My Little Witchy Finger

Welcome to my Witchy Blog. I am a practitioner of traditional witchcraft, which seems to be dying art these days. Here I will post spells, rituals, and resources for anyone who is interested in the craft, as well as my journey.

[barberwitch]

Witch Tip Wednesday 3.28.28

Cast Iron Care

I grew up in what I call a cast iron family. All the pans were cast iron, we had a few enamel pots for pasta, and one beat up copper bottomed pan for boxed mac and cheese. My mom cooked most days and when she didn’t, it was mac and cheese or pasta because we weren’t allowed to cook with her pans unless she was there.

Cast iron has some mixed reviews, some (me), swear by it and some, think it’s difficult and impossible to cook with…and they’re right to a degree (get it, degree, cooking, farenheit, celcius…sorry), if you don’t know how to care for cast iron, it’s a hassle and a mess. That’s what this post is for though!

Seasoning

Seasoning is the term used to treat and clean cast iron. Even when you buy a new “pre-seasoned” pan, you’re going to want to season it yourself. A major benefit of cooking with cast iron is that it retains flavor, and makes its own seasoning for your food…like magic!

Step 1: Clean your pan with HOT water and a scouring brush, rough side of a sponge, or steel wool. Nothing else…just water and something rough.

Step 2: Dry it completely with paper towels, and then place it on a lit stovetop burner for a minute or so to make sure it’s completely dry.

Step 3: While the pan is warm, probably 10-20 minutes after you remove from stove, (because it retains heat like no one’s business, and I don’t want you to burn yourself) pour some oil* into the pan and spread it around, completely coating the inside. Wipe off excess.

Step 4: Place in the oven set to 200º F, Upside Down for 2 hours

BOOM! Your pan is seasoned and ready to cook with.

*But Barber, what kind of oil? That’s mostly up to you, but canola is the classic standard (vegetable oil) but I use olive oil or canola, depending on what I used last. You can use any vegetable oil you want, whether that’s grapeseed, sunflower or flax seed, but there’s no reason to go crazy and buy a “Cast Iron Care Oil” because that’s literally just a marked up bottle of canola…No Lies.

NEVER USE SOAP WHEN CLEANING YOUR CAST IRON,and here’s why…

Soap is great for clothes, and your body, and even your car, but not for Cast Iron. Cast iron is a porous metal, so when you put something in, it absorbs. When you cook with it regularly, and oil it regularly, it creates its own nonstick surface! It’ll absorb the taste of herbs and spices you cook with regularly, and everything gets a mild flavor boost from whatever you cooked in it previously. When you use soap, it removes that surface and flavor; soap can absorb and flavor your food, and no one wants soapy fritatas.

Now, the seasoning steps above are used when you get a new pan, or need to re-season a rusted pan. It’ll restore it like new. But what about cleaning after cooking something tastey?

Cleaning and Upkeep

Step 1: While the pan is still warm, take rock salt and/or a non-metal brush (like the one above that I use) and go crazy scrubbing it.**

Step 2: Rinse with warm water, and dry with a paper towel (I say paper towel, because it’ll actually raise up some iron, and turn your towel black…better use a disposable towel, or risk staining your nice linens) after that, feel free to put on the stove top for a minute to make sure it’s all dry

Step 3: Coat with a little oil, wipe up excess, and store in your oven or broiler.

Special notes: The heat, salt you use to scrub, and iron itself all equal one great big anti-bacterial surface, so no worries about not using soap and feeling like you’ll get salmonella. Because it’s a porous surface, air drying is a no-no. It’ll lead to rust, and then you’ll have to scrub it off and completely re-season it (refer to first seasoning process).

**When you scrub with salt, it starts picking up iron particles and oil. It’ll start turning black and you can keep it in a jar until you’ve got a good amount, bake it on a sheet to dry it, and there you have classic Black Salt! For more banishing oomph, I scald pepper in a fry pan, and add incense ash to the mix.

[awenmor-deactivated20190130]

“In Welsh folk-lore the dragon-fly is the devil’s messenger; the caterpillar is the devil’s cat; the iris is the devil’s posy; the wild clematis is the devil’s milk; the palmatum is the devil’s hand; the scabiosa succisa is the devil’s bite; and the wild orchid is the devil’s basket.”

— Marie Trevelyan, Folk-lore and Folk Stories of Wales

[gemini-mooon]

irish folk cures (the wild, wonderful, and downright wtf)

these are some old ass weirdly pagan yet catholic cures/rituals, some of which i was told and some of which i sourced from dúchas.ie (they are local to my area specifically) and tbh i just wanna make a record of them. both to pass on the information and also because some of them are just so bizarre. i’ll probably update this as i find more. these are for entertainment and education purposes only

warts:

steal a piece of meat and rub it on the wart. bury the meat and as it decays the warts will vanish. 

go to a bridge on a friday morning. wash the wart in river water found in the hole of any stone in the river.

cut a potato into 9 parts. place them in a parcel with a penny and bury the parcel at the nearest crossroads. the person who picks up the parcel will have the warts passed on to them.

king’s candlestick (mullein plant) rubbed on the wart while saying a rosary.

put a snail on the warts and then put a thorn in the snail.

mumps:

put a horses’s haltar on the afflicted and lead them across a stream 3 times.

heat salt very hot in a pan and then put it in a woolen stocking. tie it around your neck before you go to bed.

gargle a glass of hot water with salt and baking soda in it.

whooping cough: 

make the sign of the cross over the afflicted’s back, and then lie under the belly of a donkey. repeat 3 times.

if two unrelated people of the same surname marry, anything given by them such as bread or jam will cure whooping cough.

give milk from which a ferret drank to the afflicted. repeat 3 times.

rheumatism:

carry a small new potato with you in your pocket.

wearing red flannel on the areas affected.

eating raw celery and plenty of garlic (solid reasoning tbh)

sting yourself with nettles on the affected areas.

tooth and mouth pain:

throw each tooth you lose over your left shoulder as they fall out. you will never suffer from toothache.

go to the funeral of a man who died of toothache (interesting approach…)

a person who has never seen their father (usually born after the father’s death) can cure mouth ulcers by blowing on the ulcers and praying.

