PERSEIDE

[mircoluna]

Dark art for our inner demons

Artwork by Tapped Ink

[crystalherbalist]

eucalyptus 🌿💨

just a few properties/uses ive found for eucalyptus, since something about the approach of summer always seems to reignite my love for eucalyptus~

- 💧

properties;

cleansing

purity

renewal

healing

protection

mental clarity

balance

prosperity

gentleness

patience

calming

-

uses;

• use in a diffuser while studying or during rituals/spellwork/meditation/yoga

• eucalyptus salt for spell jars or anything else you’d use salts for, has great cleansing/purifying properties

• tends to really shine in self love/anti anxiety/career spellwork

• hang in your shower for calming, healing, renewal, and purification properties + it’s good for when you’re congested :)

• dilute eucalyptus essential oil to a skin safe level with grape seed oil & rub into your temples for mental clarity/to help with brain fog, mix in rosemary for memory aid and you have a great little study oil [**]

• eucalyptus + peppermint salve = chest rub cough/cold remedy

• tie some to a branch with thorns (rose branches are perfect here) using fishing string or black string of some kind for a ward; place above a doorway or window for best effects

- ✨

** [disclaimer] essential oils are not recommended for use on sensitive skin types; especially so for oils like eucalyptus and rosemary- always be sure to patch test on your wrist with your dilted oil before placing on your face, be safe when using essential oils in general and always do your research

[astrolocherry]

[stimman4000]

lizzardbird

[aaron-dark]

[mircoluna]

[devoted-to-the-gods]

♡ Oregano ♡

Scientific Name: Origanum vulgare

To invoke courage, do a spell bath with oregano

Spells regarding happiness

Burn dried oregano leaves with the intention of justice being served to invoke justice

Burn oregano incense and decorate your loved one’s grave with oregano to help you let go and to help them move on.

Add oregano to love potions and spells, oregano is connected to Aphrodite.

Put oregano in candles to invoke good luck when you burn it

Sprinkle dried oregano onto your carpet to protect your home

Use in spell sachets, or place under your pillow as is to invoke psychic dreams

Keep potted oregano in rooms that experience high tension. Oregano will lessen the effects of any harmful words, thoughts, and vibes.

WARNINGS: Do not ingest oregano if pregnant, breastfeeding, have a bleeding disorder, or are about to go through surgery. Oregano may lower blood sugar levels; do not ingest if diabetic.

Created: July 10, 2019

♡

[art--woonz]

Sea Glass By IG: @seaglass_takechan

takipçi hilesi Pinterest: @artwoonz

[goblinblogging]

Eat?

[mircoluna]

😍🤩

[tradwitchery]

Wards: Protection for the home

There are many ways to protect your home.

A piece of silver nailed to the front door or hidden under the threshold board, wsa a way to deflect malefic magic.

Salt in the window sills and doorways would keep out unseelies and other malefic spirits.

Inscribe an Algiz rune on the entrances to your home (doors and windows). Also, you can inscribe the rune on wooden tiles or small branches and hang them in the doorways.

Often times in the past, things were hidden in the walls of old houses. For instance, horse and cow skulls were walled up upon building the home to protect the home from many different things.

On the boards of the house were carved what is called “daisy wheels,” or hex signs that are supposed to keep unnatural creatures away.

A ghost tree is the name given to a tree in the yard that was decorated with bottles. At night when the wind would blow over the bottles and their were odd noises issuing from the tree, it was believed that spirits were being trapped in the bottles and would dissipate at sunrise.

Bell strung up and hung on the front porch was believed to frighten away spirits, much as wind chimes are believed to do in China. On the same concept, a bracelet of seashells worn about would make similar sounds as to keep away unwanted influences.

A horseshoe hung above the door is very protective, as it is both iron (at one time believed to be the only heavenly metal) and crescent-shaped.

The Irish believed a bundle of Oak, Ash and Thorn bound together by red cloth and set in a windowsill would ward off any negative influences.

A ring of Rowan berries was hung in the home for protection.

Old shoes were once hung in a hearth to deny the entry of spirits. A similar method is practiced to this day, when people will throw an old pair of shoes over the power lines outside their house to keep the property safe from ghosts.

Chimney Dolls were dolls sat on a hearth to protect the home from spirits entering through the chimney.

