My Altar Is Ready For Imbolc!

A Practical Guide to Herbology

Lesson Three: Soothing Salves

Salves are a simple yet effective way of applying the medicinal qualities of herbs. They’re the consistency of a cream at room temperature and portable for on-the-go topical application. By combining various herbal-infused oils, an individual can address a variety of ailments, from arthritis to asthma. Each salve can be customized to the individual to treat a specific illness or can be general all-heal tool in your first aid kit. 

Base Ingredients

Herbal-infused Oils

To craft a salve, you must start with herbal-infused oils as your primary base. For this, there are two components: your choice of herb(s) and your choice of carrier oil(s). Some commonly used carrier oils are olive, grapeseed, almond and safflower. 

At the end of this post, there will be an overview of common herbs and carrier oils so that you can make an educated decision when crafting your herbal-infused oils.

Here are two basic methods of infusion:

Solar Method (Folk Method)

Take a sterilized jar and fill ⅓ to ½ of it with your choice of dried herbs.

Cover with your carrier oil. Add around 500 IUs of vitamin E oil for every 8 oz. of carrier oil to prolong shelf life.

Cap the jar tightly and place in a sunny space - either outdoors or indoors. Shake it daily.

Allow the mixture to infuse for 2 to 3 weeks, or until the oil takes on the colour or aroma of the herb within. 

Once the oil is ready, strain using a cheesecloth and bottle into a tinted sterilized jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Slow Cooker or Stove top (Fast Method)

Place your choice of dried herbs in your slow cooker or pot and cover with your carrier oil. Add around 500 IUs of vitamin E oil for every 8 oz. of carrier oil to prolong shelf life.

Gently heat the herbs on very low heat (100 - 140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1 - 5 hours until the oil takes on the colour and scent of the herb. You can cook it for longer at 100 F if you would like.

Turn off heat and allow to cool. Once the oil is ready, strain using a cheesecloth and bottle into a tinted sterilized jar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Do not use fresh herbs when crafting herbal-infused oils. They contain moisture and promote the growth of mold, especially if infused via solar method.

Wax

Waxes are frequently used in making cosmetics, body care products and salves: they help to bind and emulsify ointments and lotions. They also function as a natural hydrating ingredient and alleviate itching for those with sensitive skin.

The most commonly-used wax for crafting salves is beeswax; however, vegans and those with allergies can utilize carnauba wax which is sourced from the leaves of a Brazilian palm tree.

Method

Once the herbal-infused oils are prepared, the process of making a salve only takes a few minutes. Here are the steps involved in the process:

On low to medium heat, warm the herbal-infused oil(s) in the top of a double boiler or in a small saucepan. 

Add the wax. Once the wax has melted, remove from heat.

If any, stir in any additional ingredients of your choice, such as essential oils.

Pour into your designated container(s).

Recipes

Soothing lip salve

3 tbsp beeswax

3 tbsp aloe vera gel

2 tbsp oil of choice

8 drops essential oil of choice (optional)

Salve for minor scrapes, bites and burns

1 ½ cups comfrey-infused oil

1 ½ tbsp coconut oil

¼ cup (55g) beeswax

Healing salve

1 quart (1 litre) of oil infused with equal parts St. John’s wort, comfrey, peppermint and lavender

¼ cup (55g) beeswax

Salve for backaches

1 cup ginger- and peppermint-infused oil

2 tbsp (22g) beeswax

First aid salve

1 cup St. John’s wort-infused oil

2 tbsp (22g) beeswax

Salve for rheumatoid arthritis

1 cup ginger- and licorice root-infused oil

2 tbsp (22g) beeswax

Common Carrier Oils

Almond oil, sweet: A fantastic carrier oil that contains fatty acids and vitamins A and E. It’s an effective emollient for moisturizing both skin and hair and is easily absorbed by skin.

Argan oil: This is a staple in moisturizing skin and hair care products. Argan oil contains tocopherols, phenols, carotenes, squaline and fatty acids - it’s a truly luxurious oil.

