Hot Off the Press!

I just received my first order of books, The Little Handbook of Spiritual Awakening, from Amazon.  If you have an order in, your books should be arriving soon, if they haven’t already.

[excerpt: Chapter 3, page 112]  (on the chakras: opening your throat chakra)

To open this chakra

1. Wear turquois or light blue. Wear it as clothing, or a piece of jewelry. Plant blue flowers; paint your nails blue; buy a blue throw rug for your house, or a blue blanket for your bed. Take pictures of blue things.

2. Sing. If you can’t hold a tune, that’s okay. Sing when you’re alone in the shower and you’re all alone in the house. You (and Spirit) will be the only one to hear you, and you will be opening up and energizing your throat chakra

3. Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time. Write a letter to someone that you are estranged from. Write a letter to someone you’ve always wanted to talk to but never had the courage. You don’t have to actually send this letter to anyone, unless you want to. But you will be opening up the channels of communication, and your throat chakra as well.

If you haven’t already ordered your copy of “Spiritual Awakening”, you can do so at this link:

click  HERE

Be sure to leave a review, or a shoutout!! Thank you!

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Danu’s Irish Herb Garden

I absolutely love this lady and her videos.  You can follow her on Youtube to visit her quaint and cozy Irish cottage and explore her magical herb gardens… Love, love, love this lady! Not only is she knowledgeable, her videos are very relaxing to watch… her quiet calm voice, her cozy Irish cottage, her wild unruly gardens filled with all kinds of magical things, her pets who are often wandering through the background. Her videos almost have an ASMR quality about them… and besides that, you Learn Stuff.

Follow the link: Danu’s Irish Herb Garden @ Youtube

Her blog: Danu’s Irish Herb Garden/An Bhean Feasa

Her Facebook page: Danu’s Irish Herb Garden/An Bhean Feasa

A Peek Inside with the Author ~ Green Witchcraft Grimoire

I was so excited today to make this video!  It’s a peek inside my new book, Green Witchcraft Grimoire, with my commentary.  There’s so much more to read and experience, so many things to explore and learn and try… recipes for seasonal celebrations and rituals, magical recipes for oils and potions and balms, as well as spells galore to help us navigate daily life.

Be sure to order your copy of Green Witchcraft Grimoire here:
https://amzn.to/2X7DGbk

A place to write your magical notes ~ Green Witchcraft Grimoire

The Green Witchcraft Grimoire is special because you can make it your own. In addition to the spells, rituals, and recipes, the grimoire includes sections you can fill in based on your own practice, experience, and preferences. Here’s a look at how I personalized my own copy of the Green Witchcraft Grimoire in the section on magical teas. I am so proud of this book and how it will enable you to deepen your practice. Please support me by pre-ordering your copy here:

https://amzn.to/2X7DGbk

The Witch’s Corner ~ May Magick!

“…Thank you to all the people who sent me their true Ouija Board Experiences! It was fascinating hearing about what you went through and how it has affected you. I enjoyed reading your stories, and I’m betting the viewers will enjoy hearing them! Again, thank you for taking the time and effort to send them to me. You’ll find the Ouija Board Stories in this month’s Newsletter Video…scroll down.

The “Special Offer” for this month’s newsletter ~ When you purchase a 3 card audio tarot reading, you’ll receive a FREE crescent moon pendant. (While supplies last). This offer expires on May 31st, so you’d better scroll all the way down to the bottom of this newsletter and use the Paypal widget found there.

Check out the section, Spell-a-Day: Monday-Friday Magick, for some magickal inspiration and some pretty vibrant and major magickal candle spells. Included in this section are the following spells ~ Spirit Guide Protection; Goin’ to the Chapel; Loosin’ the Pen; Goin’ for Broke; The Goddess in Me.

There’s also a special video section this month with some inspiration from some amazing Youtube women. Kudos to them! I hope you enjoy their videos as much as I do!

You’ll find all the usual sections on herbs, stones, and moon magick… I hope you enjoy browsing this newsletter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Have a wonderful, happy, magickal May!…”

http://www.thewitchscornernewsletter.yolasite.com/may-2018.php

 

 

The Witch’s Corner Newsletter ~ March 2018

Welcome to the March Newsletter!CLICK HERE

I’ll be resuming monthly in-house tarot readings at Next Millennium in March.  My first session will be Friday, March 30th, 4-7pm.  Readings are $25.00 for 15 minutes.  Be sure to get there early and sign in on the sign-up sheet!  I’m so excited to be doing this again.