– Sources: “Cunning Murrell. A Study of a Nineteenth-Century Cunning Man in Hadleigh, Essex” by Eric Maple “Cunning-Folk: Popular Magic in English History” by Owen Davies http://www.cornishwitchcraft.co.uk/ http://darianowitch.tripod.com/darianoswitchywordsofwisdom/id20.html http://www.conjurefolk.com/ http://www.cornishwitchcraft.co.uk/ —Sean M… ☽☿♀☉♂♃ ♄

[recreationalwitchcraft]

Celebrate Beltane

Outside:

Make a maypole

Tie colorful ribbons on trees with blessing written on them

Build a ceremonial pyre

Pick colorful flowers

Take a swim in a natural body of water

Go on a picnic

Build flower bouquets 

Leave out offerings for the fae

In the Home:

Decorate your home with multicolored ribbons

Burn sweet, floral or fruity incense

Make flower crowns

Adorn the doors and parts of the home with bells

Make Beltane Baskets

In the Kitchen:

Make a spread of berries, cherries and pomegranates

Make edible flower cookies

Make a fruity sun tea

Make a rainbow beltane cake

In the Bath:

Take a sunrise morning bath

Bathe in fresh colorful flower petals

Pick out a colorful rainbow bath bomb

Surround yourself by multicolored candles

On your Altar:

Cover the space with colorful fresh flowers and ribbons

Make a flaming centerpiece to represent the fire festival

Incorporate gemstones like garnet, rose quartz or emerald

Make a miniature maypole

Decorate with colorful feathers and shed antlers

[whiteappalachianwitch]

Candles: Color and Purpose

Candles are seen as the most powerful object for witches. If one lights a candle while reciting a chant or prayer for enlightenment, empowerment, and good health is one way to use a candle. One can also ward off negative energy and impart positive energy into one’s life using a candle also. 

Historical Uses

Birthdays were the first ritual with candles used. Many believe the practice of wishing and blowing out the candle brought this wish to the gods who would grant it via the smoke. 

Candles represent earth (wax), air (smoke), water (melted wax), and fire (flaming wick).

Magical Uses

Always be in the right frame of mind, or the spell will create an opposite effect intended

Allow candle to burn down on its own for most rituals 

When the candle has extinguished itself, the spell will be complete

Some rituals and spells may ask for the candle to be extinguished and then re-lit the next day

Never leave a candle unattended 

Give decent amounts of time for the candle to burn

Choosing a Candle 

Magickally disinfecting your candles before using them is very important, since the energy from those who shipped it may linger on the wax. It is good to make your own candles from scratch for this reason also. 

Avoid dipped candles such as white candles dipped into colored wax. Try to find ones solid color throughout  

Cleansing Your Candle

Depending upon your preference, you can do a few things to cleanse your candle, such as leaving it outside for a week in the garden to soak up the moon’s rays at night. 

For a less time-consuming cleansing, you may anoint your candle, using water and oils prior to the spell or ritual:

Wipe clean with a paper towel, removing all dirt 

Prepare a solution of spring water, one teaspoon of sea salt, and warm until the salt dissolves. Allow to cool, and then pour back into the bottle. Keep this in the refrigerator for about a month for use over time. 

Intent. Stand in front of your sink, hold the candle in your left hand (nearer to your heart). Be very careful not to wet the wick, and pour a small amount of the sea salt spring water solution over the candle. If using a tea-light candle for quick burn time, remove the candle from its casing before cleansing with the water. Take a fresh paper towel and dry the candle very well and say the following: “This magickal water cleanses thee, with good intent and purity” (Robbins and Bedell, 2017).

Inscribe the candle with a small, sharp knife or thick needle, and scratch your full name and your wish into the wax. It is not important that it be legible, nor the location where inscribed. The words will clout the spell more as the candle burns down. 

To anoint your candle, pour some pure vegetable oil into a bowl. This oil is used for most anointing, but if using a spell for health and well-being, you may mix in a few drops of other oils if you wish. Lavender is common for health and well-being spells and will make the magick more intense. Hold the candle in your left hand again and dip the first finger of your right hand into the oil and run it down the candle from top to bottom in a line. If anointing a tea-light, place it back in its casing, dip your finger into the oil, and smear it in a clockwork motion around the top of the candle wax. Say this invocation: “This magickal oil anoints thee, with all things good, magickally” (Robbins and Bedell, 2017). The candle is now cleansed, charged, and ready to be placed in a suitable holder in preparation for the spell you choose. 

