A Witch Is ...

~Author Unknown

a healer
a walker between the worlds
... a weaver
a shaman
a wise one

Witches weave all these thread together. Witchcraft gives you a frame of reference to experience the world by being open to all possibilities. He or she borrows from many cultures and is encouraged to find the path that works for him/her, the individual.

A witch is also ...

a therapist
a priest or priestess
a herbalist
an environmentalist
a mother, father, brother, sister, son, daughter, friend
a counselor
a researcher
a writer
a psychic
a teacher

Nothing is prevented or forbidden. The path of the witch is the path of knowledge and wisdom. It changes and adapts as new information is discovered. Witchcraft is a LIVING religion.

The Edges

Witches are walkers between worlds, communicators with spirit, manipulators of energy that exists in multiple dimensions. We employ many techniques & tools in our work. The best tool, for me, is edges.

I do my best magic at the edges. The symbolism of edges opens a portal in my mind.

Some of my favorite physical edges are:

Shorelines
Hedgerows (including the forest edge)
Mountain tops
Horizon lines
Doorways
Windows
Garden borders

Other edges are powerful as well...

Some of the most powerful edges are lunar & astrological. The edges of the lunar month are, often, a witch's favorite times. We are famous for our Full Moon antics! The most fun is Full Moon at midnight...quite an edge there (even though our ancestors often measured their days by moon & sun rise, not our clock).

Are you working with edges in your practice? They are great places & times to do witch-work.

Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

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Oh Dear Goddess, Make Me a Better Witch...

After my rant yesterday & in the name of becoming a more critical-thinking witch, I thought it best to provide some framework for abandoning rules. 

Sounds like a list of rules, huh? 

Actually, it is a list of questions:

  
Will ___________________________ make me a better person?

Will ___________________________ make me a better witch?

Will ___________________________ help me connect with _______?

Will ___________________________ help my spell work?

Does __________________________ improve my life or the lives of others?

Some examples to fill in the blanks:

• An athame/wand/cauldron/etc.
• Community Ritual
• The latest book (omg...take away my credit card!)
• Wearing black/hippie skirts/pointy hats, whatever
• Reading blogs
• Working in the garden
• That awesome stone
• A new tarot deck (another great weakness, right behind books)
• A class at the witch shop (oh, why must I ask these questions?)
• A class at the local college
• Running naked in the forest (ok, of course it would make me a better person!)
• Going to the beach (uhm, duh.)
• Celebrating a sabbat
• Meditation
• Exercise
• That blueberry muffin
• That sip of Absinthe 

You get the point.  We have choices.  Choices guide our lives.  Make your own choices.  Make them wisely.

And Remember:

Do not believe everything you think.
Do not believe everything you are told.
Do not believe everything you read.
Do not believe everything on the internet.

Use wisdom & discernment. Do not drink the Koolaid

Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

Critical Thinkers ROCK!

Frugal Witchcraft - Make Your Own Flower Essences

When you hear the word Frugal, what images or thoughts come to mind?

"Cheap." "Poor." "Sacrifice." were my first impression, but really, being frugal can mean living better!

Websters defines frugal as: characterized by or reflecting economy in the use of resources.

Making sound decisions about where household dollars go is empowering.  It gives us the freedom to live abundantly within our resources - a vital skill in our tough economic times.

Sometimes, being a healer & a witch gets expensive.  We purchase incense, herbs, tools, candles, garments, stones, books, flower essences, pay for classes...the list goes on & on.

We make difficult choices, often sacrificing our magickal practice for more mundane & life-sustaining necessities.

No need!  Frugal Witches thrive on creativity & connection, not sacrifice!

So, lets get creative:

Frugal Witch Series: Make Your Own Flower Essences

Flower Essences were developed by Dr. Bach during the Great Depression.  The are energetic healing, remedies for the soul & beautifully fit into a natural witch's toolbox.


“They cure, not by attacking the disease, but by flooding our bodies with the beautiful vibrations of our Higher Nature, in the presence of which disease melts as snow in the sunshine.” 

Edward Bach, Ye Suffer from Yourselves, 1931

Dr. Bach worked with 38 essences, each directed towards the restoration of emotional harmony.