colds:

quarter an onion and place them in the four corners of your room before you go to bed. 

a bowl of hot buttermilk or buttermilk gruel with plenty of butter and sugar while having a hot jar/water bottle to your feet.

a glass of punch made from mountain dew (real mountain dew not that american drink) and a mustard footbath.

flaxseed boiled and strained with lemon juice, honey and liqorice laces taken as a drink.

sprains:

wrap the skin of an eel as tight as you can around the affected area as tightly as possible

get a posthumous child to rub the sprain and pray. (what in the goddamn????)

misc:

to cure a stye, get 9 thorns from a gooseberry bush and prick the style with each thorn while making the sign of the cross.

for cuts and lacerations: get a dog to lick the wound, place a clean cobweb over the wound or chew some slanlus (a type of weed) and apply to the wound.

rub ringworm with a gold wedding ring.

if you are stung by a nettle, find a dock leaf and rub it on the sting while repeating “dock in, dock out, take the sting of the nettle out” (i can 1000000% confirm this works)

nettles, bogbean, and rosenoble (scrofula family of plants) turned into tea or used in food helps to purify the blood and improve circulation. 

soot can be used to whiten teeth.

eat agrimony plants for headaches.

[homeremedies99]

5 Herbal Remedies For Migraines

Migraine describes incredibly extreme headache, which may be extremely difficult to birth. In case of migraine, the pain typically begins on head’s one side then spreads over the entire head.

A migraine attack normally lasts for a few hrs, however in certain instances, it might continue for a couple of days. The significant elements accountable for migraine headache include vision issue, gastrointestinal wellness disorder, as well as inappropriate functioning of the liver.

Apart from these, a couple of people could deal with a migraine attack due to extreme stress and tension. Incorrect sleep may likewise be a trigger for a migraine headache assault. An individual suffering from migraine headache trouble could get extremely irritated as well as irritated at minor matters, and may not have the ability to perform his or her jobs efficiently.

In most of the instances, women are believed to be the major sufferers of migraine as compared with guys. There are numerous medications which can show to be of immense support in treating migraine. Nonetheless, continual intake of medications for handling migraine can be dangerous in the long run.

Therefore, it is suggested to go for natural treatments for migraines. Herbal solutions are fairly risk-free as contrasted to chemically enriched medications as well as pills. The area below reviews about a few effective means of treating migraines through herbal remedies.

Herbal Remedies For Migraines

The below offered natural herbs are regarded to be fairly handy with respect to offering alleviation from a migraine attack:

Passionflower

The consumption of this herb would certainly aid in offering tremendous leisure. The worried conditions would certainly be handled a reliable manner with the aid of intake of this herb, hence assisting to manage migraines.

Feverfew

This herb is taken into consideration to be an excellent cure for migraine. Apart from treating migraines, it additionally aids in protecting against future migraine headache attacks.

Cayenne

Cayenne could be utilized as a component in food or juice to attain alleviation from extreme pain in the head.

Dong Quai

Consumption of dong quai tincture would certainly be of tremendous break in preventing a migraine attack.

Gingko

Flow of blood to the mind would be improved with the aid of intake of gingko natural herb. Improved blood circulation would certainly then aid in treating migraines.The aforementioned herbal remedies for migraines would actually be of enormous help in dealing with this health and wellness associated problem. Besides these, it is crucial for an individual to comply with a few other all-natural remedies, to make sure that they obtains quick respite from extreme pain in the head.

One of the very best natural approaches to treat migraines is to comply with a healthy diet regimen plan. Your diet should generally include water as well as orange juice. Fasting on these liquids for a couple of days would profoundly help in getting rid of migraines. Additionally, all sort of preserved foods, sugar abundant foods, as well as white flour food should be excluded from the diet.

Healthy foods like eco-friendly vegetables, seeds, nuts, fresh fruits, as well as grains need to be most definitely consisted of in the diet plan. Following a healthy diet regimen plan would assist in maintaining health of the gastrointestinal system, hence aiding to treat migraines naturally and effectively.

[squirreltidings]

Yesterday I had a friend tell me how one of her close friends has a whole bunch of succulents, and she has given each one the name of her close friends. She nurses them, takes care of them, talks to them, and if one ever starts to get sick or not grow well, she talks to the friend in question and something is almost always bothering them.

And if that isn’t one of the cutest examples of subtle green witchcraft I don’t know what is.

[leaping-hare-witchery-deactivat]

Troy Books: Let’s take Leland’s ‘Gospel of the Witches,’ which is currently free to read online because it’s public domain, and make it into a deluxe hardback with forward by Gemma Gary and charge a base price of almost $30 USD. And then charge another $15.00 USD to ship it. Because capitalism.

Me, getting real tired of Troy Books and their shit:

[ofwoodandbone]

I might get it if they had an illustrator create a series of prints or drawings to be included in the book, but for all intents and purposes, it just appears to be a copy of Aradia bound in pleather and gold stamped.  I think this is the big flaw of those who argue for the publishers within traditional witchcraft. This isn’t asking for the generous support of original artistic content. This is asking the reader to pay for something which is freely available, for no other reason than to bear the mark of the publisher’s name or to pay for the actual skin of the book.  Yes, Gemma Gary wrote a foreword in it, but what a costly few pages. 

[mywitchylittlefinger]

That's a totally fair argument. But to play devil's advocate for a second: it's also really nice to have books you like professionally bound in an elegant way. There are a few books in this world I own in special bindings because I wanted them that way even though I have like 4 PDF versions of. I like the tangiblity of them. but that's just my thought. Not claiming any one is right or wrong. Just a thought.

[skepticaloccultist]

The Versatile Hagstone

The serpent’s stone of old, often called a witch’s or hag stone, was said in antiquity to have been made by a mass of snakes whose saliva congealed into a stone with a hole through it, made by the serpent’s tongue. It was said by Pliny that the Druids held it in high esteem. Able to cure disease and quell nightmares, its hollow passage a window through which one might see beyond the veil.

