Tasteful Magic

It's been a little while, but a lot of great things have happened in my life. One of the most amazing things is that I moved into an apartment with an elderly room mate. When I first met her, she told me she was a Christian woman who's mother was a strong White Witch. One of my room mates issues was her sever arthritis. I offered her a solution and we went to work.

Herbal remedies are one of my favorite topics to look up. We did a lot of research on herbs that could help her arthritis as well as a few other aches she had. Our main herb that we found was Nettle.

Nettle can clear the skin of rashes and exema, help sooth nervous stress. It was first used in Germany for it's effects on arthritis. Nettle can also be found in shampoo, it keeps dandruff down and hair glossy. It helps boost testosterone and encourages healthy lactating for nursing women.

With all the health benefits, I wanted to experiment. Being an avid tea drinker, I wanted to try some mixes of my own. As well as my room mate who's arthritis had her hands swollen very much out of proportion. Our first mix was rather simple.

Nettle

Chamomile

Lavender

Star Anise

The Chamomile and Lavender I had grown in my garden last year. The Nettle and Anise I bought from a very trustworthy source. The Nettle had the healing element for arthritis. Chamomile and Lavender both calm the stomach and relax the body. And Star Anise is helpful for digestion. After boiling and straining the herbs, we had our first cups of tea.

Now this doesn't seem all that important, but this first cup of tea was. Deb (my room mate) and I sat down and drank. She enjoyed the taste, and we talked about our beliefs. Being a Christian woman, we agreed to respect our different views and help each other as a family. That first cup of tea brought us together more than I could have imagined.

The next morning, Deb showed me her hand. The swelling had already gone down considerably and she was quite happy that she didn't have to take her sleeping medication. The Chamomile and Lavender did it's job. After a few days go Nettle tea every morning and every evening, we did some more research and went shopping.

We learned Devils Claw and Comfrey could help her pains as well. We invested in Dandelion root, Echinacea, White Willow Bark, and Cramp Bark.

Devils Claw

 Arthritis, inflamed joints, gout, lumbago, sciatica, rheumatism, gallbladder inflammation, hemorrhoids, and itchy skin. Properties include: bitter tonic, anti-inflammatory, and mild analgesic

Dandelion

 Fresh sap can be used on warts. Roots can be used for liver problems, gallstones, mild jaundice, indigestion, loss of appetite, and constipation. Use with other herbs for arthritis and skin diseases. Use with horsetail for degenerative arthritis. Regular use of dandelion helps with blood cholesterol. 

Echinacea

A versatile remedy for a weak immune system. Decoctions or tinctures used for boils, acne, food poisoning, ulcers, flu, tonsillitis  shingles, herpes, and infections. Use with sage for infections in the mouth. Use with thistle for hepatitis and tiredness following fever. 

White Willow Bark

 Useful for gout and all types of arthritis, especially with inflamed joints. Use with fennel seed for multiple painful joints; cramp bark for inflammatory back pains; and rosemary for headaches. It helps will low grade fevers, and the feeling of being overheated. 

Cramp Bark

 Helps with any cramping pains due to leg cramps, colic, period pains, muscle spasms, and shoulder and neck tension. It also helps with back pains due to muscle spasms. 

Comfrey

 Provides rapid healing for cuts, wounds, sprains, bruises, and broken bones. Comfrey cream is good for cracked, dry skin. Use with chamomile and meadow-sweet for stomach ulcers. Add black pepper essential oil for arthritis, bunions, and aches from old injuries. Add lavender oil for slow-healing wounds and bed sores. 

With all of these herbs, we started mixing our teas. I usually make peppermint or spearmint teas, so expanding into new herbs has been an adventure for me. Learning about each property of these plants have been amazing, and I can't wait for spring so I can grow my own. here are a few more tea recipes feel free to try. 

