Herbs (of the day LOL)

I did three gemstones to finish up Jasper, I'm going to do 2 herbs to finish up this page in the book :D

Senna Pods

Parts Used: Dried Fruit Pods

Collection: The pods are gathered during the winter in Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, and India

Senna Pods are used as a powerful cathartic in treatment of constipation. It is vital to recognize, however, that the constipation is a result of something else and not the initial cause and that this has to be sought and dealt with.

Infusion: the dried pods should be steeped in warm water for 6-12 hours. If they are Alexandrian Senna Pods, use 3-6 in a cup of water; if they are Tinnevelly Senna, use 4-12 pods. These names are given to two different species when sold commercially.

Shepherd's Purse

Parts Used: aerial parts

Collection: The herb can be collected from February until October

This easily recognized plant may be used wherever a gentle diuretic is called for- for instance, in water retention due to kidney problems. As an astringent, it will prove effective in the treatment of diarrhea, wounds, nosebleeds, and other conditions. It has specific use in the stimulation of the menstrual process, while also being of use in the reduction of excess flow. 

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. If it is used for menstrual conditions, it should be drunk every 2-3 hours during and just before the period. Otherwise, drink it three times a day. 

Crystals (from what would have been an of the day post.. but clearly I suck)

I haven't done any educational blogs recently. I decided, like 3 minutes ago, to pull the old book off the shelf and just pick 3 I haven't done. I'm exhausted. 3 AM mornings suck. Therefore, that Crystal in alphabetical order pick is how its done :D

When it comes to photos of these things I grab a pic from google that closely resembles what I see in the book. This gives you an idea of what to look for :D and also so you don't get scammed buying. Some gemstones can be pricey but you shouldn't over pay for the ones that aren't. 

Ocean Orbicular Jasper 

Multicolored

Whorls, contour lines and bands of opaque stone, interspersed with druse

Rare, but easily obtained

Madagascar

A stone of renewal and strength connected to Atlantis and holding mystic knowledge within it, Ocean Jasper takes you back to reclaim wisdom when you meditate with it. 

Poppy Jasper

Red

Mottled opaque stone with flower like markings

Easily obtained

California, US, China, South Africa

Joyful and potent, Poppy Jasper is named for its orbicular "flowers." A powerhouse that is gently stimulating or fiery as required, it is a strongly physical stone that resonates with the base chakra to bring you vitality and passion, grounding energy into the body and stimulating libido. Conversely, it calms an over-stimulated base chakra and disperses sexual frustration, soothing and over-active libido. 

Rainforest Jasper

Green and White

Mossy opaque stone

easily obtained

South America

Connecting to nature and to the earth, Rainforest Jasper unites the earth, base, and spleen chakras to create emotional stability. 

That finishes up the Jasper section of the Crystal Bible 2 

If you're really into gemstones and wanting to study all they can offer you, both Crystal Bibles by Judy Hall are highly recommended. That's how I ended up with them. I've seen them recommended at local gem shows, on multiple pagan groups. There are multiple images in the books for each stone but google is your friend when it comes to seeing multiple version of the same stone if it can't be found in her book.. 

Ostara- is March 20, 2018

In case you missed the Wheel of the Year for this Witchy holiday you can find that here.

If you fill in with so many of us and you're broke but you want to celebrate so bad check out this blog with 10 great ways to connect with nature and celebrate Penniless Pagan- 10 Ostara Celebrations


During this time of year mother nature is waking, some days its nice and sunny with lovely blue skies, some days its dark and cloudy and raining, other days its dumping down that four letter "S" word.

Light a green candle to give thanks to the German Spring Goddess, Eostre. 

The Greek Goddess, Artemis is a great represented deity to work with. She represents the eternal Virgin, the untamed wild, huntress of the forests and night. Artemis is associated with Moon, fertility, and childbirth. (Any one else notice the bunnies & the spring flowers yet or is my garden waking early?) her symbol is the Waxing Crescent.

Ostara, also, is the height of spring, corresponding with dawn, and east. Animal totems you can use this time of year are rabbits, ducks, chickens, sheep, and goats.  You can observe this sabbat by honoring the spring babies- decorate your altar with them.

Spring colors are mint green, lavender, pink and butter yellow.

Decorate eggs with runes, ogham, or other different symbols and as they're found - do a divination reading! Rubber duckies in a kiddie pool with symbols on the bottom are just as fun!

Plant the start of your garden during this day to celebrate fertility, also. Cool weather plants- chives, onion, and lettuce.

Ostara is a good time to begin new things. To bless a new venture, write it down and place it on your cauldron. Leave it overnight. Then place it in a potted plant and forget it.

Quicken Your Spirit-

from a Spell- a- Day almanac of the past 

written by: Najah Lightfoot. 

You need:

• salt
• two cups warm water
• yellow candle 
• your favorite invigorating scent (pine, rosemary, eucalyptus)

1. Take three pinches of salt add them to the water. 
2. Anoint your candle with your scent.
3. Light the candle
4. Shed your clothes
5. Use the saltwater to scrub your body as you stand before the flame
6. Invoke the spirit of Spring: Anew am I. My flesh is alive and my spirit is quickened  Gone are the dark days. I am renewed and reborn! Blessed be spring!
7. Allow your candle to burn out safewly
8. anoint yourself with your refreshing scent. 

Poppet and Magic- get crafty.

The goddess poppet shown here I made using an Inked Goddess kit. The string poppet photographed has been seen every where this one is also from Inked Goddess. However, I have one I found in a ghost tour shop in Gettysburg, PA (it was a gypsy); one I found in the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, TN (a flying witch!). I've also seen them in stores like Hot Topic, and A.C. Moore.  

So, every now and then in my studies I come across Poppets, Voodoo Dolls, and the like.

There's a great article about Poppet Magic at Earth Witchery- Poppets

Now, what I know about poppets:

They come in various forms and have been used for ages. They are not just for Voodoo and not all Voodoo Dolls and Poppets are evil.

Some forms you may have seen other than the two pictured here are corn husk dolls, wax and herb, sticks or old fashion cloths pins wrapped in twine, yarn poppets, burlap.

Poppets are anything you can imagine, created to resemble a person or god/dess.

They are created for but not limited to - creativity, prosperity, love, banishing, protection, healing, connecting your energy to the deity represented in the poppet shape (like the goddess above), and of course what they are mostly known for thanks to Media- revenge and what ever happens to the poppet happens to the person its connected to.

Poppets are connected to a person by a personal item embedded into it when its made or attached to it- a business card, photo, hair, nail clippings, paper with their hand writing. I've even made one with a favorite piece of broken jewelry. 


Now, depending on your purpose you can use different colors of cloth and string.- (I have a blog somewhere around here on colors for reference).
 If you aren't really crafty with shaping a person you can always use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to help you 😉
You can draw symbols on your doll, or stitch them if you're really crafty.
You also want a filling for your doll, some herbs that are connected to your purpose, a gemstone, regular old stuffing.


and remember everything  you put out comes back to you times 3.
As you will it, so mote it be!

Magic Mail of February 2018

Dude, I'm tired, this light sucks, I'm working on it. OK no I'm not working on it. Here's a Magick Mail Box video

This spray sniffs so good.