My essay for March is all about Automatic Writing ~ What is automatic writing?  Can anyone do it?  How do you begin?  How do you protect yourself?  How do you set the mood?  You’ll read about all the steps to go through in order to set yourself up for a fruitful, insightful, spiritual, and SAFE automatic writing session.

Of course, March means the celebration of Ostara for many pagans, and this holiday is highlighted in this issue.  This will include the March Moon, as well as an herb and a stone connected to this moon.  We’ll explore the idea of the energies associated with this month and the magick connections we can make through this energy, and this will include a look at the Throat Chakra.

You’ll find a March Special from The Witch’s Corner at the bottom of this newsletter.  This March Special will have a considerable savings, so use the Paypal widget provided below to purchase your special March Item.  This special offers expires on March 31st.

Here’s links to my websites and blog for your convenience:

The Witch’s Corner: http://amythystraine.blogspot.com

The Tarot Parlour:  http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com

Magickal Connections:  http://wytchymystique.com

My Youtube Channel:  click  HERE

 

From The Witch’s Corner ~ Herbs for Divination & Spirit Contact

I decided at the last minute to shoot this video when I was going to prepare my oil burner with some herbs for divination and spirit contact.  I was planning on doing some divination later in the day, dealing with the topic of spirit communication, and my girls had been at me for a long time to sit down at the table with them and a Ouija board.  I wanted to burn some herbs in my oil burner (potpourrie style) to set the energy in the house on that wave length.
The Witch’s Corner
http://amythystraine.blogspot.com
Magickal Connections
http://wytchymystique.com
The Tarot Parlour
http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com
Music ~
Avec Soin – Romance by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
 Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100860
 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

 
 

Making a Non-Wax Candle (video!)

The candle I made for this video is a spell candle for love, but for any of my muggles who happen to visit this blog, this is just the basic way to make a regular ole’ non-wax candle.  It was so much fun, and even the couple glitches I ran into during the process (which you’ll see) didn’t dampen my ardor, or the final results!

Enjoy!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Making a LOVE Non-Wax Spell Candle ~
Items Needed:
1.  a glass jar, size of your choice
2.  wick
3.  crazy glue
4.  Crisco Shortening, or any other name-brand solid vegetable shortening
5.  a crayon, red
6.  herbs ~ rose petal, hibiscus, nutmeg
7.  essential oil ~ rose
8.  a paper bowl
This project was So Much Fun, and I screwed up during the process!  When I poured the hot mixture into my glass container, the wick became dislodged from the small metal tab that held it to the bottom of the jar.  Oh dear, what shall we do?  Instead of cutting the camera and fixing the problem before moving on, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to show you what I did to fix this problem.  It’s all a “learn as we go” process…everything is!
I am hoping to add these candles, in assorted sizes and containers, to the merchandise at The Witch’s Corner.  I LOVE making them, so I’m also pretty sure that my daughters will wind up with a multitude of colored candles for various occasions and intentions!
I hope you enjoyed this video…thank you for liking, sharing, and subscribing.  (It matters, you know!)  And Happy Candle Making!!!
Love & Blessings,
Amythyst
My website: THE WITCH’S CORNER
http://amythystraine.blogspot.com
My blog:  MAGICKAL CONNECTIONS
http://wytchymystique.com
Tarot Readings:  THE TAROT PARLOUR
http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com
 ________________________________

Music ~
Avec Soin – Romance by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100860
 Artist: http://incompetech.com/

FAQ ~ Old Herbs, Male Witches, the Queen Stage (video podcast)

In this episode of Frequently Asked Questions, the topics are:
1.  Herbs ~ When they get old, do I have to throw them out?
2. Male Witches
3. Queen Stage of Women’s Mysteries ~ I also discuss the Maiden, Mother, Crone, and how they all transcend age and biology!

“The Smell of Magick”
https://wytchymystique.com/2011/09/10/the-smell-of-magick/

http://ladyamythyst.com
http://wytchymystique.com
http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com

Woman Speak 3-20-2015

The Goddess is Copia; the tarot card is seven of wands.  In this episode you are invited inside the Witch’s house to snoop in her Magickal Cupboard!  What do you think you’ll find?