Evening primrose oil: Prized for its health and cosmetic benefits.

Grapeseed oil: A common base for many creams and lotions - it’s the go-to carrier oil since it’s especially useful for skin types that do not absorb oils well and does not leave a greasy feeling.

Olive oil: The most commonly-used oil in cosmetics and hair care.

Safflower oil: A highly-moisturizing oil that soothes troubled skin. 

Common Herbs for Health and Wellness

Aloe Vera: Excellent for treating burns, cuts and scrapes.

Arnica Montana: These flowers offer strong anti-inflammatory properties. (Do not use in open or bleeding wounds. Long-term use can cause skin irritation.)

Black Cohosh: Offers anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits. (Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Can cause gastric discomfort in some individuals.)

Blue Vervain: Relaxes the nervous system and offers reliable pain relief for rheumatism, joint pain and neuralgia. (Do not use during pregnancy.)

Chamomile: Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. (Do not use if on blood thinners or if allergic to ragweed.)

Chickweed: Wonderful for making soothing poultices to treat rashes, skin irritations, minor burns and itching.

Comfrey: Alleviates pain and inflammation; works well on cuts, scrapes, insect bites, burns and rashes. (Do not use on children.)

Echinacea: Antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral. (Do not use if you have tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, autoimmune diseases, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or if you are allergic to ragweed.)

Ginkgo Biloba: Natural antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and great for treating allergies and asthma. (Do not use if you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), or blood thinners.)

Goldenseal: Antiviral, antibacterial and excellent for dealing with minor cuts and wounds, sinus infections, respiratory congestion, sore throats and more! (Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have high blood pressure.)

Mullein: Great for first-aid treatment of minor wounds, burns and insect bites.

Plantain: Antimicrobial, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory; great for treating wounds, insect bites and minor aches and pains.

Sage: An excellent remedy for colds and fevers, hot flashes, painful or heavy periods, rashes and sore throats.

St. John’s wort: A strong antiviral; treats arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle aches and sciatica. (Do not use if you take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).)

Witch Hazel: An effective remedy for acne, cuts and scrapes, insect bites, minor burns and sunburns.

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Images are under the Creative Commons License.

Information published is from my personal grimoire and has been accumulated over the years through a variety of books and resources while residing in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Cuba and Canada.

For more information regarding salves and recipes, feel free to visit Hello Glow, Wellness Mama, The Herbal Academy and Monterey Bay Spice Company.

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𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐬-𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬: 𝐋𝐮𝐬𝐭, 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭

The First Touch: Where Desire Is Born

When Venus meets Mars in the soul, nothing stays innocent. This is where attraction becomes a hunt, where courtship is a ritual of blood, and where love doesn’t just want to be held—it wants to be devoured. These people don’t fall for others; they pursue, summon, and seduce like it’s second nature. Their affection is always dressed in tension. Even when they laugh, you feel the undercurrent of something primal, something that’s watching you—and planning what to do with you.

Their magnetism? It doesn’t ask for consent. It just walks into the room and owns it.

The Need to Take—and Be Taken

Love, to Venus-Mars people, is about mutual surrender disguised as dominance. The game of push and pull is sacred to them. Venus wants to be adored, touched, praised, while Mars wants to grab, own, and conquer. Together, they script a dance where sex becomes language, and intimacy becomes a battlefield.

If they’re not mentally fucking you while talking about mundane things, they’re not interested. And if you’re not craving them, needing them, dreaming about them—you’re already dead to them.

Chemistry That Breaks You

They don’t do casual. Even their one-night stands come with a spiritual hangover. Venus-Mars people ignite in ways that make the other person feel reborn and ruined at the same time. Their sex isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about possession. They want to hear you scream. They want to see your soul in your eyes. They want you wrecked, crying, and asking for more—and you will.

Because once you’ve had someone like this, everyone else tastes like dust.

