#Spikenard Oil

[meenaperfumeryshop]

Discover Serenity: Meena Perfumery's Pure Spikenard Oil

Explore the tranquility of antiquity with Meena Perfumery, as it has a rare and refined essence sourced from pristine valleys, known as Spikenard oil. This oil has been used as a perfume, and it has medicinal uses like skin care. Its warm nature also helps with heavy menstrual periods, vaginal discharge, and kidney and liver problems. It also helps with all kinds of inflammation and disperses accumulated toxins. Meticulously crafted for purity, this essential oil offers a serene escape from the daily hustle. Its antifungal properties are also good for Candida infections. Immerse yourself in the natural, musky aroma of Spikenard Oil, which promotes relaxation and calmness.

[maxxkoke]

Could I have an allergic reaction after using Essential oils?

Introduction

Essential oils have become extremely popular in recent years due to their numerous medicinal and aromatic characteristics. These natural compounds from plants, flowers, and fruits have been utilized in conventional medicine and aromatherapy for generations. While essential oils are generally regarded safe when used correctly, allergic reactions are possible. In this post, we will look at the dangers of allergic responses to essential oils and how to utilize them properly to reduce the possibility of side effects.

Essential Oils Explained

Essential oils are extremely concentrated liquids taken from plants' leaves, blossoms, bark, stems, and roots. Extraction processes can vary, including steam distillation, cold pressing, and solvent extraction. These oils contain the natural compounds responsible for the plant's fragrance and other therapeutic properties.

Allergic Reactions to Essential Oils

While essential oils are generally safe, they are potent substances that can lead to allergic reactions in some individuals. An allergic reaction occurs when the body's immune system identifies a specific component in the essential oil as a foreign invader and responds by releasing chemicals like histamine. This can result in a range of symptoms, including:

Skin Irritation: Contact dermatitis is one of the most common allergic reactions to essential oils. It might cause redness, irritation, or a rash on the skin where the oil was administered. This might happen anywhere between minutes and hours after application.

Respiratory Symptoms: Inhaling essential oil vapors or using a diffuser may trigger respiratory allergies, leading to symptoms like coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and nasal congestion.

Eye Irritation: Some essential oils can irritate the eyes, causing redness, itching, or watery eyes.

Gastrointestinal Distress: Ingesting essential oils, which is not recommended without expert guidance, can lead to nausea, vomiting, or digestive discomfort.

Systemic Reactions: In rare cases, exposure to certain essential oils can lead to systemic allergic reactions, causing symptoms like hives, swelling, and anaphylaxis.

Common Essential Oils Known to Cause Allergic Reactions

While allergic reactions to essential oils can occur with any oil, some oils are more likely to trigger sensitivities due to their chemical composition. It's essential to be cautious when using the following essential oils:

Citrus Oils: Oils like lemon, orange, and bergamot contain compounds that can increase sensitivity to sunlight, potentially causing skin reactions.

Lavender Oil: Despite its popularity, lavender oil may cause skin sensitivity in some people.

Eucalyptus Oil: Although eucalyptus oil is known for its respiratory advantages, it might cause respiratory allergies in certain people.

Tea Tree Oil: This oil is used for its antiseptic properties but can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Cinnamon Oil: Cinnamon oil is potent and can lead to skin irritation or allergies, especially when used in high concentrations.

Avoiding Allergic Reactions

To reduce the risk of allergic reactions when using essential oils, follow these guidelines:

Patch Test: Before utilizing a new essential oil, do a patch test by applying a diluted solution to a small area of skin. Wait 24 hours to check if there are any bad responses.

Dilution: Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil) before applying them to the skin. A normal dilution ratio of essential oil to carrier oil is 1-2%.

Quality is Important: Choose high-quality, pure essential oils from trustworthy providers to eliminate the possibility of synthetic additions or impurities that might cause allergic responses.

Personal Sensitivity: Be aware of your own sensitivities and allergies. If you have a history of allergies or skin sensitivities, use essential oils with care.

A qualified aromatherapist or other healthcare provider should always be consulted before taking essential oils.

Consult an Expert: If you have concerns or are unsure about using a particular essential oil, consult with an aromatherapist or healthcare provider.

Conclusion

Essential oils provide a natural and holistic solution to a variety of health and wellbeing issues. However, it is essential to be aware of the possible hazards of allergic responses that may occur as a result of their usage. While these reactions are relatively rare, understanding how to use essential oils safely and responsibly is key to enjoying their benefits without complications. By following proper dilution methods, performing patch tests, and being mindful of personal sensitivities, you can incorporate essential oils into your daily routine with confidence and peace of mind.

[greenwitchcrafts]

February 2024 witch guide

Full moon: February 24th

New moon: February 9th

Sabbats: Imbolc-February 1st

February Snow Moon

Known as: Eagle Moon, Horning Moon, Solmonath Moon, Bear moon, Ice Moon, Wild Moon, Raccoon Moon, Big Winter Moon, Groundhog Moon, Quickening Moon, Storm Moon, Goose Moon, Hungry Moon & Red/Cleansing Moon

Element: Fire

Zodiac: Aquarius & Pisces

Nature spirits: House Faeries

Deities: Aphrodite, Brigid & Nut

Animals: Otter & Unicorn

Birds: Chickadee & Eagle

Trees: Cedar, laurel, myrtle & rowan

Herbs: Balm of Gilead, hyssop, myrrh, sage & spikenard

Flowers: Primrose

Scents: Heliotrope & wisteria

Stones: Amethyst, jasper, moonstone, obsidian, onyx , rose quartz, topaz & red zircon

Colors: Light blue & violet

Energy:  Astral travel, banishing, beginnings, breaking bad habits, creativity expressiveness, empowerment, energy working to the surface, fertility, forgiveness, freedom, friendships, future plans, growth, healing, problem solving, purification, responsibility & science

February’s full Moon is a “Micromoon” this year. Think of this term as the opposite of a “Supermoon.” It simply means that the full Moon is at its farthest point from Earth (not the nearest point).

The explanation behind February’s full Moon name is a fairly straightforward one: it’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. On average, February is the United States’ snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver, who had visited with the Naudowessie(Dakota), wrote that the name used for this period was the Snow Moon, “because more snow commonly falls during this month than any other in the winter.” 

