
Sian Sibley
Lecture & Workshop Host
LECTURE: A Mechanical Flower Does Not Smell as Sweet
The Doctrine of Signatures, popularised in Europe by thinkers like Jakob Boehme and William Coles, posited that plants’ shapes, colours, and forms were divinely designed to reveal their healing properties. Boehme suggested that God marked objects with a sign, or “signature”, for their purpose. Plants bearing parts that resembled human body-parts, animals, or other objects were thought to have useful relevance to those parts, animals, or objects. The “signature” could sometimes be identified in the environments or specific sites where plants grew. Böhme’s 1621 book The Signature of All Things gave its name to the doctrine.
In Indigenous traditions across many cultures, a similar yet more spiritual approach exists, where the healing properties of plants are not only observed physically but also experienced through a direct relationship with the plant spirits. Indigenous healers often work through ceremonies, rituals, and deep communion with nature to understand and harness the medicinal power of plants. Rather than seeing the physical resemblance of a plant as a “signature,” Indigenous traditions focus on cultivating respectful, spiritual relationships with the plants, allowing the plant’s spirit to guide healing.
In recent years, modern scientific research has begun to validate many of these traditional uses of plants. Studies have found that certain plants historically associated with specific ailments do, indeed, contain compounds that can have therapeutic effects. For instance, research into the heart-shaped leaf of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) has revealed it contains compounds like digitalin, which are used in modern medicine to treat heart conditions. Similarly, the yellow flowers of St. John’s Wort have been shown to have mood-stabilising properties, aligning with traditional uses for treating depression. This and the ongoing research into plant intelligence by scientists like Monica Gagliano have confirmed what our ancestors knew, when they were asked “how did you know to use the plant” and replied “The plant told us”
Walnuts, with their brain-like appearance, are being studied for their role in reducing the risk of dementia. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, walnuts help combat inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain, reflecting the Doctrine of Signatures idea of walnuts supporting cognitive health. Similarly, broccoli, whose branching structure resembles the lungs, has shown promise in preventing COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), thanks to its high levels of sulforaphane, which helps reduce inflammation in lung tissue.
While scientific evidence today often explains healing through biochemical pathways, traditional and Indigenous healing practices remind us of the importance of spiritual, holistic approaches to health, where plants are not just seen as biological tools, but as living allies in the healing journey. The resonance between the ideas of Boehme, and Indigenous practice continues to inspire a deeper understanding of nature’s connection to human health.
This presentation will discuss the current research into medicinal plants, compare those results to the doctrine of signatures of that plant, and discuss the strained relationship between the mechanical, molecular and theoretical pharmaceuticals and their holistic and more inclusive ancestor practises and their relationships with the plant people themselves.
WORKSHOP: Chasing Charubel – Unveiling the Green
Charubel’s method of working with plant spirits centres around building a deep, intuitive relationship with the plant’s spiritual essence, allowing the practitioner to align with its healing properties. He believed each plant had a spirit or guardian that could be communicated with and respected to unlock its full potential. This process is enhanced by aligning the preparation of the plant material with astrological influences, ensuring that the planetary and cosmic forces align harmoniously with the plant’s energies, improving the efficacy of spagyric tinctures.
In creating spagyric tinctures, one could use a Soxhlet apparatus, a laboratory equipment designed for efficiently extracting compounds from solid material. The Soxhlet method ensures that the plant’s vital oils and essences are extracted completely. Once the material is distilled, the process would involve further refinement, where the body (physical properties), spirit (alcohol or solvent), and soul (essential oils) of the plant are recombined. This careful process mirrors the alchemical principle of purification and transformation.
Combining this alchemical process with an astrological approach, where specific planetary days, hours, or transits influence the work, further enhances the tincture’s potency. The astrological timing helps synchronise the spiritual and material dimensions, producing a medicinally and energetically charged tincture, carrying the whole essence of the plant’s spirit in harmony with cosmic forces.
In this workshop, Sian will discuss and demonstrate the techniques needed to make tincture in concert with Charubels’s methodology.
John Thomas, better known by his esoteric name Charubel, was a Welsh mystic, astrologer, clairvoyant, and healer born on November 9, 1826, in Llanspyddid, Brecknockshire, Wales. He lived during the Victorian era, a time of burgeoning interest in spiritualism, occultism, and alternative medicine. He became renowned for his deep connection to the unseen realms, particularly through his work with astrology and plant spirits.
Charubel came from humble beginnings and was largely self-taught. He began his career as a healer, developing his methods of magnetic healing, which involved channelling spiritual energy to restore health. His healing practice combined his keen psychic abilities with his knowledge of plants and herbalism, emphasising the spiritual properties of plants rather than just their medicinal qualities. This early work laid the foundation for his later exploration of spagyrics and the spiritual alchemy of plant medicines.
Charubel also made notable contributions to astrology, developing his own system of astrological symbolism. He is best known for his work on the “Degrees of the Zodiac Symbolised,” a series of mystical symbols and meanings for each degree of the zodiac, later popularised through its inclusion in Alan Leo’s writings. This work remains an influential part of esoteric astrology, offering insight into the spiritual significance of astrological degrees. Charubel’s unique spiritual path blended Welsh mysticism, Hermeticism, and theosophy, emphasising the deep connection between the spiritual and physical worlds. He was also part of the late 19th-century occult revival, engaging with other esoteric thinkers and contributing to the broader movement that explored the metaphysical dimensions of healing and consciousness.
$45 workshop add on fee
$10 materials fee
*Materials Fee to be paid to Sian at time of workshop*
BIO: Sian Sibley has over 30 years of dedicated witchcraft practice, blending her knowledge of the occult with a strong academic background in science. She holds Master’s degrees in Biological Science and Ecology and Spirituality, and her career has been shaped by a passion for research and teaching, particularly in understanding the natural world and the spiritual forces within it.
At the heart of her witchcraft practice is her experience in working with plant spirits, a discipline she has refined through the Charubel method, what she describes as a shamanic approach to communing with plants and trees, as described in the Grimoire Sympathica by Charubel, a fellow Welshman. Her connection to plant energies has become central to her craft, and she weaves this knowledge into both her spiritual and scientific endeavours. For decades, she has used her deep understanding of plant consciousness to enhance her work in witchcraft and alchemy, bridging the gap between the physical and spiritual realms.
Sian is also well-versed in Kabbalah, planetary magic, and the Greek Magical Papyri, integrating these ancient traditions into her witchcraft practice. Her work with the Charubel method and plant spirits aligns with her belief in nature as a powerful source of magic, allowing her to approach her practice with both reverence and scientific precision.
In her professional life, Sibley has worked extensively in scientific research, applying her knowledge of biological systems to both the academic and mystical aspects of her work. She has also spent years teaching, imparting her wisdom to students in both the fields of ecology and spirituality. This combination of rigorous scientific inquiry and deep spiritual insight has made her a teacher and mentor in both domains.
Sibley has led the DragonOak Coven for 25 years, where she guides members in witchcraft practices that focus heavily on working with the natural world. Under her leadership, the coven has flourished, emphasising plant spirit magic, alchemy, and deep spiritual connection with nature.
Tickets for the 10th Annual VGS are now Available!