“There is a sort of egg in great repute among the Gauls, of which the Greek writers have made no mention. A vast number of serpents are twisted together in summer, and coiled up in an artificial knot by their saliva and slime; and this is called the serpent’s egg. The druids say that it is tossed in the air with hissings and must be caught in a cloak before it touches the earth.” - Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History

The adder stone takes the name hagstone in the British Isles, and though in Ireland, where there are no serpents to speak of, its origins are more mundane, being simply a stone polished by moving water that wears a hole through its center, its power is none the less extraordinary.

As a ward a hagstone is hung above one’s bed, or even the bed of a farm animal believed to be haunted by night visitors. It is said to quell nightmares and to keep away malefic influences from child and farm animal alike. A common tool of horsemen, cunning craft, and witch. The term “hag” in its name comes from the concept of being “ridden” by the night-hag, a once common term for the mora or sleep paralysis.

To those who ride across the hedge the hagstone has other abilities, as a periscope through which we can view the goings on of entities not normally within our visual field. By placing it to the eye it becomes a window into that other realm.

Worn on a cord either around the neck or at the wrist the hagstone is able to influence your dreams beyond just warding away unwanted influences. It is a talisman capable of unlocking the path to the sabbat. In his essay “What is Traditional Craft?” Andrew Chumbley gives a traditional Anglian spell used to obtain the journey to the sabbat during self initiation. A simple cord of leather through the stone’s hole and bound to one’s wrist. In this way the hagstone anchors the practitioner into the stream of the other and one ride’s the current that flows naturally toward the sabbat.

Additionally a hagstone can be used to ward the edge of a space, clearing it for ritual use and chasing away whatever boggart or wight may be lurking in the corners.

The history of the use of hagstones goes back millennia, with archaeological evidence of their use in ancient Egypt. They are an incredibly versatile tool, one that travels easily in this modern world as well.

Through their water connection they are particularly useful for weather and sea magics. Their alignment to spirits of water depths and running streams makes them even more of a bridge to that other landscape. Sailors used them in their folkmagic attempts to protect from storms, nailing them to the bow of the ship.

But where does one find one? Can they be purchased? Incidentally, a hagstone is one of the rare items that should ultimately be useful even if purchased/traded from another, as long as it has genuinely been taken from running water when found. Though from the perspective of folkcraft the witch would be advised to go out and find one themselves, a tool found by the witch’s cunning being incredibly more powerful than anything gotten secondhand. The stones vary in substance, often softer shales and slates making up the easier to find articles along river beds. But as well one might find a hard granite, flint, or quartz stone beaten by the ocean waves along some abandoned beach. The hole must be naturally made by the water’s movement, worn by friction and time.

Hagstones can be incorporated into witches ladders, spirit bindings, ritual clothing, and talismanic objects. They make exceptional ‘worry stones’ that one just carries in their pocket.

The witch’s stone is an incredibly versatile and often overlooked tool in the arsenal of the craft practitioner. While one may have several there is usually a bond with a particular stone that lets it function more personally. Worn on the body or used in a charm an adder stone is practically a must for any witch’s bag of tricks.

- from “Wyrdwood: Essays Toward an Understanding of the Folkwitch” by E.H. Wormwood, forthcoming on Alkahest Press

[cinemphatic]

The Witch (2016) + Francisco Goya (1746 - 1828)

[serpentshomestead]

The Almanac: The Witchy Gardening Tool That’s Completely Mainstream

Almanacs, those little books you see in every feed store or gardening section. Have you ever looked at these? They are the witchiest gardening tool everyone uses. Here’s a basic breakdown for your gardening to make your plant spirits happiest.

Keep reading

[rad-magick]

Up the airy mountain,   Down the rushy glen, We daren’t go a-hunting   For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk,   Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap,   And white owl’s feather! Down along the rocky shore   Some make their home, They live on crispy pancakes   Of yellow tide-foam; Some in the reeds   Of the black mountain-lake, With frogs for their watchdogs,   All night awake. High on the hill-top   The old King sits; He is now so old and grey   He’s nigh lost his wits. With a bridge of white mist   Columbkill he crosses, On his stately journeys   From Slieveleague to Rosses; Or going up with the music   On cold starry nights, To sup with the Queen   Of the gay Northern Lights. They stole little Bridget   For seven years long; When she came down again   Her friends were all gone. They took her lightly back,   Between the night and morrow, They thought that she was fast asleep,   But she was dead with sorrow. They have kept her ever since   Deep within the lake, On a bed of fig-leaves,   Watching till she wake. By the craggy hillside,   Through the mosses bare, They have planted thorn trees   For my pleasure, here and there. Is any man so daring   As dig them up in spite, He shall find their sharpest thorns   In his bed at night. Up the airy mountain,   Down the rushy glen, We daren’t  go a-hunting   For fear of little men; Wee folk, good folk,   Trooping all together; Green jacket, red cap,   And white owl’s feather!

William Allingham (1824-1889)

[dumbbbunnnyy-deactivated2021021]

witches who support modern medicine 2k18

[mysticgodess8537]

Powders r not better than plants. There’s nothing on this god forsaken earth that can’t be used to HEAL us. Doctors will charge u till ur dead. And a lot of the times they know as much as u…. they will never deal w it on a spiritual level and the embalence u have won’t leave bc of the medication, therefore you will never actually get BETTER and HEAL. Do you remember all the witches killed who were doctors?? Who didn’t fail to save lives or charge like these “doctors” today? This medicine crap wouldn’t be what it is if you didn’t kill the real doctors….. witches! And ladies, Educate yourselves on how the powder works before u put it in ur blood stream. WOW SOME LEGACY LEFT BEHIND. Well met! I’ll be praying.

[dumbbbunnnyy-deactivated2021021]

What the actual fuck are you talking about

[aspiringwarriorlibrarian]

I believe it’s a medical translation of “hurr durr technology is bad fire is scary and thomas edison was a witch”.

[dumbbbunnnyy-deactivated2021021]

I just choked on my water omg

[a-magpie-witchling]

It’s good that these ignorant cavemen are outing themselves so I know who to not interact with.

