ashwoodapothecary-blog

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Tarot in Magic Use

I have a tarot deck that was gifted to me made entirely of leather and just the major arcana. It has an extremely powerful energy to it, and I knew right away this was a tarot deck to be used in spell work, not divination. So I started meditating and looking into the cards and really thinking about what they could be used for/associations. So here’s what I came up with!

(Note: I mention curses in here because some of the cards do lend themselves really well to that. If you don’t curse personally, feel free to disregard those parts. This is based on my personal relationship with the cards, so your personal associations and meanings for your deck may be very different. Be sure to understand the nuances of your cards before using them in a spell.)

🗝0 The Fool: Wiping the slate clean, a fresh start. Opening oneself to new experiences and knowledge.

🗝I The Magician: Manifestation and invocation. Energy work. Personal capability. Utilizing the power already within you and bringing it to the surface.

🗝II The High Priestess: Secrets. Hide and obscure knowledge to others. Increased intuition. Knowledge of the occult. Learn other people’s hidden knowledge while keeping yours under wraps.

🗝III The Empress: Fertility and abundance. Vibrancy, nurturing. Also to some degree, sensuality and sexiness.

🗝IV The Emperor: Strength and stability. Generic masculine power. Traditionalism.

🗝V The Hierophant: Jobs, mentorship and other positions that require some level of conformity. Traditional knowledge, coming more from a dogma or set path rather than a personal experience.

🗝VI The Lovers: Love (obviously,) union, harmony between two people. But mostly love.

🗝VII The Chariot: Success, motivation, overcoming any nasty obstacle. Personal power working with outside powers for your benefit.

🗝VIII Justice: Pretty self explanatory. Justice, getting what one deserves for better or worse. Could also be used as an aid to help guide you to the best decision when stuck at a crossroads.

🗝IX The Hermit: Knowledge latent within oneself that you want to bring to the surface. Cutting ties between yourself and people/groups that no longer benefit you. Any spell designed to get people to stay away from you (but warning here, the Hermit doesn’t discriminate between the people you still want to see and those you don’t!)

🗝X Wheel of Fortune: Luck, a change of fate. Finding one’s true calling/destiny. A request of a long-term type of success.

🗝XI Strength: Emotional strength, mastery of emotions, self-control. Resilience and courage.

🗝XII The Hanged Man: Release of unwanted emotions, new perspectives. In a curse or hex setting, it can also be used to represent someone who has been traitorous, especially in decks with a more traditional art style.

🗝XIII Death: Can be used to represent death during rituals such as a dumb supper. Important endings, rebirth, shedding the skin of the past. Hard cutoffs.

🗝XIV Temperance: Balance, cleansing, a restoration of energies as they should be. Healing.

🗝XV The Devil: Addictive negativity. All things bad in life that can be avoided, but are easy to slip into. Can be used to sic this on someone else in a powerful hex, or can be used as a representation of your own demons as you break free from them.

🗝XVI The Tower: Another card that’s particularly good for offense magic. Sudden, unexpected crisis. A destruction of what one has been working for. Upheaval. Could also be used to try and protect oneself as much as possible from this before it happens, if you sense trouble ahead.

🗝XVII The Star: Hope, guidance, generosity. Can be used when searching for a sign for something or for a pathway to be illuminated.

🗝XVIII The Moon: Mystery, emotional/spiritual fog, being stuck in a grey area. Illusion, hiding/obscuring yourself or something else. Could be used as a more gentle hex to weaken somebody without wrecking them like some of the other cards. Alternatively, it could be used to represent the literal moon, as either a replacement (if you can’t access the moon) or as a way to draw down the moon’s power.

🗝XIX The Sun: Recharging, success, vitality and enlightenment. Celebration. A powerful source of positive and productive energies, but without a lot of direction on its own. Similarly to The Moon, it could also be used as a representation of the literal Sun.

