Minor Ways To Save Bees.

I’ve begun to feel under the weather, so I made this soup tonight. It’s one of my favorite recipes from my blog!

Cold Season Soup–Vegetable Soup with White Beans, Cauliflower, and Quinoa:

2 heads cauliflower, washed and roughly chopped

1 large white or yellow onion

1 shallot (not totally necessary, but I like to pack in the alliums when I’m sick)

5 large carrots

6 celery stalks

1 head of garlic (Yes, head, not clove. Go big or go home if you really want to clear the sinuses.) peeled and pressed, grated, or chopped

1 large or 2 small zucchini squash

1 c. dry red quinoa

2-3 c. cooked white or cannellini beans

4 large kale leaves, washed and roughly chopped

large handful of fresh parsley, washed and roughly chopped

3 quarts vegetable or chicken broth

½ t. ground black pepper

1 T dried thyme

1 T dried oregano

3 bay leaves

pinch of cayenne pepper

salt to taste

4-6 T olive oil

———————————————–

Preheat oven to 400.

Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Spread chopped cauliflower onto the baking sheet, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste, and toss to coat. Roast in preheated oven until slightly charred and soft all the way through, about 40-60 minutes. Turn/mix cauliflower halfway through baking to ensure even browning.

While cauliflower is roasting, chop onion, shallot, carrots and celery to desired size. Bring a large, heavy-bottomed soup pot to medium high heat, and add a few tablespoons of olive oil. Once olive oil is fully heated, add onions, carrots, and celery, and cook 10 minutes, stirring often to keep from over browning. Add shallot and pressed, grated, or chopped garlic. Cook another 10 minutes or until onions are translucent and very fragrant. Add broth and all spices. Bring to a simmer and then taste and adjust spices/salt as needed. Add dry quinoa and bring to a simmer again.

Finely dice zucchini and add to the pot. Let simmer about 30 minutes or until quinoa is cooked through and all vegetables are tender. Add roasted cauliflower, chopped kale, beans, and parsley. Bring to a simmer and taste. Adjust salt and spices as needed, and don’t be afraid to add more olive oil if it lacks richness!

Also, t.= teaspoon and T= tablespoon

After some research about Blood in folk medicine and magic

Hello! I’ve recently seen a few good posts about the uses of blood magic in modern witchcraft and some also good posts about its uses in folklore, so I thought I might as well make a small compilation of sources!

Therefore, I’m not here to tell you how blood magic works! You already know and can find about the use of blood in rituals, spells, scrying and whatnot from all the posts that circulate on the subject. You also know that blood must be harvested with precautions if you don’t want to catch, or give someone a disease that could effectively kill them! Whee!

This is why I present to you a few sources about the use of blood in folklore and a commentary on these sources!

Here’s one like cuz it’s centered on a civilization I know well, the ancient greeks! I studied them in class and am familiar with most science men mentioned in the article. Truth be told, I don’t think it’s perfect. I don’t like the way it buries other ancient civilizations under the rug to focus on the greek while proclaiming most ancient civilizations were all fans of blood, but I appreciate researching work and the time the person put into quoting greek passages of ancient texts as proof of their arguments. It’s neat. Plus it goes on at length about the visions the greeks had of the role of blood in all types of life, which could be used in paralel with ancient religious texts about rituals and magics involving blood, if anyone has those!

I don’t know about the trustworthiness of this one, but I read it and it’s quick and understandable about the practices revolving around blood in the old days. I especially like the part about egyptian and german practices which are interesting. The author also took the time to quote names of ancient greek historians (as much as one could call Herodotus a historian in the strict meaning of the term) which I find nice! Added to the sources on medicinal cannibalsm quoted at the end, including this article which quotes its own sources, and this book, sadly too expensive for me at the moment (I saw the price and went *nope*).

This article on Britannia, the website, is about blood offerings in different cultures and could be paired with this one about the origines of sacrifice though religion and history, I think it can be fairly interesting to learn the bond between the action of sacrificing something coming from a being, be it life, flesh, bones or blood, and the desire of a result linked to the believed importance of the said parts. I’ll read them and maybe update the description as I go!

