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Latest Posts by nakiyamesinsuke-blog

How to Escape a Hair Grab or a Neck Grab ? Look at them, carefully.

tai chi pants on http://www.icnbuys.com/tai-chi-pants give you surprise at the new year.

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@fairylland These are my favorite and most used witchy books.

The Encyclopedia of Crystals by Judy Hall The Crystal Bible (also by Judy Hall) The Pocket Spell Creator by Kerri Connor (great for beginner witches! So easy to work with) Grimoire for the Green Witch by Ann Moura Practical Prosperity Magic by Ellen Dugan Wiccapedia by Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway

Holiday relaxation spell

Fill a bowl with water and a floating candle. Light the candle and gaze into the flame. Gaze for awhile into the candle flame and let your mind go blank. Feel your stress pouring into the water and feel your body relax as the stress leaves it. Imagine the bowl is a deep well and is drinking in whatever it is in your life that is causing unease, discomfort or stress. Breathe deeply. Sprinkle dried basil over the water, and then chant softly before the candle flame:

I am calm.  I am at peace with my surroundings.  I am whole and well.  By the powers of earth, air, fire, and water, I am free.

Sit before the bowl for several more moments. Let the candle burn till it burns out. Pour the water onto the ground and feel your stress and anxiety going with it. Tell yourself that the earth has taken your stress away. Give thanks.

↢ Back to Yule - Winter Solstice

DIY: Brews and Potions

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

Kitchen Herbs and Common plants for Brews

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

The Power Behind the Plants

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

Teas and Decoctions for Health

Using teas and decoctions (herb-and-water remedies in the form of conceited potions that your drink) is a very easy homeopathic way to get started. They are made with dried or fresh herbs, roots, or flowers infused in hot water. Cold infusions is used for tinctures, where the herbal properties are absorbed and released into liquids over time. 

Decoction Method

For plants woody and seedy such as root and bark, use this method

Once the plant parts are boiled, place on a low heat and set to simmer for 15-20 minutes

After simmered, cool them and strain them, pressing the herbs through a cheesecloth or strainer

Ready to drink

Tea Method

For flowers, leaves, fruits, and/or stems of plans, use this method

Start steeping the herbs in the water before it reaches full boil 

Once the water begins to steam or boil, remove it from heat

Steam for no more than 5-10 minutes

While hot, strain into a container

Drink right away or follow the cold tea method

Cold Tea Method

Following all the preparations of the tea method, after straining, pour into a container and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Herbs for Teas and Decoctions

If using a tea ball, only use a pinch of each plant or spice. If using an infusion pot, or something similar, use approximately ¼ teaspoon of each ingredient. If you use root, seeds, or bark, use the decoction method. If you use flowers, leaves, fruits, or stems, use the tea method. If you use a combination of plant matter, use the decoction methods but then drink it iced following the cold tea method. 

Angelica Root: Soothes colds and flu, reduces phlegm and fever; expectorant (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Eases headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, insomnia, earaches; reduces stress and tension, improves skin 

Blackberry (leaves or roots): Reduces diarrhea (note: blackberry roots are used as decoction, while blackberry leaves are used for tea)

Catnip: Soothes teething pain, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Reduces fevers and diarrhea; soothes indigestion, gastrointestinal gramps, flu; antiseptic (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Cayenne Pepper: Soothes coughs, colds, arthritis, nerve pain, fever, flu; expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with theophylline) 

Camomile: Reduces insomnia, anxiety, stress, fever, arthritis, indigestion; aids with sleep and pain relief (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon Bark: Soothes sore throats and coughs, anti-inflammatory (avoid taking with diabetes medications) 

Dandelion Root: Detoxifying, aids digestion, relieves constipation, laxative (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills) 

Dandelion Leaf: Mild diuretic, potassium rich (discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Elderberry Berry: Wards off colds and flu

Elderberry Flower: Reduces fever (avoid taking with medications that decrease the immune system) 

Garlic (for syrups): Antiseptic, eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid or medications used for HIV/AIDS, or with medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Ginger: Eases morning sickness, nausea, colic, indigestion, diarrhea, fever, sore throats (avoid taking with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Ginkgo: Relieves anxiety, vertigo, tinnitus; improves circulation, helps concentration; helps vision and premenstrual syndrome (avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo; discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking) 

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, boosts the immune system (do not take with medications that slow blood-clotting, and avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Relieves gout and cramps

Lavender: Relieves anxiety, headaches, tension, stress, indigestion, irritable bowl syndrome; antibacterial; antiseptic; disinfectant (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Lemon Balm: Relieves anxiety, cold sores, colic, insomnia restlessness, indigestion; boosts memory (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives) 

Nettle: Relieves hay fever and arthritis; diuretic (avoid taking with diabetes medications, medications for high blood pressure, sedatives, medications that slow blood clotting, and lithium) 

Onion (for syrups): Helps lower systolic blood pressure, relieves colds, antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Parsley: Helps with iron deficiency, anemia, fatigue; diuretic (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics) 

Peppermint: Relieves nausea, anxiety, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, fever, coughs, colds; anesthetic (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver) 

Pine Needles: Expectorant; antiseptic; relieves coughs, colds, fever, congestion

Rosemary: Improves focus, memory, concentration, blood pressure, circulation; antiseptic, antidepressant; eases indigestion

Thyme: Antibacterial, antiseptic, eases coughs and colds, expectorant (do NOT take with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Tea and Decoction Health Blends 

The amounts listed here are for dried herbs, flowers, and spices. Dried ingredients are preferred for teas. If you wish to use fresh ingredients for decoctions, and they are available, double the amount. 

