Day: August 7, 2012

Alder (Mar 18 – Apr 14)

ALDER LORE

  • 4th Moon of the Celtic Year – (March 18 – April 14)
  • Latin name: Smooth Alder – alnus serrulata.
  • Celtic name: Fearn (pronounced: fair un).
  • Folk or Common names: Alder, Gummy/Gluey (European), Rugose/wrinkly (Tag), Tree of the Fairies.
  • Parts Used: Parts Used: Branches, wood, bark, leaves.
  • Herbal usage: Alder is in the hazelnut family and was used by Native Americans as a medicinal plant. Tea can be made from bark and is useful in treating  diarrhea, coughs, toothaches and the discomfort of childbirth. A potion made from the bark can also be used externally as an eye wash or for a wash for  poison ivy, swellings and sprains.
  • Magical History & Associations: The birds associated with this month are the raven, the crow and the gull; the colors are crimson, green-brown and  royal purple; the day is Saturday; and the gemstone is fire-garnet. The Alder, a Masculine herb, is associated with the element of fire, and the planet of  Venus. The Alder is sacred to Bran the Blessed and Cronos (Saturn). Alder is also sacred to Faery kings and elf kings – from the word Alder comes elder (not  the tree) as in ‘elder’ kings. The Fey of the Alder have been described as water spirits or as “Dark Faeries”. They are very protective of  the tree and when they leave their trees, this Faerie will take the form of a Raven. In tree Folk-lore, the Alder is known as the tree of fire – In the  battle of the trees, the Alder fought in the very front line. It is described as the very “battle witch” of all woods, the tree that is hottest in  the fight.
  • Magickal usage: The month of Alder is a good time to do magick designed to celebrate the connection and tie between all women, and the mother-daughter  bond. The Alder has applications in magick done for spiritual decisions, duty, prophecy, oracular strength, intelligence, mental prowess, resurrection, air  magic, water magic, strength, spirituality, teaching, weather magick, and protection from outside forces. Alder leaves or twigs can be carried in a pouch to  act as a protection charm and as a powerful force in psychic battles. Ash talismans or charms can also be carried to aid in the preservation of ideas. The  Alder is known as the “fairy’s tree” in Celtic lore, so is good for fairy magic. The faeries are said to like to dance under the trees when  they are flowering. Carrying Alder twigs or flowers acts as a charm for communicating with the fey. Alder is often used in resurrection magic and also used  in building/construction magic. Alder wood is often called the “wood of the witches”. Whistles may be made of out of young shoots to entice Air  elemental spirits. This gives a Witch the ability to summon, control and banish elementals or the four winds. It is also the ideal wood for making the  magical pipes and flutes for use in magickal ceremonies. Alder produces a red dye from the bark, a green dye from the flowers and a brown dye from its twigs.  Some Witches use these dyes in coloring ritual garb with the red dye signifying fire, the green dye: water, and the brown dye: earth. While the Witch is  dying her robes, she should say:”These leaves from trees, these herbs and flowers,         Make holy with your living powers         Raise the power! Bestow the magick!         Set earth’s seal upon my magick!”

    When harvesting bark or leaves from the Alder, remember to ask the tree if it will allow you to take the    parts and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done. To prepare Alder wood for use, beat the bark away with a willow stick while    projecting your wishes into it.

Ash (Feb 18 – Mar 17)