Conflict as Foreplay

The arguments are erotic. The tension is addictive. They love hard because they fight hard. And somewhere in the middle of that verbal war, they’re already unzipping your soul. These lovers don’t back down. They test you. They want to know if you’ll stand your ground. If you do, they’ll fall deeper. If you don’t? They’ll punish you with distance, with indifference—and with the knowledge that you were almost enough.

The Eyes That Undress You

You’ll know them by their gaze. The kind that lingers a little too long. The kind that makes you feel exposed, like they can see through every lie you tell yourself. Their presence is a slow burn—they touch you without touching you, set your skin on fire just by existing too close. And once they want you? You’ll never be the same.

They Crave the Chaos

They don’t want peace. Not really. They want the passion that comes after the explosion. They want to fuck you on the floor after a fight, fingers digging into skin like claws, mouths pressed so hard it bruises. They want scars and bruises and proof that this isn’t some sanitized fantasy. Love, for them, has to be real. And real means ugly, messy, earth-shattering.

Beauty, Rewritten Through Violence

Venus-Mars people are artists of desire. They don’t just love you—they sculpt you. Mold you. Change you. And you’ll let them. Because their love feels like purpose. Like worship. Like you were made for them. Their beauty is never soft—it’s dangerous, carnal, and intoxicating. They’re the flame you know will burn you—and you walk into it anyway.

Final Word: They Are the Obsession

You don’t recover from a Venus-Mars person. You just learn how to live with the fact that you were once completely owned. And if they loved you—if they really loved you—you will feel it every time someone else tries to touch you. You’ll remember the look in their eyes. The way they gripped your waist. The way they whispered things that made your entire nervous system collapse.

And you’ll ache.

Because you know you’ll never have that again.

© PhoenixRisingAstro, 2025. All rights reserved

Grimoire/BOS Ideas

I see so many posts asking about tips and tricks or just what you put in a BOS/Grimoire so I decided that it was time to give some ideas as to what you may include in your own.

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To begin we will start with what will be used as your bos/Grimoire.

My Grimoire is actually made from an old chapter book. I like to think I am clever so I took my old book “War of the Witches” and turned that into my grimoire. I just paint, paste, color or draw over top of the pages I have even added in extra pages, envelopes and other secret tricks into it and it adds an aesthetically pleasing touch to my book.

You can also use a notebook, sketchbook, scrapbook or create your own. The best part about this whole project is it’s completely up to you how you approach it. There are lots of BOS/Grimoire walkthroughs on YouTube that can be beneficial to you.

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Now onto the ideas. There are lots of things you can include but these are some that I personally have in mine. Everybody’s walk, and path is different, so keep that in mind as you design your special book.

📚Your rules as a witch. This can be something as simple as a sentence to a whole set of rules that you can set for yourself.

📚Your Natal chart and the moon phase you were born on. Researching my day of birth has helped me gain understanding of myself a little better.

📚The pentacle and directional/ element points.

📚A book blessing. I didn’t do an entire ritual or anything but I did put a dedication and blessing into my book

📚Spirit companion dedication pages. I have a few pages dedicated to my spirit companion. It includes a tarot interview from when we first met, a picture I drew of her, some basic info on her appearance and what she likes.

📚Correspondences. I have a bunch of pages that include incense, crystal, animal, etc.. correspondences that I can refer back to where needed. I kept all of mine together with room to grow but it can be spread out.

📚Deity dedications. I personally don’t work with any deities but if I did I would use a dedication page to not only bond with them but have information for your own use about them as well.

📚A dream recorder. This may take up a lot of space if you’re regularly logging your dreams but I put an envelope in mine for certain dreams that I want to decipher more. Along with a small dream interpretation page that I created with my own interpretations.

📚astral travel info and what helps you cross into the astral. I drew a door that I envision and can open to cross over into the astral.

📚A travel altar. I drew one into my Grimoire that matches my set up at home. That way I can use it on the go.

📚The Moon Phases

📚The wheel of the year (if you celebrate the holidays)

📚Your favorite Tumblr blogs or YouTube channels to get witchy info from

📚Rituals that you created

📚Spells that you created

📚The theban alphabet. Or any other alphabet that you choose to.