He identified 7 basic categories of emotional response to work with:

• Fear
• Insufficient interest in the present moment
• Loneliness
  
• Uncertainty
• Despondency/Despair
• Oversensitive to influences or ideas
• Over care for the welfare of others

His work was done in England, & towards the end of his life, leading many towards the theory that these 38 are just the tip of the iceberg. 


Using Dr. Bach's ideas about plant vibrations & energies, we can create flower essences with the natives in our areas.  The Flower Essence Society FES has created a great book listing plants common to North America.  If you get seriously into making essences, it would be a worthwhile purchase as a resource for what plants to use in what situations.  But, tuning into the vibrations & energies of nature using your intuition usually proves accurate.  Here is the template for making flower essences:

1. Spend time in nature connecting with plant spirits (this is a base practice before you would be ready to make your own essences)
2. Notice what flowers attract your attention & find an area that has these qualities to work with:
• At least 50ft from major roadways
• Organic conditions (no pesticides or fertilizers)
• Lots of your particular flower
• Legal for you to be there & collect flowers (often the hardest!)
3.  Bring a small crystal or glass bowl, some consecrated scissors & clean water (spring is nice, avoid tap water unless you know it isn't filled with chemicals)
4. Spend time connecting with the plants - share your intent & gain permission from the plant spirits
5. Fill the bowl with water & snip the flowers, allowing them to fall on the water's surface, (try not to touch the water or the flowers) covering the entire surface with flowers
6. Leave the bowl in the sun for 3-6 hours - preferably near the plants if possible
7. Check in often, in your meditative state, asking the plant spirits to speak to your intuition about the readiness of the essence
8. Strain the essence into a glass measuring cup
9. Add an equal amount of brandy to preserve the essence - This is the Mother Essence
10. From this solution, create your Stock solution - 2 drops Mother Essence to 1 ounce brandy
11. From this solution, create your Dosage bottle - 2 drops to 1 ounce clean water (can add 1 tsp brandy as additional preservative)

As you can see, it takes very little of the Mother Essence to create your dosage, so start with a very small bowl or you'll have so much essence you won't know what to do with it (and the brandy is a bit costly)!

I start with a little over 1/3 cup of spring water, knowing that some will evaporate in the hot Florida sunshine. 

Remember, we are working with vibrational energetics here, not chemical or pharmacological.  The dosage essence, if tested, would only show water & brandy as chemical constituents.  

Your flower essence remedies are a direct spiritual connection with nature.  This is why I think making your own, using your own intuition is the best way to go with flower essences...besides...think of the $$ you'll save!

You can mix up to 7 essences in a dosage bottle.  The dosing is:

4 drops every 5 minutes for acute crisis
4 drops 4 times daily for chronic issues

Bigger dosages aren't better.  It is frequency that matters.  Try the following ways to get your doses:

• Add to drinks
• Direct injestion
• Apply to pulse points
• Add to creams or lotions
• Add to bath water (about 20 drops)
• Spray (face, room, etc.) - this is especially great for animals & for restoring peace in a space
• Add to magickal creations!!

One formula I always purchase is the FES Five Flower formula.  It is relatively inexpensive & terrific for emergent situations.  I use it frequently to help deal with those quick crisis moments like injuries, squabbles, & to calm my dog during storms.

Have fun making your own flower essences!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

Some Great Resources: 

Theory of Bach Flower Essences
Flower Essences for times of Crisis

Choosing Flower Essences 
Summary of North American Flower Essences 
Summary of English Flower Essences (Dr. Bach's original list)

Shielding

Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  Very, very busy around here!  Basically, I've gone back to work full-time as a nurse, so I'm spending a lot of time in the hospital lately.

That brings me to the topic of Shielding.  Luckily (or magickally), just as I was ready to head back to work after a 6-month sabbatical, my witchcraft class moved onto the subject of shielding.

If you're unfamiliar with shielding, I highly suggest you get familiar!  Shielding is one of my necessary tools as a witch.  Being a strong empath, I tend to pick up a lot of energetic crap in my day-to-day travels, especially at work.

Because this is a complex subject, I recommend Christopher Penczak's

The Witch's Shield: Protection Magick and Psychic Self-Defense

It's a quick read, full of wonderful exercises & even a meditation CD.  If you can't afford to buy it, why not see if your local library has a copy?  Here are a few of my favorite shields so far:

Translucent Light - a great, all-purpose shield for filtering harmful energies while allowing in helpful energies

Translucent Crystal - same as above, but with a solid, crystalline outer edge - a bit stronger

Rose Bush - pick the color associated with energies you are welcoming & shield out all others with the thorns

Grey Mist - perfect for becoming un-noticeable & very neutralizing in gossipy situations

Well, that's it for now...busy, busy...