Imbolc

Known as: Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Light, Oimele & Brigid's Day

Season: Winter

Symbols: Besoms, Brighid's crosses, candles, candle wheels, fertility symbols, fire, ploughs, priapic wands & white flowers

Colors: Black, brown, Earth tones, lavender, light green, orange, pink, red, white & yellow

Oils/Incense: Apricot, basil, bay, carnation, chamomile, cinnamon, dragon's blood, frankincense, heather, jasmine, myrrh, neroli, red sandalwood, sage, vanilla, violet & wisteria

Animals: Badger, cow, deer,groudhog, robin, sheep, snake, & swan

Mythical: Dragon

Stones: Amethyst, bloodstone, citrine, clear quartz, garnet, green tourmaline, hematite, iron, lodestone, onyx, red zircon, rose quartz, ruby, turquoise, yellow tourmaline

Food: Breads, chives, curries, dairy products, grains, garlic, herbal teas, honey cakes, lamb, muffins, onions, peppers, poppy seed cakes, pork, poultry, pumpkin seeds, raisins, scones, spiced wines & sunflower seeeds

Herbs/Plants: Angelica, ashleaf, balsam, basil, bay laurel, benzoin, blackberry, clover, coltsfoot, coriander, dragon's blood, garlic, heather, lemon, myrrh, rosemary, sage, vervain, wheat & witch hazel

Flowers: Celandine, chamomile, iris, rose hips, snowdrop, sunflower, tansy, violets, white flowers & yellow flowers

Goddesses: Anu, Aradia, Arianrhod, Artio, Athena, Branwen, Brigid, Danu, Februa, Gaia, Inanna, Juno, Selene, Sirona & Vesta

Gods: Aegus Mac Og, Bragi, Cupid, Dian Cecht, Dumuzi, Eros, Februus & Pax

Issues, Intentions & Powers: Activation/awakening, animals, beginnings, fertility, healing, hope, illumination, inspiration, light, pregnancy/childbirth, prophecy, transformation, well-being & youth

Spellwork: Air magick, banishings, candle spells, divination, fertility spells, prosperity & purification

Activities:

• Make & light white candles

• Clean/decorate your altar & consecrate your  altar tools

• Go on a walk in nature & look for signs of spring

• Make a Brigid's Cross

• Have a feast with your family/friends

• Give thanks & leave offerings to the Earth

• Set intentions, reflect & look deeper into your goals for spring

• Start a bonfire

• Find Imboloc prayers & devotionals that bid farewell to the winter months, honor the goddess Brigid, as well as seasonal blessings for your meals, hearth, & home.

• Pepare plans for your upcoming garden

• Craft a priapic wand

• Spend time with children celebrating Imbolc by making crafts & or baking

• Practice divination & fire scrying

• Draw a cleansing ritual bath for yourself

• Meditate, reflect & say your farewells to winter

• Cleanse & clean your house to prepare for spring

• Create a Brídeóg: a doll of Brigid made of straw

• Make Bride's bouquet satchets & exchange as symbols of good luck and fertility

• Set aside food & or drinks as an offering to Brigid to invite her in your home

Imbolc is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring. Most commonly it is held on January 31 – February 1, or halfway between the winter solstice & the spring equinox. The holiday is a festival of the hearth, home, a celebration of the lengthening days & the early signs of spring. 

The word "imbolc" means "in the belly" and refers to the pregnancy of ewes at this time of year. The term "oimelc" means ewe's milk. Around this time of year, many herd animals give birth to their first offspring of the year or are heavily pregnant & as a result, they are producing milk. This creation of life’s milk is a part of the symbolic hope for spring.

Imbolc is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It has been suggested that it was originally a pagan festival associated with the goddess Brigid and that it was Christianized as a festival of Saint Brigid, who herself is thought to be a Christianization of the goddess.

Some use Imbolc to celebrate the longer days which herald the return of Spring & The Goddess's recovery from giving birth to The Sun (The God) at Yule. The God & The Goddess are children symbolizing new life, new beginnings & new resurrections.

Related festivals:

• Groundhog Day-  Is a tradition observed in the United States & Canada on February 2 of every year. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day & sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den & winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.

While the tradition remains popular in the 21st century, studies have found no consistent association between a groundhog seeing its shadow & the subsequent arrival time of spring-like weather.

•St. Brigid's Day- 1 February. It was originally Imbolc, the first day of spring in Irish tradition. Because Saint Brigid has been theorised as linked to the goddess Brigid, some associate the festival of Imbolc with the goddess. St. Brigid is the patroness saint (or 'mother saint') of Ireland. She is patroness of many things, including poetry, learning, healing, protection, blacksmithing, livestock & dairy production. In her honour, a perpetual fire was kept burning at Kildare for centuries.

A recent campaign successfully established her feast day as a national holiday in 2023.

• Chinese New Year- (February 10th) the festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. In Chinese, the festival is commonly referred to as the Spring Festival,- marking the end of winter and the beginning of the spring season. Observances traditionally take place from Chinese New Year's Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year, to the Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21st & February 20th.

The Chinese New Year is associated with several myths and customs. The festival was traditionally a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the New Year vary widely & the evening preceding the New Year's Day is frequently regarded as an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.

It is also a tradition for every family to thoroughly clean their house, in order to sweep away any ill fortune & to make way for incoming good luck. Another custom is the decoration of windows & doors with red paper-cuts and couplets. Popular themes among these paper-cuts and couplets include good fortune or happiness, wealth & longevity. Other activities include lighting firecrackers  & giving money in red envelopes.

•  Candlemas- is a Christian feast day on February 2nd commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22-40. 

While it is customary for Christians in some countries to remove their Christmas decorations on Twelfth Night, those in other Christian countries historically remove them after Candlemas.On Candlemas, many Christians also take their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year.

•Setsubun- (February 3rd) Is the day before the beginning of spring in the old calendar in Japan. The name literally means 'seasonal division', referring to the day just before the first day of spring.

Both Setsubun & Risshun are celebrated yearly as part of the Spring Festival (Haru matsuri ) in Japan. In its association with the Lunar New Year, Setsubun, though not the official New Year, was thought of as similar in its ritual & cultural associations of 'cleansing' the previous year as the beginning of the new season of spring. Setsubun was accompanied by a number of rituals & traditions held at various levels to drive away the previous year's bad fortunes & evil spirits for the year to come.

Other Celebrations:

• Lupercalia-

In ancient Rome, this festival was conducted annually on February 13th through 15th under the superintendence of a corporation of priests called Luperci. The origins of the festival are obscure, although the likely derivation of its name from lupus (Latin: “wolf”) has variously suggested connection with an ancient deity who protected herds from wolves and with the legendary she-wolf who nursed Romulus and Remus. As a fertility rite, the festival is also associated with the god Faunus.

to purify the city, promoting health & fertility.

