Thursday, September 30, 2010

End of Summer Fun

This witch has had a beautiful Summer!  Starting in August, I began a year-long sabbatical from full-time work.  Now I have more time to explore myself & my dreams; to attune my life with my beliefs & values. 


Much of this exploration is just FUN!


Witch's Brews:
Follow the link to read about the beginning of my private botanica. 

Herbalism Training:
Learning about the medicinal qualities of herbs as passed down through the generations from a variety of cultures.  The more I know, the more I can incorporate these techniques into my herbal magick.
Florida School of Holistic Living: Roots of Herbalism
Drum Circles:
Music is good for the soul!  And great for building new friendships in the local Pagan community.

Garden Design:
Hubby & I have built 2 Square-Foot Gardens this Summer.  Fall planting has begun for the Florida season (but the critters have arrived as well).  The herb & butterfly gardens are thriving.  Faeryland (the back yard) is full of life!

Sewing:
Our sewing circle created a bunch of easy dresses to send to Africa.  That was really rewarding!
Little Dresses for Africa

Energy Work:
I'm working through Christopher Penczak's book The Inner Temple of Witchcraft.  It's wonderful!

What a season!  I'm just chomping to post about my adventures & begin Fall.  Tomorrow starts preparation for Samhain!!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Healing Salve

The Comfrey& Calendula oils are finally ready!

I've been patiently waiting, shaking, singing to & nurturing these oils in anticipation of making some Healing Salve. 

Today is that day!

After 4 weeks of solar infusion, the oils are heated for 1 hour over a low heat in a double-boiler (ok, I don't have one, so it's a bowl on a pot with a lid).

Then, the solid material is strained out & placed back into the clean bowl. This was REALLY messy!  Where is my apprentice?  Oh, I'm apprenticing...that means I do my own work.   


So, after cleaning the counter & rubbing the spilled oil into my skin, it was time to add 1 ounce of soy wax (not bees wax, vegan witch here), 20 drops of lavender essential oil & a bit of Vitamin E oil for stability.



Now the test - taking 1 spoonful of the brew & placing it into the refrigerator for 20 minutes to check the solidity.

I found it to be a bit soft.  1/8 more ounce of soy wax did the trick.


Finally, pouring the salve into clean jars just out of the hot dishwasher (again with the mess???!!!???).


The finished product:
 

I think, next time, I will use smaller tins instead of these 1/2 pint jars.  But that's what I had on hand today & I just HAD to try this. 

Comfrey & Calendula Salve has amazing healing properties!  I had a burn a week ago that got quite infected. Within 24 hours it was almost healed.


I love herbs!! 
From Hidden Witch

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Remedy for Headache

Today, I woke up with a headache. Not just any headache, a MIGRAINE!
I knew there was a reason I researched headache remedies yesterday. 
 So, I brewed myself a tisane (tea).

 
2 Cups Water heated to just below a boil
about 5 sprigs fresh Basil with flowers*
2 tsp dried Feverfew
2 tsp Lavender
2 tsp Skullcap
2 tsp Lemon Balm
Cover & Steep for 20 minutes

*I have basil growing in the garden, or I could have used 2 tsp dried Basil.  To harvest, I simply stood in the garden for a few moments to connect with the plants.  Then, I asked them to help me with my headache.  2 of the 5 Basil plants were in especially good shape & I felt their pull.  Normally, I cook with all of them, harvesting equally, but felt that I needed the strongest plants today.  I kept hearing "flowers" in my head, so I honored that & snipped 5 sprigs about 6 inches long with the flowers attached.  I thanked the lovely plants & crushed the leaves by hand before adding the leaves & flowers to the water. 

After 1 cup & about an hour, my headache is almost gone!  This is amazing, because usually my migraines last for days.  

The next cup is cooling in the refrigerator to become a compress with 2 Tbsp chilled Witch Hazel.  

This remedy was a combination recipe I developed from my herbalism sources, and also instinct.  The last migraine I had went away for about 30 minutes while I was chopping basil, so I thought I'd give it a try.  