I also found a few other books too, including this book about Folk Hematology in the Appalachian South by Anthony Cavender in the Journal of Folklore Research (JSTOR), Mummies, cannibals and vampires by Richard Sugg about the history of corpse medicine through the ages, and The Spirit of Civilization: Blood Sacrifice and Monetary Debt on JSTOR too by William Pietz.

Honestly, I’d like to read them all to see if they’re good or full off bullshit like some books can be, but I advice to anyone who might find all these resources helpful to compare them with each other and make their own opinion. I’m not your dad, of course, but I’ve seen enough people believing everything they were told in my short life to wish everyone could like researching stuff as much as I do!

Therefore, I leave you with this absolutely unproductive post, hope it’ll be at least useful to someone, and on that note, for anyone interested in french and down for a good laugh, this video is about a practice of blood offering by dick-piercing. Yeah. You read that right. Enjoy.

,,,, yall wanna hear about some of the weird as hell dreams that I have had?

...a weeping willow. That tree sacred to Persephone, to the underworld. That tree that the Greeks believed bestows the gift of poetry and understanding, of transcendence, but only to those willing to descend into the darkness.

Hester Fox, The Witch of Willow Hall

Introduction to Shielding

If you haven’t already, check out my lessons on visualisation for the basic knowledge you’ll need to begin practicing shielding.

So what is shielding?

Shielding is a manipulation of energy, used to create a barrier between yourself and unwanted, usually negative or malicious energies. It’s a basic aspect of spellwork that everyone, beginner or experienced, should use to keep themselves safe.

What can I use shielding for?

Some beginner-level uses for shielding are drawing a circle, or casting a spell. A more experienced individual might use shielding in astral travel or spirit work, where there are a lot more malicious energies involved. Personally, I use shielding as often as possible, for instance when I do tarot readings, spells, spirit work, shadow work, and especially cursing. It gives that extra guarantee that you won't flood your personal space with unwanted energies.

Other uses include shielding against real-life dangers, to a certain degree. I often shield when I am walking through town at night for extra protection. But please remember to take other measures too! Call someone, pretend to be on the phone, plan your route, and even carry pepper spray if it's legal where you are.

An easy shielding method:

The easiest way to explain this is to think of your energy as a physical manifestation. Think how power attacks are shown in anime or cartoons - a streak of colour or light, or an element. Make it personable to you: fire signs (Leo/Aries/Sagittarius) might visualise fire, or a red energy or light etc.

Firstly, some people prefer to cleanse before shielding. I don't think its all that necessary but the choice is yours.

Begin by easing yourself into meditation. Get comfortable, and use whichever technique works for you. I have various methods for this in my visualisation lessons if you are struggling.

Attempt to visualise the energies surrounding you in your mind. It might be a swirling colour of light, almost like a cloud of dust. It could be flames, it could be water. Maybe try to see it held within your hand.

Now, attempt to shape this energy around your entire body. You might want to start with a bubble or a cube surrounding you. Feel this shape surrounding and protecting you. Visualise negative and unwanted energies being held back by it.

You can also layer shields, so if you are working with a particularly malicious energy you might want to have multiple shapes surrounding you, all within each other. You can also work with deities or spirits to ask them to shield you too.

Shielding Incantation

When I am shielding, I recite a spell as well as using visualisation techniques.

The shield of protection, I carry it strong, No ill wishes or trouble shall come along, You cannot harm me, or weaken my soul, My light is my weapon, and peace is my goal.

Try it out for yourself and let me know in the comments how it went! Thank you as always for reading. Please message for requests.

Warding

Psyching Warding Visualisations

Here’s a list of visualizations for psychic warding, which are designed to create energetic barriers or protections around your space, rather than just around your body. These visualizations help protect your home, belongings, or personal energy from unwanted influences.

These psychic warding visualizations are designed to protect your personal space, whether it’s your home, workplace, or other important areas. Use whichever resonates most with you to keep unwanted energies at bay and create a safe, energetically balanced environment.

Crystal Grid Ward

Visualize a grid of protective crystals (such as obsidian, black tourmaline, or amethyst) surrounding your home or space. Each crystal amplifies the protective energy of the grid, creating a barrier that blocks out negativity and harmful energies.