Each Lupercalia began with the sacrifice by the Luperci of goats and a dog, after which two of the Luperci were led to the altar, their foreheads were touched with a bloody knife & the blood was wiped off with wool dipped in milk; the ritual required that the two young men laugh. The sacrificial feast followed, after which the Luperci cut thongs from the skins of the sacrificial animals & ran in two bands around the Palatine hill, striking with the thongs at any woman who came near them. A blow from the thong was supposed to render a woman fertile.

In 494 CE the Christian church under Pope Gelasius I forbade participation in the festival. Tradition holds that he appropriated the form of the rite as the Feast of the Purification (Candlemas), celebrated on February 2, but it is likely that the Christian feast was established in the previous century. It has also been alternately suggested that Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th, but the origin of that holiday was likely much later.

Sources:

Farmersalmanac .com

Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences by Sandra Kines

Wikipedia

A Witch's Book of Correspondences by Viktorija Briggs

Encyclopedia britannica

Llewellyn 2024 magical almanac Practical magic for everyday living

[peachdues]

Oh my favorite perfume connoisseur-

Any fragrance recommendations for that dark academia aesthetic?

Love you hope you're drinking water and resting welllllll 😤🫶🤍

MY BELOVED MUTUAL ASKING ME ABOUT MY NICHE INTEREST AND MY FAVORITE AESTHETIC?? SAY NO MORE!

Okay I *started* answering this and then tumblr cancelled on me bc it’s a hating ass bitch.

A lot of these are fall-coded but that’s because fall 🤝🏻 dark academia. I tried to throw in suggestions that can be worn in all seasons, though! I also tried to vary the price points too

Without further ado!

Novel by ALT fragrances — inspired by whispers in the library from Replica which is one of my all time favorites and I’m STILL salty they discontinued it. I haven’t personally smelled this one but I know so many people who swear it’s almost an exact match!

Notes: top (vanilla) • middle (pepper, cedar wood) • base (tonka bean • woodsy notes)

Indigo by Nest New York — this is one of the best tea scents on the market. I discovered this one last year and honestly it’s a personal favorite. I’ve been through two bottles. Dark and a little sultry but not overpowering and it still has some freshness!

Notes: Italian lemon • orange bergamot • Moroccan tea • Kashmir wood • wild figs

Invite only Amber by Kayali — I associate this fragrance with a snowy night at the library with old Christmas jazz playing in the distance. It’s on my rotation for this winter!

Notes: Amber resin • benzoin • Ceylon cinnamon

Monday by Arielle Shoshanna — ever wanted to smell like a London fog latte? Here’s your perfume!

Notes: bergamot • lavender • lemon zest • black tea • steamed milk • ISO-E super • sandalwood • vanilla • amber

City on Fire by Imaginary Authors — this is THEEEE dark academia perfume. One of its notes is literally labdanum. It doesn’t get more dark academia than that!

Notes: Cade oil • spikenard • cardamom • clearwood • dark berries • labdanum • burnt match

By the Fireplace by Replica — I mean it smells like a bit ol’ crackling fireplace and marshmallow. This smells fucking divine in the cold air in winter (bonus if you have a leather jacket!!). And it’s unisex!

Notes: clove oil • chestnut accord • vanilla accord

Gris Charnel by BDK — another wonderful tea scent. Something about tea scents just screams dark academia!

Notes: fig • black tea • cardamom essence • absolute of iris • bourbon vetiver • sandalwood • tonka bean absolute

L’eau papier by Diptyque — I meannnn it’s a paper-based scent but it smells HEAVENLY. I got stopped like five times wearing this once.

Notes: white musks • mimosa • blonde woods accord • rice steam accord

Coffee break by replica — this is my tried and true. The number one perfume in my collection and my most repurchased. It’s just perfect.

Notes: coffee accord • lavender • milk mousse accord

Honestly look through the entirety of Vilhelm’s perfumery. So many good dark academia scents. My favorites are Dear Polly, Poets of Berlin, and Opus Kore!

I hope the move went well!! Have you gotten settled in??

[painted-kneecaps]

How to Smell Like an Avatar of Fear

-A Comprehensive List-

From a hobbyist perfume collector and avid TMA listener

Did you know that smell, out of all the five senses, is the one most linked to memory and emotion? With my help, you too can invoke a sense of unease in the minds of friends, enemies and strangers everywhere !!

DISCLAIMER: I have not tried every, or even most, of the perfumes on this list. However, I have purchased and enjoyed perfumes from all of the houses listed.

-The Buried-

Name: Geosmin

House: Osmofolia

Scent profile: wet aldehydes, ozone, geosmin, fresh water, petrichor, soil

-The Corruption-

Name: Pile of green goo

House: Death and Floral

Scent profile: Partially rotting wood and oakmoss, white oudh, deep & enchanting crushed rose resins

-The Dark-

Name: The Raven

House: Alkemia

Scent profile: Ebony heartwood, black amber, black pepper, blackseed (habbatul barakah), black Bengal cardamon, black ink, nigella (black coriander), black iris, violet leaves, and leather. 

-The Desolation-

Name: A City On Fire

House: Imaginary Authors

Scent profile: Cade oil, Spikenard, Cardamom, Clearwood, Dark Berries, Labdanum, Burnt Match

-The End-

Name: Bones melting together

House: Death and Floral

Scent profile: Dusty dry bone dust accord, coffin wood, bergamot

-The Extinction-

Name: Industrial Sabotage

House: Alkemia

Scent profile: A cataclysmic wreckage of burnt wires; twisted melted steel; shattered machinery, and gunpowder. 

-The Eye-

Name: Book of Shadows

House: Alkemia

Scent profile: A biblichor of eldritch books - heavy parchment paper, ancient iron oak gall ink, crumbling leather bindings, and wafts of rare incenses.

-The Flesh-

Name: Writer’s Blood

House: Alkemia

Scent profile: iron-tinged blood, a manuscript soaked in spilled black coffee, and an overturned tin of rolling tobacco.

-The Hunt-

Name: The wolf only needs luck to find you once

House: Death and Floral

Scent profile: Crisp forest night air, lunar musk, large drifting oakwood trees, the musky scent of a trailing shadow.

-The Lonely-

Name: The people you love become ghosts inside of you

House: Death and Floral

Scent profile: Heavenly musk, lingering funeral flowers, cold scent of vanilla in an empty corridor, handprints on a foggy window

-The Slaughter-

Name: The Highwayman

House: Alkemia

Scent profile: Sweat stained black leather, night air, a dirt road under galloping hooves, tobacco, bloodstained lace, gunpowder

-The Spiral-

Name: Finally A Star

House: Osmofolia

Scent profile: The glitz of cardamom and sparkling grapefruit stars, outer space ozone, dreamy tuberose, searing gunpowder, and a ham hock for a head. Inspired by Jack Stauber's song The Ballad of Hamantha.