Rhyming and repetition can help add punch to a spell. A lot of ancient and prewritten spells will rhyme with a poetic fluidity. Repeating the spell will give power to the message each time. The most magickal numbers that represent completion are 7, 9, and 12. 

To end the spell, you will need to close the ritual. Choose one of the phrases such as “and so it is” or “the spell is cast” or “so mote it be” before looking upward and saying “thank you.” 

Colorful Uses

The correct color is the most important thing with candle use

Some spells are exact to the color needed, and others more flexible 

When in doubt, always use a white candle for it is neutral 

Color Correspondances 

White

Cleansing homes

Purifying spaces

Creating harmony

Invoking spirits

Improving communication with others

Summoning guides and angels

For use in every situation 

Blue 

Promoting restful sleep

Finding the truth

Gaining wisdom and knowledge

Invoking psychic visions

Calming emotions

Suppressing anger

Aiding meditation

Moving your house

Becoming more patient with others

Curing a fever

Having a better understanding

Protection 

Red

Promoting strength and vigor

Rejuvenating energy and stamina

Conjuring willpower

Summoning courage

Inciting passion and sexual love

Sparking enthusiasm

Prompting quick results

Warding off enemies

Becoming more attractive to others

Pink

Healing emotions

Attracting romance

Becoming more caring

Inviting peace and tranquility 

Healing rifts

Banishing selfish emotions

Protecting family and friendships

Invoking spiritual healing

Being more compassionate 

Green

Accumulating money and wealth

Promoting prosperity and abundance

Accomplishing goals

Growing plants

Attracting luck

Negotiating employment matters and finding new jobs

Hastening conception and solving fertility issues

Casting out greed and resentment 

Yellow

Increasing activity

Resolving health matters

Nurturing creativity and imagination

Passing exams and learning

Aiding concentration

Controlling mood swings

Protecting yourself when traveling

Persuading others

Healing problems associated with the head

Orange

Increasing energy and stamina 

Improving the mind and memory

Promoting success and luck

Developing business and career

Helping those with new jobs

Clarifying legal matters and justice 

Selling goods or houses

Capturing a thief or recovering lost property 

Removing fear

Purple

Summoning spirit help

Bringing peace, tranquility, and harmony

Improving psychic ability 

Aiding astral projection

Healing

Easing sadness

Improving male energy 

Summoning spiritual protection

Brown

Attuning with the trees and earth

Promoting concentration

Helping with decisiveness

Protecting animals

Amplifying assertiveness 

Aiding friendships

Bringing material gain

Gaining mental stability

Connecting with Mother Nature

Studying and learning

Silver

Summoning the Mother Goddess

Drawing down the moon

Connecting with lunar animals

Purifying female energy

Improving all psychic abilities

Aiding clairvoyance and the unconscious mind

Ridding negativity

Developing intuition 

Interpreting messages in dreams

Banishing bad habits

Gold

healing and enhancing well-being

Rejuvenating yourself

Improving intelligence

Bringing financial gain and wealth

Winning competitions

Attracting love and happiness

Maintaining peace in families

Cosmic ordering

Black

Protection

Strength

Banishing

Reversal

Hex-breaking 

Source

Robbins, Shawn, and Bedell, Charity. The Good Witch’s Guide. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2017. Print.

[noonymoon]

[mircoluna]

😍😎

[littlealienproducts]

[mircoluna]

🤩😎

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

A Practical Guide to Herbology

Lesson One: Medicinal Teas

When I was first starting out with herbology, I was living in a small village in Croatia with a total population of less than 100 people. We depended on homemade teas, salves and medicines to heal us since the nearest hospital was two hours away. We treated ourselves with the power of herbs, gifted to us by the Earth.

These days, we can purchase all the tools we need to grow both common and exotic plants. Dried herbs are also another good option, especially for those that cannot grow their own. And with these tools, we can craft our own medicines. 

For the first lesson, I’m going to focus on something simple: the art of crafting medicinal tea. 

Creating Tea Blends

When starting out with creating medicinal teas, it’s important to understand how each ingredient interacts with our bodies. Be sure that you’re not allergic to any of your herbs and that they won’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications that you’re on. For example, those who are diabetic should not take angelica root; folks who are allergic to ragweed should avoid chamomile. 

