Shaped like a human being, the mandrake (Mandragora) is a plant that has long been associated with Witchcraft. It is highly toxic and produces a narcotic effect when ingested internally—something that is not recommended! The important thing when selecting a mandrake is to find one in the shape of the opposite sex of the person on whom you wish to cast the spell, and then to immediately carve the root into a
human form.
There are two genera of plants that are traditionally classified as mandragora: the mandragora officinalis, a member of the tomato family (which includes deadly nightshade and devil’s apple) and the English white bryony (bryonia dioica) which is related to the cucumber and gourd. Both can be used in spells calling for Mandrake, but they should be used with great caution, as they are extremely poisonous.
Legend speaks of gathering the mandrake on the night of the full moon as close to the Vernal Equinox as possible. The plant should be carefully extracted from the earth. A small section of the mandrake is clipped away and replanted in the spot from where it was taken. The mandrake is then gently carved into human shape and replanted in either a churchyard or at the spot where two paths cross (crossroads).
Each night for one lunar month, the mandrake is watered with a combination of distilled water, milk, and a drop of your blood.
When the lunar month has ended, remove the mandrake from the ground. If you’ve cared for it properly, the mandrake’s skin will have completely healed over and taken on human form. To complete the process, you will need to dry the mandrake. This can be done by placing it on a bed of vervain leaves in a warm oven or by passing it through the incense smoke of burning vervain leaves. (Note that the latter method will take months to complete, as the root dries very slowly.) Clothe the mandrake in unbleached muslin and keep near the hearth or in the room you use most frequently. It will serve to bring you health, wealth, and happiness.
