Jules of Nature

祝日 / Permanent Vacation
Show & Tell
Sweet Seals For You, Always
YOU ARE THE REASON
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her
occasionally subtle
trying on a metaphor

Andulka

❣ Chile in a Photography ❣

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todays bird
NASA
Stranger Things
Cosimo Galluzzi

if i look back, i am lost
AnasAbdin
styofa doing anything
Keni
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seen from Chile

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@whitewitchofash
which planet are you?
I got venus <3
I found synchronicity and fate today in a miraculous way
Today while having lunch with a friend (first time I’ve ever gone out and had lunch since the pandemic started), I was approached by an older woman who saw my mask which says, “basic witch”. I keep my craft and path very private for the most part but this woman said she felt my energy from across the room and told me she loved it, she also leaned to whisper to me, “blessings to you fellow witch.”
This was so shocking to me honestly, I got clocked and seen for the first time in public– she was very pleasant, although asked me questions I wasn’t entirely comfortable with like where I lived but told me she use to work at our local metaphysical shop. And had deemed our meeting important, fate.
Trusting her on this I gave her my Facebook account and decided after lunch to visit the shop on our island because I had not been there in a long time. I walked in, picked out a large ocean jasper palm stone and moonstone ring– and started chatting up the woman at the front who happened to be the manager. She told me she might close shop down in March, to which I asked why and expressed how much her shop meant to me over the years. Her reasoning was that she hired many young teenagers or adults who constantly failed her or met work expectations, and it left her unmotivated or discouraged. I told her that I’d be happy to drop off a resume because I work park time and have been with this lackluster job for years and would like to put my energy elsewhere…..
Now this is where the synchronicity really comes in. She asks if I’m good with a computer and currently I am going to school for Administrative work, set to finish in mark and proceed into bookkeeping. She was stunned because she needs someone with administrative experience or schooling, and urged me to send in my resume and that it was great that I met her—
I was destined to meet that fellow witch/wiccan, because she led me to an opportunity I might not have sought out otherwise… Insanely crazy. I’ll update you on the situation and what happens but, magical things are happening, use your intuition.
I have an interview at the metaphysical shop Wednesday! Wish me luck!
I found synchronicity and fate today in a miraculous way
Today while having lunch with a friend (first time I’ve ever gone out and had lunch since the pandemic started), I was approached by an older woman who saw my mask which says, “basic witch”. I keep my craft and path very private for the most part but this woman said she felt my energy from across the room and told me she loved it, she also leaned to whisper to me, “blessings to you fellow witch.”
This was so shocking to me honestly, I got clocked and seen for the first time in public-- she was very pleasant, although asked me questions I wasn’t entirely comfortable with like where I lived but told me she use to work at our local metaphysical shop. And had deemed our meeting important, fate.
Trusting her on this I gave her my Facebook account and decided after lunch to visit the shop on our island because I had not been there in a long time. I walked in, picked out a large ocean jasper palm stone and moonstone ring-- and started chatting up the woman at the front who happened to be the manager. She told me she might close shop down in March, to which I asked why and expressed how much her shop meant to me over the years. Her reasoning was that she hired many young teenagers or adults who constantly failed her or met work expectations, and it left her unmotivated or discouraged. I told her that I’d be happy to drop off a resume because I work park time and have been with this lackluster job for years and would like to put my energy elsewhere.....
Now this is where the synchronicity really comes in. She asks if I’m good with a computer and currently I am going to school for Administrative work, set to finish in mark and proceed into bookkeeping. She was stunned because she needs someone with administrative experience or schooling, and urged me to send in my resume and that it was great that I met her---
I was destined to meet that fellow witch/wiccan, because she led me to an opportunity I might not have sought out otherwise... Insanely crazy. I’ll update you on the situation and what happens but, magical things are happening, use your intuition.
A Hymn to the Moon (Written in an Arbour)
1758′
Thou silver deity of secret night, Direct my footsteps through the woodland shade; Thou conscious witness of unknown delight, The Lover’s guardian, and the Muse’s aid!
