Gender

Although Cunningham originally referred to gender as “hot” (masculine) and “cold” (feminine) in Magical Herbalism, he opted to return to the binary gender format when he wrote Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Gender has played a crucial role in magic throughout human history. It's important to retain the original metaphysical meaning behind the use of different natural materials, because nature itself expresses binary gender.

Masculinity reflects strength, power, courage, health, protection, and sexuality. Conversely, femininity reflects mystery, compassion, love, fertility, peace, and psychic power.