Author: A Solitary Pagan
Golden Ragwort in Paganism and Witchcraft
Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea, formerly Senecio aureus) is a bright yellow wildflower that blooms in spring and has long been admired for its vibrant appearance and connection to the changing seasons. While it is not among the most famous magical herbs, modern pagans and folk practitioners sometimes include Golden Ragwort in symbolic rituals inspired by nature, renewal, and the cycles of life. In ...
The Use of Goat Willow in Paganism and Witchcraft
Goat Willow (Salix caprea), sometimes known as pussy willow because of its soft spring catkins, has long held symbolic and spiritual significance in various pagan traditions and modern witchcraft. As one of the first trees to show signs of life after winter, it is closely associated with renewal, fertility, intuition, and the returning energy of spring. In many European pagan beliefs, willow trees...
Gill-over-the-Ground (Glechoma hederacea) in Paganism and Witchcraft
Gill-over-the-ground (Glechoma hederacea), also known as ground ivy, creeping charlie, or alehoof, is a humble woodland herb that has long held a place in European folk magic, pagan traditions, and modern witchcraft. Although often regarded as a common garden plant, its rich history reveals a deep connection with protection, healing, and spiritual awareness. In traditional pagan beliefs, Gill-over...
The Use of Geum in Paganism and Witchcraft
Geum is a flowering perennial herb belonging to the rose family (Rosaceae). Known for its bright yellow, orange, or red blossoms and clove-scented roots in some species, Geum has long been valued in European folklore and traditional herbal practices. While historical evidence for its ritual use is limited compared with herbs such as mugwort or vervain, modern Pagan and witchcraft traditions often ...
Garrya in Paganism and Witchcraft
Garrya is a genus of evergreen shrubs and small trees native to North and Central America. Known for its graceful, dangling catkins and hardy nature, it has become appreciated not only as an ornamental plant but also by some modern Pagan and witchcraft practitioners who value the symbolic qualities of plants. Unlike herbs with long-established magical traditions, Garrya has relatively little docum...
Guaiacum in Paganism and Witchcraft
Guaiacum, often called lignum vitae or the “wood of life,” is a slow-growing tree native to the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. While it is best known for its exceptionally dense wood and traditional medicinal uses, Guaiacum has also found a place in some modern Pagan and witchcraft traditions. Its symbolic qualities, rather than any universally established historical...
Groundsel in Paganism and Witchcraft
Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is a humble wild herb that has long been associated with folk magic, pagan traditions, and certain forms of modern witchcraft. Although often dismissed as a common weed, Groundsel has held symbolic importance for practitioners who value the spiritual qualities of plants found growing naturally in fields, gardens, and pathways. In many pagan traditions, Groundsel repres...
Ground Ivy in Paganism and Witchcraft
Ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea), also known as Creeping Charlie, Gill-over-the-Ground, and Alehoof, has long been valued in European folklore, traditional herbalism, and magical practice. Its ability to spread quickly across the earth and remain green throughout much of the year has made it a symbol of resilience, protection, and the enduring connection between humanity and the natural world. Whil...
Galium in Paganism and Witchcraft
The plant Galium, commonly known as bedstraw or cleavers depending on the species, has long held a place in European folklore, pagan traditions, and magical practices. Valued for both its practical and symbolic qualities, Galium has been associated with protection, purification, love, and prosperity. While historical evidence varies between species, many modern pagans and practitioners of folk mag...
Sweet Gale in Paganism and Witchcraft
Sweet Gale (Myrica gale), sometimes called bog myrtle, is a fragrant shrub that has long been valued in European folklore, traditional herbalism, and magical practice. Growing naturally in wetlands and moorlands, it has been associated with protection, purification, and the unseen world for centuries. While historical evidence for specific magical uses varies, Sweet Gale remains a respected botani...
Gaultheria in Paganism and Witchcraft
Gaultheria, commonly known as wintergreen or teaberry, is a low-growing evergreen plant valued for its aromatic leaves and bright red berries. While it is widely recognized for its medicinal and culinary uses, Gaultheria also holds symbolic significance in various pagan and modern witchcraft traditions. Its evergreen nature, refreshing fragrance, and association with healing have made it a meaning...
Gynostemma in Paganism and Witchcraft
Gynostemma (Gynostemma pentaphyllum), often called “Jiaogulan” or the “herb of immortality,” is primarily known in traditional Asian herbal practices for its reputed health-supporting properties. Although it does not have a long-established historical role in European paganism or traditional Western witchcraft, many contemporary pagan and magical practitioners have adopted ...