My hands have been super dry recently, with peeling skin, rough knuckles and have been pretty irritated and sore. I’ve tried loads of hand creams and moisturisers, but nothing has really helped. So, I decided to make something that would help!
I started with a sweet almond oil base (around 200ml), as this type of almond oil is excellent for moisturising and caring for your skin. It is deeply moisturising, whilst being gentle on sensitive skin, and also has regenerative properties. Chinese cultures have been using almond oil as a natural medicine to treat dry skin and scarring since ancient times.
I then added about 50ml of Vitamin E oil, which is found in many commercial moisturisers and can be used to prevent or treat dry, flaking skin. Some research even suggests that vitamin E may promote wound healing. It is also thought that Vitamin E may also alleviate the dryness, itching and flaking associated with eczema, or atopic dermatitis. It also acts as a preservative for the whole mixture, giving it a shelf life of 2-3 months.
I then added about 20 drops of lavender essential oil. Lavender is probably the most popular essential oil when it comes to healing skin conditions, burns and cuts. With its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial and detoxifying benefits, lavender essential oil can help reduce redness, soothe and calm the skin and rapidly heal minor cuts and scrapes, as well as any rashes. It also smells amazing!
I also added about 10 drops of sweet orange essential oil. This fragrant oil can enhance the skin cell rejuvenation, enabling the skin to lock in moisture more effectively. It can also fight off free radicals, to prevent premature skin aging, and promotes cell growth and collagen synthesis.
I then added red rose petals, for two reasons. The first reason is that the natural oils found in roses help to retain the skins moisture, resulting in smooth and soft feeling skin. The sugars in rose petals are also especially beneficial those with sensitive skin, like me. They are additionally a rich source of vitamin C. Secondly, the rose petals can provide a gentle exfoliating action.
Finally, I added coarse pink Himalayan salt for more of an exfoliant action and mixed, until the mixture had the consistency of damp sand, not too loose and oily, but not too dry.
To use, I took a small scoop of the mixture (about the size of a large marble) and just worked it all over my hands and through my fingers, as if I was thoroughly washing them with soap. I did this for a few minutes and rinsed off with tepid water (not too hot as you want to retain some oil to soak into your skin). I patted dry and immediately locked the moisture and goodness in with a collagen rich hand cream.
My hands are healing up so well and are really soft now!
I don’t have much luck with outside plants, due to the crap British weather and the local wildlife that gets into our garden. Therefore, I’ve decided that this year I’ll grow lots of things in the conservatory on the back of the house (which is where our dogs Wade and Wilson and have their beds and bowls, as they sleep there at night and eat their meals in there too).
I found some great potted herbs at Costco and some others in Aldi, so here I have three types of thyme, flat leaved parsley, basil, rosemary, sage and oregano.
Today I’ve planted up into compost slices of cherry tomatoes (as the seeds in the tomatoes will germinate once the slice rots down) and some nasturtiums (trailing orange flowers who’s flowers and leaves you can eat). Nasturtiums are also great companion plants (which is the planting of different crops in proximity for any of a number of different reasons, including pest control, pollination, providing habitat for beneficial insects etc) for tomatoes.
I’ve also bought the following seeds from Amazon, so I can plant up peppers (Capsicum), chilies, peas, purple basil, coriander, marjoram, dill, chamomile, cress, lemon balm and chives.
All these plants and herbs will be invaluable to me as a Green (and Kitchen) Witch and I can’t wait to tend to and care for them when they start growing!
I’ve not been sleeping properly, due to one of my chronic conditions flaring, causing me pain and discomfort. However, we have appointments this weekend and plans to go out for the day tomorrow, so I needed a bit of an energy boost!
I had a look what I’ve got in my mini apothecary for energy and revitalisation and decided to make a tea, which can either be drunk hot, or iced, and sweetened with honey (or agave syrup for our vegan friends).
INGREDIENTS
DANDELION – The leaves and root of this plant are known to be used in the herbal medicine of many Cultures, such as Korean, Native American and Arabic, where it is used for energy improvement and general health. Clinical trials have also shown that dandelion may reduce fatigue and promote immune health and different research has suggested that dandelion has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Additionally, dandelion is considered to be a good substitute for caffeine and can help alleviate the fatigue that is brought on by the physical pain caused by certain chronic conditions.
ELDERFLOWER – This flower is good for heightening your energy levels and relieving stress. It also acts as a natural detoxification aid and can enhance liver function, by making your body sweat out toxins and eliminate waste. This natural process is very important for helping your body feel renewed and relaxed.
Elderflower also contains Vitamin B6, which helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue and contributes to a healthily functioning metabolism.
PEPPERMINT – Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint (Mentha spicata) and water mint (Mentha aquatica). Just inhaling the minty fresh aroma of fresh peppermint leaves, or even peppermint essential oil, can help to boost your energy, mood, alertness and even athletic performance.
Several studies have shown that peppermint can reduce fatigue, boost alertness, improve memory and provide additional energy. One study even found that exposure to the aroma of peppermint essential oil could increase alertness and improve memory.
Native to southern Europe, Northern Africa, and western Asia, the grape hyacinth (or Muscari) is a symbol of power and confidence and can also symbolise mystery and creativity.
It has associations with the Greek Earth Goddess Demeter and, as she is known to be the guardian of women, it was often worn as part of a bridal crown.
The Ancient Greeks themselves however, also regarded the grape hyacinth as a flower of death, with many European cultures associating it with remembrance.
It is also the flower of the Olympian sun god Apollo and is a symbol of beauty, peace and commitment, but also of power and pride.
Hyacinths are also often found in Christian churches, as a symbol of happiness and love.