📚 A section for divination. (Tarot, Scrying, tunes etc…)

📚A removable page that has the moon phases and events for the year

📚Flora that grows on your area that you work with or just want to know more about

📚Quotes that keep you witching. Sometimes motivation can be less than abundant. It’s always nice to have some extra laying around

📚 A map of all the witchy getaways near you

📚How to make a witches bottle

📚Talking board. I have one that I made but don’t actually use. It’s more of an art piece really.

📚Create a witchy playlist and write it down

📚Detailed pages in the sabbats

📚A page dedicated to your lineage and ancestors.

Those are just a few. I will add to the list as I go. Remember that this is your craft and your journey. I suggest having a draft BOS if you are a beginner. I didn’t like the first way I had mine. It’s up to you how you design, how you learn and what information you choose to learn.

I will end this by saying don’t just put info in there to fill up your book that you won’t use. It’s no sense creating a guidebook that you can’t or won’t use. Only put the info in that you know or plan to use in the future.

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Floriography

Victorian-origin flower meanings were conceived as a code, but can also be used for correspondences. 

This table from a Smithsonian PDF has several common breeds and sentiments as a shorthand, but here are some lengthier resources:

Language of Flowers website (includes seasonal information)

List with a couple household herbs

Book scan from the early 1900s

Long archived list with sexy obscure flowers

Floriography’s most intuitive use is for love spells. Put yarrow in a stave-off-heartbreak talisman, leave a couple violets in a vase on your altar, whatever. However, by the time you get to something like white chrysanthemums (truth), there’s all kinds of divining and revelatory “show yourself” work you can do. 

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Read more on Jewitches.com

Gentle Witchcraft

Just a collection of witchy things that give off a gentle, loving energy without being focused on self love or romantic love specifically <3

It’s the little things:

Gentle little witch things to do

Witchy blessings

I AM… spells

Witch’s morning routine

Glamours:

Glow like the moon

Shine like the sun

To radiate a loving aura

Spells:

To attract kindness

Soft shores bath spell

Quartz wellness bath

Here comes the sun

My love soothes you pet spell

Dandelion wish spell

Restful sleep and sweet dreams

Rose water spells

Room healing spell

Ease the pain

Tarot spreads:

Good morning!

Reduce anxiety 

The new you

Let go and grow

Sigils:

Shimmer and shine

Radical softness

To promote peaceful feelings

Inner peace

I will make it through this

I am comfortable in my own skin

Marisol’s Magickal PDF Library Master Post- FIXED!

Ok, kiddies.  Several of you have seen my post about the various resources and books I have in my Pagan/Witchcraft/Magick library and have asked “Where can I download the PDFs from?”

Well, now that things have calmed down a bit…Here it is!  This post will always be growing as I find more PDF books. I did my best to organize them according to category.

Happy reading, loves :)

PS- Please message me if links are wrong or broken!

Book of Shadows/Grimoires

The Azoetia: A Grimoire of the Sabbatic Craft by Andrew Chumbley*

Cunningham’s Book of Shadows: The Path of an American Traditionalist by Scott Cunningham*

The Pop Culture Grimoire: A Pop Culture Magic Anthology by Taylor Ellwood*

The Gardnerian Book of Shadows by Gerald Gardner*

A Grimoire for Modern Cunningfolk: A Practical Guide to Witchcraft on the Crooked Path by Peter Paddon*

