Herbs: The Magickal Acorn

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

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.

For more magickal information on herbs,
follow this link:

Magickal Herbs

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Herbs: Rosemary… “Dew of the Sea”

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

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.”

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.

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

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Herb of the Week: St. John’s Wort

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

St. John’s Wort
Planet: Sun; Element: Fire; Energy: Masculine (projective)
Health, protection, strength, love divination, happiness, exorcism. A Druid sacred herb. Use in protection and exorcism spells and incenses of all kinds. Use as a tea to treat depression. Use the leaves in a necklace to ward off sickness and tension. Carry to strengthen your courage and conviction. Burn to banish negative thoughts and energies.

The teas are great, if you’re going to drink lots of tea to combat the doldrums, that is to kill anxiety and mild depression; but a more efficient way to ingest this drug, and to ingest it in the dosage that will actually do you some good, is to get the capsules. I finally broke down and bought a bottle at our local Wal-Mart, and I do have to say that this works. It sort of overrides that panic-stricken feeling people get sometimes when life is just moving too fast, too much coming at you, too many negative things to deal with, or too many high pressure things to deal with. The dosage on this over-the-counter herbal supplement reads “2 capsules three times a day, preferably with meals”. You have to use it for 2-3 weeks before you begin to feel the effects, but believe me, it’s worth it– and there are none of the negative side effects that you would find in many of the pharmaceuticals that are used as anti-anxiety medication.

As for the sacred herb itself and the magickal uses, this is one of the main herbs on my magickal shelf.

Source: Some of the info for this post was taken from…

http://www.ladyamythyst.com/magickal-herbs

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

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Find the Magick: in a cup of tea

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Amythyst Raine

In the spirit of Kitchen Wytchery, let’s find the magick in a cup of tea, and I’m not talking about a special cup of tea that we’re brewing just for some magickal mysterious purpose, but a ready-made tea purchased at the local grocery store. *These teas are chockfull of herbs which all contain magickal occult properties, something the average person is totally unaware of. We’re going through the ingredients to find out just what kind of energies we’re working with:

The tea: “Dream Easy”
The brand: “Hyvee” (a local grocery store chain here in the mid-west, this is their store brand)
The ingredients: chamomile, spearmint, lemon grass, tilia flowers, blackberry leaves, orange blossoms, hawthorn berries, rosebuds

The Magick:

1. Chamomile: energy/projective (masculine); planet/Sun; element/Water. First, I beg to differ with the source I’m using for this info, but I find the fact that this herb’s energy is masculine (projective) and it’s planetary association (the Sun) is also masculine, yet it’s linked to the feminine element of Water– I get it “sleepy time, relaxing, etc.”; and, Water, as in dreams. But this still doesn’t feel right to me– the sun, the energy, all points to the element of Fire. Just saying.

Magickal energies: for sleep, to promote calmness, but also for luck in money matters; used in issues dealing with god energy– men’s mysteries, men’s health, etc., healing energies in general.

2. Spearmint: energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water.

Magickal energies: used to promote healing, especially of the lungs (respiratory issues); used to promote love– actually to generate a little lust it’s said, though this herb would not be my first choice in this matter, way too tame to ignite this kind of raw passion, if you ask me, spearmint would lend itself better to something quieter and more deliberate, like sultry seduction; used to sharpen your mental faculties, though the element used for this endeavor would best be left to Air. It’s also said that this is the herb you want to tuck into your pillow, or keep near your bed, as it will protect you at your most vulnerable– when you’re asleep.

3. Lemon grass: energy/projective (masculine); planet/Mercury; element/Air.

Magickal energies: This herb is used to repel snakes– though, unless they were poisonous or dangerous, I don’t know why anyone would deliberately want to repel snakes, unless they had some deep seated phobia. Snakes are beneficial to your garden, and reflective of wisdom and goddess energy. Lemon grass is also used to heighten your psychic awareness, and again, this is another herb used to enhance lust.

4. Tilia flowers: (also known as “linden flowers” or “lime flowers”) energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water.

Magickal energies: the energies are geared to love, luck, sleep, rest, dreams, weddings, and beauty. What’s not to love about tilia flowers. The energy of the Linden trees are said to be protective, this is also a ‘tree of immortality’, which would lend it’s energy perfectly for magickal spells of eternal youth and beauty; this is a favorite herb for all kinds of love magicks. Make a dream pillow of equal parts lavender and tilia which promotes both restful sleep and prophetic dreams.

5. Blackberry leaves: energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water. This herb is sacred to the old Celtic goddess Brighid, renowned for healing, poetry, and smithcraft. She’s most notably celebrated on February 2nd, a holiday called Imbolc.

Magickal energies: healing, money, and protection.

6. Orange Blossoms: energy/projective (masculine); planet/Sun; element/Fire.

Magickal energies: love (known as “Love Fruit”), divination, luck, and money. The dried peel and seeds are used in a wide array of love magick, whether it be candle magick, mojo bags, or dollies, and this magick is serious– whompom serious– this is magick geared to culminate with a walk down the aisle. (I think it’s a hoot that orange blossoms are tremendously popular in wedding bouquets, but the general public doesn’t have a clue as to why.) Enhance your beauty by adding orange seeds to your bath water, or by drinking orange juice with this intention. This adds a new dimension to the old saying “beautiful inside and out”, no kidding, there are many forms of beauty, and what you are inside is going to show on the outside. (There’s a few specific people I’d like to point this out to but, ahem, we’ll move on.) Orange blossoms are added to love and lust potions, and since the element here is Fire, use with discretion, I imagine these potions carry quite a punch. The divination aspect, specifically for yes/no questions– ask a question, eat an orange, count the seeds– even/yes; odd/no.

7. Hawthorn berries: energy/projective (masculine); planet/ Mars; element/Fire.

Magickal energies: fertility, chastity, fishing luck, happiness. Because of it’s ability to increase fertility, this herb was long used in wedding ceremonies; on the other side of this coin, and it’s quite a flip– the leaves of the Hawthorn tree are said to promote chastity. I would imagine that these leaves, along with nutmeg, could be used in some high-falutin fidelity magick, but this would best be done with extreme caution, or there might be a whole lot of people who are going to find themselves suddenly celibate when this is not the desired outcome. Carry these berries with you on fishing ventures to fill your nets (and your skillet); use these berries to help alleviate depression (magically speaking, mind you); and turn to the Hawthorn for protection from lightening and evil spirits.

