There are plenty of ways to approach nature magick. You can learn from books, you can learn from teachers, and you can learn directly from the plants and spirits. For most of us, an herbal education is some combination of the three. But when you’re first starting out, it can be difficult to know how to listen to and learn from the plant spirits. There are a lot of plants out there, and if you don’t know very much about any of them, how do you know where to start? And how do you know what the plants are trying to teach you?

As with most things in magick, I think the first step in working with plant spirits is attention. Often the plants who have something to share with you are trying to get your attention, but you aren’t picking up on the signals.

So next time you’re looking for a green ally, look around and see if there’s someone growing nearby who is willing to work with you. Here are some signs a plant wants to make magick with you:

1. You (literally) trip over them, or get caught on their thorns (hawthorn! blackberry! rose!), or get stung or stabbed by them (hello nettles and motherwort), or end up with them stuck in your hair or all over your clothes (cleavers, I’m talking to you). I’ve talked to witches who were preoccupied with a problem or a need, and stepped outside and tripped over a plant they hadn’t paid any attention to before. I’ve found my ankles tangled in bindweed when I needed help with a protection spell, and been literally grabbed by wild roses in the woods when I was too preoccupied with heartache to pay attention to my surroundings. Make no mistake, many plants are tricksters, and they will trip you up or bite you if they can’t get your attention with gentler methods. It’s not that plants want to hurt us: it’s that we can be oblivious, and sometimes they have something important to tell us. If you find yourself wanting to swear at a plant, take a minute to consider why they seem to be harrassing you.

2. They wave (or nod) at you, or throw parts of themself at you (falling leaves brushing your face, for example). I’ve experienced this myself, on a still day, when there was no discernible breeze. If you notice a leaf or flower swaying or nodding in spite of the apparent stillness in the air, it could a sign the plant wants your attention.

3. They seem to glow, or be brighter than the plants around them. Or the light shines through them in a way that catches your eye. Of course, some plants are just showy. But if you can’t seem to tear your gaze away, or they jump out at you visually, they merit a closer look.

4. You see them (or hear their name mentioned) everywhere: when you take a walk, in people’s yards, in art, on television, on social media, everywhere. I won’t say there are no coincidences, but I will say coincidences are rare in a witch’s life. If you are tuning into the magick around you, you’ll probably find there’s a reason for just about everything. So if something keeps crossing your path in some way, it probably means something.

5. You “hear” sounds that no one else hears when you’re around the plant. In my experience it’s more like a low murmur or vibration in my head, similar to the way I hear voices in dreams. Another of my friend hears prlonged musical notes, like someone has struck a tuning fork near her ear. Of course, this is one of the areas within metaphysical practice where it’s important to know yourself. For example, if you’re being told to hurt yourself or someone else, then it’s probably a good idea to seek trusted professional help. Mental health in the pagan community is a complicated and important topic, one I don’t have the capacity to address in a short blog post. So please be aware of your own health and take the best care of yourself you possibly can.

6. They appear in a dream, vision, or spirit journey. Some people go on spirit journeys specifically to seek an herbal ally, but sometimes plants appear to us unbidden when we’re dreaming or seeking guidance in a vision. The first plant to appear to me in a spirit journey was dandelion, and at the time I was a little disappointed that such a common plant had turned up. But over time, as I worked with this ubiquitous weed, I came to adore dandelion and all the magical gifts they have to offer. So don’t ignore a plant who comes to you just because they aren’t what you expected or consider beautiful. Chances are if you get to know the plant, you’ll quickly realize they have a lot to share.

It might seem hard to receive the messages from plants (or stones, or other voiceless beings) at first, but in my experience, when the spirits realize you’re listening to them, they communicate more frequently. And of course, any skill, magickal or mundane, grows stronger with practice. (And don’t forget, if you don’t feel like you have strong powers of observation, you can practice!)

If you’ve experienced plant communication in a unique way, share it in the comments! I love hearing about the experiences of other plant lovers.

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