The flower has correspondences of tenderness and softness and is a perfect flower if you want to give flowers to your beloved!
BOTANY
The grape hyacinth is a bulbed flower, which is part of the lily family, and features pretty, purple/blue flowers. Its hollow leaves, which grow only from the base of the plant, resemble onion or garlic, but don’t have the same odor.
USES
The bulbs of the grape hyacinth have been used extensively in cooking and the edible flowers taste like bitter grapes. If you boil them in vinegar (in order to reduce the bitterness), they can be made into very tasty pickles.
The flowers can also be made into an essence, which is said to provide assistance with communication and networking. This essence is also meant to help with feelings exclusion or abandonment, either through crisis or self-defeating behaviors, and can help to address personal crisis, especially when having feelings of despair or feeling like you are out of touch with others.
The third Full Moon of 2021 is due to arrive this weekend, just before March ends, with it being at it’s fullest on Monday 29th March.
Taken from the app Moon
This Full Moon is traditionally known as the Worm Moon (as this is the time of year the ground thaws and the worms can be seen appearing above the surface), although it can be known by different names in different parts of the world. You may also know this Moon as the Sugar Moon, the Paschal Moon or, if you had a Catholic upbringing (like me), the Lenten Moon, because it appears during Lent.
The astrological sign the Worm Moon will be in is Libra. This is the perfect time to undertake spells and rituals relating to heightening romantic desire, rationally discuss feelings, stay impartial and objective, make a promise (to yourself or others) and work to put harmonious energy in your home.
I will be undertaking a Home Protection Ritual, in conjunction with a good old fashioned Spring Clean, which uses the four elements of air, fire, water and earth.
If you wanted to do one too, here are the items you will need:
• Incense and holder – Any scent of incense you desire, but something suitable for protecting and cleansing your home, such as Cedar Sage (prosperity, protection, harmony) or Sweet Grass (home blessings, healing, positivity); • Sea salt – for purification, cleansing and dispelling negativity; • Full Moon Water – for deep energetic cleansing; • Bowl – to make salt water mixture; and • Fan (or a feather, or your hand, if you don’t have a fan).
My awesome mermaid fan my husband bought me at Disney World
METHOD
Light the incense, which represents the elements of air and fire.
Put the full moon water in bowl and add a pinch of the salt to represent water and earth elements.
Use the fan to gently disperse incense smoke around your home.
Sprinkle the salt water on walls, floors and ceiling.
Draw a pentacle in salt water over every door, window and any other opening to the outside.
I will say this blessing as I travel through our house.
Bless this house, May peace dwell within. Protect all that enter, Whether friend or kin. Bless every door, window, ceiling and wall, Bless each room, closet, attic, bless it all. Bless this house with love and light, Hold us safe here, day and night. As above and so below, So mote it be.
Sources: The Little Book of Moon Magic – Sarah Bartlett
With it being the 17th March in a few days, and therefore St. Patrick’s Day, I thought I’d write a little about clover, as it’s synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day and the luck of the Irish.
I know people usually refer to them as shamrocks, but they’re the same thing. A clover must have three leaves to be considered a shamrock. If the clover has more or less, then it is not a shamrock. Hence, all shamrocks are clovers, but not all clovers are shamrocks!!
There are a wide variety of different types of clover, all of which can be used in your magickal workings.
Clover has always been seen as a lucky plant, which is likely due to the religious connotations associated with the trifoliate (three) leaves, which symbolise the Holy Trinity. Due to this, they were often worn for protection and to deflect evil and spells.
On the other hand, four leaved clovers are often associated with the cross and were believed to bring the finder fortune. In some cultures, four-leaf clovers were worn to help a man avoid military service. They have also been used to enhance physic powers and to detect the presence of spirits. Placing a four leaved clover in your shoe is also supposed to increase your chances of meeting a rich new lover.
Two and five-leaved clovers are much less common than four-leaf clovers, but are still thought to possess potent magick.
Finding a two-leaf clover means you shall soon find a lover, whilst a five-leaf clover will bring riches, especially if worn.
In general, clover is believed to repel snakes, literally and figuratively, from your property if grown there.
It also brings general protection, whether worn or placed around the home, and aids in getting over heartbreak.
Furthermore, clover is one of the flowers of the Fae and can aid in your ability to see and work with them, whether sitting and meditating, or riding the hedge with clover attached to you. Clover blossoms can also be placed on your altar to attract the Fae, should you want to…..
White and red clover have some slightly different magickal properties too. White clover helps to break hexes, whilst red clover removes negative spirits, can be used in lust potions and brings prosperity.
Medicinal Uses
Red Clover is commonly used to treat children with skin problems, especially eczema and psoriasis. For adults, it is commonly used as an expectorant to treat coughs and bronchitis. However, it should be noted that red clover contains a hormone-like chemical called isoflavones which have caused reproductive failure and liver disease in cheetahs and sterility in livestock when consumed in large quantities. Furthermore, red clover is a blood thinner. So do not use red clover regularly and avoid if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
RED CLOVER POULTICE
To make a poultice, combine dried red clover flowers with hot water in muslin and place on the affected area for 10-15 minutes. Red clover can also be used externally as a salve.
This book focusses on the Witch trials of Pendle, Lancashire, England in 1612.
It is quite a short book, but contains quite a lot of detail. It encompasses eyewitness accounts, in addition to interviews from the trials, as well as general background information leading up to the trials. There are also excerpts from the various laws that covered witchcraft and how they were used at Pendle. It also includes a select bibliography for further reading.
There are several illustrations, from maps to family trees, to help the reader make sense of the people involved, their relationship to each other, in addition to the geographical locations of events.