The Hawthorn tree does have some weight in the world of the witch– they use to be used to decorate Maypoles for Beltaine, and as far as lore goes, it was believed that Hawthorn trees were actually witches who transformed themselves into the tree (to avoid being burned at the stake, no doubt). Hawthorn trees are sacred to the witch.

8. Rosebuds: energy/receptive (feminine); planet/Venus; element/Water.

Magickal energies: love (and divination for love), psychic powers, healing, protection.

Are you kidding, this is The Ultimate Herb used for all kinds of love magicks, bar none. It is the epitome of love magick, encompassing human coupling on every level imaginable, and many levels you haven’t imagined yet. It’s worn for this purpose, given as a gift for this purpose, used in candle magick, mojo bags, hoodoo dollies, and in any significant way that a practitioner can come up with; it’s been burned, buried, and frozen, all in the name of love. A tea made of rosebuds is drank at bedtime to promote healthy sleep and prophetic dreams– and what do you think the main topic of these dreams will be– you got it. Rosebuds and rosehips are used in spells to attract fairies to your garden, to heal minor aches and pains, as well as to relieve stress.

Now, drink your tea…

*Note: This statement is not meant to alarm anyone who doesn’t practice witchcraft. By using these teas, you are not inadvertently casting magick spells hither and thither. Remember– everything used and done to cast a spell must be used and done with intention. It’s all in the mind; it’s all in your purpose.

The sources for this article: “Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs” by Scott Cunningham, and my own Book of Shadows

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*Note: the photo is courtesy of Pinterest

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Winter Solstice: December Magick, the Whys & Hows

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

Happy Winter Solstice!

December

Named for: “Decem”, meaning ‘ten’

Anglo-Saxon: Midwintra-monap

Birthstone: turquoise, zircon

Flower: holly, narcissus, poinsettia

December Moon Magick:

Oak Moon

Herbs: cedar wood, juniper, sage, star anise, carnation

Stones: lapis, smoky quartz, lazulite

Scents: violet, patchouli, frankincense, myrrh, rose geranium

Colors: red, white, black

Trees: pine, fir, holly

Deities: Hathor, Hecate, Athese

Elements: Fire/Water

Astrological Influences for December:

Sagittarius:

ruled by Jupiter, projective/masculine, mutable/fire

Capricorn:

ruled by Saturn, receptive/feminine, cardinal/earth

Pagan Holiday:

Winter Solstice/Yule

December 21

Winter Solstice…the longest day of darkness in the year; and with the darkness comes the promise of light, the rebirth of the Sun. It is no wonder, because of the importance of this date to the ancient pagans and the symbolism involved, that the Roman church chose this date to celebrate the birth of Christ.

This is the time that the brothers battle– the Holly King & the Oak King. The Oak King will win this fight with his brother, and light and warmth will return to the Earth.

Herbs: frankincense, myrrh, sage, bayberry, rosemary

Altar Flowers/Herbs: holly, mistletoe, pine cones, evergreen, thistle, cedar

Feast Foods: fruitcake, gingerbread, cranberries, dried fruit, eggnog, cider/wine

Animals: white buffalo, stag, weasels, owls, squirrels, blue jays, cardinals, doves

Incense: bayberry, cedar, frankincense, myrrh, orange, sage, rosemary

Rituals/Spells: hearth and home magick, lighting the Yule log, hopes and dreams spells, wishes

(The information above is from, “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”, by Amythyst Raine)

Magickal Herbs for the Holidays:

mortar_pestle-1.jpg picture by witch_of_endore

Holly

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars

Element: Fire

Powers: Protection, anti-lightening, luck, dream magic

Magical Uses:

Holly is a protective herb used to keep you safe from lightening, poison, and evil spirits. Planted around the home, it keeps the occupants safe from black magic. Holly is said to tame wild animals, and holly water sprinkled on newborn babies will protect them.

This herb is carried to promote good luck– especially when carried by men, because its energy is masculine. At Yule time its hung around the house for good luck.

Its said that holly leaves added to a mojo bag and kept beneath your pillow will make your dreams come true.

Ivy

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Saturn

Element: Water

Powers: Protection, healing

Magical Uses:

Ivy is carried by women for good luck in general, and is traditionally carried by brides for this reason.

Where Ivy is grown or scattered, its suppose to guard against negativity and disaster. Its also used in fidelity and love charms and spells.

Ivy is magically “paired” with holly as a potent charm.

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Magickal Stones for the Holiday Season:

To commemorate the season, we’re going to look at stones that promote “Peace”.

Sapphire

Energy: Receptive (feminine)

Planet: Moon

Element: Water

Powers: Psychism, love, meditaiton, peace, defensive magic, healing, power, money

Magical Uses:

Sapphires are worn to awaken the third eye chakra and increase your psychic powers. This stone is said to be the ‘guardian of love’, promoting positive feelings and fidelity between couples. The sapphire also banishes envy, promotes positive social interaction, and is said to reconcile foes.

Sapphires are worn during meditation to induce a peaceful state.

Sodalite

Energy: Receptive (feminine)

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Powers: Healing, peace, meditation, wisdom

Magical Uses:

Sodalite is a healing stone used for emotionally related diseases, such as those caused by stress, nervousness, anger, or fear. This stone is said to dispel fear and guilt and to calm inner turmoil.

This is also a popular stone for meditation, said to promote wisdom.

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Plantain: Magickal or Mundane

Posted on August 1, 2013 by Amythyst Raine

The perfect carpet of suburban green lawn does not exist at our house; at least not yet, but that might change once my husband gets his hands on it. We don’t have a conventional lawn right now at all, we have what’s been called “pasture”. Within it grows numerous types of plants, many of them labeled ‘weeds’ by the more pristine lawn connoisseurs. (A weed’s a flower too, once you get to know it– I saw this quote just yesterday somewhere, probably Facebook.)

One of the wild green things growing freely in our lawn is a plant called Plantain. You can see it in the foreground of this photo. It grows with wild abandonment in our yard, most often in cliquish little clumps here and there. In the early stages you won’t see the long seed stems, just the wide green leaves close to the ground.

