beyondthecrystalwall

[beyondthecrystalwall]

List Of Roman Gods & Goddesses (updated)

( THIS LIST IS NOT COMPLETE )

The Dii Consentes - The 12 Major Gods

Jupiter / Iuppiter /  Jove ( “father”) - Supreme god of the roman empire. God of the sky, weather, daylight, law, order and divine witness to oaths. • Juno / Iuno ( “young”) - Queen of the gods. Goddess of women, marriage, family and maternity. Protector & councilor of the Roman state.
 • Neptunus / Neptune ( “wet, damp, clouds”) - God of freshwater, the sea and horses. Races were held in his honor.
 • Ceres (“to grow”) -Goddess of agriculture, harvest, fertility, sacred law and the seasons. • Vesta ( “hearth”) - Goddess of the hearth, home, and family. • Minerva (“intellect”) - Goddess of poetry, medicine, wisdom, strategic warfare, commerce, weaving, and the crafts. • Mars (“male”) - Father of the Roman people, Guardian of soldiers and farmers, God of War, Destruction and Masculinity. • Apollo - (“to destroy. strength, father light ”)- God of music, poetry, art, oracles, archery, plague, medicine, sun, light and knowledge • Diana ( “heavenly, divine”) - Goddess of nature and the hunt, childbirth and the moon. Also considered the protector of young maidens and the lower classes, especially slaves.
 • Venus ( “love, sexual desire”) -Goddess of love, beauty, desire, sex, fertility and prosperity. Originally a goddess of vegetation, gardens and vineyards. 
 • Vulcanus / Vulcan ( “to flash”) - God of fire (especially destructive fire), volcanoes, metalworking, and the forge. • Mercurius / Mercury ( “to trade, wages”) - God of financial gain, commerce, messages / communication, travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery, merchants, thieves.

Other Major Roman Divinities • Saturn / Saturnus - God of generation, time, dissolution, plenty, wealth, agriculture, periodic renewal and liberation. His reign was depicted as a Golden Age of plenty and peace. 
 • Pluto / Dis Pater / Dispater ( “wealth, father of riches” ) - God of the underworld, judge of the dead and a god of riches and underground mineral wealth. • Janus / Ianus ( ”covered passageway” ) - God of gates and doors, beginnings and endings. The month January is named after him. • Bellona  ( “war”)- Goddess of war. Accompanied Mars on the battlefield. • Quirinus (“spear”) - Mystery war god who was worshiped by the Sabines and had a popular cult following in Rome. Possibly Romulus deified. • Bacchus / Liber / Liber Pater (“free”)- God of vegetation, male fertility, viniculture, wine and ecstasy. Guardian of plebeian freedoms. Worshiped alongside Libera and Ceres. • Libera - Consort of Liber. Goddess of wine, fertility and freedom. Worshipped alongside Liber and Ceres. • Ops / Opis ( “plenty”) - Wife of Saturn. Goddess of opulence and abundance. Worshiped together with her daughter Ceres at the harvest.
 • Flora ( “flower, plant life”) - Goddess of flowers and spring. Protected the early blossoms. • Tellus Mater / Terra  ( “earth mother”) - Personified goddess of the earth. The first mother. • Fortuna ( “fortunate”) - Goddess of good fortune and luck. • Cupid / Amor ( “love” ) - Winged archer god of love. Son of Venus and Mars. • Sol ( “sun”) - Personified god of the sun. Often associated with Apollo. • Luna (”moon”) - Personified goddess of the moon.

 Often associated with Diana.

