Herbs in Witchcraft - Pine

Whether you're working with the seeds, bark, cones or needles, pine has powerful magic as an herb in witchcraft. Read on to learn about it's healing and magical properties.

Pine trees, growing tall and evergreen, provide stability throughout the year, even in the harsh winter months when little else is growing. A symbol of winter celebrations like Yule and Imbolc, pine has been used in healing and witchcraft for centuries by cultures with harsh winters.

Let's explore what these prickly, soaring trees can add to our magical practice.

Healing Properties of Pine

Many parts of the pine can be used for herbal healing. The needles, inner bark, and resin of the tree have all been used in traditional medicine, and the essential oil plays a powerful role in aromatherapy. When ingested through pine tea, it can help ease coughs, colds, allergies and sinus infections as well as urinary tract infections. It can also be used topically to lessen join inflammation for arthritis.

Fresh needles and buds picked in spring are known as pine tops and can be combined with other herbs to create teas to help with a variety of cold symptoms. Always consult a professional before consuming herbal remedies.

The inner bark can also be boiled down and used as a wash, poultice, or bath infusion to ease muscle aches and joint pain.

Pine resin or pitch has antimicrobial properties and has been used in folk medicine to dress wounds or to draw out splinters.

The essential oil made from the needles of the tree is also has many uses. Diffuse the oil or add it to a room spray to clear the air when there's been sickness in the home. Add it to a massage oil to ease muscle pain. Use it in a roller ball application on the go to help revitalize the mind and relieve exhaustion.

There are a huge variety of pine species, as well as many trees that look like pine but aren't, and they're not all safe to use. Work with an experienced herbalist or forager or buy products from a reputable source to ensure safety.

Magical & Spiritual Properties of Pine

In witchcraft, this evergreen tree is probably best known for its purification properties and is often added to homemade cleaning products for both physical and metaphysical cleansing. Because it's an evergreen, it's also popular in spells for resilience and prosperity. And those prickly needles are perfect for protection work. It can also be used to help clear the mind and bring healing.

Corresondences for this tree include:

• Gender - male/projective
• Element - air
• Planet - Mars
• Chakra - solar plexus, heart
• Astrology - Aquarius
• Magickal properties - releasing, protection, moving on, resilience, friendship, prosperity, healing, clearing the mind

Witchcraft Uses for Pine

As always, you are limited only by your imagination when it comes to crafting spells with pine. The only rule is to be safe. Don't ingest or apply anything to your skin unless you're sure it's safe. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Add pine essential oil or an infusion of needles to a floor wash to cleanse your home of unhelpful energy.
• Create your own home cleaning products and infuse them with your intention.
• Meditate in a grove of pine trees to increase your resilience.
• Craft a healing tea blend in the winter.
• Create an empowering oil and anoint yourself or your tools with purifying energy.
• Add an infusion of pine to a relaxing bath spell.
• Add pine cones to a charm bag or spell jar to give your spells long lasting effects.
• Decorate your home or altar with pine boughs or cones in winter to remind you of the resilience of nature.

Recipes for the Kitchen Witch

While you probably don't want to go chomping on a tree, pine nuts are delicious and used most prominently in Italian cuisine. I love their butteriness and light crunch. Whether eating them whole, added to salads or other dishes, or ground up in pesto, they bring a burst of pine energy to your kitchen spells. Here are a few recipes to get you started.

• Spinach Pesto
• Creamy Pesto Gnocchi with Chicken
• Gorgonzola Focaccia with pine nuts
• Whipped Feta on Toast topped with toasted pine nuts and honey

Are you ready to start using pine in your witchcraft practice? This beautiful tree can bring so much positive energy into your life. How will you tap into its power? Let me know in the comments.

Sources:

• Chestnut Schools of Herbs
• Neal's Yard Remedies Essential Oils
• The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander