I’m back with more European folk magic! This time we’re diving into Italian folk magic practices. This isn’t a comprehensive look at Italian magic (though if you’re interested in an overview I’d be happy to write one) rather it’s a close look at a particular protective charm from southern Italy. It’s a simple, yet effective charm with a long history. Everything is thoroughly researched through academic sources in anthropology, folklore, and first hand accounts. You can either click the link or read this post, either way I hope this is meaningful and educational for you🌛🌝🌜
Brevi: an Italian folk magic charm against the evil eye and how to make your own
Like many Mediterraneans, Italians are greatly concerned with the potential to be afflicted with the evil eye. Many of the folk magic practices performed by jana and benedettihealers are intended to divine the cause of the malocchio and rid it from those who come to them. Their craft has been passed down for generations and their services are highly respected. Like with other folk magic healers, most jana and benedetti do not consider themselves witches, instead they see themselves as “having the sign”, people chosen by god to help others. Clients come to them for a variety of needs both physical and spiritual. These healers perform divination rituals, locate lost objects, make love charms, and more — though mostly, they remedy the malocchio.
Remedies range from complex, lengthy multi-step rituals, to simple prayers and gestures. Whatever means a cunning person uses varies from region to region, though in Basilicata/ Lucania where my family comes from, the evil eye is typically cured and prevented with brevi. These are small black cloth pouches filled with various sacred herbs, protective amulets and stones, objects made of iron, images of saints, and Palm Sunday ashes. These bags are worn close to the skin, either around the neck, tucked into a bra, or in a wallet. Contact with the skin is considered to be an important part of this protective charm, depending on the region and advice of the healer. Though brevi are typically prepared and empowered by the prayers of the healer, it is not uncommon for mothers to make them for their children.
What goes into the brevi bag is highly subjective and personal, though there are commonalities in their contents from state to state. Medals of the Madonna, a small cross or charm, and rosemary are common in most places. There are more specific additions such as the cimaruta, the cornicello, the mano cornuta and mano fica, or pieces of coral. The cimaruta is a popular Neopolitan talisman typically worn around the neck or hung above an infant’s bed. Made of silver, the cimaruta is meant to resemble a sprig of rue, one of the most sacred herbs. Each of the 3 rue branches blossom into protective magical symbols. These include, but are not limited to: a crescent moon, the sun, a heart shaped key, a sacred heart, a fish, or a rooster.
Charm available: on Etsy White Peach Cottage.
[Image description: A typical silver cimaruta charm. Made to resemble a sprig of rue, the branches end in protective symbols. This particular pendant features a cross, a crescent moon, a sacred heart, and a rooster.]
Along with medals of saints, the cornicello, mano cornuta and mano fica can be added to brevi bags. The corno is a popular Southern Italian amulet, symbolic of a ram or bull’s horn. It signifies virility and strength, projecting a masculine energy. These charms are typically made of silver, gold, or coral, all are considered significant sacred materials. The red coral is reminiscent of blood and vitality, bringing luck to the wearer and silver has long been used as a protective measure against evil spirits. The cornicello is typically worn by men. Mano charms have ancient origins — dating back to the Etruscans. Mano fica, the fig hand, is associated with femininity and is thought to have the power to oppose the evil eye. The mano cornuta, the horned hand, has similar roots and meanings to the cornicello, and if done as a physical gesture, it can reflect the malocchio back to whoever cast it.
In addition to the medals, several sacred herbs are utilized. Many of the herbs are associated with Saint John or the Virgin Mary, though if you are a secular witch like me or worship pagan pantheons, you can forgo the Catholic aspects of this charm. Many of the herbs have ancient associations dating back to the classical Roman period, making their meanings highly adaptable. The Romans associated various herbs with Diana (Artemis), Juno (Hera), and Phoebus (Apollo). So it is not difficult to transcribe the correspondences.