Minor Roman Divinities • Abeona - A goddess invoked by those about to leave the home. • Abundantia ( “abundance”) - The goddess of abundance and prosperity. • Adeona - A goddess invoked by those who wished to return home safely. 
 • Aequitas ( “equal, even”) - God of fair dealing, equality, conformity and symmetry. • Aera Cura - Goddess associated with the infernal regions and underworld. • Aesculapius - Called Asklepios by the Greeks, was the god of medicine and the son of Apollo. • Aeternitas (“eternity”) - The goddess of eternity, but also that of Rome in particular, and later on, of the Roman Empire. • Africus ( “south west” ) - God of the south western wind. • Alemona  - Goddess who protects the unborn child in its mother’s womb. Also a goddess who was present every time the Romans went past or through a door.
 • Angita - Early goddess of healing and witchcraft. • Anna Perenna (“to live through a year, last many years”) - A goddess who protected  the yearly cycle and who’s feast took place during the full moon of the first month of the Roman year. • Antevorte ( “in front, advance of, forwards” )- Goddess of the future. Sister of Postverta.
 • Antinous - Deified lover of the emperor Hadrian & a patron god of male homosexuality. • Aquilo (”the north”) - God of the north wind.
 • Arcus ( “bow, arch” ) - Goddess of rainbows. • Aura / Aurae (”breeze”) - Divinities who symbolized breezes. • Aurora ( “gold, dawn”) - Goddess of the dawn.
 • Auster ( “southerly”) - God of the south wind. • Bona Dea ( “the good goddess”) -  Popular goddess among the upper class. Goddess of female fertility and good health. • Bubona (“ox, cow”) Goddess of cattle and livestock. • The Camenae - Prophetic nymphs derived from the very ancient italic religion.They have been assimilated somewhat to the Greek Muses. • Candelifera ( “She who bears the candle” ) -  One of the many childbirth goddesses. • Cardea - Goddess of thresholds.
 • Carmenta ( “magic spell, oracle or song” ) - Goddess of Childbirth and Prophecy. But also associated with the protection of mothers, children & midwives. • Carna (“flesh”) - A goddess who over oversaw the physical well being of human beings, especially the proper functioning of the heart.
 • Clementia (”humanity”) - Goddess of forgiveness and mercy. • Cloacina ( “sewer”  ) -The Goddess who presides over the sewers in Rome.
 • Coelus ( “heavens”)- Personified god of the sky. The first father. • Comus - God of drinking, eating, laughter, nocturnal entertainments and revelry. Son of Liber / Bacchus.
 • Concordia ( “agreement”) - Goddess of concord and harmony.
 • Conditor ( “founder ” ) - God who stores the grain. One of Ceres helper gods. • Consus ( “to store” ) - The god (or goddess) who was the protector of grains. His festivals was held on December 15, July 7th and August 21.
 • Convector ( “a collector, someone who establishes ” ) - God who carries the grain. One of Ceres helper gods. • Copia ( ”supply” ) - Goddess of wealth and plenty. • Cura  (“care ”) - Goddess who oversaw the lands visited by souls after they died. 
 • Devera - Goddess that rules the brooms used to purify ritual sites.
 • Discordia (“discord”) - Goddess of strife and discord.
 • Disciplina - Goddess of discipline. • Dius Fidus - God of oaths.
 • Edesia ( “eat” ) - Goddess of food who presides over banquets.
 • Epona - Foreign celtic goddess of horses, mules, ponies a donkeys. • Evander - A Roman deity who  was believed to have introduced the Greek pantheon, laws, the alphabet, and other arts and skills in Rome. • Fabulinus - The God of children.
 • Fama (”to speak”) - Goddess of fame and popular rumor.
 • Fauna ( “animal life” ) - Goddess of Prophecy with ties to the forest and fields and the animals found there.
 • Faunus (“strangler”) - God of wild nature, fertility and prophecy.
 • Favonius ( “favorable”) - God of the western wind, the herald of spring. • Febris (“to burn, warm”) - a divinity who was invoked to lower the fever of those afflicted with it. • Felicitas (“happiness”) - Goddess of happiness, of good events and the fertility of the land. • Feronia ( “spring, wood goddess”) - Goddess of wildlife, fertility, health and abundance.
 • Fides ( “faith” ) - Goddess of loyalty. • Fontus / Fons ( “source”) - god of wells and springs • Fornax - A divinity who was in charge of overseeing the proper baking of bread, the staple of the ancient Roman diet, in the baker’s oven. • Fraus ( “fraud, swindle, deceit”) - Goddess of treachery. • Furrina - Goddess of obscure origin who was associated with water and springs.
 • Furina - Goddess of thieves
 • Furor ( “the anger”) - Goddess of anger and rage. • Genius ( “inborn nature” ) - A guardian spirit that was believed to protect every man. Every man had a Genius and every women had a Juno. The Christian theologian Augustine equated the Christian “soul” with the genius and juno.
 • Hesperia (“western land”) - The goddess of dusk.
 • Hippona ( “horse” ) - Goddess of horses. 
 • Honos ( “honour”)- God of morality and military honour.
 • Imporcitor -  God of the third ploughing. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Insitor - God who plants the seeds. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Invidia ( “envy”) - Goddess of envy and jealousy. • Justitia ( “justice, fairness”) - Goddess of justice.
 • Juturna (“nymph”) - Goddess of lakes, wells and springs. • Juventus (”youth”) - Goddess of youth.
 • Lares ( “homes”) - Divinities who protected the home. Children of the god Mercury.
 • Larunda - Nymph who became Mother of the Lares. • Larves - Divinities who embodied the souls of the dead who had committed  crimes or who were murdered, and came back to earth to haunt whose who had a connections to them. • Latona (“latium”) - Mother of Apollo & Diana. Goddess of Womanly Demure and Motherhood. • Lemures - Divinities who embody the spirits of the dead and were thought to spend the night wandering so as to torment the living. • Libertas ( “liberty” ) - Goddess of freedom. • Libitina - Goddess of death, corpses and funerals. • Lua - Goddess to whom soldiers would sacrifice captured weapons. 
 • Lucifer (“morning star���) - God of the morning star ( *Christians switched out his name with the devil in order to demonize pagan religion* ) • Lucina  ( “bringing to the light” )- A goddess of light and a divinity that brought light to the newborn by watching over their mothers during childbirth. She was often associated with Juno and Diana who had the same functions. • Lupercus - A rustic god who protects the herds from the attacks of wolves and consequently, ensures the prosperity of the peasantry. His festival was on February 15th. • Lympha - Goddess of fresh water • Magna Mater ( “great mother”) - The foreign Anatolian goddess Cybele who was said to be the “mother of the gods” and is sometimes equated with the Greek goddesses Rhea and Gaea. She is associated with maternity, untamed nature and lions.
 • Maia ( “daughter of atlas”) -The goddess of whom the month of May is probably named after. Associated with blossoming nature and spring. • Majestas - A goddess invoked as a sign of the respect due to Rome and the Roman people. • Manes ( “ghosts , good ” ) - They stood for the immortality of souls, the spirit of the dead and their familiarity with those left behind on earth. • Mater Matuta (“Mother Morning”) - Goddess of Sea Travel. Originally a goddess of the ripening of corn and the dawn.
 • Meditrina - Goddess of wine and health.
 • Mellona ( “honey”) - Goddess of bees and honey.
 • Mens ( “mind”) - Goddess of the mind and consciousness.
 • Mors ( “death”) - Personified god of death. • Messor - God who reaps. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Muta ( “change”) - Goddess of silence. • Naenia ( “dirge”) - Goddess of funerals.
 • Necessitas ( “unavoidableness,”) - Goddess of destiny.
 • Nox ( “night”) - Personified goddess of the night.
 • Obarator - God who traces the first ploughing. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Occator - God who harrows the fields. One of Ceres helper gods. 
 • Orcus - God of the underworld, punisher of broken oaths. Sometimes interchangeable with Pluto. • Pales - Goddess of shepherds and flocks. • Parcae - The roman version of the three fates. The goddesses who spun the thread of fate for every mortal. Klotho (the spinner), Lakhesis (the measurer), and Atropos (the cutter)
. Their Latin names are Nona, Decuma and Morta. • Patalena - Goddess or god who protects the blossoms. • Pax ( “peace”) - Goddess of peace.
 • Penates ( “inner part of house”) - Patron gods of the storeroom. • Pomona ( “fruit”) - Goddess of fruit trees and orchards. Wife of Vertumnus.
 • Portunes - God of keys. • Portunus ( “swimming, crab ”) - God of harbors and ports. • Postverta ( “ behind, afterwards, after” ) - Goddess of the past. Sister of Antevorte.
 • Priapus - God of gardens, viniculture, sailors, fishermen, the penis, male fertility. • Picus ( “woodpecker” ) - Originally a prophetic Latin divinity, the son of Saturn, husband of Canens and the father of Faunus. He was the founder of the first Latin tribe and settlement, Laurentum, located a few miles to the Southeast of the site of the later city of Rome. • Picmunus & Pilmunus - Rustic gods of marriage, and the guardians of the well being of children at birth and more generally of agriculture, as a sign of the fecundity of nature.
 • Pietas - The Goddess of duty, respect, piety, obligation to the gods, parents and country.
 • Poena - Goddess of punishment.
 • Potina (“she of the act of drinking”) - Goddess of children’s potions.
 • Promitor - God who distributes the grain. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Proserpina ( “to emerge”) - Goddess of Spring and queen of the underworld. Wife of Pluto and daughter of Ceres. • Providentia (”foreknowledge”) - Goddess of forethought.
 • Pudicitia- Goddess of modesty and chastity.
 • Reparator - God who prepares the earth for ploughing. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Robigus ( “reddish”) - Goddess who protected the young ears of wheat against diseases such as wheat rust and drought. • Roma - Personified goddess of Rome. • Rumina - Goddess of suckling infants, both animal and human.
 • Salacia (“salt, salty”) - Goddess of salt water and the depths of the ocean.   Wife of Neptune.
 • Salus (”safety, salvation”) -  Goddess of safety and wellbeing. • Sarnus - God of the Sarno river.
 • Sanctus ( “holy” ) - God of loyalty, honesty, and oaths.
 • Serritor - God who digs the soil. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Silvanus ( “forest, of the woods”) - Ancient Latin god of the fields, woods, farms, and large rural properties. He also protected their borders. He presided over plantations and watched over woodland animals.
 • Sol Invictus ( “invincible sun”) - A sun god who is either Apollo (Phoebus) or Sol.
 • Somnia (“dreams”) - God of dreams. 
 • Somnus (“sleep”) - God of sleep.
 • Sors - God of luck. • Spes (“hope”) - Goddess of hope. • Strenua ( “quick, active” ) - Goddess of strength and vigour
 • Subruncinator - God who weeds. One of Ceres helper gods.
 • Summanus ( “before the morning”) - God of the night sky and nightly thunder. His precise nature was unclear even to Ovid. • Tellumo- God of earthly regeneration and reproduction. Consort of Tellus / Terra. • Tempestes ( “weather; bad weather; storm, tempest” ) - A goddess of storms but also used to describe storm spirits. • Terminus (“border”) - God of boundaries and borders. • Tranquillitas - Goddess of peace and tranquillity.
 • Tiberinus - God of the Tiber river.
 • Trivia ( “three roads”) - Goddess of crossroads (figuratively and literally).
 Sometimes considered an epithet of the Greek goddess Hekate. • Ultio (“vengeance”) - Goddess of vengeance.
 • Vejovis - A god of healing. Believed to be one of the first gods. • Verplaca - Goddess of family harmony.
 • Veritas ( “truth” ) - Goddess of truth and virtue. • Vertumnus (”green, seasons”) - God who symbolized the changes in seasons, protector of vegetation, gardens and orchards.
 Husband of Pomona. • Vervactor - God of the first ploughing. One of Ceres helper gods. • Vesper ( “evening, supper, evening star, west”) - God of the evening star. • Victoria (“victory”) - Goddess of victory. • Virtus ( ”courage, virtue” ) - God of bravery, military strength, valor and courage.
 • Volturnus - Water god. • Vulturnus (”south-east”) - God of the east wind.