Wild & Bright Blessings!

Monday, September 27, 2010

A Spell to Kiss & Make Up

Often, I do not create my own spells.  When I do, they are usually more powerful for me than those I find in a book.  But, there a few that are really wonderful.

This is one of my favorites, almost word-for-word out of a great book by Ellen Dugan, How to Enchant a Man.

Sweet Spell for a Bad Day
Use this when you & your love are having a tiff.  It is especially helpful on those days when he/she is driving you bat-shit-mad with their little idiosyncrasies.
  • Small, pink, rose-scented candle
  • Candle holder
  • Few drops of honey
  • Matches (or lighter)
  • Your altar (Ellen suggests your Love Altar)
  • A photo of you & your significant other

Work on a Friday or a waning moon if you can, but anytime you need to sweeten & soothe feelings between you & your love.  

Rub a few drops of honey along the sides of the candle (dress the candle).  Place the candle in it's holder (wash your hands now, they're probably sticky!).  Set the photo in front of the candle.  Imagine the strife between you & your love, focus on the aggravation or anger you're feeling.  Now, ask yourself how important this situation that got you angry really is anyway?  "In the grans scheme of things, will the world stop revolving?"  Once you have worked it through & are beginning to calm down, imagine the problem & negativity fading away.  When you feel calm, light the candle & repeat the spell 3 times:

With this magick spell, while roses scent the air,
Let us settle our feud in a way that's fair.
You're a grumpy guy, and I'm a pissy Witch,
From sour to sweet, our attitudes will switch.
As the candle burns away, we will unify, 
Now let's make up & kiss our troubles goodbye.

Close with these lines:

By scent, flame & honey, this spell is done, 
For the good of all, bringing harm to none.


Allow the candle to burn down & go out (in a safe, monitored place).  Go find your love & give him a kiss.  Someone apologizes; someone accepts graciously.


I usually do this with a white candle in a pink holder.  I dress the candle with rose essential oil & honey & rosemary.  Using your own correspondences & intuition as you build your spells makes them more uniquely yours & therefore more powerful.

If you haven't read any of Ellen's books, I highly recommend them!  She has a wonderfully relaxed style paired with solid magickal teachings.


Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

Sunday, September 26, 2010

A Remedy for the Sniffles

So, today my wonderful man has the sniffles...





Of course, his witchy wife has the remedy!

Sniffle Be-Gone Tisane (tea)

1 inch of fresh Ginger Root
4 Garlic cloves (equal amounts of ginger & garlic)
2 Tbsp dried Passion Flower leaves
1 tsp Crushed Red Chilies
2 quarts Water
Agave or Honey to taste

Bring water to a small boil & remove from heat.  Add everything except sweetener.  Cover & let steep for 20 minutes.  Sweeten to taste.  Drink by the cupful every 2 hours.  For extra punch, add 1ml of Echinacea Tincture to each cup (not during the steeping process, just before serving).

Everything in the tisane is to boost the body's ability to fight infection & to clear the nose.  I could have added onion too, but didn't want to push it (the drink is already pretty strong tasting & needs a sweetener!).

Of course, you will stir this mixture in a deosil fashion, while performing a healing spell of your own design.

Clear-My-Nose Simmer

Water
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Lavender Essential Oil
Fresh Camphor Leaves (or EO if you don't have 20 camphor trees like I do)
Crockpot or stove-top pot on a very low simmer 

*******Not for internal use!!!********
Add 5-10 drops of each EO & the camphor leaves into about 4 quarts of water.  Simmer, uncovered, near the poor dear with the sniffles.


REST! 


There are many more remedies, but this was what I could create from my cupboard today.  So far, so good!  He just asked me to make some more tea for tonight & tomorrow.

Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

(disclaimer: these remedies are based on my own studies & experience with herbs & not a substitute for medical care. If you need a doctor, go see a doctor!  Home remedies are time-tested, wise-woman ways of improving health & well being.)