[haruka-does]

As someone who uses and makes herbal and natural medicines I have to say that this is so untrue. Natural medications are not always safer than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Licorice root works for stomach ulcers and so do antibiotics. However licorice root can cause death if taken improperly and can also cause a whole myriad of other issues that you don’t have to worry about with antibiotics prescribed and taken properly by a doctor. I understand the fear of western medicine as people have horrid experiences with doctors especially in the US. I am one of them, I have itp and joint issues and have had to fight doctors for treatment. You need to still go to your doctor for anything that you would take a medication for. People in the olden days used to not be able to do anything for things like diabetes and in fact had “tasters” for the urine of those who were presumed to have the condition. If the urine was sweet it indicated diabetes which WAS DEADLY because there were no treatments for it. Medicine has greatly improved and many medications that you can take are derived from natural origins. For instance aspirin is originally derived from white willow bark. The pain relief found in white willow bark was amazing, however because of the bark being so hard on the stomach it was also known to cause massive stomach aches when taken. Aspirin was derived without those stomach aches and maintained the pain relief portion of the chemical compound. Don’t you dare tell someone that they can’t take medication that could possibly save their lives. A cold is different than a condition that causes your body to attack itself or cancer, both of which have NO KNOWN HERBAL CURES because they can only be treated in specific ways that western medicine has found. Don’t shame someone for being sick and wanting to use western medicine. I personally am of the belief that if an herbal supplement or medication works better then I will use it, however not everyone has that option or desire. 

Let me state right now. IT DOES NOT make you less “spiritual”, “witchy”, or “pagan/wiccan” if you use only western/pharmaceutical medication. Also do not pretend for even a second that “herbal” medicine is safer by any imagination. You should still ask your doctor before you take ANY medication even herbal medication if you do not know the proper dosage or how to take it. Side effects still exist and often times for a majority of herbal medications if taken improperly you could POISON yourself. 

For anyone who has poisoned themselves with herbal medication please call the listed phone number below which is the American Association of Poison Control Centers it’s available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If you have questions about side effects of herbal medications please feel free to ask me, however keep in mind that I will always say that you need to go to your DOCTOR as they are the only ones that know your full medical history and the only ones that can properly say if something is safe for you.

A.A.O.P.C.C.

Call [phone]

Do not feel ashamed to support western medicine. I can personally attest to it saving my life as nothing in the natural world can stop my conditions and I would be dead right now without prednisone. 

[dumbbbunnnyy-deactivated2021021]

You, my friend, are a blessing. Thank you.

[hedgewitchwanderings-deactivate]

Reblogging for the good stuff about the potential dangers of plants over ‘man made’ medicine because exactly no one thing is better than another, it’s all about needs. :)

[witchoncampus]

A Witch’s Uncrossing

This spell is a type of Uncrossing, a witch’s way to undo bad luck or stagnation building up in their life. Unlike a spell for luck or new beginnings, this is best to use if you feel certain that there is a spiritual, magical, or emotional node latching itself onto you. For this reason, this spell is likely just the thing for someone who feels as though one bad things after another keeps occurring, or if you’ve suffered a loss and are struggling to let go. This spell can be adapted to a luck spell by adding clovers to the Moon Water; it can also be adapted to break curses by adding incense ash and sea salt.

Preparation - Moon Water:

At the full moon, take a jar of clear water and place it on a windowsill, outside, or on an altar. Place a clear quartz crystal on both sides of the jar. Dependent upon the witch, you may wish to say a blessing or a spell, or perform an action as simple as humming or playing ocean waves. Allow the water to sit through the night in a dark or dimly lit area. Before day break, remove the jar from its location and store in a dark container (such as box) until you are ready to use it.

Substitutions for the college witch - Leave on a windowsill instead of outside. Rather than collect at day break, place a piece of paper underneath the jar that says “until sunrise” (or draw a picture of the sun rising). Replace crystals with a ring of salt or something reflective, like glass or a mirror. 

The Spell - Uncrossing

At dusk, travel to a train track or a crossroads. Allow your mind to focus on the events that you wish to erase, the energy that you wish to expel. Cross your arms. Begin to walk counter-clockwise, dragging your feet against the ground so that a circle forms (if you are on gravel, you won’t see the circle, but complete the motion nonetheless). Complete the circle three times. On your third completion, uncross your arms. Fall to the ground. Pour a generous portion of moon water in front of you, raising to your feet as you do so.

Before driving or walking home, take a moment to ground yourself by drinking water, checking your phone, etc. Uncrossing can be mentally taxing, so take care to be centered before going about your day.

Substitutions for the college witch - In lieu of train tracks or a crossroads, draw a large X in front of you  (or make one from string or sticks) and perform the same actions as described above.

[whiteappalachianwitch]

DIY: Brews and Potions

Witches standing over an open fire while stirring up potions in a cauldron is one of the many romanticized views of witchcraft. Today, witches brew many things for love, luck, health, wealth, and etc. Potions are a widely regarded instrument for witches. Potions are simply liquid spells that can be taken internally or applied externally to the body. Teas, enchanted perfumes, tinctures, and washes are the many forms these spells can come in. Some are used for healing, others are used in ritual or magickal work. 

Kitchen Herbs and Common plants for Brews

Back in the day, homemade teas and salves were the only medicine available. Using these things today is still very popular and a holistic approach to health that treats the mind, body, and soul together. What you use does not have to be expensive, it can come from your back yard or your home. Many of what you already have you can use to make tinctures, teas, and decoctions. Also, syrups, tonics, waters, and vinegars. If you work with the herbs you have at home already on hand, you will be able to create your own remedy with a distinct local flavor. 

The Power Behind the Plants

It is believed that many spiritual forces animate the world; called animism. When working with a plant or crystal, or performing a spell or ritual at a specific place, witches work with the spirits behind those plants or crystals, and call upon the spirit of that location to help them in their work. There is a special partnership and alliance between the witch and spirit, manifesting in forms of animals (familiars) or in the form of other plants, crystals, and locations. Over time, working with these spirits on various projects will deepen the relationship and the witch will gain information on magical associations, properties, and lore. These things often come through dreams, inspirations, or visions. The spirit will gain energy, attention, and physical shelter as animals or plants or crystals carried as a talisman. 