🗝XX Judgement: Guidance in making tough decisions. Luck or good fortune in the final stages of something important. Reaping the benefits (or punishments, so be careful) of our work up to this point.

🗝XXI The World: Harmony, tying up loose ends. Completeness and wholeness. Resolution of all conflict.

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100 ways to incorporate magick in your daily life. 

I understand that these are not exactly all witchy but this is about intergreting your everyday life in your practice and appreciating as well as finding magick in the most mundane and simple things that we often miss out on. ♡

1. When you wake up, before grabbing your phone or getting out of bed, take a few seconds to breathe, and stretch all your limbs.

2. Say ‘’thank you’’ to your god/goddess/deity, or simply to acknowledge how lucky you are to live another day.

3. Open the window regardless of the weather and take a big breath of fresh air. This will not only cleanse the room but also your body. 

4. If it’s raining outside or snowing, take a minute to admire the beauty of it. 

5. Pick wildflowers (please don’t pick any endangered flowers or toxic ones, do your research).

6. Dry said wildflowers and put them in your Book of Shadows or any book or journal you are using.

7. Go for a walk in nature during the day and during the night as well. 

8. Sunbathe.

9. Moonbathe.

10. Light lots of candles.

11. If your room needs a cleaning, try to make your own household products naturally using your favorite scents and clean your room with them. 

12. Change your bed sheets and pillowcases.

13. If you have a clothing line, hang your clothes, blankets, sheets, comforters, pillowcases, underwear outside. Visualize the wind cleansing them. 

14. Grow your own favorite herbs. 

15. Buy a succulent. 

16. Dry your herbs and save them for bath magick, spells, teas or rituals. 

17. Sweep the floor and visualize yourself sweeping off all negativity out of the room. 

18. Sprinkle sea salt over areas that you feel have a negative energy to purify them.

19. Make your own purifying/cleansing spray. 

20. Take a hot, soothing bath. I am a sea witch so I find this particularly helpful when I miss the ocean/the beach. (Don’t forget to add herbs, essential oils, sea salt, flowers, crystals, or anything that has magickal properties for a magickal bath)

21. Sip a cup of your favorite herbal tea.

22. For kitchen witches, try brewing your own tea, and cooking meals with intention and magickal ingredients.

23. Make charm bags. 

24. Water your herb garden by hand. 

25. Show the people you love that you love them.

26. Show some love to your pets and spend a few extra minutes with them. 

27. Light up your favorite incense.

28. Keep a small bag of your favorite herb (for example: lavender) in a drawer, so when you feel stressed, just pop the bag open for a deep breath of calming aromatherapy. 

29. When you take a shower, visualize the water neutralizing your energy and washing off all the bad stuff. 

30. Bless your morning coffee or tea.

31. Keep a daily journal, whether it’s a Book of Shadows, a daily planner/organizer or a dream journal. 

32. If you wanna be low-key and discrete about your craft, draw small sigils all over everything. Your school notebooks, pencil cases, journals, shoes, etc. 

33. Read lots of books about magick and form your own opinion/path/views/beliefs.

34. If you read fictional stories, allow yourself to get lost in them and let your mind wander and escape. 

35. Put on your favorite clothes, makeup, shoes, or whatever little thing that makes you feel fabulous, even if you’re staying in. 

36. Be proud of your body.

37. Practice self-care.

38. Take time to unplug and spend time with yourself. (that includes smartphones, iPads, laptops, tablets, desktops, and all electronics/little gadgets we lug around on a daily basis.)

