HONEY ALMOND CEREAL BARS FOR HAPPINESS

Mutha-f*in’ Mead Season!!!!!

I had to scrape frost off my car today. You know what that means?!

Gaddang right! MUTHA-F*IN’ MEAD SEASON!

There’s nothing like a topped-off mug of mead to cheer the heart and magically induce goodwill in your guests. I can personally attest to the lack of familial holiday drama this cup of godly deliciousness provides!

Time to stock up on muh mulling spices because mulled is the *ONLY* way to have mead. Get yo’ cookbooks out to take notes, I’m about to lay some kitchen witchery on you!

*~*~Mulled Mead Tips~*~*

 “Crock pots are the modern cauldron,” as my mum likes to say. They are perfect for keeping any hot drinks at optimal serving temperature. I recommend a “low” setting. If you’re in a pinch for time, using a saucepan is fine. If you do have to do this stove-top style, be sure to keep an eye on it as you do not want it to boil.

Of course, homemade mead is great if you can swing it. Unfortunately, we can’t all keep fermenting jugs in our closets. Store bought mead is fine (I like to use Chaucer’s brand). HOWEVER, thou shalt not use carbonated mead, neither shalt thou use any mead containing food dyes. And the number of dyes in thine mead shall be zero.

In the cauldron of your choosing, you will pour your mead (assume one 24-26 oz bottle for four moderate servings), and the following spices:

- 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks

- 1 Tbsp coarse ground allspice

- ½ Tbsp nutmeg

- 2-4 tsp fresh ginger (feel free to modify to your liking)

You may use a mulling filter bag or go without. 

If you are doing this on a stove-top, allow your winter potion to simmer for at around 15 minutes before adding a little extra honey and serving. Adding honey to the crockpot will require an extra stir, as you don’t want it to settle at the bottom before dissolving.

You can try adding fruit like orange slices, plums or apples. Have fun with it! 

Bright blessings upon you in the coming holiday season!

A Herbalist's Glossary: Herb Actions

This is a list of terms used when describing the way a particular herb affects the body. Herbals can be confusing to read sometimes so I’ve put everything in one place here 🌿

Abortifacient: induces abortion

Adaptogen: helps the body processes return to normal when stressed

Adjuvant: modifies the effect of another substance

Adrenergic: acts like adrenaline or describes how adrenalin affects the body

Alterative: restores the body’s functions to normal

Analgesic/Anodyne: a pain killer

Anthelmintic/Antihelmintic: destroys/repels/expels intestinal worms

Antibacterial: inhibits bacterial growth

Antibilious: helps the body to remove excess bile

Anticatarrhal: helps the body reduce excess mucous and phlegm

Anticholinergic: a cholinergic blocking agent

Anticoagulant: slows or prevents clotting of blood

Antidote: counteracts or neutralizes a poison

Antiemetic: reduces the feeling of nausea, can help to prevent vomiting

Anti-inflammatory: helps reduce inflammation

Antilithic: prevents formation and aids removal of stones in the urinary system

Antimicrobial: helps the body destroy or resist pathogenic micro-organisms

Antimitotic: prevents division of cells

Antineoplastic: inhibits or destroys tumours

Antioxidant: eliminates hydroxyl free radicals

Antipyretic: prevents or reduces fever

Antirheumatic: relieves or protects against rheumatism

Antiscorbutic: prevents or cures scurvy

Antisudorific: stops or reduces perspiration

Antiseptic: prevents growth of microorganisms

Antispasmodic: prevents/eases spasms or convulsions

Antitussive: reduces or relieves coughing

Aperiant: laxative

Aphrodisiac: stimulates the sex drive and sometimes sexual ability

Aromatic: an organic compound containing benzene, or, of herbs, having a fragrant/spicy smell

Astringent: contracts tissue and reduces the function of said tissue, affecting haemorrhages, secretions, diarrhoea, bleeding etc.

Bitter: herbs that promote the appetite

Cardioactive: affects the heart

Cardiotonic: increases function of heart muscle

Carminative: relieves flatulence and colic

Cathartic: purges the bowels

Cholagogue: stimulates the release of bile from the gall bladder, sometimes acts as a laxative

Choleretic: stimulates the production of bile in the liver

Counter-irritant: causes inflammation of the skin, used for temporary relief from deep irritations

Demulcent: soothes/protects inflamed or painful surfaces

Depurative: removes impurities from the blood

Diaphoretic: increases perspiration to aid the body in removing toxins

Diuretic: increases the flow of urine, aids in removing toxins via the urinary tract

Emetic: induces vomiting

Emmenagogue: stimulates and normalizes the menstrual flow

Emollient: used internally to ease inflammation or externally to soften skin

Escharotic: a substance that sloughs off dead skin, corrosive

Expectorant: helps the body to expel mucous

Febrifuge: prevents/reduces fevers

Galactogogue: increases or induces lactation

Hallucinogen: affects the senses, produces a wide range of reactions often including hallucinations