Teas and Decoctions for Health

Using teas and decoctions (herb-and-water remedies in the form of conceited potions that your drink) is a very easy homeopathic way to get started. They are made with dried or fresh herbs, roots, or flowers infused in hot water. Cold infusions is used for tinctures, where the herbal properties are absorbed and released into liquids over time. 

Decoction Method

For plants woody and seedy such as root and bark, use this method

Once the plant parts are boiled, place on a low heat and set to simmer for 15-20 minutes

After simmered, cool them and strain them, pressing the herbs through a cheesecloth or strainer

Ready to drink

Tea Method

For flowers, leaves, fruits, and/or stems of plans, use this method

Start steeping the herbs in the water before it reaches full boil 

Once the water begins to steam or boil, remove it from heat

Steam for no more than 5-10 minutes

While hot, strain into a container

Drink right away or follow the cold tea method

Cold Tea Method

Following all the preparations of the tea method, after straining, pour into a container and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Herbs for Teas and Decoctions

If using a tea ball, only use a pinch of each plant or spice. If using an infusion pot, or something similar, use approximately ¼ teaspoon of each ingredient. If you use root, seeds, or bark, use the decoction method. If you use flowers, leaves, fruits, or stems, use the tea method. If you use a combination of plant matter, use the decoction methods but then drink it iced following the cold tea method. 

Angelica Root: Soothes colds and flu, reduces phlegm and fever; expectorant (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

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

Blackberry (leaves or roots): Reduces diarrhea (note: blackberry roots are used as decoction, while blackberry leaves are used for tea)

Catnip: Soothes teething pain, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Reduces fevers and diarrhea; soothes indigestion, gastrointestinal gramps, flu; antiseptic (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Cayenne Pepper: Soothes coughs, colds, arthritis, nerve pain, fever, flu; expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with theophylline) 

Camomile: Reduces insomnia, anxiety, stress, fever, arthritis, indigestion; aids with sleep and pain relief (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor 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 (discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Elderberry Berry: Wards off colds and flu

Elderberry Flower: Reduces fever (avoid taking with medications that decrease the immune system) 

Garlic (for syrups): Antiseptic, eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid or medications used for HIV/AIDS, or with medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

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 vision and premenstrual syndrome (avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo; discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking) 

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, boosts the 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: Relieves anxiety, headaches, tension, stress, indigestion, irritable bowl syndrome; 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: Relieves hay fever and arthritis; diuretic (avoid taking with diabetes medications, medications for high blood pressure, sedatives, medications that slow blood clotting, and lithium) 

Onion (for syrups): Helps lower systolic blood pressure, relieves colds, antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Parsley: Helps with iron deficiency, anemia, fatigue; diuretic (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics) 

Peppermint: Relieves nausea, anxiety, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, fever, coughs, colds; anesthetic (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver) 

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

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

Thyme: Antibacterial, antiseptic, eases coughs and colds, expectorant (do NOT take with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Tea and Decoction Health Blends 

The amounts listed here are for dried herbs, flowers, and spices. Dried ingredients are preferred for teas. If you wish to use fresh ingredients for decoctions, and they are available, double the amount. 

Anxiety Relief

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Cold Relief

¼ teaspoon elderberry flower

¼ teaspoon thyme 

Mood Booster

¼ teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon rosemary

Gastrointestinal Cramp Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon goldenrod 

Arthritis/Joint Pain

¼ teaspoon goldenrod

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

(Note: after the tea cools, apply it by rubbing the liquid into the affected area)

Diarrhea Relief

¼ teaspoon blackberry root

¼ teaspoon catnip

Circulation

¼ teaspoon ginkgo leaf

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon rosemary 

Energizing Tea

¼ teaspoon ginseng

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Indigestion Relief

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Expectorant

¼ teaspoon pine needles

¼ teaspoon nettle leaf

¼ teaspoon angelica root

Sleepy Time

½ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Fatigue Relief

¼ teaspoon ginseng 

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Fever Break

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

¼ teaspoon angelica root 

Flu Relief

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Headache Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon thyme

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Immune-System Booster 

½ teaspoon dried elderberries 

¼ teaspoon nettle 

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold) 

Sore Throat Relief

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

(Note: add honey after steeped) 

Stress Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼  teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Cleansing 

¼ teaspoon dandelion leaf

1/8 teaspoon goldenrod 

1/8 teaspoon parsley 

Herbs for Magickal Teas

Follow these steps to empower your tea:

As you steep the potion, envision yourself covered in either a blue or green light (whichever color represents healing to you)

As you drink the potion, visualize a blue or green light coming from the liquid. 

Once you drink , the light will start radiating from within throughout your whole body and then out into the world around you

See it reach heaven (as above) and into the earth (so below), extending your will and desire into the universe

if you are the kind of person who likes affirmations and chants, try saying: “Herbs grown naturally, health and wellness come to me” (Robbins & Bedell, 2017) 

Angelica Root: Angel work, protection, hex removal, exorcisms, health, meditation, divination (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Loves exorcisms, wealth, astral travel, rituals for the dead, house blessings, ancestral work, calling on and working with dragon spirits, calling draconic or dragon spirit–based energy into your spell, protection, attracting money

Blackberry: Healing, money, protection, exorcism

Catnip: Love, beauty, happiness, calling on the energy of cats, working with cat spirits, used as an offering for cat spirits, breaking spells, fertility, psychic powers (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Money, prosperity, health, psychic development, protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters, psychic powers, healing (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Cayenne Pepper: Fidelity, hex breaking, protection, removal of blocks and negative energy, overcoming obstacles, fire, strength, passion (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting an with theophylline) 

Camomile: Protection, luck, money, sleep, peace, purification (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon: Sexuality, lust, wealth, money, consecration, purification, love (avoid taking with diabetes medications)

Dandelion (both root and leaf): Purification, manifestation of wishes, enrichment, money (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver)

Elderberry: Exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep, protection against witchcraft (avoid taking with medications that decrease immune system) 

