9 Herbs Charm: Anglo-Saxon Healing Magic
The Nine Herbs Charm: Ancient Anglo-Saxon Healing Magic
The Nine Herbs Charm, also known as Nigon Wyrta Galdor, the Lay of the Nine Healing Herbs, or the Nine Wort Spell, is one of the most remarkable examples of Old English magic. Recorded in the tenth century AD, it survives in the Lacnunga, a collection of Anglo-Saxon medical texts preserved in the British Library’s Harley MS 585 manuscript.
This spell blends herbal knowledge, mythology, and ritual power, involving the preparation and use of nine sacred herbs for healing and protection.
Woden and the Power of Nine
One of the most fascinating aspects of the charm is its reference to Woden, making it one of only two clear mentions of this god in Old English poetry (the other is in Maxims I of the Exeter Book).
Robert K. Gordon’s translation reads:
“A snake came crawling, it bit a man.
Then Woden took nine glory-twigs,
Smote the serpent so that it flew into nine parts.
There apple brought this pass against poison,
That she nevermore would enter her house.”
Here, Woden intervenes with nine twigs, striking down the venomous serpent. Scholars suggest these twigs may have been inscribed with runes representing the first letters of each herb, linking divine power directly to the plants.
The charm repeatedly emphasizes the numbers three and nine, sacred in Germanic paganism, underscoring the magical potency of the ritual and the alignment of herbs, numbers, and divine energy.
The Nine Healing Herbs
The exact list varies, but the nine herbs are generally considered to include:
- Mugwort
- Plantain
- Lamb’s Cress
- Betony
- Chamomile
- Crab-Apple
- Nettle
- Fennel
- Garlic
Each herb carries symbolic, medicinal, and magical significance, reflecting a worldview where nature and spirit are inseparable.
Chanting the poem aloud was essential. Malcolm Laurence Cameron notes it produces a “marvellously incantatory effect,” transforming a herbal preparation into a powerful ritual of healing and protection.
Pagan Roots & Christian Censorship
The charm’s language and imagery point to pre-Christian origins. Gordon observes that it was likely Christianized to conform with spiritual norms of the time.
Despite this, the poem retains its raw, mystical energy, revealing the enduring human desire to connect with plants, ritual, and divine power.
Modern Application of the Nine Herbs Charm
Today, the charm can inspire modern herbalists and witches:
- Herbs as Sacred Allies: See plants as carriers of healing energy and protection.
- Numbers as Magic: The repeated use of three and nine symbolizes completeness, cycles, and magical potency.
- Spoken Word Transforms: Chanting, reading aloud, or setting intention amplifies the power of herbal or protective rituals.
At Wild Witch Herbs, we honor these ancient practices, encouraging a story-rich connection with herbs and the magical lore they carry. The Nine Herbs Charm reminds us that plants, words, and belief have always worked together to heal, protect, and empower.
References
- Gordon, R. K. The Nine Herbs Charm.
- Cameron, M. L. Anglo-Saxon Healing Charms.
- Lacnunga Manuscript, Harley MS 585, British Library.