Nettle

Lavender

Star Anise

Devils Claw

Echinacea 

Peppermint

Star Anise

Comfrey

Spearmint

Peppermint

Star Anise

Cloves

Upset Stomach

Lavender

Chamomile

Star Anise

Cinnamon

Honey

Get Your Sweetheart to Bed

White Willow Bark

Comfrey

Damiana

Peppermint

Morning Pains

Green Tea Leaves

Nettle

Devils Claw

Comfrey

White Willow Bark

Karma and the Rule of Three

Over the past few days, a lot of things have been difficult. With moving my significant other out of his housing to a place he can afford, we then had the pleasure of getting his stuff back. Sadly, much of it had been gone through and was missing. During this time, I was very angry. Much of what was taken had been purchased by the both of us, and was mine as well. As I realized some of my more valuable items were gone, I had a nasty thought cross my mind. Then I stopped. 

With the threefold law and Karma, "what goes around comes around", "do unto others as you'd want done unto you", and so many others crossed my mind. I was angry with how we had been treated, yes. But that was no reason to wish ill on these people. I regretted what I thought immediately and asked forgiveness from the Mother. So I did a little extra research on Karma and the threefold law.

The two are very different, though they share characteristics. Karma is a fundamental Buddhist doctrine. Things don't happen by accident. Those born wealthy and those born poor, inequalities in life that we always question, why is she pretty while I'm not? None of this happened by accident. (Though some of it is simply mindset in my belief) Everything has a reason and lesson to be learned. 

Inequality can be caused by heredity, or your environment "nature and nurture" but a good deal is also Karma. Past actions and personal doings have put you where you are today. Whether you are happy or in misery, there is a lesson here you must learn. If you are poor, you may need to learn how to exert yourself in a different way. If you are rick, you may need to learn to give to others. If you are beautiful, you may need to learn to share beauty with the world. If you feel you are ugly, you may need to learn how to love yourself for who you are. 

We create our own happiness and misery. Simply by the things we say and do. If it's negative, Karma will let you feel it. Why would the universe give you a perfect life you simply feel you're entitled to it? The universe wants us to work and earn what we want. Thing's aren't always given to us. But when we work hard, when we prove to ourselves and those around us, we are worthy. Karma sees that and gives back. Good things come to those who wait, but don't be idle. We create what we want, here and now.

The Rule of Three is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans. What ever energy is put out to the universe, good or bad, will come back to you three fold. There have been many questions about this rule, or law as some call it. Whether it was created with Christian intent, or simply to outline consequences better, there is still power in it if you believe. 

It's a way of reminding us that all choices have repercussions. If you choose to do good, good things will happen. If you choose to do bad, bad things will happen. But it's not meant as a punishment. These repercussions are giving us the chance to learn from our mistakes and make a change. When bad things keep happening over and over, we tend to get angry and ignore a chance we have to change. It's simply the universe saying "Here's another chance to change your mind, change your mind set, and be happier." 

In the Christian religion, everything done plants seeds. But they leave it up to God to grow them after they are sewn. (I went to a Christian church last night and they discussed this in detail) In Wicca, every choice, action, and word plants seeds. But those are planted inside of you as well as outside. You can plant a good seed in someone and make their day, as well as yours. Or you can plant a bad seed in someone and ruin their whole week while that same seed festers inside of you. The hard part is reaping what you sow. And when these things are growing inside of you, whether it's a glorious crop or a harvest of thorns, you have to reap it. 

Both are similar, yet unique in their own way. What I'm trying to get at though, is any act of compassion, a show of kindness, the difficult choice to forgive, all spreads good vibes through the world. It multiplies. It can make you feel better, stronger, and more at peace with yourself. 

I regret what had crossed my mind yesterday, and I have asked forgiveness in all ways I can. Though I wish I could talk to the people who caused this trouble and help, it probably wont happen for a long time. So remember to be happy and make good choices. You can make someone very happy. You can make someones day. You can even save someones life by your kindness. 

