Skip to Content

Herbs of War: Using Plants to Honor Ares in Your Witchcraft Practice

Please note that posts on this site may contain affiliate links

You may choose to honor the ancient Greek and Roman god of war, Ares or Mars, through the use of herbs in your spiritual practices. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as using herbs in spells and rituals, creating herbal remedies related to war or strength, or simply burning herbs as offerings to the god.

Some herbs that are associated with Ares or Mars and may be suitable for use in honoring him include garlic, ginger, and chili peppers for their fiery and potent qualities; oak, rosemary, and thyme for their strength and courage; and nettles and thistles for their ability to protect and defend.

To begin, you may want to research the specific properties and correspondences of these herbs, as well as any other herbs that resonate with you, to determine how best to incorporate them into your practice. You can also consult books on herbal magic or speak with other practitioners for guidance and inspiration.

Once you have chosen the herbs that you would like to use, you can create a simple offering by placing them on a small altar or shrine dedicated to Ares or Mars. You can then light a candle and speak a prayer or incantation, asking for the god’s strength and protection in your life or any specific endeavors you may be undertaking. You can also burn the herbs as incense, allowing the smoke to carry your intentions to the god.

In addition to offering herbs, you can also create herbal remedies or potions related to war or strength. For example, you could make a tea or infusion using ginger and garlic to promote courage and bravery, or a salve using nettles and thistles to protect against negative energies.

Through the use of herbs, you can honor Ares or Mars in a meaningful and personal way, drawing on the powerful qualities of these plants to connect with the god and invite his energy into your life.

people gathering on street during nighttime

Herbs For Ares

HerbMetaphysical PropertiesHow to Use in Ares WorshipHow to Use in Magic SpellsMedicinal UsesAdditional Info
Dragon’s BloodProtection, purificationBurn as incenseAdd to potions for protection or strengthWound healerRed resin from the dragon’s blood tree
GinsengVitality, strength, powerAdd to offeringsAdd to potions for vitality or powerImmune booster, stress reducerRoot of the ginseng plant
NettleCourage, strength, protectionAdd to offeringsAdd to potions for protection or strengthAllergies, joint painStinging plant, use gloves when handling
RosemaryProtection, purification, loveBurn as incenseAdd to potions for protection or loveMemory booster, digestive aidCommon herb used in cooking
ThymeCourage, purification, healingBurn as incenseAdd to potions for courage or healingCoughs, colds, asthmaCommon herb used in cooking
BelladonnaProtection, divinationLeave on altarAdd to potions for protection or divinationHighly toxic, can cause hallucinationsAlso known as deadly nightshade
HemlockDivination, banishingLeave on altarAdd to potions for banishing or divinationHighly toxic, can cause respiratory failurePoison used to execute Socrates
HenbaneDivination, protectionLeave on altarAdd to potions for protection or divinationHighly toxic, can cause hallucinationsAlso known as stinking nightshade
WolfsbaneProtection, banishingLeave on altarAdd to potions for protection or banishingHighly toxic, can cause convulsionsAlso known as monkshood or aconite
YewProtection, immortalityLeave on altarAdd to potions for protection or immortalityHighly toxic, can cause cardiovascular collapsePoison used in ancient Greek and Roman times
BasilProtection, courage, loveBurn as incenseAdd to potions for protection or courageDigestive aid, insect repellentCommon herb used in cooking
CayenneCourage, strength, passionAdd to offeringsAdd to potions for courage or strengthMigraine relief, circulation boosterSpicy pepper used in cooking
DamianaLove, courage, divinationBurn as incenseAdd to potions for love or courageAphrodisiac, anxiety reliefHerb used by the ancient Mayans
GingerCourage, love, successBurn as incenseAdd to potions for courage or successNausea relief, immune boosterCommon spice used in cooking
ParsleyPurification, courage, loveBurn as incenseAdd to potions for purification or courageDiuretic, breath freshenerCommon herb used in cooking
CinnamonLove, passion, prosperityBurn as incenseAdd to potions for love or prosperityDigestive aid, anti-inflammatoryCommon spice used in cooking
CloveLove, protection, moneyBurn as incenseAdd to potions for love or protectionPain relief, immune boosterDried flower bud of the clove tree
MintLove, abundance, purificationAdd to offeringsAdd to potions for love or abundanceDigestive aid, breath freshenerCommon herb used in cooking
RoseLove, beauty, divinationAdd petals to offeringsAdd petals to potions for love or beautySkin healer, anxiety reliefFlower of Aphrodite, commonly used in perfumes
SageLove, wisdom, immortalityBurn as incenseAdd to potions for love or wisdomMemory booster, antioxidantCommon herb used in cooking and herbal medicine

