magic and matchsmoke

crow-Leo - Please see About Me for more!

[zen-seven-zero]

Research twice, act once.

Yes, we may live in a beautiful, mystical world that's filled with magic. But sometimes, some things can be perfectly mundane.

Some preliminary research, before reaching for the wand or hexbag or spell could save a person. Sometimes, what may appear to be a hex or curse or possession, could very well just be an abrupt onset or previously unknown condition/ailment.

Not fully discounting mystical/magical sources, but it never hurts to gather as much information as possible, before acting. Afterall, many of just want to be as happy and as healthy as we can be.

[fivevotesdown]

In my defence, the moon was full and I was left unsupervised.

[zen-seven-zero]

PSA about honeybees

If you have a honeybee buzzing around you, obviously never swat at them. But there are 3 other things that no one mentions:

Pitch of buzzing: if it’s a low, calming buzz, the bee is either curious or tired. The colour of your clothes or your scent has gotten her curious. Allow the bee to buzz around you, so she can understand you are not a flower! Also, she may be tired from a long, honey and pollen- laden flight, and just needs to rest. Let her! She’s tired and just needs a minute to recoup. Honeybees are drawn to top-facing surfaces, so shoulders and heads are common places for them to land. You can also carefully, calmly redirect their path from hair and loose clothing, as they will get tangled up in them. If, however, the buzzing is higher pitched (sounds like an RC car), she is irritated. Calmly move away.

Speed and pattern of flight: If the honeybee’s flight pattern around you is swift, with plenty of sudden direction changes, she is quite vexed with you. Do not swat, keep your hands by your sides, and move away from the bee. Honeybees that are agitated will follow for about 6 meters (about 20ft) before considering leaving. If the bee gets tangled in loose clothing or long hair, calmly part it, and let the bee free, without touching her. If her flight pattern is long, lazy circles, she is, again, merely curious about your presence. Ignore the bee, as best as you can.

Vibrations: Honeybees are sensitive to vibrations in the air, which includes your heartbeat and voice. The faster your heart rate or the more you scream/yell, the more agitated the bee will get. The faster the vibrations, the more the bee will attack. They become agitated because, for lack of a better phrase, it throws off their groove. Yes, sometimes it can be scary having a bee buzzing near you, but keeping your heart rate as normal as possible and being as quiet as you can, will have the bee on her way in no time.

TL;DR: Low and slow, the honeybee is curious. High and fast, the honeybee is furious.

[zen-seven-zero]

Hey everyone! I put out a call for more people to follow and then sorta… uh… disappeared. Yay, Real Life! Between Work, immigration for The Spouse, and getting a New Venture off the ground, time has been EXTREMELY limited. There’s a few new posts in the work (that I swear are not related to The New Venture!) But, this one post is, to be 100% truthful, is a bit of a shameless plug of said New Venture. Glass Owl is the name - focusing on Tarot and a touch of philosophy, for the time-being; meditations, ASMR, and a few other things that I have to keep under wraps are in the works. So if any of y’all are interested, pop over to the new Facebook page for a Like, and give Glass Owl’s Tumblr page a follow! I promise I don’t bite…

[transloveletter]

I wanna make a masterlist of lgbt+ witches on tumblr

so reblog this if you are a witch and are lgbt+ pls!

alsoi wanna follow all of you

[cynthia-the-teenage-bitch]

important note: I’m merely a beginner

[transloveletter]

witches of all skill levels are welcome, even people who are just starting to learn and are not sure if they want to call themselves a ‘witch’ yet DO not worry friend, i am a beginner as well :D

[herenyathehopeful-blog]

Bisexual witch here with an ace homie @the-laughing-hobbit

[hiddenhearthwitch]

Queer, genderfluid witch 🏳️‍🌈

[eilis-rose-stardust]

Ace witch here!

[hell-no-kittyy-deactivated20191]

Pan witch here!

[grimlilli]

Bi witch

[returntoeden]

very bi witch! 💖

[limoncello-with-vodka]

Bi witch 💜

[bright-and-midnight-star]

Pan witch here!

[bright-and-midnight-star]

I need to stop trying to reblog shit when I'm half asleep

As I tend to reblog it to the wrong fucking blog 🙄

[norse-identified-nipples]

Norse deities don’t have the time for white supremacist or Nazi bullshit.