39. Go to the beach

40. Go to the forest.

41. Go to the desert. 

42. Go to the mountains. 

43. If it’s warm outside, make a bonfire and admire the flames. If it’s winter and you have a fireplace, light it up. 

44. Go somewhere you’ve never visited before. 

45. Go camping if you can, by yourself or with friends. 

46. Stargaze.

47. Breathe.

48. Dance.

49. Dance in the rain.

50. Sing.

51. Go outside on a snowstorm.

52. Plant a vegetable garden, even if it’s just a pot of tomatoes. 

53. Walk barefoot and feel the earth under your feet.

54. Pull weeds.

55. Adopt an animal from the shelter.

56. Practice yoga.

57. Eat healthy, but if you wanna eat that last piece of cake, do it. Life is short.

58. Exercise.

59. Start a new hobby.

60. Mix your own perfume.

61.Make your own candle.

62. Make your own essential oil.

63. Make your own soap. 

64. Lay down and listen to your favorite music. (Mine is video music, it’s just soothing for me.

65. Take a day just for you without answering the phone.

66. Pick dandelions and make a wish.

67. Carry crystals/stones with your in your pocket. 

68. Learn how to do tarot readings.

69. Collect rain, sun, snow water.

70. Plant lavender or rosemary for protection and luck. 

71. Bless your kitchen utensils, such as spatulas and wooden spoons, that all the food you make with them will promote healing and love. 

72. Charge your crystals under the full moon. 

73. Have tantric sex with a loving partner. 

74. Carve sigils into the sand at the beach and let the tides release them into the universe.

75. Re-arrange your altar. 

76. Keep track of your sleep and menstrual cycles and moods to see how the moon phases affect you.

77. Be open minded to the retrogrades.

78. Go outside on any phase of the moon and take in all its beauty. 

79. Keep your pendulum with you as a necklace so you’re always ready to do a little scrying. 

80. Burn sage or cedar first thing in the morning to start your day off fresh.

81. Look for constellations and learn them. 

82. Paint sigils on your mailbox.

83. Hang wood chimes, or a silver bell on your front door knob for luck.

84. Tuck a sprig of lavender under your pillow before bed to promote peaceful sleep. 

85. Watch a meteor shower with someone you care about.

86. Buy new candles. 

87. Water your plants in your garden counterclockwise to banish negativity from the space.

88. Paint your nails a color associated with the intention of your spell or ritual before you begin so that your hands become your wand. 

89. Plant red geraniums by your front door as this is a traditional sign of witches.

90. Bless more than water and crystals on the night of the full moon: set out your essential oils, nail polish, or a special bottle of champagne too. 

91. Dry your vegetables or plants and incorporate them into a charm bag. 

92. Wash your windows with moon water for extra clarity.

93. Use sun water when you brew tea for a magickal experience. 

94. Stir sugar into your tea or coffee with intention, willing sweetness into your day and life. 

95. Draw sigils or write a brief protection spell on the inside of your dog or cat’s collar.

96. Soak in a milk bath (or just soak your fingers in a bowl of warm milk) on the full moon to embrace the feminine energy. Plus you’ll come away with silky, soft skin. 

97.Hang up palmistry and astrology charts in your home for easy reference and pretty, witchy decor. 

98. Line your windowsills with protective crystals. 

99. Make censing sticks for the seasons, using chamomile buds for spring, lavender for summer, sage for fall and pine for winter. 

100. Just be you and love yourself. Don’t forget you are made of stardust. You are magickal and amazing.

[ashwoodapothecary-blog]

Lightning Growth Spell

⚡ This spell is to give a spark of energy towards oneself, others, or other parts of your craft.

Materials needed:

Energy from a thunderstorm

Personal object

Hands or incantation (or both)

Be sure to ground before doing this! Find an object that best represents intention in mind (self, another, plants, divination, etc). Either stand outside with the object during a thunderstorm or find another method (video, image, music) that can best substitute if there’s no such storms.

Hold the object close and feel how the air, the energy redirects through the hands or words spoken “Sow the growth, for this shall spark ablaze. What is stagnate now shall alight a change”.

Do this for as long as needed, find something metal to redirect the extra energy into the ground once done. Make any notes for what happens the next couple days, as a comparison from before and after.

