What makes a plant magical? Its chemistry, its connection to the planets, or the rituals used to awaken its power?
From ancient Egyptian incense and Greek magical papyri to medieval grimoires, witches’ herbs and modern spellcraft, discover the fascinating history of herbal magic and witchcraft.
In this lecture, we explore the magical uses of mandrake, mugwort, rosemary, henbane, frankincense, myrrh and other sacred plants. We uncover the origins of planetary correspondences, protective charms, ritual fumigation, love magic, divination and plant spirit traditions across different cultures.
Drawing on historical sources, archaeology, ethnobotany and peer-reviewed research, we separate documented magical practices from modern myths.
CONNECT & SUPPORT
BECOME MY PATRON! https://www.patreon.com/angelapuca
MY COURSES https://drangelapuca.com/courses
WEBSITE https://www.drangelapuca.com/
BOOK A TUTORING OR A LECTURE https://drangelapuca.com/services
SUBSTACK ️ https://substack.com/@drangelapuca
SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI ️https://ko-fi.com/drangelapuca
ONE-OFF DONATIONS https://paypal.me/angelasymposium
JOIN MEMBERSHIPS https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSbip_LX2AxbGeAQfLp-Ig/join
MY PODCAST https://open.spotify.com/show/2TKoWTGe6OKRokHN2zUIxM?si=dd9f50a734b14f86
MY MERCH https://drangelapuca.creator-spring.com/
FOLLOW ME
– YouTube (@drangelapuca)
– SUBSTACK https://substack.com/@drangelapuca
– Instagram (@drangelapuca)
– TikTok (@drangelapuca)
– Twitter (@angelapuca11)
– Facebook (Dr Angela Puca)
RECOMMENDED READINGS
REFERENCES
(Check the related slide on screen)
MY SET-UP ️
– Canon 90D camera https://amzn.to/3yQclh0
– Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 https://amzn.to/3JjU1BS
– Teleprompter ️ https://amzn.to/3linWCB
– Shure SM7B Microphone ️ https://amzn.to/3Jm5IYK
– Microphone stand https://amzn.to/3FueJOn
– Lights https://amzn.to/3Zdk8k1
– DJI Wireless microphones https://amzn.to/3NWAVVQ
00:00 Introduction to Herbal Magic
01:53 Thessalos and the Failure of Magical Remedies
04:41 Three Registers of Plant Power: Rite, Virtue and Sign
06:03 What Makes a Plant Magical? Ethnobotany and Religion
07:58 Theophrastus and Ancient Plant-Gathering Rituals
09:00 Pliny the Elder: Selago, Vervain and Mistletoe
09:56 The Greek Magical Papyri and Ritual Plant Personhood
10:49 Josephus, Mandrake and Dangerous Roots
12:04 Sacred Trees, Plant Teachers and Ritual Obligations
12:54 Working Plant Personhood
13:33 Celestial Virtue and Planetary Influences
14:13 Agrippa and the Planetary Classification of Plants
15:02 Solomonic Wands and Culpeper’s Printed Herbals
16:03 The Doctrine of Signatures
17:07 Vedic Plant Charms and the Atharvaveda
18:04 The Hermeneumata: Secret Code or Technical Vocabulary?
19:09 Modern Magical Correspondences and WitchTok
20:05 What Correspondence Tables Preserve and Lose
20:39 Witches’ Flying Ointments and Historical Evidence
22:24 Tropane Alkaloids and Polish Witch Trials
24:04 Roman Law, Poisoning and the Salem Ergot Debate
25:47 Archaeology, Residues and Ritual Plants
26:51 Medieval Remedies, Incense and Laboratory Evidence
28:35 The Meaning Response and Ritual Efficacy
29:54 Plant Substitution, Ecology and the Meaning of Magic
️ Copyright of Dr Angela Puca, in all of its parts ️
Music by Erose MusicBand. Check them out!
Published on November 8, 2026