Hepatic: strengthens and tones the liver as well as stimulating the flow of bile

Hypnotic: induce sleeps

Hypotensive: lowers blood pressure

Laxative: promotes evacuation of the bowels

Lymphagogue: promotes/increases lymph flow

Miotic: contracts the pupils

Mydriatic: dilates the pupils

Narcotic: in small doses promotes sleep and reduces pain, but can cause poisoning with comas or convulsions

Nervine: strengthens the nervous system, eases anxiety and stress

Oxytocic: stimulates uterine contractions

Parasiticide: kills and removes parasites

Pectoral: used to treat respiratory complaints

Placebo: an inactive substance that is believed by the patient to be a cure

Prophylatic: prevents disease

Psychotropic: affects the mind

Purgative: produces very strong laxative effects and watery evacuations

Reagent: involved in a chemical reaction

Retardant: delays or slows down a chemical reactant

Rubefacient: stimulates circulation locally when applied to the skin

Sedative: calms the nervous system

Sialagogue: stimulates the secretion of saliva

Spasmolytic: relieves spasmodic pains

Sternutatory: causes sneezing

Stimulant: enlivens the physiological functions of the body

Stomachic: promotes digestion and strengthens the stomach

Styptic: stops bleeding by contracting the tissue

Sudorific: induces sweating

Tonic: strengthens and tones either specific organs or the whole body through nutritional stimulation

Vasoconstrictor: constricts blood vessels

Vasodilator: dilates blood vessels

Vermifuge: expels or destroys intestinal worms

Huginn and Muninn by benu-h

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Like everyone else, I experience healthy skepticism relating my religious practice. There is one thing, however, that never ceases to impress me and it’s when personal observations (or even more complex UPG) end up being attested and proven through research. Nothing is more validating than reading an academic essay and recognizing something you have experienced firsthand as a worshipper. 

🌞 Ideas for Litha 🌞

☀ Charge Sun Water ☀ Make a Sun Book ☀ Burn Incense ☀ Make a sachet with appropriate herbs ☀ Make Sun catchers ☀ Make a solar oven then…. ☀ Bake treats for the fairies ☀ Make/Buy a sundial ☀ Chart the sun’s movement through the sky by outlining your shadow in chalk throughout the day. (Great for kids) ☀ Do a drawing or painting ☀ Write a song, poem, or devotion ☀ Make sun tea ☀ Make a wreath for your front door ☀ Do red/yellow/gold candle magick ☀ Sun print fabric ☀ Watch a Midsummer night’s dream ☀ Paint a figurine gold for your altar ☀ Decorate special cups ☀ Dress in corresponding colors (bonus points for makeup magick) ☀ Cook up a Litha feast (grill to enjoy a fire if you can’t be at a bonfire) ☀ Try a new cocktail/mocktail ☀ Have a picnic outside in the sun ☀ Meditate on the energy of the sun/summer

These are just a few ideas I had and are going to try for Litha. Have fun and spend some time outside! As always, magick is all about intent.

💘Light and Love Witches!

The Harvest.

a tarot spread for lammas.

1. The Reaper.

What part of your life do you need to let go of?

2. The Crop.

Where in your life do you need to continue to grow?

3. The Harvest.

Where in your life can you expect to see a reward?

A Bit Bout Yule

Hey lovely witches, Yule is almost upon us so here are just a few things about Yule that I would consider useful for everyone

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Also known as Solstice Night, or the longest night of the year, the sun’s “rebirth” was celebrated with much joy. On this night, our ancestors celebrated the rebirth of the Oak King, the Sun King, the Giver of Life that warmed the frozen Earth. From this day forward, the days would become longer.

Symbols of Yule:

Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, christmas cactus.

Herbs of Yule:

Bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule:

Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb’s wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).

Incense of Yule:

Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Colors of Yule:

Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Stones of Yule:

Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.

Activities of Yule:

Caroling, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe

Best spells during Yule:

Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Deities of Yule:

Goddesses-Brighid, Isis, Demeter, Gaea, Diana, The Great Mother. Gods-Apollo, Ra, Odin, Lugh, The Oak King, The Horned One, The Green Man, The Divine Child, Mabon.

❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

Litha! June 21st

Hi everyone! Here are some very EASY ways to celebrate midsummer!

Open up the curtains and let some good sunlight cleanse your room.

Open up the window.

Clean cobwebs from the ceiling and other places.

Go on a picnic!

Eat some berries.

Pick flowers.

Light a candle that reminds you of summer or of the sun.

Wear a floral print.

Make a honey and sugar face scrub.

Make a flower crown.

Garden, or water your plants.

Just sit in the sun, relax for once and soak in new beginnings :) -Freya