Later this week, I'll post about the Sacred Belly as the core of a female witch's power.

Wild & Bright Blessings!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

Connecting With Plant Spirits

As an eclectic, green witch, I am learning a lot about the power of our plant friends. This week, I am excited & honored to be teaching a workshop on Spiritual Herbalism to a wonderful group of witches here in Central Florida.  

Here is just a taste of our workshop:

Connecting With Plant Spirits

The best way to know our plant friends is to spend time with them.   

Plants have spirits, unique energy.   

Think of a child communing with a flower.  There is magick in that moment.  Spend some time with your plant friends, get to know them better.  It will drastically improve your herbal workings!

If this makes you feel silly, think about this - Plants and people, actually all living beings, have, at the very core of their being, within their very DNA, particles of light that can become coherent.  These particles of light are called biophotons.  Biophotons are ultra weak light rays, that do not break apart, but maintain a beam of light that radiates out & interacts with other biophoton rays in the surrounding environment. The theory, presented by Fitz Popp, German biophysicist, is that this light carries with it a certain intelligence that is the foundation for communication between living things.   So, when you’re with plants, animals, basically any living being, you ARE communicating!  Biophotons are only one method of communication.  We also know that everything carries with it a vibration from the movement of atoms & sub-atomic particles. 

Using these principles, it is pretty easy imagine our communication with any living being.

But, even if we acknowledge the possibility of communicating with flora & fauna, we are also conditioned by our upbringing & society to classify everything using a system of hierarchy.  

Typical Western Hierarchy:

One of the biggest barriers to our communication with plants, animals & even other humans is this notion of hierarchy.  

As soon as we start to classify one person or life form as being greater than another, we begin to distance ourselves from that living being.  

In order to open ourselves to the wonders of the world, we need to abandon our ideas of hierarchy & think less of food chains & higher levels of evolutionary development.  

We must begin to think In terms of the interconnectedness of all, the web of life.

We, mainstream Americans, have been disconnected with this web for many generations.  We have lost our ability to communicate with nature.  


So, how do we reconnect?

We build this relationship as we would build any relationship.  We spend time together with open minds & hearts.
 

A Few Activities to Connect with Nature

•      Take a walk in nature

•      Grow plants

•      Visit a local nursery

•      Taste fresh herbs

•      Head to a botanical garden

•      Meditate in a garden

•      Take a Wild Weed Walk

Once we are comfortable being away from our technology (leave the iPod at home, please!), we can begin to build a relationship with a particular plant.


Simply notice a plant in your surroundings that draws your interest, & start connecting:

Connecting With a Particular Plant 

• Abandon Hierarchy – remember the Web
• Spend Time & fully connect (lay directly on the ground)
• Maintain skepticism, but suspend disbelief
• Use all your senses
• Consider the automatic connection that occurs with respiration –   oxygen/carbon dioxide
• Be aware of the tendency to anthropomorphize – useful to a point
• Notice & Identify your feelings using words
• Observe aerial view of the habitat –  a clue to plant’s properties

Sun	Shade	Partial Sun/Shade
Drying	Moist	Balancing
Warm	Cool
Masculine	Feminine

• Use a 10x magnifying glass to observe the details
• Touch
• Smell – most stimulating to memory (genetic memory also)
• Taste
• Observe throughout cycles (day/night, seasons)
• Communicate 
• Meditation works nicely at first
• Verbal communication isn’t usually effective
• Use light, breath, sound, care
• When you get bored, stay! Only then will you open to the next level
• Record your experience
• Journal your feelings & finding
• Photographs
• Return & Repeat

Wild & Bright Blessings!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

Imbolc - New Beginnings

This Imbolc lands on a New Moon, making it the perfect time for a New Beginnings spell.

Here's a rather complicated spell from my B.O.S.  Don't freak out, but this spell has 4 separate parts, New Moon creation, Full Moon release, Making & Wearing a talisman, & finally, a celebration.  The focus & intent you put into each of these parts makes this a very powerful working.  It uses Ice Magick, which is especially powerful in the Spring.

