Bioregional Magic: Working with Invasive Plants
UPG Time: All information comes from my personal practice.
Within a locally based practice, one might feel compelled to work with only native plants. After all, it makes sense to want to form relationships with beneficial plants that grow naturally in your area.
But what about that enormous patch of 4 foot-tall Mugwort growing in the corner of the yard? Or the huge Rose of Sharon shrub covered in edible blooms? What do we do when native plants are scarce or too valuable to local wildlife to disturb, and the ever-abundant invasives are right there?
We put them to work. Invasive plants are a useful resource that we can collect and utilize without harming (and often benefiting) the local ecosystem.
Invasive vs Non-Native & Naturalized
Remember that not every non-native plant is invasive. Not even every weedy non-native plant is invasive. Invasive plants grow rapidly, have few predators or pathogens, out-compete natives, and harm the ecosystem. Plants classified as non-native don't support wildlife as well as native plants, but do not pose an ecological threat. Naturalized plants are non-native plants that have successfully integrated themselves into their new environment without causing ecological damage.
Additionally, some species are invasive in certain states or provinces but are fine in others, so look up your local invasive species list!
Invasive Species Correspondences
There are a few general correspondences that come to mind when I think of invasive plants. They are weedy with an aggressive growth rate. They out-compete and smother their native competitors.
If you're looking for fast-acting magic, a quick prosperity working, or magic that gives you an advantage over someone else, these are the plants to use. I could also see them being used in workings related to adapting in an unfamiliar environment.
On the contrary, they can be great for curses and hexes, with the ability to choke, smother, overwhelm, and destroy.
All living things deserve dignity and respect. If you are an animist, regularly work with plants and animals, or have a set of "Ethical" or "Honorable" harvest rules in your practice, you probably agree.
Invasive plants aren't trying to destroy our ecosystem. They were introduced by humans and unfortunately do far too well in their new environment. In my practice, if you harvest these plants with contempt or hatred, your magic will fall short.
In terms of safe harvesting practices, it's important to wear protective gear and be aware of potential toxicity. Additionally, one should be aware of how to properly collect different species. Certain harvest or culling methods can actually cause some plants to reproduce faster. Mugwort, which is invasive in some parts of the US, spreads by rhizome and pulling it from the ground will only make it grow faster.
Narrowing Correspondences
While the general correspondences listed above can be very useful, they aren't unique to any individual plant. All invasive plants are native to somewhere, meaning that there is some place where they have their own ecological benefits and rich cultural meaning.
As practitioners, we want to actually get to know these plants on an individual level. A good starting point is through learning about their ecological benefits within their native range, and their symbolism/folkore. The intent here isn't to absorb this symbolism into our paths and divorce it from its original context. The goal should be to learn about these plants so they can be approached from a place of appreciation and respect, and perceived as more than just "invasive".
Once you've learned about an individual plant, you can begin to write your own correspondences. Some things to pay attention to are time of year fruiting, sun/shade tolerance, leaf shape, seed dispersal, growth pattern, and wildlife value (if applicable in your area, otherwise, look into wildlife value within the plant's native range).
If you want to venerate an invasive plant, or are performing a working that requires leaving offerings, it should be done in a way that doesn't encourage outdoor growth. This means no watering or offering things like compost. Here are some ideas for invasive plant offerings:
Bowls of water, compost, or fruit, left for a specific period of time and then removed
Devotional art and jewelry
Stones and other natural items
Compostable trinkets and art made from materials sourced from the plant (nothing that could encourage reproduction, like seeds)
Utilizing Invasive Plant Materials
Invasive plants can be harvested with virtually no damage to the ecosystem. More often than not, they will just keep growing back, providing a near-endless source of materials and ingredients. This differs from native plants, where harvesting requires great care and should be done sparingly.
Some ideas for utilizing invasive plant materials:
Ingredients for workings that require specific plant parts (roots to represent death, flowers for love workings, etc.)
Incense blends and smoke bundles
Wreaths for warding or altar decor
Edible plants: kitchen magic, teas, tinctures, infusions, recipes
Flower petals for strewing
Offerings for associated spirits or Deities
Bath Teas for ritual baths and glamours
Botanical salts for specific workings
Note: If you are applying a plant to your skin, using it for incense, or consuming it, please properly identify the plant and confirm that it's safe for your intended use. Always use a plant reference book, foraging book, or field guide in addition to a search engine. Never rely on plant identification apps. Learn about look alikes too. Never expose yourself, household, or your pets to potentially toxic plants.