Block Party Review

Yesterday was busy for me, but I was blessed to be able to check out a few blogs

Just in case you didn't get a chance to see all the blogs yesterday during the Practical Magic Block Party, here are some of the things I learned & blogs I'm watching:

A big THANKS to Justina & Anna for hosting the Party.  What a wonderful weekend it has been getting to know fabulous bloggers.

Sarah takes great pictures!  And she has an e-course!

Lenora has directions to make a Magic Wand .... NICE!  I'm going to try this.

Melz makes adorable crochet bunnies

Faerie Sage is an archeaologist!  We should watch her blog...

Faery Moon makes some amazing creations.  She has a beautiful original oil in her Etsy Shop
 that I have my eye on!

Besides some wonderful links, Sara clears up the whole mugwort issue (really, I love the movie, but this scene always makes me cringe!)

How could we not all check out a blog entitled, Can We  Have a New Witch Ours Melted?  OMG!! I am definitely following Leeanna!!!

Here is a lovely Apple Love Spell


There are so many wonderful blogs that I could never begin to list them all!  Fly on over to the Party site & check out a few.

Wild & Bright Blessings,


~*Rhi*~

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Practical Magic Movie - Being Normal is Not Necessarily a Virtue

My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage! ~ Anne Frances Owens, from the movie Practical Magic.

Practical Magic's message is really that we can celebrate who we truly are.  Here are a few of the fun ideas from the movie about not being normal:



Chocolate Cake for Breakfast 


Here's a way to celebrate an abnormal day!  5-minute chocolate cake recipe that is "almost no fat" & even has some redeeming nutrition (but, don't for 1 moment think it's healthy!)






Midnight Margaritas

1.5 ounce of Petrone (or your favorite tequila)
3 ounces of Master of Mixes Margarita Mix (do NOT get the low sugar one...yuck!)
Ice


Shake together & pour into a margarita glass
Top with a swirl of Grand Marier







Magical Tea for Prophetic Dreams


Remember the scene where Sally was writing her letter & the teaspoon was stirring itself?  What tea (tisane) was she drinking? Maybe this one:

1tsp mugwort (for dreams)
1tsp catnip (for dreams)
1 tsp chamomile  (calming & soothing)
1tsp lemon verbena (relaxing & tastes great!)

Bring a cup of water to near boiling.  Pour water over tea leaves (or you may put the ingredients in a tea ball).  Stir deosil  (clockwise) for a minute & set your intention - for what do you wish an answer? Allow the brew to sit, covered, for 20-30 minutes (in the light of the moon if possible).  Sweeten if desired.  Drink slowly, focusing on your intention.  

Create your own Spell

One of the best things about the movie is that things always went better for Sally & Gillian when they worked magick from their intuition instead of using the Aunts' Book of Shadows. Here is a simple formula for spell design:

  1. Reduce the purpose of your spell to a word or short phrase
  2. Consider whether you may be causing harm by doing the spell (hint...DON'T!)
  3. Find components that are suited to your goal (candles, herbs, stones...)
  4. Determine how you will use the components
  5. Determine the best possible timing
  6. Create an chant or affirmation (if you desire) that describes your spell's components & purpose
  7. Cleanse & bless all items to be used
  8. Consider physical actions that might help support your goal & how you will incorporate them into the spell
  9. Raise energy & guide it toward your objective, then release it
  10. Trust in the outcome
  11. Record your spell & the results
(adapted from Marian Singer's Basic Spell Design)
Whatever you do, don't get hung up on a particular herb, stone, or time of the astrological/lunar/weekly timing.  These aspects are meant to support your intentions, you are not dependent on them.


Oh, & one more thing...

Always trust your First Initial Feeling!

Now, let's go check our the rest of the blogs on the Practical Magic Block Party!
 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Practical Magic Block Party Saturday!