For a list of the Greek Gods Click Here

For a list of the Norse Gods Click Here

SOURCES: “Roman Mythology” by Joel Schmidt / “Who’s Who of Greek and Roman Mythology” by David Kravitz / “Heroes, Gods and Emperors from Roman Mythology” by Kerry Usher / http://www.novaroma.org

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Day 215: Tincturing Workshop

I’m leading a tincturing workshop this Sunday, so I thought it might be nice to share the packet I’m going to be handing out. It includes some tips on alcohol and vinegar tincturing, as well as recipes and some local Ozark yarbs to work into your herbal preparations. Enjoy!

Recipe Sheet – Tincturing Workshop

Brandon Weston ozarkhealing.com facebook.com/MountainManHealing mountainmanhealing@gmail.com

Alcohol Tinctures

Fresh Herb:

Finely chop or grind clean herb to release juice and expose surface area.

Fill jar 2/3 to ¾ with herb. ~ OR ~ Fill jar ¼ to ½ with roots.

Pour alcohol over the herbs.

Jar should appear full of herb, but herb should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herb:

Use finely cut herbal material.

Fill jar ½ to ¾ with herb ~ OR ~ Fill jar ¼ to 1/3 with roots.

Pour alcohol over the herbs.

Roots will expand by ½ their size when reconstituted!

Alcohol Percentages*

40% – 50% (80-90 proof vodka)

“Standard” percentage range for tinctures.

Good for most dried herbs and fresh herbs that are not juicy.

Good for extraction of water soluble properties.

67.5% – 70% (½ 80 proof vodka + ½ 190 proof grain alcohol)

Extracts most volatile aromatic properties.

Good for fresh high-moisture herbs like lemon balm, berries, and aromatic roots.

The higher alcohol percentage will draw out more of the plant juices.

85% – 95% (190 proof grain alcohol)

Good for gums and resins.

Extracts aromatics and essential oils that are bound in the plant and do not dissipate easily.

The alcohol strength can produce a tincture that is not quite pleasant to take.

Often used for drop dosage medicines.

Will totally dehydrate herbs.

*information comes from the Mountain Rose Herbs blog

Macerating

Maceration is the process by which the active chemical compounds are leached into the solvent solution. This is usually done by shaking the jar that contains the alcohol or vinegar and the herbal plant matter. 

Alcohol tinctures need to be left to macerate for at least 2-3 weeks depending upon the ABV. The higher the ABV the less maceration time is needed.

Vinegar tinctures need to be left to macerate for at least a month before straining and bottling.

Easy Alcohol Tincture Recipes

Sarsaparilla Tincture: Anti-Inflammatory, Tonic (do not take if you have kidney problems)

Sarsaparilla root

Vodka

Wild Cherry Tincture: Antispasmodic, expectorant, sedative

Wild cherry bark

Vodka

Herbal Bitters (simplified): Tonic, diaphoretic, colds, flu, febrifuge, chills (contains thujone, may cause drowsiness)

1 quart jar

¼ c. thyme

¼ c. oregano (or dittany)

¼ c. chopped fresh ginger

¼ c. hyssop

1 cinnamon stick

1 tbsp. cloves

Vodka

Stomach Bitters (simplified): Stomach issues, cramps, urinary issues, digestive issues

1 quart jar

4 tbsp dried dandelion root

2 tbsp fennel seed

2 tbsp fresh ginger

2 tbsp dried peppermint leaves (or mountain mint)

Vodka

Vinegar Tinctures

Measurements and instructions are the same as with the alcohol tinctures at the beginning of the packet. Remember: vinegar tinctures need to be left longer to macerate, at least a month.

Easy Vinegar Tincture Recipes

Fire Tonic: Colds, flu, chills, general tonic

1 32 oz. bottle apple cider vinegar. I like to use unfiltered, it seems to taste better and it’s easier on the stomach.

5-10 cloves of garlic, crushed

3-5 hot peppers, as hot as you can stand

1 3 inch knob of ginger, crushed

1 medium onion, peeled and diced

¼ c. chopped mullein

¼ c. chopped rosemary

¼ c. chopped thyme

¼ c. crushed star anise or green sweetgum balls (sources for shikimic acid which helps fight the flu virus)

Take all of this and combine it in large mason jar, all the herbs and vegetables are going to take up a lot of room. Let this stand in a dark place for about two months. Shake everyday. After it’s finished macerating strain off the liquid, add about a half cup honey, bottle.

Alternate Ozark yarbs to use: Dittany, Self-heal, Plantain, Horsemint

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Dangerous Herbs

Listed below are dangerous herbs and herbal combination and explanations as to why they are dangerous. Do not try any of these herbs, orally, on the skin, or in any other way ever (or during pregnancy or nursing, if listed as such).

*Some of the herbs mentioned are safe in small doses are are written as such. Other herbs are toxic in small doses or any amount. This is not a complete list.

