Moon Phases

Witch Tip #129

Before you give anyone a gift, cleanse and charge the object you are gifting with positive energy and luck for the recipient. Two gifts in one!

How to Harvest your Magical Herbs

Most plants used for cooking can be harvested at any time of day but if a herb is being harvested for medicinal use there are certain times of the day and certain weather conditions that are best for capturing the strength of the most active ingredients.  Also if herbs are being used for magikal works there are times that the plants energy is at its optimum and therefore aids the work being undertaken. The perfect conditions for gathering leaves flowers and fruit for drying and storing is a very dry day probably around mid to late morning as any moisture on the surface from rain, mist or dew can cause the plant material to degrade quickly and can induce fungal and bacterial growth.  Harvesting should also be avoided when the sun is high and hot as the essential elements of the active ingredients can be evaporated or lose strength.

Having said all this there are times that you may stumble on a particular plant that has been eluding you and you are totally unprepared for collecting it in the perfect weather conditions, moon phases or with the correct tools and in these situations it comes down to the two choices

come back when the conditions are right which I have done and then been unable to find the plant again

pick it anyway and hope that the active ingredients are not too diminished (I have been in this situation and have had good results anyway)

It is best not to harvest any herbs that have been growing close to the road as the leaves take in the carbon monoxide and poisonous fumes given out by the traffic and take it down into the plant to the root where it becomes stored.  Do not pick wild herbs and plants from verges or throughfares as this contravenes several laws and also the fact that most areas like these are open to our friendly dog and cat population.

If harvesting wild plants leave a large amount of flowers, seed and root as the plant population of that area will very quickly die out if you go in mob-handed and wrench up the only two plants for miles around.  Make sure you know what you’re picking this is very important when harvesting in the wild there are many pocket spotter books available that are invaluable when identifying plants, I try to carry one with photographs rather than drawings as sometimes they can be a little misleading.

When to harvest

Most herbs are harvested in the summer either before or during flowering.  Seeds and most types of bark are collected in early autumn and roots in early autumn and spring.  The leaves of evergreens are collected throughout the year but don’t collect large amounts before or during a heavy front as this will leave the plant vulnerable.

Early Spring: Collect Dandelion roots

Late Spring: Arial parts during flowering; Lungwort, Sweet Violet, Flowers: coltsfoot, cowslip, elder

Early to Mid-Summer: Arial parts/leaves before flowering; Agrimony, Angellica, Catmint, Cleavers, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Garlic, Hysop, Ladys Mantle, Lemonbalm, Motherwort, Parsley, Peppermint, Plantain, Sage, Stinging Nettles, White horehound, Yellow Dock.  Bark while flowering: Rose.  Flowers; Borage, Camomile, Honeeysuckle, Linden, Pot Marigold, St Johns Wort

Mid to Late Summer: Arial parts whilst flowering; Californian Poppy, Heartsease, Marjoram, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Shepherds Purse, Skullcap Thyme, Vervain, Wild Lettuce, Wood Bettony, Wormwood, Yarrow.  Flowers: Hops, Lavender, Mullain.     Leaves After Flowering: Borage, Colsfoot, Cowslip, Fenugreek, Lungwort, Sweet Violet.

Autumn: Roots/ bulbs when leaves have wilted: Angellica, Black Cohosh, Burdock, Comfrey, Cowslip, Elecanpane, Garlic, Goldenseal, Lovage, marshmallow, Soapwort, Valerian.  Seeds/ fruit: Celery, Elder, Howthrorn, Dill, Fennel, Lovage

N.B. When getting plants from the wild, respect the area and plant you are harvesting, never strip a plant bare, never pull it out by the roots to get a few leaves and always check if there are other plants of the same species around. Also be very sure that the plant you are about to pick is what you think it is, Mother Nature can be very tricky sometimes, and 2 seemingly identical plants can have very different effects when ingested. 

It is best to ask permission of the plant before taking it’s bounty, and remember, respect, respect, respect !