Witch’s Master Grimoire by Lady Sabrina*

The Complete Uncut Book of Shadows by Riders of the Crystal Wind*

The Alexandrian Book of Shadows by Sekhet Sophia*

Crowley/Thelema

The Book of the Law by Aleister Crowley*

The Book of Lies by Aleister Crowley*

The Book of Thoth by Aleister Crowley*

Book 4 by Aleister Crowley, Frater Perdurabo, and Soror Vira*

Book 4 Part 1: Meditation by Aleister Crowley*

The Confessions of Aleister Crowley by Aleister Crowley*

Diary of a Drug Fiend by Aleister Crowley*

Duty by Aleister Crowley*

Eight Lectures on Yoga by Aleister Crowley*

The Equinox by Aleister Crowley*

The Equinox of the Gods by Aleister Crowley*

Goetia of Solomon the King by Aleister Crowley*

Household Gods by Aleister Crowley*

Invocation of Hecate by Aleister Crowley*

Liber CVI (Book 106): Concerning Death by Aleister Crowley*

Liber 777 and Other Qabalistic Writings of Aleister Crowley by Aleister Crowley*

Liber LXXXIV vel Chanokh by Aleister Crowley*

Little Essays Towards Truth by Aleister Crowley*

Magick in Theory and Practice by Aleister Crowley*

Magick Without Tears by Aleister Crowley*

Moonchild by Aleister Crowley*

The Necronomicon: The Call of Cthulhu by unknown

Olla by Aleister Crowley*

The Tao The King by Aleister Crowley*

Thoth Tarot Deck by Aleister Crowley*

The Vision & the Voice With Commentary and Other Papers: The Collected Diaries of Aleister Crowley by Aleister Crowley, Victor B Neuburg and Mary Desti*

Godwin’s Cabalistic Encyclopedia:  A Complete Guide to Cabalistic Magic by David Godwin*

Abrahadabra: Understanding Aleister Crowley’s Thelemic Magic by Rodney Orpheus and Lon Milo Duquette*

Crystals/Gems

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham*

Dunwich’s Guide to Gemstone Sorcery: Using Stones for Spells, Amulets, Rituals and Divination by Gerina Durwich*

Divination/Psychic Ability

Opening of the Third Eye by Douglas Baker*

Shadow Work Guidebook by Jessica Cross*

Divination for Beginners: Reading the Past, Present, and Future by Scott Cunningham*

The Art of the Pendulum by Cassandra Eason*

The Complete Guide to Psychic Development by Cassandra Eason*

Spiritual Power by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee*

Gods and Goddesses

Dictionary of the Gods and Goddesses by Michael Jordan*

Encountering Kali: In the Margins, At the Center, IN the West by Rachel Fell McDermott and Jeffrey Kripal*

Singing to the Goddess: Poems to Kali and Uma from Bengal by Rachel Fell McDermott*

The Magic of Kali: Inner Secrets of a Tantrik Goddess by Michael Magee*

Goddesses and the Divine: A Western Religious History by Rosemary Radford Ruether*

Herb/Nature Magick

Treaties on Occult Medicine & Practical Magic by Samael Aun Weor*

The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews by Scott Cunningham*

Earth, Air, Fire & Water: More Techniques of Natural Magic by Scott Cunningham*

Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic by Scott Cunningham*

The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham*

Herbal Magick; A Witch’s Guide to Herbal Enchantment, Folklore, and Divination by Gerina Dunwich*

Sea Priestess by Dion Fortune*

A Witch Alone, New Edition: Thirteen Moons to Master Natural Magic by Marian Green*

Earth Divination: A Practice Guide to Geomancy by John Michael Greer*

The Herbal Alchemist’s Handbook by Karen Harrison*

The Weiser Concise Guide to Herbal Magick by Judith Hawkins-Tillirson*

The Element Encyclopedia of 1,000 Spells by Judika Illes*

The Element Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes*

The Magical and Ritual Use of Herbs by Richard Allen Miller*

Incense Crafting and Use of Magickal Sense by Carl F. Neal*

The Extremely Large Herbal Grimoire by Que Sage and Midnight Mindi*

Gardening with the Goddess: Creating Gardens of Spirit and Magick by Patricia Telesco*

The Folk-Lore of Plants by T. F. Thiselton- Dyer*

Natural Magic by Doreen Valiente*

Herbs in Magic and Alchemy: Techniques from Ancient Herbal Lore by C. L. Zalewski*