The book on the whole gives an excellent insight into the events behind the cruel and vicious treatment given to people branded as Witches by the ‘church’, the Monarchy and the powers that be.
Coming from Lancashire myself, with Pendle being a mere 29 miles away from my home town, it makes it all the more interesting as I know and have visited several of the places in the book. It reminds me how fortunate I am to be a Witch in this day and age and not back then, as I would probably be dead by now.
It’s utterly unbelievable how the so called ‘Witches’ were treated. Notwithstanding the Chattox’s and Demdike’s, the main focus of the trials, but all the wise women (and men), healers, midwives, those with a special connection to animals etc, it’s a wonder how anyone could actually survived in these circumstances once accused! The laws were actually changed for these trials to allow gossip and hearsay to be used as evidence, and famously, the testimony of a child (Jennet Device). Luckily, some did survive, such as Alice Grey.
All in all, I found this book fascinating, if not deeply harrowing and quite upsetting. My only fault with it, was that it didn’t ‘flow’ very well, but that’s more the way it’s set out with case law, testimony and accounts of events. I would recommend anyone wanting to learn more about the history and persecution of Witches to read it though.
I went to the supermarket this evening to pick up a few bits and bobs and they had these beautiful tulips on sale for 10p! I thought I could give them a good home and they can be used for my Ostara Altar display too.
My tulips
Tulips usually flower in April and May, but high demand for them for Mother’s Day in mid-March has them forced grown in the Netherlands, in huge fields as far as the eye can see.
Due to the wide variety of colors and shapes, tulips are thought to be one of the first flowers cultivated solely for their beauty.
Many people think tulips originated in The Netherlands, but in actual fact, tulips were first discovered in Turkey around a thousand years ago. There is little history of the tulip in Europe until the early 1500’s, when the Turkish introduced them to European traders and explorers. From then on, tulips spread across Europe, particularly in Holland, where they were prized and later became the National symbol, were associated with good luck and fortune, as well as love, and often cost more than gems and gold.
As far back as 2200 to 1600 B.C. tulip designs can be seen on pottery and have also been found on fabric from the Byzantine century.
Tulips are most commonly referred to as the symbol of perfect love and the Turkish people used them in love potions, or placed them on altars during love spells. They can also be used to increase desire and build relationships, both new and old.
Furthermore, tulips are also used in colour or flower language. Red is a declaration of love, yellow hopeless love, and black meant a heart burning with love.
Stamen and anthers
Apart from their association with love, tulips also project other positive energies such as prosperity and protection.
They were often worn to safeguard against poverty and bad luck and are also sometimes associated with dream work, fame and protection. They can also be used in magick regarding gratitude, simplicity, happiness, beauty, and prosperity.
There are very little medicinal uses for tulips, likely due to their cost throughout much of history. However, a poultice made of tulip flowers can treat and soothe rashes, stings, scratches and minor burns. Tulip oil can also be used as a house freshener or added to baths and massage oils to uplift vibrations.
TULIP POULTICE
• To create a poultice of tulip flowers, you’ll need to warm 2-4 flowers in hot water.
• Place a towel into hot water and put the petals inside the towel.
• Lightly crush the petals and apply them to the affected area.
• Hold in place for 10 minutes using the warm towel.
Petals can also be combined with castor oil, especially for treating burns and insect bites.
I always considered myself a ‘no harm done’ kind of Witch. I try to be nice to everyone, a friend to all, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a hand to hold. However, there have been occasions when a few people have taken advantage of my good nature and made it their sport to upset me or grind me down.
A few months back, in November 2020, this Witch decided she will NOT stand for that any longer!! There was one particular person that deserved their comeuppance and I was the one to serve it…..nice and cold! Don’t worry, it’s no one I have as a friend or follower on any social media, so you’re all safe!!
I don’t want to go into specifics, but believe me, I thought long and hard about this and they DEFINITELY deserved what I did. I also won’t be going into my specific intention for the Curse Jar I created, but I will divulge details on process.
The curse was done on the dark new moon on Saturday 14th November, close to midnight, as the dark moon is perfect for deconstructive magick and curses.
I used both black and red candles, for binding & repelling negativity, and strength & fast action, respectively.
I also used Dragon’s Blood incense to cleanse my materials and tools, in order to add extra energy and power to my curse.
I used the following ingredients within my Curse Jar:
• Amethyst, to cause my enemy to self-destruct;
• Fossilized Shark Teeth, as the remains of predatory animals are quite often used to cause harm through curses and hexes as it’s seen as an aggressive tool in magick.
• Thorns of blackthorn, hawthorn and wild rose to curse;
• Rusty nails;
• Black peppercorns, for a powerful curse;
• Cinnamon, for discomfort;
• Vinegar, for a powerful curse;
• Chilli powder for discord, bane and use in curses;
• Lime juice, to make their life sour;
• Patchouli oil, to sicken them;
• Poppy seed, to cause them to argue with their partner;
• Stinging nettle, to bring sadness and bad luck;
• Wormwood, for cursing and hexing;
• A photo (taglock) of the person;
• A piece of paper with my intent on it; and
• Lots and lots of nasty intention.
I never knew I could be so…..EVIL *cue manic cackling*
Back on February 27th 2021 the full moon was in Virgo. At that time this reminded us that we must learn to organise our lives, accept that not everyone is perfect and to compromise.
Photo taken by me on February 27th 2021
Suitable activities that could have been undertaken during that full moon included:
• Editing, completing or finalising a project; • Organising your kitchen, workplace, home or bedroom; • Cleaning up the loose ends of a relationship matter; • Making a plan for long term success; or • Delivering an important message.