ASH LORE

  • 3rd Moon of the Celtic Year – (Feb 18 – March 17)
  • Latin name: White Ash – fraxinus americana; European Ash – fraxinus excelsior; Flowering Ash – fraxinus ornus.
  • Celtic name: Nion (pronounced: knee un)
  • Folk or Common names: Ash, Common Ash, Unicorn Tree, Guardian Tree
  • Parts Used: Leaves, wood, bark, twigs, sap, flowers
  • Herbal usage: Ash leaves and the tender tops can be used in the spring to make a fasting tea that is a diuretic and can be used as a help for weight  loss. Ash bark is known as a liver and spleen cleanser and can make the immune system stronger. The flowering Ash has sap that contains a sugary exudate  called ‘manna’, which can be used as a laxative.
  • Magical History & Associations: The bird associated with this month is the snipe, the color is half clear & half deep blue, and the gemstone is  sea-green beryl. The Ash, a masculine herb, is associated with the element of water, the sun and Jupiter; and is sacred to Thor, Woden, Mars, Uranus and  Gwydion. Ash is also sacred to Odin since the Ash is often known as the Yggdrassil (or the ‘Ash Yggdrasil’) amongst the Scandinavian nations. In  Norse mythology, the Yggdrassil supports the Universe, has three main branches and is believed to have sprung from the beginning of time out of primordial  slime and ashes. The Ash is also the tree of the sea God Poseidon, because of its watery power. Frennett (frenetic chaos), a substance used by berserkers,  may have been made from Ash bark. The Ash was supposed to be serpent repellent – Pliny held that there is such an antipathy between an adder and an Ash-tree,  “that if an adder be encompassed round with Ash-tree leaves, she will sooner run through the fire than through the leaves”. The ceremonial Yule log  is often made of Ash – this log is kindled each Yule with a piece from last years fire and allowed to smolder for 12 days before it is ceremonially put out.  The Ash tree is famous, although anonymous, since it’s the tree from which the Hanged Man is suspended in tarot decks
  • Magickal usage: The Ash was one of the sacred Druidic three: ‘Oak, Ash & Thorn’, and the month of Ash is a good time to do magick designed to  learn your inner self. The Ash has applications in magick done for sea power, ocean rituals, karmic laws, magical potency, healing, protection from drowning,  love, rain making, women’s mysteries, prophetic dreams, general protection, Prosperity, and health. Ash is often used for making both mundane and magical  tools – it’s said that tools with handles of Ash are more productive than tools with handles of other wood. Witches brooms often have the staff made from  Ash, and Ash wood was used for spears and shields since it was known as a protective wood. Placing Ash berries in a cradle prevents the child from being  traded for a changeling by an evil faery – and Ash talismans can be worn as protective amulets. Ash is known to keep away serpents and to protect against  their bite. If there are no snakes to be found, Ash can be used instead to keep away nasty people who are bitchy, quick to criticize, impatient, or psychic  vampires. Special guardian spirits reside in the Ash; This makes it excellent for absorbing sickness. The spirally carved Druidic wand was made of Ash for  this healing purpose. In years gone by, weak-limbed children were passed through split ash trees which were then bound up. If the tree grew straight, the  child would as well. Ash can be used in medicine pouches or can be used in magick for wart remover: the wart is stuck with a pin that has first been thrust  into an Ash, while these words are said:”Ashen tree, Ashen tree, pray these warts off of me.”

    The pins are then stuck back in the tree and left. The druids attributed special    powers over water to the ash tree. They used its wood to make it rain or to ward off water’s destructive power. The Ash is the tree of sea power, or of    the power resident in water. Ash leaves placed under the pillow will induce prophetic dreams, and carrying an Ash leaf will attract the love of the    opposite sex. The Ash is often called The Unicorn Tree, because unicorns are supposed to be fond of the tree. To catch a glimpse of a unicorn, carry Ash    wood or leaves. Whenever you need to harvest a piece or part of an Ash tree, remember to ask the tree if it will allow you to take a branch or other part    and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done. A nice offering would be a bit of mane from a unicorn (eg).

Rowan (Jan 22 – Feb 18)