Anxiety Relief

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Cold Relief

¼ teaspoon elderberry flower

¼ teaspoon thyme 

Mood Booster

¼ teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon rosemary

Gastrointestinal Cramp Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon goldenrod 

Arthritis/Joint Pain

¼ teaspoon goldenrod

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

(Note: after the tea cools, apply it by rubbing the liquid into the affected area)

Diarrhea Relief

¼ teaspoon blackberry root

¼ teaspoon catnip

Circulation

¼ teaspoon ginkgo leaf

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon rosemary 

Energizing Tea

¼ teaspoon ginseng

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Indigestion Relief

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Expectorant

¼ teaspoon pine needles

¼ teaspoon nettle leaf

¼ teaspoon angelica root

Sleepy Time

½ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Fatigue Relief

¼ teaspoon ginseng 

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Fever Break

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

¼ teaspoon angelica root 

Flu Relief

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Headache Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon thyme

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Immune-System Booster 

½ teaspoon dried elderberries 

¼ teaspoon nettle 

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold) 

Sore Throat Relief

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

(Note: add honey after steeped) 

Stress Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼  teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Cleansing 

¼ teaspoon dandelion leaf

1/8 teaspoon goldenrod 

1/8 teaspoon parsley 

Herbs for Magickal Teas

Follow these steps to empower your tea:

As you steep the potion, envision yourself covered in either a blue or green light (whichever color represents healing to you)

As you drink the potion, visualize a blue or green light coming from the liquid. 

Once you drink , the light will start radiating from within throughout your whole body and then out into the world around you

See it reach heaven (as above) and into the earth (so below), extending your will and desire into the universe

if you are the kind of person who likes affirmations and chants, try saying: “Herbs grown naturally, health and wellness come to me” (Robbins & Bedell, 2017) 

Angelica Root: Angel work, protection, hex removal, exorcisms, health, meditation, divination (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Loves exorcisms, wealth, astral travel, rituals for the dead, house blessings, ancestral work, calling on and working with dragon spirits, calling draconic or dragon spirit–based energy into your spell, protection, attracting money

Blackberry: Healing, money, protection, exorcism

Catnip: Love, beauty, happiness, calling on the energy of cats, working with cat spirits, used as an offering for cat spirits, breaking spells, fertility, psychic powers (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Money, prosperity, health, psychic development, protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters, psychic powers, healing (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Cayenne Pepper: Fidelity, hex breaking, protection, removal of blocks and negative energy, overcoming obstacles, fire, strength, passion (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting an with theophylline) 

Camomile: Protection, luck, money, sleep, peace, purification (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon: Sexuality, lust, wealth, money, consecration, purification, love (avoid taking with diabetes medications)

Dandelion (both root and leaf): Purification, manifestation of wishes, enrichment, money (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver)

Elderberry: Exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep, protection against witchcraft (avoid taking with medications that decrease immune system) 

Ginger: Love, money, success, power, protection (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Ginkgo: Healing, mental clarity, fertility; avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Ginseng: Fertility, sexuality, lust, manifestation of wishes, healing, beauty, protection (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting; avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Money, divination (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lavender: Love, protection, purification, happiness, peace, healing, meditation, psychic abilities (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lemon Balm: Love, success, healing, cleansing (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Nettle Leaf: Protection, exorcism, healing, jinx-breaking, lust (avoid taking with sedatives, lithium, or medications for diabetes, for high blood pressure, or that slow blood clotting)

Parsley: Healing, fortune, success, lust, protection, purification, ancestor veneration, working with the dead, traveling to the land of the dead, calling upon the energy of death and decay (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics)

Peppermint: Purification, love, healing, psychic powers, (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver)

Pine Needles: Cleansing, drawing the aid of spirits, love, mental focus, protection, lust, exorcism, healing

Thyme: Health, healing, sleep, psychic powers, love, purification, courage, good luck (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Magickal Tea Recipes

Attract and Protect Money

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp chamomile

¼ tsp basil

Exorcism

¼ tsp angelica root

¼ tsp nettle leaf

¼ tsp elder flower

Spirit Aid

¼ tsp parsley

¼ tsp rosemary 

Love and Lust

1/8 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp catnip

¼ tsp ginseng 

Cleansing

¼ tsp dandelion

¼ tsp lemon balm

¼ tsp thyme

Protection

¼ tsp pine needles

¼ tsp elderberries

¼ tsp blackberry leaf

Divination

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp peppermint

Psychic Development

¼ tsp calendula (marigold) 

¼ tsp ginkgo leaf

¼ tsp lavender 

Tinctures and Tonics for Health 

A tincture is a traditional herb infusion made with an alcohol base. A tonic usually uses either vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar as the base. The alcohol used in tinctures must be at least 100 proof, or 50%, alcohol, which is why most vodkas and gins are used. Tinctures can also be made with vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar for those with alcohol issues, although less potent and yet still effective. 