By thy pale beams I solitary rove, To thee my tender grief confide; Serenely sweet you gild the silent grove, My friend, my goddess, and my guide.
E'en thee, fair queen, from thy amazing height, The charms of young Endymion drew; Veil’d with the mantle of concealing night; With all thy greatness and thy coldness too.
- Lady Mary Wortley Montagu
(1689-1762)
Curry Spiced Shepherd’s Pie
PThe days are getting shorter and colder, so here is a fun and cozy meal to all my fellow witches out there that need something to stick to and warm their bones. Home-made and spice Shepherd’s pie with homemade mashed potatoes, and a saucy mix of ground beef and vegetables simmered in red wine. Topped with shredded parmesan-Romano and gruyere cheese. This is a great meal to share with someone you love or a significant other.
Ingredients:
· 1 lb. of lean ground beef, or meat of choosing,
· 2 carrots peeled and rough chopped. (Fertility, Lust)
· ½ of an onion, peeled and chopped. (Protection, Healing)
· 2 jalapenos chopped and diced. (Hex and Love spell breaking)
· 4 baby bell mushrooms. (Healing)
· 3 large russet potatoes peeled and cut lengthwise then into 1-inch cubes. (Healing)
Half of a bag of frozen corn and peas (Corn: Divination, Luck. Peas: Love, wealth)
· 2 tbsp. of chopped fresh garlic. (Banishment against evil intentions)
· 2 tbsp. of tomato paste.
· 2 tbsp. of Red Cooking Wine.
· 2tbsp. of olive oil
· 2 tbsp. of Worchester sauce.
· 4tbs to one stick of butter, unsalted.
· 2 tbsp. of sour cream.
· Salt, pepper, madras curry powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and some flour to thicken.
Directions:
· First, we are going to start with washing all our vegetables. Pat dry with a paper towel and take a vegetable peeler and peel your three russet potatoes and your two carrots. After peeling cut your potatoes lengthwise and then across into 1-inch cubes. Once this is done set the potato sections in a 6-8-inch pot filled with water. Salt generously and set aside.
Second, drizzle olive oil in a pan on warm burner and let pan get hot, this is for our vegetables. And preheat oven to 375F.
Third, take another frying pan and heat on another burner as well, this is for our meat. Take your 1lb of ground meat or beef and set in frying pan once hot. Let cook down until no pink left, make sure to break up the beef into small crumbles as it cooks. We want it a fine to medium mix. Drain excess moisture from meat once fully cooked and set aside. We will combine this with vegetables later.
Fourth, peel your carrots and cut into discs then into rough chopped cubes. Set aside in a large bowl, your other vegetables will follow. Peel your onion and dice into small pieces, then set aside. Cut your baby mushrooms into a tiny dice or thick cut. This is all up to preference. Take Jalapenos and very carefully cut into a small dice, then without touching your knife or board set aside.
Toss your vegetable mix in the bowl with kitchen tongs and season with 2 tsp. of black pepper, 1 tsp. of madras hot curry powder, 2 tsp. of salt, 1 tsp. of paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Add 2 cloves of fresh garlic or 2 tsp store bought chopped garlic. Add to the hot frying pan and cook down vegetables until they begin to soften. Once it begins to soften add in 2 tbsp. of Worchester sauce and 2 tbsp. of tomato paste. Add in frozen peas and corn, let cook until thawed. Let it cook down for a couple minutes then add meat mixture to the pan and toss in sauced vegetables.
A little at a time add a small sprinkling of flour to pan of vegetables, stir it in until incorporated. Let it simmer more and get thick. Add in 1 tbsp. of red cooking wine, let simmer and add another sprinkling of flour and another tbsp. of red cooking wine. Let it simmer and reduce, until the vegetable/meat mixture is thick.
Pour vegetable and meat mixture to a large glass pan and smooth out the mixture until it is flat in pan. Make sure your pan is deep enough for the filling and mashed potato topping without overflowing.
Take your pot of potatoes, salt, and water and place on hot burner and boil until potatoes are soft enough to poke through with a fork. Drain excess water but save 1/3 cup of water from the pot. We will use this to make our potatoes creamy.