-The Stranger-

Name: Wax museums

House: Death and Floral

Scent profile: Sweet and warm liqueur, elegant suede, black currant, beeswax absolute, magnolia heart

-The Vast-

Name: With the fishes and the dead

House: Death and Floral

Scent profile: Black squid ink and mile long oceans. Black ambergris, black labdanum absolute, salty ocean water, and black pits of stretched out emptiness.

-The Web-

Name: Dustsceawung

House: Alkemia

Scent profile: The scent of forbidden explorations and an olfactory meditation on dust: attic air, the inside of old trunks, abandoned haylofts, library stacks, and abandoned buildings.

[dollhog]

Can you possibly expand on the type of alchemy/ sex magick? Such as potions or spells that directly help with putting on plot of weight? I’ve always wanted to get more info regarding spells or incantations that help with weight gain. Don’t worry I’m looking for reference for myself and personal use. Anyway I love your blog and thankful for any insight 🖤

Feedee weight gain ritual from a theistic Satanist and herbal alchemist. 200 lbs gained in 15 months

The response on my post regarding weight gain and witchcraft has been incredible! So here’s some information on how I’ve gone about my weight gain rituals in the past. Please be aware that this is not for the uninitiated, results will vary depending on your methods. At the end of the post, I provide names of the demonic divine and herbal correspondences best suited for this working. This is thoroughly intended for you to customise to your liking!

Cross small bones (chicken leg bones will work) and bind them together tightly with the red yarn. This is your doll’s skeleton. Wrap fabric around the outside of your doll, bind with red yarn while retaining the humanoid/cross shape. This does not need to look pretty, but it must roughly resemble a person in crucifixion pose. The bones symbolise your skeletal system, the yarn symbolises your nervous system, and the fabric symbolises skin and fat. Consecrate it with a drop of your blood. Take your chosen herbal mixture and mix with melted lard, pour this over your doll. Wrap and tie more fabric to the midsection of your doll overtop of the lard and herbs to “fatten” it.

Take a piece of paper, write your name and date of birth. Then the amount of weight you intend to gain over what period of time. And the sigil of whoever you’re working under. Burn the paper in a small dish. Add a herbal oil of your choosing to the ashes and dress your candle with the mixture. Dress your candle with saliva and cum. Drip the candle on your doll, then on the areas of your body you want to gain the most weight. This will sting, but it will not hurt nor leave a burn. Close the ritual and remove the wax from yourself. Sleep with the doll beside your bed.

In the coming days, repeat the process of dripping the lard and herbs, wrapping the doll and dripping the wax over you and it until you are satisfied with the doll’s “weight gain”. Leave offerings as curtesy to the demonic force aiding you every time you repeat the cycle. Hard liquor, tobacco/cigars, blood, nice chocolate, etc. Keep the doll in a place hidden from anything or anyone that could interfere. Dispose of it at the crossroads with a good offering when you have gained your desired amount of weight.

Some sex magick ingredients:

* Damiana

* Kava kava

* Radish

* Marshmallow root

* Chilli

* Rose

* Crowfoot

* Dried apple

* Basil

* Tuberose

* Nutmeg

* Blowball

* Ginseng

* Fig seeds

* Blood root

* Holly

* Coriander

* Dill

* Violet

* Jasmine

* Senna

* Cacao

* Endive

* Vanilla

* Peach

* Dried apricot

* Devil’s bone root

* Mint

* Mandrake

* Adam and Eve root

* Orange peel

* Savoury

* Devil’s bit

* Mugwort

* Brown sugar

* Daffodil

* Cherry bark

* Hibiscus

* Garlic

* Maple

* Caraway

* Ylang ylang

* Lemongrass

* Cardamom

* Chestnut

* Clove

* Spikenard

Lust and gluttony demons:

* Asmodeus

* Lilith

* Sytry

* Beelzebub

* Incubi/Succubi

This is obviously not for the uninitiated, if you don’t know how to contact a demon respectfully and you don’t know how to control, manipulate and transmute energy, it has high chance of going horribly wrong. If you insist on doing it regardless, at the very least do your own research.

[krscblw]

Ghoul scent associations pt. 4 - Imaginary Authors edition

Imaginary Authors is one of my favorite perfume companies, and I recently got samples of their entire collection! Of course, my first thought was to apply that to the ghouls. So here that is!!

Some of these are ones that I used on other lists that I still agree with, but most of them are new. Also, as is the nature of using a very limited number of options, not all of them fit perfectly, but I did my best, and I think like 90% of them fit very well.

Usual warning: This might look weird on mobile, but it should be good on desktop. Apologies, I'd fix it if I knew how.

Aeon: TELEGRAMA – Imaginary Authors 

Talc, lavender absolute, black pepper, teak, amyris, vanilla powder, fresh linens

Telegrama is a very powdery, peppery, gentle lavender scent that fades into soft vanilla. If it was a color, it would be a gray-purple so pale it almost looks white. It’s comforting but not childish, classic but unique. It smells like Aeon’s particular brand of simple comfort. 

Aether: Blend No. 83 – Imaginary Authors 

Dark chocolate, sugar cane rum, Arabica coffee, velvety foam, benzoin, musk

Blend No. 83 is a sweet, musky, chocolate-coffee scent modeled after an espresso martini, but it isn’t as gourmand as it sounds. It settles into a dark musk with the suggestion of coffee and chocolate. It’s grown-up but not at all boring, just like Aether.

Alpha:  BULL'S BLOOD – Imaginary Authors 

Geranium, Spanish rose, patchouli, black musk, tobacco, sandalwood, bull's blood

Bull’s Blood is very musky, smoky, and spicy, and comes on strong enough to knock you over. However, it’s also very sweet, and dries down to more of a smoky-sweet almost-floral. It’s not too serious but has an almost shocking intensity to it, and is potentially polarizing – like Alpha. If it was a color it would be dark burgundy. 

Cirrus: SAINT JULEP – Imaginary Authors 

Sweet mint, tangerine, southern magnolia, bourbon, grisalva, sugarcube

Saint Julep is a very sweet, realistic gourmand with notes of mint and tangerine in the foreground and bourbon in the background. Despite being lovely in a very straightforward way, it’s dimensional and grown-up, which reminds me of Cirrus, and has light, minty notes that remind me of air as an element. 

Cumulus: FOX IN THE FLOWERBED – Imaginary Authors 

Jasmine, tulips, frankincense, wildflower honey, pink peppercorns, silver thistle, alpine air

Fox in the Flowerbed is a very pretty, cloying, sweet jasmine and honey scent that makes me think of a field of wildflowers high up on a mountain. This scent is sweet and sticky but also light in a way that reminds me of Cumulus. If it was a color it would be pale blue. 

