#blackbirdcottage

[blackbirdcottage]

So, With all the good qualities that lilac brings- and my cousin who is about to have a baby soon, it was hard not to resist the temptation of making Lilac cordial. Luckily lilacs are in full Bloom, a short trip up to the in-laws house Next door, With their and the plants permission, I came home happy With at least 8 bunches of flowers. The left overs are put into the jar With sugar, for future love spell, memory spell, easing of grief spell, exorcism and blessing.

Also the sugar would taste good in teas and scones and cookies..and the list goes on...

The Lilac cordial would be done in 3 to 4 days and I wil post Pictures up when it is done!

[blackbirdcottage]

Oh dearest Mercury in thy Retrograde!!

So yes, we all know Mercury is in retrograde, we sense this in Our daily life, some don't feel the effects of it and continue on as per usual, some feel it just a little in their life, perception of time and we acknowledge it, shrug it off and give ourself time...and there are some right now delivering their Smartphones to repair shops, scrubbing burnt up goo from the bottom of their cauldron, feel the wonky effects on spell cast and their hair just won't sit in Place, and no amount of hairspray would help the elcetricuted look....here are some Things that might help..

Sigils:

Calming sigils, focus sigils, PATIENCE sigils, Peace sigils, de-stress sigils.

Draw it on Your chalk Board, stick it in Your car, carry it With you in Your wallet. Fun tip, charm Your shampoo  bottle With a de-stress sigil.

Florals:

Lilacs, violets, lavender, jasmine, chamomile...do I need to say more?? Just carry a sachet With you, stuff it under Your pillow in Your glove compartment in Your car.

Teas:

Chamomile, vervain, lemon vervain, lavender, mugwort, a good beef broth

those who get even grumpier during their periods in this retrograde should try : vervain tea , Angelica tea (helps With menstrual cramps)

Note : vervain is an anti depressent and a sedative, if you are on medication I advice you look up the side effects on combining Your medication With this herbal tea. The herbalist I buy my vervain ( verbena officinalis) from, advice 2 grams of vervain to steep in 1 cup water for no more then 5 mins. Like anything that has to do With menstruation, this tea is not advice to those who are pregnant or have suspicions of pregnancy. Becareful With using lemon verbena, to much of it, to often will act as a detox and leave you running to the toilet.

Food:

Broth, pot pie, mama's home made chicken Soup, homemade bread and anything that links a good comforting memory to it. If you are prone to burning stuff in the Kitchen because of the retrograde, I do suggest something quick , simple and something that you'd have to be present at all times. Fun tip : Draw Cook evenly sigil in the bottom of the pot wth Your butter. Chant: you will not burn, you shall not burn, you must not burn while stiring clockwise.

Candles:

white, blues, silver, Purple and of Your favourite color, With a prayer for focus, patience and calmness.

Like all retrograde, this shall pass!

[blackbirdcottage]

My Kitchen is my Altar

As open as we are in this day and age, there are alot of prejudices when it comes to ones believes and religion. Parents don't seem to understand that their faith may not be the faith of therr children and what we don't know, fear and or understand we shun. I myself came into the Craft at the age of 12yrs, through my father who taught me in Secret. Yes. Secret. I grew up in a strict catholic Family With alot of prejudices. Note: not saying that catholics are prejudice.  I grew up With constant internal Battle,constanly hiding and praying not to get caught... no matter how much I try to trun my back on the Craft, it Calls to me like second nature. It's through it I am most inspired, and Peace and filled With Wonder. When I approached the end of my teens I found my passion for Cooking and through Cooking I realise that the Herbs used in meals are Herbs used in spells...could it be? I asked myself, and then I found out about the path of being a Kitchen Witch, and i am in love With it. My stove is my altar, My pine wooden spoon is my wand, my saucepan is my cauldron, my frying pan is my scrying tool- my pentagram and hex breaker, my knife is my athame and With it, i could do what needs to be done, create my inspirations and feed my Family a home cooked meal. And With it I am a happy witch at the end of the day, kicking my legs back and sipping herbal tea, enjoying the days' work, nobody needs to know what I am or my religion. The hiding is tough, I know and religion is taboo, but if you can find a way to combine Your believes With a passion, believe me nobody would think twice about it. You're a witch, you know it, you believe it, Your knowledge would help you, at the end of the day a herbal tea that helps With menstrual cramps is more valued then the fact the herb used have protective Properties, and would be gratefully accepted. You don't introduce yourself as Hi  my name is chritianity, hinduism, islam, wiccan. You introduce Yourself With Your name, and let Your personality and ability at being a decent human being do the rest.