The primary herb used in brevi bags is rue. Rue is sometimes referred to as “the herb of grace” and has long been used in blessing water and exorcisms. Rosemary protects against negativity and is used in cleansing rituals. Roses symbolize the divine love of the Madonna and evoke healing energies. Lavender has a long history in Italy of being a prophylactic against evil, with evidence dating back to ancient Rome. Mugwort is associated with witchcraft and magic, mostly in connection with Artemis/ Diana and the moon. Some brevi contain chili pepper seeds — the fruit itself resembles the cornicello, carrying a similar meaning. The seeds are associated with protecting and warding.
Once the charms and herbs are chosen and brevi are assembled, cunning folk recite prayers and bless the charm. They recite common Catholic prayers 3 times and typically perform these blessings on holy days and Saint feasts such as notte di san Giovanni — St. John’s eve, and Christmas eve. St. John’s eve takes place around the same time as the summer solstice and the celebrations across Europe still have elements that resemble pagan celebrations such as the Roman Vestalia festival. Some healers do not pray over the bag, rather they recite poetry that evokes their intent. The process of making brevi is highly personalized to each healer and region.
[Image description: author’s personal brevi elements. They include a black sachet, rosemary, mugwort, rose petals, lavender, red clover, obsidian and a white gold cornicello.]
I have adopted and adapted making and carrying a brevi bag into my own practice. It gives me a sense of deeper connection with my ancestors, especially since brevi are a popular folk remedy in the region we come from. In my own brevi rituals I include herbs that are personally meaningful to me with magical correspondences that resonate with my intent. I typically use rosemary, mugwort, rose petals, lavender, and local red clover. Harvesting and foraging some of the herbs brings me closer to nature and makes the bag that much more meaningful. I also include a shard of obsidian which is a powerful warding stone. I like to think its reflective nature is aiming the evil eye back to whoever or whatever is aiming negative intent towards me. I put a family heirloom in my bag as well — my great grandfather’s cornicello, passed down from my father to me. It gives me a sense that my ancestors are protecting me. I write my own personal incantations for my brevi, typically poems or prayers to nature spirits. Finally, I charge it every full moon, imbuing it with magical energy and replace the herbs every so often to keep its power.
Crafting charms and spells can be highly personal and meaningful. Creating your own brevi bag can invite in positive energies, bolster spiritual defenses, and connect you to a long history of spiritual healing. Brevi bags are a low effort, simple way of practicing magic, making them highly accessible. I hope you found this interesting and perhaps you’ll choose to incorporate brevi bags into your magical workings.
(sources available at the end of linked article)
I haven’t sent you an ask in ages, so... Do you know any herbal remedy recipes with catnip, spearmint, rosemary, or lavender in them? Not tea, other stuff
Biiiitch, you know I do! Ok some of these (most of these) aren’t recipes really and some are spells but you get the basic idea lol and maybe might get an idea? You get everything thrown at you. ;)
A Little Spell to Bless a Cat
Cat Cuddle Comfort Spell
A Shiny Glamour
Drawing out Latent Talent Charm Bag
Get Up & Go New Moon Ritual
Daytime Rest Satchel
Witch’s Salve
Attract a Friend
Happy Home Jar Spell
Jar Spell to Attract Love
Sweet Scent
Bath of Renewal
Spell for Confidence and Beauty
Money Jar
I don’t have a whole lot for spearmint because I am mildly allergic.
Divination Jar
Calming & Anxiety Relieving Simmer Pot Spell
Anti Stress Incense
Ok you aren’t getting everything for rosemary & lavender because I would be here all fucking day.