Practical Magic Block Party is is coming up! Oh, it is just my all-time favorite movie!!! I know, fellow witches, that they have some stuff wrong, but the tone is wonderful - it shows that witches are humans with a heart.

Here are some beautiful videos to get you in the mood:


Sunday, September 19, 2010

Live Blueberry Soda

I'm making a soda culture this week! Soon, I'll have homemade Blueberry Soda - with LIVE cultures...healthy!!

Here is the info from LearningHerbs.com & HerbMentor.com. If you don't want to watch the videos (I would highly suggest it if it's your 1st time!), you can skip to the end of the post where I've posted a link to the recipes.

Part 1:



Part 2:


And, the Blueberry Part (with a quick review of the culture)



Part 2 is by subscription only, so here's the link to the instructions:

Fermented Soda Recipe: Blueberry Soda

I can't wait!!!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Witch's Ramblings

Lots of magickal concoctions are brewing around here! 




Vintage Witchcraft Graphics

~Magickal Graphics~


This week I started Comfrey Oil & Base vinegar for Queen of Hungary Water. The Comfrey Oil is for a healing salve (recipe from LearningHerbs.com) & the Queen of Hungary Water is from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health.

Here's a video of Susun Weed chatting about comfrey & the skin:






Some other workings in the Hidden Witch's Botanica are perfumes.  My Rose Tincture is finally finished after 6 weeks; result of waiting 6 weeks is just divine! The rosebuds retained some of the tincture, so they are drying on my Home Spirit Shrine, releasing their wonderful aroma to the living room.  I'll be using the Rose Tincture for my 1st real perfume & hope to have it ready by Full Moon.

Today we went to the local "flea market" & found some beautiful antique bottles.  I can't wait to bottle up some magick!


Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

Monday, September 13, 2010

Awaken the Wild Woman Within

Attending Cheri Shanti’s workshop, Awaken the Wild Woman Within was an amazing experience.  If you ever get a chance to spend time with Cheri, do it!