Disclaimer: Be cautious if one is more sensitive to energies flowing from outside sources. Put any safe guards on beforehand or use a method that does not use channeling of excess energy.

If anyone uses this, please let me know and credit me!

[ashwoodapothecary-blog]

PNW Plant Magic

[Photo Source]

This series is a collection of my personal (UPG) correspondences for local plants. Please do not utilize this post as a sole way to identify them, and do not ingest unless you have done the proper research. 

*Please do not pick this plant, they’re very fragile and some species are listed as threatened or endangered in certain areas. I encourage you to use these correspondences with the live plant, or to use the petals after they fall from the plant!*

Meet Trillium ovatum, also known as Western Trillium! This iconic plant is a sure sign spring is on the way, and lights up any forest it grows in.

The spirits of this plant really embody the energy of whatever area they’re in. Overall, they feel wise and like the emotional representation of the transition from winter to spring!

Whole plant. Fae, balance, rain, amplify magic.

Stem. Conduct/boost energy.

Leaves. To shield from the negative aspects and embrace the positive aspects of something, wisdom.

Bracts. Balance, support.

White Petals. Rain, wild waters, abundance. 

Pink/Red Petals. Blood-related ailments, aging/growing/changing gracefully.

More information

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Violet syrup recipe. From the forthcoming Medicine Show video. . . . . #herbalmedicine #violet #recipe #magical #plants #medicinalplants #plantbased #healing https://www.instagram.com/p/BwIuSN4BPVG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1i16uolbkvk93

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6 Alternative Altar Inspirations for Witches that are Bored of Altar Tables

No matter what path you follow as in witchcraft are, chances are you have some sort of sacred space. If you are a witch whose practice is part of your religious beliefs, this might be a place to communicate with your deities. If you work with spirits, this could be a place where honor your ancestors. Non-religious witches like myself often use altars as a space where they can connect with their magical and spiritual sides. Even though we all share this desire to have a place all our own dedicated to our craft. 

That doesn’t mean we all need the same type of space. Whether you are a new witch who can’t show off your craft publicly (we’ve all been there) or just a witch who isn’t really into the more standard altar table setup, there are plenty of options for customizing and creating an altar space that meets your needs.

Window Altars

One easy way to create an altar is to take up a windowsill. Depending on the arrangement of the room you’re using, your personal preference, and the space available, the size of this type of altar varies. 

This generally small altar space can be good for witches in the broom closet and green witches who like to keep their altars populated with plant friends. Because it is literally a window to the outside, these altars are also great places for charging things like crystals, spells, and water under the light of the moon. 

Benefits:

Good for altars that are heavily planted (hello, sunlight!)

Generally discreet

Keeps your altar space contained (for all us witches that do not know when to quit)

Garden Altars

While pretty much any altar can include plants, there is something else to say for an altar that is almost completely plants. If you have some space indoors, why not design a witch’s garden that doubles as an altar space?

A small tray planted with succulents with offering bowls and candle dishes set into the soil and crystals scattered around can be a unique, and even moveable altar! You could also use potted plants so that you can change the arrangement or plants out whenever you need a refresh.

Benefits:

Deeply connected to nature and the earth

Pluck herbs for spells right off your altar

Generally pretty moveable

Bath Altars

If you love bath magic as much as I do, you’re a water witch, or your bathroom is one of your most sacred places (self-care anyone?), a bath altar could be the perfect thing to give your craft a physical home.

We’ve all seen those pictures of wooden tray tables for baths surrounded by eucalyptus and candles. Add a statue of your deity (or a symbol of something important to your craft), some crystals (check how your crystals are affected by water and humidity first!), and some jars of your favorite things to mix into bath spells, and your bath altar is set.

Benefits:

The perfect place to combine witchcraft and self-care

Perfect for witches that incoroporate the water element in their craft a lot

Magic really does belong in every room in the house

Travel Altars

If you tend to practice on a whim rather than waiting to be in a specific place or if you need to be able to stash your altar quickly, a travel altar is perfect. These altars can be fit into matchboxes, Altoids tins, jewelry boxes, and even hollowed out books! If you can carry it with you and find supplies small enough to fit, anything goes. (I’ve even seen locket altars!)