We are blessed to live in this world. And we simply have to share that blessing. The following story made my day a little while ago. I'd like to share it now. May you're day be bright and positive. 

Oklahoma City, OK - Doug Eaton got the idea to do something different for his birthday from one of his friends on Facebook who told him to do 65 random acts of kindness.

So on his 65th birthday he spent 65 minutes handing out $5 bills to strangers on the corner of a neighborhood street in Oklahoma City.

Some people were unsure of what was going on, while others would drive by several times to make sure they were reading the sign correctly.

Some took the cash and those who really didn't need it told him to give to someone who really does.

Eaton says giving the cash away made him feel like he'd just received the best birthday gift ever!

Diana of Ephesus

Hail Artemis Diana

Blessed Lady of the Beasts

I dedicate myself to you.

May my path honor thee

May my spirit celebrate thee

May my life force magnify thee

These things I pray

Be fulfilled this day

Goddess Mother help me

To know what is right.

The Goddess Diana is one of many goddesses I worship. My first worshiping statue I received was of her. The reason being, my family works with animals often. Diana is the goddess of the hunt, but also the goddess of animals. 

She is the goddess of the hunt, wild animals, the moon, fertility and childbirth. She was a virgin goddess and was often thought to despise men. She is queen of the open sky and her brother Apollo is the sun god. In mythology, she led men into battle and aided in the hunt. She was also the mother of Aradia, the Queen of the Witches. Diana was honored for her physical strength and independence. 

Sacred Animals

Deer

Bears

Hunting Dogs

Sacred Plants

Apple 

Balm 

Beech 

Jasmine 

Mugwart 

Oak 

Vervain 

Wormwood

Diana has a festival on August 13th, where she is invoked to protect the harvest from autumn storms. Held during the hottest time of the summer, just before it starts to cool. Diana is depicted during these festivals with her holding a torch, symbolizing her fiery nature. 

Tonight, I plan on simply lighting a white candle in honor of Diana, and meditate on her symbolism. 

New Year Cleansing

I spent the day clearing out the most important room in my house; my bed room. Next to the kitchen, I spend most of my time there. That's where I keep all of my books, ingredients, and spell needs. During the holidays, I put off cleaning my room for as long as I could. Last night, when I came home from being with friends I tripped over everything. It was definitely time to clean. 

After my morning cup of coffee and a quick pick up of my kitchen, I was ready to get started. It was about 11 in the morning, but it's never too late to start the year off in a positive mood. I thought about the best way to cleans my room of all the negative feelings it's accumulated over the year when I saw it was snowing. Fresh snow is the best. So I took a small cooking pot and went out side. I took the cleanest snow off my porch and filled the pot. Back inside I pulled out my favorite oils.

Sweet Orange

Spearmint

Lemon

I also pulled out two of my favorite herbs that I grew last year.

Basil

Oregano

With everything out, I put the snow on the stove to melt and boil. I had to go back outside a few times to get a decent amount of water after melting. Once I was happy, I started putting my ingredients in and chanting my spell. 

With the first snow

of the new year,

I empower you

to clear.

Sweet sharp orange,

clear my mind.

Home grown basil,

happiness to find.

Pure oregano,

a chance to grow.

Lush spearmint,

A new life to show.

Lemon sweet,

and equally fine.

Show my love,

That he is mine.

After adding all the ingredients, I stirred the water with my wooden spoon (the only spoon I use for magic) and repeated the spell. Once I felt it was strong enough I put it outside in the snow and finished the spell.

 Let fresh snow,

grant my blessing.

So it is,

So mote it be.

I had wanted to say bright sun grant my blessing, but it was still snowing. 

With my cleansing water energized, I went to work in my room. The first thing I cleaned with the water were my stones. I took my time cleaning everything that held magical importance to me, and even got my boyfriend to fix my book case for me. I wiped every surface down with fresh snow and burned lavender incense.

After everything was where I wanted it, I placed one final spell in my chalice. The following ingridents correspond with the following spell.

