Lil Witchy's Challenge

Write

You have just swallowed your pride and done something you didn't want to do. Your friend wants to know why. The two of you are driving around an almost-full parking garage looking for a space for the friend's oversize pickup. Write the scene.

Draw

Mushrooms

Divining with Paper and Ink

Paper and ink are used in a number of superstitious rituals for divining the name of a future lover. Write the names of three men you have an interest in on different pieces of paper, roll each paper into a ball of bread, and throw them into water. The one that rises will contain your future husband's name. Or you could just write the man's initial, which widens the possibilities somewhat. On St. Thomas's Eve (December 20), cut out paper shapes for each the letter of the alphabet, put them in a bowl of water under your bed, and in the morning those that are floating represent the initials of your lover. This superstition can also be performed on Christmas Eve, St. Valentine's Eve, or Midsummer Eve. Or to dream of a certain man, write his name on paper, burn it, and put the ash under your pillow.

Spellwork- Ginger Rite

A spell to keep your journeys smooth and free from mishap.

Ginger has an honorable history: it was praised by Confucius, and in the Koran, the menu served in Paradise included ginger. It will relieve nausea during pregnancy, and can be chewed raw or in crystallized form to prevent travel sickness. Thursday is a good day to perform this rite, as it is named after Thor, the god of thunder and protection. In Norway, many people named their children Thor, to place them under the god's protection.

You will need: 

• Root of ginger
• 3 yellow ribbons
• a small wooden box

Method

When obtaining the ginger, try to secure a root with human form. This is not as difficult as it sounds- ginger root comes in the most amazing forms. If this is not possible, carefully fashion a body shape with a little knife. Decorate the figure with yellow ribbons tied in three separate places, perhaps the wrists and waist, but not around the neck. As you tie each ribbon, kiss the knot and wish for positive luck in future outings, chanting: "In all the journeys of my life, protect and keep me safe from strife." Place the figure in the wooden box, seal the lid, and keep it in a safe, dry place. Make contact with the figure before each major journey, and repeat the rite completely every six months.

Deadly....Mushroom!

Common Name: Deadly Galerina

Easily Confused with Honey Mushroom

Width of cap: 1 -2 1/2 in

Cap: Hemispheric at first, becoming convex to flat, sometimes with slight umbo; yellow-brown to orange brown or dark brown, paler with age; surface glabrous, viscid when moist, shiny, margin smooth to ovscurely translucent striate; Flesh thin, pale brown.

Gills: Adnate to subdecurrent, but may detach from teh stalk with age, close; pale yellowish brown to orange-brown.

Stalk: Equal, smooth but with lengthwise fibrillose streaking; brown becoming darker toward teh base, with whitish mycelium at the point of attachment; partial veil leaving a thin, fibrillose or membranous ring on the upper stalk; ring white, but usually appearing brown from a deposit of spores on the upper side; sometimes the ring will deteriorate and not be readily apparent.

Spore Print: Rusty Brown

Occurrence: Scattered in small groups or clusters, occasionally solitary, on decaying wood of broad-leaved trees (often moss-covered loges and stumps), sometimes growing from buried wood and appearing terrestrial; saprobic; early spring- early winter; common

Edibility: DEADLY POISONOUS; CONTAINS DANGEROUS AMATOXINS THAT DESTROY THE LIVER.

Of the Birthday Jan 23

Crystal

Jet

Black

Coal-like

Readily available

Worldwide, especially in the US

Jet is actually formed from fossilized wood but looks like coal. It has been used as a talisman since Stone Age times. Jet draws out negative energy and alleviates unreasonable fears.

Herb

Chamomile, Garden and German

Parts Used: Flowers.

Collection: The flowers should be gathered between May and August when they are not wet with dew or rain. They should be dried with care at not to high a temperature. 

