Collected from grimoires and occult studies of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the following love magic rituals and practices are dedicated to predicting love, marriage, and personal destiny through herbal wisdom.
Herbal Love Magic
‘And in a sense love is everything. It is the key to life, and its influences are those that move the world. Live only in the thought of love for all and you will draw love to you from all.’
– R. W. Trine, In Tune with the Infinite, 1910
The natural energies and properties of many plants and herbs are known to enhance and attract love. For centuries, practitioners of love magic have turned to these powerful tools to aid in the crafting of love spells, weaving enchantments and charms that stir the heart.
Yarrow
Illustration from Köhler’s Medicinal Plants (1887–1898)
Yarrow, with its protective and healing properties, is revered in love magic for fostering courage, attracting true love, and enhancing the strength and longevity of romantic relationships.
To know if the one you love returns your favourable feelings, take the leaves of yarrow – commonly known as ‘nosebleed’ – and tickle the herb just inside your nostrils while repeating this charm…
‘Green ‘arrow, green ‘arrow, you bear a white blow,
If my love love me, my nose will bleed now;
If my love don’t love me, it ‘ont bleed a drop;
If my love do love me, ‘twill bleed every drop.’
– T. F. Thiselton-Dyer, Domestic Folk-Lore, 1881
Another yarrow charm for love magic is as follows…
‘Yarrow, yarrow, if he loves me and I loves he,
A drop of blood I’d wish to see.’
– F. D. Bergen, Animal and Plant Lore, 1899
Again, if blood appears, it shows that your love is reciprocated.
Orchids
Illustration from James Bateman’s A Monograph of Odontoglossum (1874)
Orchids, known for their floral beauty and elegance, are prized in love magic for their associations with sensuality, fertility, and deepening intimate connections.
When used in love divination, it’s recommended to take two root-balls from the plant, one to represent yourself and the other to represent the one you love. Place both in a pan of water and if the one named for yourself sinks, your love is not returned. But if it floats, you are sure to be successful in this romantic endeavour.
Willow
Wheeping Willow from Larousse du XXème siècle 1932
The willow tree is esteemed in love magic for its abilities to enhance intuition, attract love, and promote emotional healing and harmony in relationships.
If you wish to catch a glimpse of your future lover, it is said you should fashion a wand from a willow branch. Holding the willow wand in your left hand, and being careful not to be seen, run three times around your home and chant…
‘He that’s to be my goode man come and grip the end o’t.’
– W. Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, 1879
During your third time around the building, the likeness of your future love will appear for a moment and take the other end of the wand.
Ash Leaves
Illustration from The North American Sylva: Fraxinus excelsior (1819)
Ash leaves, also known for their protective and healing properties, are revered in love magic and often used to ensure fidelity and bring about balance.
‘The even ash-leaf in my left hand,
The first man I meet shall be my husband.
The even ash-leaf in my glove,
The first I meet shall be my love.
The even ash-leaf in my breast,
The first man I meet’s whom I love best.
The even ash-leaf in my hand,
The first I meet shall be my man.
Even ash, even ash, I pluck thee,
This night my true love for to see;
Neither in his rick nor in his rear,
But in the clothes he does every day wear.
Find even ash or four-leaved clover,
An’ you’ll see your true love before the day’s over.’
– W. Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders, 1879
A Grimoire of Ancient Charms, Lore, and Ceremonies
If you wish to tend to other matters of the heart, our grimoire, Love Spells, celebrates the ancient art of love magic in a collection of authentic traditions that you can use not only to practice divination but also to manifest love, promote self-love, and heal broken hearts.