Some witches will create multiple travel altars for different purposes or focuses, but don’t feel like you need to collect them if that’s not your thing.

Benefits:

Small and discreet, it’s hard to make a mess with these

Very customizable (and easy to have multiples of!)

Perfect for witches in the broom closet

Virtual Altars

Tech witches, I haven’t forgotten you. If you’ve been following me for a bit, then you might know that I threw out the idea a while ago about a altar lockscreen/wallpaper for your phone/tablet/etc. Now that I’ve talked to some tech witches, I know this is actually a pretty sound idea! 

Whether you commision an artist or design one yourself, a lock screen wallpaper for an electronic device (you could even go as big as a laptop with a touch screen!) could make the perfect altar for a tech witch. Even if you decide not to use it as a wallpaper, designing an image that serves as an altar and opening it in GIMP or Photoshop where you can create additional layers for placing other virtual elements could be useful.

Benefits:

Travel friendly

Can be synced across devices, so your altar is always with you

Easy to change and “redecorate” throughout the year

Paper Altars

(This incredible paper altar was created by Stella Witchcraft! Please click here to check out their full post and their blog!)

Similar to a virtual altar, a paper altar is a portable, customizable altar. Many witches choose to include paper altar setups in their grimoires, but there’s nothing stopping you from making larger paper altars with poster paper that can be rolled up and stored away.

If paper altars are attractive to you, don’t be deterred if you aren’t an artist! Minimallism in paper altars is perfectly fine. You can always outline your altar with symbols or even words alone. If you’re happy with it, it is perfect. You don’t have to meet and requirements for aesthetic or any other witch’s expectations.

There you have it! Of course, there are so many more types of altars, and even table altars can be created to fit your own personal needs. If you’re attracted to more than one of these, why not try combining the elements that call to you to make something entirely your own? The possibilites are endless.

[ashwoodapothecary-blog]

A Long List of Ways to Spiritually Protect Yourself

(Updated from this old list here.)

Shielding is a practice entirely built on your intention–if you want an eternal shield, you can have it. If you believe in your shield, it will be there. There are many ways that are incredibly powerful with just the slightest trust and a little bit of practice. As soon as possible, start to practice shielding and methods of spiritual protection, since practice, along with your intention, will create the most powerful shields. 

Also, you can never shield to much. It’s amazing and very empowering to have layer upon layer of shielding, and the energy and time you put into shielding will really save you a lot of energy and time in the future. Even just walking around, through crowds, cities, etc, drains your energy–negative energy is everywhere, and consciously seeking only the energy for your best and highest good will really, truly, and completely empower you. 

You can shield from anything and everything, just make sure to allow in things for your “best and highest interest/good.” ShCast every shield with this affirmation. This allows what people would consider “negative” emotions to still come through, so you can live a balanced life, since not all emotions that are considered negative actually are. This affirmation effectively only allows things that raise or balance your vibration, and help you to spiritually evolve. It won’t cut you off from anything necessary. Shields themselves will never overwhelm or smother you, since they are meant solely for your needs and will always let in positive energy. Here are some simple methods to begin shielding, but you can always adopt them with your own needs and intentions! Do what works for you, just make sure to shield when practicing spirit or energy work of any sort. 

Robe of White Light:

Focus for a moment on calming yourself, and once you have a clear mind, imagine a nice fluffy robe around you (I always imagine one like in the game Journey) made of white and protective light. This is the universe’s energy, and nothing ill can penetrate it once it is surrounding you.

It is recommended to repeat once or twice a day to maintain the shielding.

You can also use the affirmation of “I call upon a robe of loving and protective white light, knowing that it will protect me from all energy not in my highest interest. This robe protects me with the power of the Universe/Source/God.”