Wild & Bright Blessings!
*~Rhi~*

Personal Creation Myth


Creation Myth of ~*Rhi*~

The goddesses circled.  “We’ve got to make one who will be more pleasing this time!” Said Arachne.  She was the most forthright of the bunch.  “I’m not getting scowled at for not following directions again.”
This human girl had to have all the qualities & frailties requested.   She had a purpose – unfortunately, the goddesses were not privy to that purpose.  Purpose was each creation’s vision quest.
So the four – the members of this creation team came together. Rhiannon – goddess of endurance, inspiration & dreams, her ally, Hera – goddess of commitment, caring, friendliness, loyalty & cooperation, Artemis – goddess of assertiveness,  confidence, unconventionality, innovation & decisive action, & Demeter – goddess of resolve, determination, organization, nurturing, & deep caring discussed the plan & decided to call a few of their friends together for the ceremony.
“This one will be perfectly imperfect,” they announced.  “Capable of great good & great harm; great discernment & compassion; passion & restraint; anger & forgiveness – She will be a warrior with the heart of a priestess & poet.  Her life would be rich & full, but probably not comfortable most of the time.”
The four were both excited & anxious to begin.  Excited to bring their new creation into the world; anxious about how she would handle the gifts they were to give.  They had tried this particular model before, without success – each time, the human sunk into despair & despondence, unable to tolerate the dichotomies within her soul.  This time, however they were sure they had summoned the correct goddesses for the job.  Also, this time they would stay with the human girl throughout her life to assure she had the right strength at the right time.  They would never interfere or protect her from herself, theirs was simply to whisper the right words into her ear & send just the right allies to her door so she would be the one.
First to arrive at the ceremonial pool was Freya – goddess of passion, sensuality & emotions.  Freya was always first, ever chomping at the bit to pour her gifts into the pool.  The colorless water turned a bright red almost immediately.
Next was Arachne – goddess of integrity & courage.  Always out-spoken, Arachne joined her gifts with Freya.  The pool began to churn with the passion & courage.
Afraid, the goddesses called upon Hestia – goddess of balance & self-containment.  Hestia, however decided her gifts would muddy these waters, so she withdrew.  Tera & Hecete were quickly summoned.
Tera poured in compassion, perceptive understanding, support, gentleness & understanding.  Immediately the red, churning waters began to swirl into a whirlpool of love.
Hecate gently stirred in tolerance, intuition & acceptance.  As she dashed a touch of calm tranquility at the end, the waters became peaceful, but also flat & without sparkle.  More was required.
Artemis drew back her bow & shot an arrow dripping with assertiveness, followed by another she dipped in confidence.  Once she shot the arrows of unconventionality & innovation they all watched as the swirling waters brightened to a crystal blue.
Hera joined the group.  She stirred in a splash of commitment; a huge dose of caring; a sprinkle of friendliness & more loyalty than she had given many of their creations.  The goddesses surrounded the pool & watched as the waters of their creation deepened to the most beautiful cobalt they had seen in many ages.  Their excitement was building.
It was time for Rhiannon’s gifts.  Charged with the success of this creation, she would watch over continuously & call upon the others as needed throughout the woman’s life. Rhiannon approached the pool with a bit of trepidation.  She had many over which to watch, each one was close to her heart.  She thought carefully about her gifts & watched closely as each one was poured into the pool.
Endurance, inspiration & dreams, what measures of these great gifts would she endow?
As she slowly poured endurance into the swirling pool, the color changed to purple.  Unhappy with the hue, Rhiannon added a bit more until the waters were dark with endurance’s richness.
“Sad”, thought Rhiannon, “purple is too sad”.  Had she spoken these words out loud?  Hera accused her of being stingy – holding back.  Rhiannon, always the dreamer, allowed herself to imagine what the woman’s life would be like at this point.  Quickly, she made her decision.  She poured out her full measure of dreams & inspiration.  Immediately the color burst into a beautiful & brilliant blue.
A gasp arose from the group. “Blue is one of my favorite colors!” exclaimed Rhiannon.  Almost all of my women are blue!  Rhiannon was anxious to dip from the pool & pour the rich fluid into their charge’s soul.  She reached for the torch & held it to the Great Fire.  As she grasped for the handle of the Little Dipper, Rhiannon was startled.
“STOP!” shouted Demeter.  “Rhiannon, the soul water is not ready.  We have so many blues in our rainbow right now.  Allow me to adjust the color a bit.”
The goddesses opened the circle for Demeter & she approached the pool.  Slowly, resolve & determination were added.  The color began to lighten.
“Too pale” lamented Freya.  The others agreed.  Demeter measured out what she determined to be the perfect portion of caring.
“Oooo!” sang the goddesses in unison. A beautiful green had appeared, it reflected all the light from Above.  “But it is so bright now.  And it’s beginning to churn again,” said Hecate.  “We must calm the waters.”
Finally, Demeter added just a touch of organization to the pool.
All at once, the colors developed into the most brilliant emerald green any of the goddesses had witnessed.  Swirling & settling with the synchronized movement of the circle of goddesses, the emerald soul waters were hypnotizing.  As the Great Fire shone upon the waters, deep tones of blue & purple were seen in the sparkles.  Occasionally, a flash of red appeared to everyone’s amazement.
“Beautiful!”  they chanted in unison.  “Beautiful!”
With the torch, lit from the Great Fire, in one hand the Little Dipper from the sky in another, Rhiannon stepped into the middle of the pool.  The goddesses created a perfect circle of Love.  Holding their intertwined hands in the air, they continued their chant.  Rhiannon dipped a great measure of soul water from the pool.  Into the creature, she poured.
A slight gasp was heard from the tiny infant as she appeared in the delivery room.  Weak, brought into the world early, she tried her lungs.
“Not strong enough,” Rhiannon said, almost to herself, “more.”  She dipped the ladle again & quickly poured the final drops of emerald waters into the tiny girl.
The child let out a cry.  Still weak, but announcing herself to the world, she began to test her surroundings.  The soft cry echoed into the Upper World as their creation began her journey.
All were now assured of the infant’s acceptance from the Earth. The chanting grew louder as Rhiannon touched the torch to her newest creation’s brow.  Immediately, Kim’s eyes were open.  Her voice bloomed at the heat & brightness.  The cry was strong & powerful.  All knew of her arrival. The tiny infant recognized the chant, “Beautiful!” she heard in the musical voices of the goddesses.  “Hi, beautiful!” would be one of her hallmark greetings in the future, her method of spreading goddess love to others.
Around the now empty pool the spent goddesses laughed & cried.  “Job well done,” they each thought.  It was time to celebrate.
Their new creation would call to them time & time again, knowing each one by name.  She would spend her life basking in their gifts & trying to make sense of the nature of each.  This one would find others & lead them to the goddesses for strength & power.  They had finally succeeded in their task – the creation of one who drew from them each of their powers.  Hestia was right, her balance & self-containment were unnecessary this time, the goddesses had chosen & measured well.  Balanced their gifts themselves; containment would only diminish the qualities.
The Great Fire smiled.  Finally pleased.