With regards to long term career success, I have big plans for my job this year. I have submitted my application to become a Chartered Environmentalist and am awaiting an interview. If successful, my work will hopefully promote me to Associate Director. I also did the same ritual for my husband at the same time, to help with his long term career goals.
Therefore, I decided to do a ritual on the might of that full moon, to ask the Universe to assist me with obtaining my career goals.
Here are the items I used (I needed two of everything, apart from the pen, as the spell was for two people).
• Two pieces of green paper;
• A gold pen;
• Six fresh mint leaves;
• Two teaspoons of dried sage;
• Two gold candles;
• Jasmine incense – for success, luck in general and good fortune. Jasmine also opens up the natural force of attraction and consequently helps us attract prosperity and success, in addition to helping live a life of beauty, through which our life circumstances naturally follow suit;
• Citrine – This crystal is commonly referred to as the abundance stone and it has powerful properties that attract career benefits, financial success and prosperity. Citrine is also useful for encouraging new opportunities and possibilities for the improvement of your career. The stone also helps promote joy and inner peace, blocking out negative energy and keeps you confident and positive. Citrine can also provide an extra boost of confidence to take with you on promotional reviews or job interviews. It also keeps you emotionally balanced in order to overcome any work challenges, whilst bringing good luck to any task or project you’re working on;
• Sodalite – This crystal enables you to harness your self-esteem, in order for you to take your career to the next level and also helps you to follow your instincts and have self-confidence. It is also known for its capability to inspire the confidence to make your dreams come true. It is also associated with the throat chakra, so provides great benefits for giving important presentations or speaking in public; and
• Selenite – This is one of the best crystals for career success, as it can penetrate any stagnant, stale or negative energy and completely remove it. Selenite can also help with connecting with your intuitions, to listen to your inner voice and push you to follow its guidance towards career success. Also, the crystal works wonders if you are sensitive, providing you with balance for your professional life and workspace.
Here are the steps for the spell. I will be doing this process twice, once for each of us.
• Light the jasmine incense.
• Draw a large pentacle in the centre of the green piece of paper with the gold pen. In the centre of the pentacle write the word JOB, making sure the star is pointing upwards not downwards.
• Around the word JOB, write the specific job each of us is pursuing.
• Tear up the three mint leaves and put these, along with the dried sage, onto the pentacle (keeping the herbs within the outer circle).
• Draw (or carve, if you’re using a pillar candle) with a Sharpie the bindrune ‘Provide energy for success’ onto the side of the candle. I actually couldn’t find gold candles, so I used yellow jasmine scented ones and scattered some gold heart shaped glitter on the top of the wax.
• Place the candle on top of the herbs and light it.
• Place the citrine, sodalite and selenite on the paper around the candle.
• Chant the following words three times (for each spell). I will do mine and my husband will do his:
Universe wide, hear my plea, Send me the job, that’s just for me, Grant me the job, that I will love, I send this message, to you above.
• Allow the candle to burn down completely, then carefully take the paper with the herbs on it to the nearest window, open the window and blow the contents from the paper into the air.
• Then we just patiently wait to hear that we’ve been successful.
A few weeks ago I was feeling really exhausted, unable to concentrate properly and just felt really off. There were a mixture of things causing this, such as being really busy at work and an extra long mercury in retrograde, but mostly it was due to one of my health conditions, which I knew required my medication to be increased.
I have something Hashimotos Disease, which causes an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). This disease tricks my body into thinking that my thyroid gland is a foreign body and is therefore producing antibodies to slowly destroy it. Your thyroid’s function is to basically control everything in your body, from your heart rate and metabolism, to temperature regulation and stimulating digestion, so you can understand that if that is out of whack, everything goes potty!
I did seek proper medical advice from my General Practitioner and Endocrinologist though, including a full panel of blood’s to check all of my hormone levels. However, due to the current pandemic, and the understandable knock-on effects it’s having on our National Health Service, I couldn’t get a blood test done until a few days ago and I’m still waiting for the results.
Therefore, I thought if there was anything I can do to help myself in the meantime, with natural remedies and a bit of kitchen and green witchcraft, then I would try it!
I’ve did some research on Healthline.com, mindbodygreen.com and mycrystalaura.com.au for information on essential oils, herbs and crystals that can help to energise and uplift me, whilst also supporting my thyroid health.
I decided that making a pulse point roll-on oil, with essential oils and crystals would be the best thing to create, to help boost my mood, enhance my mental clarity and improve my focus, whilst also supporting my thyroid.
Here’s a list of the ingredients I used, along with their properties, health benefits and magickal correspondences.
‼‼REMINDER: Make sure you only use a maximum of two drops of essential oil per 5ml of carrier oil. Also, always check the safety information for allergy advice and any contraindications with prescribed or over the counter medication you may be taking. Many essential oils are also not safe to use when you’re pregnant or breast feeding. It is also highly advisable to do patch test first too!‼‼
• 8ml Coconut Oil (carrier) – As all essential oils are dangerous when used on the skin neat or undiluted, so you MUST use a carrier oil to dilute them, so they can safely be used.
• 1ml Vitamin E Oil – Vitamin E is used as a stabilising agent, which means the pulse point roll-on oil will have a longer shelf life (around 4-6 months).
• 1 drop Therapeutic Grade Lemongrass Essential Oil – Lemongrass Oil helps to relieve stress, anxiety and depression. It is also good for purification, protection, health and cleansing. With regards to cleansing, it has a dual quality of being able to assist you with clearing obstacles standing in your way and is also known for ‘Road Opening’ (something that open paths and roads in magick, so that what you want can be achieved). It is also known to help with changing bad luck to good luck, especially for those who have been affected by negative energies. It can also help to detox your thyroid while maintaining it’s natural lymphatic function.
