The Magic of Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is as witchy and magical as the name suggests. A peculiar plant with distinctly fringy yellow flowers, Witch Hazel is often called “snapping hazel” for the peculiar way its fruit “snaps open” and ejects seeds upon reaching maturity. Not only is Witch Hazel bewitching to look at and amusing to listen to, but its spiritual power is even more captivating.
Witch Hazel’s Dousing Power
Witch Hazel is well known for its use as a dousing rod, capable of locating water. A Witch Hazel dousing rod will give a characteristic tug signaling that water is nearby as it tries to draw from it.
“Drawing” Magic with Witch Hazel
Keep this in mind when using Witch Hazel in magical practice; just as Witch Hazel tries to draw on the water nearby, so is it capable of drawing other energies to your, such as love and clairvoyant ability.
“Winterbloom”
Witch Hazel has an intriguing and quirky habit of blooming during the Winter, hence its nickname, “Winterbloom.” And unlike most fruit-bearing plants, Witch Hazel tends to hold on to last year’s fruit while flowering in the new year, hence its genus name Hamamelis which means “together with fruit.”
Witch Hazel and the Power to Bend Will
Witch Hazel gets its name from being commonly used to craft divination rods and resembling the hazelnut tree. The Old English word for “witch,” wice, means “pliable,” as it was thought that witch could bend others’ will.
Native Americans Used Witch Hazel in Divination
Native Americans used the seeds medicinally and to divine whether or not a patient would recover from a particular illness. They introduced the plant to American settlers, who quickly adapted it into colonial life.
Witch Hazel’s Protective Power
Witch Hazel has protective, divinatory, and clairvoyant energies and can be used in purification and banishing rituals. Witch Hazel can be found in North America in the Eastern half of the country, Japan and China.
Witch Hazel Magical Correspondences
- Botanical Name: Hamamelis
- Folk Names: Snapping Hazelnut, Spotted Alder, Winterbloom
- Gender: Masculine
- Planet: Sun
- Element: Fire
- Attributes: Protection, Chastity, Divination, Spirit Communication, Love, Psychic Ability
From Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
Magical Ways to Use Witch Hazel
Due to its affinity for water, witch hazel can be used in water magic, and witch hazel twigs can be used to locate water underground. When applied to old furniture, Witch Hazel can restore it by softening the surface.
Heightening Psychic Power with Witch Hazel
Keep Witch Hazel twigs, petals, and seeds near your altar or sacred space to assist in heightening clairvoyant, divinatory, and magical energies. Use Witch Hazel seeds in spells for communicating with spirits. The seeds can also be used in divination.
Witch Hazel Wands Are Great for Protection and Banishing
Consider making a wand from Witch Hazel branches. A Witch Hazel wand is incredibly potent at protection and warding, as well as banishing hostile forces. A Witch Hazel wand is also effective at locating water.
Carry Witch Hazel Seeds to Attract Love
Carry a sachet of Witch Hazel seeds and flowers for its protective energies or to attract love. Add a Witch Hazel infusion to bath water to attract love. Place Witch Hazel in sachets and charms to heal a broken heart.
A Healing Poppet with Witch Hazel
Make a healing poppet and stuff it with Witch Hazel leaves and flowers, then dress the poppet with healing oils. A Witch Hazel poppet is especially potent for skin disorders such as eczema and acne.
Herb of Chastity
Witch hazel can temper passions as it is an herb of chastity.
The Healing Power of Witch Hazel*
Witch Hazel is a popular, natural skin toner and cleanser. As an astringent, it can minimize the appearance of pores and clear oily skin, as well as work preventatively against future blackheads and pimples.
Witch Hazel for Spider Veins
Another widespread use of Witch Hazel is minimizing swollen veins. Witch Hazel is a natural remedy against varicose veins when applied topically. Just remember to elevate the area in question so that the veins aren’t subject to extra swelling due to blood pressure before applying Witch Hazel.
Witch Hazel for Diaper Rash
Soothe baby’s diaper rash with a little bit of Witch Hazel. You can dab a small amount on a cotton ball and clean the baby’s rash with an immediate result.
Witch Hazel and Hemorrhoids
Witch Hazel is prominently featured in many over-the-counter hemorrhoid ointments and creams for good reason — it provides relief. Witch Hazel is a natural remedy for hemorrhoids. Mix it with aloe and apply it to the affected area for soothing relief.
Witch Hazel Uses for Sunburn
Witch Hazel is quite effective in treating sunburn. A concoction of Witch Hazel and Aloe should help slow any inflammation, with the Aloe helping to cool the burn. This remedy will also help lessen any peeling that might occur subsequently.
Can Witch Hazel Help with Dark Circles Under Eyes?
Witch Hazel’s astringent nature makes it more than ideal for treating those stubborn under-eye bags and dark circles, as it can tighten up the skin and lessen any puffiness. Be careful not to get any Witch Hazel in the eyes, or it will burn like the dickens!
Does Witch Hazel Help with Stretch Marks?
Applying a little Witch Hazel to the skin while pregnant can help minimize the formation of stretch marks. For the stretch marks you might already have, spraying a little Witch Hazel around the stretch mark can help tighten the skin and lessen the appearance.
Witch Hazel Aftershave
Witch Hazel makes the perfect aftershave. Apply a modest amount on an area after you’ve shaved it to stop razor bumps before they develop.
Witch Hazel and Poison Ivy
Be sure to bring Witch Hazel on your next camping trip. In case you brush up against poison ivy, Witch Hazel can help soothe the itch. It can also help with bug bites.
Witch Hazel and Bruises
Apply Witch Hazel to unsightly bruises a couple of times daily to dramatically reduce their appearance.
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