Woman Speak 3-6-2015

This week the goddess is Airmed. The topics are herbs and green witchcraft. Our project– we’re going to create a Witch’s Bottle for Love Magick. You’ll also find a section at this video on precautions for love magick, encouraging common sense, as well as the use of mundane efforts to keep your life running smoothly, and to keep yourself safe. The National Domestic Abuse Hotline number will be found at the end of this video.

Woman Speak 2-6-2015

Come plant rosemary with me…the Goddess is Thalia, the herb blessed Rosemary. Where ever you might live, whether on an acreage, or in an apartment, plant a garden to invoke goddess energy. Here’s what to plant at the four corners and at the elemental quarters. And what shall we put in the center?…let’s find out.

 

Magickal Preparations for Winter

1.  Cleanse each room of energy debris…The negative stuff, the dark and ugly energy lurking in the corners and beneath the couch and chairs, the energy that hides in the cubbies and closets and scares those children who sense it…smudge, incense, burn candles, and bring out that magickal broom– sweep, sweep, sweep that space clean.  Leave a wee bit of something behind to keep this space clear, to let the Dark Ones, the Spirits, and Ghosts know that you’ve reclaimed this space, that it is yours— a mojo bag of protection and deflection, some cleansing & protective herbs tied up in pretty bundles and tacked to the ceiling here and there, over the windows, or door frames. And never assume that cleansing this space once will keep it clear forever. Every once-in-a-while, light some candles & incense, send positive energy through this space. Keep your guard up, keep your magickal energy pure, draw your magickal lines in the sand.

2.  Gather your harvest of herbs…As I write this, we’re just nine days out from Samhain.  In my neck of the woods we’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather so far.  We’ve had a couple really cold nights, only one where I had to cover anything, and we still have a lively garden.  So now is my time to Gather Those Magickal Herbs & Plants!!.  In the stillness of the Indian Summer days, I will clip and snip, tie and bind, hang and dry a variety of plants that will be tacked to my kitchen ceiling, crushed and added to bottles and jars, or arranged in pretty glass bowls.  This is the season for the Green Witch to reap the harvests of Mother Earth, to restock her magickal cabinet.  Hurry, before winter descends and the snow flies.

3.  Put your garden to rest for the season, magickally speaking…The nature spirits have spent all summer fluttering about your garden, gracing it with health and a wealth of blossoms and buds.  But it’s time now for nature to retreat into the depths of winter; it’s time for the plants to finish their final cycle; it’s time for the soil to rest.  On a quiet still autumn day, take a white candle and some incense into your garden, thank the fairies and spirits for their care and presence and magick.  Bid them adieu, until we meet again in spring.  Scatter to the four corners of this magickal space crushed rosemary and sage, allow the candle to burn in the center of the garden, sending out healing energy for Nature, as well as a  last flame of light before the darkness of winter descends.  It’s sort of bitter-sweet, this process for me; but you can leave your garden with a wistful smile, knowing that this is only a temporary good-by, a temporary sleep.  When spring comes, you’ll rejoice with the flowers and herbs and shrubs once more.

4.  Prepare your vehicle for winter travel…Just like most people check the tires, change the oil, and mundanely “winterize” their vehicles in anticipation of severe winter weather conditions, so you will want to magickally “winterize” your vehicle, making sure there is a powerhouse of positive protective energy surrounding the vehicle itself and everyone who travels in it.  This is an ongoing thing at our house.  I use stone talismans created personally, decorated with symbols and words related to specific deities invoking their energy for protection.  I use mojo bags filled with calamus root and plantain– one of the strongest combinations of herbs for safe travel– along with a tiger eye stone and even hair clippings from the car’s owner and people who will be routinely traveling in this vehicle.  Smudge the vehicle with sage or a favorite incense; asperge (sprinkle) the vehicle with salted water for purification and blessings; anoint the four sides of the vehicle with Mars Astrological Ointment, dipping your finger in the oil and drawing an invoking pentagram discreetly near the bottom of the car doors.  Settle into the coming winter months with the security of knowing that you’ve done all you can possibly do to assure safe travel for you and your family members

Photo: Magickal Preparations for Winter: 2.  Gather your harvest of herbs...As I write this, we're just nine days out from Samhain.  In my neck of the woods we've been incredibly lucky with the weather so far.  We've had a couple really cold nights, only one where I had to cover anything, and we still have a lively garden.  So now is my time to Gather Those Magickal Herbs & Plants!!.  In the stillness of the Indian Summer days, I will clip and snip, tie and bind, hang and dry a variety of plants that will be tacked to my kitchen ceiling, crushed and added to bottles and jars, or arranged in pretty glass bowls.  This is the season for the Green Witch to reap the harvests of Mother Earth, to restock her magickal cabinet.  Hurry, before winter descends and the snow flies.