Here’s a list of common herbs and their functions for the purposes of crafting medicinal teas:

Angelica Root: Soothes colds and flu, reduces phlegm and fever. (Do not use if you are diabetic)

Basil: Eases headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, insomnia; reduces stress and tension

Blackberry Leaves or Roots: Reduces diarrhea

Catnip: Soothes teething pain, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia. (May cause drowsiness. Avoid if on Lithium or sedatives)

Calendula (marigold): Reduces fevers, soothes indigestion, gastrointestinal cramps, flu; antiseptic. (May cause drowsiness. Avoid if on sedatives)

Cayenne Pepper: Soothes coughs, colds, arthritis (topical), nerve pain, fever, flu; expectorant. (Avoid taking with medications that contain Theophylline).

Chamomile: Reduces insomnia, anxiety, stress, fever, indigestion; aids with sleep and pain relief. (May decrease effectiveness of birth control pills and some cancer medications, may increase the effects of warfarin; avoid if you are taking medications for your liver)

Cinnamon Bark: Soothes sore throats and coughs; anti-inflammatory (Avoid taking with diabetes medications)

Dandelion Root: Detoxifying, aids digestion, relieves constipation, laxative. (Avoid if on antibiotics, lithium or water pills)

Dandelion Leaf: Mild diuretic, potassium-rich (Avoid if on medication for liver)

Elderberries: Wards off colds and flu

Ginger: Eases morning sickness, nausea, colic, indigestion, diarrhea, fever, sore throats. (Avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Ginkgo: Relieves anxiety, vertigo, tinnitus; improves circulation, helps concentration; helps PMS. (Avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo so speak to your specialist before use)

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, boosts immune system. (Do not take with medications that slow blood clotting, and avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors)

Goldenrod: Relieves gout and cramps

Lavender: Reduces anxiety, headaches, tension, stress, indigestion, IBS; antibacterial; antiseptic; disinfectant (May cause drowsiness; avoid if on sedatives)

Lemon balm: Relieves anxiety, cold sores, colic, insomnia, restlessness, indigestion; boosts memory (May cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Nettle: Reduces hay fever and arthritis; diuretic. (Avoid taking with diabetes medications, medications for high BP, sedatives, medications that slow blood clotting, and lithium)

Peppermint: Relieves nausea, anxiety, indigestion, IBS, colic, diarrhea, fever, coughs, colds; anesthetic (Avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; avoid if on liver medications)

Pine Needles: Expectorant; antiseptic; relieves coughs, colds, fever and congestion

Rosemary: Improves focus, memory, concentration, BP, circulation; antiseptic; antidepressant; eases indigestion

Thyme: Antibacterial, antiseptic, eases coughs and colds, expectorant (Do not take with medications that slow blood clotting)

Recipes

For those starting out, here are a few recipes for common ailments. As you start making your own teas, you’ll learn which blends of herbs work best for your body. Keep track of which ingredients and combinations are successful - with each steep, you get closer and closer to crafting your perfect personalized medicine cabinet.

Anxiety Relief - ½ tsp chamomile - ½ tsp lemon balm Cold Relief - ½ tsp elderberry flower - ½ tsp thyme Mood Booster - ½ tsp lavender - ½ tsp catnip - ½ tsp rosemary Cramp Relief - ½ tsp basil - ½ tsp calendula (marigold) - ½ tsp goldenrod Indigestion Relief - ½ tsp ginger - ½ tsp lemon balm - ½ tsp peppermint Expectorant - ½ tsp pine needles - ½ tsp nettle leaf - ½ tsp angelica root Insomnia - ½ tsp chamomile - ½ tsp catnip - ½ tsp lavender Sore Throat Relief - ½ tsp cinnamon (or half a stick) - ½ tsp ginger - 1 tbsp honey Fever Break - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper - ½ tsp angelica root Flu Relief - ½ tsp calendula (marigold) - ½ tsp lemon balm

—————————————————————————–

Photographs are under the Creative Commons License. Content is from my grimoire and is embedded with information from a variety of sources over the years. 

Updated 7 March 2018 with relevant warnings and to be consistent with other posts in this series.