Use this spell when you are looking to start something drastically different (like a career change or new phase of your life, building new health habits, etc.)

New Life Beginnings

Part 1 - Creation

Get your purpose & intent clear (mine last time was Intuition & Clarity to know my life's work)

Correspondences & Ingredients:

Red (Fire) for courage & power - I used a few drops of red food coloring for this one, but you could also use red paper, I just didn't have any at the time.

Water for Wisdom - I used storm water that I had collected & charged, but any charged water will work. (about 1/2 cup)

Air for Insight & Change - for this spell,the elements of water & air are combined into Ice Magick

Stone to represent Earth - I used a raw garnet, Persephone's stone, to rid of the stale & no longer needed aspects & allow for renewal & regenerative creativity. Also, to re-unite with positive ancestral forces.  

New Moon - moving forward in life

Oil to match purpose/intent - I used Jasmine oil for my intent, as it is great in spells about love, money & heightened intuition

Herb to match purpose/intent - I used Poppy seeds to represent & call creative fertility

Paper to write your intent upon (small, like 2-3 inches square)

Pen

Container that can be placed in the freezer

Candles & incense to support your working (optional)

Actions:

Get your intent clear in your head & reduce it to a few words.  Collect the necessary items that support your intent.  Create your sacred space in whichever way feels best for you.  Cleanse all tools & ingredients.  Raise energy in whatever way feels best for you - I usually meditate upon the intent & drop into my Inner Temple.  

Once you feel ready, write the few words that clearly state your intent onto the paper.  Focus all your hopes & dreams about this new beginning onto the paper.  Really, really see yourself accomplishing this dream.  

Place the paper into the container.  Add the herbs & other ingredients to the container, then slowly pour the water in.  Use your power hand to stir the water around, infusing your intent into the mixture.  

As you're doing so, here are the words this little control-freak-witch used to bless the concoction (use anything that works for you, but I find the repetition of this chant through so many voices has some serious power to it):

Gods & Goddesses

Grant me the serenity to

Accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change

The things I can, and

The wisdom to know the difference.

Now, state your intent: 

I intend & desire ________________ for the highest good of all.

Now comes the hard part:

Put your little container into the freezer & forget it!  Leave it totally alone until the Full Moon.  Let the magick of Ice work.  Ice magick is very powerful for transformation. Mark on your calender or set some kind of reminder for yourself to re-visit this spell at the next Full Moon (if you miss it, that's ok, just do it as close to the Full Moon as you can).

Part 2 - Release the Magick:

Upon the Full Moon, remove your container from the freezer & place it in the moonlight to be charged by our Lady with this chant:

Wake the change in me dear Lady

Melt rigid ice with your soft light

that change be gentle but swiftly won,

For highest good and only right

This witch's spell is almost done

It grows in power this blessed night.

If you can, stay with the ice, meditating on your change, until it melts.

Keep the container out until the water evaporates (leaving it's essence in the paper, herbs, etc.).  This took about a week for me.

Part 3 - Absorb the Magick through your Talisman:

Once the water has evaporated, it's time to create a talisman.  Collect your container & these ingredients, create your sacred space & let's work!

Small cloth (2 inch x 2 inch is a nice size)

Red String

Vervain (general, all purpose witch's power herb)

Oil of your choice (I used a Moon Oil I've created for all New & Full Moon workings, it's jasmine, lemon & sandalwood in an almond oil base).

Red Candle

Incense

Small bowl of salted water

Cleanse everything except your container with the dried paper, stones, herbs... 

Use the cloth to wrap up everything in the container, add the vervain & tie the packet up with the red string.

Raise energy.  Seriously, here, people...this is the time to RAISE ENERGY!  Do so in whatever way you do it BEST.

Sprinkle the bag with a bit of the salted water, chanting

Powers of Earth & Water

Assist me in my work

Now pass the bag into the incense

Power of Air

Assist me in my work 

 & over the candle

Power of Fire

Assist me in my work

 

Bring in your favorite gods and/or goddesses too!

Finally, anoint your hands with the oil & hold the bag between your palms.  Infuse all your desires & intents regarding this working through your hands & into the bag.

Wear or carry this talisman at all times (well, not in the shower) until the next New Moon.  Feel free to add more oil as needed, the scent is important to bring the memory of your intent.