Crafting Tinctures and Tonics

Tools needed:

Two mason jars

Cheesecloth

The herbs/plants/spices

Measuring cups

An herb grinder

Alcohol/vegetable glycerin/apple cider vinegar 

Tool to measure the dosage such as droppers for infant medication

Steps for recipe creation:

When preparing a tincture, the rule of thumb is you want a 1:4 ratio of herb to alcohol. If your herbs start to float, your ratio is good. Allow them to settle, and add a little more alcohol until the mixture is fully saturated. 

Prepare the ingredients

Fill the mason jar with the herbs/plants/spices

Add the alcohol or alcohol substitute  (If using apple cider vinegar as your base, you will need to take the additional step of laying wax paper on top of the jar lid)

Keep in a cool, dark place for a month (some may require refrigeration, and that will be noted) 

Shake twice daily 

After 1 month, strain the herbal matter from the liquid into the second jar using a cheesecloth (squeeze the cheesecloth to get out as much of the liquid as you can)

After straining, fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water–this dilutes the alcohol, allowing you to ingest it directly

Ready for use 

Herbs and Plants for Health Tinctures and Tonics 

Many of these will not taste good, but will work:

Alfalfa: Energy booster, laxative, cleanser (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting or suppress the immune system and with birth-control pills) 

Allspice: Stimulant; eases indigestion, colds, coughs; reduces hives and swelling (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Aloe Vera Juice (liquid): Soothes the skin, antiseptic (external use only)

Angelica (fruit or seeds): Eases indigestion, gas, gout; balances nervous system (do NOT use if you are diabetic)

Bay Leaf: Eases indigestion, coughs, colds, fevers (do NOT take with any narcotics or sedatives) 

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Antiseptic, eases symptoms of urinary tract infections (do NOT use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have stomach irritation or kidney disease; avoid taking with lithium) 

Bergamot: Soothes colds, fevers, coughs, nausea, indigestion, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with photosensitizing medications) 

Black-Eyed Susan: Soothes swelling, back pain, earaches; immune booster

Black Peppercorn: Anti-fungal, heals ulcers, relieves arthritis

Burdock Root: Detoxifying, soothes colds and skin issues (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Cedar (freshly dried leafy twigs): Soothes gout, naturally antiviral, boosts immune system (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Clover (red): Soothes coughs, colds, bronchitis (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with tamoxifen; may decrease effectiveness of birth control pulls and medications that are changed by the liver)

Cloves: Soothes nausea and indigestion; antiseptic, expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Comfrey Leaf: Ease arthritis, rheumatism, coughs, colds, diarrhea, asthma; antibacterial (do NOT take with medications that can harm the liver)

Coriander Seeds: Aids in digestion; aphrodisiac; boosts immune system

Cramp Bark: Eases arthritis, rheumatism, menstrual cramps

Echinacea: Eases colds, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system (interacts with various medications, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Garlic: Antiseptic; eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, symptoms of urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid, medication used for HIV/AIDS, or medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Goldenseal (roots and leaves): Aids digestion; eases colds, hay fever, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver)

Horseradish: Antiseptic; antibacterial; expectorant; soothes flu, colds, coughs, symptoms of urinary tract infections; diuretic; appetite stimulant (avoid taking with thyroid medications)

Hyssop: Soothes colds, fevers, sore throats, asthma, rheumatism, indigestion; expectorant

Lemon: Boosts immune system, helps prevent kidney stones, eases indigestion and constipation, relieves toothaches

Lemongrass: Supports healthy cholesterol; antibacterial; detoxifies; relieves constipation, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, coughs, colds, fevers, anxiety, stress, fatigue; boosts immune system

Mugwort: Eases menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, fevers, colds (do NOT take if pregnant) 

Mullein: Relieves asthma, coughs, colds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids; expectorant; diuretic

Nutmeg: Stimulates digestive system; relieves diarrhea, nausea, anxiety (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver) 

Orange: Lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, relieves arthritis and anxiety, stabilizes mood, boosts immune system; laxative (do NOT take with celiprolol, ivermectin, or pravastatin) 

Onion: Helps lower systolic blood pressure, eases colds; antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Skullcap: Eases headaches, stress, menstrual tension, insomnia, anxiety, sedative

Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Valerian Root: Eases insomnia (do NOT take with alcohol, sedatives, or anti anxiety medications) 

Witch Hazel Bark: Relieves pain, diarrhea, colds, fevers, ulcers, colitis; antiseptic

Wormwood: Eases indigestion and stomach disorders; aphrodisiac (avoid taking with anticonvulsant medications)

Yarrow: Antiseptic, relieves pain, hay fever, colds, fevers, menstrual cramps (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting, avoid taking with lithium or sedatives)

Yellow Dock: Laxative; reduces anemia, relieves fatigue, aids digestive system (do NOT take with digoxin, diuretic medications, or medications that slow blood clotting)

For tincture recipes, there are many books and sites that can be used for reference. 