Place your drained and cut potatoes into a bowl and with a potato masher, mash it until potato starts to break apart and up. Add in 4tbsp. to a whole stick of butter into your potatoes, the butter cut into cubes preferably. Continue to mash and mix potatoes and then add in 1/3 cup of saved potato water and 2 tbsp. of sour cream. Continue to mash vigorously until completely creamy or until preferred texture. I prefer creamy with a small number of lumps. I also add in more salt, pepper, and chopped garlic. Then viola! You have a great bowl of creamy mashed potatoes.
Add your mashed potatoes on top of your meat/vegetable mixture and smooth out on top with a knife or spoon. Top your Shepherd’s pie with freshly grated gruyere cheese and Parmesan-Romano cheese. Place your yum filled glass dish into oven and cook for 20-30 minutes on broil/bake.
Serve with chopped chives on top and room for a second helping.
“In Bloom”, from “Daughters”, 2017 Ph. Elena Helfrecht
I’m sure everyone is sick of seeing political posts, this isn’t political, it’s a humanitarian crisis! And it’s not only happening “somewhere else” anymore!
Armenians are being attacked in the streets of my country!!Why is there not national outrage, or a movement rising up?? Where is anyone outside of the Armenian population screaming for equality? A genocide is literally taking place RIGHT NOW but you all would rather get upset and put your energy into candidates who are literally doing nothing of substance to help this situation while schools, hospitals and civilian homes are destroyed.
In 1915 no one cared about Armenia either, they watched as these same instigators marched women, children and elderly out into the desert with the sole intention of none of them making it back home, this is after murdering the men and those strong enough to fight back in front of their families. The term genocide was coined solely because of this tragedy! An entire culture almost wiped from the planet, and people still say we are overreacting!
Don’t allow this to happen again, don’t be someone who sits back as an entire country and culture are facing the threat of a SECOND GENOCIDE!!!! Please, wake up, do something, spread the news, because it could be me or my family being targeted tomorrow.
the term genocide was coined after the mass ethnic cleansing of armenians by the ottoman empire in 1915. think about that for a second.
i say this as the descendant of two holocaust survivors: it is vital to remember now that hitler rationalized the holocaust because no one cared about the armenian genocide, either. for once in history, pay collective attention before a mass tragedy occurs. (again. and again and again.)
Anybody got donate links and petitions and stuff??? This is terrifying
I just found out I was exposed at work to a co-worker with covid-19. This could have been avoided by my manager... I get tested monday, so please send me healing and protection prayers.
I send my followers and friends on here so much love, and remind you all to practice self care and to be kind to yourselves. November is already so stressful, and the unknown is so terrifying. The veil is thin as our patience and gauges for empathy for ourselves.
I send you all many blessings, good manifestations, and love.
Healing with Herbs
How to make a tincture
Making a tincture involves steeping the herb or root in alcohol, extracting its oils, minerals, alkaloids, and glycosides so that it is in its purest form. You can use vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar instead, particularly in tinctures intended for children, but they aren’t quite as effective at pulling out the good stuff. You’ll need strong alcohol, at least 80 proof. Everclear works well, as does vodka or brandy. You’ll also need a pint jar to fill with the herb or plant you want—any of the herbs listed above will work here.
Chop the herb up a bit or bash it around with a mortar and pestle to help it break down. You’ll want the jar to be full, but not pack your herbs in too tightly. Then fill the jar completely with the alcohol. (If you’re using dried herbs or roots, you need only put in enough to reach halfway, and then add the alcohol up to the top.)
Seal the jar tightly. Label and date it, and let it rest in a cool, dark place.
For the first week, shake it once a day, then let it rest for five more weeks. At the end of the resting period, use a layer of muslin or cheesecloth held tightly over the jar to strain out the liquid. Decant the tincture into one of those small, dark glass bottles, preferably one with a dropper, and keep it stored away from direct sunlight. It should last for five to ten years.