White supremacists and Nazis don’t belong in Norse polytheist spaces.

Them the rules.

[dark-and-midday-void]

No place for Nazis in our halls.

[spookymulde-r]

I don’t know how many tumblr witches know, this could be old news, but I found that this is the best place to get jars/bottles to feed my obsession! They have a bunch of different colors, but most of them are clear. They have different shapes and such, and they’re very very cheap, even the jugs !! In their FAQ they said it’s fine to even order just 1 bottle at a time, even though most people order a bunch at once. It’s honestly the best deal on high quality bottles and jars that I’ve found so far! I would honestly skip Amazon and go straight here. 10/10!

https://www.specialtybottle.com

[bright-and-midnight-star]

Oh

[spectral-ask-memes]

Flower Asks

Alisons: Sexuality? 

Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender? 

Amaryllis: Birthday? 

Anemone: Favorite flower? 

Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show? 

Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger? 

Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes? 

Aubrieta: Favorite drink? 

Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? 

Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love? 

Baneberries: Favorite song? 

Basket of Gold: Describe your family. 

Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it? 

Begonia: Favorite color? 

Bellflower: Favorite animal? 

Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person? 

Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be?

Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children? 

Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why? 

Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood. 

Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth?  

Buttercup: Relationship Status? 

Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go? 

Candytufts: When do you feel most loved? 

Canna: Do you have any tattoos?  

Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings?  

California Poppy: Height?  

Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts? 

Carnation: What are you currently wearing?  

Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight? 

Chives: Who was the last person you hugged?  

Chrysanthemum: Who’s the last person you kissed?

Cock’s Comb: Favorite font? 

Columbine: Are you tired? 

Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to? 

Coneflower: Dream job? 

Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert? 

Crocus: Have you ever been in love? 

Crown Imperial: What’s the farthest you would go for someone you care about? 

Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it? 

Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign? 

Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering? 

Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment? 

Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)?  

Dendrobium: Who is the last person that you said “I love you” to?

False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at? 

Foxgloves: What’s something you’re bad at? 

Freesia: What are three good things that have happened in the past month? 

Garden Cosmos: How was your day today? 

Gardenia: Are you happy with where you’re at in your life? 

Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two? 

Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life? 

Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed?  

Hellebore: How do you show affection? 

Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of? 

Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day. 

Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time?  

Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them?

Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything?

Laceleaf: How many friends do you have?

Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? 

Larkspur: What do you think of yourself? 

Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself? 

Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself?  

Lilac: What’s something you liked to do as a child? 

Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid? 

Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty for? 

Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about?  

Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name? 

Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it. 

Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up? 

Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years?  

Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom.

Onions: Tell about your dad.  

Orchid: Tell about your grandparents. 

Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it be so memorable? 

Peony: What was your first job? 

Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any? 

Pincushion: How do you deal with pain? 

Pink: Where is home? 

Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change? 

Prairie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them. 

Primrose: Describe your ideal life. 

Rhodendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child? 

Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life? 

Rose: What’s your favorite sound? 

Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory? 

Sage: What’s your least favorite memory? 

Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want?  

St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things? 

Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine life without? 

Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night? 

Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning? 

Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job? 

Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing? 

Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic.  

Tulip: What would be the best present to get you? 

Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now? 

Wisteria: How many books have you read in the past few months? What were they called? 

Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year?

Yarrow: Do you know what vore is?

Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself.

[bright-and-midnight-star]

I apologize for my absence the last few days, it's been crazy. Had to get my passport renewal form sent off and expedited so immigration can move forward, and on top of all that insanity, I have a cold.

[hail-anpu]

🖤 Anpu aesthetic 🖤

[thepeoplesdruid]

Herb Safety

    I have noticed many posts about working with herbs and the benefits herbs have on the human body. Not all herbs are safe, and there are new studies everyday about reactions and conditions produced by some herbs.

    When it comes to working with herbs, research the herb yourself before use. Take Common Comfrey for instance, Common Comfrey was and still is used by many as a tea for upset stomach, ulcers, heavy menstrual periods, diarrhea, bloody urine, persistent cough, painful breathing (pleuritis), bronchitis, cancer, and chest pain (angina). It is also used as a gargle for gum disease and sore throat. 