• 1 drop Therapeutic Grade Peppermint Essential Oil – Peppermint Oil can be used to encourage better mental and physical health. It can also be used for increasing your energy and concentration, bring mental clarity and assists with regeneration and vibrancy. Peppermint oil is known to aid digestion and, if your metabolism is sluggish from an underactive thyroid, you can use it to stimulate your metabolism.
• 1 drop Therapeutic Grade Eucalyptus Essential Oil – Eucalyptus Oil can be used to bring fresh energy to a situation, reduce worries and relieve mental exhaustion. It is also great for improving concentration, balancing and grounding you and for purification.
• 1 drop Therapeutic Grade Frankincense Essential Oil – Frankincense oil is packed with anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting and pain-relieving properties. It is also beneficial in improving skin disorders, which are caused by thyroid imbalances. This essential oil also protects the thyroid gland, by destroying free radicals in the body. Additionally, it also promotes good cellular health.
• Aquamarine crystal chip – This crystal works as an effective regulator and balancer for the thyroid.
• Citrine crystal chip – This crystal is excellent for energising and recharging, in addition to balancing the thyroid and fortifying the nerves.
• Lapis Lazuli crystal chip – This crystal harmonises the thyroid and has been popular with healers for centuries. It also overcomes depression and helps to alleviate insomnia.
I placed the crystals into the blue glass roller-ball bottle first, reminding myself of each of their properties. I then added the coconut carrier oil and the Vitamin E stabilising oil. Lastly, I put one drop of each of the essential oils, again reminding myself of each ones properties and purpose as I added them. I lastly put in the roller-ball and popped on the lid and gave it a good shake to mix everything up, whilst imbuing it with my intention for it to help energise me and help to support my thyroid gland.
I grow a number of herbs in little pots that stick to the inside of my kitchen windows, as I like to have fresh herbs when I need them, they look really nice and the plants always get plenty of sunlight.
A few weeks ago I discovered (whilst talking to and tending to my herbs, as you do….), that my beloved Basil plant, which I’ve been growing for MONTHS, had dreaded aphids on him!
I whipped up a quick batch of natural aphid spray to gently encourage them to vacate (some may be sadly killed in the process and, for that, I am very sorry).
I used the following:
• Clean spray bottle (I reuse everything I can, so jam and pickle jars become herb containers or jar spells, old candle containers get new candles made inside them from soy wax, colourant wax and essential oils, and spray bottles, which have contained liquids that aren’t too toxic (fabulousa or febreeze spray bottles are ideal for this, but avoid anything that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals), get thoroughly washed out and reused, as more natural cleaning product bottles);
• 400ml fresh filtered water (we have hard water so everything we drink, cook with or give to the dogs gets filtered);
• 10-12 drops Rosemary essential oil;
• 10-12 drops Peppermint essential oil; and
• 10-12 drops Lemon essential oil.
I popped all the ingredients into the spray bottle, gave it a little shake and took my plant outside (to give them a chance to escape and bother someone else’s plants!) to spray the heck out of it!
I checked back the next day and they were all gone! I then gave my Basil a good spray with moonwater, as a little treat to help it recover from the vicious aphid onslaught and because I use this Basil in both my craft and my cooking, so I want to remove as much essential oil off the plant as I can.
Mr. Basil is doing very well now and not an interloper in sight!
One of my favourite bath salt blends to make is this one, for helping to relax, unwind, de-stress and sleep. I always have some made up on hand at all times, stored in a recycled gherkin jar (washed out, obviously!), so it’s there ready if I need to use it. I also try and make it well enough in advance to give the ingredients time to meld together and infuse.
These sleepy salts really help me to relax and unwind and, combined with some sleepy tea that I make (Sleepy Tea Recipe), along with playing rainstorm or crashing wave sounds through Alexa in our bedroom, or guided meditation through my headphones, I am guaranteed a full nights sleep.
Here’s the ingredients I used:
• Himalayan pink salt for cleansing, centering and grounding;
• Dried jasmine flowers for their sedative effects and use for reducing anxiety and depression;
• 6-8 drops of ylang ylang essential oil to boost my mood, alleviate anxiety and reduce depression;
• 6-8 drops of rose essential oil for also relieving anxiety and stress; and
• 6-8 drops of patchouli essential oil to relieve depression, provide feelings of relaxation and helping to ease stress or anxiety.
I first put the salt into the jar. I then added each essential oils, 2-3 drops at a time, putting the lid on and shaking to mix well in between each addition. Each time I shook it I thought of my intention for this to help me destress, not be as anxious and to try and relax more, whilst soaking in a bath containing a handful.
The last thing I added was the dried jasmine and gave it a final shake.
It smells divine and the other thing about it that soothes me, is that it smells of my mum’s favourite perfume. I lost my mum very suddenly and quite traumatically in 2016. It took me a long time to get over that. This smell reminds me of her, and how wonderful and loving she was, and makes me feel connected to her. The label at the bottom of the jar has her initials as I’ve dedicated this blend to her.
Despite being a secular Witch, I still have an Altar.
Mine is not dedicated to various Deities from different Pantheons, but to nature. This is represented by shells, pebbles, feathers, a mink skull, crystals, candles, lots of cute drawers containing herbs, dried flowers, nuts, berries and seaweed I’ve foraged, my singing bowl, driftwood and pots of seasalt and fossilized sharks teeth.
