How to Find Magical Substitutions in Folk & Traditional Witchcraft
Authorβs Note: The materials shared on this blog are based on the authorβs own research and interpretation. They are intended as resources for students of Hagstone Witchery and for practitioners exploring traditional, folkloric, and folk magic. All posts are offered in the spirit of shared knowledge and inspiration, not as prescriptions or declarations of the βrightβ way to practice.
One of the questions I frequently receive from witches working in folk and traditional paths of magic is: How do I find appropriate substitutions for materials used in traditional and historical workings? Many spells and charms call for plants and other materials that may not be accessible in our physical environs, may be endangered or ecologically sensitive, or may simply not be available to us. For those of us working from diasporic ancestral traditions or paths rooted in a place we no longer live, this struggle can seem to be a recurring theme. How do we honor our historical and folkloric inspirations while keeping our practice feasible, ethical, and sustainable in the present?
This guide offers some approaches to making mindful substitutions, whether youβre replacing an herb, a tree, or another magical curio. It details some of the research and adaptation practices I have developed in my own practice and taught to students of Hagstone Witchery in the hopes that it helps your magic remain both effective and authentic where substitutions are necessary.
Note: This guide is written primarily for the substitution of plants and other natural materials. However, the methods of research, practical analysis and adaptation can be easily applied to other components.
Where to Look First: Folklore and Context
When we encounter a plant reference in a spell, charm, or grimoire, the first question many people ask is: βwhat herb does the same thing?β An alternative approach that I have found exceedingly helpful is asking instead: βwhy this plant?β
Read the account working from an analytical perspective and try to understand the symbolic and folkloric logic. Many historical accounts of magic are presented as anecdotal rather than practical, so you will have to put on your thinking cap. Take notes. In most cases of historical and traditional magic, the supernatural logic behind the inclusion of a particular component comes from its observable, practical or folkloric qualities.
Was it chosen for its physical traitsβred berries, thorns, or evergreen leaves? Is there anything about the physical qualities of the item that might be be useful in this particular working (hardness, pointiness, color, etc.,).
Was it valued for its medicinal properties? Remember that the medicinal uses of plants varies across time periods, and that the medical associations we have for an herb may be different from the accepted wisdom of the time the charm was written.
Does its name or folk associations link it to the spellβs purpose? Does it appear in folklore or fairy tale that might shed like on its magical properties?
Was its rarity or ritual method of gathering part of the magic?
Historical Black Books and other folk sources rarely give us the full picture. Pages are missing. Details are vague. Practices often vary by region. Folklore fills in these gaps, showing us how a community understood a plantβs power through their recorded stories, superstitions, and seasonal customs. By combining the historical record with folkloric logic, we can understand why a plant or material mattered, and what qualities a substitute must preserve.
Four Criteria for Choosing Substitutes
When replacing a plant (or any magical component), it is wise to consider:
Method of Use β How is the herb applied in the spell? Is it meant to be eaten, burned as incense, infused into a wash or oil, carried in a charm bag, or planted as an offering? Some substitutions may work in one method but not another. For example, an herb that is toxic when ingested wouldnβt be a suitable replacement for a tea.
Symbolism & Source of Symbolism β What gives the herb its magical meaning? This can come from its physical appearance (such as red berries for protection or white flowers for purification), its folk name (like lambβs ear), its medicinal properties (such as willow for healing due to its pain-relieving compounds), or even the way it grows (like ivy for persistence and endurance).
Magical Purpose β What is the herbβs role in the spell? If itβs used for protection, is it acting as a ward, a banisher, or a barrier? If itβs for love magic, is it meant to attract a new romance, strengthen an existing bond, or mend a broken heart? The specific function matters when choosing a replacement.
Spell Circumstances β Is the herb itself the focus of the spell, or is the journey to acquire or prepare it part of the magic? Some spells emphasize the process, such as gathering an herb at dawn or drying it under a full moon. In these instances, the replacement should also allow for that ritual aspect.
A good substitution aligns across these factors rather than simply mimicking one trait.
Case Study #1: Substituting Mistletoe
Letβs take, for example, a protective working using mistletoe. Mistletoe has deep ties to European folk magic. It is often associated with protection, fertility, and healing. It was historically gathered in a ritual manner and valued as a sacred plant. However, mistletoe is not always easy to come by in my region, so I may need to find a meaningful substitution.
To do so, I would work through my criteria:
Method of Use β Mistletoe is often carried as a charm and hung above doorways.
Symbolism & Source of Symbolism β Mistletoeβs power may come from its evergreen nature, its association with liminality (growing between sky and earth in tree branches), and its use in folk medicine. I would look for another plant with evergreen qualities and protective folklore.
Magical Purpose β If I was using mistletoe for protection, I would also need an herb traditionally linked to warding off harm.
