Let's Talk Imbolc!: The Earth Stirs

I salute the divinity in you

I’m listening to Florence Scovel Shinn’s book The Game of Life and How to Play it.

There are many lines that impact me in here, but two stood out today.

-The only enemy man has is fear

-”How can I get rid of fear?”  I reply, “By walking up to the thing you are afraid of. The lion takes it’s fierceness from your fear. Walk up to the lion, and he will disappear. Run away and he runs after you.”

Idk about y’all but I sure needed to hear that.  

Herb Substitutions 🌿

****These are used as Suggestions****

Rosemary can be used in place of other herbs

Rose can be used in place of any other flower

Frankincense or Copal can replace gum resin

Sage in place of any mints

Tobacco in place of any poisonous herbs

Acacia substitute Gum Arabic

Aconitie substitute Tobacco

Arabic substitute gum ,gum mastic or frankincense

Allspice substitute cassia, cinnamon, cloves ,mace or nutmeg

Balm of gilded substitute rose buds or gum mastic

Belladonna substitute Tobacco

Benzoin substitute Gum Arabic or gum mastic

Camphor oil substitute Eucalyptus oil or lavender oil

Carnation substitute rose petals anointed with a few drops of cinnamon oil

Cassia substitute cinnamon

Castor beans substitute for a few drops of castor oil

Cedar substitute sandlewood

Cinquefoil substitute clover or trefoil

Citron substitute equal parts Orange & lemon peels

Clove substitute mace or nutmeg

Clover substitute cinquefoil

Copal substitute frankincense or cedar

Cowbane substitute tobacco

Cypress substitute juniper or pine needles

Deer tongue substitute tonka bean, woodruff or vanilla

Dittany substitute gum mastic

Dragons blood substitute equal parts frankincense and red sandlewood

Eucalyptus oil substitute camphor oil or lavender oil

Euphorbium substitute Tobacco

Frankincense substitute copal or pine resin

Grains of paradise substitute black pepper

Gum bumelia substitute copal, pine resin or dragons blood

Hellebore substitute tobacco or nettle

Hemlock substitute Tobacco

Hemp substitute nutmeg or damiana

Henbone substitute Tobacco

Hyssop substitute lavender

Ivy substitute cinquefoil

Jasmin substitute rose

Juniper substitute pine

Lavender substitute rose

Lemon Grass substitute lemon peel

Lemon verbena substitute Lemon grass or lemon peel

Mace substitute nutmeg

Mandrake substitute Tobacco

Mastic substitute gum, gum Arabic or Frankincense

Mint substitute sage

Mistletoe substitute mint or sage

Mugwort substitute wormwood

Neroli oil substitute orange oil

Nightshade substitute Tobacco

Nutmeg substitute mace or cinnamon

Oakmoss substitute patchouli

Orange substitute tangerine peel

Orange flower substitute orange peel

Patchouli substitute oakmoss

Peppermint substitute spearmint

Pepperwort substitute grain of paradise or black pepper

Pine substitute juniper

Pine resin substitute frankincense or copal

Red Sandlewood substitute sandlewood with a pinch of dragons blood

Rose substitute yarrow

Rose geranium substitute rose

Rue substitute rosemary with a pinch of black pepper

Saffron substitute orange peel

Sandalwood substitute cedar

Sarsaparilla substitute sassafras

Spearmint substitute peppermint

Star Anise substitute bay

Sulfur substitute tobacco, club moss or asafetida

Thyme substitute rosemary

Tobacco substitute bay

Tonka bean substitute deer tongue

Trefoil substitute cinquefoil

Valerian substitute asafetide

Vanilla substitute woodruff or deer tongue

Vetivert substitute calamus

Wolfsbane substitute tobacco

Wood aloe substitute sandalwood sprinkled with ambergris oil

Woodruff substitute deer tongue or vanilla

Wormwood substitute nutmeg

Yarrow substitute rose

Yew substitute Tobacco

Within a few hours:

Wade: He's a 10 but he loves my insanity so he's a 1000.

Logan: He's a 10 but he belittles himself so he's a 0. Also, he'd have been lobotomised in 1938.

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.

Medium

Brevi: an Italian folk magic charm against the evil eye and how to make your own

Learn how to protect yourself and others from the evil eye with this Italian folk remedy.

I’m back with more European folk magic! This time we’re diving into Italian folk magic practices. This isn’t a comprehensive look at Italian magic (though if you’re interested in an overview I’d be happy to write one) rather it’s a close look at a particular protective charm from southern Italy. It’s a simple, yet effective charm with a long history. Everything is thoroughly researched through academic sources in anthropology, folklore, and first hand accounts. You can either click the link or read this post, either way I hope this is meaningful and educational for you🌛🌝🌜

Brevi: an Italian folk magic charm against the evil eye and how to make your own

Like many Mediterraneans, Italians are greatly concerned with the potential to be afflicted with the evil eye. Many of the folk magic practices performed by jana and benedettihealers are intended to divine the cause of the malocchio and rid it from those who come to them. Their craft has been passed down for generations and their services are highly respected. Like with other folk magic healers, most jana and benedetti do not consider themselves witches, instead they see themselves as “having the sign”, people chosen by god to help others. Clients come to them for a variety of needs both physical and spiritual. These healers perform divination rituals, locate lost objects, make love charms, and more — though mostly, they remedy the malocchio.

