I Wish I Could Achieve This Aesthetic Tbh

What herbs would you suggest are most important when starting off with spells?

For me it would be:

mint (protection, luck,success)

basil (success, prosperity,protection against negatvie energies)

lavender (calm, peace, sleep,cleansing)

rose (love, emotions, glamour)

thyme (purification, protection)

rosemary (purification, protection, cleansing, luck)

sage (protection, purification, cleansing)

bay leaf (success, luck,prosperity, purification, protection)

(these are the main properties for me)

NYXTURNA

Lammas/Lughnasadh Masterpost

General

5 Ideas for Celebrating Lughnasadh (Solitary)**

Lughnasadh Incense/Herb Ideas**

Lushcraft: Lammas Refresher Bath/Shower

Foods Associated with Lammas

Recipes

Lammas Lentil Pot Pie**

Celebrating Lammas Gluten Free**

Lughnasadh Incense**

Lammas Oil

Arts and Crafts

Salt Dough Crafts for Lammas**

How to Make a Corn Husk Doll**

Tarot Spreads

Lammas Tarot Spread**

Lammas Inspired Tarot Spread**

Lammas Altar Inspo (None of these are mine)

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Ostara Tea

since i cant do much for Ostara this year i figured the least i could do is come up with a nice tea recipe in celebration for it, i came up with this from what herbs i have on hand here at school. 

Materials 

¼th lavender 

1part rose 

1 part lemon balm

1/2 chamomile 

¼th rosemary 

a pinch of cinnamon 

a healthy splash or two of milk

a good spoonful of honey (preferably local) 

boil water,  then steep herbs mixture for  5-10 minutes once steeped strain/ remove the herbs. then add the honey and milk. Serve in your favorite mug and enjoy.

Also dont forget to leave some outside as an offering. (i usually pour it onto the roots of one of my favorite trees) 

-HoneyCoyote-

ALWAYS research herbs and other ingredients before use to make sure they wont cause any medical complications 

Etsy Shops Pagans Would Love

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How to Harvest your Magical Herbs

Most plants used for cooking can be harvested at any time of day but if a herb is being harvested for medicinal use there are certain times of the day and certain weather conditions that are best for capturing the strength of the most active ingredients.  Also if herbs are being used for magikal works there are times that the plants energy is at its optimum and therefore aids the work being undertaken. The perfect conditions for gathering leaves flowers and fruit for drying and storing is a very dry day probably around mid to late morning as any moisture on the surface from rain, mist or dew can cause the plant material to degrade quickly and can induce fungal and bacterial growth.  Harvesting should also be avoided when the sun is high and hot as the essential elements of the active ingredients can be evaporated or lose strength.

Having said all this there are times that you may stumble on a particular plant that has been eluding you and you are totally unprepared for collecting it in the perfect weather conditions, moon phases or with the correct tools and in these situations it comes down to the two choices

come back when the conditions are right which I have done and then been unable to find the plant again

pick it anyway and hope that the active ingredients are not too diminished (I have been in this situation and have had good results anyway)

It is best not to harvest any herbs that have been growing close to the road as the leaves take in the carbon monoxide and poisonous fumes given out by the traffic and take it down into the plant to the root where it becomes stored.  Do not pick wild herbs and plants from verges or throughfares as this contravenes several laws and also the fact that most areas like these are open to our friendly dog and cat population.

If harvesting wild plants leave a large amount of flowers, seed and root as the plant population of that area will very quickly die out if you go in mob-handed and wrench up the only two plants for miles around.  Make sure you know what you’re picking this is very important when harvesting in the wild there are many pocket spotter books available that are invaluable when identifying plants, I try to carry one with photographs rather than drawings as sometimes they can be a little misleading.

When to harvest

Most herbs are harvested in the summer either before or during flowering.  Seeds and most types of bark are collected in early autumn and roots in early autumn and spring.  The leaves of evergreens are collected throughout the year but don’t collect large amounts before or during a heavy front as this will leave the plant vulnerable.

Early Spring: Collect Dandelion roots

Late Spring: Arial parts during flowering; Lungwort, Sweet Violet, Flowers: coltsfoot, cowslip, elder

Early to Mid-Summer: Arial parts/leaves before flowering; Agrimony, Angellica, Catmint, Cleavers, Dandelion, Dill, Fennel, Feverfew, Garlic, Hysop, Ladys Mantle, Lemonbalm, Motherwort, Parsley, Peppermint, Plantain, Sage, Stinging Nettles, White horehound, Yellow Dock.  Bark while flowering: Rose.  Flowers; Borage, Camomile, Honeeysuckle, Linden, Pot Marigold, St Johns Wort

Mid to Late Summer: Arial parts whilst flowering; Californian Poppy, Heartsease, Marjoram, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mugwort, Shepherds Purse, Skullcap Thyme, Vervain, Wild Lettuce, Wood Bettony, Wormwood, Yarrow.  Flowers: Hops, Lavender, Mullain.     Leaves After Flowering: Borage, Colsfoot, Cowslip, Fenugreek, Lungwort, Sweet Violet.