Magickal Tinctures

When making a tincture for use magickally and spiritually, shake the tincture two times a day to direct your energy into the jar and activate the magick within the herbs. 

Tincture-Charging Spell

Materials: 

1 green candle (herb spirits) 

1 white candle (spirit and magick)

1 candle to charge the tincture (color depends on spell)

1 mixing bowl 

Herbs and alcohol for the tincture (or alcohol substitute) 

2 Mason jars

Cheese cloth 

Ritual:

Place the three candles in a triangle on your altar or workspace. The white candle should be the top of the triangle (facing away from you to direct the energy out into the universe). The green and other candle form the base

Place the bowl at the center of the altar, and place your containers of herbs and alcohol on the floor

Light the white candle while stating: “For the power of spirit”

Light the green candle while stating: “For the herbal spirits”

Light the colored candle for your need, and state your need 

Place an herb in the bowl, state a thank-you blessing to the herb, and explain why you are using that herb. Repeat for each herb, and as you add each herb, stir the mixture of herbs clockwise for increasing or bringing something to you and counterclockwise if you are trying to remove or decrease something in your life

Once you have mixed all the herbs in the bowl, hold your hands over the mixture and state your intent

Visualize a light coming out of your hands for that need (red for love and passion or power; green for money, success, growth and fertility; blue for healing; yellow for success; etc)

Pour the mixture into one of the mason jars and add the alcohol (do this at a safe distance form the lit candles)

Place the lid on the jar

Remove the mixing bowl from the alter and put the mason jar with the tincture blend in its place, in the center of your candles. Keep the mason jar there until the candles have finished burning

Shake the tincture, focusing your mental, emotional, and physical energy into the jar. As you shake, chant: “I can upon the powers green, Release the powers unseen. Herbs awakened on this day, Blessings in this tincture stay.” 

Shake the jar twice daily for one month, each time visualizing the need behind the tincture

Once the month has passed, strain the mixture into the second jar using the cheesecloth. 

Now the tincture is ready to be used in magickal work

Herbs for Magickal Tinctures

For magickal uses, the following herbs, spices, and plants are only for external use in tincture blends:

Angelica Leaf: Angel work, protection, removing hexes, exorcism, health, meditation, divination 

Alfalfa: Money attraction (drawing money to you), prosperity, protection

Allspice: Money, luck, healing

Aloe Vera: Protection, peace in the afterlife, prosperity, success, love

Bay Leaf: Protection, purification, enhancing psychic powers, strength

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Victory, protection, money, power, strength

Bergamot: Money, clarity

Black-Eyed Susan: Cleansing, releasing, grounding, integration, mediumship, connecting with the dead

Black Peppercorn: Protection, exorcism 

Burdock Root: Protection, uncrossing (removing hexes or curses)

Cedar: Healing, purification, money, protection

Clover: Protection, money, fidelity, love, exorcism, success

Cloves: Enhancing psychic powers, astral travel, protection, exorcism, love

Comfrey Leaf: Money, safe travel, protection

Coriander Seeds: Love, health, healing, lust, fidelity

Cramp Bark: Protection, luck

Echinacea: Strengthening spells, offerings to spirits

Garlic: Protection, exorcism, lust, antitheft

Goldenseal: Healing, money

Horseradish: Purification, exorcism

Hyssop: Purification, protection, cleansing

Lemon: Purification, love, friendship, justice

Lemongrass: Repelling snakes, lust, enhancing psychic powers

Mugwort: Strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, astral projection

Mullein: Courage, protection, love, divination, exorcism

Nutmeg: Gambling luck, money, fidelity, prosperity, luck

Orange: Love, divination, luck, money

Saint John’s Wort: Health, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness

Skullcap: Love, fidelity, peace

Turmeric: Purification

Valerian Root: Purification, cleansing, peace, love, protection, breaking hexes and curses 

Wormwood: Summoning spirits, working with the dead, enhancing psychic power, protection, love, prophesizing, breaking hexes and curses

Witch Hazel: Protection, chasteness (less likely to give into temptation and sexual desire)

Yarrow: Psychic development, courage, love, exorcism, protection

Yellow Dock: Money attraction, customer attraction, love attraction 

Source

Robbins, Shawn, and Bedell, Charity. The Good Witch’s Guide. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2017. Print.

This isn’t art-related, but this is EXTREMELY SERIOUS IF YOU LIVE IN THE US.  The following message is pasted from Reddit user DrDreamtime. I did not write this, but it contains all the most important information you should know. It should be spread as far and wide as possible.

For those that do not know or understand what net neutrality is and would rather see a video instead of a LOT of text, here is a good video by John Oliver on Net Neutrality.

Don’t want to do that? Understandable, it’s a 15 minute video. So heres a simple picture to highlight what things could look like

Please take the time to at least do the first easy step, either of the two options work and take very little time.

If this fails, the possibility of actually having to pay more to access reddit, facebook, and any other website or face massive loading speed increases or even a straight out site-block by your ISP.

Tell him how you feel.

