Magickal Herbology 201

Instructor: BlackSerpent Nightshade
Email: blackserpent@sbcglobal.net
blackserpent@thepagancampus.net

Course Description

This course will take you on a journey into the world of magickal herbs. Here you will begin with the groundwork to start your journey, learning what herbs are and the tools you will need to work with them. This course will also go over the different preparations used in Magickal Herbology, along with the different uses of herbs and any precautions you may need to take with them. There is much to learn about herbs. You will continue to learn even after you complete this class, for there is no way to include everything.

Required Text   -- Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham -- Complete Book of Incense, Oils, and Brews by Scott Cunningham

Supplies

• A journal of some kind be it a notebook, hardbound book, computer disk, your hard drive, any way you prefer to journal the herbs along with any experiences you have with herbs and working with them.
• As you begin working with herbs you will need to start acquiring tools to work with them, along with the herbs themselves.
• http://www.cafepress.com/thepagancampus.28915100 A link to a journal from the campus store ($9.99)
• http://www.cafepress.com/thepagancampus.26913437 Link to the totebag from the campus store ($14.99)

Class Participation & Attendance

The key for the class will be posted on the private message board about one week prior to the beginning of the class. Once I receive your registration, I will add you to the class and you will be able to see the private message board.

Use the key to enter the class directly. The key is only needed this one time. Here, the lessons will be opened one per week. You will have one week to complete the assignments.  There are no scheduled chats for this class so attendance will be graded on the assignments you turn in and how often you log into the classroom, which should be at least twice a week (once to pick up the lesson and assignment and again to turn the assignment in). There is a lot of work in this class, be prepared.

If I see that you have not logged in for over two weeks AND have not contacted me with a reason why, you will be removed from the class. If you have been removed and want back in, contact me and we will discuss it and see what we can do. I keep written records at home, so I will know if you have rejoined without contacting me first. Also, your name will be reported to the Dean of Education. I am fairly easy to get along with and understanding, so contact me when any problems arise.

Informal Writing Assignments

Assignments are to be turned in within one week of the lesson opening. There will also be random quizzes during this class. The final can only be done if your research project has been turned in prior to the final. ALL LESSONS WILL BE CLOSED THE WEEK OF THE FINAL. If you are behind, and for reference, it is a good idea to have all information copied and saved so you can finish your work. During the final, the other lessons will NOT be reopened for any reason. You have been notified ahead of time so be prepared!

All assignment answers, quiz answers, and final answers are to be taken from the course material only. If you find a different answer somewhere, please post it in the forum on the Moodle class page for everyone to see and list your source.

The homework is in journal format on the site. This means that you copy the homework and paste it into the journal provided, then save it on the site itself when you are finished with it. I can then look at it there and grade it, leaving any comments for you with the grade. If you are not finished working on an assignment, please make the comment on the journal that it is not finished so I don't grade it prematurely.

Research Project

There will be a research project done during this course.  Be prepared to do a lot of work here. This will be given out week 6.

There is also a format for the research paper given in week 6 to follow due to the nature of what your paper is on.

Grading

I use a points system. All assignments are assigned a certain amount of points—the research project and final being worth 100 points each.  The number of correct points that you have is divided by the total number of points possible to give you a final grade in percent form.
A 100-94
A- 93-92
B+ 91-89
B 88-85
B- 84-83
C+ 82-80
C 79-76
C- 75-74
D+ 73-71
D 70-67
D- 66-65
F 64-0

Libraries

You can try your local library in their occult section. Also the bibliography and MANY websites on magickal herbs.

Tutorial Services

I am available for assistance.

Disabilities

Anyone who has access to a computer, can type or use a voice activated device or has another person who will type for them, and do the assignments is welcome. I DO NOT discriminate in my class and WILL NOT tolerate it either. Do not assume I know you have a disability, TELL ME. This way I know if you need extra time or help with something. I will work with you so you can participate and complete the course.

Outline of the Course

Lesson 1: Thyme to Begin

• Introduction
• Brief History
• Tools
• Definitions  

Lesson 2: An Apple a Day

• Preparations
• Proportions
• Herbs:
  • Angelica,
  • Apple,
  • Basil,
  • Catnip,
  • Valerian,
  • Witch Hazel  

Lesson 3: A Pinch of This, A Dash of That

• Substitutions
• Ingredients
• Herbs:
  • Caraway,
  • Chicory,
  • Dittany of Crete,
  • Marjoram,
  • Queen of the Meadow,
  • Sunflower  

Lesson 4: Roses Are Red…

• Empowering Rites
• Folk Names
• Cross Reference
• Properties
• Herbs:
  • Centaury,
  • Clover,
  • Gorse,
  • Mullein,
  • Poppy,
  • Ti  

Lesson 5: Eye of Newt, Tongue of Bat?

• Correspondences
• Creating Your Own Recipes
• Herbal Codes
• Herbs:
  • Agrimony,
  • Broom,
  • Marigold,
  • Onion,
  • Rue,
  • Scullcap  

Lesson 6: Someone's in the Kitchen  

• Kitchen Witchery
• **Research Paper**
• Herbs:
  • Bay,
  • Cinnamon,
  • Garlic,
  • Rosemary,
  • Sage,
  • Thyme  

Lesson 7: The Green World

• Green Magick
• Herbs:
  • Comfrey,
  • Damiana,
  • Horehound,
  • Iris,
  • Mugwort,
  • Solomon's Seal  

Lesson 8: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

• Floral Divination
• Magickal Household & Superstitions
• Herbs:
  • Cinquefoil,
  • Dandelion,
  • Dill,
  • Eyebright,
  • Periwinkle,
  • Thistle  

Lesson 9: Sensory Delights

• Aromatics
• Herbs:
  • Jasmine,
  • Lavender,
  • Patchouli,
  • Rose,
  • Sandalwood,
  • Vanilla  

Lesson 10: Final Exam  

© March 2004 BlackSerpent Nightshade (Revised November 2004, October 2004, February 2006, December 2006, January 2007)