Guardian Protection:

Ask your guardian spirits (either aloud or through your mind) to protect you.

Always command that the guardians who help that they “come in light.” And if not, say they must leave. You don’t even have to know their name, but if they aren’t here to help, then they shouldn’t be around you. So just command this and all with ill intentions will be forced to leave.

Call on them for a need by need basis.

Auric Hardening:

Imagine your aura (trust whatever color you see in your mind’s eye), and then imagine it hardening, like it’s calcifying around you. It can get as hard as a rock, or like armor.

This can sometimes push away any energy exchanges, so you could feel more distant from positive interactions too. So, it’s best used when a threat is around

Usually lasts between 4 hours-2 days, depending on the strength of your intention.

Sigil warding:

Draw with a pen, marker, or with the tip of your finger (if you don’t need visible lines) a sigil with the intention of protecting yourself. A sigil is most basically an energetic line (or series of them) with an intention. The lines hold the energy and magnify the intention.

Here are examples

A post on sigil crafting

Shielding with Intention and the Universe:

Calm yourself with a short breathing meditation, then focus on what you intend to shield-yourself, another, or a place.

Imagine casting a ball of light towards the designated target, with the intention of allowing the Universe/Source to channel through you and shield whatever you intend to.

Just watch and observe as the shield is built, knowing that it is fully fueled by the energy of the Universe and will stay there, and stay strong, until the shield is released consciously by you.

You can specify this shield for certain purposes, like to only keep a spirit out, or to keep all negative spirits out.

Reiki Shielding and Protection:

In Usui Reiki, there is a technique your Reiki Masters should have taught you about warding and cleansing the room in white light. Channel Reiki energy to do this.

If you are attuned to Reiki II, you should know the 1st symbol and that it can be used to stop all energy that is not in your highest good from coming towards you, working as an effective shield when the symbol is called on.

You need to be properly attuned to Reiki for this.

Bubble shielding:

Similar to the white light or shielding with intention, but focusing on making and empowering a bubble around you.

Replenish this as often as possible, since this is dependent on your own care.

Can be in an oval or a sphere shape. If this is hard to get a hang of, then try just fitting it a couple inches away from your body, similar to auric hardening.

Waterfall shielding:

A bubble shield with the intention of existing on top of an underneath bubble shield. 

Focus on this shield and set the intention of having it move around like a waterfall. This way, someone sending negative energy has a very small chance of hitting the same place twice.

Elemental shielding:

All of these are built with a specific intention and visualization of the shield. Time around such element used will strengthen the shield, or a conscious meditation to draw the energy towards you and the shield.

Fire shield: Envision burning fire, that will destroy all negative energy/energy not for your highest good, when it tries to enter your energetic space.

Water shield: Similar to the waterfall shield, but with the visual of actual water flowing that can wash away all negative debris or toxicity clinging to any form of bubble shield underneath it. 

Earth shielding: This one can block off positive energy too, since it works more like a layer of earth around the person. Though, it can also be envisioned to only grow/manifest around you in times of need or when you’re being attacked or faced with negative energy. It can also block your third eye from seeing outside. Earth shielding can also work as a means of grounding you, which doesn’t have negative effects (as long as you don’t neglect your upper chakras). If you ground yourself to the earth, and your are harmed or shaken by negative energy, you can replenish your energy from the earth.

Air shielding: Envision a fast current of air around you that sweeps away all negative energy or malevolent beings.

Light shielding: A bright white light that totally purifies all energy that contacts it, similar to the robe of white light. Different colored lights can work too, but they all have specific purposes that you should research first.

Ether shielding: Sometimes this works like a portal, transporting all malevolent energy to another place in the universe. Just make sure to set the intention that things in your best and highest interest aren’t affected, and that the travel won’t severely harm anyone who is transported by the portal (since sometimes negative energy can come from just someone in a bad mood). 