Historical/Classic Reference

Paganism Surviving in Christianity by Abram Herbert Lewis*

The God of Witches by Margaret Alice Murray*

The Malleus Maleficarum of Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger by Heinrich Kramer, James Sprenger and Montague Summers*

Aradia or Gospel of the Witches by Charles G. LeLand*

Persephone’s Quest: Entheogens and the Origins of Religion by R. Gordon Wasson, Stella Kramrisch, Dr. Carl Ruck, and Jonathan Ott*

Household/Kitchen Witchcraft

The Magical Household: Spells & Rituals for the Home by Scott Cunningham & David Harrington*

Spell Crafts: Creating Magical Objects by Scott Cunningham and David Harrington*

Magick

Advanced Candle Magick by Raymond Buckland*

A Little Book of Altar Magic by D.J. Conway*

Creating Magical Entities by David Michael Cunningham*

Candle Power: Using Candle Light for Ritual, Magic, and Self- Discovery by Cassandra Eason* 

The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy by Rosemary Ellen Guiley*

Meta- Magick: The Book of ATEM- Achieving New States of Consciousness through NLP, Neuroscience, and Ritual by Philip Farber*

Fire and Ice: The History, Structure, and Rituals of Germany’s Most Influential Modern Magical Order: The Brotherhood of Saturn by Stephen Flowers, PhD.*  

Applied Magic by Dion Fortune*

An Introduction to Ritual Magic by Dion Fortune and Gareth Knight*

High Magic’s Aid by Gerald B. Gardner*

Circles of Power: Ritual Magic in the Western Tradition by John Michael Greer*

Learning Ritual Magic: Fundamental Theory and Practice for the Solitary Apprentice by John Michael Greer, Earl, Jr. King, Clare Vaughn*

E-Witch: Teachings of Magical Mastery by Deborah Gray*

Magic When You Need It by Judika Illes*

Pure Magic by Judika Illes*

The Basics of Magick by Amber K. *

True Magic: A Beginner’s Guide by Amber K.*

Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts, Second Edition by Donald Michael Kraig*

Protection and Reversal Magick by Jason Miller*

The Secrets of High Magic: Vintage Edition: Practical Instruction in the Occult Traditions of High Magic, Including Tree of Life, Astrology, Tarot, Rituals, Alchemic Processes, and Further Advanced Techniques by Francis Melville*

The Mystic Foundation: Understanding & Exploring The Magical Universe by Christopher Penczak*

The Book of Solomon’s Magick by Carroll Runyon*

A Week of Magic by the Sea Witch*

Tactical Magick by Seth*

An Enchanted Life: An Adept’s Guide to Masterful Magic by Patricia Telesco*

Enocian Magic for Beginners: The Original System of Angel Magic by Donald Tyson*

New Millennium Magick: A Complete System of Self- Realization by Donald Tyson*

Magician’s Workbook: Practicing the Rituals of the Western Tradition by Donald Tyson*

Not in Kansas Anymore: Dark Arts, Sex Spells, Money Magic, and Other Things Your Neighbors Aren’t Telling You by Christine Wicker*

Occult

Three Books on Occult Philosophy by Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa*

A Manual of Occultism by Sepharial*

Shamanism

Walking Between the Worlds: The Science of Compassion by Gregg Braden*

Psychedelic Shamanism: The Cultivation, Preparation, and Shamanic Use of Psychotropic Plants by Jim DeKorne*

Hallucinogens and Shamanism by Michael Harner*

Shamans/Neo-Shamans: Ecstasies, Alterative Archaeologies and Contemporary Pagan by Robert Willis*

In the Shadow of the Shaman: Connecting with Self, Nature & Spirit by Amber Wolfe*

Spellwork

The Ultimate Book of Spells: A Complete Guide to Using Magic to Improve Your Life and the World Around You by Pamela Ball*