Ginger: Love, money, success, power, protection (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Ginkgo: Healing, mental clarity, fertility; avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Ginseng: Fertility, sexuality, lust, manifestation of wishes, healing, beauty, protection (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting; avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Money, divination (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lavender: Love, protection, purification, happiness, peace, healing, meditation, psychic abilities (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lemon Balm: Love, success, healing, cleansing (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Nettle Leaf: Protection, exorcism, healing, jinx-breaking, lust (avoid taking with sedatives, lithium, or medications for diabetes, for high blood pressure, or that slow blood clotting)

Parsley: Healing, fortune, success, lust, protection, purification, ancestor veneration, working with the dead, traveling to the land of the dead, calling upon the energy of death and decay (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics)

Peppermint: Purification, love, healing, psychic powers, (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver)

Pine Needles: Cleansing, drawing the aid of spirits, love, mental focus, protection, lust, exorcism, healing

Thyme: Health, healing, sleep, psychic powers, love, purification, courage, good luck (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Magickal Tea Recipes

Attract and Protect Money

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp chamomile

¼ tsp basil

Exorcism

¼ tsp angelica root

¼ tsp nettle leaf

¼ tsp elder flower

Spirit Aid

¼ tsp parsley

¼ tsp rosemary 

Love and Lust

1/8 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp catnip

¼ tsp ginseng 

Cleansing

¼ tsp dandelion

¼ tsp lemon balm

¼ tsp thyme

Protection

¼ tsp pine needles

¼ tsp elderberries

¼ tsp blackberry leaf

Divination

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp peppermint

Psychic Development

¼ tsp calendula (marigold) 

¼ tsp ginkgo leaf

¼ tsp lavender 

Tinctures and Tonics for Health 

A tincture is a traditional herb infusion made with an alcohol base. A tonic usually uses either vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar as the base. The alcohol used in tinctures must be at least 100 proof, or 50%, alcohol, which is why most vodkas and gins are used. Tinctures can also be made with vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar for those with alcohol issues, although less potent and yet still effective. 

Crafting Tinctures and Tonics

Tools needed:

Two mason jars

Cheesecloth

The herbs/plants/spices

Measuring cups

An herb grinder

Alcohol/vegetable glycerin/apple cider vinegar 

Tool to measure the dosage such as droppers for infant medication

Steps for recipe creation:

When preparing a tincture, the rule of thumb is you want a 1:4 ratio of herb to alcohol. If your herbs start to float, your ratio is good. Allow them to settle, and add a little more alcohol until the mixture is fully saturated. 

Prepare the ingredients

Fill the mason jar with the herbs/plants/spices

Add the alcohol or alcohol substitute  (If using apple cider vinegar as your base, you will need to take the additional step of laying wax paper on top of the jar lid)

Keep in a cool, dark place for a month (some may require refrigeration, and that will be noted) 

Shake twice daily 

After 1 month, strain the herbal matter from the liquid into the second jar using a cheesecloth (squeeze the cheesecloth to get out as much of the liquid as you can)

After straining, fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water–this dilutes the alcohol, allowing you to ingest it directly

Ready for use 

Herbs and Plants for Health Tinctures and Tonics 

Many of these will not taste good, but will work:

Alfalfa: Energy booster, laxative, cleanser (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting or suppress the immune system and with birth-control pills) 

Allspice: Stimulant; eases indigestion, colds, coughs; reduces hives and swelling (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Aloe Vera Juice (liquid): Soothes the skin, antiseptic (external use only)

Angelica (fruit or seeds): Eases indigestion, gas, gout; balances nervous system (do NOT use if you are diabetic)

Bay Leaf: Eases indigestion, coughs, colds, fevers (do NOT take with any narcotics or sedatives) 

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Antiseptic, eases symptoms of urinary tract infections (do NOT use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have stomach irritation or kidney disease; avoid taking with lithium) 

Bergamot: Soothes colds, fevers, coughs, nausea, indigestion, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with photosensitizing medications) 

Black-Eyed Susan: Soothes swelling, back pain, earaches; immune booster

Black Peppercorn: Anti-fungal, heals ulcers, relieves arthritis

Burdock Root: Detoxifying, soothes colds and skin issues (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Cedar (freshly dried leafy twigs): Soothes gout, naturally antiviral, boosts immune system (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Clover (red): Soothes coughs, colds, bronchitis (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with tamoxifen; may decrease effectiveness of birth control pulls and medications that are changed by the liver)

Cloves: Soothes nausea and indigestion; antiseptic, expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Comfrey Leaf: Ease arthritis, rheumatism, coughs, colds, diarrhea, asthma; antibacterial (do NOT take with medications that can harm the liver)

Coriander Seeds: Aids in digestion; aphrodisiac; boosts immune system

Cramp Bark: Eases arthritis, rheumatism, menstrual cramps

Echinacea: Eases colds, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system (interacts with various medications, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Garlic: Antiseptic; eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, symptoms of urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid, medication used for HIV/AIDS, or medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Goldenseal (roots and leaves): Aids digestion; eases colds, hay fever, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver)

Horseradish: Antiseptic; antibacterial; expectorant; soothes flu, colds, coughs, symptoms of urinary tract infections; diuretic; appetite stimulant (avoid taking with thyroid medications)

Hyssop: Soothes colds, fevers, sore throats, asthma, rheumatism, indigestion; expectorant

Lemon: Boosts immune system, helps prevent kidney stones, eases indigestion and constipation, relieves toothaches

Lemongrass: Supports healthy cholesterol; antibacterial; detoxifies; relieves constipation, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, coughs, colds, fevers, anxiety, stress, fatigue; boosts immune system

Mugwort: Eases menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, fevers, colds (do NOT take if pregnant) 

Mullein: Relieves asthma, coughs, colds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids; expectorant; diuretic

Nutmeg: Stimulates digestive system; relieves diarrhea, nausea, anxiety (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver) 

Orange: Lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, relieves arthritis and anxiety, stabilizes mood, boosts immune system; laxative (do NOT take with celiprolol, ivermectin, or pravastatin) 

Onion: Helps lower systolic blood pressure, eases colds; antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Skullcap: Eases headaches, stress, menstrual tension, insomnia, anxiety, sedative

Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Valerian Root: Eases insomnia (do NOT take with alcohol, sedatives, or anti anxiety medications) 

Witch Hazel Bark: Relieves pain, diarrhea, colds, fevers, ulcers, colitis; antiseptic

Wormwood: Eases indigestion and stomach disorders; aphrodisiac (avoid taking with anticonvulsant medications)

Yarrow: Antiseptic, relieves pain, hay fever, colds, fevers, menstrual cramps (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting, avoid taking with lithium or sedatives)

Yellow Dock: Laxative; reduces anemia, relieves fatigue, aids digestive system (do NOT take with digoxin, diuretic medications, or medications that slow blood clotting)

For tincture recipes, there are many books and sites that can be used for reference. 