Belladonna - Nightshade, bittersweet nightshade is an extremely poisonous herb and is absolutely deadly. It is related to Henbane. Side effects can include dry mouth, enlarged pupils, blurred vision, red dry skin, fever, fast heartbeat, inability to urinate or sweat, hallucinations, spasms, mental problems, convulsions, and coma.

Blue Cohosh - Can cause miscarriages, especially during early pregnancy. This herbs in combination with other herbs has been used as an aborfacient. It works by loosening and relaxing the uterine muscles. This is why it is often suggested as a remedy for pms and menopause.

Black Cohosh -  Can cause miscarriages, especially during early pregnancy. This herbs in combination with other herbs has been used as an aborfacient. It works by loosening and relaxing the uterine muscles. This is why it is often suggested as a remedy for pms and menopause. 

Chaparral - This herb can cause serious liver damage, liver failure, and acute hepatitis. 

Comfrey - Comfrey can be taken in small doses for upset stomach and pms, but using a lot is dangerous. Comfrey contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids, a type of poison that causes liver and kidney failure as well as cancer. They can be absorbed through the skin as well. 

The amount of PAs found in comfrey changes according to the time of harvesting and the age of the plant. The roots have 10 times higher amounts of PAs than the leaves.

Devil’s Claw -  Harpagophytum, means “hook plant” in Greek. Devil’s claw causes additive effects in many medications. It can cause changes in blood pressure as well.

Eucalyptus - Eucalyptus can not be consumed. Taking 3.5 mL of undiluted oil can be fatal. Even applying too much to the skin and absorbing large amounts is dangerous. (Use it very lightly, dilute it, or use a humidifier.) Signs of eucalyptus poisoning might include stomach pain and burning, dizziness, muscle weakness, small eye pupils, feelings of suffocation, and some others. Eucalyptus changes how many medicines break down in the liver.

Foxglove - Poisoning by this herb can cause stomach upset, small eye pupils, blurred vision, strong slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, excessive urination, fatigue, muscle weakness and tremors, stupor, confusion, convulsions, abnormal heartbeats, and death. Long-term use of foxglove can lead to symptoms of toxicity, including visual halos, yellow-green vision, and stomach upset.

Golden Seal - This herb is a uterotonic; brain damage (kernicterus) has developed in newborn infants exposed to goldenseal. Do not use goldenseal during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

Hemlock -  Neuromuscular blockage can occur to the point of death if it blocks the respiratory muscles.

Henbane - Side effects include dry mouth, red skin, constipation, overheating, reduced sweating, vision disturbances, increased heart rate, urination problems, drowsiness, restlessness, hallucinations, delirium, manic episodes, and death. Henbane is poisonous and not safe for self-medication.

Kava - In the South Pacific, kava is a popular social drink, similar to alcohol in Western societies. It is used by some to treat anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia, but like many medicines used to treat these types of issues, Kava runs the risk of being too much of a ��downer - oversedation.’ It can make you unable to operate machinery, fatigued, and worsen depression. Large doses can also effect the liver and cause yellowing of the eyes. Also, some of the dangerous chemicals in kava can pass into breast milk and might hurt a breast-fed infant. Avoid this herb if you have Parkinson’s disease or if you will undergo or have recently undergone anaesthesia as it effects the central nervous system. Alcohol, sedatives, and benzodiazepines interact with downers.

Licorice Root - This tasty herb, when taken in high doses, may cause tiredness, absence of a menstrual period in women, headache, water and sodium retention, and decreased sexual interest and function in men. It may also cause early delivery in pregnant women and miscarriage in early pregnancy. This root has also been seen effecting hormone levels in the body and interacts with oestrogen. It also seems to rid the body or potassium. It can also cause heart failure.

Mistletoe (European) - Can cause chills vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and other side effects. Short-term, frequent use of European mistletoe might cause liver damage. Lowers blood pressure.

Mugwort - This herb is dangerous in large quantities. Thujone, a ketone and a monoterpene that occurs naturally in two diastereomeric forms:-α-thujone and-β-thujone is present in wormwood Thujones cause a slight high and a feeling of relaxation, which is why it is enjoyed by smokers and drinkers (as a tincture or bitters), can also cause breakdown of muscle, nightmares, seizures, dizziness, confusion, numbness of arms and legs, paralysis, and death. The chemical is also said to be responsible for absinthe’s hallucinogenic effects.

Mugwort might cause a miscarriage because it can start menstruation and also cause the uterus to contract.

Pennyroyal - Pennyroyal has been used as an antificant and can also kill pregnant mothers. Do not use this herb as a method for miscarriage. It can cause irreversible damage to the liver and kidneys, nervous system, brain, and cam cause dizziness, confusion, seizures, and death.

Peony - Peony can cause uterine contractions and is unsafe to use during pregnancy. It also slows blood clotting.

St. John’s Wort - This herb interacts with SSRIs and other types of medications for the treatment of depression. In bipolar, bipolar depression, mania, manic depression, and other related disorders, St. John’s wort can trigger a major upswing or manic episode in patients. This herb also interacts with birth control.

Wormwood - Wormwood one of the main ingredients in the alcoholic beverage, Absinthe. The latin Absinthium comes from the ancient greek word apsínthion, which some claim translates to “Undrinkable”, referencing the herb’s extreme bitter flavor. It is closely related to mugwort, which is toxic in large doses, but wormwood is even more so. The herbs also contained thujones. See Mugwort.

Valerian - This herb, especially the root, can cause oversedation. Alcohol, sedatives, and benzodiazepines interact with downers. Valerian can cause some side effects such as headache, excitability, uneasiness, and even insomnia in some people. A few people feel sluggish in the morning after taking valerian, especially at higher doses. It’s best not to drive or operate dangerous machinery after taking valerian. 

Wintergreen - This type of mint can be dangerous in high doses. Taking wintergreen oil or large amounts of wintergreen leaf can cause ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, stomach pain, and confusion.

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Apothecary Lesson #1: Herbal Salve

     Well, it was bound to happen at some point. Hello everybody, my name is Davide, and today, I’m going to teach you guys how to make a salve. Basically, a salve is an oil and wax mixture that people can use for a bunch of different reasons, ranging from dry skin to muscle rubs. They’re easy to make, if you’re patient, and their variability makes for endless possibilities. Just as a warning though, this will take a goddamn long time to make, and for you to read, so I suggest getting some tea and snackilackage before starting to read. Got it? Good, ¡vamos!

Part One: The Oil

     A key component of your salve is the oil, or more specifically, the herbs in said oil. There’s a plethora of different oils you could in your salve, but for this recipe, we’re using olive oil because it’s fairly hardy and difficult to burn. When it comes to what you should or could put in your oil, there’s waaaaaay too many things for me to mention, so I’ll give a basic rundown: 

Mint, Anise, Cinnamon, and Comfrey are good for muscle rubs

Calendula, Chamomile, Aloe, and Tea Tree Oil are good for skin

Ginger and Turmeric are good as arthritis pain relievers

Echinacea, Eucalyptus, and Hibiscus are antibacterial and are good for minor scrapes, cuts and bruises

Now that you’ve got an idea of some herbs to use, let’s get to how to make your oil 

Ingredients:

12 oz. Olive oil

3-4 oz. dried and/or ground herbs

Utensils:

Double-boiler set up (can be a double-boiler, or a glass container in a saucepan filled with about 1″ of water) 

dark-tinted jar w/ label for holding your finished oil

Instructions:

Into your double-boiler (the part without the water…duh), pour in your olive oil and herbs. 

