Occult Herbalism of the Poison Path

Poisonous plants have long accompanied the practice of witchcraft, revered for their powerful yet perilous properties. Throughout history, herbs like belladonna, mandrake, and monkshood have been associated with witches, alchemists, and healers, believed to possess a dual nature to both heal and harm, curse and cure. The use of such plants has been recorded across cultures, from ancient Greece to the European witch trials, weaving a mythology of danger and power.

This course offers a deep dive into the historical, folkloric, and magical significance of poisonous plants. Students will explore the botanical properties of key plants used in witchcraft, exploring traditional uses in both medicine and the magical arte. They will also examine the symbolism these plants carried in cultural perceptions of the witch, exploring why and how the witch and the poisoner came to be intertwined. The instructor will guide students through historical texts, ancient practices, and modern interpretations…