Transporting your herbs must be done carefully to retain their valuable powers. It’s best to take an open-topped basket or cotton bag with you and some layers of tissue so that herbs can be transported dry and safe back to home, it is pointless seeking out a special plant, than sticking it into a carrier bag in your pocket so it sweats, bruises and it unidentifiable mush by the time you get home.

Huge Spring Cleaning Crystal Sale! All prices include US shipping - will ship internationally if cost is covered. Have your eye on three or more? Get 15% when you purchase three or more. Items crossed out are no longer available. Please message me if you are interested or want additional pictures/measurements! Each crystal will come with a card describing its healing properties and uses. Payments are through PayPal. First Picture: (1) large clear quartz cluster ($20) (1) large AAA clear standing quartz the wider one ($40) (1) large AAA clear standing quartz the longer one ($35) (1) large angel/opal aura quartz cluster ($50) Second Picture: (2) angel aura quartz points ($20/each) (4) aqua aura quartz points ($20/each) (1) large double terminated rose quartz wand ($35) (1) aqua aura spirit quartz ($15) (2) high quality standing citrine points ($25/each) (2) high quality AAA clear quartz standing points ($15/each)

Third Picture: (1) large angel/opal aura quartz cluster ($45) (1) huge polished freeform malachite ($28) (1) large high quality standing rose quartz point ($40) (1) large polished freestanding lapis lazuli ($40) Fourth Picture: (1) large AAA clear quartz standing point ($35) (1) large clear quartz cluster ($15) (2) polished fluorite wands ($15/each) (1) polished amethyst wand ($20)

everything-aesthetics // new york city

Herbs that Correspond w/ Blessings

Health: caraway seeds, eucalyptus leaves, ginger, juniper, berries, pine needles, rose hips, sunflower petals or seeds, thyme.

Happiness: baby’s breath, cedar chips or shavings, fir needles, marigold petals, marjoram, orange peel, oregano, savory.

Love: cardamom pods or ground cardamom,carnation petals, cinnamon chips or ground cinnamon, coriander seeds, hibiscus flowers, linden flowers, mint, rose petals, willow leaves or bark.

Prosperity: acorns, allspice, almonds, banana chips, cloves, oak leave, oats, poppy seeds, rice, saffron threads, sage.

Peace: basil,catnip, lavender, lemongrass, olive branches or olive leaves, rosemary, violets.

Protection: angelica, black beans, cactus needles,garlic powder, or garlic salt, nettles, ground black pepper or black peppercorns, thistles, thorns.

Good Fortune: ash leaves, bay leaves, cumin seeds or powdered cumin, dill seeds or leaves, whole or ground nutmeg, vanilla beans.

I find these very helpful during candles magick and magick bottles, adds a little kick :)

Easy Sleep Tea

Ok, I will admit that this is not really a spell. But what witch doesn’t love doing a little herbal remedy when they can. These herbs will create a very relaxing tea that can help put you to sleep naturally. You can also use this tea along with any other spells for a little added boost. 

Keep reading

Etsy Shops Pagans Would Love

If you have more to add to this list, feel free to! If you’re looking for a specific thing (tarot cards, crystals, etc) please use the “find it” feature on your browser (CTRL F for windows for example) for key words. Jewels are often short for jewelry on this keyword list.

Mortar and Petal: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MORTARandPETAL “Purveyor of Pristine Plant Products”

Vanda rose aromatherapy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VandaRoseAroma “aromatherapy, toiletries, cosmetic uses”

The Frugal Shaman: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheFrugalShaman “herbs and other earth based products”

Crafts for YOUR Craft: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SandiEnchantedGarden “witchcraft materials:

The Shabby Witch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheShabbyWitch “candles, herbs, oils, etc”

Insense: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Insense “incense”

Awakened: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AwakenShopGoods “hand crafted incense burners”

Ceres Studios: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CeresStudios “ jewelry, rock and mineral specimens, and accessories for gamers and pipe smokers.”

