Cottage Witch Tips

mushroom hunting today

Keiichi T

ko_lo_man

My wheel of the year is almost finished and I really hope I have enough skills to embroider it🤞

In Irish mythology, Brigid is the daughter of the Dagda and had two sisters also named Brigid and is part of the Tuatha de Danann, the supernatural Irish race. The three sisters made up the triple aspect of the one goddess: Brigid of the hearth, Brigid of the forge and Brigid of Inspiration. She is a goddess of spring, fertility, family, the hearth, childbirth, fire, blacksmiths, scholars, physicians, prophets, healing, poetry, occult knowledge, and justice. She was said to be born at sunrise and is often depicted with solar rays coming out of her head, making her one of the Irish solar deities alongside Lugh. It is said that wherever she walks four leaf clovers and flowers will grow. She also created the tradition of “keening” when her son Ruadan died in battle, a song-like wail used by women at funerals. In some cases she is also the goddess of sacred wells, springs and healing waters.  

History

Her name comes in different spellings like Brig, Brighid, Brigit, or Brigid but it means “Exalted one” or “Fiery arrows”. She is a goddess of Pre-christian Ireland but versions of her are found all over Europe; she has ties to Brigantia, a warrior goddess of the Brigantes tribe of Britain. She was a beloved goddess of the Celts and has survived through centuries including the Christianization of Ireland and the rest of Europe where most traces of Druidism and Paganism were forgotten. The people of Ireland loved her so much and refused to let her be demonized by the church -like the rest of the gods- that they converted her into a saint known as St. Brigid of Kildare. There are also three rivers named after her one in Ireland, Wales and England: Brigit, Braint and Brent.The river that runs through Wales is known to have healing properties.

Imbolc

Also known as Brigid’s day, Candlemas or St. Brigid’s feast, Imbolc is one of the four fire festivals in Celtic paganism and celebrates the return of spring. Since Brigid is the goddess of spring and was said to go away during the winter, people would light a candle in honor of her return. Offerings of milk, bread, and corn cakes were set out and a seat at the dinner table was left open for her presence.  Cows and sheep were seen as sacred to the goddess because they would provide milk for the town during the cold months and they would give birth around Imbolc. This festival celebrated the Maiden aspect of Brigid and young women would carry corn dollies dressed in white which represented the goddess. The women would also dress in white and attend a special feast for Imbolc where young suitors could mingle with the ladies. Imbolc is a time of fertility, cleansing and the light returning after a long winter.

Correspondences

Elements- Water & Fire

Animals- snakes, ewes, cows, bees, oxen, owls and hibernating animals. Vultures

Plants- blackberry, hawthorn, basil, mugwort, apple, heather, dandelion, snowdrop, willow, oak, shamrock, crocus, trillium, corn, lavender and sage. Personal one is cinnamon and chamomile.

Crystals- amethyst, bloodstone, carnelian, garnet, moonstone, clear quartz, and peridot.

Symbols- Brigid’s cross, candles, triquetra, faeries, four leaf clover, cauldron, chalice, corn dolly, anvil or hammer, poetry, forges, hearths, wells, rock formations.

Colours- green, red, white, gold and blue

Devotional Acts

offer her blackberries, baked goods, milk and honey or beer

dedicate a piece of your art to her like painting, knitting, singing, etc.

meditate with fire

savour the warmth of the sun or fire

incorporate the elements of water and fire into your craft

write her a poem

watch the sun rise

say hi to cows and sheep :)

hang a Brigid’s cross above your doorway for protection and blessings 

study healing magick, reiki, herbalism and faeries

wear the colours of fire or white

plant a bee garden

Inspiring Affirmations🔮

✨I am worthy.

✨I am enough.

✨I am growing.

✨I am healing.

✨I am changing for the better.

✨I am becoming my true self.

✨I will remain true to myself.

✨I will make progress.

✨I will seek out opportunity.

✨I will cleanse my mind.

✨I will dispel negative energy.

✨I will invite positive energy.

✨I will recharge my mind.

✨I will nurture myself.

✨I will nourish my body.

✨I listen to my gut.

✨I trust my mind.

✨I follow my heart.

✨I let go of that which holds me back.

✨I recognize my flaws as part of myself.

✨I realize all that I intend to.

So it shall be.

🌊sea star witch🌟

Eco-witchery

Being a witch involves more than just the use of herbs and pretty rocks and moon water, it also includes preserving and protecting the resources that are very important to our craft and our being. Nature is our only source and needs to be respected and all her gifts used wisely.

Recycling and conserving has become the norm nowadays considering the growing shortage of our natural resources and I am so here for it. Here is my list of ways us witches can do our part:

When you boil your veggies, save the water to feed your little plant babies. Considering we are going through an intense drought for us Capetonians, this is a must. 

Use eggshells and coffee grounds to add nutrients to your soil for your plant babies.

Use old cereal, cookies or bread to feed the local feathered friends. This is especially helpful in winter when food is scarce.

Refrain from planting foreign plants, it could have a negative effect on the native flora and fauna.

Gather as much rain water as you can during the rainy seasons for watering plants. Even make moon water or enchanted water to bring prosperity and give your plant babies a little boost.

Save all your seeds!

Keep all pesticides away from your plants, especially if you plan on consuming them or using them in magic.

If you stay close to the ocean, gather some seaweed, dry it and crush it to be used on plants. It has tons of nutrients to help your lil bebes grow big and strong.

Instead of using plastic tags to mark your herbs, make your own out of twigs and just shave a spot off for writing. Get creative and make your garden look extra magical.

Plant loads of succulents, they use very little water, are super low maintenance and are beautiful to look at.

MULCHING is a water saving essential !!!

Don’t toss the weeds, find out what their properties are and how you could use it. Even if it is just for fertilizing or making a tea for your plants.

If you have any fur babies, find some plants that they like. Find out what plants they like, e.g catnip for kittens.

The same way some witches make their own wands or magical tools, why not make your own magical gardening tools from recycled or recyclable materials?

Share your reapings from Gaia with your community.

Any other suggestions?

You know what I never understood about people? Their intense fear of death while autumn being their favourite season. Autumn literally shows us how natural death is and how beautiful it can be. Each leaf served a purpose and falls to lay to rest. Out of the decay forms new life.

Peaceful moments ☕️💭

IG: jaye.chantelle