ROWAN LORE

  • 2nd Moon of the Celtic Year – (Jan 22 – Feb 18)
  • Latin name: Rowan/American Mountain Ash – sorbus americana; Rowan/European Mountain Ash – sorbus aucuparia
  • Celtic name: Luis (pronounced: loush)
  • Folk or Common names: Mountain Ash, Ran Tree, Witchwood Tree, Quickbeam, The Witch or Witch Wand Tree, Whispering Tree, Sorb-Apple, Service Tree
  • Parts Used: Wood, berries. Caution: do not eat the seeds
  • Herbal usage: Rowan bark has astringent qualities and can be used as a decoction for helping cure irritable bowels. Rowan berries can be made into a  juice which can be used as a laxative. The berries are also an important food for grouse, cedar waxwings, grosbeaks and other hungry birds.
  • Magical History & Associations: The bird associated with the month of Rowan is the duck. The Druid Dhubh (Blackbird) also has an association with the  Rowan tree since Blackbirds are fond of Rowan berries. Since each Rowan berry carries a minute pentagram, eating these berries is said to give the blackbird  the ability to connect us with his healing song to the balancing and regenerative powers of the Otherworld and the Unconscious. The Celtic symbol of the  month of Rowan is the Green Dragon. The color is red, and the gemstone is yellow chrysolite or the ruby. The Rowan is a Masculine herb that is associated  with the element of fire, and is a tree of the sun and the planet Uranus. The tree is sacred to the deities of Rowan, Thor and Brighid (triple goddess of  inspiration, healing and smithcraft). Rowan is also sacred to Oeagrus (father of Orpheus, who belonged to the sorb-apple cult) and to the White Goddess  Aphrodite; Akka/Mader-Akka/Rauni (Finnish goddess of the harvest and of female sexuality); and the river goddess Halys/Alys/Elis (Queen of the Eleusine  Islands). Irish Druids held Rowan trees sacred like Oaks and sometimes called it the ‘Tree of Life’. Rowan wood is one of the nine traditional  firewoods to be added to the Belfire that is burned at Beltane. In folklore the Rowan is regarded as the godmother of milk cows. When a calf is due to be  named, the farmer goes to the wood before daybreak to cut a Rowan branch with a piece of copper just as the sun rises. He smacks the calf on the back with it  and calls it by its name. After that he tethers it to the cowshed door, decorated with white ribbons and eggshells, and the calf stays safe and well. The  Rowan is a favorite tree of the Otherkin. A Slavic tree spirit known as Musail, the forest tsar, king of the forest spirits, is associated with the Rowan  tree. Rowan also has a vampiric association since it is, along with Garlic and Hawthorn, one of the most popular herbal vampire repellents.
  • Magickal usage: The month of Rowan is a good time to do initiations, especially during Imbolc. The Rowan has applications in magick done for divination,  astral work, strength, protection, initiation, healing, psychic energies, working with spirits of the dead, psychic powers, personal power, and success. Uses  of Rowan in protective magick include carrying Rowan twigs on sea voyages to protect the ship from storms. A Rowan can be planted near a new house to protect  it from lightning and evil influences. Walking sticks made of Rowan will protect there user from harm. A charm made of two small twigs of Rowan wood tied  together to form a cross using red thread or yarn can be carried to protect against bad spirits. Its branches were used by Norsemen as rune-staves upon which  to carve runes of protection. The Celts believed that no witches or evil spirits could cross a door over which a branch of Rowan had been nailed. In some  legends, the Rowan has also been called the whispering tree because it has secrets to tell to those who will listen. Rowans also can be planted on graves to  prevent the haunting of the place by the dead. In Ireland, a Rowan stake was sometimes hammered through a corpse to immobilize the spirit. In ancient  Ireland, the Druids of opposing forces would kindle a fire of Rowan and say an incantation over it to summon spirits to take part in the battle. Should you  happen upon a flourishing Rowan which is most bountifully hung with cluster upon cluster of delicate red berries, then you may be sure that some saintly soul  lies buried close by. Rowan is often called The Wizard Tree or The Witch Tree, partly because Rowan berries have a small pentagram at the point where they  are joined to the stalk. Indeed, Rowan berries were often regarded as magickal and were the food of the Tuatha De Danaan. As attractive as Rowan is to the  Fey, Rowan wood is often used in butter churns so that the butter would not be overlooked by evil Faeries. In Scotland, fires made from rowan wood were used  to protect the cattle against those same type of evil fairy spirits, and it is said that ‘Bewitched’ horses may be controlled by a Rowan whip.  Witch-wands for divining metal are often made of Rowan wood, and Rowan branches may be used to dowse for water or can be made into wands. The best time to  harvest a Rowan branch for a wand or staff is at Beltane. Remember to ask the tree if it will allow you to take a branch and be sure to leave the tree an  offering of thanks when you are done.

