Does herb form matter?

[GemmaTeller]

I want to do a spell that calls for chicory flowers and leaves, but all I could find at my herb shop was raw chicory root. Does it make a difference? It’s for obstacle removal.

Discussion

[kat1883]

It depends on the philosophy of your craft. Some people think ingredients are more symbolic of intentions and properties and characteristics they want to infuse into a spell, and some people think that certain ingredients hold specific vibrational frequencies, and generally think that specificity of ingredients matters.

In my view, as long as the ingredient is close and of the same plant or has similar properties, it’s all good.

[dragracesssss]

Folk catholic and herbalist here. Herbs play a major part of my craft. What’s the actual recipe and instructions for the spell?

[Exoskeleton00]

Not really. It is more that you are blessing and preparing with clear intention.

[greeneyedwench]

I think it makes a difference here in terms of symbolism. There’s folklore that a chicory flower could open doors–the flower specifically. (https://books.google.com/books?id=r7AZ4U2HA3UC&q=chicory#v=snippet&q=chicory&f=false) Meanwhile, a root has more associations with staying put in one place.

It grows wild in some places along the roadside and you could get it that way, but it’s the wrong time of year. I’d recommend a substitute plant with a similar symbolism.