Gaias Mystic Gems: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GaiasMysticGems “ fairy magic and cosmic dust that lives in the forest of my imagination”

The Wicked Griffin: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWickedGriffin “ Rune Ring, Norse Ring, Pagan Wedding Ring, Pagan Wedding, Rune Jewelry, Viking Jewlery, Viking Woman, Viking Runes, Viking Jewelry Norway, Pagan Ring, Pagan Jewelry”

2Boys1Homestead: https://www.etsy.com/shop/2Boys1Homestead “crystals”

VTWiccan: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VTWICCAN “herbal aromtherapy, metaphysics”

Harley’s Mystical Gems: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GemsMystical “ Custom wands and rune sets available here. “

The Cairn: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCairn “prayer beads, oils, runes, jewls, etc”

The Divine Muses: https://www.etsy.com/shop/divineMuses “tarot, divination”

HardyTarot: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HardyTarot “tarot cards”

OneWithGems: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OneWithGems “lithomancy, crystals”

Crystal Dragonfly: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CrystalDragonflyTree “Crystals”

Stone USA Inc: https://www.etsy.com/shop/STONEUSAINC “authentic stones”

Ural Nature: https://www.etsy.com/shop/UralNature “nature based jewels” 

Chrysalism: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Chrysalism “talismans”

AlgizStudio: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlgizStudio “nature based jewels” 

Magic Craft Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/magicraftshop “book of shadows, divination, alter set, ouji”

Amethyst Ways Fairies: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmethystWaysFairies “alters, dolls, vintage items, jewels”

Crystals & Creations: https://www.etsy.com/shop/crystalsNcreations “lithomancy, crystals”

My Grimoire: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MyGrimoire “ebooks, spells, card readings, recipes”

Mystics Realm: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MysticsRealm “witchcraft, candles, herbs, jewels”

Witchwood Crafts: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WitchwoodCrafts “candles, jewels, gemstones”

Devonian Mists: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DevonianMists “witchcraft, sigils, spells, wands, runes, oils, ointments”

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❣ Witch Tip #101

“Just don’t curse”

I’m honestly curious. On posts that claim cursing is alright and cursing is ok why do people feel like they need to add their opposing demands?

“Don’t curse!” they cry out.

Why?

Why can’t we curse?

“The Threefold Law!”

Incorrect!

The Three Fold Law was originally published in a fictional work titled High Magic’s Aid by Gerald Gardner.

The story is about two brother’s who set out to reclaim their land. In an interview in 1991 Valiente states, “I think old Gerald cooked it up in one of his rituals, and people took it terribly literally.” (Valiente was an early initiate and high priestess of Gardner, being initiated by him in 1953. She is sometimes referred to as the “Mother of Witchcraft” because of her extensive collaboration with Gardner in reworking his notes into a more formal book of shadows. One of her more most well-know contributions is the poetic form of the Charge of the Goddess.)

Belief in the simple law of cause and effect is a popular one among witches of all traditions; however, this particular way of expressing it [the three-fold law] seems to have originated with the Gardnerians and is peculiar to their English tradition. Gardnerians who did not work with Lady Owen or Raymond Buckland did not have this emphasis on a three-fold return. Unlike the Crowthers, however, Valiente, along with several other coven members split from Gardner around 1960 due to his habit of presenting his personal opinions as law.[x] Through my research on the topic, though it not completely thorough, many Wiccans and witches agree that the words of one person are not law. Many also agree that witches should not be held to a special set of law and rules simply because they practice witchcraft. 

“The Wiccan Rede!”

Incorrect!

The Wiccan Rede is not the same thing, though it too was created by a single person. Those who practice NeoWicca do NOT have to follow any rules or laws put forth by specific traditions.

 I would also like to emphasize that Gardnerian Wicca is based on initiation and is therefore a closed practice. It is not a title one should claim unless initiated. That being said plenty of Wiccans do not follow the Three Fold Law or The Rede. Those aspects of Wicca apply to very specific traditions in specific practices. If you are at all interested in Wicca I urge you to research “rules” and “laws” before simply accepting them as such.

