As the air cools and leaves turn golden, herbs take on a special kind of magic — grounding, protective, and deeply connected to the cycles of harvest and release. Autumn is a season of gathering wisdom, honoring transitions, and weaving intentions for the darker half of the year. The herbs you choose now can support your rituals, warm your spirit, and keep your energy balanced as the veil grows thinner.
It’s a busy time of year where we begin preparing for the cold months and harvesting our beautiful herbs for our benefit. Harvesting is a time of abundance and gratitude for the what we worked hard tending to, watering, and pruning. The fruits of our labor are now here for us to enjoy and use a little magic in our lives. Whenever I initially plan what I will be growing to harvest, I calculate the amount by what I will be doing it culinary-wise, and for magical use. I grow enough for myself and for others to enjoy as well, so everyone else can reap the benefits of fresh herbs at their fingertips.
Before harvesting, it is very important to coincide with the weather and time of day, especially if you want the best, potent results. Depending on the herb you wish to harvest, it is important to know the correct harvesting processes for that specific herb. Most herbs are of the same process, but others sometimes aren’t.
If you are unsure, always research the harvesting process and your local weather conditions. I’m on the tippy top of Maine, so harvesting was (day) right before the first frost hit us. Although I covered some herbs up due to a (busy) work week and home life. But that’s okay!
Time To Harvest!
As I’ve mentioned before, knowing when the first frost will sneak up on us, that is a good indication that it is time to harvest. Frost will cause shock to the plant, yielding its growth cycle. Once you know when the frost is coming, you will have a great idea of when to write in your calendar when you plan to harvest. When planning your harvest, take into account:
- Time of Day – If you want a beautiful, potent herb with amazing scent and properties, plan to harvest in the morning. Making sure it is a dry, cool morning, when the dew has evaporated, because that is when the oil of the plant has a stronger flavor profile and has more potent properties.
- Weather – If it is too hot, the oil content will be more dehydrated, and its flavor and properties will be weaker.
Gathering
When trimming or cutting back your plant, it all depends on how you have planted it, for example: in a pot or in the ground and wether it is a plant you would like to keep for years to come such as a perennial herb. This year, I was only able to plant my herbs in 5-gallon buckets. If you have read one of my Karmic Chronicles posts, it explains how we are still settling into our home!
Gathering the harvest is more than collecting what has grown — it’s a ritual of gratitude, balance, and honoring the earth’s cycles. Each basket of herbs, fruits, or grains carries the energy of sun, soil, and season, reminding us to celebrate abundance while preparing for the quiet of winter.
Annuals
Annuals don’t regrow every year, so when harvesting, there is no need to be extremely careful with the plant. You may harvest the plant by cutting it at the soil, or pulling it by the roots.
Perennial and Biennial
For herbs that are either perennial or biennial, more care is required when harvesting your plant. Trim back no more than 1/3, the plant will need energy for the winter, so completely cutting the plant down will have the likelihood of the plant not grow back next year.
If your plant is invasive, trim back generously and be sure to trim off dead stems as well, cleaning dead leaves from around the plant. This ensures the plant will not shed its seeds. When the seeds shed, wind can carry them, and they will grow next year.
Process & Storing
Processing and storing herbs is an act of preserving both their magic and their medicine. By carefully drying, grinding, or bottling them, we extend their life and keep their energy strong for future teas, remedies, and rituals. Each jar on the shelf becomes a reminder of the harvest, a little piece of nature’s wisdom waiting to be called upon.
When processing and storing your herbs, prepare how you want to store them and for what purpose. Herbs for magical use are typically processed by drying via tying and hanging upside down. There are different methods of storing your herbs, which I will share here
Drying
Drying is one of the most traditional and effective ways to preserve your herbs for the colder months. While the process is simple, it does take a little patience. To dry your herbs, gather them into small bundles and tie them by the stems. Hang them upside down in a warm, dark room with good air circulation for 2–3 weeks, until the leaves are crisp and crumbly. Be sure to avoid damp, humid areas with poor airflow, as this can lead to mold — and nobody wants that!
🌿 Karmic Misfit Tip: Place your herb bundles inside paper bags with small holes punched through them. This prevents leaves and petals from falling while still allowing air to circulate, ensuring your herbs dry beautifully.
Freezing
Freezing is one of the quickest ways to preserve herbs while keeping their natural oils, potency, and flavor intact. After harvesting, spread your herbs out on a paper towel for about an hour to remove excess moisture. Then transfer them into labeled freezer bags, or if you prefer, wide-mouth jars, which work well in the freezer.
Freezing is often used more for culinary purposes, so it’s a wonderful area to experiment with — try different herbs, combinations, and methods to see what works best for you.
Methods to Try:
Broths: Prepare your favorite broth and pour it into ice cube trays over fresh herbs. Freeze, then store the cubes in a bag or container for ready-made flavor boosts.
Ice Cubes: Chop a single herb or a mix of herbs, place them into ice cube trays, and cover with water. Once frozen, pop the cubes into a freezer bag for easy use in cooking or teas.
Other Methods
Infusions – another great way to preserve your herbs is by preserving it in a oils of your liking. This is a simple and delicious way to preserve and have delicious oils on hand for good home cooking in the cold months. Great and savory ways to preserve plants include:
Oil – Whichever oil of your preference can be used but most commonly olive oil is typically the number 1 oil of infusions.
Butter – Having a savory butter on hand will go great with meat dishes and a delicious biscuit topper
Herbal Magic
Harvesting our herbs brings us a deeper connection with the earth and our practices making us one. Since ancient times, herbs have been cherished not only for their healing and culinary gifts, but also for the quiet magic they carry. Each leaf, flower, and root holds its own energy — whether for protection, love, clarity, or luck — making them powerful allies in rituals and everyday life. By learning to work with magical herbs, you deepen your connection to nature and weave a little enchantment into the ordinary.
Many herbs may be harvested at this time but here are a few herbs to keep on hand in your sacred space and is handy at all times:
Sage – Cleansing, healing, purification, and spiritual protection.
Rosemary – Remembrance, love, protection, and purification.
Lavender– Calm, healing, and peace.
Lemon Balm – Emotional balance, protection, purification, healing, and love.
Golden Rod – Prosperity, good fortune, encouragement, and healing.
Stinging Nettle – The importance of clear boundaries, protection, and resilience.
Most herbs can be used as smudging sticks, once harvested, you may straight away tie them up in bundles and let dry.
As you gather your herbs this season, remember that autumn magic is as much about gratitude and release as it is about harvest. Each leaf and root you work with carries the wisdom of the year’s growth, ready to guide you through the turning of the wheel. May your autumn herbs bring protection, balance, and a little enchantment to the cozy days ahead.
Are there any preferred methods of harvesting and processing you use? If so, I would like to read it in the comments!