Birch (Dec. 24 – Jan 21)

BIRCH LORE

  • 1st Moon of the Celtic Year – (Dec 24 – Jan 21)
  • Latin name: Yellow birch – betula alleghaniensis; black birch – betula lenta; canoe or common birch – betula papyrifea.
  • Celtic name: Beth (pronounced: beh)
  • Folk or Common names: Beithe, Bereza, Berke, Beth, Bouleau, Lady of the Woods, Birth, Canoe Tree, Paper Tree, Silver Birch, White Birch.  “Birch” is derived from the meaning “Bright” or “Shining” in Indo-European and Sanskrit terminology. Quite possibly it came  from the Anglo-Saxon term “Beorgan” meaning “to protect or shelter”
  • Parts Used: Leaves, bark, wood, sap, branches.
  • Herbal usage: Birch leaves can be used to make an infusion that is good for breaking up kidney or bladder stones. Birch bark is an astringent and can be  used to treat non-hereditary baldness. Birch tea can be made from the inner bark and leaves and this is good for rheumatism or as a sedative to aid sleep.  Birch sap can be harvested the same way maple sap is, and then boiled down into birch syrup.
  • Magical History & Associations: The bird associated with the Month of the Birch is the pheasant. Birch’s color is white, its day is Sunday and  its gemstone is red chard. The Celtic symbol of Birch is the White Stag with a rack with seven tines. Birch is associated with the element of water, is a  tree of the sun and the planet Venus, and its Herbal Gender is feminine. The Birch tree is sacred to the God Thor and the Goddesses Diana and Cerridwen.  Birch is considered to be a Goddess tree, the symbol of summer ever-returning. The Birch is also a special tree to the Celts (“On a switch of birch was  written the first Ogham inscription in Ireland, namely seven B’s, as a warning to Lug son of Ethliu, to wit, ‘Thy wife will be seven times carried  away from you into fairyland or elsewhere, unless birch be her overseer.” – Robert Graves, The White Goddess) and Birch wood is one of the nine  traditional firewoods to be added to the Belfire that is burned at Beltane. It is one of the three pillars of Wisdom (Oak, Yew, Birch) and often symbolizes  the first level of Druid working. Birch trees often have Otherkin spirits attached to them and the “Lieschi” or “Genii of the Forest” are  said to dwell in their tree tops. The Ghillie Dhu (pronounced “Gillee Doo or Yoo”) are guardian tree spirits who are disguised as foliage and  dislike human beings. They prefer birch trees to all others, and jealously guard them from humans. If the spirit of the Birch tree touches a head it leaves a  white mark and the person turns insane. If it touches a heart, the person will die.
  • Magickal usage: The month of Birch is a good time to do magick associated with new beginnings. Magickal work done in this moon adds strength and momentum  to any new choices made. The Birch has applications in magick done for protection, creativity, exorcism, fertility, birth, healing, Forest Magic, Inner  Authority/Self-Discipline, Lunar workings, love, and purification. Magickal protective uses of Birch include tying a red ribbon around the trunk of a birch  to ward off the evil eye. Also, gently whapping someone with a Birch twig drives out negative energy, and Birch branches hung near a cradle will protect the  newborn from psychic harm. In fact, cradles can be made from Birch wood to further protect a newborn. Many farmers plant Birch around their houses to protect  against lightning. For magical parchment, gather Birch bark from a tree that has been struck by lightning (chosen by Thor) – and the Birch paper will keep  the writings safe. Because Birch wood has the qualities of exorcism and protection, its twigs are traditionally used to make witches’ brooms. Brooms made  of a mixture of Ash, Birch and Willow are said to be especially powerful in magick. Birch rods are also used in rustic rituals to drive out the spirits of  the old year. Birch is also perfect to use to make a ‘Goddess’ wand, since Birch is the tree known as ‘the Lady of the Woods’ and a grove of  Birch trees is an excellent place to communicate with the Goddess. Birch wood is also a good choice for making rune sets to use for divination. Be sure to  harvest your branch for the rune set during the waxing moon, and make sure you ask Odin or Byarka to inspire your work. Also ask the tree if it will allow  you to take a branch and be sure to leave the tree an offering of thanks when you are done. Birch trees especially appreciate gifts such as pretty stones,  sea shells, flowers or herbs. (Please note: never take bark off a living Birch tree, since this will kill it.)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE CELTIC TREE MONTHS