Every year I gather bunches of plantain, filling a large glass jar, squashing the leaves down, getting as much as I can into one container, on my knees, going from one island of plantain to another, front and back yard. This is an extraordinarily versatile plant, both magickally and mundanely speaking– which I value greatly. I’m going to start with the conventional side of plantain, some of the practical uses it can be valued for, sort of like nature’s medicine cabinet…

For Insect Bites:

Cover fresh insect stings (from bees, wasps, or hornets) with wet crushed plantain leaves. Replace the leaves as they dry out. The idea is to press out the poison, to draw it out, as well as to relieve any discomfort at the same time.

For Inflammation:

Wrap bruised wet plantain leaves around the infected area, keeping them wet by covering them with a plastic bag or a wet cloth. Be sure to keep the leaves wet. It’s been said that plantain works on infected finger sores where conventional antibiotic ointments have failed.

An Herbal Ointment: Plantain Liquefied Ointment

(An ointment is a soothing healing balm made with a base of oil, lard, grease, or petroleum, into which you’ve added herbs and plants for medicinal purposes. It’s most simply made by heating your base and adding your other ingredients; then pouring the mixture into a container to cool and thicken, and this process can be helped along if you wish by adding bees wax, coco butter, or honey. If you’ve a mind to, you can add a couple drops of benzoin, glycerin, or a preservative to the mix, but I’m a purist at heart, and either I’ll use a batch of ointment up in good time, or I’ll eventually toss it out and make a new one as needed.)

2 1/2 cups fresh plantain leaves
1 1/2 cups wheat germ oil
1/2 cup honey

Mix the what germ oil and the honey in a blender, adding fresh plantain leaves. Blend well, then scrape this mixture into a container of your choice (I prefer small glass jars), and be sure you label it. To help the mixture harden up to the right consistency, add 2 1/c tablespoons of hot bees wax.

Now the fun stuff, we’re going to leave the conventional world behind and look at all the wonderous magickal– wiccan, pagany, witchcrafty ways we can make use of Plantain. This is a plant that I use a lot– I mean a lot— for a variety of magick and intentions.

First, I’m a fuss-budget, a worry wart– a mother– and I want my family to be safe whenever they are traveling in a vehicle, and I don’t care if it’s across town for a gallon of milk, or across the country to visit family. There must be, absolutely must be, a small bag of plantain and calamus root in everyone’s vehicle. It’s priceless, believed to protect travelers from harm, and as I’ve said before, I take a good deal of stock in it– my oldest daughter has totaled two cars on Omaha’s freeways, and she’s walked away without a scratch both times, her mojo bundle of herbal magick tucked beneath the driver’s seat.

Another protective use for plantain is to keep your property safe from theft: in good old-fashioned mojo tradition, fill a blue flannel bag with plantain and place it in the four corners, or at the four compass points, around your property.

Use plantain magickally to cure illness: it’s believed that by writing the name of the inflicted person three times on a small piece of paper, wrapping this paper in a plantain leaf, and laying the leaf on the heart of the patient, you can chase out the disease and restore good health. (I know I sound like I have a lot of faith in plantain’s magickal and mundane abilities, but for gawd’s sake, use some common sense– you can mix good old folk magick right along with a fabulous thing known as ‘modern medicine’. I don’t want to hear of anyone stopping routine medical care by competent medical professionals and replacing it with folk remedies alone…really.)

If you’re the victim of someone with a big mouth and a little brain, you can stop one and/or the other with a mixture of crushed dried plantain leaves and slippery elm (Shut yo’ mouth…says it all). I think I’d prefer to do a little candle magick with this combo– oil up a yellow candle with a good oil of your choice, roll it in the herbs, place it in a cauldron or other fire-proof container and burn away…and just for good measure, I’d place a slip of paper with the target’s name on it beneath the candle– and if you get your hands on a photo of them, which is so darn easy to do in this internet/Facebook world, you can really go to town. Knock yourself out.

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Garden Magick: My Herbal Shopping List

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Amythyst Raine

I have friends who live in warmer climates, and they tell me that their rosemary and lavender are perennials. That’s not the case where I live, except for a huge mound of sage I planted years ago which comes up faithfully every year, and several plants that are native to my area (Nebraska). So every spring I make a list of the herbs I want to re-plant, rosemary and lavender being right up there at the top. I’m in the process of making my list right now, and I’m going to post it here, along with some magickal information on the correspondences and uses for these herbs.

Rosemary

Gender: masculine (or projective)
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Magickal Energies: protection, cleansing, purification, exorcism, healing, beauty/youth

I use rosemary for cleansing a space of unwanted negative energy. You can add it to the water you’re going to use to scrub the floor; burn it, using the smoke to magickally smudge an area; hang dried bunches of the plant in the four corners of a room, over the threshold of doorways, or above the windows. I’ve made a tincture of rosemary to use as an astringent for my face– I took a nice size bottle, filled it with spring water, added a pretty sprig of rosemary and let it sit and seep overnight, in the moonlight. The next day, you can remove the sprig of rosemary– though I chose to leave mine in the bottle– and refrigerate. To use it, just pour a little on a cotton-ball and use it to wipe down your face after you’ve washed your face as usual to remove makeup. Not only is the rosemary good for your complexion, you are tapping into the magickal energy of this herb to preserve the appearance of youth and beauty.

Lavender

Gender: masculine (or projective)
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air
Magickal Energies: love, sleep, romance, purification, destressing, communication, enhancment of creative energy

I most often use lavender in mojo bags and poppets aimed at romance; for mojo bags kept beneath pillows to enhance sleep; for candle spells to remove negative and stressful energies from an individual, from a set of circumstances, or from a particular space. Burn a yellow candle dressed in Witch’s Oil and rolled in crushed lavender before beginning a project connected with communication, such as a writing project or assignment, or a personal letter. Keep a bowl of lavender by the computer for this same magickal enhancement, because this is an area that is engulfed in the energy and act of communicating with others. Finally, at the end of the day, drop a sprig or two in your bathwater to destress, to find peace and comfort, to shed the energies of all those people with whom you’ve come in contact with all day long.