It also contains items that remind me of my parents and photos of the day my husband and I got engaged and the day we got married. It’s a very special place to me.
I also have some little shelves on the wall above it, where I store more of my crystals, drawer of supplies and some of my many Witchcraft books.
We all know that Witches love the moon and harnessing the power of each moon phase can amplify your workings and make for some amazing results!
February 2021 Full Moon
Even if you don’t identify as a Witch, most humans feel a great connection to our Earth’s natural satellite.
Considering the moon controls the tides, and up to 60 percent of the adult human body is water, it makes sense that the various stages of the moon affect us in some way. Just ask a Police Officer what their shift is like on a full moon!
Some people mistakenly think that you need to wait for a Full Moon to harness the moon’s energy. The good news is, that all the moon’s phases can be used to give your work that little something extra. But remember, as a Witch, it is you that is the one in charge. Your focus and intent are the catalyst for everything you do, but it never hurts to equip yourself with magickal lunar knowledge and learn how to harness the energy of each moon phase.
To find out what each phase of the moon is at any one time, you can use a variety of lunar websites or moon tracking apps. I use the app ‘Moon’.
As you can see from the screenshot above. the moon is currently in it’s Waning Phase.
The Waning Moon is the time period where the moon is getting darker again, moving from a Full Moon back to a New Moon.
This Waning Moon phase is great for banishing work or for cutting cords with a past lover, toxic friendships or unfulfilling jobs.
However, you don’t always need to banish a person from your life entirely, as some of the most effective banishing work you can do are spells to rid yourself of feelings for someone you know is bad for you, any insecurities you may have or self-doubt about yourself or your abilities.
You can use the Waning Moon phase to make a list of all your fears and insecurities and dispose of it, either by burying it (I would only do this if you wrote insecurities down on something biodegradable, such as a bay leaf, so as not to contribute to littering), burning it (but please be careful and practice proper fire safety precautions) or even flushing it down the toilet (again, please only use material that can safely be flushed)!!
As we move towards the New Moon, through the Waning Moon Phases, it is a great time to start working on a New You!!
I made this a couple of months ago and it went down very well! It’s actually a Jamie Oliver Recipe, but if you look into the properties and benefits of the ingredients used, and cook with specific intent, you can make a much more magickal meal!
INGREDIENTS
• Whole chicken • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste • ¼ cup unsalted butter • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil • 1 small cinnamon stick • 10 cloves garlic, skins left on • 2 ½ cups whole milk • 1 handful of fresh sage, leaves picked — around 15 to 20 leaves • 2 lemons
Health Benefits and Magickal Properties
• Sea salt – Salt is great for using both as a magickal tool and ingredient in cooking. Used as a tool, it is often used by witches to cast their circles, as it creates a powerful barrier that can shield and protect you whilst you work. As an ingredient, salt is used for banishing, binding, cleansing, grounding, healing, purification and protection, in addition to blessings and consecrations.
• Black pepper – Black pepper can be used for banishing, binding, home cleansing and protection, repelling, separation and warding.
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon can be used for attention, attraction, business acumen and success, creativity, financial gain, intellectual stimulation and concentration, libido, lust, knowledge, money, power, prosperity, sexual love, success and winning.
• Garlic – Garlic can be used for accident prevention, reversing bad luck, banishing, good luck, illness, jealousy, male fertility, negativity, physical and psychic protection, sleep and virility.
• Sage – Sage is good for balance, honesty, grounding, longevity, mental clarity, truthfulness and wisdom.
• Lemon – Lemons are perfect for purification, happiness, friendship, longevity, purification, refreshment, unity, uplifting, rejuvenation, awareness, love and fidelity.
METHOD
Heat your oven to 190°C (375°F) degrees. Season the chicken with the sea salt and pepper, thinking of the specific intentions that you want to imbue into this meal. I made it for my husband and stepson (with enough leftovers for our two rescue dogs), so my intentions were binding us as a family, grounding us all and protecting us from the current troubles in the world.
Then place a hob/oven proof pot (I used a deep, cast iron, casserole dish, with double handles), that can fit the chicken snugly within it, over a medium-high heat on the hob/stove. Add to this pot the butter and olive oil. When the butter has melted and is starting to foam, add the chicken to the pot and fry it, turning every few minutes, until it has browned all over. I made sure to turn the chicken deosil (clockwise), to promote my positive intentions.
Turn the heat down to low, remove the chicken from the pot and place it onto a plate, then drain off all but a few tablespoons of the fat from the pot.
Then add the cinnamon stick and garlic to the pot and allow them to sizzle in the oil for a minute or two. Return the chicken to the pot, along with the milk and sage leaves. Use a vegetable peeler, or sharp knife (please be careful!) to cut wide strips of skin off both lemons and add them to the pot as well.
Put the pot into the oven and bake for approximately 1.5 hours, basting the chicken occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and tender and the sauce has reduced into a thick, curdled sauce. (If the sauce is reducing too quickly, cover the pot with a lid)
The chicken will be so tender you can just tear portions off and divide between everyone’s plates, making sure to spoon a generous amount of sauce over each serving. We had ours with mini roast potatoes and cauliflower & broccoli cheese, but it goes well with sautéed greens, pasta, rice, potatoes or bread. The leftovers are delicious on sandwiches too!!
I don’t have an photos of the finished product, as it was demolished!!
A lot of the time, Witchcraft isn’t complicated. It’s not all about casting circles, long and contracted rituals and spell casting. It about saying daily affirmations out loud, stirring love and positive intent into a meal you’re making for your loved ones or carrying crystals in your pocket (or bra, I don’t judge!). It can also look like self care. Ritual baths, filled with fragrant and healing salts, oils and herbs. Taking that time out to be on your own, so you’ve got peace and quiet, space to be reflective and mindful and you can just ‘be’.
