Witchy Things To Do During This New Moon In Gemini (tonight Through The Next 24-48 Hours) 💁🕯🔮⛥👭🌚♊

DIY: Brews and Potions

Witches standing over an open fire while stirring up potions in a cauldron is one of the many romanticized views of witchcraft. Today, witches brew many things for love, luck, health, wealth, and etc. Potions are a widely regarded instrument for witches. Potions are simply liquid spells that can be taken internally or applied externally to the body. Teas, enchanted perfumes, tinctures, and washes are the many forms these spells can come in. Some are used for healing, others are used in ritual or magickal work. 

Kitchen Herbs and Common plants for Brews

Back in the day, homemade teas and salves were the only medicine available. Using these things today is still very popular and a holistic approach to health that treats the mind, body, and soul together. What you use does not have to be expensive, it can come from your back yard or your home. Many of what you already have you can use to make tinctures, teas, and decoctions. Also, syrups, tonics, waters, and vinegars. If you work with the herbs you have at home already on hand, you will be able to create your own remedy with a distinct local flavor. 

The Power Behind the Plants

It is believed that many spiritual forces animate the world; called animism. When working with a plant or crystal, or performing a spell or ritual at a specific place, witches work with the spirits behind those plants or crystals, and call upon the spirit of that location to help them in their work. There is a special partnership and alliance between the witch and spirit, manifesting in forms of animals (familiars) or in the form of other plants, crystals, and locations. Over time, working with these spirits on various projects will deepen the relationship and the witch will gain information on magical associations, properties, and lore. These things often come through dreams, inspirations, or visions. The spirit will gain energy, attention, and physical shelter as animals or plants or crystals carried as a talisman. 

Teas and Decoctions for Health

Using teas and decoctions (herb-and-water remedies in the form of conceited potions that your drink) is a very easy homeopathic way to get started. They are made with dried or fresh herbs, roots, or flowers infused in hot water. Cold infusions is used for tinctures, where the herbal properties are absorbed and released into liquids over time. 

Decoction Method

For plants woody and seedy such as root and bark, use this method

Once the plant parts are boiled, place on a low heat and set to simmer for 15-20 minutes

After simmered, cool them and strain them, pressing the herbs through a cheesecloth or strainer

Ready to drink

Tea Method

For flowers, leaves, fruits, and/or stems of plans, use this method

Start steeping the herbs in the water before it reaches full boil 

Once the water begins to steam or boil, remove it from heat

Steam for no more than 5-10 minutes

While hot, strain into a container

Drink right away or follow the cold tea method

Cold Tea Method

Following all the preparations of the tea method, after straining, pour into a container and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Herbs for Teas and Decoctions

If using a tea ball, only use a pinch of each plant or spice. If using an infusion pot, or something similar, use approximately ¼ teaspoon of each ingredient. If you use root, seeds, or bark, use the decoction method. If you use flowers, leaves, fruits, or stems, use the tea method. If you use a combination of plant matter, use the decoction methods but then drink it iced following the cold tea method. 

Angelica Root: Soothes colds and flu, reduces phlegm and fever; expectorant (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Eases headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, insomnia, earaches; reduces stress and tension, improves skin 

Blackberry (leaves or roots): Reduces diarrhea (note: blackberry roots are used as decoction, while blackberry leaves are used for tea)

Catnip: Soothes teething pain, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Reduces fevers and diarrhea; soothes indigestion, gastrointestinal gramps, flu; antiseptic (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Cayenne Pepper: Soothes coughs, colds, arthritis, nerve pain, fever, flu; expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with theophylline) 

Camomile: Reduces insomnia, anxiety, stress, fever, arthritis, indigestion; aids with sleep and pain relief (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon Bark: Soothes sore throats and coughs, anti-inflammatory (avoid taking with diabetes medications) 

Dandelion Root: Detoxifying, aids digestion, relieves constipation, laxative (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills) 

Dandelion Leaf: Mild diuretic, potassium rich (discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Elderberry Berry: Wards off colds and flu

Elderberry Flower: Reduces fever (avoid taking with medications that decrease the immune system) 

Garlic (for syrups): Antiseptic, eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid or medications used for HIV/AIDS, or with medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Ginger: Eases morning sickness, nausea, colic, indigestion, diarrhea, fever, sore throats (avoid taking with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Ginkgo: Relieves anxiety, vertigo, tinnitus; improves circulation, helps concentration; helps vision and premenstrual syndrome (avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo; discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking) 