Dewdrop: A CITY ON FIRE – Imaginary Authors 

Cade oil, spikenard, cardamom, clearwood, dark berries, labdanum, a burnt match

This is very smoky and woody in the beginning, but it fades into a sweet berry scent. It really does smell like fire and matches. It reminds me of spending all night next to a bonfire. It’s almost overpowering at first, but sweet underneath, just like Dew. 

(Also, this was one of the fragrances that solidified Dew's scent for me. All the other ones I've picked for him are based on this lmao)

Ifrit: O, UNKNOWN! – Imaginary Authors 

Black tea, lapsang souchong tincture, orris butter, Kyoto moss, musk balsam, sandalwood

This is a very subdued, powdery black tea scent. It’s musky and dark, very mysterious, and somehow not at all gourmand. It’s dark and faintly smoky in a way befitting of a fire ghoul, with the black tea scent that I associate with Ifrit. If it was a color it would be a gray so dark it’s almost black.

Mist: FALLING INTO THE SEA – Imaginary Authors 

Lemon, bergamot, grapefruit, lychee, tropical flowers, warm sand

Falling into the Sea is a sweet, citrusy, tropical scent that has a balmy, sandy, coconut background. It smells like a tropical beach on a perfect day. If it was a color it would be the shade of teal that super-clear water is. I typically associate greener, more aquatic scents with Mist, but this fits a different interpretation of her. Mist in a very good mood, maybe. 

Mountain: CAPE HEARTACHE – Imaginary Authors 

Douglas fir, pine resin, western hemlock, vanilla leaf, strawberry, old growth, mountain fog

Cape Heartache is a gorgeous, sweet pine and strawberry scent. It’s very forest-y without being too atmospheric, and it smells like the fantasy version of a lush, foggy old growth forest. It feels very slow, peaceful, and grounded, and is a mix of masc and fem, which reminds me of Mountain. (Also I smelled this for the first time and absolutely fell in love with it, which I kinda did with Mountain too lmao) If it was a color it would be the silvery green of evergreen needles.

Nimbus/Aurora: SLOW EXPLOSIONS – Imaginary Authors

Saffron, rose absolute, leather, apple, benzoin, cashmeran, Arpora night market 

Slow Explosions is sweet and fruity with an earthy element from the leather. It’s pretty and almost delicate until you register the deeper, more grounded notes, similar to the way Nimbus seems dainty at first glance but decidedly is not. Overall lovely. If it was a color it would be glowy yellow-orange.

Omega: MEMOIRS OF A TRESPASSER – Imaginary Authors 

Madagascar vanilla, guaiacwood, myrrh, benzoin resin, ambrette seeds, oak barrels

Memoirs of a Trespasser is a very woody scent with a little bit of smokiness and vanilla. There’s also something a little bit animalic. It reminds me of a late 1800s adventurer type with lots of maps and wooden chests full of interesting things. It’s sophisticated and mysterious with a sense of worldliness that fits Omega.

Rain: EVERY STORM A SERENADE – Imaginary Authors 

Danish spruce, eucalyptus, vetiver, calone, ambergris, Baltic sea mist

This scent smells like a rocky coast, lined with evergreen trees and blanketed in mist. It’s cold, multifaceted, and surprisingly magnetic (like Rain). I don’t usually like aquatics but this is beautiful, it's one of my new favorites from Imaginary Authors. If it was a color it would be dark greenish-blue. 

Sunshine/Stratus: IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING – Imaginary Authors

Raspberry, citrus pulp, coconut palm sugar, Madame Isaac Pereire (rose), sandalwood, tropical punch, stardust

This scent is very raspberry/fruit punch heavy with a sandalwood undertone. It isn’t overwhelmingly sweet, but it’s very fruity. It’s Miami-in-the-80s themed and that definitely shows. It’s playful, fun, and sweet-but-grounded, just like Sunny. If it was a color it would be magenta.

Swiss: A WHIFF OF WAFFLECONE – Imaginary Authors 

Vanilla, salted caramel, Saigon cinnamon, heavy cream, sandalwood, orgeat, scoop shop

This scent is a gourmand with a woody background. To me it smells like burnt sugar, heavy, clingy sandalwood, vanilla, and sweet spices. It’s more mature than the notes would lead you to believe. It isn’t the type of scent I usually associate with Swiss, but I can see it fitting an alternate interpretation. Maybe quint/fire or true multi Swiss. However, it does have the sweet, intense, almost smothering qualities I associate with him. If it was a color it would be the very light gold of slightly caramelized sugar. 

Zephyr: YESTERDAY HAZE – Imaginary Authors 

Fig, iris, cream, tonka, tree bark, walnut bitters, orchard dust

Yesterday Haze is a smooth, creamy but dry, slightly sweet scent. It smells sort of antique, but not outdated. It’s sophisticated and very pretty, like Zephyr, and has the dusty, powdery feel I associate with them.

(One of my absolute favorites from IA, for what it’s worth)

Thank you for reading!!

[witch-of-the-creek]

I’ve been having trouble finding shops online for incense, herbs, and candles that don’t sell endangered or threatened species in their inventory.

If anyone knows of a good shop that doesn’t sell {white sage, palo santo, dragons blood resin, frankincense, rosewood, spikenard, and myrrh just to name a few}, then please put in the reblogs or comments.

I’d like to compile a list of vendors that sell a variety of incense, herb bundles, candles, and oils, that are produced from plants that are sustainable and not threatened

[crowehorte]

Daily Grimoire Challenge Day 1

From the @2024-grimoire-challenge Week 1 Prompt List

Spell: A set of written instructions that outline the material, verbal, and somatic components of a magic working with a specific intended outcome.

Ritual: The process of casting a spell.

Lavender A genus of 47 plants from the mint family. Native to the "Old World," lavender is found across Europe, north and eastern Africa, and southwest Asia all the way into India. It is also know as Spikenard or simply Nard, with the origins either stemming from the ancient Greek city of Naarda or the sanskrit word Nalada. The late Latin name used commonly in modern times comes from Lavandarius, which refers to lavanda (things to be washed) and the verb lavo (to wash).

Lavender grows best in sandy or gravelly soil and requires a full 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. Too much humidity or water in the soil can cause fungi to grow and roots to rot, which is why well-draining soil is required for it to grow well. English lavender has a germination period of 14 to 28 days and reaches full maturity after 100 to 110 days.