Dill

Gender: masculine (or projective)
Planet: Mercury
Element: Fire
Magickal Energies: protection, power, lust, fertility, money mojo

I have used dill seeds in money spells, especially money spells geared towards children– such as cases involving child support disputes or other issues of this nature. The other thing that I’ve most called on Dill for is protection. Grind the leaves of this plant and add it to a red flannel bag, along with a rusty nail (or a cemetery nail, if you have it), a snip of hair from your head and a fingernail clipping, along with a pinch of whole cloves. Next, tear a page from a bible containing the 23rd psalm, write your name in large bold letters across the page (in dragon’s blood ink, if you have it), fold this paper up to fit inside the red bag. Hang this bag near the front door of your home to prevent enemies from entering; this means anyone who would wish you ill, even someone you may not recognize as an enemy.

I’m sure this isn’t it for my planting, but at least it’s a start to my list. I’m going to have to wait until the green-houses open up in my area to see what’s available. One thing about planting dill, my daughters love the huge brilliant catapillars that are attracted to it. They are really stunning– black, white, and yellow. I didn’t plant any last year, and we missed watching them. I have to say that over the years I’ve tried potting some of my outdoor herbs and bringing them inside to winter, including my rosemary and lavender, but this just never seems to work for me, the plants just don’t last long indoors. Not enough sunny windows perhaps, or maybe I water them too much/not enough. Anyway, we’ve been taking advantage of this wonderful and warmer than average weather to do some yard work and get our garden spots ready for spring planting.

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A Natural Witch Moment: What is the difference between the Hedgewitch, Kitchen Witch, & Green Witch?

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Amythyst Raine

The Hummingbird:

Energies: peace, joy, love
Element: Water
Planet: Venus
Colors: pink, green,
Herbs: lavender, primrose, fern, lotus
Stones: rose quartz, jade

Hummingbird is a free spirit of the forest. It follows the wind from blossom to blossom without leaving a trail of its existence. It is the spirit of the seeker, forever searching for that which will fulfill it. It is the embodiment of wistful love; the harbinger of good omens; a creature of the wind, carrying messages to and fro through the twisted limbs of trees and shades of ever-changing sky. Hummingbird is the favored steed of fairy folk; the messenger of dreams; and handmaiden to the green witch.

Skullcap:

Energies: love, fidelity, peace
Element: Water
Planet: Saturn
Gender: Feminine (receptive)

Skullcap is used in spells to promote peace and harmony; to ease transitions of any kind; to enhance mental clarity and peace of mind; to help heal the soul from a loss; and to enhance meditation. It’s said that if a woman wears skullcap, her husband will be so strongly drawn to her as to be oblivious to the charms of other women. Skullcap is also used in spells of reconciliation, to heal rifts in friendships, and to cleanse a space of disruptive or frenetic energies.

What is the difference between the Hedgewitch, Kitchen Witch, & Green Witch?

A lot of people view these three aspects of the witch as one in the same thing, with a few minor differences, and I believe this to be true, especially when you look at the similarities between the Hedge, Kitchen, and Green witch: all three of these practices involve using natural things of the world, those things found around you, to create magic– herbs and stones; energies of the animal world; folk magic; personal spells; and informal spell casting, rather than heavy-duty ritual. Most of these practices involve a solitary practitioner, and this practitioner tends to be very independent and imaginative in their magickal endeavors. Simplicity is the bottom line, inter-laced with old world charm.

The Green Witch…connects with the power and magickal energy found within herbs. Her magic is natural and is often attuned to healing– healing of the body, mind, and soul through the world of herbs and the abundant magickal power found there. This witch tends to be a solitary practitioner, often tending her gardens, perhaps even growing many of the herbs she uses in her practice. She has a unique connection to nature and to the seasons, particularly in the aspect of growing and harvesting.

Kitchen Witch…her magick lay in the heart of the home, at the hearthfire itself. Her practices will also include using those items around her that are a natural part of her world. The Kitchen Witch has the ability to tap into herbs, stones, as well as other mundane items found in her home, and unleash the magickal energy from within. This witch incorporates this magick in her daily life– in the meals she prepares for her family, the way in which she cleanses and cares for her home, through magickal potions from her own unique recipes, and in her private and simple rituals and spells.

Hedgewitch…this witch prefers to live close to nature and is strongly connected to the natural world, often enjoying a relationship with the wild things that mundane people may find strange or unusual. The Hedgewitch is grounded, close to the earth and all its elements. She is the most elusive of the natural witches, often secretive about her practices and her magick, protective of that which she holds sacred. Her magick transcends the more common use of herbs and potions, candles and such, and originates strongly from her natural connections to all things in nature and the fundamental energy found there.

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Cat Magick: Herbs & Spells

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Amythyst Raine

Catnip is commonly used in sleeping potions. The easiest and most pleasant way I can think of to use catnip for this purpose is to make a delicious pot of tea. Catnip is one of the herbs that I grow in my own gardens, so all I have to do when I want to brew a pot of catnip tea is to step outside and snatch a handful of the fresh herb. I usually use both the flowers and the leaves. How much you use is going to depend upon how strong you like your tea and the size of your pot. You can sweeten it with honey or sugar. Since catnip is a member of the mint family, I’m guessing that if you like mint in your tea, you’ll like catnip, though to me it is more pungent.

Catnip has an absolutely intoxicating effect on cats, and it was actually hard getting the catnip started in my garden because my cats wouldn’t leave it alone. I’d plant a nice lush bunch of catnip and the next morning I’d go out to find nothing but bare stems and a garden full of chewed leaves. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve looked out the kitchen windows to watch one of our cats, or a stray cat, rolling around our garden in drunken bliss.

I harvest our catnip not only for use as a tea, but as a treat for my cats and for magickal uses. To make a magickal talisman for your cat, one that he will absolutely love, you can sew two small pieces of flannel together, and just before you sew it shut add a nice bunch of fresh catnip leaves. Consecrate this talisman for your kitty to pass on the magick of good health mojo and protection.

Catnip is sacred to all pagan gods/goddesses who manifest as a cat or feline creature, including: Sekhmet, Bast, Mau, Tefnut, Mafdet, and Freya.