Set your stove/heating receptacle to low heat, placing double-boiler on heat. 

Infuse oils for 1-2 hours (one hour for minimum infusion amount, two hours for maximum infusion amount before oil goes rancid) 

Once oil is done, pour into your dark-tinted jar, and label accordingly

Voila! You have yourself some bonafide herbal oil for the next part of your salve!

Part Two: The Salve

     Alright, now we’re getting to the good stuff–the salve. For this, you’re going to need 2 ingredients (three ingredients is optional, four is overkill): beeswax and your herbal oil. Without further ado, let’s get this over with! :D 

Ingredients:

1 oz. Beeswax

8 oz. Herbal Oil 

*Optional*: ¼ tsp. essential oil

*Optional*: the tears and/or blood of your enemies

Utensils:

Double-boiler system

Containers to hold your salve (the total amount of salve being made is approximately 9 oz., so for the containers, try to prioritize. Like, if you want three different jars of salves, use three 3 oz. jars. Math n’ shit)

Instructions:

Set your stove to medium-low heat

Into your double-boiler, melt your wax

Once the wax has melted–it’s imperative that your wax has to be completely melted before adding the oil–add your herbal oil. 

Stir fully (it’s not weird to see the wax immediately harden once you add the herbal oil, so wait until it fully re-melts). 

Once salve is all liquid, pour into your container(s). Do not cover your containers before they harden.

Once salve has cooled at room temperature, it’s ready to use! Store in a cool, dry place. Apply to problem areas, or just lather it all over your body and have really weird sex (You do you boo boo). 

Thanks for reading you guys! I’d enjoy a reblog, a reshare, or if you hated it, a strongly worded message to me and probably a few images of you flipping the bird. Have an amazing day/afternoon/night/time-between-night-and-morning

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Reasons Herbs May Not Work

It breaks my heart when I see people give up on herbs too easily.

More and more people are turning to herbs because there is a growing disappointment with using pharmaceuticals for chronic illness.

Many people are getting fed up with taking a pill that never really cures their illness and gives them awful side effects. Maybe they are concerned about acetaminophen giving their young child asthma (1) or they see the growing evidence about the risks associated with statins (2) and they say enough is enough!

From this moment forward they vow to never resort to drugs again and instead try a more natural and holistic approach thus leading them to the world of herbs and herbalism.

But sometimes their love affair with herbalism is stopped short.

They reach for the closest herb book, try a few remedies and then declare that the herbs don’t work! They tried using horehound for coughing with no relief. They tried meadowsweet for their headache to no avail.

They begin to wonder, “Are herbalists a bunch of delusional wood fairies touting the miracles of something that never works?”

As much as I would love to be considered a wood fairy, I’ll have to say no, this is not the case. I’ve seen herbs work hundreds of times. I’ve seen them work for serious infections as well as serious chronic diseases. I’ve seen them work when modern medicine failed.

Yes, herbs work!

I want to share a handful of reasons why herbs might not work in a given situation.

1. Improper dosing (either too little or too much)

When buying over the counter drugs like NyQuil or Tylenol, they come in a package that is clearly marked with the dosage instructions. Generally these are very simple instructions. “Adults take 2 tablets, three times daily.”

Herbs don’t always come with directions. If you buy bulk herbs the dosing instructions are absent entirely. If you buy a tincture or a bottle of capsules the dosage listed on the bottle has most likely been chosen by the FDA’s labeling mandates and not by an herbalist.  

I am not going to lie to you. Dosage in the herbal world is confusing.

In herbalism dosage varies from person to person, from plant to plant and from preparation to preparation.

A 15 minute infusion of a teaspoon of nettle leaf will not extract the same vitamins and minerals as a four-hour infusion of an ounce of nettle leaf in a quart of water.

A few drops of lobelia tincture can promote relaxation. A strong cup of lobelia tea could make you vomit.

One way I commonly see dosages being flubbed in herbalism is people using small amounts of tonic/adaptogen herbs in tincture, versus the traditional use of large amount of tonic/adaptogen herbs as decoctions or powders. (As always go with what works, but if you aren’t getting the results you’d expect after taking 5 drops of ashwanganda tincture twice a day, consider your dose!)

Frequency of dosing can also be an issue. During acute illnesses we generally use slightly smaller amounts but with more frequency. I may take elderberry elixir 1-2 times each hour at the onset of an illness for example. General recommendations are to take herbs 3 times a day, but that won’t cut it for acute illness.

2. Low quality plant material

Herbs often don’t come with an expiration date. Quality can also vary significantly and will suffer greatly if the herbs have been improperly harvested or improperly processed.

Plants decay. They simply go bad. The rate at which they do this varies significantly from plant to plant. If you’ve just pulled a bag of herbs from your back shelf and had to blow off an inch of dust… well, they are probably not at their prime.

Keep reading

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Yo! Hope you are doing well. Do you know of some good resources for someone looking into getting into magical practices? She is interested in plant and herbal stuff mainly

Yo!

I’m sorry this took so long to get to - I knew I was going to have to sort through a crap ton of posts to make this one, and I was feeling particularly lazy… But here we go!

Herb Safety

[Common Toxic Herbs and Their Effects]

[The Difference Between a Witch and an Herbalist] (tw: gif)

[Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy]

[List of Poisonous Herbs]

[Poisonous Herbs] (tw: gif)

[PSA: Herbal Does Not Mean Take As Much As You Want!]

[Witchy 101: Herbs]

[Witchy 101: Herbal Safety & Hormones]

General Posts

[A Basic Glossary of Herbal Medicine Effects]

[A Basic Glossary of Herbalism Techniques]

[Beginner Witch Tips, Part Four: Herbalism]

[Herbal Preparations]

[Herbal Substitutes]

[Herbs for Spells : Grocery Store vs. Home Grown vs. Edible Wilds] (tw: gif)

[How to Store Your Magical Herbs]

[Magickal Folk Names for Herbs]

[Plant Care 101]

[Plant Tips from a Green Witch]

[Ten Mistakes New Herb Gardeners Make (and How to Avoid Them)]

Walking the Green Path:

[Part I]

[Part II]

[Part III]

[Part IV]

[Part V]

[What’s Wrong With Your Plants?]