Part 4 - Celebration!:

This is best done outside.  

With talisman in hand, gather:

inspirational items that represent your change 

items that represent the Elements

matches and/or a charcoal brickette (the incense kind, not the bbq kind!)

A bit of the herbs you initially used

Cauldron or other fire-proof container

I also used a small Zen garden & a finger labyrinth to represent respectively perpetual new beginnings & varied paths.  These items spoke to me in my celebration.  

Basically, you want to create a happy & sacred celebration of your new endeavor.  You are celebrating as if it has already happened, because...As Above, So Below.  In reality, once you fully intend a change, it HAS happened in the spiritual world.

Create your sacred space, light your candles, meditate on the joy that has come from your change.  You are totally focused & intent on the fact that this change IS HAPPENING IN THE PRESENT, not the future.  Know this.  Feel it.

When you feel the excitement, place the brickette & herbs into the cauldron & light.  Now, open your talisman bag.  Remove any non-flamable items to offer to the spirits & burn the rest, releasing the last bit of magick into the Universe.

Once everything has burned, throw the ashes to the wind (even if you have to blow them or use a fan).  Watch as your intentions sail off, knowing this change has occurred on a Universal level.

Be sure to give offerings to the deities who helped you or the fae in thanks for their assistance.

Spend as much time as you like basking in the glow of your success, it has happened.  

Oh, don't forget to do the mundane work too, remember...goddess helps those who help themselves.

Finally, journal about your intentions & your magick.  You will amaze yourself as you revisit your journal entries years later...magick works!

Wild & Bright Blessings & Happy Imbolc!!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

Witchy meme

I found this questionaire at Walking The Hedge & thought...why not?  If you blog, please answer it & send me a link in the comments so we can learn about each other!

Please describe briefly your Path:
My brother would say "Tree hugging dirt worshiper" & he's not too off base.  I'm a really, really eclectic witch! Greenwitch. Kitchenwitch. Herbwife. Spirit-talker. Open-minded, Christopharian (working on Christopher Penczak's series).  Student of Eastern Mysticism & Hermetics.  I'm sure there's more, but that's good for the moment.