Warnings:  All plant material should be sourced appropriately and responsibly for your own safety and well-being. Be certain that you are purchasing food-grade ingredients from a reliable retailer or supplier. Along these lines, not all dried herbs are meant for consumption so please be on the lookout for “external use only” labels - you do not want those products for this.

Do your own research regarding medicinal plants and usage, especially if you are sensitive or have allergies of any kind. If you are on medication(s), consult a doctor before use.

Finally, medicinal teas are a health supplement and not a substitution for professional medical and psychiatric aid. If you are experiencing any prolonged health and/or mental health issues, SEE A DOCTOR.

[heatherwitch]

I’ve compiled some helpful websites and databases for researching herbal medicine + possible interactions with other herbs or medications. (Click me)

[thewaysidewitch]

Bring Nature Inside: Part 1

Last Spring I delved into gardening more than I ever had before. I planted all kinds of flowers, trees, herbs, shrubs, and more! It was fantastical to dig in the dirt and care for these plants, watching them bloom and grow and stretch toward the sun.

Then winter came and one by one many of my plants began to whiter or stop giving off blooms. This is obviously upsetting but also a reminder to contemplate the nature of life and death and everything in-between. 

However, there is a simple way to help bring that joy of plants and growing into the home through houseplants! Below I have provided some house plants that I personally care for as well as both mundane and magical properties of the plant.  

💐 Devil’s Ivy (Pothos)💐

Devil’s Ivy is one of the easiest plants to care for in the home.

Mundane Properties (Devil’s Ivy):

Only water the plant every two weeks (over-watering is the most common way to kill a devil’s ivy and under-watering rarely harms the plant).

The plant is toxic to both you and pets. So if you have any familiars lurking about that like to munch on things keep it out of reach!

The plant is easy to propagate and after a while you can have hundreds of them around your home.

If your plant looses a leaf it will never grow back on that part of the stem.

Pothos is fairly slow growing but will live for decades if properly taken care of.

Magical Properties (Devil’s Ivy):

Save stems you trim off to be used in binding or banishment spells.

Like most ivy, growth this plant around the walls or floors of your home can protect it.

Can be used in witch jars as a form of poison magic.

💐 Spider Plant💐

Mundane Properties (Spider Plant):

A spider plant is a great addition to every home!

Although all plants will remove toxins from the air, Spider Plants are one of the most effective house plants and achieving this goal.

Over-watering is the leading cause of death for plants at home.

The plant, when happy, sends off shoots that produce babies which can easily be snipped off and potted to create more plants.

This plant is non-toxic and is safe around familiars and people!

They prefer a bright North or East facing window.

Magical Properties (Spider Plant):

Spider Plants can be used in all kinds or protection magic.

The pups can be cut off and placed in a spell jar to filter out bad spiritual energy.

Long stems and leaves of the plant can be tied into a witch’s ladder for protection.

Placed on your altar the plant can help equalizes the energy of your altar and tools placed upon it. 

💐 String of Pearls💐

Mundane Properties (String of Pearls):

The String of Pearls can be a difficult plant to get right, however, once you do you will be happy with the beauty it can bring into your home.

This plant requires a fairly consistent temperature (room temperature or a bit warmer is perfect for this girl).

Make sure to place this plant away from any breezes (windows, fans, and vents can cause this plant to stop growing and possibly die).

Only water this plant when the soil is completely dry, take care to ensure the pot you have it in has good drainage.

You may need to work carefully with the String of Pearls to unravel it’s many creeping tendrils and prevent it from looking a mess.

It may take a few tries but the String of Pearls is a fairly easy plant to propagate and give to friends.

Fairly fast growing in the right conditions. 

Needs very bright light.

Slightly toxic when consumed, some people are also receptive to the juice and sap of the plant.

Magical Properties (String of Pearls):

The fairly fast growing tendrils can be snipped (this does not hurt the plant) and be used in love charms and love magic.

Growing in the home, the plant promotes positive energy and happiness.

Pearls which fall from the plant can be used in divination bags once dried.

When the plant flowers the energy surrounding is perfect to use in all magics wishing to draw something to you.

(Disclaimer: This is by no means a comprehensive guide to each of these plants. Doing research on any plant before attempting to grow it yourself is highly advised. The magical properties of these plants are my own interpretations and you may find different or alternative uses for them.)

[matialonsorphoto]

leftovers

more on my instagram @matialonsor

[mircoluna]

#Phasesmoon