Ajit Pai, FCC Chairman: 1-202-418-1000

Reddit won’t let me post the rest of the FCC contact information, something with the formatting and the automod, I think. You can click here, to go to the FCC’s official contact page.

You need to contact your representatives and senators about Net Neutrality even if they already support it, but especially if they don’t.

Remember that this very thread is only possible because of a free and open internet; kill net neutrality and threads like this might be a thing of the past.

Easy way:

Step 1: Go to BattleForTheNet.com. Step 2: Do what BattleForTheNet.com tells you to do.

-OR-

Text RESIST to 50409 to get help from RESIST Bot. It helps you find your reps, write letters to them, and sends them faxes FOR FREE. Everyone who cares about Net Neutrality should take 5 minutes to write to your representatives, once a week (or a day). Be heard.

The harder, but still very easy way:

Step 1: Find out who your Representative and Senator is/are.

Find your Representative.

Find your Senator.

Local elected officials.

Step 2: Find your Representative and Senator’s contact information.

5calls.org has a decent repository of Representatives and Senators contact information, though the site is a bit difficult to navigate.

Call My Congress just asks for your zip code and tells you what district you live in, who your Representatives are, and how to contact them.

DailyKos has a list of all of our Senator’s phone numbers, not just the DC office. (Current as of February, 2017.)

FaxZero has a system set up allowing you to fax your Representatives and Senators for free! (Faxes are good if you can’t get through on the phone lines, or just if you want congressional staffers to listen to fax machine noises until Net Neutrality is safe.)

Fax Congress

Fax Senators

Step 3: Call, write, or fax to express your feelings on this.

A lot of people are nervous about calling their elected officials for the first time, maybe you don’t know what to say, or how to say it, or even who you’ll be talking to, so here’s what you’ll need to know.

There’s a 75% chance your call will be answered by a Secretary who is specifically there to listen to your concerns, there’s a 25% chance your call will be bumped into a voicemail box which is specifically there to listen to your concerns, there is a ~0% chance you’ll find yourself on the phone with your Senator or Representative.

You may be asked for your name and address or zip code, it’s okay not to tell them if you don’t want to, but the information is useful for your elected officials. I usually just give my first name, zip code, and the name of my town.

Don’t worry about a script, don’t worry about being eloquent, you’re not writing Shakespeare here, you’re a concerned citizen voicing their frustrations, fears, and hopes. “I’m really scared of Ajit Pai’s plans to roll back net neutrality, a free and open internet is important to me because [Your reason here. Some suggestions: An open internet is important to democracy/I worry what Donald Trump might do with more power/Cable bills are already too high/etc.]. Please tell [Senator or Representative] that I support a free and open internet, I support Net Neutrality, and I vote.” The only hard and fast rule is that you need to be polite; these folks are getting dozens, if not hundreds of calls a day, they don’t need you bitching and swearing at them for something they have no control over. Be passionate, but be polite.

Reminder: Only call YOUR OWN elected officials! Calling Mitch McConnell from sunny Florida won’t do anyone any good, and might actually harm the cause. Only call your own elected officials, period.

Source

a witch’s palm.

palmistry placements that may indicate certain natural traits or abilities related to witchcraft.

the mystic cross. “x” shaped cross located between the head and heart lines. indicates that spirituality, witch’s intuition, and acknowledgement of power or ability were understood at a very young age.

the psychic cross. “x” shaped cross located beneath:

the index finger: blessings from jupiter/zeus. wisdom, and a great capacity for knowledge. often destined to teach or impart. 

the middle finger: blessings from saturn/cronus. intuition, and a great capacity for visceral power. often has natural ability working in dreams and meditations.

the ring finger: blessings from sun/apollo. attraction, and a great ability to naturally draw in your needs and desires. often powerful with enchantments. 

the little finger: blessings from mercury/hermes. instinct, and a great natural ability for practice. often adopts new methods with ease and natural talent.

the psychic triangle. triangular shape located beneath the ring finger. indicates that in this life, or another, you have chosen to suppress your abilities. they are likely powerful, but potentially caused harm- intentionally, or not. (this does not mean they are unreachable, it more likely encourages you to work very consciously.)

the healer’s mark. a series of parallel lines located beneath the little finger. indicates powerful healing abilities; the more lines, the greater the gift. 

the traveller’s mark. a series of parallel lines located beneath the mount of the moon. indicates that there is an innate talent and drive in travelling both the physical and the astral planes. a natural ability for astral projection; the more lines, the greater the gift.

for my witches spending holidays with possibly unpleasant family members, some spell suggestions~

home & hearth spell -  a spell to promote warm, homey qualities

clear speaking glamour - aids with speaking clearly get your point across

respect jar spell - simple jar spell to help gain respect

shine aqua illusion glamour -  a sailor moon inspired glamour to blend in

gender-orientation validation spell -  a spell to help one feel valid in their identity concerning gender and orientation

mermaid’s breath -  a spell for the ability to survive in emotional or situational circumstances a bit out of your depth or comfort zone

calcified heart -  a spell to protect your emotions

hiding secrets spell - a spell specifically to protect one’s gender or orientation, to keep it safely hidden when you can’t be out.

