CHAPTER 1

Virtue and the Ten Laws of Plants

The Virtue of a plant is its mystery, its arcana. It is the power to create, transform, kill, bless, bring misfortune, heal, purify, and regenerate. This Virtue is the gift the plant offers to humankind: its spiritual essence, the emerald fire that permeates our workings, ceremonies, concoctions, rituals, and spells. This power is what we need for our actions to generate meaningful and potent effects. The Virtue of a plant is the fire that weaves the reality we seek when we approach the plant with respect and sincerity.

To access this Virtue, it is necessary to understand certain rules of the plants. However, I want to make clear that the “rules” I share here are not the only valid ones. As I mentioned before, there are countless ways to approach and work with the green beings. Take what resonates with you and what works in your practice. These rules are based on my personal experience after years of immersion in this branch of the arte magice, or magical art. I hope they serve as a starting point or as a tool to deepen your relationship with the plants.

ON THE USE OF PLANTS IN MAGIC

As beings inhabited by intelligent and wise consciousness, plants possess the power to change and transform, to create and even to destroy. They can have a profound impact on the material plane through their true essence, which dwells in the higher realms of the spiritual plane. In other cases, their consciousness resides deep within the Earth, in what we know as the chthonic plane or “that which lies beneath”—that vast darkness of the Earth’s womb, where all things germinate and are transformed.

The ancients understood these powers well. They discovered that plants are carriers of vast and profound knowledge, and over time, they developed a relationship with the green realm that went far beyond the use of plants for food, clothing, or survival.

Our ancestors learned that plants could heal—and also kill. That, under certain methods of working, they could bring misfortune or good fortune. They studied their characteristics and, little by little, developed an occult and hermetic knowledge to which only a few had access. This is the knowledge of witches, shamans, druids, herbalists, and healers. They learned to communicate with plants, listening to their messages in order to create potions, medicines, powders, smokes, and poisons. Thus was woven the ancient art of plant magic—the use of plants for medicine, ritual, ceremony, and healing.

Rule 1. Take Only What
You Need—No More, No Less.

Approach plant beings with love and humility. Ask for what you need and take only what is essential for your magical work. In most cases, we use only specific parts of a plant in our practices, though some, such as Plantain (Plantago major), are harvested in their entirety and used fully.

Before gathering any part of a plant, take the time to observe it. Examine its state of health, the stage of its life cycle (whether it is seeding, flowering, and so forth), and the environment in which it grows. If the plant bears seeds, sow some in the same place where you collected it, so that its presence may continue to flourish. Harvest roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds with gratitude and joy.

Remember that when a tree or plant is in bloom or bearing fruit, many insects and animals depend on it for survival. I have often come across trees in full flower surrounded by bumblebees fiercely guarding the blossoms as they go about their vital work. Be patient—observe and open your perception to receive the guidance of the plant spirit. Most plants open themselves generously to offer us what we need for our craft, so long as we approach them with respect and understanding.

Some plants, like the Brugmansia, prefer for their flowers to be gathered in complete silence, directly from the ground, rather than plucked from their branches. Certain traditions forbid the use of metal tools when harvesting plant parts (except in the case of bark, roots, or branches), suggesting instead that the hands be used whenever possible. If a tool is required, a pair of pruning shears reserved solely for gathering plant material will suffice. The shears must never touch flesh or blood, and their use should be strictly limited to working with plants; the same applies to other implements, such as the mortar and pestle. Keep these tools sacred and devoted to your practice, as they, too, absorb the energy of the plant realm and assist you in your craft.

Only 30 to 40 percent of a plant’s aerial parts should ever be harvested at one time. Moreover, it is essential to consider the phase of the moon. When the moon is full, the aerial parts are especially charged with energy. However, removing too many leaves can weaken the plant considerably and may even cause its death.

For seasonal plants—such as Yauhtli (Tagetes lucida), which blooms only from September through October—it is acceptable to harvest a more generous amount of branches, flowers, and leaves, drying them for use throughout the year. In such cases, it is appropriate to cut the herb close to the root, without stripping it entirely of branches, thus preserving its ability to regenerate.

When harvesting parts of a plant, carefully observe the arrangement of the petioles. Pluck from the buds, nodes, or peduncles in the case of flowers. If you are gathering them by hand, respect the shape of the plant to avoid causing unnecessary harm. For sturdier plants, it is appropriate to use specific tools such as stainless-steel scissors, bonsai shears, or a well-sharpened steel sickle. These tools should be disinfected beforehand with alcohol or with aguardiente or Florida water, both of which have a high alcohol content. Make sure to cut precisely and avoid abrupt movements that could injure the plant being.

If you need to take roots, keep a natural healing agent on hand to apply to the cut area. This will help the plant heal. Ground Cinnamon is an easily accessible antibacterial and healing agent that can be applied to the cut to protect our green companion.

If you are harvesting fruits and/or flowers, do not take them all; leave a generous portion for the animals, as they, too, depend on plants to survive. I recall an occasion when I tried to harvest the dark, mysterious berries of an Elder tree. I asked for permission and offered my respects before beginning, but during meditation, the tree conveyed to me that it was not the right time. These fruits were the first of the season and were meant for the Earth and the spirits of the place. I was to wait for the next harvest if I wished to receive them. Upon close observation, I noticed that many green fruits remained, which would ripen after the first ones had fallen to the ground. That encounter taught me the importance of considering the invisible neighbors that surround us. Plants, generous as they are, share their gifts with us; the least we can do is act with reverence and leave a portion for the other beings who also depend on them.

As a general rule, plants afflicted by fungi or infested with insects should not be harvested, as they will be of no use for either medicine or magic. A plant must be in good health. Likewise, depending on what you seek—roots, fruits, or flowers—it is essential to gather at the time of year, lunar phase, or hour of the day when the plant’s vital energy is most concentrated in that specific part.

One example is the harvest of Angelica (Angelica archangelica) root, which takes place during the autumn and winter months, before the arrival of spring. During this period, the plant’s life force is focused within its roots, making them ideal for both magical and medicinal use. Researching and delving deeper into these natural cycles is key to enriching our understanding of the appropriate times for harvesting.

On a deeper level, plants may also be gathered during specific lunar phases or through particular methods dictated by folk wisdom, magical tradition, or personal gnosis.* Additionally, certain planetary transits, sacred days, or seasonal moments, such as the liminal days known as solstices and equinoxes, are regarded as propitious times for collection. However, we will not delve into those aspects in this book; my hope is that the universal protocols shared here will offer you a strong foundation for your practice.