Sugar

Lavender

Spearmint

Domiana

Star Anise

Sandalwood

Fennel

Bless us,

with a sweet year.

Bless us,

 with a calm year.

Bless us,

with a wealthy year.

Bless us,

with a passionate year.

Bless us,

with a healthy year.

Bless us,

with protection this year.

Bless us,

with an abundant year.

So it is,

So mote it be.

The new year has a nice start to it, and there will be more magic waiting for me in the future.

The End of the Year

I've been debating the best way to write this post. Should I write something pertaining to the new year, or can that wait until tomorrow? Or should I write something for a dear friend of mine who passed on? With my friends passing, it does hold some meaning for the new year. One year ends and another begins. One life ends and others begin. I'll mesh the two and see if it works.

My friend Stephanie was an interesting woman. She had a difficult life growing up, and made several mistakes in her life. She joined the army at a young age, and though she was happy to serve, she regretted it later. Once she was deemed unfit to serve, she went to school studying the Middle East. She wanted a job working for the government in that field. She visited Egypt often and brought back many gifts for my family. She tried to see the brighter side to her problems, but things got worse. She eventually left her husband and had partial custody of her six kids. She worked at the University of Utah teaching Hebrew for two years, and spent her winter breaks in Cairo.

Over the summer, she met a man who practically completed her life. Her ex got along with him, her children loved him, and he took care of her. But his life was bad as well. He committed suicide using her pills, and she was the one that found him. She couldn't get over it, and the other night, took her life as well.

I'm sorry she is gone, but I also know she is happier now. We all feel her loss, she was quite the interesting person.

She brought me a pyramid once, that had a pharaoh etching, Thoth, Horus, and Anubis. I chose Anubis to worship today, and ask to guide Stephanie safely in the after life.

Anubis is the jackal god of mummification and the guardian of the dead. In legend, he'd embalmed and protected the body of Osiris after death. He helps prepare the mummy for its journey, and guards it in its tomb. 

It is I who hinder the sand from

choking the sacred chamber,

And who repel he would repel him

With the desert-flames. I have set

Aflame the desert, I have cause the path to be mistaken.

I am for the protection of Osiris.

A spell found upon many Pharaoh's tombs. The symbols for Anubis are the jackal head, an ox skin hanging, black, and hematite as well as all embalming tools. 

Today at my alter I have

Anubis

Thoth

Horus

1 black candle

Hematite

Spell

Picture of Stephanie

Charcoal

Myrrh

I wrote the spell on the opposite side of the picture, placing it under the stones. I put Anubis facing the spell and my black candle behind it. I placed the charcoal and myrrh to the left. After lighting the candle, I spoke my spell out loud and meditated on my favorite memories of Stephanie for several minutes. She will be dearly missed.

Hold Stephanie's hand

And walk her through death,

Keep her mind clear.

She knows she is loved

And we worried for her,

But now we have nothing to fear.

Her spirit was freed

To be with who she loved,

Stand by her for me.

So it is, so mote it be.

The best way to tie this into the New Year is by saying, though life ends it keeps going. Stephanie may be gone, but her memory will remain for us who are still here. With the New Year you have to remember to have hope. Staying positive is one of the hardest things to do. I often loose hope and wonder why I try, thus the blog. Yet I look at how Steph handled it, and realize I can never do that. I don't want to loose everything I have. So with the new year, I will remember my friend as the happy woman she was and grow.

May the Gods and Goddesses grant you peace.

Magic for a Friend

My dearest friend and love of my life is also struggling right now. Today he was kicked out of his living arrangements. I spent the morning putting together a spell to help him find a new place quickly, and spent the evening searching for housing in his area. Even though it wasn't magic for me, it still made me feel like I've done something positive. 