‘on your toes’ spell -  to allow one the grace to navigate difficult situations

rabbit heart - pop culture spell for courage and confidence

charge vigor potion -  a potion that helps with those you tend to knock heads with, a magical aid to keep them at bay, or arm’s length.

rose quartz healing tears - simple ritual to heal emotions

happy holidays my dears! ♡

There’s a petition out to get rid of the Best Stuff First option on Tumblr in order to defend the artists out there who have dropped in notes/exposure.

Guys.

Sign it.

Staff needs to listen

Anyways I’ve been getting over 380,000 notes a month easily and now I’m getting supposedly less than 1,000 a day. The ‘best stuff first’ feature has downgraded this site a tremendous amount, not only is the feature destructive to smaller blogs, they also somehow fucked up the activity page, and is no longer accurate or useful. 

Staff on tumblr rarely responds to unanimous disapproval unless shoved in their face, so I’m asking you guys to spread this post, and others like it around as much as possible as to get the message into their thick heads - that this greatly devolves the tumblr experience. 

i forgot how fucking weird november is theres no afternoon its just night after 2pm

hi dear! how do i get started in tarot? do ya have have resources you could direct me to? (:

I can throw you a couple links, sure: 

[Connecting With a New Deck] 

[50 Tips for Tarot Novices and Masters Alike] 

[Intro to Tarot] 

[Tarot Myths] 

[Tarot 101 - Tips] 

[Tarot Tips for Beginners] 

[Tarot Tips for Newbs] 

[Things I Think Newbie Tarot Readers Need to Know] 

More can be found in my [#tarot tag] on my blog! ^^ 

For me, starting tarot reading was as simple as finding a deck that I liked, finding some spreads, and practicing. Depending on why you want to read tarot, your approach may be different. For instance, tarot for me is about introspection and helping myself find some answers or advice I may not have seen at first glance. Tarot can be used for other purposes, though, such as spirit communication, so what you want to use your cards for can change the approach in which you go about it. (In regards to doing tarot for spirit communication, I am afraid I have no personal advice there.) 

Research, of course, is something I always recommend when getting into a new skill. You’re working on that, which is awesome, though I do believe it is important to also leave Tumblr for research purposes. Yes, there’s great stuff here, but there’s also great resources to be found in other areas of the internet, as well as off it. If you can, try to find some beginner’s books on tarot (I am certain there are PDFs of a few somewhere around too), and look into it as much as you can. Sadly, resources can and are likely to show conflicting information, so it’s always beneficial to cross reference and fact check as much as possible. 

Once you’ve got a grasp of tarot - or even if you don’t - picking a deck can prove a daunting task. I personally don’t feel any one deck is “better” than any other for someone new to reading. You will always hear how the Rider-Waite is standard, but that is only because the cards depict symbolism in which they try to make the meaning of the cards clear. Less convoluted, the images try to tell the story of the card, in a way that might make it easy to understand on sight. Not everyone grooves with that, but it definitely can prove helpful at the start when you aren’t sure what every card means. And, let me tell you, even after like three years, I still have to look some cards up, 78 is a lot to remember with an inconsistent memory.  

I would recommend, mostly, just finding a deck that you like, one you think is pretty, or you would like to try out. There may be some research you have to do into that, or you may just be in a store and you find a deck that “calls to you.” There is really no wrong way to pick a deck, as long as you are happy with your choice. (Some decks may not work out for every reader, though, which can be a concern if you buy your first deck and end up not liking it or it’s uncooperative, but it’s a risk we all kinda take. I’ve bought a few decks that I don’t connect with, or that no longer work for me, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you can’t read or won’t be a good reader if that happens - find another deck you like and keep trying!) Printing a deck out, or creating your own, can be a good option for those on a budget, but creating a deck can be very time and energy consuming, and also a daunting task all on its own. 

Also, if you find the book or guide that comes with your cards is lacking, it is also okay to find external resources for card interpretations. I personally enjoy [Learn Tarot’s pages of reference], and am even writing them down, since I know some of the books for my decks weren’t very helpful in the meanings. A lot of people will say reading from the book is bad, learn to trust your gut more, etc., but each person reads differently. I feel it’s important to just try it out, try different things, and find your style. 

Once you have a deck you like, a lot of people recommend cleansing it. There are many ways to do that. And of course, there’s the first shuffle (or shuffles), which can always be a pain when they’re all in order. I like splitting the cards into piles and shuffling those together for a while, it’s proven effective for me. People also talk about ways to bond with your deck - things you can do with it or to it to help it grow accustomed to you or make readings easier or more accurate. Those are also things that would be great to look into. 

Doing readings can seem daunting too. I was nervous for my first few as well. And it is perfectly acceptable to read and practice on yourself. Just take it at your own pace, use your book or guide if you need to, and even asking someone’s opinion on an interpretation can be helpful if you’re stuck. Mostly, though, just read. Draw some cards and try to find what they’re saying. As a skill, it does take practice and time before you may feel confident with what you’re doing, if your readings are good or accurate, and that’s okay! There is no pressure or anything, and we all started out in that exact same spot. (Also, reversals aren’t necessary if you don’t wanna read that way - I don’t, but it’s up to you to decide what you wanna do for yourself and your tarot practice.) 