Overcoming Fear

What would you do if you knew you could handle anything that came your way?
-If there was absolutely no fear of failure?
-If you had no fear of what others thought?
-If you felt completely sure of yourself & your capabilities?
Of course, we all have fears.  Without some healthy fear, we’d be jumping off cliffs to our doom & touching hot stoves.  But, at times, fear can be overwhelming & can prevent us from doing what is needed in our lives.
Take, for example, my fear of creatures in the water.  Recently, I decided that I want to participate in a sprint triathlon.  Part of accomplishing my goal includes a ¼ mile swim in open water.  Unfortunately, I’ve always been very afraid of creepy swimmy things living under water.  Those slimy things brushed up against your leg are really scary!  Yikes!!!  OMG!  I could just die!!!  Oh, & the SHARKS?!?!

O.k., deep breath.  This was supposed to be a blog about *OVERCOMING* fears.
We all experience fear.  Unfortunately, the magic wand doesn’t work on fear. And, sitting with our fears, feeling helpless doesn’t seem to be the right answer either.
The key might be to feel the fear & do the thing anyway.  Courage is moving forward despite fear.
So, what’s the plan?
A few weeks ago, I decided to feel the fear & swim with the fishes anyway.  I’d love to tell you that I swam bravely completing my ¼ mile without any panic.  Actually, I only swam about 150 yards.  There was some pretty significant panic involved.  I set up some support systems (husband kayaking beside me, shore really close).  I felt some success, but the fear remains.
I’ve not fully conquered this fear of swimmy, fishy things, but I’m on my way.  Feeling the fear & moving forward – taking small steps in courage towards fearlessly swimming in open water feels scary, but good.
Instead of being paralyzed by my fear, I’m in action.  Action is power!
Taking small steps & risks is a great way to overcome fear.  Eleanor Roosevelt said it best, “do one thing every day that scares you.”

In Dr. Susan Jeffers’ wonderful book, Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway, she wrote about the 5 truths of fear:
Truth 1 – The fear will never go away as long as you continue to grow
Truth 2 – The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out & do it.
Truth 3 – The only way to feel better about yourself is to go out & do it.
Truth 4 – No only are you’re going to experience fear when you’re on unfamiliar territory, so is everyone else.
Truth 5 – Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from the feeling of helplessness.”

Are you putting something off that you should be doing out of fear?  Have you told yourself, “I can’t.” Is it making you feel helpless?  Overwhelmed?
What can small step can you do right now that can move you forward?  ACTION IS POWER.  Power over your fear feels great.
Feel the fear & do it anyway!  (but hey, stay safe & don’t get eaten by a shark.)