Remedies range from complex, lengthy multi-step rituals, to simple prayers and gestures. Whatever means a cunning person uses varies from region to region, though in Basilicata/ Lucania where my family comes from, the evil eye is typically cured and prevented with brevi. These are small black cloth pouches filled with various sacred herbs, protective amulets and stones, objects made of iron, images of saints, and Palm Sunday ashes. These bags are worn close to the skin, either around the neck, tucked into a bra, or in a wallet. Contact with the skin is considered to be an important part of this protective charm, depending on the region and advice of the healer. Though brevi are typically prepared and empowered by the prayers of the healer, it is not uncommon for mothers to make them for their children.

What goes into the brevi bag is highly subjective and personal, though there are commonalities in their contents from state to state. Medals of the Madonna, a small cross or charm, and rosemary are common in most places. There are more specific additions such as the cimaruta, the cornicello, the mano cornuta and mano fica, or pieces of coral. The cimaruta is a popular Neopolitan talisman typically worn around the neck or hung above an infant’s bed. Made of silver, the cimaruta is meant to resemble a sprig of rue, one of the most sacred herbs. Each of the 3 rue branches blossom into protective magical symbols. These include, but are not limited to: a crescent moon, the sun, a heart shaped key, a sacred heart, a fish, or a rooster.

Charm available: on Etsy White Peach Cottage.

[Image description: A typical silver cimaruta charm. Made to resemble a sprig of rue, the branches end in protective symbols. This particular pendant features a cross, a crescent moon, a sacred heart, and a rooster.]

Along with medals of saints, the cornicello, mano cornuta and mano fica can be added to brevi bags. The corno is a popular Southern Italian amulet, symbolic of a ram or bull’s horn. It signifies virility and strength, projecting a masculine energy. These charms are typically made of silver, gold, or coral, all are considered significant sacred materials. The red coral is reminiscent of blood and vitality, bringing luck to the wearer and silver has long been used as a protective measure against evil spirits. The cornicello is typically worn by men. Mano charms have ancient origins — dating back to the Etruscans. Mano fica, the fig hand, is associated with femininity and is thought to have the power to oppose the evil eye. The mano cornuta, the horned hand, has similar roots and meanings to the cornicello, and if done as a physical gesture, it can reflect the malocchio back to whoever cast it. 

In addition to the medals, several sacred herbs are utilized. Many of the herbs are associated with Saint John or the Virgin Mary, though if you are a secular witch like me or worship pagan pantheons, you can forgo the Catholic aspects of this charm. Many of the herbs have ancient associations dating back to the classical Roman period, making their meanings highly adaptable. The Romans associated various herbs with Diana (Artemis), Juno (Hera), and Phoebus (Apollo). So it is not difficult to transcribe the correspondences.

The primary herb used in brevi bags is rue. Rue is sometimes referred to as “the herb of grace” and has long been used in blessing water and exorcisms. Rosemary protects against negativity and is used in cleansing rituals. Roses symbolize the divine love of the Madonna and evoke healing energies. Lavender has a long history in Italy of being a prophylactic against evil, with evidence dating back to ancient Rome. Mugwort is associated with witchcraft and magic, mostly in connection with Artemis/ Diana and the moon. Some brevi contain chili pepper seeds — the fruit itself resembles the cornicello, carrying a similar meaning. The seeds are associated with protecting and warding.

Once the charms and herbs are chosen and brevi are assembled, cunning folk recite prayers and bless the charm. They recite common Catholic prayers 3 times and typically perform these blessings on holy days and Saint feasts such as notte di san Giovanni — St. John’s eve, and Christmas eve. St. John’s eve takes place around the same time as the summer solstice and the celebrations across Europe still have elements that resemble pagan celebrations such as the Roman Vestalia festival. Some healers do not pray over the bag, rather they recite poetry that evokes their intent. The process of making brevi is highly personalized to each healer and region.

[Image description: author’s personal brevi elements. They include a black sachet, rosemary, mugwort, rose petals, lavender, red clover, obsidian and a white gold cornicello.]

I have adopted and adapted making and carrying a brevi bag into my own practice. It gives me a sense of deeper connection with my ancestors, especially since brevi are a popular folk remedy in the region we come from. In my own brevi rituals I include herbs that are personally meaningful to me with magical correspondences that resonate with my intent. I typically use rosemary, mugwort, rose petals, lavender, and local red clover. Harvesting and foraging some of the herbs brings me closer to nature and makes the bag that much more meaningful. I also include a shard of obsidian which is a powerful warding stone. I like to think its reflective nature is aiming the evil eye back to whoever or whatever is aiming negative intent towards me. I put a family heirloom in my bag as well —  my great grandfather’s cornicello, passed down from my father to me. It gives me a sense that my ancestors are protecting me. I write my own personal incantations for my brevi, typically poems or prayers to nature spirits. Finally, I charge it every full moon, imbuing it with magical energy and replace the herbs every so often to keep its power.