Creating spreads can also seem hard too, but that is also something you don’t need to worry about unless you want to - I use mostly existing spreads for my readings, and they work just fine.; Creating spreads can take time and energy one may not have, and it’s cool if you never want to do it, or just save it until later, but know that whatever you decide to do is cool. There are so many amazing spreads already in existence, to cover a lot of different topics and questions that may occur. Some also find great results in just winging spreads - asking a question and drawing as many cards as they feel is right or for clarification. Again, experiment, try things out, find what you like doing and what works for you, and what may not. We each have our own way to read and do things with tarot. 

I hope that helps you, good luck with your tarot journey! ^^ 

Don't ever hesitate. Reblog this. TUMBLR RULE. When you see it, REBLOG IT.

The original post only has US helplines. I've added UK helplines underneath. It would be great if people could add numbers from everywhere in the world.

Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433

LifeLine: 1-800-273-8255

Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Sexuality Support: 1-800-246-7743

Eating Disorders Hotline: 1-847-831-3438

Rape and Sexual Assault: 1-800-656-4673

Grief Support: 1-650-321-5272

Runaway: 1-800-843-5200, 1-800-843-5678, 1-800-621-4000

Exhale: After Abortion Hotline/Pro-Voice: 1-866-4394253

Child Abuse: 1-800-422-4453

UK Helplines:

Samaritans (for any problem): 08457909090 e-mail jo@samaritans.org

Childline (for anyone under 18 with any problem): 08001111

Mind infoline (mental health information): 0300 123 3393 e-mail: info@mind.org.uk

Mind legal advice (for people who need mental-health related legal advice): 0300 466 6463 legal@mind.org.uk

b-eat eating disorder support: 0845 634 14 14 (only open Mon-Fri 10.30am-8.30pm and Saturday 1pm-4.30pm) e-mail: help@b-eat.co.uk

b-eat youthline (for under 25's with eating disorders): 08456347650 (open Mon-Fri 4.30pm - 8.30pm, Saturday 1pm-4.30pm)

Cruse Bereavement Care: 08444779400 e-mail: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Frank (information and advice on drugs): 0800776600

Drinkline: 0800 9178282

Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 802 9999 1(open 2 - 2.30pm 7 - 9.30pm) e-mail info@rapecrisis.org.uk

Rape Crisis Scotland: 08088 01 03 02 every day, 6pm to midnight

India Self Harm Hotline: 00 08001006614

India Suicide Helpline: 022-27546669

Kids Help Phone (Canada): 1-800-668-6868, Free and available 24/7

suicide hotlines;

Argentina: 54-0223-493-0430

Australia: 13-11-14

Austria: 01-713-3374

Barbados: 429-9999

Belgium: 106

Botswana: 391-1270

Brazil: 21-233-9191

Canada: 1-800-448-3000

China: 852-2382-0000

(Hong Kong: 2389-2222)

Costa Rica: 606-253-5439

Croatia: 01-4833-888

Cyprus: 357-77-77-72-67

Czech Republic: 222-580-697, 476-701-908

Denmark: 70-201-201

Egypt: 762-1602

Estonia: 6-558-088

Finland: 040-5032199

France: 01-45-39-4000

Germany: 0800-181-0721

Greece: 1018

Guatemala: 502-234-1239

Holland: 0900-0767

Honduras: 504-237-3623

Hungary: 06-80-820-111

Iceland: 44-0-8457-90-90-90

Israel: 09-8892333

Italy: 06-705-4444

Japan: 3-5286-9090

Latvia: 6722-2922, 2772-2292

Malaysia: 03-756-8144

(Singapore: 1-800-221-4444)

Mexico: 525-510-2550

Netherlands: 0900-0767

New Zealand: 4-473-9739

New Guinea: 675-326-0011

Nicaragua: 505-268-6171

Norway: 47-815-33-300

Philippines: 02-896-9191

Poland: 52-70-000

Portugal: 239-72-10-10

Russia: 8-20-222-82-10

Spain: 91-459-00-50

South Africa: 0861-322-322

South Korea: 2-715-8600

Sweden: 031-711-2400

Switzerland: 143

Taiwan: 0800-788-995

Thailand: 02-249-9977

Trinidad and Tobago: 868-645-2800

Ukraine: 0487-327715

Hi friends. This is our new comics TEST. This one means a lot to us and we really hope you like it.

We put out a digital comic book today containing our stories TEST, ARK, and MIDNIGHT RADIO. It’s hi res, DRM free and pay what you want. You can download it at: Gum.co/theworld

If you would like to support us creating more stories like these, please consider buying a copy. If you can’t, no worries. Please download and enjoy the book!

Written by Ehud Lavski. Art by Yael Nathan. Contact: elavski@gmail.com

100 Days in Houston

A lot can happen in 100 days…

At our Johnson Space Center, located in Houston, it has been busy since July 10. Here are six things that have been going on in Houston with our astronauts, the International Space Station and our next great telescope! Take a look:

1. Our James Webb Space Telescope is Spending 100 Days in a Freezing Cold Chamber

Imagine seeing 13.5 billion light-years back in time, watching the birth of the first stars, galaxies evolve and solar systems form…our James Webb Space Telescope will do just that once it launches in 2019.