Autumn: Roots/ bulbs when leaves have wilted: Angellica, Black Cohosh, Burdock, Comfrey, Cowslip, Elecanpane, Garlic, Goldenseal, Lovage, marshmallow, Soapwort, Valerian.  Seeds/ fruit: Celery, Elder, Howthrorn, Dill, Fennel, Lovage

N.B. When getting plants from the wild, respect the area and plant you are harvesting, never strip a plant bare, never pull it out by the roots to get a few leaves and always check if there are other plants of the same species around. Also be very sure that the plant you are about to pick is what you think it is, Mother Nature can be very tricky sometimes, and 2 seemingly identical plants can have very different effects when ingested. 

It is best to ask permission of the plant before taking it’s bounty, and remember, respect, respect, respect !

Transporting your herbs must be done carefully to retain their valuable powers. It’s best to take an open-topped basket or cotton bag with you and some layers of tissue so that herbs can be transported dry and safe back to home, it is pointless seeking out a special plant, than sticking it into a carrier bag in your pocket so it sweats, bruises and it unidentifiable mush by the time you get home.

Ostara Recipes

Ostara, the Spring Equinox, is approaching. And of course one of a celebration’s must-haves are food and drinks! So of course I just had to come up with a list of recipes!

Crispy roast potatoes with Rosemary 700g Small new potatoes 2 Tablespoons Olive oil ½ teaspoon Salt 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 ½ Tablespoons Fresh rosemary, chopped Cover new potatoes with water and bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Drain and toss potatoes in pan over heat until outside of potatoes are dry. Add olive oil, salt, garlic, and fresh rosemary. Place potatoes in a pan, in one layer, and bake in a 180°C oven until crispy and browned, about 15-20 minutes. Serve with roasted and grilled meats or poultry.

Hot Cross Buns Frosting: 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1 tablespoon milk 1 cup orange juice Dough: 3 cups unsifted flour ¾ cups granulated sugar 1 cup evaporated or whole milk ¼ cup butter or margarine, softened 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 and ½ teaspoons cinnamon ¼ teaspoon allspice 1 cup raisins (optional) 1 cup walnuts (optional) 1 package dry yeast ¼ cup hot water (for dissolving the yeast) 1 large, well-beaten egg. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. While the oven is warming, combine all ingredients except yeast, hot water, the egg, and the frosting ingredients and mix well. Dissolve the yeast in the hot water, then add it and the egg to the rest of the mixture. Combine well. Shape into a ball, and place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover the mixture with a cloth and allow the dough to rise in a warm spot for about an hour, until it has about doubled in size. Shape the dough into round balls about 3 inches across and place them at least 3 inches apart on a lightly greased and floured baking sheet. Place the sheet into the preheated oven. After 5 to 8 minutes of baking, open the oven and use a sharp knife to slash one equal-armed cross into each bun about ¾ of an inch deep. Allow the knife to pry open the slashes slightly so they will be less likely to bake themselves closed again. Return the buns to the oven and allow them to bake another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the buns are a nice brownish gold. While the buns are baking, combine the frosting ingredients and beat them to a smooth, even consistency. When the buns are done, take them out of the oven and, while they’re still hot, drizzle the frosting onto them.

Ostara Buns 4 cups pastry flour 2 cups sugar ½ cup vegetable shortening 1 tube almond paste ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 5 eggs, slightly beaten Icing 1 cup confectionary sugar ¼ teaspoon almost extract 1 tablespoon soft butter 4 teaspoons water Preheat oven to 375*F.  Combine bun ingredients in large bowl until a medium-soft dough forms.  Add a little flour as needed for consistency.  With your hands, shape biscuit-size balls.  Slightly flatten the balls when you place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes.  Cool.  Beat icing ingredients together until smooth.  Frost buns with large cross (+) with icing.  Great for an Ostara breakfast.

Vareneky Dough: 2 cups flour ¼ teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 cup milk 1 teaspoon oil

Filling: ½ pound sharp cheese, shredded 2 cups mashed potatoes Heat 3 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon of salt in large pan. Mix flour, egg, salt, milk, and oil until sticky dough emerges. Roll out dough on floured board ¼ inch thick. Cut into circles. Combine cheese, mashed potatoes. Fill centers of dough circles with filling, 1-2 tablespoons. Wet edges of dough, fold in half. Pinch together to seal. Drop into simmering water; cook for 10 minutes. Remove and drain, then fry in butter until brown. Yield: 6-8 servings