Comfrey is a plant. Even though this plant contains poisonous chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), the leaf, root, and root-like stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. The amount of PAs found in Comfrey changes according to the time of harvesting and the age of the plant. The roots have 10 times higher amounts of PAs than the leaves. Some products labeled “Common Comfrey” or Symphytum officinale actually contain the more poisonous “Prickly Comfrey” (Symphytum asperum) or “Russian Comfrey” (Symphytum x uplandicum) species. Comfrey is just one example, and yes there are still people that swear by using this plant. 

    Now when you come across posts on tumblr or any other site that recommend the use of an herb, do your own research on that particular plant, never just take anyone’s word for it, you never know where the data was retrieved, it could have been from a very outdated book.

Herbal Teas

    For all these Herbal tea posts floating around on tumblr and other sites. Again please do your own research and always make sure you use Organic. It would be in your best interest to check for an allergic reaction before consumption or bathing in herbs. You could check this by rubbing the herb on your wrist and wait for a few minutes, if you start to get a red blotch, itch, or swelling in the area you applied the herb, please refrain from use, if it gets bad consult a doctor. This could also be done by applying a few drops of tea to your wrist and wait a few.

    Please keep in mind that not everything in Nature is good for you, and it is always up to you to do your own research, Never Take Anyone’s Word when you are being told to just try something blindly.

May Peace and Light be upon you all.

Arawn    http://thepeoplesdruid.tumblr.com

[by-the-paths-of-leshak-deactiva]

A Practical Guide to Herbology

Lesson Three: Soothing Salves

Salves are a simple yet effective way of applying the medicinal qualities of herbs. They’re the consistency of a cream at room temperature and portable for on-the-go topical application. By combining various herbal-infused oils, an individual can address a variety of ailments, from arthritis to asthma. Each salve can be customized to the individual to treat a specific illness or can be general all-heal tool in your first aid kit. 

Base Ingredients

Herbal-infused Oils

To craft a salve, you must start with herbal-infused oils as your primary base. For this, there are two components: your choice of herb(s) and your choice of carrier oil(s). Some commonly used carrier oils are olive, grapeseed, almond and safflower. 

At the end of this post, there will be an overview of common herbs and carrier oils so that you can make an educated decision when crafting your herbal-infused oils.

Here are two basic methods of infusion:

Solar Method (Folk Method)

Take a sterilized jar and fill ⅓ to ½ of it with your choice of dried herbs.

Cover with your carrier oil. Add around 500 IUs of vitamin E oil for every 8 oz. of carrier oil to prolong shelf life.

Cap the jar tightly and place in a sunny space - either outdoors or indoors. Shake it daily.

Allow the mixture to infuse for 2 to 3 weeks, or until the oil takes on the colour or aroma of the herb within. 

Once the oil is ready, strain using a cheesecloth and bottle into a tinted sterilized jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Slow Cooker or Stove top (Fast Method)

Place your choice of dried herbs in your slow cooker or pot and cover with your carrier oil. Add around 500 IUs of vitamin E oil for every 8 oz. of carrier oil to prolong shelf life.

Gently heat the herbs on very low heat (100 - 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1 - 5 hours until the oil takes on the colour and scent of the herb. You can cook it for longer at 100 F if you would like.

Turn off heat and allow to cool. Once the oil is ready, strain using a cheesecloth and bottle into a tinted sterilized jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Do not use fresh herbs when crafting herbal-infused oils. They contain moisture and promote the growth of mold, especially if infused via solar method.

Wax

Waxes are frequently used in making cosmetics, body care products and salves: they help to bind and emulsify ointments and lotions. They also function as a natural hydrating ingredient and alleviate itching for those with sensitive skin.

The most commonly-used wax for crafting salves is beeswax; however, vegans and those with allergies can utilize carnauba wax which is sourced from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree.

Method

Once the herbal-infused oils are prepared, the process of making a salve only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps involved in the process:

On low to medium heat, warm the herbal-infused oil(s) in the top of a double boiler or in a small saucepan. 

Add the wax. Once the wax has melted, remove from heat.

If any, stir in any additional ingredients of your choice, such as essential oils.

Pour into your designated container(s).