Earth Milk Bath
Floor Wash
Curse Removing Wash
Purification Bath
Banishing bath Spell
Spiced Rosemary Sea Salt Brownies
Cleansing Spray
Home Wash
Rosemary Sugar Scrub
Bath Spell for Peace & Clarity
Sleep Sachet
Lavender-Rosemary-Lemon Shortbread (pls send some if you make them kthx)
Good Night’s Sleep Oil & Bag
Third Eye Anointing Oil
I am Majestic Bath Ritual
Safe Travels Powder
Love Drawing Soak
Lavender Fairy Wine (non alcoholic)
Self Love Spray
Candles
Faery Bath
Faery Queen Sugar
Ice Witch Milk Bath
Lavender Sugar Scrub
Honey Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream
Stress Fix Bath
Lavender & Honey Feel Good Potion
Peaceful Night Potion
Fruit & Herb Infused Water
Love Everlasting Oil
Beauty Bath
Lavender Wine
Cheers! Have fun, stay safe, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. Which I would do pretty much anything so…..
Love you!
****These are used as Suggestions****
Rosemary can be used in place of other herbs
Rose can be used in place of any other flower
Frankincense or Copal can replace gum resin
Sage in place of any mints
Tobacco in place of any poisonous herbs
Acacia substitute Gum Arabic
Aconitie substitute Tobacco
Arabic substitute gum ,gum mastic or frankincense
Allspice substitute cassia, cinnamon, cloves ,mace or nutmeg
Balm of gilded substitute rose buds or gum mastic
Belladonna substitute Tobacco
Benzoin substitute Gum Arabic or gum mastic
Camphor oil substitute Eucalyptus oil or lavender oil
Carnation substitute rose petals anointed with a few drops of cinnamon oil
Cassia substitute cinnamon
Castor beans substitute for a few drops of castor oil
Cedar substitute sandlewood
Cinquefoil substitute clover or trefoil
Citron substitute equal parts Orange & lemon peels
Clove substitute mace or nutmeg
Clover substitute cinquefoil
Copal substitute frankincense or cedar
Cowbane substitute tobacco
Cypress substitute juniper or pine needles
Deer tongue substitute tonka bean, woodruff or vanilla
Dittany substitute gum mastic
Dragons blood substitute equal parts frankincense and red sandlewood
Eucalyptus oil substitute camphor oil or lavender oil
Euphorbium substitute Tobacco
Frankincense substitute copal or pine resin
Grains of paradise substitute black pepper
Gum bumelia substitute copal, pine resin or dragons blood
Hellebore substitute tobacco or nettle
Hemlock substitute Tobacco
Hemp substitute nutmeg or damiana
Henbone substitute Tobacco
Hyssop substitute lavender
Ivy substitute cinquefoil
Jasmin substitute rose
Juniper substitute pine
Lavender substitute rose
Lemon Grass substitute lemon peel
Lemon verbena substitute Lemon grass or lemon peel
Mace substitute nutmeg
Mandrake substitute Tobacco
Mastic substitute gum, gum Arabic or Frankincense
Mint substitute sage
Mistletoe substitute mint or sage
Mugwort substitute wormwood
Neroli oil substitute orange oil
Nightshade substitute Tobacco
Nutmeg substitute mace or cinnamon
Oakmoss substitute patchouli
Orange substitute tangerine peel
Orange flower substitute orange peel
Patchouli substitute oakmoss
Peppermint substitute spearmint
Pepperwort substitute grain of paradise or black pepper
Pine substitute juniper
Pine resin substitute frankincense or copal
Red Sandlewood substitute sandlewood with a pinch of dragons blood
Rose substitute yarrow
Rose geranium substitute rose
Rue substitute rosemary with a pinch of black pepper
Saffron substitute orange peel
Sandalwood substitute cedar
Sarsaparilla substitute sassafras
Spearmint substitute peppermint
Star Anise substitute bay
Sulfur substitute tobacco, club moss or asafetida
Thyme substitute rosemary
Tobacco substitute bay
Tonka bean substitute deer tongue
Trefoil substitute cinquefoil
Valerian substitute asafetide
Vanilla substitute woodruff or deer tongue
Vetivert substitute calamus
Wolfsbane substitute tobacco
Wood aloe substitute sandalwood sprinkled with ambergris oil
Woodruff substitute deer tongue or vanilla
Wormwood substitute nutmeg
Yarrow substitute rose
Yew substitute Tobacco
Beverages: Ale, Eggnog, Spiced Ginger, & Wine. Creatures: Donkey, Doves, Goats, Robins, & Turkey. Deities: Artemis, Brigid, Holly King, Morrigan, & Odin. Flowers: Chamomile, Comfrey, Fir, Holly, & Mistletoe. Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Myrrh, & Sandalwood. Minerals: Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Pearls, Quartz, & Ruby. Nutrients: Berries, Fruits, Nuts, Pastries, & Poultry. Practices: Hanged Yule Balls, Yule Tree, & Yule Log. Saplings: Birch, Evergreen, Oak, Pine, & Yew. Shades: Gold, Red, Green, Silver, Yellow, & White. Symbols: Candles, Holly, Mistletoe, & Yule-Logs. Timing: December Twenty First till January First.