I used

A round plate

A piece of paper

A blue candle

Candle holder

Lavender incense

Peppermint leaves

Lavender flowers

Red Sandalwood powder

Sun stone

Citrine

Blood stone

Silver sun emblem 

I took the piece of paper first and wrote out what I needed. Then I looked up the goddess that represented my needs the best. Hestia, the Greek Goddess, came up the most. Being as I was looking for a home, the Goddess of the Hearth fit well. I didn't have many symbols for Hestia, but here is a list.

Hestia

General

Living flame

Bowl

Veils

Pantry

Keys

Animals

Donkey

Pigs

Flowers

Angels Trumpet

California Poppy

Goldenrod

Hollyhock

Purple Coneflower

Yarrow

Perfumes

Angelica

Iris

Lavender

Peony

Stones

Amethyst

Garnet

Gold

Silver

Brass

Colors

Gold

Dark Rose

Lavender

Silver

Black

My spell or prayer (how ever you wish to view it) was simple. As all spells should, it rhymed. 

Goddess Hestia:

Hear my plea.

Let no more pain;

Befall upon me.

I must help;

One I love dear.

Help me please;

His health I fear.

A home he needs;

A place to rest.

A way to concentrate;

On the true test.

So it is,

So mote it be.

I spent over an hour trying to figure out the best way to word that. Here we are in Utah with almost a foot of snow, and he may not have anywhere to sleep. He should be concentrating on his new job and not trying to find a house that wont use him. So, I took that spell and wrote it down on a separate piece of paper. I then placed it under my plate. Mines blue with green designs along the inside. I then sprinkled my herbs clockwise starting with the West.

Peppermint- Purification, sleep, peace, glimpses of the future, health, healing, money, changes, psychic awareness.

Lavender- In the home brings peace, joy, healing, and harmony.

Red Sandalwood- Clears negative energy, protection, healing, aligns the chakras, burn during meditation

I picked these for their abilities. The peppermint for the change, money, and health. Lavender for the peace, healing, and harmony. And the Sandalwood for protection, healing, and leaving the negative energy. Out of these, the Lavender is also important to Hestia. These flowers were also from my garden last summer. 

After I placed the herbs, I placed my stones. Starting with the West once more and moving clockwise, I placed the Sun stone, Citrine, Sun symbol, and Blood stone. My sun symbol was at the East representing the rising sun and the Sun stone in the West representing the setting sun. 

Sun Stone- extra energy when ill or stressed, increases self healing power

Citrine- self esteem, protects from negative energy from someone else's abuse, opens the mind to new thoughts, promotes clarity

Sun Symbol- life, power, strength, energy, force, clarity, self

Blood Stone- promotes change, protects from evil, symbol of justice

Once everything was where I wanted it, I placed my paper under the plate, and my candle in the holder in the center of the circle. I lit it and let it burn while I looked online for places to live that were in a decent price range. I also lit some Lavender incense for an extra boost of energy.

It seems like a lot, for something that may or may not work. But it's all about believing. I believe it helps, and I'll keep believing it does. We already have two places to look at tomorrow morning before work. Once everything has burned down, I will take the herbs, candle stub, and anything else I need and bury it in the field. A way of saying thank you to the Universe and Hestia for all the help given to me.

The First Step

All journeys start with a problem. Every person on Earth is embarking on their own journey. It may not seem like it most days, but we are each taking a step forward towards a new life. Sometimes it takes a huge push to start going in the right direction though.

While skipping the dramatic issues that have arisen in my life, I'll keep it simple. I'm suffering from mental fatigue. Nothing is interesting to me anymore, and those who love me are concerned. It's time to make my own path and restart my journey. While medication can help me, I'd rather take a more natural rout. 

I've always been enticed by magic. Two years ago, my cousin bought me Silver RavenWolf's book The HedgeWitch. I have read it and re-read it, and occasionally tried a spell or two. My Wiccan library has grown since then, but I've never practiced daily. With my health and mind degrading by the day, now's a good time for a change. 

Magic happens every day. Sometimes we miss it. Other times, we choose not to see it. Today, I'm going to embrace it for all that it's worth.