Please describe briefly how you practice it:
I use formal & informal magic.  Sometimes there are elaborate rituals planned with perfect tools & supplies collected & blessed, chanting, dancing, drumming... Other times, I just wing it & stir my intentions into the evening's dinners. 
When did you first commit to your Path?
Commit...interesting. I was afraid of my path until in my 40's, so I'm a relative newbie, but I know I was called as early as 9 years old & then re-called at least every 2 years since then.  (hard headed, huh?)
How is your practice different now than it was then?
Ah, at 1st I practiced from desperation.  Now, from a place of peace.  I'm still parting the veil bit by bit, so occasionally I'm startled by what I find.  At 1st, I was afraid, then exhilarated, now I'm simply flowing with what the universe brings me.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Is your practice different today than how you thought it would be back then?
I thought I would always be secretive & solitary, but I'm finding so much more growth & strength in a community of witches with mentors! While I still do most of my serious work on my own, I adore the energy in our group & love learning from those who have walked the path years longer than I.
Does your Path and core belief system differ now than how it was when you first started?
My path is ever-changing, but my core beliefs remain still & solid.  I came into witchcraft upon the recognition that we are all connected - plant, animal, human, spirit, god.  This I believe more strongly each day.
What is your heritage and how does this inform your Path?
Interesting!  I have a strong Scottish heritage, but most of my draw is towards the Egyptian & Sumerian pantheons. Having said that, the symbolism that speaks to my is almost exclusively Celtic in nature & I was drawn to the triskelion long before I seriously explored witchcraft.
What are your main influences for your Path?
My intuition.  The best & 1st lesson I learned as a witch was to listen for, hear & trust myself.
Which do you do more: practice or research?
Neither. Both. 
Do you feel that one is more important than the other?
Neither. Both. I think it's important to have a basis - someone's experience - but at some point you have to get out there & get your own witchy hands dirty & find out what works for you!
What values and ethics are important on your Path and in your practice?
I want (and am supposed to say) "Harm none".  But, seriously people...even healing magick harms the bacteria causing the disease!  So, sometimes you've got to cause a little harm to heal.  So, my favorite thought in the values & ethics department is to do all works to The Highest Possible Good of All Effected. This keeps open the door to the possibility that harm may come to me or others due to my actions, but that harm may lead to a bigger, better good.
What sort of cycles do you feel your practice goes through?
Study. Study.  Work. Work.  Share.  Share.  Study.  Study.  Work.  Work......
What is one of the greatest obstacles or struggles you have had to over come?
The overwhelming desire to impress people.  I am SUCH a people pleaser!  Sometimes I'll do something just to irritate everyone so I know I'm still independent of the opinions of others.
How do you see yourself practicing in ten years?
As a crone.  As a mentor.  As an empowerer of women.
How do you incorporate your practice into your life?
Ever hear the line Every little thing she does is magic...?  Well, that's what I try.  I'll walk down the street holding hands with my husband, spinning a circle of loving light around us.  Maybe, I'll stir some herbs into dinner with a chant.  Cleaning the house is always magickal.  Work is where I stumble.  I know I'll have a much more peaceful life when I can easily incorporate magick into being a nurse in the critical care unit.
Has walking your Path changed you as a person?
No doubt! I would NOT be me without my path, I would be that saccharine, plastic version of me that has been wandering the earth for most of my life.
Do you consider yourself to be a priest/ess? How so?
I am the priestess of my little world.  I am queen of my home.  I am the light to a few souls, who I feel very responsible for.  But, in general, I'm not High Priestess material yet.  I have a mentor for that...she ROCKS!  She's mother, protector, educator, disciplinarian, friend, comedian...basically Star has her shit together as a Priestess in my book.
A witch? How so?
A witch...Yes.  Very, very much so.  Have been for a long time.  Now, I'm accountable for what I bring about.
A shaman? How so?
Hmmm...Do I commune with spirits? Yes.  Do I receive messages? Yes.  Can I heal? Yes.  Do I give my body over to the use of the spirits?  No, I'm a total control-freak & haven't gotten past the fear of totally letting go yet.
Which matters more: getting the vocabulary right or the actual practice of what we are trying to define?
Words are powerful to me, but squabbling over the right ones makes me want to scream & barf. Just do it & quit fighting over what brand of witch, who did a ceremony right...
One of the most profound things anyone ever said to you was:
I love you.
A defining moment on your Path was:
Making the move from solitary practice into a group of terrific witches, which led to having a mentor.
Have you ever taken a “leap of faith”?
My very 1st spell.  The 1st time I tried to travel.  The 1st time I attended a witchs' meeting.  But most importantly, the moment I told my husband I was a witch.
Please tell us something stupid, reckless or embarrassing you did once in your practice:
Before I really got connected & committed as a witch. I bought a poppet & used it against a woman who had been really messing with my life.  I invited others to stick the poppet with pins (because lots of people hated her).  The more we used the poppet, the more trouble we had with her.  When I finally figured out the pattern, I pulled every pin out & released the hate & harm.  She's not been a bother since (to any of us).  Back then, I knew NOTHING about magick or witchcraft...it was kind of a joke.  YIKES!
What is the most frustrating thing about your Path?
Not having the time to do major works.  I so very much love to spend a few hours communing in ritual, and rarely have the time & privacy to do so.
Have you ever been frightened?
Yikes! YES!!!  Terrified the 1st time a lovely spirit played with me.  I had NO IDEA what was going on & almost lost my mind.  I even made my husband change the locks because I was convinced someone was messing around in my home.
Can you perform ritual without a script?
Absolutely! I think I've only used a script once or twice.  I'm a spontaneous kind of girl.
Have you ever preformed spontaneous magick/spellcraft?
Hehehe!  See above.  99% spontaneous.
What are you still exploring or experimenting with?
Everything! I am a seeker & will always be exploring & experimenting.