I’m relaxing in a bath with a lavender & jasmine epsom salt blend, dead sea minerals, hemp, coconut and lime bubbles, nag champa oil, candles and freesia and sweet pea incense.
I can just relax, clear my mind, not worry about what I’ve got to do tomorrow, or whether what I’ve done today was good enough. I just need to know that I do my best in everything and that’s all I can ask of myself. Now’s the time to just be present in the moment.
I’ve always, right from being a toddler, been fascinated by the sea and my absolute most favourite place on Earth to be is on a beach or in the ocean. I love the sea so much, that I have got two coastal/marine related degrees/qualifications and have worked for the past 21 years protecting and enhancing the environment of multiple areas along the UK’s coast.
Kelp beds at Cullercoats Bay, North Shields, England, taken whilst on marine biology field work with Newcastle University
If you’re lucky enough to live by the ocean, or can travel to one without much difficulty, there’s a plethora of items and treasures you can forage to use within your craft.
One of my coastal defence schemes at St. Annes, England
Whenever I do go foraging on the coast, I usually take an empty rubbish bag with me to pick up and take home any rubbish I find, as my way of giving thanks for the items I’ve taken.
Gorgeous clean beaches at Bentota, Sri Lanka
Here’s a run down of the various types of treasures you could pick up from a day at the seaside, in addition to their magickal and metaphysical properties.
TYPES OF WATER
• Seawater: Used for health, magickal power and manifestation of goals. An old Welsh belief states that a spoonful of seawater a day will ensure a long and healthy life.
• Beach Water (e.g. from rockpools or beach ponds): Used for rituals, spells, fascinations and meditations.
Beach pond at one of my coastal defence sites in Bispham, Blackpool, UK
• Harbor water: Used to promote abundance and prosperity, in addition to also serving as an aid in banishing things.
SEA GLASS
Sea glass is thought to be a symbol of renewal, relaxation and have healing properties.
Spiritually, our relationship to sea glass shows us that, like sea glass, as it’s been eroded, tumbled and smoothed, we too often have to lose some of our ‘selves’, when we overcome pressures and work through our adversities. We lose our sharp and jagged edges, wash away some of our impurities and our labels peel away. Just like sea glass, we are also often lead on a trajectory or down a road we do not plan, even after we tried our best to stay on course. Often we are thrown away, only to be reshaped by our environment, in order that we may come back more beautiful than ever.
It all depends on how we learn to adjust, cope and adapt, to make the best of the situation we’ve been thrust into and also how we learn to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves to us.
• Clear sea glass – Can be used for healing, peace, spirituality, purity and sincerity.
• Green sea glass – Useful for abundance, prosperity, hope, growth, emotional stability, helping to navigate through loss/grief and increasing love and compassion. Good for working with panic attacks and addiction.
• Blue sea glass – Can be used in spells and rituals relating to creativity, intuition, inspiration, peace, joy, tranquility, faith in yourself, trusting others and easing loneliness.
• Foggy sea glass – Can be used in curses to interfere with the target’s ability to think clearly.
BEACH STONES AND PEBBLES
Beach stones can be any class of stone that has been touched my the water of oceans, seas or the waves along the coast. They have all been moved around, nurtured, tumbled and tossed by the waves and currents. I don’t know about you guys, but I have a huge affinity for smooth pebbles and have loads dotted all over the house. They make me feel grounded and the tactile nature of them instantly calms me.
A small selection of stones and pebbles I’ve collected over the years
PIECES OF CORAL
Corals are developed through an ancient and unique partnership known as symbiosis. This is a collaboration that benefits both animal and plant alike. Corals are classified as animals, as they do not make their own food, like plants do.
Corals themselves have tiny, tentacle-like, ‘arms’ that they use to capture their food from the water, then they use these arms to sweep the food into their mouths. Most structures that we call “coral” are, in fact, made up of hundreds, to thousands upon thousands, of tiny coral creatures called polyps. Each soft-bodied polyp secretes a hard exoskeleton of limestone (calcium carbonate) that attaches to either rocks in the sea, or the dead skeletons of other polyp colonies.
Corals under UV light at The Deep Aquarium, Hull, England during an evening conference dinner
In the case of stony or hard corals, which you find most often washed up on the shore, these polyp conglomerates grow, die and endlessly repeat this cycle over time, often hundreds, to hundreds of thousands, of years (the Great Barrier Reef is thought to be approximately 500,000 years old!!), slowly laying the limestone foundation for coral reefs and giving shape to the familiar corals that reside there. Because of this cycle of growth, death, and regeneration among individual polyps, many coral colonies can live for a very long time. Corals, as a species, have been around for 500 Million years!
Although coral is not a crystal, it has been used for centuries for its healing properties. Also, since ancient times, coral has been used as a divination tool for casting (similar to runes or bone throwing) and the stone is thought to tap into your intuitive nature to help with psychic and energy work.
SHELLS
Seashells are natural vessels. which can be used for cleansing and make a great carrier for incense. They can be placed on your altar, as a reminder of fun times on holiday or at your local beach, or as a tribute to nature and all her powers.
Limpet shell, carrying barnacles and periwinkles
They can also represent the element of water when casting a circle. As they protect the soft bodied invertebrates they contain, such as molluscs or hermit crabs, they can be used in protection and shielding rituals and spells.