It's frequently used in essential oils and potpourri mixes for its fresh, sweet scent with faint citrusy notes, and it's often paired with Chamomile in aroma therapy blends dedicated to relaxing and soothing the mind. As a spice, it's often added to desserts or paired with mild sheep or goat milk cheeses. Lavender buds can be steeped in sugar and boiled to create a syrup that can be added to coffee, tea, and baked goods, and it pairs well with chocolate flavoring.

Lavender has been used as an ingredient in incense and perfumes throughout the centuries, and has been referenced in the Christian bible. It's commonly associated with St Joseph of the Catholic faith; the patron saint of fathers, families, expecting mothers, unborn children, virgins, and workers. He is invoked in prayers regarding employment and vocation, happy marriages, grace in death, and daily protection.

In my experience, lavender is frequently used as a spell component used in purification, protection, and general blessing spells. Given the association with St Joseph, the frequency it appears in lotions and soaps, and how it's used to aid in sleep and relaxation, I think that its mundane uses heavily inform its magical use. We associate it with cleanliness and good vibes, and fathers are often our first protectors, so it makes sense to use it in this way.

[carriechambers]

Herbs 101 - Lavender

This post on website

Hi Tumblr! This is a post I have started over a month ago and now I've finally finished it. Lavender is such a popular herb, and I probably my favourite. The aroma it gives off is fenomenal. So, let's look at it a bit deeper!

In this post, you'll learn:

basic info (other names, properties, ...)

its history (historical uses, where it came from)

physical description (the very few traits species of lavender share)

uses (all kinds of ways in which you can use lavender and links to some recipes)

how to harvest it (when, where)

how to dry it (a few methods including specific steps)

Click Keep Reading to read the entire post right here, or you can read it on the blog page Lavender. There you can also find the .md file for download, so that you can import it into logseq or notion grimoire, or just for a shorter version in the form of bullet poitns!

Lavender

  Basic Info

Species: Lavandula

Other Names: Elf Leaf, Nardus, Spike, Spikenard

Most Popular Types: English Lavender, Spanish Lavender

Known Species: 47

Family: Lamiaceae (the mint/sage family)

Native to: Old World (historic Euro-Asia), to the mountainous zones of the Mediterranean, where there is dry and stony soil

Planet: Mercury

Element: air, water

Properties: calming / peace + sleep, protection, love, purification

History

Lavender has been in use for over 2500 years. In ancient Egypt it was used for embalming and cosmetics. Greeks also used it for cosmetic purposes, and also for its medicinal properties (which for example Dioscorides or Theophrastus wrote about).

It’s name comes from the latin verb Lavare - which means “to wash”. So it’s not too surprising that it was used by both Greeks and Romans in herbal baths. Romans also recognized it for its antiseptic properties and they brought it with them on campaigns to dress wounds. On top of that it was used as incense in religious ceremonies, or in sick rooms to disinfect them. And Arabs were the ones who brought their medicine to Spain, where it spread across the rest of Europe.

During the middle ages, it wasn’t used as much at first, only by monks and nuns. It was grown in gardens of monastries. Then in Tudor England, when the monastries were dissolved (1536) the lavender moved to domestic gardens, often planted near the laundry and clothing was then laid on it to dry while getting that fresh scent on them. Also, Queen Elizabeth I. allegedly put it in tea to help with her migraines and as a perfume.

In 17th century, lavender was considered a cure-all. Naturally, the price rose, especially when the Great Plague stroke. It is also a part of Four Thieves Vinegar, liquid in which grave robbers washed belongings of plague victims.

Description

Of course, each lavender type is different, however they share many similarities. Their flowers are arranged in whorls (surrounding the stem) on spikes above the foliage. They can be blue, violet, or lilac, sometimes even blackish purple or yellowish. The leaves and the way they they grow varies greatly across different species. However, here is an illustration of English lavender:

Uses

A very common things are lavender sachets. Now while we may often simply use it to sniff it (which is totally valid use as well btw, especially if you kind of squeeze it during anxiety), it has other uses too. When kept between laundry (into wardrobe, or even some places you store  seasonal clothing), it can both give it the wonderful scent and also deter insects. You can also toss them into the dryer together with your laundry (Tutorial)! And since it is famous for helping with relaxation and sleep, you can always keep it near / under your pillow to help you with that.

Another popular use is in essential oils. It brings all the benefits mentioned above. For the smell, you can dab them on your skin and sniff that, or diffuse them in an aroma lamp. In the history section, I’ve mentioned soldiers carried it with them to treat wounds. It was proven to help wounds heal and can still be used that way today. For topical use, ALWAYS USE DILATED OILS ONLY. You can check out the guide to diluting essential oils on aromaweb.

A common use for herbs is tea. Lavender tea brings all the benefits we talked about - it is relaxing and healing. Only the buds are used for making the tea, not the leaves. You can of course also mix herbs - some other popular choices are chamomile, which is also enhancing the relaxation and sleep of lavender, and mint, which can help with some digestive problems, but also just tastes good with it. Senchateabar.com has all these three recipes (as to how long you should brew them).

Another common use is culinary. So integrating lavender into all kinds of food recipes. Now, while most lavender is safe to eat, there are some that simply shouldn’t be, like Levandula Stoechas, Levandula Latifolia and Lavandin, but others will just make your food taste soapy and overly floral. What’s used in recipes is culinary lavender, which is usually cultivated from English lavender and has less oil than aromatic lavender. Awesomeon20.com has some wonderful recipes with lavender and I actually quite like this site for kitchen magick, because they talk about magickal properties of the ingredients used and also have posts about which recipes are good for holidays of the Wheel of the Year for example.

And finally, we can of course use lavender in spells. We use it for spells that need the properties of relaxation, sleep, healing, or love. Also protection or just for general “witchy” things (like enhancing intuition, etc.). This can include spell jars, burning the herbs, sprinkling some lavender infused water, making circles with them, or so many other things. Some spell recipes:

anxiety spell jar

sleep spell sachet

self love and healing spell jar

Harvesting and Drying

I won’t be going into how to grow lavender, however I do want to talk about how and when to harvest it and how to dry it. It takes about 3 years for the plant to mature, so while you can absolutely harvest a bit before they mature, leaving them alone helps them grow  and develop more.

Now let’s look into when to harvest. For best fragrance and essential oil content, that would be in their early bloom cycle (meaning when the buds are barely starting to bloom - so you have the stem full of buds, and you already see few of them blooming, while the others are still closed). That applies to each individual stem. And also it is often said that you should harvest them in the morning, once dew has dried, because sun dissipates some of the fragrant essential oils.

You really don’t have to follow this strictly though. This is mostly to maximize the fragrance, and also because when the flowers mature and start browning, they tend to fall off the stem more easily. What you probably should follow is to not collect it wet. That means let the morning dew dry, and not collect within 24 hours of rain. That’s because damp environment increases the chance for the flower to rot.