“Bad Karma!”

Incorrect!

That isn’t how karma works. [x] [x]

“Cursing is only ok when….”

Incorrect!

You don’t get to judge what is “ok” for other people.  You weren’t elected, selected or asked. Your own moral values are not the same as other, stop forcing them onto other people.

Stop telling people cursing is “bad” or “isn’t ok”.

“What goes around comes around.” 

Incorrect!

This isn’t a good reason. That is a belief you are personally invested in. That doesn’t mean anyone else has to follow it.

I don’t believe in it. I’ve seen people lie, cheat, steal and physically abuse others and nothing ill has ever come of it. I’ve seen people help those in need, go above and beyond, and honestly want to just help others lose everything. Newborns dying of horrible, painful diseases. Animals being tortured. People dying in wars they want no part of. I don’t believe in “what goes around comes around”. If you personally don’t curse thats fine. Stop policing pro-cursing posts because you feel like people aren’t paying you enough attention. I have never once seen a good reason to not curse. At the core, at it’s origin, witchcraft was born of cursing, of hexes, of spoiling milk and killing livestock…. These are the roots of witchcraft. To say anything otherwise is pretty talk and a complete ignorance to the true history of the craft itself.

Crystal and Stone Cuts

How Different Shapes Can Influence Energy Flow

By Rainy-Day-Witchcraft

This post a little spinoff from my “Explaining Crystal Healing” post, and describes how energy is directed throughout a stone based on the different, both cut and raw, shapes of gemstones. Enjoy ♡

Natural Point(s)⌇Best used when energy is meant to be concentrated and pointed in a specific direction. If a stone has more than one point, the energy will also tend to be directed in those multiple directions. Larger points make wonderful wands!

Grounded Point/Obelisk⌇Stronger version of the (natural) pointed stone, as the bottom of an obilisk-shaped crystal is flat, and allowing for a more grounded directional energy. Because these are meant to be placed standing and pointing upwards, they are best used when energy is needed to be pointed up from a flat surface.

Double-Terminated⌇Think of these cuts as having two poles, like the earth, moving energy in a elongated sphere around the crystal. Energy is taken in by each point and added to the ‘bubble’ of energy the crystal can work with.

Tumbled⌇Crystals and stones that have been tumbled (yet not quite into a perfect sphere) will have energy that softly emits in all directions, sometimes directionally varied if the stone is a little more abstractly shaped.

Natural/Raw⌇Energy flow with naturally shaped and formed stones, while being stronger than man-made stones, tends to be more sporadic than smoother or more even stones (unless, of course, the stone forms naturally with a smooth texture). Energy flow depends on the shape and texture of each mineral - Rough, cubed, pointed, etc.

Faceted/Multiple-Faced⌇Energy in and around faceted gemstones, such as those commonly used in jewelry, will be given off similarly to how a mirror or glass pane reflects/directs light; In this example, think of each face of the stone as glass, and energy as the light. This method of energy flow also applies to multiple-faced, non-pointed stones, such as some varieties of raw minerals that grow with cubed or edged faces.

Spherical⌇Crystal balls and spheres will give off energy in an evenly distributed way, as you expect a perfect sphere would. Spherical gemstones that are translucent and able to focus light (similarly to how a magnifying class can focus sunlight) can also direct energy in one direction if used in certain ways.

“Palm” Stone⌇Palm stones are similar to spherical stones in that they emit energy in a constant way, though these stones are more grounded. Because of their grounded nature and palm-like shape, these types of stones are ideal for emotional healing, grounding, or stress.

Worry Stone⌇Worry stones are created to, just as the name suggests, decrease or eliminate worry! These are made to work a bit differently than others; the piezoelectric energy of the stone is made to be given off as a trigger to physical touching or rubbing one’s thumb on the slightly concaved area of the stone. Besides metaphysical healing purposes, these are also made to give a person something do fiddle with in their hands to take the mind off worry.