Magical correspondences are those lists or tables that help us align our spell intentions with every conceivable substance (animal, vegetable, mineral), force (elemental, planetary, spiritual, biological, etc), time (hour, day, month, season), and so on that we can come up with. If you can name it, someone has probably figured out a place for it in a Table of Correspondences.
Or better yet, if you think you might find it (whatever "it" is) useful in your spellcrafting, YOU can figure out where it makes sense in YOUR own Table of Correspondences. After all, the way one thing relates or corresponds to any other thing/concept is subjective -- based on culture, personal experience, historical significance, and other factors.
You can start with the tables you find in books or online, but then feel free to make adjustments based on your own experience, your culture of origin, or your intuition. This is a powerful way to make the magic yours, by tapping into your own power center!
Want to hear more on this topic? Check out this YouTube video I posted about it.
What we might call Cottage Witchery (or Hearth or House Craft) is a form of practical magic that focuses on the cleansing, protection, and blessing of the dwelling or domicile. It is not necessarily its own Tradition of Craft, which would be associated with its own lineage, tools, etc. Indeed, as a study of practical magic under the greater umbrella of Craft lore, it is accessible to all students of the Craft, regardless of Tradition.
Forms of this type of folk magic are present in every religion and date to pre-historic times. Cottage Witchery is part of our ancestral heritage. It is natural to have a desire to cleanse, protect, and bless the space that provides our shelter — and thereby the people with whom we share this most fundamental of human needs.
Much of what we think of as “old wives tales” or backwoods superstitions are actually the Old Ways that have been preserved through generations — handed down to us in the memory of our elders. Very often, these folk-ways are based on even older long-forgotten customs of Spirit-veneration (or in some cases, Spirit-appeasement — or even banishment).
Home is an outward reflection of the Self in many ways. We have basic shelter here, yes; but we also choose tools, comforts, and decorations that reflect our tastes and aspirations. It’s where we’re our most vulnerable — when sleeping, sick, or otherwise in need of recovery. It is our sanctuary. It is also our Temple, housing our tools of Arte. Whenever possible, choose natural materials and fibers (wood, stone, metal, jute, cotton, wool, silk, etc) and incorporate living plants into the home. Derivatives like ceramic potter and glass are also preferable to plastics and other synthetics. Energy simply moves better through and around natural materials.
(This information is copyrighted by Asteria Books and is available as part of the Book of Shadows project.)
I'm a wild-eyed plant person, there's no doubt about it. You can tell when you see me talking about my plant friends in the videos I'm going to share that I get a little nutty about the relationships between the Witch and the GreenWorld. Each plant type has so much to share with humanity, and each individual has the potential to be a friend. If you've kept houseplants or a garden yourself, you might have an inkling of what I mean.
But are you ready to bring that into your sorcery, into your magic? Have you tried your hand at healing with herbs?
It's so natural and simple to get started. Our bond and connection with Plant Allies is just waiting to spring to life! We rely on plants already for daily sustenance -- from grains to fruits and veggies. It's just a small hop to herbal teas for minor ailments, and presto! You've entered the world of herbalism. (You can even start with the pre-mixed herbal teas available at the store. There is absolutely no shame in that. Yogi and Traditional Medicinals are actually really reputable and widely available, and they make fantastic blends.) And from there, you're more than half-way to learning the magical properties of the Plant Spirits.
Sure, there is a lot you could learn. You could dive down the rabbit hole and become a Master Herbalist or a full-on Woodwose. But if you don't know anything at all right now, don't let yourself be intimated by all that to the point that you don't get started.
1. Start with some friendly plants! I have two videos below where I talk about the medicinal and magical properties of 10 plants that you might already have some familiarity with. They are basil, chamomile, dandelion, lavender, lemon balm, mugwort, nettle, peppermint, thyme, and vervain. Most of those are kitchen herbs! The ones that aren't are either considered weeds (which I discuss) OR are common in magical supply shops. In fact, you can get them in MY shop!
2. Plant a small garden -- or grow a few herbs in pots in your home if a garden isn't practical. Even just keeping one plant that you get to know well will give you a great introduction to this type of magic! You can engage in easy, friendly meditations and spirit journeys with your Plant Spirit Ally, allowing it to teach you its special wisdom as you provide space and care for it.
3. Incorporate just a few simple teas into your routines. This was how I got my start with herbalism -- years before taking the classes that eventually led to becoming a Certified Master Herbalist. You can think about picking an herb to get to know for a chronic condition, if you have one; as a daily tonic; and/ or to address a seasonal or acute problem (like cough/cold, occasional sleeplessness, tension, etc) that might come up for you. For example, some of the first herbs I got to know were lavender, nettle, and chamomile. Lavender was my first Plant Friend, and we got to know each other due to chronic migraines (as the result of head injury when I was 18). Nettle is more of a tonifying Ally, and the health benefits this Wonder Weed provides are too numerous to list, almost! (A lot of Witches who identify with plants take magical names from the plant kingdom. I would be Auntie Nettle, if ever I were to do such a thing. A bit of a sting, but so much to share!) And then sweet, sweet Chamomile! Beautiful, relaxing, charming Chamomile. She plays well with others. Calms you right down when you need to rest. I blend chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender together for a stress relief tea that really just doesn't leave room for tension in the body. Melts it away! Tastes like sunshine, too!
I have a 351-page Herbal Grimoire available (in PDF), for those interested. (Also available in hardback on Lulu.) It covered the basics of herbal crafting (how to's, why for's, magical herbalism and gardening, etc), includes incense and oil formularies, and has indexes of herbs and trees that include TONS of medicinal and magical info.
Last week and this week on the Blade & Broom YouTube channel, I offered LOTS of info on those 10 herbs I mentioned above. Here it is. Dig in!
Magical correspondences are those lists or tables that help us align our spell intentions with every conceivable substance (animal, vegetable, mineral), force (elemental, planetary, spiritual, biological, etc), time (hour, day, month, season), and so on that we can come up with. If you can name it, someone has probably figured out a place for it in a Table of Correspondences. 