Magickal Tinctures

When making a tincture for use magickally and spiritually, shake the tincture two times a day to direct your energy into the jar and activate the magick within the herbs. 

Tincture-Charging Spell

Materials: 

1 green candle (herb spirits) 

1 white candle (spirit and magick)

1 candle to charge the tincture (color depends on spell)

1 mixing bowl 

Herbs and alcohol for the tincture (or alcohol substitute) 

2 Mason jars

Cheese cloth 

Ritual:

Place the three candles in a triangle on your altar or workspace. The white candle should be the top of the triangle (facing away from you to direct the energy out into the universe). The green and other candle form the base

Place the bowl at the center of the altar, and place your containers of herbs and alcohol on the floor

Light the white candle while stating: “For the power of spirit”

Light the green candle while stating: “For the herbal spirits”

Light the colored candle for your need, and state your need 

Place an herb in the bowl, state a thank-you blessing to the herb, and explain why you are using that herb. Repeat for each herb, and as you add each herb, stir the mixture of herbs clockwise for increasing or bringing something to you and counterclockwise if you are trying to remove or decrease something in your life

Once you have mixed all the herbs in the bowl, hold your hands over the mixture and state your intent

Visualize a light coming out of your hands for that need (red for love and passion or power; green for money, success, growth and fertility; blue for healing; yellow for success; etc)

Pour the mixture into one of the mason jars and add the alcohol (do this at a safe distance form the lit candles)

Place the lid on the jar

Remove the mixing bowl from the alter and put the mason jar with the tincture blend in its place, in the center of your candles. Keep the mason jar there until the candles have finished burning

Shake the tincture, focusing your mental, emotional, and physical energy into the jar. As you shake, chant: “I can upon the powers green, Release the powers unseen. Herbs awakened on this day, Blessings in this tincture stay.” 

Shake the jar twice daily for one month, each time visualizing the need behind the tincture

Once the month has passed, strain the mixture into the second jar using the cheesecloth. 

Now the tincture is ready to be used in magickal work

Herbs for Magickal Tinctures

For magickal uses, the following herbs, spices, and plants are only for external use in tincture blends:

Angelica Leaf: Angel work, protection, removing hexes, exorcism, health, meditation, divination 

Alfalfa: Money attraction (drawing money to you), prosperity, protection

Allspice: Money, luck, healing

Aloe Vera: Protection, peace in the afterlife, prosperity, success, love

Bay Leaf: Protection, purification, enhancing psychic powers, strength

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Victory, protection, money, power, strength

Bergamot: Money, clarity

Black-Eyed Susan: Cleansing, releasing, grounding, integration, mediumship, connecting with the dead

Black Peppercorn: Protection, exorcism 

Burdock Root: Protection, uncrossing (removing hexes or curses)

Cedar: Healing, purification, money, protection

Clover: Protection, money, fidelity, love, exorcism, success

Cloves: Enhancing psychic powers, astral travel, protection, exorcism, love

Comfrey Leaf: Money, safe travel, protection

Coriander Seeds: Love, health, healing, lust, fidelity

Cramp Bark: Protection, luck

Echinacea: Strengthening spells, offerings to spirits

Garlic: Protection, exorcism, lust, antitheft

Goldenseal: Healing, money

Horseradish: Purification, exorcism

Hyssop: Purification, protection, cleansing

Lemon: Purification, love, friendship, justice

Lemongrass: Repelling snakes, lust, enhancing psychic powers

Mugwort: Strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, astral projection

Mullein: Courage, protection, love, divination, exorcism

Nutmeg: Gambling luck, money, fidelity, prosperity, luck

Orange: Love, divination, luck, money

Saint John’s Wort: Health, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness

Skullcap: Love, fidelity, peace

Turmeric: Purification

Valerian Root: Purification, cleansing, peace, love, protection, breaking hexes and curses 

Wormwood: Summoning spirits, working with the dead, enhancing psychic power, protection, love, prophesizing, breaking hexes and curses

Witch Hazel: Protection, chasteness (less likely to give into temptation and sexual desire)

Yarrow: Psychic development, courage, love, exorcism, protection

Yellow Dock: Money attraction, customer attraction, love attraction 

Source

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

[skepticaloccultist]

The Devil’s Supper

“The Devil’s Supper” Shani Oates

The devil’s history is a forking path, one that has wend its way from times of yore through a maze of cultural conditioning, folkloric interpretation and whole cloth fabrication. The Devil has been many things to many people and fits a service of ideas across a span of time now into millennia.

Shani Oates is a well known author of contemporary traditional witchcraft and the Maid of the Clan of Tubal Cain, that path of traditional witchcraft that finds its origins in the writings and teachings of the late Robert Cochrane. Her previous works have given considerable shape to contemporary craft practices, and her insight into the practicalities of craft practice is immeasurable.

Her latest, “The Devil’s Supper”, is a superb journey through the narratives that have shaped our modern idea of the Devil and his role in society, theology, and witchcraft. Oates’ gives us a tour of the fables and legends, from the Mesopotamian through the Graeco-Roman, into the middle ages of Europe, it is a tale of manipulation, speculation and theological propaganda.

In the Devil’s Supper Oates provides a context for the slow shaping and reshaping of this figure “The Devil” and those accused of worshipping and having relations with this being. From a “being of the air” to the eventual physical materialization in the form of succubi and incubi the Devil and his supposed followers come from a long narrative of theological suppression, historic revisionism and cultural appropriation.