Correspondence of Herbs

[Big Witchy Guide on Herbs and Flowers]

[Herbal and Plant Listing By Purpose]

[Herbal Chart by Use and How to Use Them]

[Herbal Correspondences]

[Herbs]

[Herbs and Their Uses]

[Herbs & Workings Correspondences] (tw: music autoplay)

[Herbs/Food/Plants by Purpose]

[Herbs ‘n’ Flowers]

[Magical Correspondences of Herbs, Roots, Flowers & Resins]

[Magickal Properties of Herbs]

[My Correspondence References]

[Plant and Herb Properties by Name Masterpost]

[Ultimate List of Herbs/Plants]

A Witch’s Herbal:

[Part 01 - Basic Herbs]

[Part 02 - Advanced Herbal]

[Part 03 - Baneful Herbs]

[Part 04 - Resin Collection]

Growing Your Own Herbs

[Beginner Garden Witch: Regrowing Crops from Table Scraps]

[An Introduction to Growing Poisonous Plants]

[Growing an Herb Garden] (an ask)

[Magickal Household Plant Master Post]

[Plant Witchcraft: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing]

Gathering Herbs

[The Etiquette of Herb Gathering]

[Harvesting Herbs]

[How to Harvest Your Magical Herbs]

Drying Your Own Herbs

[Drying Your Herbs] (tw: gif)

[Herbs and Gardening 101: Drying]

[How To: Dry Herbs]

[How to Dry Rose Petals the Lazy Way]

[How to Dry Your Magical Herbs]

[How to Master Drying Herbs in Your Oven]

Herbal Techniques

Essential Oils

[ABC of Carrier Oils]

[Carrier and Vegetable Oils]

Distillation of Essential Oils: 

[Part 01]

[Part 02]

[Essential Oil Safety]

[Essential Oil Safety]

[Essential Oils and Aromatherapy Basics]

[Essential Oils are Awesome Witchcraft Components! They Can Also Fucking Hurt You]

[Essential Oils Masterpost]

Essential Oils Masterpost: 

[Part 01]

[Part 02]

[Good Essential Oil Combinations]

[The Language of Aromatherapy]

[List of Essential Oils’ Correspondences]

[Magickal Uses for Essential Oils]

[New to Essential Oils? Here’s How to Get Started]

[Oil Safety]

Herbal Extracts

[Basic Extraction Techniques: Aqueous Extractions]

Incense

[Incense Blending: A Guide]

Infusions

[Botanical Infusions]

[Herbal Medicine: What is an Electuary?]

[Herbal Tea Remedies]

Oils

[How to Make Natural Herbal Oil]

[Make Your Own Floral and Herbal Oils]

Potions

[The Basics of Potion Making]

[Herbal Brews]

[Potion Herbs & Ingredients]

[Potions 101 Overview] (tw: gif)

Poultices

[How To: Make a Poultice]

Salves

[DIY: Herbal Salves]

[Herbal Salves]

Tinctures

[How to Tincture]

[Tinctures, Salves, and Oils]

[Tincturing Workshop]

So, yeah, there you are, I hope that helps!

[beyondthecrystalwall]

A Practical Guide to Herbology Lesson Four: Tinctures

Introduction

As our journey through herbology continues, I’d like to introduce you all to something that I depend on quite frequently to cure my general aches, pains and insomnia day-to-day: tinctures!

Tinctures are a concentrated liquid form of an herb that can last for several years and be taken as needed. Some tinctures can be taken internally, but some are for external use only. In general, they can help alleviate pain and common symptoms, from anxiety to muscle soreness, but they are by no means a substitute for a proper doctor or medical care. However, they can help make our day-to-day lives more manageable in between visits and check-ups.

All tinctures use alcohol (usually something neutral, like vodka) as the solvent, although there are some cultural and folklore-based exceptions to the rule. In short, they can be taken directly with a dropper or diluted in tea. They can also be crafted using a variety of fresh or dried flowers, leaves, barks and berries.

Making a tincture

There are several ways to go about making a tincture, but I’m going to focus on the one that I grew up with in my tribe: the folk method. Here’s what you’ll need:

Fresh or dry herbs

Sterilized glass jars

A knife or chopping tool

Funnel

Cheesecloth

Alcohol (something neutral, like vodka or everclear)

Tinted glass dropper bottles (cobalt or amber works well)

How much plant material do I need?

Fresh leaves and flowers

Finely chop or grind clean plants

Fill the jar ⅔ to ¾

Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely

Dried leaves and flowers

Use finely cut plants

Fill the jar ½ to ¾

Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely

Fresh roots, barks and berries

Finely chop or grind clean plants

Fill the jar ⅓ to ½

Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely

Dried roots, barks and berries

Use finely cut plant material

Fill the jar ¼ to ⅓

Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely

Which alcohol percentage do I use?

40% to 50% (80 to 90 proof vodka)

This is the standard percentage range for tinctures

Good for most dried and fresh plant material

Extracts water-soluble properties well

67.5% to 70% (half 80-proof vodka mixed with half 190 proof grain alcohol)

Extracts the most volatile aromatic properties

Good for fresh high-moisture herbs like lemon balm, berries, and aromatic roots

Will draw out more of the plant juices

85% to 95% (190 proof grain alcohol)

Good for dissolving gums and resins, but not necessary for most plant material

Extracts aromatics and essential oils

Can produce a tincture that is hard to take (high alcohol content) and can potentially dehydrate the plant material

How long do I soak it for?

Store your tincture in a cool, dark and dry cabinet. Shake it several times a week and check your alcohol levels - you may need to top it up if it has evaporated and exposed the plant material. Exposed plant material can breed mold and bacteria into your tincture so do be sure to take care of it. Allow the tincture to soak for 6 to 8 weeks.

How do I bottle it?

It’s important to note here that your tinted glass bottles need to be sterilized, otherwise they may introduce bacteria and/or encourage mold to grow. One way of sterilizing glass is to wash it thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Then, after rinsing and draining the bottle, place it on an oven rack at 120 Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes to dry.

Once it has finished soaking, it’s time to strain your tincture. Drape a damp cheesecloth over a funnel and have it pour into a tinted glass bottle. Pour the mixture over the cheesecloth slowly, allowing the tincture to drip into the bottle. Afterwards, squeeze the remaining liquid out of the herbs (or blend them and squeeze that) into the bottle.

After you strain and bottle your tincture, you’ll want to label it. This is how I label my tinctures:

Common name:

Latin name:

Parts used:

Fresh/dried

Alcohol %

Source

Date

Dosage

How do I use it?

The standard adult dose for a tincture is ½ to 1 teaspoon up to 3 times daily, as needed. Children usually take ¼ to ⅓ of that dose. For children, pregnant women, or those not wanting to consume alcohol, you can pour the tincture into a hot tea or cook it into water on the stove to help it evaporate.

Recipes

Cold & flu aid

Good for: sore throats and tonsils, sinus infections, common colds, flu

Dosage: ¼ tsp 1-3 times daily, as needed for adults // 2 drops, 1-3 times daily, as needed, for children

Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried echinacea root, lemon balm, horehound and sage.

Fill the jar with vodka.

Store in a cool and dark place, shaking daily for 6-8 weeks.

Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.

Deep sleep aid

Good for: anxiety, pain, insomnia, digestion, menstrual cramps and headaches

Dosage: 1 tsp daily as needed for adults // a few drops for infants

Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried catnip, chamomile flowers, lavender blossoms and licorice root.

Fill the jar with vodka.

Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily for 6-8 weeks.

Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.

Digestion aid

Good for: nausea, motion sickness, stomach aches, heartburn and indigestion

Dosage: 1 tsp a day, as needed for adults

Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried peppermint, ginger root and fennel seeds.

Fill the jar with vodka.

Store in a cool dark place and shake daily for 6-8 weeks.

Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.

Immune system support

Good for: asthma, whooping cough, laryngitis, bronchitis and common colds

Dosage: ¼ tsp daily for adults // 2 drops per day for children

Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried thyme, elderberries and echinacea.

Fill the jar with vodka.

Store in a cool and dark place, shaking daily for 6-8 weeks.

Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.

Migraine support

Good for: migraines, headaches, stress/tension headaches

Dosage: ¼ tsp daily for adults // 2 drops per day for children

Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried lemon balm and feverfew.

Fill the jar with vodka.

Store in a cool and dark place, shaking daily for 6-8 weeks.

Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.

——

All notes are compiled from my grimoire.

Warnings:  All plant material should be sourced appropriately and responsibly for your own safety and well-being. Be certain that you are purchasing food-grade ingredients from a reliable retailer or supplier. Along these lines, not all dried herbs are meant for consumption so please be on the lookout for “external use only” labels - you do not want those products for this.

Do not source plant material from the wild without the help of an expert in the appropriate field - you do not know what types of chemicals, pesticides or pollutants that wild plants may have been exposed to. Similarly, there are a plethora of wild plants that look identical to each other: one may be safe while another may be poisonous or fatal.

Do your own research regarding medicinal plants and usage, especially if you are sensitive or have allergies of any kind. If you are on medication(s), consult a doctor before use.

Finally, tinctures are a health supplement and not a substitution for professional medical and psychiatric aid. If you are experiencing any prolonged health and/or mental health issues, SEE A DOCTOR.

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Witch Tip Wednesday 5.16.18

Tinker with Tinctures

Hey there witches! I’ve covered water infusions aka Hydrosols before, but it’s time to move onto the hard stuff: alcohol

A tincture is an extract which has an alcohol base. Traditionally, these were herbal infusions used for medicine, but for today’s topic, we’ll be talking about tinctures in all forms, but it’s up to you as to what’s for consumption, and what may be used as a perfume, floor wash, or ritual spray etc.

Tinctures can be a lot easier to make because they have a cold infusion method, as in no heat source is used to speed the process. Alcohol absorbs plant matter and dissolves quite easily, so heating it is a dangerous step not necessary for the occasional infusion.

What can be made into a tincture?

Flowers

Berries

Leaves

Roots

Stalks and barks

Spas and resins

Seeds

These can be dried or fresh.

Especially for flowers, some fragrance doesn’t carry once the flower withers, so using fresh can be super helpful if the fragrance is important!

What do I do to make one?

Take your container like a mason jar

Fill with plant material about halfway*

Add in your alcohol**

Shake and let infuse***

Strain and decant into its new container

Now it’s simple, but you do have to make some decisions like if you’re making individual tinctures or a blend. Individual tinctures can be blended later of course, but takes more containers and individual checking than throwing it all together. Go by instinct and research until you’ve got the experience.

That sounds simple, but I want some more tips:

Break apart or cut up ingredients so more of the matter gets mixed and infused. It releases fragrance, juices and gives more surfaces for the base to interact.

Shake your tincture while it’s infusing every day. You may want to infuse for a day, a week, or a full cycle of the moon, you do you!

If you’re using a mason jar or other metal lid container, a piece of Saran Wrap/cling plastic can protect the lid from corroding.

You can get a high proof alcohol and dilute it with distilled water.****

If taking internally, do so with care, and dosage is usually only a few drops at a time. Check with your doctor before starting any regiment.

If you want to make a ritual tincture for a salt bonfire, the alcohol has to be minimum 100 proof or it won’t catch fire. Don’t burn yourself.

I have a ginger tincture I use for upset stomachs. Just a few drops in mineral water and it settles right down (think ginger ale).

For tooth aches, I use a few drops of clove tincture in warm water and swish around. Plus my breath smells great afterwards.

Just remember, it’s concentrated, and in a lot of cases may not taste great by itself, just like if you took a spoon full of vanilla extract. Start small, dilute, or use in ritual.

Stay safe my little beasties.

🦇Cheers, Barberwitch

Want to help keep the blog going? Buy me a kofi, or donate to PayPal!

*, **, ***, **** down below the break

Keep reading

[beyondthecrystalwall]

DIY: Brews and Potions

Witches standing over an open fire while stirring up potions in a cauldron is one of the many romanticized views of witchcraft. Today, witches brew many things for love, luck, health, wealth, and etc. Potions are a widely regarded instrument for witches. Potions are simply liquid spells that can be taken internally or applied externally to the body. Teas, enchanted perfumes, tinctures, and washes are the many forms these spells can come in. Some are used for healing, others are used in ritual or magickal work. 

Kitchen Herbs and Common plants for Brews

Back in the day, homemade teas and salves were the only medicine available. Using these things today is still very popular and a holistic approach to health that treats the mind, body, and soul together. What you use does not have to be expensive, it can come from your back yard or your home. Many of what you already have you can use to make tinctures, teas, and decoctions. Also, syrups, tonics, waters, and vinegars. If you work with the herbs you have at home already on hand, you will be able to create your own remedy with a distinct local flavor. 

The Power Behind the Plants

It is believed that many spiritual forces animate the world; called animism. When working with a plant or crystal, or performing a spell or ritual at a specific place, witches work with the spirits behind those plants or crystals, and call upon the spirit of that location to help them in their work. There is a special partnership and alliance between the witch and spirit, manifesting in forms of animals (familiars) or in the form of other plants, crystals, and locations. Over time, working with these spirits on various projects will deepen the relationship and the witch will gain information on magical associations, properties, and lore. These things often come through dreams, inspirations, or visions. The spirit will gain energy, attention, and physical shelter as animals or plants or crystals carried as a talisman. 

Keep reading

[beyondthecrystalwall]

DIY LAVENDER WANDS!!!!

These are super fun to make and they smell friggggin awesome and look super cute. awesome for rituals and for decoration and for smelling awesome, could be a cool gift, could sell em’ or just whack this tutorial straight in your grimoire for later use, you name it kiddie winks. IMA TEACH U 

1) PICK YO SELF SOME LAVENDER! if you don’t have lavender in your garden, you need to get some. but in the mean time, head over to your local botanical gardens or a park area or a shop or your friends place, anywhere where you can get yourself some freshly picked lavender. Begin with an uneven number of stalks, the bigger the bundle the bigger your wand.

