Tag: Spice

Calendar of the Sun for August 18

Calendar of the Sun

18 Weodmonath

Shango’s Day

Colors: Red and White
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a red cloth lay many red candles and torches, a double-sided stone axe, figures of running horses, a jug of beer, spicy food, cayenne peppers, sausage, red beans, and spicy rice.
Offerings: Spicy food and beer.
Daily Meal: Spicy food and beer.

Invocation to Shango

Dance, God of Fire!
Dance, warrior in the coals
Whose axe is of stone
Cut from the bones of earth’s fire!
Spring forth in flaming energy
That washes through our bodies!
Let us feel your electric presence
Dancing along our nerves!
Dance, Lord of Thunder!
Dance for your very life,
Which once you gave away
To pay the price of red-hot rage.
May we always be as willing
To pay for our anger
To give for our wrongs
To dance forward without hesitation
And have only faith
That life will spring anew
From the coals of your dying fire.

Song: All That Burns

(Shango’s Day should be celebrated with a drum circle, and much dancing, until the beginning of Akte.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Herb Jar to Enhance Your Energy and Power

Herb Jar to Enhance Your Energy and Power

 

Fill a jar with the following herbs:

Cinnamon (for dream Magick)

Nutmeg (for good luck)

Allspice (for healing)

Ginger (for lunar magick)

Basil (for protection)

Fennel seeds (for spiritual healing)

Garlic (for spiritual purification)

Marjoram (for protection)

Sage (for spiritual purification)

Cloves (for protection)

Mustard seed (for protection)

Before you do any scrying or any kind of psychic or magic work, inhale the scent deeply, and shake the jar gently.

Stop Nightmares Spell

Stop Nightmares Spell

Items You Will Need:

  • scarf (white or cream colors work best)
  • 4 cloves
  • pinch of basil
  • pinch of ground sage
  • lavender or vanilla oil (whatever you find more soothing)
  • black marker
  • white ribbon

The Spell

Lay the scarf out. You will be putting spices into it.  Place the spices (ground sage, 4 cloves, basil) into the scarf and add 2 drops of oil.  Gather the scarf at the top (like a moneybag) and tie it with the ribbon.  On the outside of the scarf draw the nightmare that plagues you (e.g. spiders, falling, whatever).  Place the scarf under your pillow and sleep with it there.

 

The Witches Spell for July 25th – A Spell to Turn Up the Heat

Book & Candle Comments

A Spell to Turn Up the Heat

Has the spark gone out of your relationship This spell uses spices to add spice to your love life, along with fire to heat up things between you and your partner.

Tools:

A fireplace, balefire pit, barbecue grill, hibachi, or other place where you can light a fire safely Matches or a lighter

A piece of paper A pen that writes red ink

Cayenne pepper

Mustard seeds

Ginger

Jasmine

Rosemary

Bay leaves

When: During the waxing moon, preferably on a Tuesday

Safely build a small fire. On the paper, write what you find enticing about your partner and what you desire from him or her. Be as descriptive and explicit as you like— no one but you will read what you’ve written. When you’ve finished, draw the runes Gabon, which looks like an X, and Tiwaz, which looks like an arrow pointing up, around the edges of the paper. These two symbols represent love and passion, respectively.

Place the spices on the piece of paper and fold it to make a packet that contains them. Visualize you and your lover in a passionate embrace. As you hold this image in your mind, toss the packet of spices into the fire. As it burns, your intention is released into the universe.

The Only Book of Wiccan Spells You’ll Ever Need (The Only Book You’ll Ever Need) Singer, Marian; MacGregor, Trish (2012-08-18).

LOVE TEA FOR TWO

LOVE TEA FOR TWO

2 tsp. Rose petals

1 tsp. Spearmint herb

1 tsp. Licorice root (ground)

1 tsp. Hawthorn herb

A pinch of the following:

Coriander, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla or Ginger, Honey to taste

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Place the herbs and spices listed above in the hot water;
simmer on low for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 5 minutes longer.
Strain tea before serving.

Hot Spiced Wassail

Hot Spiced Wassail

(Non-Alcoholic Version)

4  Cups Cranberry Juice

6  Cinnamon Sticks

5  Cups Apple Cider

1  Orange, studded with whole Cloves

1  Cup water

1  Apple, cored and sliced

½  Cup Brown Sugar

Mix juice, cider, and water in large saucepan or crock pot. Add cinnamon sticks, clove studded orange, and apple slices. Simmer mixture for 4 hours. Serve hot. Makes 12 servings.

Magickal Herb Use: Lesson 1 – Storage and Tools

Lesson One: Storage and Tools

by Leillan

I am starting very basic here. Some may want to breeze through this. But I have been asked to start at the beginning, so here goes. You don’t have to store your herbs in any special way unless you want to. I just use blue canning jars and interesting bottles. I like a tight lid to keep moisture away from the herb, and to keep the herb in the bottle. Nothing is worse that herbs spilling out into the cabinet and all over the floor when the jar is tipped over!

Always label your herbs. Even the most adept herbalist can get confused once in awhile. The labeling method is another matter of choice. As I use my herbs for many purposes, I generally just label by herb name. However, you could also add a few lines stating elemental properties, basic uses, etc. As you learn more you may want to store herbal blends. Label these with the types of herbs used and the purpose it was intended for when you blended it. Maybe you found a certain natural incense you made that you really like. Blend a bunch of it, label it, and jot down the purpose for which you like to use it, e.g., power, relaxation, etc. You’ll find this simple step very useful in the future; don’t always rely on memory.