Beverages: Cream, Herbal Teas, Milk, & Spiced Wines. Creatures: Cattle, Dragons, Lambs, Phoenix, & Sheep. Deities: Aphrodite, Bastet, Brigid, & Cerridwen. Flowers: Carnation, Chamomile, Iris, Pansy, & Poppy. Herbs: Angelica, Basil, Bay-laurel, Heather, & Myrrh. Minerals: Amethyst, Calcite, Carnelian, & Malachite. Nutrients: Grain, Poppy, Raisins, Seeds, & Tomatoes. Practices: Making Brigid’s Cross or Doll & Feasts. Saplings: Birch, Blackthorn, Rowan, and Sycamore. Shades: Browns, Greens, Whites, and Yellows. Symbols: Candles, Brideogs, Brigid’s Cross, Bonfires. Timing: First through the Second of February.
Beverages: Eggnog, Juices, Lemonade, & Wines. Creatures: Chicks, Dragons, Lambs, Rabbits, & Robins. Deities: Demeter, Eostre, Persephone, & Prosperina. Flowers: Daffodils, Honeysuckle, Lilacs, & Tansies. Herbs: Lavender, Marjoram, Meadowsweet, & Wheat. Minerals: Amazonite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, & Rose Quartz. Nutrients: Beans, Eggs, Grain, Ham, Nuts, & Seeds. Practices: Bake, Cleanse, Feast, Forage, & Manifest. Saplings: Acorn, Dogwood, Elder, Olive, Pine, & Willow. Shades: Pastel Blues, Greens, Pinks, Purples, & Yellows. Symbols: Butterflies, Chicks, Clovers, Eggs, & Hares. Timing: The First and Second of March.
Beverages: Ales, Honeyed Teas, May Wine, & Meads. Creatures: Bees, Doves, Hares, Lambs, Swallows, & Swans. Deities: Apollo, Bacchus, Cernunnos, Freya, & Odin. Flowers: Daffodils, Lilacs, Lilly of the Valley, & Violets. Herbs: Honeysuckle, Lavender, Meadowsweet, & Mint. Minerals: Bloodstone, Emerald, Rose Quartz, & Sapphire. Nutrients: Aphrodisiacs, Grains, Honey-Cakes, & Poultry. Practices: Bonfires, Visiting Holy Wells, & the May-Pole Ritual. Saplings: Hawthorn, Holly, Rowan, and Sycamore. Shades: Pastel Blues, Greens, Pinks, Whites, & Yellows. Symbols: Bonfires, Faeries, Garlands, Maypoles, & Rabbits. Timing: The First Day through the Second Of May.