Exploring Spellcraft: How to Create and Cast Effective Spells by Gerina Dunwich*

Spells For The Solitary Witch by Eileen Holland*

The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Spells: 88 Incantations to Entice Love, Improve a Career, Increase Wealth, Restore Health, and Spread Peace by Michael Johnstone*

Witches’ Potions and Spells by Kathryn Paulsen*

The Cyber Spellbook: Magick In The Virutal World by Patricia Telesco and Sirona Knight*

Crone’s Book of Spells and Charms by Valerie Worth*

Symbols, Amulets, Sigils

Amulets and Magic by E.A. Budge*

A Dictionary of Symbols by J. E. Cirlot and Herbert Read*

Basic Sigil Magic by Philip Cooper*

Practical Sigil Magic: Creating Personal Symbols for Success by Frater U.:D.:*

Dictionary of Occult, Hermetic and Alchemical Sigils by Fred Gettings*

The Complete Book of Amulets & Talismans by Migene González-Wippler*

Runic Amulets and Magic Objects by Mindy MacLeod and Bernard Mees*

Symbols, Signs, and Spells by Lolita Perdurabo*

Secrets of Magical Seals: A Modern Grimoire of Amulets, Charms, Symbols and Talismans by Anna Riva*

The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems by William Thomas and Kate Pavitt*

The Power of the Word: The Secret Code of Creation by Donald Tyson*

Crone’s Book of Magical Words by Valerie Worth* 

Spirit/Otherbeing Work

Buckland’s Book of Spirit Communication by Raymond Buckland*

Witch’s Guide to Ghosts and the Supernatural by Gerina Dunwich*

Fabulous Creatures, Mythical Monsters, and Animal Power Symbols by Cassandra Eason*

Faery Magic: Spells, Potions, and Lore from the Earth Spirits by Sirona Knight*

Summoning Spirits: The Art of Magical Evocation by Konstantinos*

Faerie Way: A Healing Journey to Other Worlds by Hugh Mynne and George A. Russell*

The Necronomicon by Simon*

Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits: Shamanistic Visionary Traditions in Early Modern British Witchcraft and Magic by Emma Wilby*

Voodoo/Hoodoo/Root Work

Hoodoo, Voodoo, and Conjure: A Handbook by Jeffrey Anderson*

The Voodoo Doll Spellbook: A Compendium of Ancient and Contemporary Spells and Rituals by Denise Alvarado*

The Voodoo Hoodoo Spellbook by Denise Alvarado*

Voodoo Dolls in Magick and Ritual by Denise Alvarado*

The Candle and the Crossroads: A Book of Appalachian Conjure and Southern Root-Work by Orion Foxwood*

Charms, Spells, and Formulas : for the Making and Use of Gris Gris Bags, Herb Candles, Doll Magic, Incenses, Oils, and Powders by Ray T. Malbrough and Bill Fugate*

Waters of Return: The Aeonic Flow of Voodoo by Louis Martinie*

Sticks, Stones, Roots & Bones: Hoodoo, Mojo & Conjuring with Herbs by Stephanie Rose Bird*

The Super Voodoo Coursework by Unknown*

Wicca

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca In The Kitchen by Scott Cunningham*

Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham*

Witchcraft

Witchcraft: Theory and Practice by Ly de Angeles*

The Goddess Is in the Details: Wisdom for the Everyday Witch by Deborah Blake*

A Witch’s Dozen: 13 Practical Rituals for the Everyday Witch by Deborah Blake*

Witchcraft on a Shoestring: Practicing the Craft Without Breaking Your Budget by Deborah Blake*

Witchcraft: A Concise Guide Or Which Witch Is Which? by Isaac Bonewits*

Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland*

Witchcraft From The Inside: Origins of the Fastest Growing Religious Movement in America by Raymond Buckland*

Power of the Witch: The Earth, the Moon, and the Magical Path to Enlightenment by Laurie Cabot*

The Dark Side of the Moon - A Complete Course in Magic & Witchcraft by Basil Crouch*

Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic by Phyllis Curott*

Every Witch Way: Spells and Advice from Two Very Different Witches by Ellen Dugan and Tess Whitehurst*