Green beans with Rosemary vinaigrette 3 Tablespoons Raspberry vinegar 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon Garlic, minced 1/3 cup Olive oil 8 cups green beans Combine first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place beans in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat and serve. Ostara Bread ¾ cup soy milk 2 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast 3 ¼ - 3 ½ cups flour 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave nectar 1 teaspoon salt ¼ cup vegan margarine ¼ cup warm water 1 cup quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked 2 ½ teaspoon flax meal mixed with 3 Tablespoons water 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 ½ cups vegan powdered sugar 2 tablespoons soy milk Mix flax meal and water and let sit while moving on to the next step. Heat  soy milk and margarine in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until margarine is melted; cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup water. In large bowl combine margarine/milk mixture, dissolved yeast, 1 cup flour, oats, sweetener, flax mixture, salt and cinnamon; mix well. Add enough additional flour to make soft dough.  Knead on lightly floured surface 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Shape to form ball. Place in greased large bowl, turning once to coat surface of dough. Cover; let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until double in size.  Punch dough down. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough in half. For bunny body, shape ½ to form a 36" long rope.  Loosely roll up rope spiral fashion; pinch dough to seal end tightly. Place about 3" from bottom of greased large cookie sheet; press down slightly. Divide remaining dough in half. For bunny head, shape one half to form a 25" rope. Loosely roll up rope spiral fashion; seal end tightly. Attach to top of body on cooked sheet by pinching dough together. Divide remaining dough into thirds. For tail, shape on third to form a 15" long rope.  Loosely roll up like others; pinch to seal end. Attach to side of body on cookie sheet by pinching dough together. Shape remaining dough to form two 3 ½ long bunny ears. Attach to head by pinching dough together. Let rise about 1 hour or until nearly double in size.  Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire cooling rack. For icing, remaining soy milk and powdered sugar, mix until smooth.  Drizzle over cooled bread. Serves: 1 bunny shaped loaf Ostara Honey Cakes recipe ½ cup Riesling wine (German white wine) 1 egg 2/3 cup flour 1 cup honey 2 tbs sugar 1/8 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp nutmeg Dash of salt Beat the egg together with the wine. In another mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cinnamon, sugar and salt. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture. Stir until blended through. Let sit for 30 minutes. In another small bowl, mix the honey and nutmeg. In a skillet, heat up about a ½ inch of oil. Drop a tablespoon of batter into the oil and fry until golden brown. Drain off the oil, and dip into the honey mixture.

Source/credit: http://recipesforapagansoul.weebly.com/ostara-mar-20-23.html

This is longer then I expected. Oh well. - Mara

Tips for High School Witches

Hey guys! I’ve been a witch for about a year now, and being a high schooler in a conservative state has made it quite interesting, to say the least. So here are some things I’ve discovered that have made being a young, jobless witch AMAZINGLY easy!

The Library- if you are in High school, you undoubtedly have easy access to a library. This will contain information on mythology, religion, weather, astronomy, history, and just about any subject. Almost all of this knowledge (certainly all that I just listed) can be used in your craft. These are FREE BOOKS WHENEVER YOU NEED THEM. Take advantage!

The Art Room- weather you are in an art class or not, there is usually at least one art teacher in the school who has plenty of strange junk and materials that can be used for witchcraft. For instance, my teacher’s closet includes: bones, wax, wire, clay, wood, soapstone, beads, and all kinds of other brilliant components. These are FREE MATERIALS!!! As long as you have the teachers permission, GET WHATEVER YOU CAN!! You wouldn’t believe how many witchy items I’ve made in third period that cost me exactly $0.00.

The Thrift Store- I’ve seen other witches beat this one to death, but I must stress what a good resource thrift stores are for witchcraft. I’ve purchased brass candle holders, carved wooden boxes, stone incense burners, and more for less than $5. You can also find altar cloths, candles, picture frames, and more. The thrift stores of good for more than retro fashion!

Now, I also want to suggest some of the most useful spells and tricks to a high school witch (in my experience, of course.)

Anti Suspicion- wether your parents know or not (mine certainly don’t) you definitely don’t want your whole school to know that you’re a witch. Trust me. A simple sigil or spell to avert suspicion and ill intent will go MILES! My altar is the first thing you see in my room, I hoard bottles and jars, I use all the candles, and my parents suspect nothing. I’ve come to school with sigils all over my arm and no one so much as blinks an eye. I’ve also been able to get away with not wearing my school ID for a semester and a half, which was a nice side effect. Moon water is also great for making you less visible/noticeable.

Focus/success- when you’re about halfway through a semester of homework and studying, you’re gonna want some help. Spells for focus, knowledge, brain power, and success at schoolwork should not be underestimated. I’ve also found that wearing carnelian and aventurine Jewellry does wonders. I also rub safely diluted Rosemary oil on the back of my hand, and smell it whenever I’m struggling on tests and quizzes, as it aids in memory.

Luck, Prosperity, & health- you are a high schooler. You probably stay up way too late, forget a ton of assignments, spill things constantly, trip, lose socks, lose your wallet, and run into all kinds of awkward, dumb situations. A blend of safely diluted orange, lemon, Rosemary, and lavender oil will provide health, prosperity, positivity, happiness, protection, and psychic power. Aventurine, citrine, and rise Quartz are also some good crystals to keep you focused, happy, and protected.

If you have any more questions for me, want to talk, or want to add to the list, feel free to do so! Love you guys, and good luck!!!