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE CELTIC TREE MONTHS

The moon is perhaps humankind’s oldest form of marking time. According to some scholars, the Celts used a Lunar Calendar that consisted of 13 months, each 28 days in length. Each month of the Celtic Lunar calendar bears the name of a tree, which also stands for one of the consonants in the Celtic ‘tree alphabet’. There are basically two different versions of this Lunar calendar: the Beth-Luis-Nion (which begins on the Winter Solstice) and the Beth-Luis-Fearn (which begins on Samhain). I work with the Beth-Luis-Nion simply because it seems to work the best for my style of Witchcraft.

Beth-Luis-Nion version of The Celtic Tree calendar

  • B – Beth, the Birch Month (December 24th – January 20th)
  • L – Luis, the Rowan Month (January 21st – February 17th)
  • N – Nion, the Ash month (February 18th – March 17th)
  • F – Fearn, the Alder Month (March 18th – April 14th)
  • S – Saille, the Willow Month (April 15th – May 12th)
  • H – Huath, the Hawthorn Month (May 13th – June 9th)
  • D – Duir, the Oak Month (Jun 10th – July 7th)
  • T – Tinne, the Holly Month (July 8th – August 4th)
  • C – Coll, the Hazel Month (August 5th – September 1st)
  • M – Muin, the Vine Month (September 2nd – September 29th)
  • G – Gort, the Ivy Month (September 30th – October 27th
  • Ng – Ngetal, the Reed Month (October 28th – November 24th)
  • R – Ruis, the Elder Month (November 25th – December 23rd)

The five vowels I, A, O, U, and E have corresponding tree names to the nights of the solstices and equinoxes:

  • I – Idho, the Night of the Yew, Winter Solstice Eve
  • A – Ailm, the Night of the Silver Fir, Winter Solstice
  • * – Herb too sacred to have a Celtic name, the Night of Mistletoe, Day after Winter Solstice
  • O – Onn, the Night of the Gorse Bush, Spring Equinox
  • U – Ura, the Night of the Heather, Summer Solstice
  • E – Eadha, the Night of the White Poplar, Alban Elfed or Autumnal Equinox

Trees

  • Birch, 1st Moon of the Celtic Year – (Dec 24 – Jan 21)
  • Rowan, 2nd Moon of the Celtic Year – (Jan 22 – Feb 18)
  • Ash, 3rd Moon of the Celtic Year – (Feb 18 – March 17)
  • Alder, 4th Moon of the Celtic Year – (March 18 – April 14)
  • Willow, 5th Moon of the Celtic Year – (April 15 – May 12)
  • Hawthorn, 6th Moon of the Celtic Year – (May 13 – June 9)
  • Oak, 7th Moon of the Celtic Year – (June 10 – July 7)
  • Holly, 8th Moon of the Celtic Year – (July 8 – Aug 4)
  • Hazel, 9th Moon of the Celtic Year – (Aug 5 – Sept 1)
  • Vine, 10th Moon of the Celtic Year – (Sept 2 – Sept 29)
  • Ivy, 11th Moon of the Celtic Year – (Sept 30 – Oct 27)
  • Reed, 12th Moon of the Celtic Year – (Oct 28 – Nov 24)
  • Elder, 13th Moon of the Celtic Year – (Nov 25 – Dec 23)
  • Furze, Tree of the Spring Equinox (Aprox. March 20)
  • Heather, Tree of the Summer Solstice (Aprox. June 20)
  • Poplar, Tree of the Fall Equinox – (Aprox. September 22)
  • Yew, Tree of the day before the Winter Solstice (Aprox. December 21)
  • Fir, Tree of the day of the Winter Solstice
  • Mistletoe, Tree of the day after the Winter Solstice (Aprox. December 23)

