“CONCERNING GATHERING-CUSTOMS OF CERTAIN HERBS.
Traditional herb-gathering methods prescribe certain taboos prior to gathering plants, such as abstinence from sexual activity or alcohol. Both of these prohibitions are of incalculable value, chiefly for the homeostasis of the Aethyric Body as a precondition for the Art Magical, as well as a gesture of devotion and respect. With certain plants, however, additional Tabus form part of their corpus of ancient lore.
LILY, the Blossom of Earth and Holy Herb of Calmena, which must be gathered in purity with the naked hand, or else with blades of silver or gold. The same may be said of Betony, Waybread, Burdock, Violet, and Elecampane. Not only must the blade of iron be absent from the presence of these worts, no iron or steel must be worn upon th eperson as well.
FERN, which by good tradition is gathered at either midday or midnight.
HORNBEAM, which must be petitioned in silent prayer, awaiting a sign of affirmation, elsewise curses shall chase those who disregard its solemn law.
GORSE, whose permission for harvest is petitioned by way of earnest prayer, then entering a hedge thick with its spines. If the branches part before he who would gather the plant, and his flesh is not punctured, then the way is made clear for gathering.
VERVAIN, which by custom is collected when neither the Sun nor the Moon are seen in the sky, and always with the Left Hand. Honey and beeswax are its preferred sacrifices.
BELLADONNA, which must be summoned not only by song but also by great flattery and praise of her Beauty, such that the Genius is seduced. By some customs one must dance naked before the plant at midnight to gain its favour. All offerings of a sexual nature, including fornication upon its ground of dwelling, are in keeping with this custom.
WHITETHORN, like the Lily, is beloved of the Queen of the Earth, and like that blossom, requires great respect when harvesting. By custom, prayerful sacrifices of silk and silver are made before taking wood, leaves, thorns, flowers, or fruit from a tree amid a hedge of its fellows; lone Thorns should not be harvested, but instead worshipped.
MISTLETOE, which ideally has been loosened or blown off its tree of habitation by a storm, is collected with utmost reverence. Requiring the work of two simplers, one must knock the tree from the boughs, whilst another must catch it in a clean silk dedicated specifically unto IXIAS, its governing Genius. Following the dictates of certain elder lore, Mistletoe is gathered on the sixth day of the Waning moon, but its virtue is chiefly solar, rather than lunar, so the station of the Sun should be given consideration.
ADDER’S TONGUE, which, when gathered for the work of Cures, should be harvested at the wane of the moon. The same is true of Root of Burdock.
WATER LILY, which should be plucked with ears plugged, so to avoid the bewitching songs of water-nymphs, and death by drowning. Thus, when approaching forlorn ponds in search of the blossom, a coin of silver should be given the waters before gathering. If the flower is to be used for the work of the Love-Charm, it should be gathered on the Full Moon.
MANDRAKE, gathered alone, most usually in the dark hours, the time of Midnight being preferred, or else during the day at such times as the Sun is eclipsed by shadow. By some magical customs it is dug with a carved ivory staff, by others with the tusk of a boar, still others require the belligerent presence of an Iron Blade. By far the greatest tradition associated with its harvest is the use of a starved dog, jaded by the scent of meat, whose death may result from the offence of the Root and its scream of outrage. The same Tabu, to a lesser extent, governs harvest of the Pæony.”
Viridanium Umbris: the Pleasure-Garden of Shadow, Daniel Schulke