Chaos shielding: Not always considered an element, but with the idea of scattering any negative energy–the sudden increase in entropy raises the vibration to something more positive.

Shadow and smoke shielding: Imagining either element around you, mostly for cloaking and making your energy less obvious. This is great for astral projection and spiritual travel when you don’t want to be noticed. You can infuse the energy with an intention of how you want to be perceived, like if a threat comes, then you can suddenly raise this shield and make the smoke cause you to seem dangerous, scaring off the opponent. 

Halo shielding:

Imagine a series of halos that spin quickly around you, moving to knock away negative energy if it approaches your space. This can be inside or outside of a bubble or light based shield.

Protection charms and enchanted objects:

Work made by you, when you have a lot of experience, in creating a sigil charm or enchanted object meant for protection. This can also be from someone who has passed down a family protection amulet (just research it and bathe it in light to clear any possible negative energy on it), or from an experienced energy worker making protection amulets, charms, or objects. 

Some are religiously charged, like crosses, pentagrams, etc. If this matches your belief, your belief will empower it. 

[ashwoodapothecary-blog]

Pine

(Pinus spp.) P. strobus bark: Safe to interact with.

Gender: Masculine. Planet: Mars. Element: Air. Deities: Cybele, Pan, Venus, Attis, Dionysus, Astarte, Sylvanus. Powers: Healing, Fertility, Protection, Exorcism, Money.

Magical Uses: Cones from pine trees are carried to increase fertility and to have vigorous old age. A pine cone gathered on Midsummer (still retaining its seeds) is an awesome magical object, for if its possessor eats one pine nut from it every day, it will make him or her immune to gunshots. Pine needles are burned during the winter months to purify and cleanse the house. Scattered on the floor they drive away evil, and when burned, exorcise the area of negativity. They are also used in cleansing baths. Pine needles are burned to reverse and send back spells. Branches of the pine placed above or over the bed keep sickness far away (or, if they weren’t placed in time, aid the ill). In Japan it was customary to place a pine branch over the door of the house to ensure continual joy within, for the leaves are evergreen. A cross made of pine needles placed before the fireplace keeps evil from entering through it. Pine is also used in money spells, and its sawdust is a base for incenses.

(from Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham)

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Barberry – Uses and Health Benefits

Barberry bark and berries have been used for many health conditions throughout the ages.

Most of the herb’s uses for health purposes are based on long traditional applications.

In recent years, the plant’s constituents, especially some of its alkaloids, have gained interest within the scientific community and numerous studies have been conducted on their effectiveness.

Barberry has been shown to be effective in fighting bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections.

The plant bark contains few alkaloids of which berberine is the most prominent, and according to laboratory studies, it has an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, sedative, and anticonvulsant effect.

To learn more about the benefits of Barberry CLICK HERE: https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/barberry-herb.html

[ashwoodapothecary-blog]

In the last Science Fact I spoke of lichens as an indicator species for air quality. Here’s more about these weird little Frankenstein blends.

Support Science Fact Friday on Patreon! Transcript below the break.

Keep reading

[ashwoodapothecary-blog]

I think most beginners find it difficult to start because they haven't practiced much so identifying herbs correctly in the wild is difficult and they're practicing solo so there's no one to tell them if they're right or wrong. Also many live in the city and it can be difficult to know where to start. I think many of them are psyching themselves out and if they just try they might find that it isn't that difficult. In the end though, I think a lot of people aren't as willing to put the time and effort into the craft that they thought because it's more work than they thought it would be.

it’s so weird that people on here frequently consider gathering spell items (particularly herbs) themselves to be a complicated thing that Witches Who Have It All Together do, or a thing of luxury.

It’s so simple! and it helps you be self-sufficient! and it’s free! Gathering plants from the land around you is the very definition of independence and DIY but some people equate it to an impossible standard to reach???