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, boosts the immune system (do not take with medications that slow blood-clotting, and avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Relieves gout and cramps

Lavender: Relieves anxiety, headaches, tension, stress, indigestion, irritable bowl syndrome; antibacterial; antiseptic; disinfectant (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Lemon Balm: Relieves anxiety, cold sores, colic, insomnia restlessness, indigestion; boosts memory (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives) 

Nettle: Relieves hay fever and arthritis; diuretic (avoid taking with diabetes medications, medications for high blood pressure, sedatives, medications that slow blood clotting, and lithium) 

Onion (for syrups): Helps lower systolic blood pressure, relieves colds, antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Parsley: Helps with iron deficiency, anemia, fatigue; diuretic (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics) 

Peppermint: Relieves nausea, anxiety, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, fever, coughs, colds; anesthetic (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver) 

Pine Needles: Expectorant; antiseptic; relieves coughs, colds, fever, congestion

Rosemary: Improves focus, memory, concentration, blood pressure, circulation; antiseptic, antidepressant; eases indigestion

Thyme: Antibacterial, antiseptic, eases coughs and colds, expectorant (do NOT take with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Tea and Decoction Health Blends 

The amounts listed here are for dried herbs, flowers, and spices. Dried ingredients are preferred for teas. If you wish to use fresh ingredients for decoctions, and they are available, double the amount. 

Anxiety Relief

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Cold Relief

¼ teaspoon elderberry flower

¼ teaspoon thyme 

Mood Booster

¼ teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon rosemary

Gastrointestinal Cramp Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon goldenrod 

Arthritis/Joint Pain

¼ teaspoon goldenrod

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

(Note: after the tea cools, apply it by rubbing the liquid into the affected area)

Diarrhea Relief

¼ teaspoon blackberry root

¼ teaspoon catnip

Circulation

¼ teaspoon ginkgo leaf

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon rosemary 

Energizing Tea

¼ teaspoon ginseng

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Indigestion Relief

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Expectorant

¼ teaspoon pine needles

¼ teaspoon nettle leaf

¼ teaspoon angelica root

Sleepy Time

½ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Fatigue Relief

¼ teaspoon ginseng 

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Fever Break

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

¼ teaspoon angelica root 

Flu Relief

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Headache Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon thyme

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Immune-System Booster 

½ teaspoon dried elderberries 

¼ teaspoon nettle 

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold) 

Sore Throat Relief

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

(Note: add honey after steeped) 

Stress Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼  teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Cleansing 

¼ teaspoon dandelion leaf

1/8 teaspoon goldenrod 

1/8 teaspoon parsley 

Herbs for Magickal Teas

Follow these steps to empower your tea:

As you steep the potion, envision yourself covered in either a blue or green light (whichever color represents healing to you)

As you drink the potion, visualize a blue or green light coming from the liquid. 

Once you drink , the light will start radiating from within throughout your whole body and then out into the world around you

See it reach heaven (as above) and into the earth (so below), extending your will and desire into the universe

if you are the kind of person who likes affirmations and chants, try saying: “Herbs grown naturally, health and wellness come to me” (Robbins & Bedell, 2017) 

Angelica Root: Angel work, protection, hex removal, exorcisms, health, meditation, divination (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Loves exorcisms, wealth, astral travel, rituals for the dead, house blessings, ancestral work, calling on and working with dragon spirits, calling draconic or dragon spirit–based energy into your spell, protection, attracting money

Blackberry: Healing, money, protection, exorcism

Catnip: Love, beauty, happiness, calling on the energy of cats, working with cat spirits, used as an offering for cat spirits, breaking spells, fertility, psychic powers (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Money, prosperity, health, psychic development, protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters, psychic powers, healing (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Cayenne Pepper: Fidelity, hex breaking, protection, removal of blocks and negative energy, overcoming obstacles, fire, strength, passion (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting an with theophylline) 

Camomile: Protection, luck, money, sleep, peace, purification (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon: Sexuality, lust, wealth, money, consecration, purification, love (avoid taking with diabetes medications)

Dandelion (both root and leaf): Purification, manifestation of wishes, enrichment, money (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver)

Elderberry: Exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep, protection against witchcraft (avoid taking with medications that decrease immune system) 