2) GETCHO SELF SOME CUTE ASS PURPLE RIBBBON, and tie it just below the flowers. 

3) THEN UR GONNA WANNA fold the stalks down evenly over the flower head bundle.

4) WEAVE YO’ RIBBON over and under each stalk, around and around, until you have enclosed the entire flower head.

5) TIE OFF YO RIBBON at the bottom.

6) GIVE YO FINISHED WAND a roll between your palms to release that wonderful lavender fragrance1111111!!!!

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!! A COOL ASS FUNKY SMELLIN STICK-O-LAVANDAAAAAAHHHH

STAY WITHCY!!!

- @indigo-amethyst

[beyondthecrystalwall]

5 Native Desert Plants & Their Witchcraft Correspondences 🌵🌸

• Chuparosa (Justicia californica)

- Native to Arizona but found in Southern California, New Mexico, and northern areas of Mexico.

- Flowers & petals are edible raw or cooked, dried or fresh.

- Similar to hibiscus, makes wonderful summer teas.

- Hummingbirds adore the flowers and the nectar is chewable like a gum.

- Great in tinctures, scrubs, and teas.

Correspondence: Air, Beauty, Love, Positive Energy, New Beginnings, Boosting Self Esteem, Romance, Sexual Energy.

• Brittle Bush (Encelia farinosa) 

-Native to Arizona but found in New Mexico, Southern Califonia, Texas, and parts of Mexico.

- Not to be confused with the desert wildflower, desert marigolds, which unlike the brittle bush, does not have a orange button center and is poisonous to some herd animals like sheep.

- Stems, flowers, and leaves are edible. Dried, fresh, cooked, raw.

- The dried flowers make a soothing tea for stomach pains.

- Dried brittle bush leaves can also be brewed to make a medicinal tea. It’s great for mouth sores or those tight chest coughs. It taste slightly bitter and has a numbing effect.

- Local folklore says the leaf tea is great for arthritis flare-ups in the cold months.

- Don’t drink this tea before bed though as it can have caffeine-like effect in some people.

- Flower resins and nectar from this plant are chewable and chewed by locals like a candy or gum.

- Great in tinctures, decoctions, infusions, salves, scrubs, masks, and teas.

Correspondences: Earth, Sun, Healing, Cleansing, Banishes away sickness, Good Luck, and Protection, Friendship, Empathy.

• Desert Lavender a.k.a. Bee Sage (Hyptis emoryi)

- Native to Arizona but found in Southern Califonia, New Mexico, and Mexico.

- This is the supernatural plant, the bee’s knee here. Native American tribes like Akimel O’Odham, who’s beautiful people made what is now called Phoenix, AZ their home, saw this as a pure and holy plant that cleanse all evils away from the one’s spirit.

- Everything on this plant is useable. Leaves, flowers, stems, branches, roots. Can be dried, brewed, cooked, or eaten raw.

-Great in tinctures, decoctions, infusions, salves, scrubs, masks, and teas.

-In some Native Amercan practises it’s used to make smudge wands, but to those who are not native and wish to use it they may dry and use a smoke cleansing ritual instead.

- Traditionally used by Native Americans to cleanse the body of diseases and stop internal bleeding or heavy menstruation.

Correspondences: Spirits, Earth, Purity, Cleansing, Healing, Protection, Banishing, Warding, Psychic energies & abilities.

• Ephedra a.k.a. Mormon Tea Plant (Ephedra fasciculata) 

- Found growing wild or in landscaping areas in Arizona, Califonia, New Mexico, some areas of Texas, and northern Mexico.

- Historically used as an alternative to coffee

- The plant’s twigs are edible when brewed into a tea, tasty and mildly stimulating.

- Contains small amounts of ephedrine so great for hay fever, hacking coughs, or as a sinus decongestant.

- Like local honey, drinking teas with this plant is said to help aid allergy sufferers in the springtime blooms.

- Great in tinctures and teas.

Correspondences: Air, Earth, Healing, Protection, Cleansing, Positive Energy, Energy Boosting, Purity, Friendship, Happiness, Alertness, Focusing (Studying).

• Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans)

- Found often in landscaping because of it’s hardiness to the arid climates, can be seen wild though in Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Califonia, and Southern Texas.

- The leaves, flowers, and twigs can be brewed into powerful teas aiding digestion and gastrointestinal issues

- great for hangovers (drink a small cup of tea in the morning, trust me.)

- Contain anti-viral properties so it’s super awesome to combat sickness.

- Great in tinctures, decoctions, and teas.

Correspondences: Earth, Resilience, Strength, Healing, Banishment, Cleansing, Cursing, Retaliation, Dominance.

*note that this is all based on my own craft and years of herbal experience

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Christian Witch Tip

Want to use the bible in your magical working?  Psalms are a goldmine for magical words.  The psalms are powerful prayers you can use in your spells.

Keep reading

[beyondthecrystalwall]

“You can’t be a Christian AND a witch.”

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Current Recommended Reading: Christian Witch edition

(Note: This applies to Christian, Catholic, and Christopagan witches, too!)

• The Path of a Christian Witch by Adelina St. Clair

• Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements by Christine Valters Paintner

• The Jesus Mysteries by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy

• Nag Hammadi texts (I’ve been reading them on sacred-texts.com)

• Dead Sea Scrolls (again, some can be found on sacred-texts.com)

• The Secret Gospel of Mary Magdalene

I intend to come back and continue to update this list as I read more about Christian witchcraft and mysticism, so this list will hopefully expand!

Feel free to reblog with suggestions!

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Cleansing Facial Toner

I dedicate this post to Aphrodite and Freyja, who have been giving me feels about starting a series on beauty magic.

This is the main facial toner I use. After years of fighting with my skin and wasting tons of money that I didn’t have on skin products that didn’t work, I decided to try some DIY options.

I found the base recipe for this toner via Pinterest a while back, but tweaked it to suit my skin (combo, acne prone due to hormonal imbalances). As I began to really perfect the recipe, I realized that all of these ingredients had properties that could be harnessed to help me not only physically, but in other ways too. I hope you all enjoy!

• 1 part apple cider vinegar (for cleansing, healing, promoting good health, protection) • 1 part charged water (I use sun water for clarity, confidence, and boldness) • 3-5 drops of tea tree oil (cleansing, healing wounds, purification) • pinch of sea salt

Combine all of these ingredients in a suitable container (a spray bottle or old toner bottle would work) and shake to mix. I like to focus on it glowing with a bright, healthy light as the ingredients come together.

I then charge it in sunlight for one hour before using, to boost the energy.

This toner can be used after you wash your face to improve skin, combat acne, and wash away any leftover emotional or psychic debris from your day.

I hope this little recipe helps someone out! Feel free to tweak it as you need. Go forth and get witchy, y'all! 🌌

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Crystals for banishing someone:

Any of em if you throw em hard enough

[beyondthecrystalwall]

Lavender Witch aesthetic

requested by @lilacsparks