What (or whom) are you the most committed to in your practice and on your Path?
I am drawn to the water.  Am moved by the sun.  There are deities that call to me at different times. Mostly, I am committed to becoming Me, the true me. 
Ritual tools are …
Tools, not necessary, helpful; can be a trap into egotism.
Magickal tools are …
A different story...a way to communicate with your soul.
The one thing you can’t do without is:
Quiet time.
Seeking personal power is …
a path towards healing of the soul.
Politics and you Path are …
unfortunately intertwined.  As a "tree hugging dirt worshiper" I have a political responsibility, but would much rather just go off into the woods & let everyone else tear each other to pieces without me.
One thing you wish people would understand about your Path and/or practice is:

that it's not a competition.  I can get pulled into competition easily because I'm a people pleaser. Once I find myself there, I know I'm off my path & onto theirs.  Just please let me practice in peace.
Do you teach?
My calling in life is to teach. It is what I do with almost everything.  I haven't taught witchcraft yet, but have a herbal class coming up in a few weeks.  (excited...nervous...!)
What do you feel is the role of clergy in modern Paganism and Heathenism?
Supporting the community. Being role models.  Counseling.  Sacred rites for transition, etc.
When the Veil (or Hedge!) is thin, how does that feel to you?
Woozy. Tingly. Enveloping.
What entities do you work with most? (ancestors, gods, fae etc)
Universal Energy.  Fae - spirits of the land, the plants.  Sumerian & Egyptian gods.  The Moon.  The Sun.  Water.
What is your relationship with the Land?
I try so hard to be conscious of my impact & often feel impotent.  Then, I take off my shoes & sink into the soil, feel the water wash over my feet, the sun on my back, the air blowing my face & I know we are one.
The most important aspect of ritual is:
Being there 100%, not drifting off onto whatever chore is hanging over my head.
The main purpose of ritual is:
Connection.
What is the purpose of divination/dowsing (or whichever for of augury you use)?
Connection.What was the most difficult book you ever read? (Either difficult to understand or hard to face what it said or both)
Can't say.  If I hate a book, I put it down & get another.  Mostly, I adore them!
What book do you recommend the most to others?
Getting In Touch With Your Inner Bitch
What is you favourite podcast (if any) and favourite blog (other than your own)?
Don't really listen to podcasts.  My favorite blog is the Fat Free Vegan Kitchen.  I know I was supposed to list a witchy blog, but there are so many I love.  And, my other joy is cooking.
If you could impart only one last piece of wisdom or knowledge, or share one experience with the world at large, what would it be?
Let go of all the conditioning about who/what you SHOULD be & spend some time BEING the real you.  If you don't know who that is, then cut yourself off from the world for a while & find out.
Is there an additional question you would like to see here? What is it? (please also answer)
Who was your 1st witch role model?  Mine was Ellen Dugan.  I found her book in a woman's sex boutique & it was a very gentle introduction into a craft that had been pulling me for decades.  She's an easy read & very down-to-earth.
Please finish this meme with a picture, image or photograph of some sort:

Kitty Porn...hehehe!

Wild & Bright Blessings!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

Herbal Skin Toner

Yesterday, I posted about the creation of some natural skin remedies.  In response, Suzanne reminded me of witch hazel's wonderful astringent properties. 

So, I thought I'd share my Herbal Skin Toner recipe for sensitive skin:

Witch's Herbal Skin Toner *Sensitive Skin*

Most homemade facial care products have a refrigerated shelf-life of 1-2 weeks.  Take advantage of the Moon's cycles to create this on at the New Moon & Full Moon, then take it outside under the moonbeams to charge it with healing intent. 

2 cups water
1 tsp Chamomile
1 tsp Lavender
1 tsp Jasmine
1 tsp Green Tea

1/2 cup Witch Hazel Tincture (commercially purchased)

Bring water to a boil.  Pour over herbs in a glass container like Pyrex measuring cup.  Cover & allow to steep for 30 minutes.  Strain & discard herbs - don't forget to squeeze all the liquid from them!
Mix herbal tissane (tea) with the witch hazel & pour into a glass bottle with a cap.  Use as a toner to tighten pores & soothe irritated skin.  After 2 weeks, use the remaining portion as a faery offering outside.


Wild & Bright Blessings!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

Alongside the Fire

Below is the beginning of the rite I used as my self-initiation.  I just stumbled upon it as I was cleaning up some computer files & thought I'd share:

Solitary Initiation Rite

I sit along side the fire tonight, waiting for the moon.  She is dark, absent, calling me to join her.

What do I look like as a witch?  This is a time for pondering, for creation.  What is conceived tonight will grow with Her power as She grows in the sky.

Descriptors come to mind:

Safe for wild creatures; not so safe for domesticated humans.

Shimmering, glowing with Light, bold.

On the edge of out-of-control, but always within command.

Power surging within & through.

Vibrant.

Energetic.

Quiet.

Withdrawn.

Immersed.