Beach Magic



Earth solid beneath feet.
Salt & Water cleanse.
Warmed by fiery Sun, skin welcomes kisses of cool Air.
Tide ever changing in deference to Lady Moon.
Natural Witch stands ready, recognizes magic waiting.
No need to call elements or cast circles.
Of candles, herbs or potion, there is not a thought.
Free of ritual, Spirit speaks.
Intentions float & soar.
Gratitude rushes as the waves.
Pure connection & communication;
Beach Magic is whole, holy, elemental, natural… powerful.

Basil

She is my signature herb, so I chose Basil for the 1st of 52 herbs in 52 weeks.
Many varieties of basil exist because it has been around for ages.  Basil is a tender annual, but can be continued indoors when the weather gets cold so you can have this yummy herb all year around if you provide it with care.  Hindu’s regard Sacred Basil as one of their sacred plants. In Florida, we have great difficulty growing the ruffly sweet & ornamental basil, so I usually grow Thai basil or Bush Basil.
Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before the last spring frost date.  Once all frost danger has passed, you can transplant into the garden in an area of full sun.  In most zones, you can have successive plantings through July.
Begin harvesting when plants are 8 inches tall & before they bloom.  Harvest when the leaves are dry & from the main stem to improve bushiness.  Pinch off flowers as they start to bloom.  Basil can be dried, but tastes better if frozen (blanch leaves & freeze in ice cubes or freeze raw in oil).
Basil infusions are reported to promote digestion & may also help reduce a fever.
A kitchen witch’s dream, basil is so yummy & can be used in pastas, salads, dressings, with tomatoes, in pesto…the options are almost endless.  Here’s what I did last night: Compassionate Eggplant Rollitini
Associated with the planet Mars (Tuesday) & the element of fire, she can be used magically for:
  • Love
  • Wealth & Success
  • Protection
  • Consecration & Purification (tools & sacred spaces)
  • House Blessings
  • Handfasting
  • Exorcism
  • Funerals
“Try sprinkling basil around the bedroom to banish any negative emotions & bad feelings after a lover’s spat.” ~ Herb Magic for Beginners by Ellen Dugan.  Work in a clockwise direction, sprinkling basil in the corners while weaving an appropriate spell.
**Tip** Basil repels many flying insects!  Try putting some on your picnic table – crush the leaves to release the fragrance.
Share what you know about this glorious herb.
Sources:  Your Backyard Herb Garden, Herb Magic for Beginners, To Light a Sacred Flame, The Essential Herb Garden
~~~Remember, all information in these posts are for magick, well being, health promotion, and fun…nothing is designed to diagnose or treat a medical illness.~~~ Just a little legal stuff.

Parsley

 
There is a myth that only a witch can grow parsley, but I’ve seen many gardens housing this wonderful herb.  Personally, however, I was never successful with growing parsley until I entered my witchdom :) . Slow time to germination seems to be the issue here.  The seed is coated with a compound inhibiting germination.  Sprouting the seeds (like you do edible sprouts) overcomes this issue. Or just purchase seedlings from the local organic nursery.  Parsley prefers full sun or partial shade, you might be able to grow it in shade, but your plant will be less than satisfactory.  As many herbs, she doesn’t enjoy wet feet, so keep parsley in well-drained, but moist soil.  To get the best production, use an organic fertilizer. As a relative to celery, parsley is a biennial – returning to the garden year after year once established in some areas.  Because she likes temperatures from abou5 50-70 degrees best, parsley doesn’t enjoy my hot summer weather here in Florida & is prone to die as the weather gets hot.  I’m thinking of bringing her into the kitchen as a houseplant, because it’s reported she does well as one.
Brand New Swallowtail
Brand New Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail butterflies use parsley as their host plant, so if you’re interested in visits from this beautiful creature, add some to your garden.
A medicinal herb, long before it was ever used in cooking, parsley is reported to have numerous health benefits.
“The activity of parsley’s volatile oils qualifies it as a “chemoprotective” food, and in particular, a food that can help neutralize particular types of carcinogens (like the benzopyrenes that are part of cigarette smoke and charcoal grill smoke).”
