What is a Herpes Witch?

A herpes witch is a solitary witch who believes the home should be a place of safety, comfort, and beauty, encouraging all aspects of health and wellness. She focuses her intent on helping others overcome frequent and severe herpes outbreaks naturally, and sometimes magically (energetically). Like the cottage witch, a herpes witch practices low magic, applying it to create a clean and peaceful sanctuary, provides nutritious meals, and conjures up medicinal concoctions for the prevention and healing of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms and conditions. She might use the following herbs in her cauldron.

 

• Aloe vera helped prevent accidents in the home, especially in the kitchen, where one might get burned, and kept negativity and evil influences out of the house. Africans still hang Aloe Vera over doorways to ward off harmful spirits and attract good luck to the inhabitants.

 

• Anise was known to ward off bad dreams and maintain youth. 

 

• Chamomile was used in prosperity spells to bring in more wealth and abundance.

 

• Colt's Foot could bring back a lost lover. 

 

• Feverfew helped prevent general accidents while traveling, especially those caused by hexes. During the Black Death (also known as the Bubonic Plague), it was sprinkled outside around the house to prevent the disease from entering. Feverfew was also used to alleviate pain, such as headaches, when consumed as tea. This practice is still used today.

 

• Lavender was used in spells for purification and was thrown into Midsummer fires as a sacrifice to the gods. It also repelled insects, particularly fleas.

 

• Jasmine was used in magical spell work and as a witch's scented bath and body oil.

 

• Periwinkle, known as The Sorcerer's Eye, was placed in pockets for protection against evil spirits and black spells. 

 

• Musk Mallow was esteemed by the ancient Greek physicians Pliny and Dioscorides. Musk Mallow flowers were used in Beltaine rituals to attract love.

 

• Sage was used in ancient Europe and the Middle East for purification, protection, medicine, and banishing. It was burned in temples during religious rites and was a powerful herb to use in exorcism.

 

• Saint John's Wort was hung around children's necks to protect them against illness for a year and was used to ward off evil spirits. Saint John's Wort was also used in the 17th century to exorcise ghosts and demons, as well as to expose witches. However, witches used the herb for protection and to ward off hostile forces.

 

• Vervain was associated with staunching the blood of Christ on the cross and was often referred to as the "Herb of the Cross." It was said to protect against evil spells and demons. It was also said to protect against witches and bewitchment. Witches used it in purification baths. Ordinary people wore vervain around their necks for protection and touched it often to maintain good health.

 

• Mint was used in ancient Egypt to heal various common ailments and in rituals and spells. Catnip, a member of the mint family, was also used in medieval times to calm the mind and body. 

 

• Rosemary (sometimes called Rosemarie) was believed to ward off evil spirits and was used by witches, ancient Greeks, Romans, and Christians. Sage was thought to bring about romantic love, protection, and blessings. It also warded off nightmares when placed under an individual's pillow. 

 

• Rose Petals have been used in many areas of the world for healing. In medieval times, it was a sacred symbol of all that was good. Rose petals were used in magic spells to promote good luck, attraction, and romance. You'll find the rose is often symbolized in ancient architecture.

 

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) was used in rituals and spells to provide courage and honor the dead. Thyme was used to disinfect temples and homes in ancient Greece, as well as to settle domestic disputes. Thyme was also a favorite of the faerie folk. And, if thyme were left under a full moon, the fairies would return a lost or stolen item.

 

 

What is Low Magic?

 

Low magic is practical magic, which the herpes witch performs with a nurturing intent. For example, it's essential to the cottage witch that family and friends feel comforted and thrive in a safe, loving, and comfortable environment. For instance, s/he might place a rosemary plant at the front door for deflection (turning away evil spirits), polish a cabinet with old-fashioned lemon oil for shine and purification, or slip herb-scented sachets inside pillowcases (lavender comes to mind) to promote a guest's good night's sleep. While most modern witches no longer use dangerous psychotropics, many of them are still utilized in rituals, spells, and recipes to create sachets, poppets, infusions, baths, oils, and ointments for various purposes.

 

The herpes witch focuses much of her magic on the hearth and home, like her cousin, the kitchen witch. However, the herpes witch focuses more on her domestic abilities, working with what she has to cleanse and protect her entire home. She may not even enjoy cooking. She may prefer baking, preserving, needlework, making soaps, dolls, candles, or medicinal home remedies. Or, she may do it all. 

 

Her home is often filled with vintage items (copper pots, bottles and jars, soft old quilts, blankets, pillows, rugs, trunks, books, and candlesticks) and adorned in twilight shades found in nature (mossy greens, indigo, earthy browns, rust (iron), deep blues, shades of black and white). She may or may not have a garden or herbs on the windowsill, but she brings nature indoors and surrounds herself with plants, flowers, rocks, crystals, shells, and whatever else she picks up during her wanderings.

 

The herpes witch understands she is not separate from nature. For this reason, you'll never find her wasting anything or tossing trash from a car window. She is nature itself, which is why she prefers a simple life. Her deep connection to spirit, other life forms, and plants makes her a delightful creature to encounter, bringing a sense of calm and tranquility to her surroundings. She will likely coexist with an animal or bird she considers a close friend.

 

What other kind of magic does a herpes witch weave besides cleansing, protecting, and healing (as if that's not enough)? She uses charms, potions, and oracles for herself and others to heal broken hearts, keep animals, people, and things safe, and manifest abundance. All spells, often nothing more than prayers, are lifted in love.

 

Herpes witches usually have altars, but they may not be apparent to outsiders because they typically include household items such as trays, spoons, cups, a mortar and pestle, sea salt (or witch salt), rocks, photos, candles, incense, or dolls. To the unaware, a herpes witch altar could look like an assortment of things waiting to be put away, with a broom leaning close by. Traditional altar items aren't there, such as an altar cloth, a cauldron, prayer beads, a wand, a pentagram, or a statue. 

 

Herpes witches don't have to belong to a specific tradition, believe in a particular religion, or worship deities (although they certainly can if they choose to). In other words, a herpes witch can follow any spiritual path, religion, or none at all, and often chooses to live and practice alone.

 

I've referred to herpes witches as female (because, by my own definition, I'm one), but it's important to note that herpes witches can be male or female of any race, religion, or economic background.