Spell Casting - Time Of Day

Learning the Court Cards is difficult for a lot of us, but I’ve found that elemental associations have made it much easier to understand and remember the personality traits of Court Cards.

Suit Associations:

Wands - Fire Cups - Water Swords - Air Pentacles - Earth

Court Personality Associations:

King - Air Queen - Water Knight - Fire Page - Earth

Remember that the suit’s elemental association will have a stronger influence than the personality element. (example: The King of Wands is ruled predominantly by Fire; Air is the secondary element).

Combining a Court Card’s suit and personality elements will help you remember personality traits for that card. Some tips:

Double elements (i.e. King of Swords) will take a suit’s traits to the extreme.

Complementing elements (Fire/Earth and Air/Water) indicate a balanced approach

Opposing elements (Fire/Water and Earth/Air) mean unpredictable behaviors with extreme polarities.

I put all this info into the graphic above for those of you who are visual learners and/or people who might want to save it for reference.

[heuristic tarot tips]

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Okay but if you’re tired or need vitamins, I bought these and they’re saving my life so far. They’re great but they’re sorta as big (if not bigger) than your thumbs nail and they’re healthy. I take them whenever I’m tired or when I’m doing hw late at night and they boost my energy for like another 3 hours at night which is great! And I sometimes take them in the morning and I’m energetic the whole school day! Really recommend 10/10

For some reason tumblr insists on ruining the quality, but if you click on the image it is fine!

wait hold up - being on an SSRI means you should never have citrus again? I knew about grapefruit but i figured that was because grapefruit can be fucking weird (my late grandpa had arythmia and some other issues as well as being a stroke survivor, one of the meds he ended up on had the no consuming grapefruit thing). I'm off the SSRI i was on, have been for a year or so. Should I not be drinking my lavender earl gray calm-the-fuck-down tea?! -shocked and sad noises-

Okay, clarifying, since I actually did an entire thesis paper on this for neurobiology/neuropsychology. This is the section specifically about bergamottin, which is the culprit that creates the grapefruit effect. That means bergamot oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, and pomelos? Nope, can’t have them. (Not that I liked grapefruit or pomelos in the first place.)I’ve been off the SSRI since about 2010 and I *still* cannot have these things on a regular basis. Some people don’t react as badly, but a cup of earl grey could potentially fuck me up for days.

I *can* have lemon or lime in small doses, but only if I’m using them to cook with.

Any other citrus is fine, though. I nom on clementines like nobody’s business with no ill effects. (Pun intended.)

Food and Pharmaceutical Interactions (The Grapefruit Effect)

At one time, I was prescribed theSSNRI known as Cymbalta (generic: duloxetine). An SSNRI is part of a group of drugs called selective serotonin andnorepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.  Basically,they keep serotonin and norepinephrine levels raised by preventing these twoneurotransmitters from being reabsorbed, thus making the effects of theirinitial release last longer. Cymbalta istypically considered an anti-depressant, but in my case it was meant as anattempt at treatment for certain painful aspects of fibromyalgia.  

The prescribing physician, an RNwho specialized in fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis, gave me a shortdescription of what the drug would do, how I had to take it, and what I couldexpect from the medication.  At no pointdid she mention that there were specific foodsthat could not be combined with Cymbalta.

At the pharmacy, the grapefruitwarning label was applied directly to the pill bottle.  Noproblem, I thought at the time, as I didn’t eat grapefruit anyway.  However, grapefruit was not the only culprit;I quickly discovered that hibiscus tea also interfered with the metabolizing ofCymbalta.  No one had warned me abouttea…or about chocolate, another culprit of pharmaceutical interactions.  Worse, no one mentioned anything abouttryptophan.  While I was not takingtryptophan supplements, I had a diet very high in carbohydrates.  In essence, I was eating the Cymbalta intoineffectiveness.

Grapefruit, the biggest knownoffender for food and drug interactions, prevents the proper metabolisation of manydrugs commonly prescribed.50 Thisis commonly referred to as the Grapefruit Effect. Improper metabolisation is aproblem for any medication, but with neurological medications, particularlySSRIs or SSNRIs, it means that dangerous levels of serotonin can build up inthe brain in short order. Such a build-up can easily turn into Serotonin Syndrome.51  As well as anti-depressants, grapefruit juiceis known to easily interfere with immunosuppressants, antihistamines, calciumchannel blockers, blood pressure treatments, sedatives, anti-anxietymedications, and drugs to treat erectile dysfunction.

Grapefruit’s origin brings theculprit to light. Grapefruit was created when an orange was crossed with theAsian Pomelo fruit.52 Pomelo contains high amounts of bergamottin, 53a type of furanocoumarin, 54 which is an organic chemical compound producedby plants. (Bergamottin is also found in the bergamot orange, the oil of whichis used to make bergamot tea.) 

