The Winter’s Bloom: Witch Hazel Spiritual Meaning and Magic

A witch hazel tree in full bloom.

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.

Witch Hazel blooms weighed down by water droplets.

“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.

A witch hazel tree in bloom.

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.

Deep orange witch hazel blooms blanketed in snow.

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.

Red witch hazel flowers on the tree.

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.

*(See FDA Disclaimer)

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.

Many witch hazel flowers blooming on a tree.

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.

A witch hazel tree in bloom in a grassy field.

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.

Curly, bright yellow witch hazel blooms.

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.

Orange-yellow witch hazel blooms on a branch.

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