In My Search Of Bird Proofing Bee Hotels, I Gave Come To A New Hypothesis: Since Only Those Hotels With

Wards to hand by doorways, windows or above your bed. I really love these and never make replicas so even if two look similar, they will never be the exact same<3

If you are panicking because you think you’ve missed Imbolc, it’s ok. While the 1st of February is the traditional date, the astrological date is always when the sun reaches 15° in the sign of Aquarius. This year, the astrological date is the 4th of February. So take a breath, and do what you can when you can. You haven’t missed anything.

Edited to add:

The other major Sabbats fall astrologically as such:

Beltane: Sun at 15° Taurus

Lughnasadh: Sun at 15° Leo

Samhain: Sun at 15° Scorpio

The minor Sabbats fall astrologically as such:

Winter Solstice: Sun at 0° Capricorn

Spring Equinox: Sun at 0° Aries

Summer Solstice: Sun at 0° Cancer

Autumn Equinox: Sun at 0° Libra

🍂Autumn is here 🍂 gifs (edits) made by me :)

do you know any simple and discreet ways to protect a doorway from harmful things coming through it?

Threshold Warding Powder:

At twilight (ideally on a Saturday,) grind together Salt, Yarrow, Eggshells, Fennel, and Red Brick Dust within a Cast Iron vessel.

When the mixture has been satisfyingly pulverized, step outside and sprinkle the powder along the threshold of the doorway, from right to left. Having done this, walk backwards through the doorway, making sure not to touch your feet to the threshold. Once inside, close the door and turn the lock three times (i.e. lock it, unlock it, lock it again, unlock it again, lock it once more, and unlock it once more.) Thereafter, repeat the ritual as needed (when the powder is in need of replacing.)

There are innumerable ways to ward a threshold, from hanging certain talismans above the door, to sowing certain plants near the entryway, but this particular method is quite inconspicuous and fairly straightforward. I will also try and post a more in-depth warding rite soon, which calls on Janus to secure the threshold, should you, or anyone else, want a slightly more involved method with similar elements to this one.

Types of Herbal Remedies

I’ve compiled a list of types of herbal remedies, with brief instructions on how to make them. Choose your herbs carefully, as some are poisonous, some will interfere with health problems and medications, and some can cause allergic reactions.

If you are concerned about any health issue you have, or worried about herbs reacting with your medications, go talk to your doctor. This post is not intended as medical advice.

Compress

This is usually cloth that has been soaked in a herbal infusion so that it can be applied topically. Useful for skin issues, muscle pain, joint pain, and general aches.

You can make one by soaking cotton wool in a warm infusion of your choice, wrapping the balls in a piece of clean cloth, and applying to the affected area. Once the cloth cools down you can soak it again in the warm tea and reapply.

Infusion

This is basically the herbalist term for tea. The herbs are usually dried and ground before being steeped in very hot water and then strained out. If you use a bag then you can skip the straining.

Tincture

This is similar to an infusion but much stronger, and with alcohol instead of water, which helps to preserve it.

Put your herbs in a jar. Cover them with alcohol (most people I know use vodka). Put the lid on the jar and shake it daily for a month or so, then strain the herbs out. I tend to keep mine in the little dropper bottles, as you normally don’t need to take much at once.

Decoction

I like to think of these as a stronger infusion. You need four times as much boiling water as dried herb, and you want to simmer the mixture for about half an hour before straining.

Syrup

These are herbs mixed with a sugary substance, which makes them easier to consume and helps to preserve them a little. They’re a good way to get your herbs in if you have a sore throat, as they are often quite soothing.

You’ll need a couple ounces of fresh herb per pint of water. Put them on the stove and heat until about half of the water has evaporated. Then you need to add about five tablespoons of sugar/honey/maple syrup per pint of water you used originally (so if you put two pints in the pan, you need ten tablespoons). Keep stirring for about twenty minutes, then take it off the heat and bottle it up. You need to keep syrups in the fridge, preferably in a dark coloured jar or bottle.

Balm

Essential oils and beeswax, basically. Add about twenty drops of essential oil to a cup of melted beeswax, stick it in a jar, let it cool, and there you go! You can mix in juiced herbs if you like, but that’s optional.

Salve

A salve is basically essential oils mixed with beeswax, oils and herbs. I have seen them made with coconut oil, though if you live in a warmer environment then coconut oil won’t work for you as it melts. You need about fifty/fifty dried herbs and beeswax (if you live somewhere warm) or use a mixture of beeswax and an oil like olive or safflower if you live somewhere colder, just so it’s soft enough to use. Use about twenty drops of oil per cup of beeswax. You’ll need to melt the wax in a double boiler, and let the herbs infuse in the molten wax for about half an hour. Then you add your essential oils, and pour the molten salve into the containers and let it cool.

Ointment

This is basically a liquid balm or salve. Follow the methods above, but use oil instead of beeswax.

Bath

When taking a herbal bath, you are basically making a giant cup of tea! Fill an organza bag with your chosen herbs, and put it in the bath while you run the water, then remove it before you get in. You can reuse the bag of herbs, but they lose potency with each use, so I try to avoid doing this.

Poultice

This is a paste of herbs and sometimes other things that is applied to the skin. Used for infections, splinters, burns, boils etc. They’re pretty simple to make, you just mix some dried herbs with a tiny bit of boiling water to form a paste, put it on the area, and use a piece of cloth or gauze to keep it there. If you want to use fresh herbs you just mash them up.

New moon affirmations

🌑 I embrace new expansive energies

🌑 I am open to receiving infinite abundance

🌑 I am filled with passion and creativity towards life

🌑 I welcome opportunities for new beginnings

🌑 I am aligned with my soul purpose

Binding & Knotwork // Grimoire Pages

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup

This creamy soup is the perfect way to warm up on a cool fall evening!

6 servings Preparation time: 55 minutes

Ingredients 2 tablespoons oil 4 cups peeled and seeded 1-inch chunks butternut squash 1 cup chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only) 1 cup peeled and chopped carrot 1 Granny Smith apple, cored and chopped ½ teaspoon dried thyme ¼ teaspoon ground celery seed 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more if desired 1 cup apple cider Salt and black pepper to taste L&B uncured bacon crumbled, for garnish

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot set over medium-high heat. Add squash, leeks and carrot. Sauté over medium heat for 10 minutes.

Add apple, thyme and ground celery seed. Add broth and cider. Bring mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Let mixture cool slightly.

Using an immersion blender, purée soup until smooth.

Add more chicken broth, if desired, to thin the soup until it reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Bring soup to a simmer and serve hot. Garnish with cooked, crumbled bacon.

🌊Blue Seas

patience & anti- anxiety sachet spell🌊

💙 a sachet spell to encourage communication, increase patience, increase wisdom, and soothe anxiety using sea energy🏝

What you need:

🌊 a blue sachet

🐟 blue sea glass or a blue crystal

🌀 blue salt (white works as well)

☁️ a seashell

💧 sea water

🐳 a pinch of rosemary and lavender

How to make it:

🌊 put all the ingredients in your sachet, one by one *except the sea water*, focusing on the intent and imagining a calm ocean

**try listening to ocean sounds or light a blue candle to help you focus on intent if you need to

🌊 once the sachet is together, sprinkle some sea water on it to cleanse and charge it

🌊 carry the sachet with you as needed for soothing anxiety, communication, wisdom, memory, patience, calm, meditation, and understanding