Bergamottin inhibits the cytochromeP450 enzyme, which performs first-pass oxidative metabolizing of specificdrugs. Without that metabolisation, high levels of the drug in question can buildup in the body.  “Researchers havediscovered that the molecule bergamottin, found in grapefruit juice,inactivates drug-metabolizing enzymes in the liver, allowing drug levels tobuild up in the bloodstream. It can take up to four days for the body to metabolizethe offending chemical, and for the effects of a single glass of grapefruit juice to wear off.” 53 [Emphasismine.] Grapefruit juice causes interactions with so many pharmaceuticalsthat more work is underway to create a further hybridization of grapefruit toremove, or greatly reduce, the amount of bergamottin it contains.  It is hoped that this will reduce the numberof drug interactions caused by grapefruit juice.

There are other culprits, thoughnone are currently as troublesome as grapefruit juice. Hibiscus tea is known tointeract with the body’s metabolizing of acetaminophen, hydrocodone, Vicodin,Caduet, and Darvocet.55  VitaminC and acid-rich fruit juices, along with magnesium, will reduce theeffectiveness of Adderall if consumed within an hour of dosing. Amitriptyline,a tricyclic antidepressant, does not work nearly as well if black leaf tea isconsumed within an hour of taking it. Dangerous interactions with St. John’sWort, a popular herb for treating depression, have been reported when taken incombination with other mood disorder or anti-depressive drugs.56  If you’re having trouble treating yourheadaches, acetaminophen’s pain-killing strength is also greatly reduced bycruciferous vegetables (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli) foods high inpectin (jams and jellies) and carbohydrates.57

Many anti-depressants, MAOinhibitors, SSRIs and SSNRIs advise you never to take tryptophan supplements(also called 5-HTP) while taking them. It might also make sense to advise patientsto make sure their diet is low in tryptophan, as well. A high-carb diet—andthus, a diet high in tryptophan—will hinder the medicine’s ability to work withthe body, and could lead to serotonin excess or, again, serotonin syndrome.

FIRST, gather your herbs.

Consider starting with something gentle that will be nice to learn with. Some of my first tinctures were skullcap and lemon balm. These herbs aid in stress and are usually effective if taken multiple times daily over time. I find that trustworthy plants like these are great doorways into herbalism. 

The best place to gather herbs from would be your own garden. If this is not possible be sure to find a trustworthy local herb shop or a bigger buyer like Mountain Rose who sells organic. It is best to tincture most herbs fresh, but dry works well too.

*** If the herbs are coming straight out of the garden you can gently wash the aerial parts, and definitely scrub the roots clean of any dirt residue.  

THEN, chop and macerate.

Chop up the herb or root as small as possible. Once you think it is small enough, go smaller. The more surface area that is exposed during the maceration process, the stronger the medicine can be! For roots, dried herbs, and larger projects I will use a Vitamix. If you often have a small amount that can be easily ground, you may want to consider getting a coffee grinder to reserve for all your herbal endeavors. 

Now you are ready to macerate, which basically means to let the plant sit in alcohol for a few weeks. This process pulls out all the healing constituents that make tinctures therapeutic! 

For your menstrum (or solvent) you will need to use some sort of alcohol. Some people like to use glycerites which are sweeter, or apple cider vinegar. Traditionally brandy or some form of alcohol like vodka was used. When I do the standard method, which is a bit more complicated, I use grain alcohol that is nearly 100%!

Fill a jar all the way to the top with your herbs. Cover it with your brandy or alcohol of choice. Let the herbs macerate for one full lunar cycle. Starting medicines on the full moon can be quite magical! Label your jar with the ingredients and date, and store in indirect light. Shake the maceration daily with good intentions.  

***Remember that you are powerful and the energy that you put forth and the intentions that you set will come through in the medicine.

FINALLY, strain and enjoy!

After a month (or longer) has passed, strain out your herbs with the muslin cloth. Squeeze out any remaining liquid that might be living in the herb. Compost the finished herb which is also known as mark. Pour the now tincture back into jar or into a dosage bottle with a custom label. You have now made your very first folk tincture!

Now you can make medicine from all the beautiful plants that grow around you. You will begin to discover that most of what you need is pretty close by. The St. John’s Wort on the highway, the kudzu on the pine trees, the wild oats dancing in the pasture, the dandelion in your lawn, all the plants are here waiting for you! 

With love and healing light,

Summer Ashley

advice for smol new witches

im writing this bc @cinnamon-starlight and i were talking and i wanted to offer something that wasnt ridiculously incoherent and babbling

THINGS I WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE I GOT INTO WITCHCRAFT

all witchcraft is valid. don’t shit on people’s methods. any way you want to witch is beautiful and wonderful. absolutely anything can be magic if you want it to be.

that doesn’t mean you can take whatever the hell you want. don’t take things from closed cultures if you aren’t in the culture. hellenic gods? you’re chill. “smudging kits” from urban outfitters? no. don’t do it. 

your meanings are your meanings. someone else might see a plant as one way, but that doesn’t make it the best way for you. witchcraft is personal. don’t let other people make your decisions.

be safe. don’t eat anything unless you’re 100% sure it is safe. don’t use magic instead of medicine. just don’t. mundane solutions are actually great! do your research before doing things, and make sure you understand how to protect yourself with wards before you do spirit work, curses, astral projection, etc. 