Parsley is known to benefit:
  • bad breath due to it’s high chlorophyll content
Parsley is great as a garnish for barbeque, because it helps neutralize some of the carcinogens found in charcoal smoke.  High in Vitamins A, C & K, parsley is great as an antioxidant.  But, if you’re taking blood thinners, talk with your doctor before consuming a lot of parsley.  It’s also a good source of folic acid, which is terrific for heart health & protection against some cancers.
Historically, parsley was used by the Greeks in funeral wreaths (it is known to mask odors) & by the Romans during/after orgies covering the alcohol on their breath.
Bound to Mercury & air, parsley is associated with lust, good luck, communication with the otherworld, protection, purification, fertility, divination, passion, meditation & rituals for the dead.
Try using parsley as one of your herbs in a purification bath.
Parsley has a strong feminine link.  It has been reported to be a powerful aphrodisiac for women.  Recently, I used parsley in a broccoli risotto to test this property…I’ll just say it was a nice evening!
So, the next time you see that parsley garnish on your plate, go ahead & munch away.  Or, put some parsley into your kitchen witch’s cabinet & see what you can cook up!
Wild & Bright Blessings!
~*Rhi*~
Herbs in hand
The Magic is in Your Hands

Energy Work

So, I've been doing some energy exercises.  No, not the jog around the block type of exercise, although that is desperately needed at present.  The kind of exercises where you sense & manipulate Energy; yours, others' & that of the Universe.


After playing a while with an Energy ball filled with pink rose petals, shaping it into the form of a heart & giving it to another witch, I saw her smile & her face light up.  How wonderful!! What a nice way to share love.

The next exercise was feeling the auric energy of another.  I tried with a tree.  That didn't work.  Next, I tried with my dogs.  Wow!  That was fun!!  About 6 inches from their fur, I felt a tingling, kind of like static electricity.  The same, but different from my energy.  Around my old dog's hips, the tingling subsided & my hands began to feel cool.  Poor baby.  His hips are just so old & arthritic, sometimes he has trouble walking.

By the time I was done with both doggies, I was giggling.  Dog energy is fun!

Well, that was my day.  Now, off to clean the house.  If you're interested in any of these exercises, I highly recommend Starhawk's book Spiral Dance.

Wild & Bright Blessings,

Rhi

Monday, September 6, 2010

A Day in the Hidden Witch's Botanica

Today was a day of making witchy concoctions.  Most of my witch work & play is done while I'm home alone, even though my dear husband is tolerant of my activities.  To start, I make sure I'm well energized.  A walk in my favorite local park, communing with the Spirits of Earth followed some fun aura play with my dear doggies.  After cleansing the workspace (ok, not the house...that's left to do), I set to work.

I've made a few tinctures:
  • Rose - to add to a magickal perfuming oil
  • Vallerian - mostly for when I can't sleep
  • Orris Root -to stabilize said magical perfuming oils
  • Catnip - as part of the recipe for natural insect repellant
  • Lemongrass - another part of the natural insect repellant
Then, I started a jar of Calendula oil to use as coloring in my soy candles.  I really need to get some more natural ingredients to use as colorings.  That's an upcoming project.

Finally, I mixed & blessed the herbs obtained yesterday for my new teas/smoke blends:
  • Divining Mix for smoking or as a tea
  • Hedgecrossing Mix for smoking or as a tea
  • Date Night Tea
  • Sleepy Tea
I'm still missing a couple of ingredients for Divining & Hedgecrossing, though.  So, I'll need to go hunting soon, because I'm excited to try them!  Oh, & FYI for those of you who might be worried, everything in the mixes is legal & safe in the correct dosages.


As I'm still studying, everything in my little botanica is for my use only right now.  Maybe someday there will be a Hidden Witch's Botanica.  Part of my process here is to determine what I really enjoy & incorporate that into my life's work.

Either way, today was nice!  Tomorrow I'll focus on belly dance costuming, or maybe make a patchwork ritual robe...who knows?