#henbane

Starting to make the henbane-effigy

I see as "unbelievable" working with herbs and not trying to connect with their spirits. Animism is at the core of my spiritual beliefs but I think that it becomes even more important in my practice of the witching arts. How can someone heal or curse with a plant that doesn't know? No one asks help from strangers and the Green World it's no exception. So although I don't have a close relationship to all the herbs and trees that grow in my land, my intention is to know well those who I consider my allies. To create a close-knit and tight web of spirit helpers and allies, with reciprocity and truthfulness. My patron deities, my ancestors, the Blessed Dead, familiar companions, genii locorum and my most beloved and trusted herbal spirits.

Thyme, rosemary and ginger were the first plants I forged a close relationship with. They continue to be central in a lot of my recipes and in my everyday life. To the point of being a joke in my family because I'm constantly recommending thyme to heal everyone's aches. But apart from these well-known herbs, in the last years I have been introducing myself on the so called "poison path"; a craft that led me to establish new alliances.

Because I'm stubborn and I like to walk every road by the most difficult means, my first poisonous contact was with Datura Stramonium. This beautiful yet deadly plant taught me some rough lessons (that I prefer to keep secret) and now is like an old friend. Maybe it doesn't pop up in the day-to-day life but I know that I can beg for her wisdom and help in my most needed times. I acknowledge my naive audacity approaching her. I found her morose and hermetic, prepared to destroy fools like me. Discovering my faults, having patience and being consistent transformed the relationship into an allyship. She revealed a profound knowledge and even a protector nature and I recovered from a sudden family lose thanks to her.

Nonetheless, I felt like something was missing. The witch folklore of my region, Aragon, is full to mentions and ominous references to henbane and that always had strengthened my curiosity. Finally I had some experiences with Hyoscyamus albus and later on, with Hyoscyamus niger. Initially I was so cautious because of my previous risky interactions with Datura. I, to some extent, expected something similar. Despite that, my first experience was radically different! Encounter after encounter, I discovered a spirit thay i could refer to "kindred one". I was amazed and needed to go a step further. After thinking that her spirit and mine were getting along I made an effigy with its roots. For the head I made a ball filled with white and black henbane, poppy seeds and other herbs. I wrapped the figure with a fabric in which I had drawed sigils and saturnian symbols. The result was doll-like.

The henbane effigy made and awakened

The last weeks of 2025 I slept with her and fed it with drops of my own blood. My dreams were absolutly incredible. I've never had oneiric experiences like the ones I had while working with henbane. Since then, the effigy has evolved in appeareance as long as my encounters with her spirit changed my initial perceptions. I sewed a skull charm in its head to represent the chthonic powers that She has, a broom to depict the aid that she can provide in the witch-flight and a tiny bottle filled with more henbane.

The henbane effigy nowadays

I can understand why so many people described it like a more approachable spirit. Since the beginning I saw her like the embodiment of sorcery. Twisted, hag-like and quirky. Still prone to rough teachings but more amicable. It makes me think of "La Celestina", the old match-maker and spellcaster of the classical spanish literature. The spirit of Henbane will help in almost any type of magic from necromancy to love spells, aiding in the spirit-flight or making an amulet to obtain fortune. Recently I saw the illustrations of the medieval book "The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man", including the personifications of Necromancy and Sorcery. Sorcery is depicted like an old women with a cercenated hand, a stick or wand and a basket with "many knyves and hoodys ek, dyvers wrytes and ymages, oynementys and herbages" offering her services and knowledge of the arte. I cannot unsee the resemblance. This is, at least for me, one of the masks of Henbane. Along with the ancient seeress inspired by Apolo, the folk magician and healer who could either cure tooth ache or invoke the restless dead to curse.

Sorcery personified in "The Pilgrimage of the Life of Man". John Lydgate, XVth century, Cotton MS Tiberius A VII/1 ff. 39–106v

Perhaps in the future I will write a more detailed publication about henbane, its magical applications in Aragonese tradition and ponzoñeria (let's say that is the local form of "poison path").

(As precaution i should say that i'm not responsible of anyone interpretation of my ramblings. I do not recommend approaching ANY plant without proper training, less I recommend working with a poisonous one. Water in excess could kill a person but that isn't a reason to call it wicked or perilous. Herbs have been a invaluable help to humans since the beginning of times, but they could also damage you if you are not prepared enough. With common sense, education and responsability every art and skill can be cultivated. Do your will at your risk. Know your limits and be mindful. Trust good teachers, read good books and try good manners).

Botanical sketch of hyoscyamus reticulatus (red henbane) from "Icones Plantarum Asiaticarum" by W. Griffith, 1854.

Below: wild red henbane, native to the Middle East / Western Asia.

Henbane - Live at Pageant Soloveev Gallery, 7/11/24