionally by Indigenous people in the Americas because of this quality. Despite this, the plant has, indeed, found itself beloved by witches - whether by chance or through linguistic accident, it has found a place in the cupboards of many practitioners due to its magickal properties. It is a versatile and inexpensive herb that can be used for a wide range of spellwork.
BOTANICAL BREAKDOWN
BOTANICAL NAME - Hamamelis virginica
AKA - Snapping hazelnut, spotted alder, winterbloom
PARTS USED - Leaves, bark
BOTANICAL PROPERTIES OF WITCH HAZEL
Witch hazel is a flowering deciduous shrub of the hamamelidaceae family, with three North American species, a Japanese species, and a Chinese species. Their seeds are ejected on maturity with great force, traveling up to 12 feet, hence their colloquial name of snapping hazel. The species native to North America are adaptable to most climates across the country, and offer beautiful yellow blooms later in the year than most plants - September through December, depending on grow zone. The botanical name of the genus, Hamamelis, refers to how its fruit and flowers bloom simultaneously with the maturing of the fruit from the previous year.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF WITCH HAZEL
| This article is not medical advice, it is just a description of how this herb has been used and is for informational purposes only. Many herbs may have adverse or even dangerous effects when misused. |
The Indigenous peoples of the Americas have been using witch hazel far longer than modern medicine, which didn’t adopt it until the last couple of centuries. From using bark to treat skin sores to brewing tea for digestive issues, and much more, Indigenous communities took advantage of the unique plant to treat various ailments. Due to its astringent and antiseptic properties, it became one of the first mass-marketed toiletries in the US, and is still commonly used today in modern and folk medicine alike. Diluted witch hazel water is commonly available over-the-counter for use on minor skin irritations. It can also be found in salves and ointments treating acne, hemorrhoids, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, rashes, and inflammation.
MAGICK & MYTHOS
ELEMENT - Fire
PLANET - Saturn
MOON PHASE - Waning
TAROT - N/A
CHAKRA - Solar Plexus
DEITIES & ENTITIES - Aja, Alanus, Anteros, Apollo, Artemis, Asclepius, Ashvins, Atepomarus, Belenus, Bona Dea, Brigid, Cupid, Diana, Dielli, Eeyeekalduk, Eir, Erotes, Grannus, Helios, Hua Tuo, Isis, Ixtlilton, Loco, Minerva, Ninisina, Shennong Da Di, Sukunahikona, Zjarri
MAGICKAL USES OF WITCH HAZEL
Witch hazel is a widely used magickal herb, with numerous useful purposes. The branches can be used to fashion a divining rod, while the leaves, twigs, and bark have protective qualities. They can be used in spellwork and sachets to protect against negative energies while promoting emotional and spiritual healing. Despite being related to fire, it is not an herb that should be used in love magick unless it is to heal a broken heart or calm passions, due to its association with chastity.
A few ways to use witch hazelin spellwork:
- Incorporate witch hazel in a sachet to help mend a broken heart
- Utilize witch hazel in spellwork for protection and to promote clarity
- Fashion a divining rod (aka dowsing rod, wishing rod, finding stick) using a Y-shaped branch that is young growth and virgin (unused for any other purposes), and stripped of its leaves. At least one record states that the branch should be facing so the rising and setting sun are framed by the prongs. Divining rods work by bending towards objects of power or hidden objects, such as water, minerals, or things desired by the holder