Listening.

Supporting.

Anticipating.

Is this the witch I am to be? 

The music plays.  The flames dance.  My mind wanders. 

Soon it will be time.  Time for intentions.  Time for drawing power.  Time for testing of limits.  Moon oil awaits.  Light dims.  Night falls.  Anticipation builds.

It is the Dark of the Moon. 

Goddess as you rest, soon to awaken.

Awaken the Witch in Me beautiful Lady.

Show me our power that I may serve.

With Fire's bright magic

Fed by Air's winds of change

Tempered with Water's deep wisdom

And Earth's constant strength

Awaken me to your Wisdom & grace.

Awaken the Witch in Me

That I may serve

As I will it, so will it be!

What followed was chanting of the last 3 lines as I drew power from the moon.  It was an amazing ritual (oh, and the 1st time I ever lit my own bonfire!)

 Wild & Bright Blessings,

~*Rhi*~

   )O(

Time To Make Some Blessed Water

Good thing I read Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom this morning.  Mrs. B. reminded me, with her post on Marie Laveau's 5 & 7 Holy Waters, that I'm out of Blessed Water. Uh oh...better get started, this witch's Holy Water is one of her stock tools!

So, it's off to DeLeon Springs to collect some spring water. 

The water from this spring flows from the earth at about 20 million gallons per day and is a consistent 72 degrees year round.  It is beautifully clear & perfect for making blessed water.

Once the water is collected, it is time to do some ritual cleansing & charging. 

• 1 Cup Spring Water or Storm Water
• 2 pinches Sea Salt
• 2 drops Rose Essential Oil
• Final Container (& a funnel if needed)
• Candles - black for the goddess, white for the god, blue for the water
• Incense - myrrh & sandalwood
• A few drops of previously charged Holy Water (unless this is the 1st time making)

Place all items on the altar.  Cleanse space & cast a circle, inviting the Elements, God & Goddess, lighting the white & black candles. The God & Goddess chosen are water spirits, directly related to what I'm currently working on. I'll leave the deity choosing to you, because it's important that you're comfortable working with any selected deity. 

Oshun

Once the atmosphere is set, it's time to work.  

• Light the incense & pass each material & tool through the smoke, saying "The power of air cleanses this __________ of all harmful energies".  Pass the water through last, saying "The power of air cleanses this water of all harmful energies, & brings insight & wisdom to all workings in which it is used."
• Pour the blessed water into it's final container, adding a few drops of the previously charged water (or just put the new water into the previous water's container), saying "I join these waters, their power amplifies as they merge.  The power of this water is purification, purification of the three minds & all workings in which it is used."
• Add the salt to the collected water, saying "The power of earth cleanses this water of all harmful energies & brings fertility & stability to all works in which it is used"
• Light the blue candle & pass the salt water over the flame, saying "The power of fire cleanses this water of all harmful energies & brings passion to all works in which it is used"
• Add the rose essential oil to the water, saying "The enchantment of rose brings love for all into workings with this water"
• Sit or stand quietly in your circle, concentrating & gathering power in whatever way works best.  Once you feel ready, bring the container of Holy Water into your hands, directing energy into the water, saying "Spirit (or name your god & goddess) bring your blessing to join with mine.  We empower this Holy Water for the highest good, harming none.  We empower this Holy Water for the highest good, harming none.  We empower this Holy Water for the highest good, harming none."  Strongly visualize the water glowing with a rainbow of colors - I usually start with red & move through the colors of the chakra until the water is swirling with brilliant white light at the end.  You can stir the waters deosil during this time if your powers of visualization are strong enough to keep your eyes open.  I will be stirring mine with a vulture feather tip, as vultures are one of nature's purifiers, creating nourishment from decay.
• "So Mote It Be."

Close your circle as usual, bidding "Hail & Farewell" to the Elements & deities that have joined you.  Store your Holy Water on your altar if possible.

Feel free to use any clear, natural, fresh water as your base.  Storm water is especially energetic & I often use it when I can.  Rain water (without the storm aspect) has a beautiful, peaceful energy.  Sea water seems to bring moon energies with it & needs no addition of salt.  Lake waters can bring a slow-release aspect to your workings.  I've not worked with river water yet, if you have, I'd love to know what aspects it may bring.


Wild & Bright Blessings!

~*Rhi*~

    )O(

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?