Beverages: Juices, Lemonade, Nectars, & Sun-Tea. Creatures: Cattle, Eagles, Hares, Hawks, & Horses. Deities: Demeter, Freya, Juno, Lugh, Ra, & Vesta. Flowers: Calendulas, Lavender, Roses, & Sunflowers. Herbs: Meadowsweet, Mint, Mugwort, & Yarrow. Minerals: Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, & Tigers Eye. Nutrients: Apricots, Grapefruit, Lemons, & Oranges. Practices: Baking, Bonfires, Foraging, & Picnics. Saplings: Fir, Elder, Holly, Laurel, Oak, & Rowan. Shades: Browns, Gold, Oranges, Reds, and Yellows. Symbols: Bonfires, The Fae, Oak Trees, & The Sun. Timing: June Nineteenth through the Twenty-Third.
Beverages: Ciders, Meads, Sun-Tea, & Sun-Water. Creatures: Boars, Calves, Corvids, & Roosters. Deities: Ceres, Cernunnos, Cerriddwen, & Lugh. Flowers: Acacia, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, & Sunflower. Herbs: Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, & Wheat. Minerals: Amber, Carnelian, Citrine, & Tiger’s Eye. Nutrients: Berries, Breads, Corn, Grains, & Poultry. Practices: Baking, Bonfires, Gardening, & Harvesting. Saplings: Apple, Hawthorn, Heather, Myrtle, and Oak. Shades: Bronze, Gold, Oranges, Reds, & Yellows. Symbols: Bonfires, Cornhusks, Cornucopias, & The Sun. Timing: The First of Every August or February annually.
Beverages: Apple Cider, Ginger Tea, or Mulled Wine. Creatures: Blackbirds, Deer, Owls, Salmon, & Wolves. Deities: Cernunnos, Demeter, Persephone, & The Morrigan. Flowers: Chamomile, Marigolds, Rosehips, & Sunflowers. Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Ginger, Sage, & Thistle. Minerals: Amber, Citrine, Jasper, Obsidian, & Tiger’s Eye. Nutrients: Corn, Gourds, Grains, Pumpkins, & Squash. Practices: Apple Picking, Bonfires, & Dumb Suppers. Saplings: Aspen, Cedar, Maple, Oak, Pine, & Rue. Shades: Browns, Copper, Oranges, Reds, & Yellows. Symbols: Cornucopia, Leaves, Pinecones, & Seeds. Timing: The annual occurrence of the Autumnal Equinox.
Beverages: Apple Cider, Cranberry Juice, & Mulled Wine. Creatures: Bats, Cattle, Crows, Felines, & Ravens. Deities: Hades, Hecate, Hel, The Morrigan, & Rhiannon. Flowers: Chamomile, Marigolds, Rosehips, & Sunflowers. Herbs: Cinnamon, Frankincense, Mugwort, & Valerian. Minerals: Amber, Citrine, Jasper, Obsidian, & Tiger’s Eye. Nutrients: Gourds, Grains, Pumpkins, Poultry, & Squash. Practices: Apple Picking, Bonfires, & Dumb Suppers. Saplings: Aspen, Cedar, Maple, Oak, Pine, & Rue. Shades: Blacks, Browns, Oranges, Purples, & Reds. Symbols: Bats, Coffins , Jack o’ Lanterns, & Ghosts. Timing: October Thirty First.
Sand is an abundant resource that can be found across the world including along the coasts, through deserts and even in many people’s yards and gardens. Sand is rather easy to obtain and natural making it ideal for witchcraft. Though some types of sand may be harder to obtain, and more costly, than others, let this post be a guide on how to utilize it for its magical properties.