How to make herbal oil
It’s more trouble than it’s worth to make your own essential oils. A true essential oil is extracted by boiling the herb in question and skimming the oil off the top—that’s a task best left to the professionals. But you can make your own herbal oil. It may not be quite as distilled, but it can still be effective, and it’s a great way to preserve herbs for use long into the winter. The nice thing about creating your own oils is that you can use any combination of herbs that you desire. You might mix calendula, catnip, lemon balm, marshmallow, mullein, plantain leaf, and yarrow for an oil that is particularly effective for skin care, or lavender, vervain, lemon balm, and yarrow for a soothing oil to rub on the temples. Chop or bruise your chosen herbs and place them in a jar. Fill the jar with the carrier oil of your choice (olive or almond oil works well), covering the herbs by one inch, and leaving one inch of space at the top. Close the jar tightly, and allow it to sit in as much sunshine as possible for a month. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth on an as-needed basis, leaving the rest to continue steeping.
How to make a poultice
A poultice is a soft, moist mass of herbs, cloth, and other ingredients, and it’s an excellent tool for treating topical infirmities. A hot poultice is excellent for drawing out infection, as with bee stings or draining abscesses, while a cold poultice will help reduce inflammation. Gather the herbs you want to use, either fresh or dried. If they’re fresh, you may want to mash the herbs up in a mortar and pestle (the traditional way) or blitz them through a food processor (the modern way). Even if you’re planning on making a cold poultice, add a couple of tablespoons of hot water to your herbs to awaken them, before letting them cool. You can add medicinal clay powder, Epsom salts, or baking soda and combine with water until the mixture becomes a thick paste. For ailments like congestion or insect bites, you can place the poultice directly on the skin, making sure, of course, that it isn’t too hot. To treat a burn or something that could easily become infected, place a clean cotton cloth between the skin and the poultice.
Common herbs and their uses
Ashwagandha: The name translates to “smell of horse.” This herb is hard to find fresh, but powders, pills, teas, and extracts are available. Benefits: Increases energy, boosts the immune system, antiinflammatory, reduces anxiety. Suggested use: Stir ¼-½ tsp. powder into warm milk and honey before bed. Concerns: May increase thyroid hormone levels and lower blood sugar.
Black cohosh: This member of the buttercup family could be grown in a garden. Dried roots, capsules, teas, and extracts are also available. Benefits: Relieves menstrual cramps and arthritic pain. Eases symptoms of menopause. Suggested use: Drink as a tea or mix with honey as a syrup. Concerns: May cause upset stomach, so consider taking with food.
Calendula: Also known as marigold, this herb could be grown in a garden, but is also available as teas, oils, and creams. Useful for dyeing and food coloring as well. Benefits: Helps heal cuts. Good for diaper rash or other skin irritations. Calms an upset stomach. Suggested use: Steep petals in just below boiling water for ten minutes, then drink as a tea. Add dried flowers to coconut, almond, or olive oil as a salve. Concerns: None known.
Catnip: It’s not just for cats! Catnip is easily grown and also available as a capsule, tea, extract, and essential oil. It is also handy as an insect repellent. Benefits: Anti-inflammatory. Good for insomnia, upset stomach, menstrual cramps, headache, and treating the common cold. Suggested uses: Steep for tea, sprinkle essential oil into the bath or rub it on the temples, use in cooking (it’s a member of the mint family, so its flavor is better than some). Concerns: None known.
Cranberry: Easily obtained fresh or frozen and also available in pill form, this herb is a great source of vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin E. Benefits: Most frequently used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. Also shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, slow tumor progression in cancer, and help prevent gum disease. Suggested uses: Because they’re so tart, cranberries often come with a lot of sugar. Try to buy reduced-sugar dried cranberries and stay away from most cranberry juices. If you can manage it, drink the unsweetened juice to relieve a UTI, and certainly try making your own cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving. Concerns: None known.
Dittany: This is one of those herbs with a long history. It is also known as “burning bush.” Easily grown, it is hard to find in dried or tea form. Benefits: Antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial. Good for the skin and the intestines, and is thought to be an aphrodisiac. Suggested uses: Steep in hot water for tea, but use sparingly. Use as an antibacterial balm or poultice. Concerns: If you’ve put some on your skin, stay out of the sun, as it can increase the risk of sunburn.