Ginger: Love, money, success, power, protection (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Ginkgo: Healing, mental clarity, fertility; avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Ginseng: Fertility, sexuality, lust, manifestation of wishes, healing, beauty, protection (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting; avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Money, divination (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lavender: Love, protection, purification, happiness, peace, healing, meditation, psychic abilities (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lemon Balm: Love, success, healing, cleansing (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Nettle Leaf: Protection, exorcism, healing, jinx-breaking, lust (avoid taking with sedatives, lithium, or medications for diabetes, for high blood pressure, or that slow blood clotting)

Parsley: Healing, fortune, success, lust, protection, purification, ancestor veneration, working with the dead, traveling to the land of the dead, calling upon the energy of death and decay (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics)

Peppermint: Purification, love, healing, psychic powers, (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver)

Pine Needles: Cleansing, drawing the aid of spirits, love, mental focus, protection, lust, exorcism, healing

Thyme: Health, healing, sleep, psychic powers, love, purification, courage, good luck (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Magickal Tea Recipes

Attract and Protect Money

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp chamomile

¼ tsp basil

Exorcism

¼ tsp angelica root

¼ tsp nettle leaf

¼ tsp elder flower

Spirit Aid

¼ tsp parsley

¼ tsp rosemary 

Love and Lust

1/8 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp catnip

¼ tsp ginseng 

Cleansing

¼ tsp dandelion

¼ tsp lemon balm

¼ tsp thyme

Protection

¼ tsp pine needles

¼ tsp elderberries

¼ tsp blackberry leaf

Divination

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp peppermint

Psychic Development

¼ tsp calendula (marigold) 

¼ tsp ginkgo leaf

¼ tsp lavender 

Tinctures and Tonics for Health 

A tincture is a traditional herb infusion made with an alcohol base. A tonic usually uses either vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar as the base. The alcohol used in tinctures must be at least 100 proof, or 50%, alcohol, which is why most vodkas and gins are used. Tinctures can also be made with vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar for those with alcohol issues, although less potent and yet still effective. 

Crafting Tinctures and Tonics

Tools needed:

Two mason jars

Cheesecloth

The herbs/plants/spices

Measuring cups

An herb grinder

Alcohol/vegetable glycerin/apple cider vinegar 

Tool to measure the dosage such as droppers for infant medication

Steps for recipe creation:

When preparing a tincture, the rule of thumb is you want a 1:4 ratio of herb to alcohol. If your herbs start to float, your ratio is good. Allow them to settle, and add a little more alcohol until the mixture is fully saturated. 

Prepare the ingredients

Fill the mason jar with the herbs/plants/spices

Add the alcohol or alcohol substitute  (If using apple cider vinegar as your base, you will need to take the additional step of laying wax paper on top of the jar lid)

Keep in a cool, dark place for a month (some may require refrigeration, and that will be noted) 

Shake twice daily 

After 1 month, strain the herbal matter from the liquid into the second jar using a cheesecloth (squeeze the cheesecloth to get out as much of the liquid as you can)

After straining, fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water–this dilutes the alcohol, allowing you to ingest it directly

Ready for use 

Herbs and Plants for Health Tinctures and Tonics 

Many of these will not taste good, but will work:

Alfalfa: Energy booster, laxative, cleanser (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting or suppress the immune system and with birth-control pills) 

Allspice: Stimulant; eases indigestion, colds, coughs; reduces hives and swelling (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Aloe Vera Juice (liquid): Soothes the skin, antiseptic (external use only)

Angelica (fruit or seeds): Eases indigestion, gas, gout; balances nervous system (do NOT use if you are diabetic)

Bay Leaf: Eases indigestion, coughs, colds, fevers (do NOT take with any narcotics or sedatives) 

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Antiseptic, eases symptoms of urinary tract infections (do NOT use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have stomach irritation or kidney disease; avoid taking with lithium) 

Bergamot: Soothes colds, fevers, coughs, nausea, indigestion, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with photosensitizing medications) 

Black-Eyed Susan: Soothes swelling, back pain, earaches; immune booster

Black Peppercorn: Anti-fungal, heals ulcers, relieves arthritis

Burdock Root: Detoxifying, soothes colds and skin issues (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Cedar (freshly dried leafy twigs): Soothes gout, naturally antiviral, boosts immune system (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Clover (red): Soothes coughs, colds, bronchitis (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with tamoxifen; may decrease effectiveness of birth control pulls and medications that are changed by the liver)

Cloves: Soothes nausea and indigestion; antiseptic, expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Comfrey Leaf: Ease arthritis, rheumatism, coughs, colds, diarrhea, asthma; antibacterial (do NOT take with medications that can harm the liver)