Beach/Coastal Sand: calming, grounding, cleansing, connecting to the sea, self-love, protection and warding, motivation, memory, spiritual clarity, purification of the heart, easing pain, physical and spiritual strength, can represent both the elements of earth and water
Ocean Sand (from the ocean floor/deep sea): primordial energy, banishing negative emotions and energy, grounding, mental clarity, psychic clarity and strengthening, divination, guidance, ancient wisdom and power, connections to the sea and primordial waters, birth, creation, can represent both the elements of earth and water
Desert Sand: curses and removing energy from others, weakening, draining, banishing, grounding, mental clarity, physical health, enduring hardships, “drying up” love and past emotions, healing heartbreak, burying the past, often related to burial ceremonies
Volcanic Sand: destruction, intense energy, strength, death, rebirth, banishing, secrets or hidden messages, warding, baneful magic, offensive magic, often represents both earth and fire at once
River Sand/Silt: fertility, procreation, movement, flowing energy, travels, change
Lake/Pond Sand: the present, calmness, serenity, inner focus, self-reflection and meditation
Swamp/Wetland Sand: mystery, secret keeping, silencing lies and rumors, binding, curses related to becoming lost or emotional heaviness, often represents both water and earth at once, often related to animal magic specifically those that live in swamp land
Unearthed/Buried Sand: grounding, hidden power, addressing past issues and mistakes, overcoming controversy, self-discovery, introspection, emotional healing, moving on from past scars
Biogenic Sand/Bone Sand/Shell Sand: healing, moving on emotionally, remembrance but letting go of the pain and loss, honoring those lost (often at or to the sea), close connections to necromancy
Black Sand: protection, warding, banishing, relates to necromancy and spirit work
Pink Sand: love, beauty, youth, harmony, adjusting to change, remembering the past and lost loved ones, rebirth, emotional and mental healing, forgiveness of self and others
Red Sand: strength, courage, valor, relates to fire rather than earth
Yellow Sand: divination, focus, improving memory and skills, mental health, grounding and centering, represents both earth and air elements sometimes both at once
White Sand: purity, cleansing, protection, wisdom, preparing for change, physical and emotional balance, harmonizes all aspects of oneself
Sand and Soil: grounding, balance, cleansing, protection of loved ones and family
Sand and Salt: change, growing power, dreams, purification, warding, protection, longevity
Sand and Ash: remembrance, the past, divination
Sand and Clay: change, mental fortitude
Sand and Kelp/Seaweed: beauty, youth, birth, fertility, the ocean
Not much history on the use of sand in magic from what I can find that is a reliable source, but I was able to find some bits about its use.
Sand has been used in connections to rituals for the dead and in burial practices in many different cultures to a varying degree. In some sand was used for burying the deceased such as very early Ancient Egypt for its mummification properties before better mummification methods were invented and utilized. Placing sand into graves or coffins of the deceased somethings as a means to connect them to their homelands if that person was traveling into foreign lands or countries. Some stories speak about mixing the ashes of the dead with sand to be kept in the home. Other stories tell of people mixes ashes from fires or the hearth with sand and casting it out into the sea for lost sailors who could not be brought home.
Sand was also used historical in some types of spell jars and vessels. In some places sand was put into jars and bottles and given to sailors to keep them connected to home even when sailing. Others said carrying sand could protect one from being lost at sea or from disaster, likely where the history of sand being used for protection properties came from. It has also been used in witch’s bottles and for burying spells for varying purposes. Some cultures would bury offerings to deities into the sand of beaches or deserts.
Sand is still a common ingredient for many sea witches and worshipers of ocean related deities to utilize in their craft and in their altars. Deities commonly related to sand are Poseidon, Aphrodite, Psamathe, Thalassa, Aegir, Neptune and Veles. Sand is also often used in altars to represent either earth or water when representing the cardinal directions or the 4 elements. Some will use sand to represent both in cases of smaller altars.
Modernly, sand is often used in spell jars and bottles when used in spellwork or as a vessel to charge, cleanse and bury objects or tools such as crystals, poppets, amulets and trinkets. Sea witches or witches with accesses to large amount of sand will often use it for grounding and circle casting. Some will use it for runes and sigils as well.
For those wishing to store and use collected sand ensure that there is nothing undesirable in it - garbage, sharp bits of glass, decomposing fish or animals, insects etc. Shift it thoroughly to ensure anything that could be potentially dangerous is removed and if needed properly disposed of. Once the sand has been shifted ensure it is dry before you seal it into anything.