Elderberry: This herb has been used to battle a flu epidemic in Panama as recently as 1995. It can be grown, but is also available as a pill or an extract. For your personal garden, look specifically for Sambucus nigra, as other elderberry varieties can be toxic. Benefits: Boosts the immune system, treats sinus infections, lowers blood sugar, acts as a diuretic and a laxative, good for skin health and allergies. Suggested uses: They’re delicious! Can be made into a syrup, jams, or jellies—even wine. Concerns: Don’t pick and use wild elderberry unless you’re absolutely certain the plant is Sambucus nigra. Always cook the berries to remove any toxicity.
Feverfew: This is another herb with a long history. Easily grown and available dried, it is most frequently found in capsule form. Benefits: For centuries, it was used to relieve fever, to assist with childbirth, and for fertility. Now it is most frequently used to prevent migraines. It can also help with tinnitus, nausea, dizziness, asthma, and allergies. Suggested uses: It doesn’t taste good, so not recommended even as a tea. Instead, make a tincture or purchase capsules. Concerns: If you do drink it, feverfew can cause irritation in the mouth. If taken in large quantities on a regular basis, stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms, so use only as needed. May cause the uterus to contract, so don’t take while pregnant.
Horse chestnut: This is not the kind of chestnut you’d want to roast on a fire, but it is still useful. It is not recommended for personal processing, as the seed contains esculin, a poisonous substance. Purchase an extract or pill instead. Benefits: Shown to be extremely effective against varicose veins. Also good for hemorrhoids and frostbite. Suggested uses: 300 milligrams of horse chestnut seed extract twice daily. Concerns: Don’t consume raw horse chestnut seeds, bark, or leaves.
Lemon Balm: This member of the mint family has a distinct lemony scent. It is also known as “melissa.” It is easily grown, but also available in tea, extract, and essential oil forms. Benefits: Calms anxiety, encourages restful sleep. Good for the skin, improves mood and mental clarity. Suggested uses: Steep fresh or dried to make tea, use in cooking, use to flavor honey or vinegar, use in a hot bath. Concerns: None known.
Marshmallow: Sadly, these are not the things we put in hot chocolate. The root is available dried, as well as in powder, extract, capsule, and tea form. Benefits: Aids with dry cough, represses inflammation in the lining of the stomach, good for chilblains and sunburn. Suggested uses: Drink as a tea, add to a base oil for a salve. Concerns: May cause low blood sugar.
Milk thistle: This herb is easily grown, as it’s pretty much a weed. It’s available as an extract, pill, or tea. Benefits: Milk thistle can protect your liver from toxins—say, for instance, alcohol. It can even be used to treat cirrhosis and jaundice and helps with environmental toxin damage. Suggested uses: Steep in hot water or make a tincture. Not recommended for use in cooking. Concerns: May cause diarrhea.
Mullein: This is the clear quartz of herbal healing. It is easily found and grown and available both dried and in capsule form. Benefits: Known particularly for respiratory relief, including cough, bronchitis, asthma, and pneumonia, it’s also good for earache, fever, sore throat, migraine, and to heal the skin. Suggested uses: Apply a tincture to relieve ear infection, drink as a tea, use as a salve to heal wounds and bruises. Concerns: None known.
Plantain leaf: Pretty hip these days, as herbal remedies go, plantain leaf is easily grown and available dried or in capsule form. Benefits: Great for the skin, particularly in relieving insect bites, poison ivy, and sunburn. Lowers cholesterol, helps clear up bladder infections, relieves constipation or diarrhea. Suggested uses: Make poultice with clay and water or make a salve with a base oil. Infuse vinegar to spray on the skin to provide pain relief. Drink as a tea. Concerns: None known.