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Year of Moons, Season of Trees by Pattalee Glass-Koentop
  • Tree Medicine Tree Magic by Ellen Evert Hopman
  • A Druid’s Herbal by Ellen Evert Hopman
  • Celtic Astrology by Helena Paterson
  • Glamoury – Magic of the Celtic Green World by Steve Blamires
  • The Book of Druidry by Ross Nichols

Document Copyright 1999-2006 by Sarah Nunn (Sarah the SwampWitch). This document can be re-published and shared only as long as no information is lost or changed, credit is given to the author, and it is provided or used without cost to others. Other uses of this document must be approved in writing by Sarah Nunn.

WOTC Spell for August 7: Spell To Disarm an Enemy

 

 

Spell to Disarm an Enemy

Is someone trying to harm you? Block this person’s power through the use of “sympathetic magick.”

Best Time To Cast:

  • During the new moon
  • When the sun or moon is in Capricorn
  • On Saturdays

Items You Will Need:

  • A simple figurine made of wax, cloth, wood, clay, or other material
  • Permanent markets
  • Duct tape
  • A Shovel

The Spell:

  • Fabricate or purchase a simple figurine.
  • Say to the figurine, “I now name you (person’s name)” and write the name on the figurine’s chest.
  • Draw features to make the figurine resemble your enemy – eyes of the appropriate color, distinguishing birthmarks, scars, tattoos. etc.
  • Wrap the figurine with duct tape, until it is completely encased. As you wind the tape, repeat this incantation:

“I bind you tightly as can be. You have no strength to injure me.”

  • When you’ve finished, take the figurine to a spot far from your home and bury it deep in the ground.

Note:  Don’t bury it at the base of a tree or near a body of water.

Gemstone of the Day for August 7: Ruby

Ruby

Red Corundum

 

Ruby gemology

Species: Corundum Color: Varying red
Chemical composition: Al2O3 aluminum oxide
Crystal system: (Trigonal) hexagonal prisms or tables, rhombohedrons
Hardness: 9 (Mohs scale)
Specific gravity: 3.97 – 4.05
Refractive index: 1.762 -1.778
Birefringence: -0.008
Color of streak: White,
Absorption spectrum: 694, 693, 668, 659, 610-500, 476, 475, 468
Fluorescence: Strong carmine red

 

The Ruby zodiac, myth & legend

For a long time India was considered as the classical source of rubies. In the Sanskrit language ruby is called “ratnaraj”, which translates as “King of Gemstones”.

In ancient times one of the chief attractions of ruby has been its protection from misfortune and bad health.

Ruby is the birthstone for those who are born in July. On the Zodiac chart, ruby is the stone for Capricorn.

Ruby is also used to celebrate a couple’s 15th and 40th anniversary.

In Antiquity, as well as in the Middle Ages people believed that the cosmos is reflected in gemstones. The ruby is assigned to the planets Mars and Pluto. The esoteric movement revived the ancient belief and the gem industry made it another marketing tool to promote certain gems.

The healing powers of gems remain a controversial issue, but are mentioned for centuries by healers, shamans and medicine men. Whether it’s a fact or a placebo effect doesn’t matter, if it helps. The safest approach is to wear the gemstone in skin contact to the troubled part of the body. Ruby is said to be a general health protection and a help for backache and toenail problems.

Herb of the Day for August 7: Rosemary

Rosemary

Botanical Name

Family Labiatiae

Rosmarinus officinalis

Common Names

Garden Rosemary, Polar Plant, Compass-weed, Compass Plant, Old Man, Romero (Spanish)

Cautions

Do not take the essential oil internally unless under professional supervision.

Description

Native to the Mediterranean region and Portugal, rosemary grows freely in much of southern Europe and is cultivated throughout much of the world, especially in the Mediterranean, Portugal, the Transcaucasus, Central Asia, India, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Australia, and North and Central America. It is a strongly aromatic evergreen shrub, growing to seven feet in height producing narrow, dark green, pinelike leaves and tiny, pinkish-purple, orchid-like flowers along its stems.