Correspondences for Catnip:

Energy: Feminine (Receptive)
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Magick: cat magick, love, beauty, well-being

It’s believed that a gift of catnip from you to your cat will create a magickal and psychic bond between the two of you. Since I’ve experienced this myself, I have to say that it truly works in beautiful ways. If you make a catnip talisman for your kitty, keep this in mind. Remember that concentrating on your intentions when crafting magickal items imbues that piece with the magick. Catnip is also used in love spells, often as an ingredient in mojo bags or candle magick. Just as the cat finds this herb intoxicating and irresistible, so will the one you target in love magick, using catnip to draw them to you. Hang a bunch of dried catnip over the threshold of your home to draw good spirits and good luck, as well as to draw the blessings of cat goddesses. Catnip is also used in beauty spells, either as a tincture you can use to bathe your face, or with candle magic. It’s believed that this herb will mesmerize those targeted in such spells to see you as youthful and beautiful. This type of enchantment is considered a glamour.

Valerian is also used in sleeping potions and dream pillows, just as catnip is used. It’s said that the scent of valerian is irresistible to cats and if they find it in your garden, they will dig it up. What’s not often said is that valerian stinks. It has an extremely strong aroma that I personally don’t find especially pleasant, and although you can use this herb in relaxation and sleepy-time teas, I don’t know how on earth you could mask the taste. Commercial teas, prepared with valerian, seem to do a pretty good job of this; and I have used them many times, usually in the evenings, to unwind and relax.

Correspondences for Valerian:

Energy: Feminine (Receptive)
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Magick: love, purification, protection

It is the root of valerian that is used in a powdered form and added to protective mojo bags or dream pillows– though I don’t think I could fall asleep with the scent of this herb right under my nose. The calming effect of valerian is not limited to sleepy-time teas but also includes the energies surrounding a space. If there has been quarreling in your home, hanging this herb around your house is said to calm the atmosphere, to settle things down. Valerian is one of the herbs that can be used as a substitute for Graveyard Dirt.

In the Middle Ages rue was used as a talisman against witches and their familiars (usually cats). Perhaps the association was made in the minds of people because cats are drawn to rue much the way they are drawn to catnip, and because they are drawn to it, they dig it up and wreak havoc with the plant. I would imagine it’s the pungent aroma of rue that has something to do with this behavior, just like catnip and valerian. Because cats did this, perhaps people got the mistaken impression that cats hated rue, so they thought they could keep them at bay with the herb. Supposedly rue is used to keep cats out of your garden, away from the birdfeeders, or wherever else you don’t want them, though I suspect the opposite effect. Rue is an evergreen pernnial shrub.

Correspondences for Rue:

Energy: Masculine (Projective)
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Magick: health/healing, exorcism, love

Rue leaves are placed on the forehead to relieve headaches, or worn to facilitate healing. Rue is used in mojo bags poppets, and candle magick for healing, for matters of love, and to improve mental abilities. Rue is used to break hexes and curses by using it in a cleansing bath; hanging it around your home; placing it in sachets, poppets, or mojo bags; and using it in floor washes. It’s worn to protect one against poison, monsters, and the evil eye. A sprig of fresh rue is often used to dip into salt water and asperge a space.

Cats are considered to be the animal that is the ally of gamblers and games of chance, they are believed to bring good luck and success in these endeavors. Following is a cat spell that may do just that:

Lucky Cat Spell

Candles in the shape of cats are often burned for good luck, especially luck that has to do with games of chance. This magick is especially geared towards gamblers.

1. Inscribe a cat candle with your name, lucky numbers, numbers needed for a successful outcome, or a specific amount of money.

2. Dress it with Black Cat Oil, or another gambler’s lucky oil.

3. Burn the candle.

Lucky Cat Candle Spell

Burning Lucky Cat Candles makes your wishes come true. Color coordinate the candles to suit the nature of the wish: use green for money, health, and healing; red for love, romance, and marriage; and black to resolve problems, or to break hexes and curses.

1. Carve and dress the candle, maybe using herbs and an oil that correspond with your intentions.

2. Write your wishes on a piece of paper, being very careful to be explicit in exactly what you want.

3. Ignite the corner of this paper, and use this flame to light the candle.

4. Murmur wishes, incantations, and intentions until the paper has burned to ash.

Spirit Petition: Freya Cat Spell

There is an old Norse tradition of paying tribute to the goddess Freya by feeding milk to cats.

1. Consecrate a crystal bowl to the goddess Freya; fill it with whole milk or sweet cream, and sit it out on your front steps or back porch for stray cats.

2. Magickal intentions are important. Consecrating and preparing the bowl and setting it out for the cats is a ritual. As you perform this ritual, consciously invoke the goddess Freya and speak your petitions to her.

3. Watch the cats, pay attention to stray cats. Pay attention to cats who may appear as an image, statuary, art, or through some other medium. This may be Freya’s way of giving you an answer to your wishes or request.

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Saturday’s Magick

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

Saturday: the planet- Saturn; the element: fire and earth/Protective Energy: this is the get even, in your face, I-can-take-care- of-myself energy that so many people need and so many people are afraid or hesitant to seek and to use. Gird up your loins, set your boundaries, put your wagons in a circle, stand on a lone hill and howl your independence, show your strength– you might scare the hell out of yourself in the process; but you will also scare the hell out of your enemies/Herbs: morning glory (binding), skullcap, wolf’s bane, slippery elm (shut their mouth), belladonna, and boneset/Color: black (negative energy, negative influences, negative people– be gone)

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Update: Online Book Launch

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

Natural Magick
the Gray Witch Way

This book is a magickal formularia for the gray witch. The information found here will help you to successfully follow your pagan path, cast your spells, empower yourself, protect those you love, and work your magick…
the gray witch way.

divider sunflower 1

After you purchase this online book through Paypal,
I will email you the link, along with the login
information and the password.

click Here

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Autumn Magick: Flower Power

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

I was just talking to my girls the other day about flowers and foliage and the seasons. I mentioned that it seems, after that first brilliant ‘coming to life’ in the spring, there is a hot and lazy period. Everything seems scorched and beaten by the summer sun, wilted and tortured by the elements of the dog days of summer; and then comes autumn, blessed autumn. It’s like a second birth, a brilliant blossoming, a breath of cool fresh air that seems to revitalize the world of flora. Everything in the garden throws itself into color and beauty with renewed energy, just in time to begin turning for a glorious autumn show.