Coriander Seeds: Aids in digestion; aphrodisiac; boosts immune system

Cramp Bark: Eases arthritis, rheumatism, menstrual cramps

Echinacea: Eases colds, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system (interacts with various medications, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Garlic: Antiseptic; eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, symptoms of urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid, medication used for HIV/AIDS, or medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Goldenseal (roots and leaves): Aids digestion; eases colds, hay fever, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver)

Horseradish: Antiseptic; antibacterial; expectorant; soothes flu, colds, coughs, symptoms of urinary tract infections; diuretic; appetite stimulant (avoid taking with thyroid medications)

Hyssop: Soothes colds, fevers, sore throats, asthma, rheumatism, indigestion; expectorant

Lemon: Boosts immune system, helps prevent kidney stones, eases indigestion and constipation, relieves toothaches

Lemongrass: Supports healthy cholesterol; antibacterial; detoxifies; relieves constipation, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, coughs, colds, fevers, anxiety, stress, fatigue; boosts immune system

Mugwort: Eases menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, fevers, colds (do NOT take if pregnant) 

Mullein: Relieves asthma, coughs, colds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids; expectorant; diuretic

Nutmeg: Stimulates digestive system; relieves diarrhea, nausea, anxiety (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver) 

Orange: Lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, relieves arthritis and anxiety, stabilizes mood, boosts immune system; laxative (do NOT take with celiprolol, ivermectin, or pravastatin) 

Onion: Helps lower systolic blood pressure, eases colds; antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Skullcap: Eases headaches, stress, menstrual tension, insomnia, anxiety, sedative

Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Valerian Root: Eases insomnia (do NOT take with alcohol, sedatives, or anti anxiety medications) 

Witch Hazel Bark: Relieves pain, diarrhea, colds, fevers, ulcers, colitis; antiseptic

Wormwood: Eases indigestion and stomach disorders; aphrodisiac (avoid taking with anticonvulsant medications)

Yarrow: Antiseptic, relieves pain, hay fever, colds, fevers, menstrual cramps (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting, avoid taking with lithium or sedatives)

Yellow Dock: Laxative; reduces anemia, relieves fatigue, aids digestive system (do NOT take with digoxin, diuretic medications, or medications that slow blood clotting)

For tincture recipes, there are many books and sites that can be used for reference. 

Magickal Tinctures

When making a tincture for use magickally and spiritually, shake the tincture two times a day to direct your energy into the jar and activate the magick within the herbs. 

Tincture-Charging Spell

Materials: 

1 green candle (herb spirits) 

1 white candle (spirit and magick)

1 candle to charge the tincture (color depends on spell)

1 mixing bowl 

Herbs and alcohol for the tincture (or alcohol substitute) 

2 Mason jars

Cheese cloth 

Ritual:

Place the three candles in a triangle on your altar or workspace. The white candle should be the top of the triangle (facing away from you to direct the energy out into the universe). The green and other candle form the base

Place the bowl at the center of the altar, and place your containers of herbs and alcohol on the floor

Light the white candle while stating: “For the power of spirit”

Light the green candle while stating: “For the herbal spirits”

Light the colored candle for your need, and state your need 

Place an herb in the bowl, state a thank-you blessing to the herb, and explain why you are using that herb. Repeat for each herb, and as you add each herb, stir the mixture of herbs clockwise for increasing or bringing something to you and counterclockwise if you are trying to remove or decrease something in your life

Once you have mixed all the herbs in the bowl, hold your hands over the mixture and state your intent

Visualize a light coming out of your hands for that need (red for love and passion or power; green for money, success, growth and fertility; blue for healing; yellow for success; etc)

Pour the mixture into one of the mason jars and add the alcohol (do this at a safe distance form the lit candles)

Place the lid on the jar

Remove the mixing bowl from the alter and put the mason jar with the tincture blend in its place, in the center of your candles. Keep the mason jar there until the candles have finished burning

Shake the tincture, focusing your mental, emotional, and physical energy into the jar. As you shake, chant: “I can upon the powers green, Release the powers unseen. Herbs awakened on this day, Blessings in this tincture stay.” 

Shake the jar twice daily for one month, each time visualizing the need behind the tincture

Once the month has passed, strain the mixture into the second jar using the cheesecloth. 