Green Witchcraft: Herbs & Planetary Connections

 

cropped-magic-2.jpg

Old school Witchcraft 101…those of you who’ve thrown some magickal energy around (in a good way, of course), cast a few circles, chanted a few chants, those who have walked this path for any length of time and tapped into the magickal realm of witchcraft and wizardry, are going to be familiar with the information in this blog post, but be patient with me.  This post is for the new kids on the block.  (Better than being patient, why don’t you add your magickal two cents to this post with a comment by leaving some of your own wisdom for new witches to pick up on, things you’ve learned through your own experience and practice…thank you in advance.)

Below are the planets and their special energies and ten of my favorite herbs for each planet:

MOON— Day/Monday– this is the planet that is immersed in the energy of the goddess, feminine energy, intuition, inner mysteries, dreams, the filmy ethereal world of fairies and mythical creatures, and the element of Water

The herbs:  calamus, lemon balm, gardenia, passion flower, jasmine, lotus, moonwort, myrrh, sandalwood, poppy, camellia

MERCURY— Day/Wednesday– this is the planet connected to communication and creativity, it centers on intelligence and wonderful lucid moments of awareness, and the element of Air

The herbs:  fennel, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, peppermint, almond, bittersweet, flax, horehound, lily of the valley

VENUS— Day/Friday– this is the planet connected to love and romance, beauty and luxury, it’s bathed in the warm glow of healthy narcissism and mutual attraction, sexuality, warm and fuzzy friendships, and the element of Water

The herbs:  apple, aster, magnolia, hibiscus, foxglove, geranium, blackberry, corn, lilac, willow

MARS— Day/Tuesday– this is the harsh, hot, in-your-face energy of the warrior, it encompasses strength, it protects, it challenges, it sets boundaries and patrols the parameters of our world, on the watch for negative energy, and it is connected to the element of Fire

The herbs:  cumin, garlic, ginger, holly, pine, tobacco, wormwood, coriander, allspice, hawthorn

JUPITER— Day/Thursday– this is the planet of growth and expansion, it touches and influences the financial commercial world we inhabit, it infiltrates the judicial system, the institutions that keep our society running smoothly, and it’s influenced by the element of Earth

The herbs:  anise, dandelion, sage, nutmeg, witch grass, clove, honeysuckle, hyssop, maple, fig

SATURN— Day/Saturday– the dark side, the shadow world is found here, the place that so many tend to tip-toe through, but the energy so often needed, this is the planet that will bring the truth to light and punish those who have harmed others, and it’s connected with the element of Earth and Fire

The herbs:  skullcap, slippery elm, wolf’s bane, morning glory (devil’s guts), hemlock, hemp, belladonna, comfrey, mimosa, knot weed

 

Find the Magick: Suave– Rosemary & Mint Shampoo

I have lots of hair, and I’ve tried lots of products– expensive and not– and I always come back to a tried and true shampoo and brand that’s always worked for me…Suave.  The line that they have now, the one we’re going to look at in this post, is relatively new– or at least it is in our area.  It’s in a sage green bottle, and it comes in a variety of herbal mixtures.  I love them all, but the one I’m using right now is “Rosemary & Mint”.

So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and look at some of the ingredients and the magickal energy:

Eucalyptus:
Element: Air; Planet: Moon; Energy: Feminine
Uses include great healing properties, kills germs, infections, eases lung congestion, heart stimulant. Attracts healing vibrations and protection. Use to purify and cleanse any space of unwanted energies. Also useful in dream and sleep pillows.

Spearmint:
Element: Water; Planet: Venus; Energy: Feminine
Healing, love and protection while sleeping. Burn for healing magick, especially for respiratory conditions. Carry for healing. Use in ritual baths for strength and vitality. Write a wish on paper and wrap it in spearmint leaves; place in a red cloth and sew with red thread, then keep in a safe and secret place — by the time the scent is gone, your wish should have come true.