Many of the flowers that highlight this time of year are also some of my favorites, and it’s these flowers and plants that I’m going to look at from a magickal point of view. What are their connections to the elements? the planets? magickal intentions? How can I use them to work my magick in order to promote positive change?

Acacia: It’s gender is masculine (projective), it’s planet is the Sun, and it’s element Air. Acacia is used for protection and to promote psychic powers. Burn a small amount of the wood with sandalwood before practicing divination. A sprig from this tree kept in the home will ward off evil and protect the inhabitants from negative outside influences.

Allium: It’s gender is feminine (receptive), it’s planet Venus, and it’s element Water. I use allium in spells for feminine empowerment, to heighten intuition and psychism, and to promote feelings of love and well-being. I’ve used it both in mojo bags and magickal oils.

Alstromeria: White/pink/peach– the gender is feminine (receptive), the planet Venus, the element Earth; yellow/orange/red– the gender is still feminine (receptive), but it carries a bit of a punch; the planet is Mars, the element Fire. I use the milder more gentle form to work gentle magicks, the more robust colors I use in protection magick and self-empowerment spells, when you need strength and good dose of moxie.

Amaranthus: The gender is feminine (receptive), the planet Saturn, and the element Fire. The deity for amaranthus is Artemis– the feminine warrior/huntress. The magickal powers contained within this plant includes healing, protection, and invisibility. Amaranthus was used in pagan burial rites.

Anemone: It’s gender is masculine (projective); the element is Fire, and the planet is Mars. Deities associated with anemone are Adonis and Venus. This plant is also used for health, protection, and healing. To prevent disease, carry the blossoms from this plant in a red cloth upon your person. This plant can also be used in spells dealing with health issues involving blood and the reproduction organs. To keep an enemy at bay, place their photo in a red bag with a handful of the blossoms, or the root of the plant– and leave the dirt in place.

Baby’s Breath: The gender is masculine (projective), the planet Mercury, the element Air. I use Baby’s Breath for magick encompassing communication and creativity. I’ve also used this plant in love spells to instill good open lines of communications between couples, or to loosen the tongue of a shy partner– just be careful how much and how often you do this, you might be surprised at what’s released– or unleashed.

Bittersweet: The gender is masculine (projective), the element is Air, and the planet– Mercury. The most popular magickal use for bittersweet is in spells for protection and healing. I’ve also discovered that this plant, connected to the energies of Mercury and Air, is wonderful for issues of communication, clear thinking, powers of deduction, and the spark of creativity.

Carnation: The energy is masculine (projective), the planet is the Sun, and the element is Fire. Use the magick of the carnation for protection, strength, and healing. Use carnations in healing spells. Place carnations in a sick room to give strength to the one who is ill. Use this flower in healing rituals, mojo bags, and oils.

China Berry: This plant is used for luck. The seeds are considered good luck charms, so use them as thus, particularly in bags or lockets, where you can carry them upon your person. The China Berry can be used in spells to precipitate change.

Chrysanthemum: It’s gender is masculine (projective), the element is Fire, and the planet– the Sun. Chrysanthemums are used primarily for protection. Grown in the garden, they are reputed to keep evil spirits away– and in this case, my garden should be totally free of evil spirits, because I’ve accumulated a mass of mums this autumn. I take this one step farther by color associations– yellow blossoms for spells meant to help you find your voice; magenta blossoms for a good strong dose of pure love, and white blossoms to throw an honest light on any situation.

Cockscomb: The energy is masculine (projective), the element Fire, the planets Jupiter and Mars. The no nonsense energy of the Cockscomb can be used to discover and unleash the masculine side of yourself, when aggression, strength, and courage are called for. The most beautiful cockscomb flowers I’ve seen was in Iowa, when we were traveling through Amish country.

Cosmos: The energy is feminine (receptive), the planet is Earth, and the element is Earth. I use the lovely petals from this plant for goddess magick; to highlight feminine energy– for maiden, mother, and crone; for healing spells dealing with female issues; for safe childbirth; to celebrate those rituals geared toward women and their life milestones, including female puberty rites and a croning.

Echinops: The energy of the thistle will be found within this plant. It’s gender is masculine (projective), the planet is Saturn, and the element is Fire. Use the Echinops in spells for protection and self defense. This plant will also be used in hexing and cursing spells, added to poppets or mojo bags.

Freesia: The planet– the Moon, the element is Water, the gender is feminine (receptive). The Freesia contains the constantly mutating and fluid energy of the Moon and the element of Water. Use this plant according to color correspondences for a surprisingly wide array of magickal intentions. White, for those things of spirit and spiritual energy; red for passion, including not only physical passion, but passion for many things of life; pink to inspire friendhip and loyalty; yellow for God energy, and healing.

Gerber Daisy: The gender is masculine (projective), the planet Saturn, the element Fire. The daisy and the gerber daisy both possess strong energies for love spells, the gerber daisy being more ‘hot-blooded’, meaning there will be more animalistic passion in love spells done with the gerber daisy. This plant can also be used in spells when the energy just needs to be riled up a bit, when you need to light a fire and get people and circumstances moving.

Hypericum: The gender is masculine (projective), the element Air, the planets Mercury and the Sun. The beautiful yellow flowers of this plant can be used in mojo bags and spells to enhance communication, for god energy, for healing, and for spells of self-empowerment.

Juniper: It’s gender is masculine (projective), the element is Fire, the planet is the Sun. The magickal powers of Juniper include protection, protection against theft, love, exorcism, and health. I also use Juniper berries for spells geared to the Winter Solstice, youth & immortality, and spiritual rejuvenation. Juniper is reputed to promote male potency when used in love spells– though I have not personally put this theory to the test.

Kangaroo Paw: It’s gender can be both masculine (projective), or feminine (receptive), depending upon what type of magick you’re using it for, and which planet you’re using for the correspondence. The planets are Mercury and Venus, the elements Air and Water. I have primarily used Kangaroo Paw for fairy magick.