As to how, we can use a small curved knife, which is ideal for cutting lavender, or pruning shears, or scissors. Just try to not use your hands for it, since that usually damages the stem, while sharp tools help it heal quicker. Also usually you want to organize them into bundles after cutting them, so you can wrap a rubber band around your wrist to make this easier.

Now to where exactly to cut. Well, with lavender used for culinary purposes, you should cut above any leaves and side branches, because leaves are not recommended for cooking (mostly for fragrance). Also please make sure your lavender is safe (and good) to eat before using it that way!

If you want longer stems, perhaps for decoration, or with lavender that doesn’t have much space between the flower and first leaves, then just follow the stem lower and cut at another junction. However, keep in mind that you shouldn’t cut more than two-thirds of the plant’s hight, so that it can continue to grow.

And now finally for drying itself. One way is to hang it in bundles in a dry, warm, airy room. Also in the dark, which helps it keep its color. To help the air circulate, you can just use a fan (if it’s some space like a basement or a closet). The bunches should be tied secure enough, so that it doesn’t fall apart, but not too tight. Also one source recommends to not dry them in spaces like garage, where they’d be exposed to engine and chemical fumes. It can take up to 6 weeks for them to dry this way, and you’ll know the stems are dry once they break instead of bending.

Another way is to dry them in food dehydrator. This speeds up the drying process significantly, while keeping the quality of the flowers. For this, remove the stems, leaving only flower buds in tact. Put them on the dehydrator trays so that they don’t touch each other (and use tray liners if you have them and the flowers are falling through, or even parchment paper). Set it to a low temperature - 95°F (or 35°C). It shouldn’t be more than 100 to 105°F (if you don’t have a lower setting). It should take about 24 to 48 hours to dry completely. Again, to find out if it’s dry, just try to snap one of the larger bud bundles in half, and if it bends, then it’s not dry yet.

Another method is to dry them in an oven. This is not ideal, because lowest setting on ovens is about 180°F (80°C), which, as you can notice, is more than the highest setting we could dry it in the food dehydrator. This amount of heat releases the essential oil from the flower buds. That’s why when using it, you should check on it every few minutes. And also leave the door slightly open so that the moisture can escape.

Then there’s microwave. That’s even harder to watch than an oven, so it is likely to produce less fragrant lavender. Or you can press it between heavy books, and leave it a few days to dry. That’s a method we usually use when making our own herbals.

Then you usually remove all the dried buds and either seal them in an airtight glass container. And you’re ready for using it!

Sources

The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs by Judy Ann Nock

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham

newcropsorganics - lavender history, taxonomy and production

wikipedia.org - Lavandula

cachecreeklavender.com - history of lavender

lavenderbackyard - how to use a lavender sachet

ncbi - wound healing potential of lavender oil

bonappetit.com - cooking with lavender

bbfamilyfarm.com - what kind of lavender can you eat

gardeningknowhow.com - Lavender harvest time

homesteadandchill.com - Harvesting Fresh Lavender: How to Harvest, Prune & Dry Lavender Flowers

bhg.com - When and How to Harvest Lavender for the Best Fragrance

littleyellowwheelbarrow.com - How To Dry Lavender (Preserving Methods And Tips)

all pictures in this post are free stock images, you can see their source when you click them

Thank you so much for reading! If you use lavender in any way, I'd be glad to hear about how you used it in the comments. If you'd like, you can head to the library to find more informational posts. And of course I'd be grateful for any likes or reblogs. See you in the next one!

[apenitentialprayer]

Le Sacre de Jesus a Bethanie, by Robert Leinweber

When He was in Bethany reclining at table in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of perfumed oil, costly genuine spikenard. She broke the alabaster jar and poured it on His head. There were some who were indignant. "Why has there been this waste of perfumed oil? It could have been sold for more than three hundred days' wages and the money given to the poor." They were infuriated with her. Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you make trouble for her? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them, but you will not always have Me. She has done what she could. She has anticipated anointing My body for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever the Gospel is proclaimed to the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."

The Gospel According to Mark (14:3-9)

Who does not know that Mary Magdalene anointed the head of Christ with the oil spilling over from her alabaster box? What, I ask, is this bounty of the Lord? What is this dignity of women, by which He should offer His head as well as His feet for anointing by none but women? What, I ask, is this privilege of the weaker sex by which a woman should anoint the supreme Christ, who was already anointed from conception with all the ointments of the Holy Spirit? As if by consecrating Him as King and Priest with bodily sacraments, she makes Him "the Christ," meaning "the Anointed One." There are examples of anointing by patriarchs and priests in the Old Testament. But these show that men imprint the sacraments with figures, whereas the woman worked on the very Truth itself, as the Truth actually attests, saying: She has wrought a good work on Me [Mark 14:6, Matthew 26:10]. Thus Christ Himself, who is the Head, was anointed by a woman, whereas Christians now, who are the members, are anointed by men. Consider therefore the dignity of this woman by whom the living Christ was twice anointed, on His feet and also on His head, and from whom He received the sacraments of kingship and priesthood. These anointings by a woman demonstrate the unique dignity of Christ's kingship and priesthood. Look at how He received the sacrament of kingship from a woman, although He refused to accept the kingdom offered to Him by men and He fled from those who wanted to force Him to be King [John 6:15]. The woman conferred the sacrament of a heavenly kingdom and not an earthly one, for He later said Himself: My kingdom is not of this world [John 18:36]. When bishops anoint kings and priests today, they strut around in gilded vestments, even though those whom they bless are often cursed by God. Yet it was a humble woman, with no special clothing or ceremonial, who conferred these sacraments on Christ, nor by the office of prelacy but by the merit of her devotion. He held this action in such high esteem that He decided it should be included in the Gospel itself, so that the praise of the woman who had done this should be preached everywhere where the Gospel is preached as a memorial of her [Mark 14:9, Matthew 26:13]. Nowhere else do we read of the services of any other persons whatsoever being commended and sanctioned by the Lord's authority in this way.

excerpts from Peter Abelard, On the Authority and Dignity of the Profession of Nuns, trans. Betty Radice. Different translation found here. Bolded statement's original Latin:

Lapidem olim patriarcha, templum nunc et altare pontifex oleo sanctificat. Viri itaque sacramenta figuris imprimunt. Mulier vero in ipsa operate est veritate.