There is in the work a particularly British perspective, a line being drawn so directly from the ancient past to the English countryside, which makes sense given its author is a leading figure of a well respected British tradition. It treads concepts laid out by previous authors, and gives the reader an astoundingly detailed and compact history - each chapter could nearly be expanded into its own volume.

The volume itself is another spectacular binding by Anathema. A shimmering slightly metallic looking cloth black cover with a devilish impression to the front board and silver lettering to the spine. Rich cadmium red endpapers with a fabric texture highlight the similarly deep red ink highlights used throughout the design.

The pages are of a vellum-like smooth, just slightly off-white, paper and the entire work is heavily illustrated throughout in historic black & white images, woodcuts, and etchings as well as beautiful illustrations by artist Lupe Vasconcelos. It is a wonderful design top to bottom, for which Anathema should be commended. (Though I must ask, why no index? Such a wonderful bibliography and no index leaves an, albeit tiny, blemish on this otherwise perfect volume.)

Shani Oates is herself part of a living current of traditional British Witchcraft and will, I am sure, continue to add to the dialog and development of Craft practice. “The Devil’s Supper” is a delightful romp through the historiography of that figure who has haunted European thought for centuries - the Devil.

Find a copy of The Devil’s Supper here:

“The Devil’s Supper” Shani Oates

[fairclaws]

French Folklore - L’Ankou

NAME :

Ankou (Brittany), Ankow (Cornish), yr Angau (Welsh)

Also known as “ oberour ar maro” (Brittany) = Henchman of death

APPEARANCE :

The Ankou is known as the henchman of death. It is personified as a tall, hagard figure with long white hair, or as a skeleton with a revolving head able to see everything everywhere. It is depicted as wearing a long black coat and a large hat hiding its face and often carries a scythe along, though it originally was reported to be a mallet or a mace. Fun fact, the scythe is known to have a reversed blade, to keep away evil spirits from stealing the souls of the dead fetched by the Ankou itself.

 It can either drive an old cart ( karr / karrig an Ankoù) or a wheelbarrow ( karrigell). However the cart turns into a small boat (bag noz) near the littoral.

POWERS :

It is said that the Ankou is a death omen that collects the souls of the deceased. The Ankou is the last person to die in a parish during a year. The last deceased person will assume the duty of calling for the dead. In that aspect the Ankou can be considered a psychopomp : a conductor of souls to the afterworld.

 It knocks on the door - making a sound that is sometimes heard by the living - or gives out a mournful wail like the Irish Banshee. Sometimes it’s reported to be seen as an apparition entering the house, or that the squeak of its old cart is enough to warn death is near. It takes away the dead, who are then placed in the cart with the help of the two companion ghosts. The Ankou is a powerful figure that dominates Breton folklore.

ORIGINS :

Ankou comes from Breton and would appear to be the plural form of “Anken”, meaning anguish/sorrow. It’s also close to “Ankouaat”, meaning forgetting. 

The figure of the Ankou and its equivalents is found in Brittany as well as in Cornwall and Wales.

The Ankou can possibly linked back to the Gaulish deity “Sucellos” or the Irish “Eochaid Ollathair / Dagda” for two reasons: its role in the perpetuation of the circles of life and its first known weapon (mallet).

SOURCES :

http://www.lepaysbigouden.fr/pages/ankou.htm

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankou

http://www.paranormal-encyclopedie.com/wiki/Articles/Ankou

Now edited with the help of the fantastic @chardonsauvage !

[sadlylostinbetween]

Bone correspondences

A little while ago, I realized that there is NO info on what bones to use for what. I was clueless and had no idea where to begin. Research was fruitless and asking others came with no results. So I sat down during preap algebra 2 and made my own list. These are my own correspondences, based off of what I felt like and remembering bits of spells I’d thought about. They are 100% my own, taken from no one. Please give me credit if you use it anywhere else :) I also know I haven’t included every bone out there, if I missed one msg me, I’ll give it some thought and see what happens! :D

▪Teeth- communication, learning other language, news, defense ▪Skull- thoughts, divination, communication, spirit work, astral ▪Spine- support, confidence, level headed ▪Arm- help, blocking (curses, hexes, psychic attacks, etc) ▪Wrist- flexibility, hard work ▪Hand- art, artistic ability, creativity, energy ▪Fingers- fluidity, progress, endurance ▪Nails/ claws- fighting, protection, finding things out, knowledge, struggle, balance ▪Rib- agility, protection ▪Hip- ebdurance, keeping it together ▪leg- endurance, travel, strength ▪Ankle- movement, moving on, catalyst ▪Foot- endurance, moving on, leaving things behind, hard work, independence, luck ▪Toe- balance, help, prosperity, money, changing luck (for the better or worse) ▪Tail- (like actual bones in the animals tail, not the tailbone) agility, secrecy, alarm, cursing

(Edited to include:) ▪Antlers- strength, endurance, masculine energy, (if you’re Wiccan, the horned God), protection, more centered toward nature and earth, deflecting curses, and hope. ▪Horns- wealth, the home, determination, aggressive protection, more centered toward that which is man made, and cursing (Second edit) ▪Wings- adventure, deviating from the norm, sending/ receiving messages, travel, starting a new adventure/ path, hope, luck, wishes, comfort (let it be amplifying or taking away) The type of bird would also affect the correspondences; the wing bones, to me, would increase the things the bird stands for

[jeweled-moon]

@witchblr-things

[cosmicwitchcraft]

I’m 350 dollars short of rent

And I’m freaking the FUCK out. I recently moved out to California and my transfer from my other job fell through where I was suppose to keep my hours (40) a week. Which means I would have had PLENTY of money but because of that I don’t have money I got a job yesterday working for a club m. But rent is literally due today and i am 350 short of barely being able to pay. If anyone could help me at all it would be amazing. I am offering any divination service in exchange for any amount anyone donates.

Like idk what to do. I’ve looked for old men to sleep with I’ve been putting in apps for the past 3 weeks. I have nothing to sell or at least can sell. Other than one occult book that would never sell in time.

My PayPal is: [email protected]

Honestly idk what to do I’m literally freaking the fuck out I’ve never been this stresses in my entire life I don’t know what to do