Flaming Circle Ward

Picture a circle of fire around your home or space. The flames burn brightly, purifying the energy around you and preventing any negative forces from entering the protected zone. The fire is a symbol of transformation and protection.

Thorny Hedge Ward

Visualize a thick, impenetrable hedge of thorns surrounding your home or area. Any negative energy or ill intent that tries to pass through is caught and neutralized by the thorns, keeping your space safe and protected.

Iron Wall

Imagine tall, solid iron walls surrounding your home or space. The iron is unbreakable, deflecting any psychic attacks or harmful energies. This ward creates an impenetrable fortress that protects everything within its boundaries.

Web of Light

Picture a glowing web of light woven around your space. The threads of the web are strong, catching and dissolving any negative energy or psychic attacks that try to enter. The light acts as a powerful ward against any harmful influences.

Cloaking Ward

Visualize a cloak of invisibility draping over your home or space. This cloak makes your space energetically invisible, hiding it from unwanted attention or psychic attack, while keeping it safe and protected.

Stone Circle Ward

Envision a protective stone circle around your home. Each stone is imbued with grounding and protective energy, creating a powerful ward that deflects negativity and keeps your space secure from outside influences.

Mirror Wall

Picture walls of mirrors surrounding your home or space. These mirrors reflect any negative energy or harmful intentions back to their source, ensuring that nothing harmful can penetrate your space.

Protective Vortex

Visualize a swirling vortex of protective energy spinning around your home or space. The vortex pulls in any negative energy and disperses it, preventing it from entering your protected zone while keeping the energy within clear and safe.

Elemental Ward

Imagine the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—surrounding your home. Earth grounds and stabilizes, air sweeps away negativity, fire burns away harmful energy, and water purifies the space. Together, they create an elemental ward that protects your home on all fronts.

Guardian Spirits

Visualize protective spirits, animals, or deities standing guard at the four corners of your home. These guardians act as sentinels, warding off any negative energies or ill intentions from entering your space.

Sigil Barrier

Picture glowing protective sigils or runes inscribed around the boundaries of your home or space. Each sigil is charged with protective energy, forming a magical barrier that repels any harmful energy or psychic interference.

Black Obsidian Shield

Envision a large, black obsidian shield placed at the front and back entrances of your home. This shield absorbs and neutralizes any negative energy or psychic attacks that try to enter, acting as a powerful protective ward.

Lattice of Light

Imagine a lattice of pure light surrounding your home or space. This lattice is a fine but strong network of energy that blocks out all negativity while allowing positive energy to flow freely inside.

Sacred Flame Ward

Visualize sacred flames burning at each corner of your home. These flames purify the energy surrounding your space, creating a ward that keeps negativity and harmful influences at bay.

Crystal Dome

Picture a large, shimmering dome made of protective crystals (like quartz or selenite) covering your entire home or space. This dome radiates protective energy, warding off any negative influences or psychic attacks that might approach.

Wind Barrier

Envision a powerful wind circling around your home, sweeping away any negative energy or harmful intentions. The wind creates a protective ward, ensuring that only clear, positive energy can enter your space.

Moonlight Veil

Visualize a veil of silver moonlight covering your home or space. The moonlight creates a protective, calming energy that wards off any negativity or harmful energy, keeping your space peaceful and serene.

Rune of Protection

Picture a glowing rune of protection (such as the Algiz rune) at each entrance to your home or space. These runes act as wards, deflecting any negative energy or psychic attack and keeping your space secure.

Phoenix Fire Ring

Imagine a circle of phoenix fire surrounding your home or space. The flames of the phoenix burn away any negative energy, and their regenerative power ensures that your space remains protected and free from psychic harm.

Waterfall Ward

Visualize a waterfall of cleansing, protective energy pouring down around the boundaries of your home. The waterfall washes away any negativity and creates a continuous barrier of protection, keeping harmful energy out.

Candle Flame Ward

Picture a row of candle flames burning at the edges of your space. Each flame represents a point of protection, burning away negativity and creating a circle of light that wards off psychic attacks.

Barrier of Thorns

Visualize a thick barrier of thorny vines wrapping around your space. The thorns are sharp and protective, allowing no negative energy to pass through while keeping your home or area safe and secure.