Webb will be the premier observatory of the next decade, studying every phase in the cosmic history of our universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of solar systems.

On July 10, the Webb telescope entered Johnson Space Center’s historic Chamber A for its final cryogenic test that lasts about 100 days behind a closed giant vault-like door. 

Why did we put Webb in this freezing cold chamber? To ensure it can withstand the harsh environment it will experience in space.

The telescope has been in a space-like environment in the chamber, tested at cryogenic temperatures. In space, the telescope must operate at extremely cold temperatures so that it can detect infrared light – heat radiation – from faint, distant objects. 

To keep the telescope cold while in space, Webb has a sunshield the size of a tennis court, which blocks sunlight (as well as reflected light from the Earth and Moon). This means that the sun-facing side of the observatory is incredibly hot while the telescope-side remains at sub-freezing temperatures.

2. Our 12 new astronaut candidates reported to Houston to start training

Our newest class of astronaut candidates, which were announced on June 7, reported for training on August 13. These candidates will train for two years on International Space Station systems, space vehicles and Russian language, among many other skills, before being flight-ready. 

3. Our Mission Control Center operated for 2,400 hours

While astronauts are in space, Mission Control operates around the clock making sure the crew is safe and the International Space Station is functioning properly. This means workers in Mission Control work in three shifts, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., 3 p.m. – midnight and 11 p.m. – 8 a.m. This includes holidays and weekends. Day or night, Mission Control is up and running.

4. Key Teams at Johnson Space Center Continued Critical Operations During Hurricane Harvey

Although Johnson Space Center closed during Hurricane Harvey, key team members and critical personnel stayed onsite to ensure crucial operations would continue. Mission Control remained in operation throughout this period, as well as all backup systems required to maintain the James Webb Space Telescope, which is at Johnson for testing, were checked prior to the arrival of the storm, and were ready for use if necessary.

5. Crews on the International Space Station conducted hundreds of science experiments.

Mission Control at Johnson Space Center supported astronauts on board the International Space Station as they worked their typical schedule in the microgravity environment. Crew members work about 10 hours a day conducting science research that benefits life on Earth as well as prepares us for travel deeper into space. 

The space station team in Houston supported a rigorous schedule of launches of cargo that included supplies and science materials for the crew living and working in the orbiting laboratory, launched there by our commercial partners. 

6. Two new crews blasted off to space and a record breaking astronaut returned from a stay on space station

Houston is home to the Astronaut Corps, some of whom end up going out-of-this-world. On July 28, NASA Astronaut Randy Bresnik launched to the International Space Station alongside Italian astronaut Paolo Naspoli and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Ryazanskiy. Joining them at the International Space Station were NASA Astronauts Joe Acaba and Mark Vande Hei who launched September 12 with Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin.

When NASA Astronaut Peggy Whitson landed with crewmates Jack Fischer of NASA and Fyoder Yurchikhin of Roscosmos, she broke the record for the most cumulative time in space by a U.S. astronaut. She landed with over 650 days of cumulative flight time and more than 53 hours of spacewalk time. Upon her return, the Human Research Program in Houston studies her health and how the human body adapted to her time in space.

Learn more about the Johnson Space Center online, or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.

Helleborus Winter Jewel // Onyx Oddyssey

Helleborus X Hybridus Winter Thrillers // Grape Galaxy

Chocolate Cosmos

Black Calla Lily

Asiatic Lily

Black Velvet Petunia

Karma Choc Dahlia 

Just a few flowers I’d put in the “goth section” of my dream garden, alongside gargoyles. I’d probably throw in some Persian shield for foliage, maybe some other dark coleus. 

This is Colors, a short comic written by @monsieurtoast and illustrated by myself, about the influence we have on others around us. I had sooooo much fun working on this and I owe it all to Toast for coming up with such a creative concept! Take care of your colors my guys ♥

Reblog this if you think writing is an art

Eye of the Beholder

I’ve never found myself pretty so I made a quick comic that might help others with the same feelings

Our Kepler Space Telescope team has identified 219 new planet candidates, 10 of which are near-Earth size and in the habitable zone of their respective stars. The habitable zone is the range of distance from a star where liquid water could pool on the surface of a rocky planet to possibly sustain life. This artist rendering is of one of the thousands of planets detected by Kepler beyond our solar system. These exoplanets, as they’re called, vary widely in size and orbital distances, showing us that most stars are home to at least one planet.  Learn more.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com

Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Somes sketches of Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood :3

我喜歡妳!(I LOVE YOU)

原作漫畫參考:https://i2.kknews.cc/large/7fd0003a779f307dc3e

… Was a friend

paramore lockscreens 💙❤💛 like/reblog if using

“Master, don’t you think it would save time if you just put your glasses on over your cowl?”

“It’s called STYLE, Nooroo, look it UP”

Source For more facts, follow Ultrafacts

I made a little film! It’s here if you’d like to watch it! 

this is the best twitter story i’ve seen in ages