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Working with herbs / Preparations and References
 f you have access to fresh herbs, whether by gardening or wildcrafting, by all means use them. If you are going to pick wild plants there are a few simple and sensible rules to follow.First of all, get permission whether the lands are private or public. Second, never use plants growing within 10 feet roadsides, along train track, near power-lines and fences, or close to cultivated fields and fruit orchards (unless it is organic cultivation). The reason for this is the simple fact of chemical contamination through vehicle emissions, creosote, herbicides and pesticides. Also take care when harvesting plants growing near or in water, there may be agricultural or industrial runoff upstream. This may be depressing but it is our reality, one we need to protect ourselves against. Second, pick your chosen plants with care and intent, and never take more than you will need. If the herb you want is on the endangered list or is in danger of ending up on it because of overharvesting in the wild, try to find a cultivated variety or substitute something else. There is a non-profit American organization called United Plant Savers whose main objective is saving endangered and threatened medical (and by association magickal) species. Something from their literature I'd like to share with you is a list of dos and don'ts when it comes to harvesting in the wild:
 Wild and cultivated herbs are best gathered by the season and time of day. In this case, season does not mean calendar time, but a cycle of nature that is determined by the plant part. Roots and bark are harvested in the fall or spring depending on the use; flowers in bloom, a few hours after opening or in bud stage; leaves and stems when the plant is mature, early to late summer before fruit or seed appear; fruit and seed when ripe, from late summer to late fall. Favorite hours for harvesting are early morning after the dew has dried off, but before the sun is in her full glory and in early evening after the heat of the sun has waned but before night moisture sets in. Gather herbs when they are fairly dry, excess moisture dilutes their properties and slows the drying process, the full heat of the sun also depletes the energies of the plants. If the day is dry, cool and mild throughout, then any time is good.Be prepared before you go out. Have a large basket or container to carry the harvest in, several paper bags for separating plants, a pen to write the name of the plant and location of harvest on the bags, plastic bags for specimen collecting, you might encounter a plant you can't readily identify ( the plastic bag will keep the plant from wilting too much), a knife, scissors and a strong garden trowel for digging roots, can you consecrate a garden trowel and scissors? Of course, just reserve it specifically for dedicated work with magickal or healing herbs in the garden or the wild. And don't forget a plant identification book!! Once you've identified the plant and have found a likely specimen, it should be strong, vital and energetic, focus your thoughts and energy on the intended use for the plant. Ask its permission to harvest all or part of it, if you get a no, move on, don't second guess yourself, you are after all taking its life or part of its body. If you get a yes, say a prayer, offer thanks, leave an offering of cornmeal, wine, a stone or a feather and harvest the plant. If you're digging up the entire plant including the root, fill in the hole afterwards and brush the ground cover back into place. Walk softly upon the cloak of the Mother. Treat your harvested plant material with care, don't just throw it haphazardly into a bag or basket. Be deliberate with your actions, keep your thoughts focused on why you are there and what you seek to accomplish. Magickal herbalism begins long before we enter the forest, garden or ritual space, it is also in the growing, choosing, harvesting and preparing herbs. Be sure your intent is for the highest good, keep your mind clear and peaceful, as you would in any other ritual activity. If we can grow some of the plant we use most often, then gardening becomes a ritual activity. The magickal or medicinal garden is a wonderful and special thing. It is a broad topic, beyond the scope of this article, we'll be addressing it in a future issue.
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Working with herbs / Preparations and References