Rosemary is one of a small genus that has four species of Mediterranean evergreens. The Algerian varieties are markedly different from others and are described in some herbals as being a different species.

History

Rosemary was reputedly first grown in England by Philippa of Hainault, wife of Edward III, in the 14th century and is one of the herbs that holds a central place in European herbal medicine.

Its reputation as a memory enhancer stems from ancient Greece where students wore garlands of rosemary in the belief it would help their memory, rather than studying all night. To this day, students in Greece, who are about to take exams, burn it in their homes.

In times past, rosemary was burned in sick chambers to purify the air. Branches were strewn in courts of law as a protection from “jail fever” (typhus).

During the Plague of 1665, it was carried in handles of walking sticks and in pouches to be sniffed when travelling through suspicious areas.

In some Mediterranean villages, linen is spread over rosemary to dry so that the sun will extract its moth-repellent aroma.

During Shakespeare’s time, the herb was used in topiary gardens. (Topiary is the art of training shrubs or trees to grow in unnatural ornamental shapes.) In some coastal areas of British Columbia, Canada, rosemary survives outside and makes good garden hedges.

Native to the shores of the Mediterranean, the aroma of rosemary was often carried out into the warm sea air.

Since the times of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, rosemary has symbolized love and loyalty, friendship, and remembrance and has long played a part in rituals and ceremonies associated with both marriage and death.

Medieval physicians believed that nightmares and anxiety could be avoided by placing rosemary under a pillow at night.

Elizabeth, the Queen of Hungary, reportedly cured of paralysis in 1235 when she massaged her joints with rosemary that had been soaked in wine.

Rosemary has been used for centuries to preserve fish and meat, flavour food, and scent cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos.

Throughout history, herbalists and traditional healers have recommended rosemary to cure baldness, and paralysis, improve memory, treat depression and headaches, and heal bruises and skin wounds.

French medics during WWII burned a mixture of rosemary leaves and juniper berries in field hospitals to prevent infection, a practice that dated to the Middle Ages.

Key Actions

(a) Aerial parts

astringent

antiseptic

antidepressant

anti-inflammatory

abortifacient

antispasmodic

antimicrobial

carminative

circulatory stimulant

cardiac tonic

digestive remedy

diuretic

disinfectant

nervine

promotes sweating

promotes bile flow

promotes menstrual flow

restorative tonic for nervous system

tonic

(b) Essential oil (topical)

analgesic

antirheumatic

increases blood flow to an area

stimulant

Key Components

volatile oil (1-2.5% mainly of borneol, camphene, camphor, and cineole)

caffeic acid derivative (mainly rosmarinic acid)

Rosmaricine

Diterpenes (picrosalvin)

Triterpenes (oleanolic acid, ursolic acid)

tannin

flavonoids (apigenin, diosmin, cirsimarin, hesperidin, homoplantiginin, phegopolin)

Medicinal Parts

Aerial parts, essential oil Research has proven that rosmaricine is a stimulant and mild analgesic and that its anti-inflammatory action is caused mainly by rosmarinic acid and flavonoids. The flavonoids also strengthen the capillaries. Researchers today are studying its cancer-prevention potential. Some of the are potent antioxidants in the oil may help play a role in preventing cancer and the effects of ageing.

Deity of the Day for August 7: Balor

Balor

by Micha F. Lindemans

In the Celtic-Irish mythology, Balor is the god of death and the king of the Fomorians, a race of giants. He was the son of Buarainech and the husband of Cethlenn. Balor had only one eye, which he kept closed because anything he looked at would die instantly.According to some prophesies, Balor would be killed by his own grandson. He locked his daughter Ethlinn in a crystal tower, to prevent her from getting pregnant. With the help of the druidess Birog, Cian of the Tuatha Dé Danann, managed to enter the tower and slept with Ethlinn. She gave birth to a son, but when Balor learned of his existence he threw him in the ocean. Birog saved the boy and gave him to the sea god Manannan mac Lir, where he was raised. The boy, named Lugh Lamhfada (Lugh of the Long Arm), became a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann and led them in the second battle at Mag Tuireadh.