Wet sand can house bacteria and mold - which can also smell quite foul when the container is opened again. You can use the sun to dry it or indoor heaters at a safe distance. Spread it out thin and flat to help ensure it is thoroughly dried if it is damp or wet.
Once dried the best way to store sand is inside of glass or ceramic vessels. Jars and bottles are the most ideal. Ensure that they are sealed tightly to ensure no spillage or condensation can get inside.
**this post was personally researched, compiled and directly from my personal grimoire. Please do not repost**
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I’ve been seeing some WASP NEGATIVITY lately so just a reminder that insects are important and interesting whether you find them “cute” or not. Which btw wasps are cute actually but anyways… (also sorry for the US-centrism)
🧿 Cleansing + Recharging Your Protections and Wards 🧿
Keeping your wards and protections in top shape is essential for maintaining a positive and safe environment. By keeping your wards and protections cleansed and recharged this helps maintain a harmonious and safe space. Here are some guidelines to help you determine how often to cleanse and recharge them!
Dove Blood Ink 🩸
Uses
Dove’s blood ink is traditionally used for any type of love, blessing, friendship, reconciliation, desire, and loyalty working/spell. This ink can be used to record spells, write petitions, create sigils, etc. Blood inks (dragon blood, dove blood, bat blood) got their names because of their dark red pigment due to the type of resin used, Dracaena Cinnabari, which causes the inks to look similar to blood.
ingredients
isopropyl 99.9% alcohol
Dracaena Cinnabari resin (medieval DB resin)
a pinch of rose petal
tsp of cinnamon/cinnamon chips
1 bay leaf
a pinch of calamus root (optional)
How to make
In a glass, air tight container, add your botanicals, and then pour isopropyl alcohol over the botanicals, stir, and seal lid tightly. Store vial in a cool, dark place for at least 24 hours.
After allowing the isopropyl to infuse with your botanicals, strain the botanicals from the isopropyl so that your alcohol is now in a separate air tight glass vial (this vial will be the one you store your ink in!)
In a mortar and pestle (preferably a separate one dedicated solely to ink making), crush DB resin into small pieces and/or powder. Make sure this is real Dracaena Cinnabari resin, as this is the only DB resin that dissolves in alcohol.
Add your now crushed resin to your isopropyl that has been strained into your ink vial, and stir. Allow your resin to dissolve for at least 3 hours minimum before using ink. If you would like to strain excess pieces of non-dissolved resin from your ink, you may do so, but I prefer to keep them in the mixture. Depending on preferred consistency, you may need to add more resin and/or isopropyl. Shake/stir before each use.
I see you unfollowing. Good. Don’t fucking stop. This blog is pro choice, pro gay, pro black, pro trans, pro sex work, pro go fuck yourself
Those uses aren’t exclusive—it has also been known to feature in baneful magics, and can be used in uncrossing rituals.
To protect your property from negative spirits, people with ill-intent, unwanted visitors, and negative energy: sprinkle black salt around the perimeter of your property.
To both banish any residual icky energy that a person may have left in your home, and prevent them from returning: sprinkle black salt on the front step and sweep it away. If you’re feeling more traditional (and brave!) you can throw black salt at the back of someone that is leaving your home also.
To prevent nightmares: use in a sachet and keep beneath your pillow.
To repel negativity, unwanted visitors, and rumours/gossip: sprinkle generously across windowsills and doorways.
To cleanse your home and keep nasties from entering: add black salt to a floor wash and go ham on your floor. Focus especially on high traffic areas.
To undo a curse, hex, or other form of malignant magic that has been cast upon you: use in an uncrossing oil or powder. Learn more about uncrossing [here].
To alleviate any negative thoughts and feelings that you are carrying: add a pinch of black salt to your bath, or to an oil with a similar purpose that you anoint yourself with.
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The Wild Called Me Back.
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