Spell Circumstances β If mistletoeβs power was in the act of gathering it under certain conditions, Iβd need a substitute that also required intentional harvesting.
After researching, I might settle on holly as a suitable alternative. Like mistletoe, holly is evergreen, strongly associated with protection, and has deep folkloric roots. It can be carried as a charm or hung in doorways, fulfilling mistletoeβs traditional use. Additionally, hollyβs sharp leaves reinforce its protective qualities, making it an excellent choice for defensive magic. It is accessible to me as it grows in large bushes near my home, where I can easily gather it with intention.
Case Study #2: Substituting Rowan
Rowan is another well-known protective plant in European folk magic. It is associated with warding off malevolent forces, breaking curses, and safeguarding homes and travelers. Its red berries and its use in amulets (such as red-threaded rowan crosses hung over doorways) reinforce its magical potency here. When substituting rowan in protective magic, I must consider its:
Method of Use β Rowan is typically carried as a charm, hung above doorways, or woven into crosses. The substitution must work in similar applications.
Symbolism & Source of Symbolism β Its power comes from its red berries, their natural pentagram-like marking, its association with protection in folklore, and its historical use in amulets. A substitute should have comparable visual or symbolic traits.
Magical Purpose β Rowan is used specifically for protection against malevolent spirits, curses, and the evil eye. The alternative should have strong protective associations.
Spell Circumstances β Since rowan is traditionally gathered with ritual significance, a good substitution would also allow for meaningful collection and preparation.
To replace rowan in my own spells and formulas, I need a plant that shares one or more of these qualities. Possible options might include:
Hawthorn β Like rowan, hawthorn has protective associations and red berries. In European folklore, it is sacred to the fey and used to guard against harmful spirits. It also has thorns, reinforcing its role as a warding plant.
Holly β Another red-berried tree with protective folklore, holly was historically used to guard homes and ward off evil. Its evergreen nature can symbolize endurance and protection.
Juniper β While its berries are blue rather than red, juniper has a long history of being used for protection and purification. Bundles of juniper were burned to cleanse spaces, and branches were hung over doorways to ward off harm.
Dogwood β Some species of dogwood bear red berries, and the tree has protective associations in various traditions.
For my practice, hawthorn is the best rowan substitute. It has:
Red berries that visually align with rowan.
A strong presence in protective folklore, particularly against spirits and curses.
A history of being used in amulets, just like rowan.
Thorns, which add to its defensive nature.
A connection to liminality, much like rowanβs association with thresholds and crossings.
Sustainable & Local Approaches
When working with plants in folk and traditional magic, it can be helpful to prioritize those that are both locally available and historically tied to the tradition being practiced. This approach ensures that magical work remains rooted in its cultural and folkloric foundations while also being practical, ethical, and sustainable. When we are working magic that originates somewhere other than where we live, choosing plants that naturally occur in both regionsβancestral and presentβcan help create a bridge between historical wisdom and the witchβs lived environment.
Foraging and wildcrafting can be useful ways to connect with the land and its spirits, but these practices should always be approached with care and responsibility. General guidelines might include:
Harvest Mindfully β Take only what is needed, leaving enough for the plant to thrive and for wildlife to use.
Identify Before Picking β Many plants have toxic look-alikes. Never harvest without proper identification.
Respect Protected Species β Avoid harvesting rare or endangered plants; seek alternatives instead.
Leave No Trace β Harvest in ways that do not damage the surrounding ecosystem.
In addition to mindful foraging, it is generally advised to avoid introducing invasive species into local environments. While cultivating herbs in a garden may seem like a convenient solution, non-native plants can disrupt local ecosystems and cause long-term harm. When access to traditional plant materials is limited, bartering or trading with trusted practitioners in other regions can be an alternative method of sourcing.
When Direct Substitution Isnβt Possible
Not every traditional plant or material has a simple one-to-one replacement. Ecological, cultural, and practical limitations may make certain herbs unavailable. In such cases, there are several approaches that can preserve the integrity of the working:
Using a Related Plant Family β When possible, look to other members of the same botanical family. For example, if vervain is unavailable, blue vervain (Verbena hastata) or another Verbena species may serve as a substitute while maintaining similar properties.
Focusing on the Spellβs Structure β Sometimes the role of a component within the spell is more significant than the specific component. In these cases, you can use a substitute it with curios of another type entirely. If a fiery herb is called for, another symbol of fireβsuch as a red candle or iron nailβmay serve the same purpose.
Working with Non-Botanical Substitutes β When an herb is traditionally burned for purification but cannot be obtained, alternatives such as incense, resins, smoke from another safe plant, or even the symbolic act of wafting air can fulfill the same function.
Substitution in magic isnβt just about convenience. Itβs also about preserving the meaning and function of the original while working in harmony with your own land and circumstances.