Now the tincture is ready to be used in magickal work

Herbs for Magickal Tinctures

For magickal uses, the following herbs, spices, and plants are only for external use in tincture blends:

Angelica Leaf: Angel work, protection, removing hexes, exorcism, health, meditation, divination 

Alfalfa: Money attraction (drawing money to you), prosperity, protection

Allspice: Money, luck, healing

Aloe Vera: Protection, peace in the afterlife, prosperity, success, love

Bay Leaf: Protection, purification, enhancing psychic powers, strength

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Victory, protection, money, power, strength

Bergamot: Money, clarity

Black-Eyed Susan: Cleansing, releasing, grounding, integration, mediumship, connecting with the dead

Black Peppercorn: Protection, exorcism 

Burdock Root: Protection, uncrossing (removing hexes or curses)

Cedar: Healing, purification, money, protection

Clover: Protection, money, fidelity, love, exorcism, success

Cloves: Enhancing psychic powers, astral travel, protection, exorcism, love

Comfrey Leaf: Money, safe travel, protection

Coriander Seeds: Love, health, healing, lust, fidelity

Cramp Bark: Protection, luck

Echinacea: Strengthening spells, offerings to spirits

Garlic: Protection, exorcism, lust, antitheft

Goldenseal: Healing, money

Horseradish: Purification, exorcism

Hyssop: Purification, protection, cleansing

Lemon: Purification, love, friendship, justice

Lemongrass: Repelling snakes, lust, enhancing psychic powers

Mugwort: Strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, astral projection

Mullein: Courage, protection, love, divination, exorcism

Nutmeg: Gambling luck, money, fidelity, prosperity, luck

Orange: Love, divination, luck, money

Saint John’s Wort: Health, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness

Skullcap: Love, fidelity, peace

Turmeric: Purification

Valerian Root: Purification, cleansing, peace, love, protection, breaking hexes and curses 

Wormwood: Summoning spirits, working with the dead, enhancing psychic power, protection, love, prophesizing, breaking hexes and curses

Witch Hazel: Protection, chasteness (less likely to give into temptation and sexual desire)

Yarrow: Psychic development, courage, love, exorcism, protection

Yellow Dock: Money attraction, customer attraction, love attraction 

Source

Robbins, Shawn, and Bedell, Charity. The Good Witch’s Guide. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2017. Print.

credit: video by Jon Rawlinson (x) | gifs by magic-spelldust / PG

witches cat aesthetic

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What’s Wrong with my Circle?, or, Circle Casting Clinic 101

You’ve probably heard of how to cast a circle, and of many methods to do so, a dozen times in the course of studying magic or Witchcraft. But have you ever felt your circle waver, your boundary un-drawn, or your sacred space distinctly not sacred? Here are some common problems with drawing and casting a circle of (most) any type, and some possible solutions.

Cleansing and Prepping: Is the space around you ready for a circle to be cast? Many casters find it helpful to sweep the area with a besom, or broom, beforehand. If you’re not the broom type, you can cleanse an area by walking the circle’s area clockwise sprinkling saltwater. (Don’t use salt outside - or your grass will be sorely upset).

Cleansing and Prepping Yourself: If you’re stressed out, you’re in no shape to cast anything! A ritual bath is the best way to ready yourself for magic, but in a pinch, asperging yourself with incense smoke (best blends for purification include sage, pine, rosemary, and cypress) will do just fine. If smoke is out of the question, a good grounding and centering, imaging the negative energies drawing out through your feet and drawing in the earth’s solid energies, will do the trick. You could also try a ritual tea to get your mind and body in the right mood (try something with rose or calendula), and to flush out previous energies.

Consecrating Yourself within the Circle: Feel like you drew the circle just fine, but you’re not exactly connected within it? Consider consecrating yourself within the circle, if you haven’t done so already. An easy and common means to do this is to dip your finger into the oil you are using for the circle, or, sans oil, the sacred water or regular water, and drawing a sigil representative of your circle on your forehead after your circle is drawn, in order to vow your connection to the circle (if it helps, say “I am now consecrated within this Circle.” as you do so). An all-purpose sigil would be a simple circle, but a cosmic lemniscate, or solar and lunar sigils, may be appropriate, depending on the circle.

Ritual Consciousness: Your circle seems to be drawn right, you feel pretty okay, but why aren’t things “lifting” to that magickal place? If you’re finding it hard to bring your circle to the otherworldly realm, take a second to breathe deeply. This is a broad question with lots of potential solutions: Strewing herbs associated with the moon phase and hour around the circle, matching your incense to the time or deity called, ensuring your lights are turned off, and making sure music doesn’t reach over a threshold where it can steal your attention. There are so many fixes - the main thing is to try and see what works by practicality! A surefire way for me has been to ensure the appropriate scent, whether it be through oils or incenses.