Shield of Stars

Envision a protective shield made of starlight surrounding your space. The light from the stars is powerful and ancient, creating a ward that keeps out any harmful energies and protects your home from psychic intrusion.

Sunlight Wall

Picture a wall of radiant sunlight encircling your space. The sunlight dissolves any negative energy that comes near, creating a warm and protective barrier that keeps your space filled with positive, uplifting energy.

Let's Talk Imbolc!: The Earth Stirs

As the first proper Sabbat of the Spring and the (ostensibly, depending on your system) first Cross-Quarter of the year, Imbolc represents the time of the Wheel when the seasons begin to turn from winter to spring, snow and ice beginning to mely, and the first vestiges of life start to pop up from beneath the blanket of winter. (Your results may vary - I live in New England where everything is still metaphorically dead as doorknobs on February 1st!).

Imbolc marks the time when winter begins to seep away, when greenery first begins to poke its head through the stillness of the Dark Half of the Year, and, of course, themes of light abide throughout.

Neatly tucked between Yule (the Winter Solstice) and Ostara (the Spring Equinox), Imbolc is the transitory celebratory day positioned exactly between these two climes. Though "Imbolc" and Sabbats are typically associated with Wiccan tradition, secular & non-Wiccan witches can observe and celebrate these days as mathemetical nature festivals marking the turning of the year.

Imbolc Dates, 2022: Sunset February 1st to February 2nd

Associated Colors (for altars and decorating, etc): White, Cream, Light Blue (Periwinkle), Green & White, Silver

Symbols: Melting snows, evergreens, lights and candles, melting ice, & white flowers

Scents: Vanilla, Benzoin

Herbs: Angelica, Myrrh, yellow, white or blue Flowers, snowdrop, rowan, the first flowers of the year; to burn: basil, bay, benzoin, celandine

Colors for Ritual Wear: White

Magic for Imbolc

As a time of renewal and rebirth, these themes are key to any spellwork or ritualcraft engaged in on Imbolc. Though many might advise you that Sabbats are really days for celebrating and not a lot of heavy-lifting spellcraft ought to be done, I tend to disagree - especially, at least, when it comes to Imbolc and Litha. Here, Imbolc is the perfect time to state new beginnings and begin any cycles of renewal or rebirth you have in mind! The pull of the natural passing of the seasons (again, adjust as applicable here) is a magnificent tide for ebbing or renewal magics.

Other topics or purposes suitable for Imbolc include: Health, omen observation, animal kinship, safety, improving finances, awakening, light, fertility (not just literal - gardening or creative endeavors could fall under here), initiations and self-dedications, turning focus inward, centering power, and attending to the self.

Foods of Imbolc

As a big advocate for lavish feasts on Wheel days, Imbolc is a prime time for preparing seasonally appropriate food! Dishes or courses may include:

Dairy, milk, cheeses, creams and sour cream, peppers, onions shallots, garlic, leeks, chives, olives, raisins, breads, creamy soups, white wine, soy milk, cornbread cake, rowanberry wine, lamb, fondues, creamed spinach

Customs of Imbolc

Observing Imbolc Sabbat rituals (as appropriate to your traditions)

Wearing a crown of lights, or carrying candles/tapers, during invocations & rituals.

Renewing vows of magic, initiation, and dedication to the Craft, one's coven, etc.

Burning of the Yule Greens (for some)

Leaving buttered bread for the Fae who travel with the Lady of the Greenwood on Imbolc Eve (I personally Do Not Eff With the Fae but - for those who do!)

Place three ears of corn over the doorway for/to represent The Triple Goddess and leave til Ostara (for the Wiccans/Those Who Eff With the Triple Goddess in the room)

Cleanse your magic working area with rosemary or vervain

Walk in the snow (as applicable)

Light a candle in every room of the house, or all the lights, even just for a few moments, after sunset on Imbolc.

Take a bath of renewal

Meditate or inquire of your deities - there is a tradition amongst those who call upon a Goddess in the Wiccan fashion to inquire of them, then recieve their answer overnight on Imbolc during which no word must be uttered, which I admit is incredibly appealing (as someone who loves, loves, loves ritual!)