Crafting charms and spells can be highly personal and meaningful. Creating your own brevi bag can invite in positive energies, bolster spiritual defenses, and connect you to a long history of spiritual healing. Brevi bags are a low effort, simple way of practicing magic, making them highly accessible. I hope you found this interesting and perhaps you’ll choose to incorporate brevi bags into your magical workings.

(sources available at the end of linked article)

“god you’re so climbable” “what ever happened between you and jean?”

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Imbolc Spread

Here is a simple four card spread that you can do to welcome the changing of seasons!

Imbolc marks the halfway point between winter and summer, and is the perfect time to prepare for the coming spring. Read more about Imbolc here.

Past: What can you learn from the past season? Winter can be rough for some people, maybe you were put through the wringer this past season too. What is something you can glean from this experience so that you can learn from this?

Present: What energy do you need to bring into this next season? It’s important to learn from the past and plan for the future, but make sure you are able to stay present and grounded even as the weather is bleak. So, what energy should you bring with you into this changing of seasons that can help you to learn, prepare, and pursue what you need to?

Prepare: Anything you would need to prepare for this coming season? This is the time of the year that farmers and gardeners start to prep their lands and plant their seeds for the spring; what is something you can prepare for that you will need to grow or nurture in the springtime?

Pursue: What is something you need to pursue during this time? This could be a goal that you set earlier this year but you have yet to follow through on, is this something you could be pursuing now, during this halfway between winter and spring?

I haven't done this exact spread yet, I plan to do it the day of Imbolc. I'll share my experience with it if I feel like it's ok to share :)

Let me know if you try out this spread, I would love to know how you feel about it!!!

Quelques Lagerthas sont encore disponibles en ligne 🙂 Chrysocolle, Labradorite, Lapis-lazuli et Péristérite ! Je suis pas mal occupée en ce moment avec la mise en place des ateliers, le 1er de la saison a lieu ce soir 😁 Toutes les places sont prises, mais je peux faire un second groupe. N'hésitez pas à m'envoyer un message si cela vous intéresse. Au programme : 2 séances de 3h de Micro-macramé et la conception d'un bracelet et d'une paire de boucles d'oreilles. Du coup, plus beaucoup de temps pour la création, voilà plus d'une semaine que je travaille sur un gros plastron avec 3 pierres sans avoir le temps de le finaliser …. la semaine prochaine, je refais des boucles d'oreilles rondes comme les dernières que jai posté et surtout je me mets sur une somptueuse commande personnalisée d'une parure Agate dendritique et Péristérite 💙 Je vous posterai aussi des photos des ateliers, en attendant, allez faire un tour sur le shop Etsy, pleins d'articles vous y attendent. J'envoie toujours dans les 48h vos commandes … ce matin, un collier est parti pour le Canada 🍁 Merci à vous tous pour votre confiance 🌱 . . . . . . . #macrame #micromacramejewelry #macramenecklace #witchstyle #frenchfashion #bohemia #bohomacrame #moonwitch #goddessjewelry #alternativefashion #altgirl #bohojewelry #macramejewelry #stonejewelry #micromacrame #macramelover #vintagejewellery #vintage #torque #hippiestyle #gypsystyle #stonenecklace #witchjewelry #witchcraft #bijou #bijouxcreateur #hautecouture #besançon #franchecomte #mmejeannette (à Franche-Comte, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGH1V_DHh8D/?igshid=1t03ugiftkhcy

𝕮𝖑𝖊𝖆𝖓𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖈𝖗𝖞𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖘

🌿𝐒𝐌𝐎𝐊𝐄 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆. “Smudge” sticks can be made of many different herbs. I recommend using white sage sticks. Light it and wave it gently in the air, encouraging the smoke to spill over the crystals. This action is smoke cleansing, not to be confused with smudging.

🌿𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄. Like with smoke cleansing, the smoke created from lighting the incense is wonderful depending on the scent and infusion of the sticks to spill over crystals. For incense I can recommend frankincense and myrrh, or any cleansing mixes.

🌿𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑. You can use salt water from the ocean or simply put salt in a bowl of water. Hold your crystals so that they are immersed in the water. It’ll cleanse the energy from the stones. Be sure to clean your crystals using clean water afterwards. Some crystals can not be placed in water because they are too soft, or brittle. Water can cause some stones to fracture and break, or even dissolve! Be sure to look up your crystal and what cleansing is best for it.

🌿𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍. Sit comfortably in a quiet room or a place of your choosing. Hold your crystals in your hand and close your eyes, allowing the silence and serenity to envelope you. Visualise your crystals in front of you. Picture a wave washing all the negative energy trapped inside the crystals away. Do this until you intuitively feel that they have been cleansed.

🌿𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓. This is the easiest method of cleansing, and safe for all crystals. Also, The full moon can act as a reminder for you that your crystals need cleansing. Simply wait for the full moon and place your crystals outside so that they are surrounded by the moon’s gentle energy. If you don’t have an outdoor area that is safe for your crystals to be placed, a windowsill will work too. It does not matter if your window does not face the moon. The moon’s energy will still be present. Then bring them back inside in the morning.