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Anise Seed Benefits and Medicinal Uses

It is primarily the anise seeds (botanically they are fruits) of the plant and the essential oil extracted from them that are used both as herbal medicines and in cooking.

When taken internally the seeds have been used to relieve indigestion, colic, gas, halitosis, stomach bloating, abdominal cramps and to remove nausea.

The seeds are viewed to have diuretic (increase urine output), and diaphoretic (increased sweating) properties and they have also been used for their antiseptic effects.

Anise oil works as an expectorant, which means it may help in the coughing up of mucus in conditions like asthma, bronchitis, the common cold, and whooping cough. It is, therefore, being used as an ingredient in cough syrups, and lozenges.

To learn more about the benefits of Anise Seeds CLICK HERE: https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/anise-herb.html

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Astragalus Root - A Energy Booster and Fatigue Fighter

In Asia, astragalus root has for centuries been regarded as a herb that increases vital energy, boosts immunity and protects the body from illnesses in the same manner as ginseng (Panax ginseng).

The plant is used as an herbal treatment for physical exhaustion and as a general energy tonic, though it is less well-known than ginseng remedies.

It is often combined with ginseng to treat general fatigue or fatigue associated with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, infections such as candidiasis and herpes simplex virus, mononucleosis and hypoglycemia.

Saponins present in the astragalus root have anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive functions. They also make this herb a natural diuretic useful in treating fluid retention disorders including edema.

To learn more about the benefits of Astragalus CLICK HERE: https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/astragalus-herbs.html

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Sanguinarine Toxicity and Uses

Sanguinarine is an alkaloid that belongs to a group of chemical compounds that occur naturally.

It is usually extracted from bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) from which its name is drawn.

Sanguinarine is concentrated in high amounts in the plant’s rhizome but the leaves and flowers have minimal concentration.

It can also be extracted from other plants such as the Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone Mexicana) and the five-seeded plume-poppy (Macleaya cordata).

In alternative medicine, Native Americans once used this alkaloid as a medical remedy in the form of bloodroot.

More About Sanguinarine

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Walnuts (Juglans nigra), on the tree and in a basket. The green hull is used medicinally as an astringent/antiseptic and as a mild antiparisitic. It can also be used to tan hides (it’s one of the colors i used on my deer skin vest) and to dye fabric a brown or grey color. I once encountered an insurgent/seperatist group whose ‘uniform’ was just the regular dress of the area, but dyed to a uniform shade of brownish grey using the local walnuts (Juglans regia). It answered quite well for camouflage. Robin hood used it to dye his hair and beard brown in one story to conceal his identity. It also stains your hands if you handle it. . . . Inside the green hull is the actual nutshell, which is very hard in this species. It takes something like a hammer or a rock to crack it. . . . The meat is the familiar walnut, quite edible and full of protein and fat. For me, walnuts are the most readily gatherable oilseed. So if i’m making a wildfood feat and i want oil for a recipe, this is where i usually get it. I have made walnut oil salad dressings and mayonnaise and baked with it. It has some acidity to its flavour. . . . A really nice thing about nuts as a foraged crop is that you can keep them without doing much to them— no need to can or dehydrate or anything. So if you are trying to keep yourself nourished with as much wild food as possible, it can be an important part of the strategy. . . . #herbalmedicine #medicinalherbs #parasites #survival #cooking #insurgency #disguise #wildfood #hidetanning #naturaldye

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Mabon spell

🍃During September, collect some fallen tree leaves and write them down your wishes for the rest of the year.

����Do you promise yourself to study harder?

🍂Do you want to start exercising?

🍂Do you want to sign up to new courses?

🍂Maybe develop some skills?

(Use a black-ink pen to write on your leaves, you can also write sigils) Keep your leaves on your altar or on your bedside table, if you are a secret witch.

🍁Then, during the Mabon night, burn your leaves to release the energy of your wish. If the leaves can’t be burn, then bury them outside. 🍁

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