don’t leave rationality behind. this is important. just because there might be something ghostly doesn’t mean there is. do not begin to see omens everywhere. don’t trust your life to a pendulum. 

witchcraft is not a Super Serious Thing. it can be! but it doesn’t have to be. it can be casual. you can use pop culture. you don’t need special supplies or a whole room for rituals (though there’s nothing wrong with either of those!) don’t feel like you’re not a “real witch” because you aren’t constantly talking about astrological transits. 

have fun. do things you want to do. learn cool stuff. meet other witches. if one of them is rude tell me so i can go kick their ass. this should be a nice and supportive community for people doing something they care about. 

witches, pagans, and wiccans are not the same thing. witches do magic, pagans follow pagan religions, and wiccans follow wicca, a form of paganism.

don’t be afraid to be told you’re wrong. let people explain things. just be sure that they aren’t covering up your opinions, namely those meanings i talked about. suggestions are good. 

learn learn learn. it doesn’t happen overnight. everyone continues learning. keep learning. more learning. yessss that learning. but if at any point you don’t enjoy learning about something? you probably should stop studying it and go try something else instead. look at number seven.

now go out and witch! i just know you’ll blow them all away and i am so happy you’ve decided to be a witch! which, by the way, is a gender neutral term. 

-callis

Witchcraft 101

So you want to be a witch! Here is my own mini guide to help you get started~

First, ask yourself: 1. What are my interests? How could these interests be incorporated into my personal craft? For example, if you love to cook or bake, kitchen witchery may be something you’d like to explore. If you have a passion for nature, you may like to explore green witchery. The list is endless. If multiple paths interest you, explore them all! You don’t need to pick just one. You may be an eclectic witch. Eclectic witches incorporate many different paths to form their own unique path!

Types of witches include (but are not limited to): kitchen, green, sea, cosmic, hedge, urban, traditional, elemental, eclectic, weather, chaos, divination, etc.

There is also Wicca. However, ignore everything by Silver Ravenwolf.

In addition, there is Druidry, Celtic polytheism, Norse polytheism, Hellenic polytheism, Kemeticism, Christian witchcraft, and more.

You do not have to be religious to be a witch! Many see witchcraft as a skill. Not all witches worship Satan. Witches are not “good” or “evil.” Take everything you read, by anyone, with a grain of salt. Witchcraft is highly personal, and there is a lot of misinformation floating about. Not everything will be factual.

Fancy tools are not a requirement! Tools you make or find by yourself in nature will work just as well (and usually better!) Make your wand from a stick you find on a hike, for example! Then you can customize it however you wish. Add crystals, ribbons, glitter, just make it YOURS! The same thing goes for your Grimoire. You can just use a normal notebook, or binder, and personalize it. You don’t have to spend big money on a book (unless you want to). Witchcraft can be as simple or elaborate as you want it to be. There is much more to explore than in this post alone, so stay tuned for additional posts on a variety of topics! Feel free to shoot me an ask if you have any questions! Stay spooky, be safe, and HAVE FUN!

Incense Blending: A Guide

Blending your own incense can be a very powerful tool for pagans, no matter what path they choose to practice. A blend you have made has the benefit of being filled with your intentions and power, as well as the more mundane (but no less important) benefit of knowing what has been put into it. This guide is for making cone incense, as it’s easier to form than stick incense and in my experience, burns longer. 

Items Needed (the recipe I’m using is mine for my Samhain incense; the steps are the same for all cone incense, but the recipe differs). 

Mortar and pestle: don’t use the same one you do for grinding herbs for tea or food, incense is not meant to be ingested and in some cases can be harmful.

¾ tsp. Makko or another natural incense base: Makko is a common incense base most notably used in incenses of Japanese origin. 

1 tsp. Myrrh resin: This has a very pungent aroma, but works very well at holding all the parts of the incense together. There are other resins that work just as well for other blends (i.e benzoin gum).

1 tsp.crushed mugwort leaves: You want them to be small enough to stick to the Myrrh resin

1 tsp. Frankincense tears: tears are small chunks of resin, If you grew up in a Catholic environment (like yours truly) you’ll likely recognize these as the incense from funeral masses and Christmas/Easter/Lent.

2 tsp crushed Rosemary Leaves.

Pipette or eyedropper for water.

1. Combine your ingredients in a small bowl. and mix them together, making sure they’re all nicely crushed up.

2. Begin to add small amounts of water to the mixture. Using a pipette or an eyedropper prevents you from adding too much. remember, you can always add more….you can never take it back out.

3. Stir until the blend reaches the consistency of play-doh.

4. Once that happens and your blend has formed a paste, you can begin to form incense cones with your hands, make sure the cones are flat on the bottom.

Once you’ve formed your cones….let them dry for 24-48 hours and they’re ready to go!

*slides Aphrodite a chocolate bar* need hold hand

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac except it’s playing through your car’s old radio cassette player as you drive alone through the desert at night. As far as you can tell, the nearest human life has got to be wherever that distant thunder is rolling in.

requested by @kawaiidesuyolo