A Practical Guide to Witchcraft and Magick Spells by Cassandra Eason*

Old World Witchcraft: Ancient Ways for Modern Days by Raven Grimassi*

The Witch’s Familiar: Spiritual Partnership for Successful Magic by Raven Grimassi*

The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft, and Wicca by Rosemary Ellen Guiley*

Progressive Witchcraft by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone*

The Meaning of Witchcraft by Gerald Gardner*

Mastering Witchcraft: A Practical Guide for Witches, Warlocks & Covens by Paul Huson*

Nocturnal Witchcraft: Magick After Dark by Konstantinos*

Witchcraft Today: An Encyclopedia of of Wiccan and Neopagan Traditions by James Lewis*

8 Sabbaths of Witchcraft by Mike Nichols*

The Gates of Witchcraft: Twelve Paths of Power, Trance and Gnosis by Christopher Penczak*

The Living Temple of Witchcraft, Volume 1: The Descent of the Goddess by Christopher Penczak*

The Living Temple of Witchcraft, Volume 2: The Journey of the God by Christopher Penczak*

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk*

The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft: Shadows, Spirits, and the Healing Journey by Christopher Penczak*

The Real Witch’s Handbook by Kate West*

World Pagan Practices

An Encyclopedia of Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology by James Hampton Belton*

Buckland’s Book of Saxon Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland*

The Book of the Dead: The Papyrus of Ani by E.A. Wallis Budge*

Egyptian Magic by E. A. Wallis Budge*

Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition by Edain McCoy*

The Practical Pagan Guide: Commonsense Guidelines for Modern Practicioners by Dana Eilers*

Practising the Witch’s Craft: Real Magic Under a Southern Sky by Douglas Ezzy*

Hermetic Magic:The Postmodern Magical Papyrus of Abaris by By Stephen Edred Flowers*

Mystical Qabalah by Dion Fortune*

The Book of the Holy Strega by Raven Grimassi*

By-Paths of Sicily by Eliza Putnam Heaton*

Germanic Spirituality by Bil Linzie*

The Religion of Ancient Egypt by W. M. Flinders Petrie*=

The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Rituals by Robert Ritner*

Asgard and the Gods: The Tales and Traditions of Our Northern Ancestors by Wilhelm Wägner and M. W. MacDowall*

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(Slightly in response to a post seen on @starlightomatic 's Tumblr, posted by @jewish-harrypotter)

Okay I know we always talk about Jewish Wizards on Chanukah lighting candles with magic but

How about doing it the traditional way.

How about that one family who’ve been magical since the dawn of magic. They’ve been there since the beginning, learned traditional magic at the knees of their fathers in Egypt and from within secret caves while hiding from the Romans. They’ve watched the building of Hogwarts and the rise and fall of dark wizards, been expelled from Samaria and France and England and throughout it all, they have carried their traditions on. 

How about one family that has been lighting the Chanukah candles the traditional way, with a flame struck by a piece of wood and a dot of phosphorus or flint, anything that will light the way their forefathers did it. Every once in a while, the youngest child will ask why they do it the “muggle way”, and then the oldest of the elders - the matriarch, usually - will set the child down on a couch with a blanket and will tell them the story of their ancestors. 

Or how about the young muggleborn witch or wizard. 

How about the young muggleborn who has never really felt as if they belonged in either place - too muggle for magic, too magic for muggle, too religious for this secular school, not religious enough for her ultra-orthodox relatives; a foot in each world but unstable no matter where their foot lands. 

How about the young muggleborn who takes comfort in the customs and traditions of her parents in a place where everything is new and kind of scary. How about the feeling of comfort that comes from doing something that both predates you and will outlive you. 

Yes, an incendio would do just fine. Yes, magic is the life they live and the air they breathe. 

But tradition runs in their veins alongside the stories of their ancestors.

Sometimes, the magic doesn’t feel quite right... But tradition? That is enough.

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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.

Knot magic and witches ladder