Native Americans have long recognized the potent healing properties and spiritual symbolism of witch hazel plants. Blooming in late fall and early winter, witch-hazel shrubs boldly mark their presence with their radiant, fragrant yellow/red flowers as other plants have shed their leaves, preparing to enter dormancy. Some people refer to them as the “ice queen” or “queen of winter bloomers” because of this unreserved display of beauty.
The witch hazel plants appear to me as flaming shrubs with multiple rings of fire. The trunk, the branches, the leaves, and the flowers all contain little flames within them. Together, they create gigantic flames that extend far beyond their physical appearance. This fire can assist with the transmutation of dark energy and the recalibration of existing organic energy, creating space for new experiences. Oracle of Delphi shows me how she moves her palms in spherical motions with the witch hazel leaves constantly shifting inside. To me, this vision signifies the period of completion, reflection, and the reshuffling of energy to prepare for a new cycle. Symbolically, this eternal process of death and birth is represented by the serpent in the ancient Ouroboros and Caduceus symbols.
The spiritual meaning of witch hazel is revealed through its unique feature of bearing flowers, fruits, and new leaf buds simultaneously on the same shrub. This phenomenon occurs because it takes a year for the fruits to mature, allowing the fruit capsules from the previous year as well as the new flowers and leaf buds to appear at the same time. Witch Hazel’s genus name is Hamamelis, meaning “together with fruit”. How divine is that?
If you have made the decision to remove yourself from a negative situation or cut cords with toxic people, witch hazel can help guide you on your new paths, whether to make choices about your work or living environment or form new sacred relationships that align with your highest organic timeline. The fire essence within the plant acts as a protective force field for your decisions by bringing clarity into the mind. Most beautifully, the fire will help you remember and honor the sovereignty within you and within others. Likewise, it will help others recognize the sovereignty within you and within themselves, which sets the blueprint for any mutually respectful relationship.
With their powerful Phoenix flames, witch hazel plants can be seen as the guardians of the gateway between the physical world and the spirit realm. They prevent negative entities from the otherworld from entering and infringing upon the lands and the people in the physical world. Calling upon the spirit of the witch hazel when doing gridwork, especially in the forests, can amplify the transmutation process of any negative energies within the plants and the elements and assist the animals whose souls have been trapped or put under curses. The Divine Mother’s Phoenix flames within the plants are the guiding light of hope that reminds these beings of their soul origins.
When I asked what healing properties we should know about witch hazel at this time, Divine Mother shared that using it on the hair can enhance our ability to pick up more subtle energy surrounding our field. The plant also protects the crown from negative influences and promotes healthy hair growth.
We thank the witch hazel plant for all the love and wisdom she has shared with us. Let’s remember and honor her beauty as we transition from fall to winter!
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