Period Magic: Blood Magic for Menstruating Witches
New Post has been published on http://thecuriousviolet.com/2016/08/24/period-magick/
Period Magic: Blood Magic for Menstruating Witches
Why the Period is Sacred//
My people (the Mvskoke) believe that a person on their period is sacred, and that they are in a place during this time where the veil is thinnest between them and the Spirit Realm. Their prophecies during this time are held as sacred, as well. It wasn’t until the invaders showed up with western religions that this belief was violently eradicated (along with gay marriage, non conforming gender identities, etc).
What Exactly is Blood Magic?//
Blood magic can be used to purify, consecrate, bind, curse, bless, heal, protect and help in astral traveling. As an ingredient it will enhance the power of any spell a hundred fold, and is good to use in bottle charms to attract dragons or make a very strong protection spell for a home or person. Strong emotions and precision are at the heart of blood magic. The purest blood is menstrual blood, because it comes naturally from the body, is not tainted by the use of tools, and is not taken forcibly. In my tribe and many other ndn tribes, menstruating people are revered, seen as vastly powerful and being directly connected to the spirit realm during this time. It is sacred to us.
Herbs for Menstrual Flow of Blood, Cycles and Difficulties//
Black Haw, Blue Cohosh, Chamomile, Evening Primrose, Goldenseal, Passionflower, Red Raspberry, Rosemary, and Thyme.
Herbs for Nervousness and Anxiety//
Bergamot, Catnip, Chamomile, Lady’s Slipper, Lavender, and Lobelia.
Herbs for Cleansing and Purifying the Blood//
Burdock, Catnip, Cayenne, Comfrey, Elderberry, Garlic, Ginseng, Dandelion, Evening Primrose, Nettle, Peppermint, and Wormwood.
Herbs for Cervical Care//
Burdock, Echinacea, Ginger, Goldenseal, Milk Thistle, and Willow.
Dandelion, Gentian, Ginseng, Nettle, and Watercress.
Herbs for Depression and Mood Swings//
Bergemot, Borage, Ginseng, Lavender, Oats, and Vervain.
Comfrey, Dandelion, and Ginseng.
Herbs for Improving Poor Circulation//
Cayenne, Chamomile, Elderberry, Ginseng, and Hawthorn.
Herbs for Pain and Cramping//
Black Haw, Blue Cohosh, Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Skullcap, Sunflower, Strawberry,and Willow Bark.
Herbs for Uterine and Ovary Health//
Bayberrt, Black Cohosh, Black Haw, Burdock, Chamomile, Cramp Bark, Dandelion, Feverfew, Red Raspberry, Valerian and Willow.
Herbs for Vaginal Health//
Elecampane, Comfrey, Garlic, Goldenseal, Milk Thistle, Echinacea, Rosemary, Sage, Vervain, and Witch Hazel.
Crystals for Period Cramps//
Bloodstone, Turquoise, Chrysocolla, and Malachite.
Moonstone, Chrysocolla, or Rose Quartz.
Crystals for Panic Attacks//
Turquoise, Kunzite, Rhodonite, Sodalite, Smithsonite, Tourmaline Green, or Lepidolite.
Remember to be safe! Research specific herbs before taking them, as some interact poorly with medications (which is why I didn’t include St. John’s Wort on this post, because it renders birth control useless and is not safe for long term use) and some may be harmful to pregnant women.
Quotes by NDNs about Bleeding//
The cosmic and legendary powers of women are particularly concentrated in women at menstruation time, when all gifts of nature and society are showered upon her. Women are the keepers of many of the Creek traditions, and it is during menstruation time that in Creek tradition the woman’s role was defined in great depth. These were truly holy days during which the dynamics and flow of nature were at work-particularly the Creek reverence for the Red Blood, which is life. This was a reminder that the life force was a work in a specialized way and that special attention must be given to this force which is symbolized again and again in the use of the color red in the aesthetics of the Creeks- in certain directions, clothing, rocks, facial makeup, and war paint among their things. Menstruation was a time for the most intense possible continuing education for the seed bearers of the culture.
-Jean and Joyotpaul Chaudhuri, Muscogee Creek.
“The moon has important female energy and had an important role in the timing of the lives of women. Menstruation was not “evil” in the Creek world. It was a time for withdrawal from sex and interactions with men, but also for great empowerment of women. During the withdrawal period, while the men were shut out, the real educational development and empowerment of women took place.“
-Jean and Joyotpaul Chaudhuri,
Muscogee Creek.
“To know blood, men became war-mongers. To know blood, a woman bleeds. The Earth Mother and all of nature love the scent and energy of this bleeding time. It is the signal that pregnancy is possible and what is pregnant is favored above all things by Mother Earth. Life goes on. It is the greatest time of celebration. In truth, a woman does not need to sit in the inipiti ceremony and sweat in order to clean her blood. A woman cleans her blood with the cycle of the moon. When a woman sits upon the earth and bleeds, she is attended by all of nature. The wind and the sun and all that lives on and in the earth want to render up their secrets to this woman. The veil between the world of Spirit and the everyday world is torn asunder and the woman can be in close communication with the Spirits…Women are not ‘bitchy’, ‘emotional’ or ‘unclean’ during this precious time. They are sensitive to messages from Spirit and if they act bitchy and emotional, it is because there is truly something in their environment that needs to shift…Women first held the power in tribal ceremonies. There was a time when the moon blood was used in ceremony, because of its great power. It was not seen as unclean. It is true that a women is more powerful than a man drink the moon time.”
