*magical Girl Transformation But I Turn Into This*

Tasseomancy: The Reading of Tea Leaves

a divination or fortune-telling method that interprets patterns in tea leaves, coffee grounds, or wine sediments.

The terms derive from the French word tasse (cup), which in turn derives from the cognate Arabic word tassa, and the Greek suffixes -graph (writing), -logy (study of), and -mancy (divination).

Divination attempts to gain insight into the natural world through intuitive interpretation of synchronistic events.

Regain & Maintain Your Self-Control (Spell)

A little bit of magick created for @jesycastarr.

Before I get started on the magicky hoo-hah, I’m just going to write you a thing: you can address self-control (or a lack thereof) by performing grounding.

Grounding Visualisations ✧ Grounding/Meditation Chant ✧ Grounding ✧ Grounding Techniques

Onward; to the magick!

This magick will come in the form of a talisman, as talismans can be concealed as everyday items, such as jewellery - discreet and easily carried.

You Will Need:

The item you wish to enchant and carry; a piece of jewellery you wear regularly would be a very good idea.

Black Salt - this is normal salt, mixed with the ashes of this sigil after it has been drawn on paper and burned.  **(Salt is cleansing, and can be used to charge your talisman, and it is imbued with the control-giving power of the sigil, which is activated upon burning.)

A Rhodonite crystal. **(A crystal associated with stability, self-control, calm, and growth.)

Pen & Paper - for the sigil.

A way to burn the sigil - however you choose to do this, be careful. Safety first.

A bowl.

What To Do:

Firstly, draw your sigil onto the paper and hold it in your hands for a little while. As you do this, focus on that which you wish to gain - in this case, focus on self-control; focus on gaining the ability to rein in your impulsiveness. 

Burn your sigil, this activates it.

Wait for the ashes of the sigil to cool, and then mix them into the salt. You can use table salt, sea salt or rock salt - any salt, really will work just as well. The salt will probably turn a bit of a strange colour - this is normal.

In a small dish/bowl place your Black Salt, your soon-to-be-talisman and your Rhodonite crystal. This will charge the object and imbue it with the energy of the crystal. 

To bolster the effectiveness of this talisman, leave it to charge under the Moon for 3 nights.

**Optional step: Each morning of the talisman’s charging process, speak or think these words as you stand before it:  “Within this object my control is lain, bestow unto my being that which shall be mine; control over body, over action, over mind. Et sic factum est, et semper erit.”

When you feel the talisman’s effects begin to wane, and it will, you need only perform this same ritual again.

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.

Celebrate Yule

Outside:

Leave out birdseed ornaments as offerings to the season

If snowing, play in the snowfall to appreciate the changing season or collect some for snow water

After the sun has gone down, burn a yule log in a bonfire

Take some friends and go wassailing! 

In the Home:

Make stovetop potpourri as an alternative to incense 

DIY gifts with your witch skills for your friends and family 

Read a winter solstice tarot spread for yourself

Decorate your holiday tree, blessing the ornaments with good energy

Hang mistletoe for protection and (consensual!) kisses

In the Kitchen:

Make one of these Celtic Yule recipes

Prepare some traditional or non-traditional wassail for any adults

Bake mini yule logs to share with family and friends 

Make Swedish Lussekatter rolls or Norwegian Julekake bread 

In the Bath:

Bathe with fresh orange slices and frankincense and myrrh essential oils for a prosperity ritual bath

Take a lazy witch holiday LUSH bath (our suggestions here) 

Do a pre-solstice ritual bath with essential oils

Make winter spice bath bombs and enchant them for prosperity

On your Altar:

Use colors like reds, greens, whites, and metallic colors

Add holly, pine, ivy, mistletoe, juniper, or cedar for some greenery

Decorate with a yule wish bottle to for some easy magic

Represent the seasonal harvest with oranges, pears, nuts, and berries

Incorporate snowflake obsidian, clear quartz, or bloodstone

Treat yourself. Talk to your local undead spirits. Befriend the strange entities hiding within the shadows of your bedroom. Let the strange whispering creature made of eyeballs and dark matter envelop your brain. Become one with your town’s secret underground hivemind. You’ve earned it.

the phrase “curiosity killed the cat” is actually not the full phrase it actually is “curiosity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back” so don’t let anyone tell you not to be a curious little baby okay go and be interested in the world uwu

Garden witches, green witches, healers and anyone who uses herbs in their practice...

This is a really good, comprehensive list of edible flowers. It has a vivid description each plant’s taste and how to use and harvest as well as including which parts of the plant are inedible (x)

Here’s a great free ebook on cooking, brewing and blending herbs (x)

This website has fantastic gardening advice. Just search for a plant and it will tell you how to grow it, what grows indoors, pest, solutions, trivia and much, much more. (x) And it even has an edible gardening section (x) plus an indoor section if you don’t have a garden (x)

If you have any other resources, feel free to add them to this list.

hi ^__^ the san-x website has a lot of cute wallpapers i thought you guys might appreciate them

🌿Herbs to use in Sleep Magic🌿

Anise - Used to help ward off the evil eye, find happiness, and stimulate psychic ability. Fill a sleep pillow with anise seed to prevent disturbing dreams.