Imbolc is a wonderful time for peacefully looking inward and starting anew - I hope you find what you're looking for, and have a wonderful and lovely cross-quarter day! (Remember: If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, flip the Wheel - February 1st/2nd would be Lammas for you!)

Sources for this post include: Ann Moura, Deborah Blake, Scott Cunningham, Patricia Telesco, Titania Hardie, Ellen Dugan

[Part of the Let's Talk... Sabbat Series: Lammas | Litha | ]

Rain or storm spell for drought, dry spells, and/or excessive heat.

items:

- storm (or rain) water

- freshwater shell (I used an apple snail shell, but a something like a mussel or other shell would work. if you don't have one sub with a saltwater/estuarine shell and see how it goes!)

- Any charm that you can hang, preferably one that invokes imagery/symbolism of water or rain

- 2 more shells (salt or fresh. I used ones with open faces)

- silver bell

- sea glass (blues and greens)

- salt (epsom or sea salt preferred)

- large/medium feather of a water fowl (grey or white preferred)

- clear quartz (optional)

- offering dish (optional, really for presentation and clean up)

prep:

1. Set up the freshwater shell on the offering dish (or table) and keep it stable with a ring of sea glass (optional: single clear quartz or clear sea glass at front).

2. Place the charm in the shell with rope/thread/ribbon draping towards you.

3. Place the silver bell at the "north" of the dish (imagine the dish as a compass) and place your other two shells on either side of it.

4. Put the feather in front of you with the quill end nearest to your dominant hand.

5. Have the salt in a small container you can pinch into.

ritual:

1. Breathe deeply 3 times with eyes closed to center yourself. You can also create a circle or do any other grounding exercises at this time.

2. Make a circle around the inner rim of the offering dish (or table) with the salt and get this meaning across with words: "salt, mineral of the oceans, protector and cleanser"

3. Pick up the feather and stir the energies to the metaphorical north (treat the offering dish like a compass). I did this with my eyes closed as it lessens distractions. You will repeat this action for each cardinal direction and get this meaning across in order:

"I beckon rain from the North, to soak the rich earth"

"I beckon rain from the East, aided by its winds for a swift arrival"

"I beckon rain from the South, as the heat of is your creator, and it is the heat you will abate"

"I beckon rain from the West, as all waters merge and must complete their cycle"

I find it important to use "will" rather than might/should as to bolster the confidence behind your intentions. Feel free to alter and add to this wording as much as you like for it is already loose and use this time to invoke any specific deities or spirits as I did not.

4. Place the feather down gently, breathe, and say "after I have rung this bell 3 times, whenever I hang this charm where the sky can see, it will intice rain for as long as it hangs" (be thoughtful of wording and your intentions here, loopholes are very easy to accidentally create, so set clear parameters that aren't too outrageous)

5. Ring the bell with steady motions. It's important that you get 3 clear rings, so if you try to ring it once but the sound isn't great, try until you have 3 satisfactory chimes.

6. Once you have placed the bell back down, close your circle or breathe to realign any energies.

And that's about it! I tried this today and we got a good spell of rain (with thunder and everything!) even though there was no predictions for it this whole week. I'm hesitant to do a spell for storms as I live in a hurricane-prone region and it's that time of year, but feel free to replace "rain" with "storm" or whatever wording feels specific to what you desire. I kept the wordings here intentionally vague/loose because it's important to use words that you mean something to you.

Let me know if you try this and get anything out of it, or how you changed it! It's the first spell I've posted here so I'm interested to know.

🍎 small batch apple butter recipe 🍎

2 lbs of your apple of choice (about 5/6 medium apples; i used gala and they were perfectly soft for this and not too sweet!) 1/3 c. of water juice of one medium lemon (abt 2 tbsp) ½ c. granulated white sugar

2 tbsp (un)salted butter (i dont think salted vs unsalted matters much but i like my sweets a lil less sweet, so i used salted!) 3 cinnamon sticks (or ¼ tsp of ground cinnamon) 1/8 tsp of cardamom (optional; can sub for ground clove at ¼ tsp) 1/3 c. packed brown sugar ¼ c. maple syrup (optional!) a pinch of salt (1/8-¼ tsp) to taste

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