In this second, and final battle, Balor killed King Nuada of the Tuatha Dé Danann with a glance from his eye. But when he opened his eye to kill his grandson Lugh, the latter managed to rip out Balor’s eye with a sling and Balor fell dead to the ground.

Lighten Up – The Speshul World of Wytches and Majyc

The Speshul World of Wytches and Majyc

by Marilyn (ABSENTMINDED)

Hello everyone. I used to be a Christian/Jew/Muslim but realized six months ago how terribly wrong it all was and decided to come home to Paganism because I am a natural witch and have decided to admit it now in spite of the terrible persecutions I know I will face.

In the last six months I have read everything on the top shelf of the New Age and Pagan section of my high school library, even though I really didn’t have to because just realizing what I am has given me total enlightenment and all the knowledge I will ever need to have a perfect life and get everything I want and punish anybody who isn’t as enlightened as me and tries to persecute me with logic and facts and thinking they are better than me.

In order to help the less enlightened, and to show how ooky-spooky I have become, I will now post the most important things you need to know to become as kewl as I am. You can thank me later.

  1. Todays witches are so much smarter than the ones who perished in the terrible Burning Times because they would simply cast a glamour that would send the evil soldiers to arrest the Christians next door instead of them. If they got arrested anyway they would just cast spells of confusion on the judges and walk away unburnt.
  2. If you are confused by all the different names you hear on the pagan scene, you should know that some Wiccans just prefer to call themselves Recons or Asatruar or Neo-pagan or whatever because Wiccans can do anything they want as long as they Harm None, and using different names helps keep their identities secret from the evil Christians who will persecute them if they get the chance. We are so rare and speshul and secret that using lots of different names makes us seem like too many to chase down and burn.
  3. We don’t have to be afraid of Satan and Hell because they are concepts that just plain don’t apply to us. If people or parents get on your case about this remind them they are giving you negative energy, which is Harming you and they shouldn’t do that or the Three-fold Law will get them, whether they believe in it or not. It’s, like, karma or something, and they can’t get away from it.
  4. You don’t need to have a magical name, but it is a good idea to get yourself one for protection. That way nobody will know who you really are to persecute you unless you have to tell them to prove you really are powerful and dangerous. You should have more than one in case somebody curses you to make you look like a fool online you can just switch and come in on your own side and show you have powerful friends. Any really good website will have a program to help you choose the names you use for magic.
  5. If anybody does make you feel bad by acting like they know more than you and proving it, there are all kinds of curses you can use to punish them. It’s okay to do this, cause if they hurt your feelings they have Harmed you, which I already told you isn’t allowed, and you can do what you want to to get back at them.

 

These are just a few of the things I know. I don’t have time to write the rest out because my parents are persecuting me to do my homework. Just remember – as soon as you wake-up to being a pagan, everything you need to know will already be inside you and inside a few good books with ‘teen’ on the cover!

MM and MP and MM again. (I’m not quite sure what that means, but it’s something witches say and I know the meaning will appear to me magically when I’m ready.)

Your friend (if you know what’s good for you),

High Lady Platinum Eagle Smilodon

Daily Feng Shui Tip for August 7 – ‘National Lighthouse Day’

On this ‘National Lighthouse Day’ I’m feeling brighter and more illuminated. I love visiting lighthouses, and apparently I’m not alone since recent travel research shows that lighthouses continue to be a hot destination spot. I also love the idea of a beacon guiding sailors back to safe harbor. A friend in times of need, this light would shine a path, no matter how heavy the weather or dark the night. Feng Shui states that this is the same idea behind leaving your outside front entryway light on. This modality believes that fire and light can garner the blessings of the invisible while also activating energetic sources of success-fueled opportunities. Illuminating this intention simply warrants the empowering step of flipping that switch. If you want to light up the night or engage opportunistic energies to fill each day, then simply leave your front light burning for at least three consecutive hours each day or night. When turning on this light it’s important that you think about your intentions and goals. After switching the light off, be sure to let it rest before turning it on again at another time. This brings new meaning to the word ‘lighthouse.’

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com