Selection of shells on a wall underwater at Porth Dafarch beach, Anglesey, Wales
SEA SALT
Salt is one of the easiest and most effective remedies on the earth! Sea salt, which is a salt obtained by evaporating seawater, is used for cleansing negative energy and life’s impurities. It can be used to cleanse (salt safe) crystals and be used in a multitude of spells and rituals due to it’s metaphysical properties of and for abundance, manifestation, anchoring and grounding, devotion, spiritual development, hospitality, domestic harmony, purification, spiritual protection, balancing emotions, well being, vitality, and longevity.
FOSSILIZED SHARKS TEETH
As fossilized shark teeth are the remains of predatory animals, they can be used to cause harm through curses and hexes, as they’re seen as an aggressive tool in magick.
Fossilized shark teeth found on beaches in Florida, USA
**PLEASE NOTE: I am not medically trained and none of the advice given is meant to be used in place of proper medical advice given by your doctor, primary care physician or rheumatologist. They are suggestions to be potentially used alongside proper medical advice and treatment**.
I, like many other people in the world, suffer from arthritis. For those of you who don’t know, arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and swelling (inflammation) in the joints. Unfortunately, I developed it quite young, as it usually occurs in adults over the age of 65. I had it officially diagnosed in my early 40’s, but looking back I’ve had this since my early 30’s and have been trying to get diagnosed since then (which is difficult when doctors won’t believe you, as you’re ‘too young’).
Mine is focussed on my lower joints; hips, knees, ankles and feet. It’s also a weird one, as what I have is called psoriatic arthritis and is linked to my skin condition of psoriasis, which is conversely only on my arms.
I decided to research what crystals can be used for Arthritis and/or Osteoarthritis, in the hopes that I could find some relief, as sometimes my prescribed medication, TENS machine, oils, creams, exercises and painkillers just still don’t completely rid me of my stiffness and pain.
I wanted to share what I found with all of you, in the hopes it could help you or a loved one.
First of all, Calcite and Magnesite help with calcification, which can be a major contributing factor to some types of arthritis.
• Crystals recommended for pain relief can also assist with providing relief from the pain of arthritis, such as Amber, Amethyst, Dendritic Agate, Boji Stones, Aragonite, Celestite, Fluorite, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Larimar, Malachite, Magnetite/Lodestone, Clear Quartz, Sugilite, Mahogany Obsidian, Seraphinite, Smokey Quartz, Rose Quartz, Tourmaline and Green Aventurine. Also Kunzite is useful to deal with the pain associated with this complaint.
• Clear Quartz is reputed as the master and all-round healer, plus it is an energiser, so combining it with say Fluorite (or your chosen stone) should lead to better results.
• Obsidian (best used for short periods only) and Rhodonite can also contribute to repair and provide a degree of pain relief.
The stones/crystals I’ve mentioned can either be put straight on the skin (but not on any broken or damaged skin), or (if it is safe to do so with each specific stone), put into massage oil and used on the effected area.
I recently refreshed the protection on our home and made a protection sachet for my husband to take to work as, after being off work for ten months (due to the Covid Pandemic), he’s recently gone back to works as a train driver.
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I made a spell bottle to tie onto the inside handle of each of the three external doors to our home, so I found some which were really thick walled, so if they somehow slipped off, they wouldn’t smash as easily on the floor. For the sachet for my husband, I used a red Chinese silk bag, which has a drawstring tie closure.
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Inside each of the three bottles and the sachet we put the following:
• Black Salt – Black salt is a powerful protective charm that absorbs negative energies and curses into itself and will rid you or your home of their harmful influence.
• Cascarilla – This is made from crushed eggshells, and can be used for protection, due to it’s natural property of protecting a chick embryo as it develops. The protective quality is therefore embodied within the shells when they are used for protective magick. The protective nature of cascarilla also stems from its banishing qualities, as negative energy can’t exist in the presence of cascarilla and it is said that harmful spirits find it repulsive. Therefore, the cascarilla acts as a barrier against harmful spirits and negative or destructive energies.
• Dried Basil – Basil brings happiness, love and peace to a home and can be used to protect the home and family. Haitians also use Basil to keep away thieves. In addition to this, and for the sachet for my husband, it can also be used to bring luck in physical journeys.
• Heather – Keeping heather around the house will attract friendly spirits and bring peace to the household. For the sachet, carrying heather with you will attract positive energies, general good luck and protect against assaults or attacks, making it useful for traveling sachets.
• Cinnamon – Cinnamon can purify any negative energy within a home, protect your home and family from harmful energy and bad intentions of any outsiders.
• Bay leaves – Bay leaves can be used to protect against negative energies and misfortune.
• Obsidian – Obsidian is a protective stone that can be used to guard against all forms of negativity and in spells to remove negativity from an area.
• Red Jasper – Many of the magickal attributes of Red Jasper focus on its protective energies and ability to keep its user safe. It can also be used to combat the Evil Eye and makes an excellent talisman.
• Amethyst – Amethyst is a powerful protective stone, which can guard against psychic attack, by transmuting the negative or harmful energies into loving energy. It can also protect from all types of harm, including electromagnetic stress and ill wishes from others.
• Dragons Blood Incense – Dragons blood incense was used to cleanse the inside of the bottles and contents, as it is good for cleansing a space of negative entities, or influences, and to increase the potency of spells for protection.
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The final thing I did was securely tie up the sachet, so that none of the contents could escape, and drip black candle wax (black for protection and repelling negativity) over the rubber stoppers in the bottles, to seal everything inside.
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As it’s the last night of the first full moon this year, I have put the bottles and sachet in the garden to charge in the moonlight, making their power and effectiveness as strong as possible, before I securely tie the bottles onto the door handles with ribbon and put the sachet into my husband’s work bag.
Melusina The Green Witch 