Chamomile is renowned for its medical and household uses. The apparently endless list of conditions it can help all fall into areas that the relaxing, carminative, and anti-inflammatory actions can aid. It is an excellent, gentle sedative, useful and safe for use with children. It will contribute its relaxing actions in any combination and is thus used in anxiety and insomnia. Indigestion and inflammations, such as gastritis, are often eased with Chamomile. Similarly, it can be used as a mouthwash for inflammations of the mouth such as gingivitis and for bathing inflamed and sore eyes. As a gargle, it will help sore throats. As an inhalation over a steam bath, it will speed recovery from nasal catarrh. Externally, it will speed wound healing and reduce the swelling due to inflammation. As a carminative with relaxing properties, it will ease flatulence and dyspeptic pain.

Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried leaves and let infuse for 10-15 minutes for digestive problems, this tea should be drunk after meals. A stronger infusion should be used as a mouthwash for conditions such as gingivitis. Half cup of flowers boiled in 4 pints of water make a steam bath. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam. 

Birthday

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Element: Air
Ruling Planets: Saturn, The teacher and Uranus, The Visionary
Symbol: The Water Carrier
Tarot Card: The Star (Hope)
Number: 4
Favorable colors: Blue, Turquoise, Yellow
Key phrase: I express my original ideas
Love matches: Gemini, Leo, and Aquarius

January 23

"Today I will share my dreams with others"

The birthday of the dissenter

Your greatest challenge is to stop feeling insecure about yourself

On the Dark Side: Isolated, rebellious, troubled

At Your Best: Principled, independent, courageous

Birthstone

Lil Witchy's Challenge

Write

Tell a complete stranger about a beloved family tradition. 

Draw

A Cabin

Of the Birthday Jan 22

Crystal

Jasper

Red, Brown, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple

Opaque, patterned, often water worn

Common

Worldwide

Jasper is known as the "supreme nurturer." It sustains and supports during times of stress, and brings tranquility and wholeness. 

Blue Jasper connects you to the spiritual world.

Brown Jasper (including Picture Jasper) is connected to the earth and encourages ecological awareness.

Green Jasper heals and releases dis-ease and obsession. 

Purple Jasper stimulates the crown chakra and eliminates contradictions

Red Jasper (including Brecciated Jasper) is gently stimulating. It grounds energy and rectifies unjust situations. 

Yellow Jasper protects during spiritual work and physical travel. 

Basanite (Black Jasper) is a useful scrying stone. 

Mookaite (Australian Jasper) provides a useful balance between inner and outer experiences.

Picture Jasper (also see Brown Jasper) is said to be Earth Mother speaking to her children. It contains a message from the past within its pictures for those who can read it. 

Orbicular Jasper supports service, assists in accepting responsibility and instilling patience.

Royal Plume Jasper opens the crown chakra and aligns the spiritual energies to personal purpose, bringing status and power. 

Brecciated Jasper (Jasper veined with hematite) is an excellent aid to keeping your feet on the ground and attaining emotional stability.

Tiger Iron is a combination of Jasper, Hematite, and Tiger's Eye. It promotes vitality and helps in passing through change, pointing to a place of refuge when danger threatens.

Herb

Centaury

Parts Used: Dried Aerial parts. 

Collection: The foliage should be collected at the time of flowering, which is from July to September. Dry it in the sun

It may be used whenever digestive and gastric stimulant is required. It is indicated primarily in appetite loss (anorexia) when it is associated with liver weakness. Centaury is a useful herb in dyspepsia and in any condition where a sluggish digestion is involved. 

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes. Drink one cup half an hour before meals. 

Birthday

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

Element: Air
Ruling Planets: Saturn, The teacher and Uranus, The Visionary
Symbol: The Water Carrier
Tarot Card: The Star (Hope)
Number: 4
Favorable colors: Blue, Turquoise, Yellow
Key phrase: I express my original ideas
Love matches: Gemini, Leo, and Aquarius

January 22

"I choose balance, harmony, and peace, and I express it in my life."

The birthday of the visionary.

Your greatest challenge is avoiding feeling unable to commit to a person or a project.

On the Dark Side: Headstrong, hasty, explosive

At Your Best: Passionate, imaginative, ground-breaking

Birthstone