Many enthusiasts enjoy several cups a day of their favorite herbal infusion, which is a large portion of herb brewed for at least four hours and as long as ten. I recommend one cup of the dried herb placed in a quart canning jar and filled with freshly boiled water. After the steeping, strain with a non-metallic method, such as cheesecloth or bamboo. Herbal Infusions can be made with the leaves and fruits which provide the magical and healing aspects of this comforting concoction. Many of the favorite kitchen witch herbs contain minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals, including the list herein. Roots, leaves, flowers, needles and seeds can all be used—depending on which fruit or herb is chosen to be the base. There are some cases when all parts of the plant can be used in some manner, and at others only one or two parts are safe—it is important, when creating a blend from scratch, that the creator has researched ingredients to understand what parts can be used.
What do you need to attend in your life now? This list of herbs and associations can be your guide; one of the smartest ways to approach this methodology is to brew right before bedtime, and you will awaken to a freshly infused herb. Some of the most popular herbs and fruits used to create infusions are:
Anise Seeds & Leaves – soothes cramps and aches Caraway Seeds – aids in romantic issues, helps with colic Catnip Leaves – makes women even more attractive Chamomile Flowers – helps with sleep, good for abundance
Dandelion Leaves – makes wishes come true Echinacea – makes the body strong Ginseng Root – increases men’s vigor Nettle Leaves – lung function, hex breaking Peppermint Leaves – rids tummy discomfort, cleansing Pine Needles – increases skin health as well as financial health
Rose Hip Fruit – packed with vitamin C and can halt colds and flu
You will experience years of enjoyment from tending your garden, as Voltaire taught us in his masterpiece, Candide. You can share that pleasure with your friends and those you love with gifts from your garden. Your good intentions will be returned many times over. I keep a stock of small muslin drawstring bags for creating amulets. If you are a crafty witch, you can make the bags, sewing by hand, and stuff the dried herbs inside.
After any magical work involving employment, you should immerse yourself in the waters of prosperity with a money bath. This particular ritual is most effective if practiced on Thursday night during a new or full moon. Pour pine, mint or green apple essential oil into running bathwater and bathe by the light of a single green candle. Immerse yourself completely and, as you rise, close your eyes and meditate on your truest desires. What does personal prosperity mean to you? What do you really need and what do you really want? Focus on the candle flame while whispering:
The lean times are past and possibilities are vast.
Here and now, my intention is set. New luck will be mine and all needs will be met.
With harm to none and plenty for all, so mote it be.
This year the summer solstice, longest day and height of the solar year, falls on Sunday the 21st of June. This is a time of fiery solar energy. Traditionally a time of faery revels, magic and great power, this is the perfect time to trust in your heart’s desire and seize your destiny. Throughout Britain and Ireland, it has been traditional to light a beacon fire at this time, and to seek spirit contact as well as a time for magic divination and blessing.
There is a host of plant lore connected to this time of the year in the Celtic traditions, but the main plants of the season are the elderflower, Vervain and St John’s wort. Gather Elderflower beneath the moon for healing tisanes or to make cordial, but vervain ‘the enchanters herb’, useful for all sorts of magic and scrying, blessing your sacred space and the highly protective St John’s wort are best gathered at dawn.
The time you take to restore yourself is precious. Morning is the optimal time to perform a self blessing which will help you maintain both your physical health and provide an emotional boost. Lavender essential oil is the most popular essential oil the world today, but the benefits of lavender were actually discovered over 3000 years ago. Because of the deeply powerful calming and soothing effect as well as antioxidant, antimicrobial, sedative tranquilizing and antidepressive properties, lavender oil is simply wonderful even the scent brings joy. When King Tut’s tomb was opened in 1923 in Egypt, a faint perfume of lavender remained after 3,000 years. In the Bible, lavender was beloved as for anointing and healing. Lavender, let us count the ways we love you:
Tinctures have also been used for millenniaand can be considered precious because they are so concentrated condensed.Tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of herbs. They are very potent and are taken by the dropperful, most often diluted in warm water or juice. Because they are so concentrated, they should be administered carefully and sparingly. (For chronic problems, use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of a tincture three times daily.
Most tinctures are made with alcohol as the primary solvent. Do bear in mind that though the amount of alcohol is very small, many people choose not to use alcohol-based tinctures for a variety of sound reasons. Excellent tinctures can be made apple cider vinegar as the solvent. If you use alcohol, go be 80 to 100 proof and the best options vodka, gin or brandy. Because it will be diluted, Half of the proof number is the percentage of alcohol in the spirits: 80-proof brandy is 40 percent alcohol; 100-proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol, as example. If dried herbs are used, a common ratio is 1 part dried plant material to 4 parts liquid) If fresh herbs are used, a common ratio is 1 part plant material to 1 part liquid. The fresh herbs have much more potency.
Oftentimes, your kitchen is the heart of the home. Something about cooking and sharing food brings people together. An herbal wreath hanging on the kitchen door can be a source of love and luck. You’ll need the following for your creation:
Mark Green
I so completely agree! This is why I encourage people embracing the Atheopagan path to design their own wheels of the year, with incorporation of the ...
Anthony Gresham
I once had a store bought pumpkin pie that had no flavor at all. It looked pretty, but I couldn't taste it, all I got was texture. I haven't bought ...
Erin Lale
Nods. Mythology Thor is 3/4 giant, physically big and strong, and married to the grain goddess Sif aka goddess of bread (and beer, probably.) He would...
Jamie
Cunning Wife,I believe you are 100% correct. Just look at the 'Chessboard' of Gwenddoleu ap Ceidio, one of the 13 Treasures of The Island of Britain. ...
This year the summer solstice, longest day and height of the solar year, falls on Sunday the 21st of June. This is a time of fiery solar energy. Traditionally a time of faery revels, magic and great power, this is the perfect time to trust in your heart’s desire and seize your destiny. Throughout Britain and Ireland, it has been traditional to light a beacon fire at this time, and to seek spirit contact as well as a time for magic divination and blessing.