Kalancheo: The gender is feminine (receptive), the planet Venus, the element Earth. Magickally speaking, use the pink blossoms for friendship and healing, the red blossoms for love, and the white blossoms for healing.

Liatrus: The gender is feminine (receptive), the planets Venus and Jupiter, the element Water. This plant is best used for all of its connections to the element of Water, which includes the promotion and growth of your psychic abilities, intuition, dreams and visions.

Gloriosa: The energy of this plant is most decidedly feminine (receptive), its elements both Water and Earth, and the planets Venus and Earth. The Gloriosa blossom is representative of the female anatomy, and its magickal energies are best used for female health issues, fertility, female sexual issues, and female self-empowerment. This plant can also be used in spells, magicks, and spiritual practices to glorify and worship the Mother Goddess.

Misty Blue: The gender is feminine, the planet is Water, the element Water. Use this plant for spiritual practices, for spirit contact, and to promote contact in general with the unseen world and the entities which inhabit it.

Orchid: This is a very versatile plant, magickally speaking. It’s energy is masculine (projective), the element Air, the planet Mercury. Use the orchid in your spiritual practices and spell crafting according to the color of its blossoms: red/love and passion, pink/friendship and well-being, white/spirituality and healing. Personally, I use the speckled blossoms when change is needed and desired.

Pepper Berry: The gender is masculine (projective), the element is Air, the planet is the Sun. The red berries and green foliage from this plant make beautiful additions to wreaths. Magickally, I use Pepper Berry in mojo bags and magicks that deal with the Winter Solstice, God energy, and especially new beginnings.

Protea: It’s gender is masculine (projective), the element Air, the planet Jupiter. The primary magickal use for protea is for spells and magicks that move a situation along so that a final conclusion or decision can be reached. The various methods will include mojo bags and candle magick. This type of magick works best when worked over a period of three to seven days.

Queen Ann’s Lace: It’s gender is feminine (receptive), the planet is Venus and Jupiter, the element Earth. I primarily use Queen Ann’s Lace for issues of fertility, and this can mean not only fertility in the physcial world, but fertility of ideas and creative energies, creativity concerning unusual opportunities, etc. This plant is also used in magicks for Goddess energy and self-empowerment.

Roses: The gender is feminine (receptive), the planets are Venus and the Moon, the element is Water. Roses are most strongly connected with love spells. Use the energies of the various colors for different types of love– red/passionate affairs with lusty sex, or soul mate connections; pink/for strong bonds of loyalty, friendship, and fidelity; yellow/for peaceful partings, to say good-by; white/to honor a love who has passed, or to honor a relationship that has come to a natural conclusion. The white blossoms of a rose can also be used in spells and magick to contact a deceased partner.

Rowen Berry: It’s gender is masculine (projective), its planet Mars, and the element is Fire. Use the warrior energy of Mars and the fiery passion of Fire with the rowan berry in spells and magickal workings that require strength, concentrated doses of high energy, courage, passion of intention, and a strong will power. The poisonous berries are also potent when used in spells and magicks for hexing and cursing. Added to mojo bags and poppets, they work with a vengence.

Salvia: The gender is masculine (projective), the element is Water, and the planets are the Sun and the Moon. Salvia is part of a large family of plants which includes Sage. The primary use for salvia is for cleansing and smudging. Use the smoke from saliva to smudge your home and personal space, your person, your vehicle, or your land. Tie up dried bunches and hang them in the four corners of your home for protection, or hang a bundle of salvia by the front door to prevent anyone wishing you harm from entering.

Solidago: The gender is feminine (receptive), the planet is Venus, the element Air. Solidago, more commonly known as Golden Rod, is used for magickal workings involving money and divination. Carry a sprig of goldenrod in your wallet or purse to insure enough money to cover your needs. Place a piece of pyrite with it. Put a sprig of this plant in a small wooden box large enough to hold your tarot cards or set of runes to enhance the magick of divination and your intuitive powers.

Statice: This plant’s gender is masculine (projective), its element Air, it’s planet Mercury. I personally use statice in magick which highlights or incorporates group events, the gathering of people, peaceful conclusions to group debates or disagreements, as well as to promote peaceful cohabitation and successful growth within an organized group.

Star of Bethlehem: The gender is masculine (projective), the planet is the Moon, the element Water. I use the six pointed white blossoms of the Star of Bethlehem in spells and magicks involving spirituality, personal empowerment, and cleansing. I’ve also found it wonderful for Goddess invocation and feminine magicks. It is energy is inspiring and purifying.

Sunflower: The gender is masculine (projective), the planet is the Sun, the element Fire. The magickal powers of the sunflower includes fertility, wishes, health, and wisdom. Use the seeds from this plant in fertility spells, the yellow blossoms in magicks geared to gain your wish, and to inspire wisdom when wisdom is desired and needed. Carry a mojo bag containing various aspects of this plant for good health.

Yarrow: Yarrow’s gender is feminine (receptive), it’s planet is Venus, and the element Water. The magickal powers of yarrow includes areas of courage, love, psychic powers, and exorcism. Place a bouquet of yarrow on your table during divination sessions, in the four corners of your house to keep evil entities at bay, or place a sprig of yarrow in the pocket of the person you love. I’ve used yarrow in dream bags that I’ve placed beneath my pillow to inspire prophetic dreams and visions. You might want to add a marigold blossom to this bag and a stone of amethyst.

Zinnia: The gender is masculine (projective), the planets Mercury and Jupiter, the element Air. Use zinnias in spells and magicks where courage, fortiude, and strength are needed. This is also a good plant to use in healing spells, and spells of protection. As the zinnia stands strong and tall, so shall it inspire these attributes when you tap into it’s magick.

Credits:

The photographs in this post that are framed are all original photos taken by Amythyst Raine. These photos are copyrighted, © Amythyst Raine 2011.

Some of the information above may have been taken from the books listed below; but the bulk of information above was taken from my own Book of Shadows, which includes my personal magickal practices and correspondences.
“Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs” by Scott Cunningham
“Green Magic: The Sacred Connection to Nature” by Ann Moura
“The Green Wiccan Herbal” by Silja

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A Mojo Bag for My Purse

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

I decided to re-do the old mojo bag I carry in my purse, and I thought it would make an interesting video for anyone else who would like to make a mojo bag for their purse but maybe wasn’t sure what to add to it.