“Is My Circle Working?” and Circle Doubt: This one is an easy fix. Using an athame or other tool (if you drew a circle using natural power, use two fingers set together in an athame point) and cut a doorway in your circle. Step outside your circle, and back in, seeing if you can sense a difference in energy (and what that difference is). If it helps, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths in and out of the circle, feeling the ways of each. If your circle lacks staying power, close your circle and try again, seeing where you went wrong. But remember - the power is in you. There’s no “Wrong” way to cast a circle, but you can trip yourself up sometimes!

Hope that covers some of it - I know there’s endless ways. If I’m missing any major or common problems, let me know and I’d be glad to cover it!

Blessed Be,

Ash

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Crystal Of The Day - 06/20/16 - Quartz

I thought I’d start my little series with the most commonly collected crystal!

Chemical Formula: SiO2 Mohs Scale Hardness: 7  Mineral Group: Silicate 

Quartz is the second-most common mineral in the Earth’s crust. Chances are, no matter where you are in the world, you can pick up some type of quartz off the ground. Today we’re just going to talk about clear quartz, specifically. 

Some notable locations where crystal quartz is found are Minas Gerais, Brazil, Arkansas, USA, and the Herkimer county of New York, USA. The most common quartz points you find on the market are the ones from Brazil. They are mined by the ton every year in huge mining operations, and are very inexpensive. Both Arkansas and New York are famous for having great quality quartz crystals, and both offer different sites where people can come dig for crystals themselves. Herkimer county is specifically known for having a double terminated variety of quartz, that goes by the trade name of Herkimer diamond. Some people try to pass off just any double terminated quartz crystals as Herkimer diamonds, but it is important to note that a crystal is not a “true” Herkimer unless it comes from Herkimer county in New York. 

In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, quartz also has industrial uses. Did you ever notice how some watches have the word quartz written on the face? That is because a quartz crystal is used in the watch to regulate the electronic oscillator. Quartz has rather unique electrical properties that make it a great tool for electronics. Quartz is also rather heat resistant, and very hard and durable. Quartz countertops are quite popular for this reason as well!

Metaphysical: Quartz is a super versatile crystal for crystal healing. It’s often used to amplify the effect of other crystals. Quartz is very grounding, and can also be a great tool to use in meditation. 

Quartz is often referred to as a “master healer” as it can be used for almost anything! 

Buying Quartz: If you are in the market to buy some quartz crystals, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind!

One of the biggest things on the market right now is “aura quartz”. Aura crystals are crystals that have been super heated and sprayed with precious metal fumes to achieve differently colored shinny and iridescent effects. These pieces are always more costly than just the plain quartz. There are lots of different ways these aura pieces can be faked, as well. It is very common for cheaper knockoffs to be made where the quartz is just painted, and the color eventually peels off or fades.

Quartz also has a couple very common knockoffs! Probably the most common is just simple glass. If you see very inexpensive, perfectly clear crystal balls or pyramids, chances are you are looking at glass. A scratch test can be done to differentiate between glass and quartz. Quartz is harder than glass, so if your quartz can scratch a glass bottle, it passes the test. If it fails or struggles to scratch the glass, chances are it is glass and not quartz. 

“Smelt quartz” is another term some sellers use. Smelt quartz is very literally just glass. It will often be polished and shaped into the point of a crystal, and often times it is to try to pass it off as real quartz. 

Quartz can also be irradiated in order to turn yellow. This is called lemon quartz, and may be falsely sold as citrine. (Citrine is the natural variety of yellow quartz)

Crackle quartz is low quality quartz that has been heated to create cracks, and then dyed. It is very easy to distinguish this, because it is usually very brightly colored with color concentrating in the cracks. 

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I hope this is helpful to you! I have gathered my knowledge over my whole life. I grew up around crystals, and have been in the mineral business for just over 3 years now. 

I make by hand jewelry with only all natural gemstones. If you are interested, please feel free to checkout my shop. If you have any additional questions, I would be happy to answer! 

Three words… Amethyst. Crystal. Fireplace 😱🔥✨💜

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♈♉♊♋♌♍♎♏♐♑♒♓ Got a new batch of zodiac constellation pendants almost finished! Should be listed in the shop this weekend, but if you see one you like I can hold it for you!