Bay Leaf - Protection, good fortune, success, purification, strength, healing and psychic powers. Place under the pillow (or use in dream pillow) to induce prophetic dreams.

Bergamot - Money, prosperity, protection from evil and illness, improving memory, stopping interference, and promoting restful sleep.

Catnip - Provides protection while sleeping. Grow near the home or hang over the door to attract good spirits and luck.

Celery Seed - Mental and psychic powers, concentration. Use in sleep pillow to induce sleep. Chew celery seed to aid in concentration.

Chamomile - Love, healing, and reducing stress. Burn as incense for de-stressing, meditation, and restful sleep.

Hops - Believed to increase the restfulness & serenity of sleep. Also used for healing rituals, sachets, and incense.

Jasmine - Use in dream pillows to induce sleep or burn in the bedroom to bring prophetic dreams. Helps to promote new, innovative ideas. Also good for charging quartz crystals.

Lavender - Magickal uses include love, protection, healing, sleep, purification, and peace. Promotes healing from depression. Great in sleep pillows and bath spells. Burn the flowers to induce sleep and rest, then scatter the ashes around the home to bring peace and harmony.

Marigold - Place above the bed or in dream pillows for prophetic dreams. Scatter under the bed for protection while sleeping. Peppermint - Use to increase the vibrations of a space or in spells and incense for healing & purification. Place in sleep pillow to ensure peaceful sleep and bring about prophetic dreams. Use to anoint furnishings and household objects. Burn in a new home to clear out sickness and negative energy. Use in magickal workings to provide the push needed to bring change to one’s life. Carry with other herbs to boost love & abundance wishes.

Poppy Seeds - Pleasure, heightened awareness, love, luck, invisibility. A popular ingredient in food magick. Sleep on a pillow stuffed with poppy seeds to bring relief from insomnia.

Thyme - Attracts loyalty, affection, and the good opinion of others. Wear a sprig to ward off unbearable grief or provide strength and courage when needed. Burn or hang in the home for banishing, purification, and to attract good health for all occupants. Use in cleansing baths prior to working candle magick. Use in dream pillows to ward off nightmares and ensure restful sleep. Add a thyme infusion to the bath regularly to ensure a constant flow of money. Place in a jar and keep in the home or at work for good luck.

Violet - Calms the nerves, draws prophetic dreams and visions, stimulates creativity, and promotes peace & tranquility. Violet leaf provides protection from all evil. Violet crowns are said to cure headaches and bring sleep. Keep a spray of violets on the altar to enhance night magick. Wear the leaves in a green sachet to help heal wounds and prevent evil spirits from making the wounds worse.

Source: http://www.themagickalcat.com/Articles.asp?ID=242

Kitchen Witch Ingredients Master Post

Enjoy, witch-fam!

Wealth & Prosperity Salt, Almonds, Banana, Beans, Cabbage, Cinnamon, Ginger, Lettuce, Spinach, Pumpkin, Onion, Pasta, Pomegranate, Potato, Rice, Strawberry, Tomato, Basil, Clove, Orange, Cacao, Poppy Seeds, Parsley

Love Apple, Avocado, Cherries, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Ginger, Lemon, Lettuce, Thyme, Pasta, Strawberry, Sugar, Tomato, Basil, Orange, Poppy Seeds, Rosemary, Parsley

Fertility Apple, Banana, Carrot, Egg, Poppy Seeds

Protection Salt, Black Pepper, Bay, Rosemary, Broccoli, Beans, Parsley, Carrot, Cabbage, Cinnamon, Coconut, Garlic, Lettuce, Soy, Onion, Pasta, Potato, Rice, Tomato, Basil, Clove

Healing Bay, Carrot, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Garlic, Ginger, Lemon, Pumpkin, Onion, Potato, Salt, Tomato, Mint, Cacao, Rosemary, Cilantro

Wisdom & Insight Almonds, Apple, Beans, Sage

Sexuality & Lust Avocado, Beans, Carrot, Celery, Cinnamon, Ginger, Sugar, Cacao, Vanilla, Parsley

Purification Salt, Black Pepper, Bay, Coconut, Garlic, Lemon, Thyme, Onion, Rosemary, Sage

Divination Beans, Cherries, Egg, Lettuce, Clove, Orange

Luck & Good Fortune Salt, Bay, Cabbage, Ginger, Pomegranate, Potato, Strawberry, Basil, Orange, Poppy Seeds

Psychic Power & Ability Bay, Celery, Cinnamon, Garlic, Thyme, Soy, Mushrooms

Positivity & Happiness Cherries, Coffee, Basil, Rosemary

Peace & Harmony Chamomile, Celery, Lettuce, Cilantro

Mental Stimulus & Clarity Celery, Basil, Clove, Lemongrass, Mint, Rosemary, Sage, Vanilla