[cinqueform]

Day Nine: Spiky

Argent, a honeysuckle branch proper issuing from sinister, in base a goutte tenné

Alt version

Brown, in a chief argent three honeysuckle flowers rose anthered or, facing dexter, affronty, and sinister

In these arms, the brown/tenné represents spikenard, an oil derived from a specific honeysuckle plant. These brown shields are therefore "spiky"

[milkandgirlscoutcookies]

Imaginary Authors, A City on Fire Cade oil Spikenard Cardamom Clearwood Dark Berries Labdanum Burnt Match

[peachdues]

Idk if my ask got ate by Tumblr or if you just haven't had a chance to get to it. Which is totally understandable! I was jw if you had any scent suggestions for something with a pepper-y kick to it. Idk how to describe what I'm trying to say 😩

Or maybe something that can be masculine and feminine at the same time. I'm leaning more into my masc side and I'm feeling so much more confident. So I'm trying to find a scent that can be my go-to.

I fell in love with Replica's Spring Time in a Park, but i think I want to be able to switch to something different when I'm not feeling as girly?

OKAY I GOTCHU. I love peppery/spicier scents this time of year!

As a general rule, you’ll want to look out for the following notes: black or pink pepper, any sort of spice (clove, cinnamon, cardamom, etc). Patchouli is also a good one to keep an eye out for, as is benzoin!

Lord of Misrule by Lush — on my current rotation and a good price point! Wonderfully spicy and I definitely think it can be more androgynous depending on how you wear it/what you layer with. Notes include patchouli, black pepper and vanilla!

By the Fireplace by Replica — I used this as my headcanon for Kyojuro’s choice of fragrance. It’s definitely strong, but you can soften it with a good vanilla lotion and make it a little creamier (but still spicy!) if you want. Notes include clove oil, chestnut accord and vanilla accord.

Crystal Noir by Versace — since you like Springtime in the Park, this one is like a spicy floral. Notes include ginger, cardamom, pepper and white florals!

Eilish No. 2 by Billie Eilish — another spicy floral, but more woody as well. Definitely a perfect androgynous scent. Notes include apple blossom, wild poppy, black pepper, incense, and palo santo

Bull’s blood by Imaginary Authors — I love everything Imaginary Authors does. This also has some floral notes but it’s balanced well with additional notes of patchouli, black musk, tobacco, and sandalwood

City on Fire by Imaginary Authors — THIS ONE. THIS ONE. Oh my god, I love this one so much. When you first spray it, it smells like a lit match but the dry down?? Utter perfection. Notes include cade oil, spikenard, cardamom, dark berries, labdanum and burnt match. I would definitely recommend getting the discovery sample of this, though — some people hate it, and others love it!

Bousvali by Maison Louis Marie — imagine a girl wearing masculine deodorant. Notes of bergamot, ginger and orange

Poltergeist by Heretic Parfum — this is actually on my buy list! I can’t wait to try it because the notes are incredible. Juniper, wormwood, frankincense, champca flower, cade, vanilla, patchouli and labdanum!

Hope this helps! Usually you can get samples, and i always recommend buying samples/travel sizes first. Love you bestie 🤍🤍

[boneflavoredtea]

A City on Fire, Imaginary Authors

Cade oil, Spikenard, Cardamom, Clearwood, Dark Berries, Labdanum, Burnt Match

when i decided to get a sample set of imaginary authors scents, City on Fire drew me in simply because it's reputation. see, this scent is controversial as hell. (indie perfume drama, i love it) you either love it, or you hate it. these are the things i love about indie fragrance, the controversial, weird, and downright off putting scents that indie companies can put out. to me though, city on fire walks a fine line between gross and nice that makes it intriguing

this scent hits right out the gate strong and honestly, smelling weirdly like barbecue. yeah its a rough start i wont lie,,, it takes like a good 15 minutes to settle into being wearable. after it starts to mingle with my skin chemistry though it morphs into this cool, smokey, spicy scent. it smells so interesting! it's distinctly masculine and super mysterious. its not quite a "damn that smells good" smell but more of a "i need to keep sniffing this so i can figure out wtf it is??" i really really like it even though its not something i would wear often. hardcore winter smell. its strong and it wants to be known so not great for folks with sensitive noses.

9/10 winter statement piece

[thejoyofseax]

Apple Experiments in Arabic Medieval Cookery

Today, at Dun in Mara's Arts & Sciences Day, my ward Gabrielle and I tried out two of the recipes we're looking at for Féile na nÚll. Both are Arabic, one from al-Warraq, one from the Kanz, both from Nasrullah's translations.

From the Kanz, we did Receipe 119, tuffāḥiyya bi-zaʿfarān (meat with apple and saffron). It's a fairly simple stew of meat (lamb, in this case) and apples, with spices, and a thickener made of vinegar, sugar and wheat starch. For a variety of reasons, we had a few substitutions in there - the wheat starch was replaced with rice flour, the saffron with turmeric, and the aṭrāf al-ṭīb spice mix was definitely debatable in its makeup (spikenard replaced with fennel, and the lisān al-ʿaṣāfīr (fruit of Syrian ash) replaced with a little Sichuan pepper). It came out pretty good, I think, although the three kinds of pepper (long pepper, black pepper, sichuan pepper) put it at the edge of some people's spice tolerance, so I'll want to go easy on those for larger amounts. From my own point of view, the betel leaf in the aṭrāf al-ṭīb was strong enough to be distinctly tastable in the end product, even though there was only a tiny amount in there. But overall, it was a good stew, and with some adjustments to the spicing, I'll make it again. I probably won't look to include saffron in it; the amount won't really carry much taste against the peppers and betel and cloves, and the colour is adequately provided by the turmeric.

From al-Warraq, we did a ḵẖabīṣ of apples from Chapter 95 (except with apricots, because getting dried apples proved impossible, for no good reason I can imagine except the mysteries of supply lines). From the recipes around it, and from the words used in the translations, I expected the outcome to be a thick mousse, or thereabouts. What we got was a slightly apricot flavoured toffee, pretty much. It was good, but it was very unexpected.

Now, there were a number of substitutions (most notably apricot for apple, walnut oil for the almond and pistachio, and rice flour for wheat starch), any of which may have made it go weird; we didn't have anything like the exact utensils described, and we had no idea of how thick it should have been in the pot. I think our substitutions were ok (all were made in the context of recipes in the same chapter), and I don't think we went too far from the the instructions. However, I don't think we added nearly enough oil. There are actual amounts given in the recipe, for once, which makes that an even more egregious error, but they do look like vast amounts in proportion. So when we're trying that recipe again, we'll use more oil (and also see if we can get the proper apple powder, almond oil and pistachio oil).

There were about 20 people at the gathering, and everyone I spoke to declared themselves happy with the stew, and some quite delighted with the toffee-ish-stuff. So in terms of feeding people ("Pelican cookery"), we did good. More experimental results as we have them!