You more than likely will want a few tools. A mortar and pestle, and a good knife should be among your first tools. I use my athame to cut herbs. You may choose to use the traditional sickle-shaped “Boleen.”  If you intend to use your herbs for both magick and cooking/healing, get two mortar and pestles (especially if you choose something porous like wood). This way, a mortar used to crush mistletoe and holly won’t be used for crushing pepper and garlic. Remember, some of the herbs you use for magickal work are toxic if taken internally. With the exception of the knife, I prefer to use wood, stone, or clay for my tools, and tend to stay away from metals. Certain oils and herbs have a reaction with some alloys.

Other tools you may want are pretty basic to the Craft in general, and you may already have most of them. These include a censor and incense, candles of various colors, and a bowl for mixing. You’ll need something to hold water (if needed), like a shell or a bowl, and you may want to collect various sizes of shells or containers for measuring your herbs. You may want a colored cloth for a bag, string,or rubber bands for sachets, and of course you will eventually want to make amulets and such. But these things can be acquired as the need arises.

Other than what I have mentioned above, the purpose will tell what supplies are needed.

Daily Feng Shui Tip for October 1 – ‘World Day of Bullying Prevention’

I know from past feedback that today’s tip absolutely works to push bullies to the side. So let’s spice up ‘World Day of Bullying Prevention’ by embracing an ancient technique. In certain Eastern and Oriental cultures, cinnamon is considered the ‘warm brown spice of friendship’ that also packs the power to fend off bullies. It is said that this spice bestows protection and strength while also destroying ‘enemies.’ A pinch in a pocket or a bit sprinkled inside a wallet (or anywhere else) will employ powers of protection that can conquer all kinds of fear. Now, that’s sweet!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Natural Sinus Remedy

Natural Sinus Remedy

There are other ways to deal with your sinus problems–naturally.

Millions of people in the United States suffer from sinusitis or sinus problems. The typical reaction to sinus problems is to treat them with antihistimines and decongestants. Pills can be avoided, and so can expensesif sinusitis is treated naturally.

Boxes of pills may cost anywhere from $2.99-$4.00. And if you repeatedly have sinus congestion and have to keep taking pills, you’re obviously going to be purchasing a box every couple of weeks (even though you are told not to on the box–you’re supposed to consult your physician after two weeks of persistent problems). But, do most of us do this?

If you have acute sinusitis, and have been to the doctor for it, and no other remedies have worked for you, try treating the symptoms naturally next time. If you fear having surgery, or and don’t want to be on antibiotics, take a look at these suggestions. There’s a potpourri of ways to deal with sinusitus and its symptoms:

Vaporizer

Vaporizers may be purchased in almost any department store or pharmacy. Typically, you have to use remedies such as menthol and eucalyptus with the vaporizers (in the water). Solutions may be bought where the vaporizers are sold.

Cool Air Mister

Cool Air Misters add water and moisture to the air; you usually fill them with water. These are good for very dry areas of the house or basements. Cool air misters must be constantly filled with fresh water, and the filters must be changed for maximum benefits.

Air Conditioner

In the summer, when it’s hot and stuffy, try using the air conditioner for your sinuses. You’d be surprised at how it not only cools you off, but improves your breathing immensely. Also, if you can avoid it, stay indoors in the springtime, away from the blooming trees and flowers and get into the house with your air conditioner turned on low.

Medicated Vapor Rub

Medicated vapor rubs may be purchased at almost any store carrying medications. They may be used alone or with vaporizers. Sometimes, it’s effective to use them on and around your nose and sinus areas before bed; never use them inside of your nose or mouth.

Saline/Ocean Nasal Spray

Saline or ocean nasal spray may be purchased at any cosmetic store in the medication isle. Look for the ones that are all natural (containing no medicine). These are very effective if used often enough. Sometimes, they’re a bit unpleasant smelling and tasting, but work almost immediately.

Plenty of Water Before Bed

Water is essential at all times, but drinking water throughout the day and mostly before bed seems to keep your sinuses in check and clear throughout the night into the early morning.

Other Sinus Remedies

Some alternative sinus remedies include the following: eucalyptus oil, rosemary, and lemongrass (natural essenses/oils). These may be purchased at any holistic heath shoppe or vitamin store.

Soups, Spices and Hot Stuff

Anything that you can slurp that is hot and spicy (or contains garlic, pepper, or horseradish root, etc.) is usually very effective in the draining of sinuses. Try it sometime. You’ll be surprised at how fast you have to run and get some tissues!

Drying Herbs

Drying Herbs

Any fresh Herbs can be dried. They should be picked and tied in small bunches. Hang them in the kitchen or a well-ventilated shed to dry. As soon as they are dried out, they should be crumbled into jars and stored in a dark place–they might look decorative hanging up, but will soon become dusty and begin to deteriorate.

Feng Shui Tip of the Day for November 8th

I recently released a report called ‘Shape Shifting; Shifting your Thoughts, Changing your Shape.’ I researched this report for well over two years, trying to find both cutting edge medical information as well as ancient medicinal knowledge that will allow people to ‘age backward’ and find a renewed sense of health, happiness and longevity simply by making some lifestyle shifts. One of those involves using different medicinal spices to achieve better health and long life. On ‘Cook Something Bold Day’ I’d like to offer a recipe for ageless living that involves a spice called tumeric. Ayurvedic practitioners have long held that tumeric takes away old age, and if a very little bit is rubbed on the skin, it can take away wrinkles. More philosophical theorists and herbal practitioners once called tumeric ‘the spice of love and luck.’ Hawaiians use tumeric in purification ceremonies, and in India this spice is burned for protection, as it’s believed that demons and other malevolent creatures detest its smell. Today, try to be bold and ageless and cook something tasty by adding no more than an eighth of a teaspoon of tumeric to any traditional savory recipe. Now you won’t be growing old, you’ll be growing bold!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com