Recipes

Soothing lip salve

3 tbsp beeswax

3 tbsp aloe vera gel

2 tbsp oil of choice

8 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Salve for minor scrapes, bites and burns

1 ½ cups comfrey-infused oil

1 ½ tbsp coconut oil

¼ cup (55g) beeswax

Healing salve

1 quart (1 litre) of oil infused with equal parts St. John’s wort, comfrey, peppermint and lavender

¼ cup (55g) beeswax

Salve for backaches

1 cup ginger- and peppermint-infused oil

2 tbsp (22g) beeswax

First aid salve

1 cup St. John’s wort-infused oil

2 tbsp (22g) beeswax

Salve for rheumatoid arthritis

1 cup ginger- and licorice root-infused oil

2 tbsp (22g) beeswax

Common Carrier Oils

Almond oil, sweet: A fantastic carrier oil that contains fatty acids and vitamins A and E. It’s an effective emollient for moisturizing both skin and hair and is easily absorbed by skin.

Argan oil: This is a staple in moisturizing skin and hair care products. Argan oil contains tocopherols, phenols, carotenes, squaline and fatty acids - it’s a truly luxurious oil.

Evening primrose oil: Prized for its health and cosmetic benefits.

Grapeseed oil: A common base for many creams and lotions - it’s the go-to carrier oil since it’s especially useful for skin types that do not absorb oils well and does not leave a greasy feeling.

Olive oil: The most commonly-used oil in cosmetics and hair care.

Safflower oil: A highly-moisturizing oil that soothes troubled skin. 

Common Herbs for Health and Wellness

Aloe Vera: Excellent for treating burns, cuts and scrapes.

Arnica Montana: These flowers offer strong anti-inflammatory properties. (Do not use in open or bleeding wounds. Long-term use can cause skin irritation.)

Black Cohosh: Offers anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits. (Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Can cause gastric discomfort in some individuals.)

Blue Vervain: Relaxes the nervous system and offers reliable pain relief for rheumatism, joint pain and neuralgia. (Do not use during pregnancy.)

Chamomile: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. (Do not use if on blood thinners or if allergic to ragweed.)

Chickweed: Wonderful for making soothing poultices to treat rashes, skin irritations, minor burns and itching.

Comfrey: Alleviates pain and inflammation; works well on cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns and rashes. (Do not use on children.)

Echinacea: Antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral. (Do not use if you have tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or if you are allergic to ragweed.)

Ginkgo Biloba: Natural antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and great for treating allergies and asthma. (Do not use if you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), or blood thinners.)

Goldenseal: Antiviral, antibacterial and excellent for dealing with minor cuts and wounds, sinus infections, respiratory congestion, sore throats and more! (Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have high blood pressure.)

Mullein: Great for first-aid treatment of minor wounds, burns and insect bites.

Plantain: Antimicrobial, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory; great for treating wounds, insect bites and minor aches and pains.

Sage: An excellent remedy for colds and fevers, hot flashes, painful or heavy periods, rashes and sore throats.

St. John’s wort: A strong antiviral; treats arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle aches and sciatica. (Do not use if you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).)

Witch Hazel: An effective remedy for acne, cuts and scrapes, insect bites, minor burns and sunburns.

–

Images are under the Creative Commons License.

Information published is from my personal grimoire and has been accumulated over the years through a variety of books and resources while residing in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Cuba and Canada.

For more information regarding salves and recipes, feel free to visit Hello Glow, Wellness Mama, The Herbal Academy and Monterey Bay Spice Company.

[fuckthisbloganditscurses]

Happiness Will Come To You.

[12goblins]

when tho

[fuckthisbloganditscurses]

When You Least Expect It. Probably Late March

[wizardshark]

reblog for happiness to come for you in late march!

[zigxortega]

[zac--efren]

I reblogged this last year and I hung out with blink-182 backstage on March 30. Reblogging again because it worked the first time.

[scientiablr]

honestly, last year one of the best days of my life happened in late March

[bright-and-midnight-star]

need some big march energy so why not

[scaredykyleisgonnagosoon]

Oh yeah I love witches, how they just *clenches fist*

hoard useless things they’ll never even use

[anancientheart]

ok universe, i’m ready to feel good things. make me feel good things.

[anancientheart]

whenever i post this it works  reblog if u want to feel good things & the universe will bring u something sweet 

[trasemc]

NASA has released new images of Jupiter, taken by the Juno Spacecraft.

[chaotic-best]

God I wish Vincent van Gogh was alive to see this

[pagesofpaigess]

That sentiment is so sweet and pure.

[bright-and-midnight-star]

Ah, Vincent. You had it right.