Rue: This herb is also known as “herb of grace.” Easily grown, it is also available dried, in capsule form, or as an essential oil. Benefits: Used to promote menstruation, it provides a sense of calm and well-being and is good for relieving gas, mucus, and arthritis. Suggested uses: As an oil or poultice it can relieve croup or chest congestion. Drink as a tea to ease anxiety. Concerns: This one is serious—it can cause a miscarriage. Use in small amounts, regardless of whether or not you’re pregnant.
Valerian: This is an attractive addition to any garden, with a pleasing scent, but it is the root which holds the good stuff and that does not smell good. Easily grown, this herb is also available in tea, capsule, and extract forms. Benefits: Valerian is very effective against insomnia. It also calms anxiety and depression, and helps with ADHD and headache. Suggested uses: Drink a tea made from the leaves for a mild sedative, or steep the roots for something stronger. Add a tincture to a bath for a gentler, child-friendly alternative. Concerns: None known, but obviously don’t operate heavy machinery.
Vervain: Usually blue vervain is used, but other types seem to work just as well. Easily grown, vervain is also available dried or as an extract. Benefits: Helps with anxiety and sleeplessness. Also provides pain relief, eases tense muscles, and promotes an overall sense of wellbeing. Suggested uses: Steep in hot water as a tea. Not recommended in cooking, though it smells nice, so add a little to a bath. Concerns: May cause nausea.
Yarrow: This member of the sunflower family is easily grown—and quite lovely— and available dried or as an essential oil. Benefits: Relieves fever, as well as cold and flu symptoms. Relieves cramps, provides a sense of calm and relaxation, and aids in restful sleep. Suppresses the urge to urinate (say, during a UTI). Use topically for a rash or small cuts. Suggested uses: Drink as a tea in the evening to induce sleepiness or relieve cold and flu symptoms, or make into a salve for external use. Concerns: None known.
Keep reading
i honestly believe human beings are not meant to live like this. we are meant to live in loving communities and be around nature every day and grow our own food and create art and not work day and night until we die. this longing for another life is not human nature, it’s a symptom of modern society.
we are meant to share burdens, collaborate, create. art is part of the human experience, but it’s also part of the human species. the fact that we are not all living comfortably in communities of support and love and creation and song is the greatest sin of mankind. you’re telling me that the pursuit of wealth, an invented idea born of artificial scarcity enforced by the artificial idea of class, is the ultimate expression of humanity? how unimaginative. don’t you dream? I invite you to dream with me.
“The saint, especially the female saint, needed some very real protection. Treated as a curiosity by some, and as a walking reliquary by others, the saint could find it hard to protect her privacy and even her person. Both were seen as not entirely hers. It was acceptable, even laudable, to spy on the saints. The hagiographers again and again reminded their reader, the candle must not be hind under a bushel basket. Saints were not supposed to have backstage behavior; they were expected to be constantly saintly. Saints could not excuse themselves by saying that they were not aware of being watched. It was assumed that they would try to hide their sanctity, adding humility to their catalog of merits, but depriving others of their rewards. This pious selfishness was not tolerated by spectators who did their best to catch the saint in flagrante sanctitate. As for their bodies, the saints were seen as mere custodians of their miracle-working flesh. The saint’s relics (pieces of clothes, blood-stained material) could be torn away from the saint with or without his or her permission. When the followers of St. Romauld learned of his intention to move to another place, they planned, ‘impia pietate,’ to kill him to avoid losing his body.”
— Aviad M. Kleinberg, Prophets in Their Own Country. Living Saints and the Making of Sainthood in the Later Middle Ages (via zielenna)
For all hobbits share a love for things that grow.
Sorry for absence, times are turbulent and draining. I’ve been either working, pouring my soul into crafts to keep me distracted, and reflecting inwardly...
Here are some sun catchers that I’ve been making lately! They’re filled with botanical magic and crystal chips. DM me to purchase, both are $30 with shipping!
Each one is made by hand with resin, the cards cleansed in incense smoke, and personally made with love-- if you’re curious about a different card don’t hesitate to ask! Orders are open.
gods i fucking cried
This part stood out to me especially
This is really important, especially now during the holidays. You owe nothing to nobody if they make you uncomfortable.
You’re always allowed to leave.