Ways To Use These Herbs

To honor Ares using these herbs, one could start by setting up an altar dedicated to the god of war. This could include images or statues of Ares, as well as any weapons or armor associated with him.

Next, one could gather all of the herbs associated with Ares and arrange them on the altar. This could include herbs like dragon’s blood, ginseng, and nettle for strength and protection, as well as herbs like belladonna, hemlock, and henbane for divination and banishing.

To begin the ritual, one could light some incense made from herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil, which are associated with purification and protection. As the incense burns, one could say a prayer or invocation to Ares, asking for his strength, courage, and protection.

Next, one could offer some of the herbs on the altar to Ares as a gesture of gratitude and respect. This could include burning herbs like dragon’s blood or ginseng as incense, or placing herbs like nettle or rosemary on the altar as offerings.

Once the offerings have been made, one could use the remaining herbs in spells or rituals to honor Ares and invoke his power. This could include using herbs like damiana or ginger in love spells to draw on Ares’ passion, or using herbs like parsley or cayenne in banishing spells to invoke his strength and courage.

Finally, one could end the ritual by thanking Ares for his presence and guidance, and by carefully disposing of any remaining herbs or incense. By following these steps and using the herbs associated with Ares, one can honor the god of war and draw on his power in their own magical practices.

man in black and green camouflage suit holding rifle

How I Honor Ares With Herbs

To honor Ares, the Greek god of war, I use a variety of herbs in my rituals and offerings. One of the herbs I commonly use is mugwort, which is known for its associations with protection and strength. I burn mugwort as an incense during my rituals, allowing the fragrant smoke to fill the space and honor Ares.

I also use rosemary in my rituals to honor Ares. This herb is associated with remembrance and clarity, both of which are important when honoring a god of war. I often weave sprigs of rosemary into wreaths or garlands to adorn my altar, or I will use it in spells and charms to enhance my connection to Ares.

In addition to these herbs, I also use vervain, which is associated with purification and protection. I will often use vervain in spells and charms to cleanse the space before conducting a ritual to Ares, or I will drink vervain tea as part of the ritual to help me focus and connect with the god.

At times, I also honor Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, during my rituals. To do this, I use herbs such as jasmine and rose, which are associated with love and passion. I will burn these herbs as incense, or I will use them in spells and charms to invoke the goddess and ask for her blessings.

Overall, using herbs in my rituals to honor Ares and Aphrodite helps to create a sacred space and enhance my connection to these powerful deities. The fragrant smoke and soothing scents of the herbs create a peaceful and reverent atmosphere, allowing me to focus my intentions and offer my devotion to these ancient gods.

Timing For Leaving Offerings To Mars

When leaving offerings to Ares, timing is an important consideration. As the god of war, Ares is associated with the planet Mars, which rules over the day of Tuesday. Therefore, Tuesday is considered a particularly auspicious day for leaving offerings to Ares.

In addition to choosing the right day of the week, the time of day can also have an impact on the potency of the offering. I find that leaving offerings to Ares during sunset is particularly potent, as the blood red skies at this time of day are evocative of the god’s association with war and bloodshed.

In my rituals to honor Ares, I always make sure to pay close attention to the timing and choose the right moment to leave my offerings. I will often set an intention and focus my energy on the god as the sun sets, allowing the power of the moment to infuse my offerings and increase their potency.

Overall, timing is an important factor when leaving offerings to Ares. By choosing the right day of the week and the right time of day, I can ensure that my offerings are received by the god and have the greatest possible impact.

    Dark Divine Feminine: Lilith Spells Book

    X