Aloe:
Element: Water; Planet: Moon; Energy: Feminine
Protection and luck. Place on the grave of a loved one to promote peaceful energy. Thought to relieve loneliness and assist with success. Hang in the home to attract luck and protection for those who live there. Grow in the home to provide protection from household accidents. Burn on the night of a full moon to bring a new lover by the new moon.

Lemon Grass
Element: Air; Planet: Mercury; Energy: Masculine
Psychic cleansing and opening, used in lust potions.

Rosemary
Element: Fire; Planet: Sun; Energy: Masculine
Protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth. Burn to purify and cleanse. Use in love and lust incenses and potions. Use for healing of all kinds. A tea of rosemary causes the mind to be alert. Circulatory, digestive and nerve stimulant. Heals headache, depression, and halitosis.

Lavender
Element: Air; Planet: Mercury; Energy: Masculine
Magickal uses include love, protection, healing, sleep, purification, and peace. Promotes healing from depression. Great in sleep pillows and bath spells. Believed to preserve chastity when mixed with rosemary. Burn the flowers to induce sleep and rest, then scatter the ashes around the home to bring peace and harmony. Use in love spells and sachets, especially those to attract men.

Image result for rosemary mint shampoo, suave

 

 

Herbs: The Magickal Acorn

Photobucket

The Acorn:

Good luck, protection, wisdom, and personal power.  A dried acorn is an excellent natural amulet for keeping a youthful appearance.

Technically, I’m not sure if the acorn counts as an “herb”, since it springs from the mighty Oak Tree…however, I do know that it most definitely is full of magickal energy, and it is part of the sacred world of plants, so we’ll include it here.  Just so you know, I have an entire glass container full of acorns for my own magickal use. 🙂

The lore:

The oak is a sacred tree to many cultures and spiritual practitioners, including the Druids. There is a Nordic tale of the great god Thor sheltering beneath a mighty oak tree during a storm.  The goddess Diana is often depicted wearing a necklace of acorns.  The Celts and Druids found the oak tree especially symbolic of the Samhain season.  The tree is a symbol of the Horned God, Herne (or Cernunnos)

The acorn is considered the first sacred food of civilization.  It’s symbolic of security and abundance, and it counteracts loneliness, illnesses, and pain.  It’s energy aids in maintaining longevity, draws good luck, and preserves the illusion of youth.

You can identify your true love by labeling two acorn caps with your name and the name of your beloved.  Float them in a bowl of water, if they drift together, you’ve made a successful match, if they float apart…so does your love.

Or as Dr. Jung suggested, an Oak tree becomes an Oak tree, not a radish.  So it is with human beings.

For more magickal information on herbs,
follow this link:

 Magickal Herbs

 

Herbs: Rosemary… “Dew of the Sea”

Rosemary

A Rosemary Summoning Spell:

Use rosemary and a pinch of Drawing Powder to summon someone to you that you have feelings for, or whose help you need. This could include someone you have romantic feelings for; someone you love in a platonic way; someone that you’re connected to through blood or circumstance; or someone whose help you need with an issue or personal problem. Think of this spell as a pied piper’s wiggling finger inferring, “Come hither.”

You will gather a handful of dried rosemary, a photo/signature/or name paper of the one you need to summon, and a lovely little fire– either outdoors in a nice fire pit, or a smaller adaptation in your cauldron.

When you get your fire burning properly, drop into it the photo/signature/or name paper; next, the rosemary, sprinkling it carefully so you don’t smother your flames. And finally, just a pinch of Drawing Powder.

As the flames consume the ingredients of your spell, chant:

“Blessed rosemary, I call unto thee;
Summon (name) to come to me.”

cauldron 2

Courtesy of “Magickal Herbs” @ The Witch’s Corner:

Rosemary
Planet: Sun; Element: Fire: Energy: Masculine (projective)
Protection, love, lust, mental powers, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth. Burn to purify and cleanse. Use in love and lust incenses and potions. Use for healing of all kinds. A tea of rosemary causes the mind to be alert. Circulatory, digestive and nerve stimulant. Heals headache, depression, and halitosis.

____________________

*Note:  check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplement,
especially if you are currently prescribed other medications.