The bag that I created is for 1) prosperity/money, 2) protection, 3) cleansing

It contains: a money magnet; a real gold coin; sea salt; hyssop; mint; stones of aventurine, moss agate, and onyx; a Virgin Mary medal; and cat’s hair

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Wytchy Chit-Chat: Books n’ Pics n’ Stuff

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

Right now I’m reading a book by Sherrie Dillard,

“Discover Your Psychic Type:
Developing and Using Your Natural Intuition”

click Here

So far, I love the book. Ms. Dillard has all of the psychic types nailed down pat, making them easily identifiable: the emotional intuitive, the mental intuitive, the physical intuitive, and the spiritual intuitive. She’s included questions, guided meditations, and exercises in order for the reader to identify what kind of psychic they are and to build on those skills. She also includes personal stories and anecdotes that add interest and personalization to the psychic and the process.

Ms. Dillard says, “Our intuitive development can help us to stay connected to the deeper meaning of what occurs in our lives.”

Tarot Special!

For an undetermined period of time, I’m offering a three-card tarot reading at $20.00. For more information, or to purchase a reading, follow this link:
click Here

I grow a lot of my own herbs and dry them in my kitchen. These herbs are used for my own personal magickal purposes, as well as in the oils and spell bags that I create for Wytchy Wares. My list has grown to include mint, sage, lavender, rose, lilac, lemon balm, thistle, catnip, wormwood, and goldenrod. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so that I can replant many of the herbs that are annuals in our location– especially rosemary and lavender.

After the herbs are clipped from the garden, the stems are tied together and they’re turned upside down and tacked to the kitchen ceiling to dry. From there, it’s a short journey into one of many magickal pots and jars found all over our house.

There are new items available at Enchanted Jewelry.
To enter this magickal realm, click Here

I’ve also added a special sales page for Wytchy Wares,
and you’ll find Clearance Items on this page, click Here

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Teatime With the Witch: “The Motherpeace Round Tarot Deck”

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

Tarot Card of the Day:
Shaman of Swords

I’m using a deck today that I’ve only used for myself so far,
“The Motherpeace round Tarot Deck” by Karen Vogel & Vicki Noble

I find this deck fascinating for several reasons. First, the round shape, this just goes against any deck of cards I’ve ever owned. It’s somewhat odd to handle at first, and it does alleviate the conundrum of ‘upright or reversed’. I find the artwork fascinating, and even though the card I chose today compares to the King of Swords in more conventional decks, there is still something decidedly feminine about it.

For today, the Shaman of Swords is telling me…Don’t stick your foot in your mouth, rise above the fray, get to the root of the problem; because the circumstances which have arisen are actually rooted in much older and deeper issues.

Yesterday I was having quite a time with a headache. It’s not an issue that I have to deal with very often, and I muddled through the day until the afternoon, when I finally decided to do something about it. I have to admit, I took an Ibuprofen, but along with this I got out my book of herbal remedies and scoured it for something that would alleviate headaches. I chose mint, mostly because I like the flavor in my cup of tea– this is how I was going to take it, and I have an over-abundance of this herb, all harvested from my own herb garden.

Below you’ll find a list of herbs that will help with headaches:

Herb for headache #1: Feverfew

Feverfew is a very popular migraine herbal remedy, and because so many people are interested in it, we’ve given it a page of it’s own! Check out our article on feverfew here.

Herb for headache #2: Peppermint (mentha piperita)

For hundreds of years peppermint has been used as a headache remedy. From tea to extract, there are lots of ways to enjoy peppermint. Be warned that peppermint is not the thing to take if you have heartburn or similar stomach acid problems.

Peppermint is just as useful for it’s aroma and cooling properties as an essential oil. Read more about this herb for headache on our home remedies page.

Herb for headache #3: Passionflower (Passiflora alata)

Passionflower is a calming herb. Taken as a tea before bed, it can help you sleep. At least one clinic trial has found it to lower anxiety. It is also believed to have anti-inflammitory and pain killing properties. Great for migraine!

Herb for headache #4: Ginko (ginko biloba)

The leaf of the ginko tree is an extremely popular herb for headache, but the medical evidence is still hotly disputed. Ginko is said to improve the flow of blood and get more oxygen to the brain, hence not only relieving headache but improving memory and alertness as well. There are some nice teas sold with ginko and peppermint, so why not give it a try?

Note that Ginko is one of those herbs that can cause side effects when taken with headache medications, including aspirin and lithium.

Herb for headache #5: Cayenne (capsaicin)

Yes, that’s right – the pepper. Many peppers have an ingredient called capsaicin, which among other things seems to raise the pain threshold. It’s gained attention in the medical world in recent years especially for its treatment of cluster headaches, and it’s often given in the form of a nasal spray.

Cayenne pepper is an excellent spice to have on hand (well, don’t put too much ON your hand or you may burn it!), and may lessen your migraine.

Herb for headache #6: Willow (salix . . .)

White willow bark is an especially popular herb for headache because it works much like an aspirin, relieving your headache pain and causing the inflammation to go down. Like any painkiller, it should not be taken long term. Once again, be very careful about taking willow with other painkillers and medications – check with your doctor!

Other herbs for headache:

Meadowsweet, valerian (excellent if you can’t sleep), skullcap, chamomile (also common for relaxation).

Recent studies point to butterbur extract (petasites hybridus root) as a migraine treatment. Butterbur has been recommended for migraine before, but now the scientific evidence is starting to catch up. The dosages in recent studies for both children and adults range between 50mg and 150mg. It is recommended that you use a reliable standardized and safe form of butterbur. In a recent German study, Petadolex was used, which is a butterbur extract.

This list of herbs is courtesy of:
http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/herb_for_headache.html

Below you can pay a little visit to our house. Included is a video of Mistress Pixie Paws and her very odd eating habits– she doesn’t like to get her face dirty and very rarely lowers her face into a bowl; you’ll find Miss Cletus on her favorite perch; the kitchen makes the perfect place to dry my herbs; and my pretty boy, Salem, is caught keeping watch over my Big Black Book.

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The Cottage Witch/Kitchen Wytch/Hedge Wytch

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

The cottage witch/kitchen wytch/hedge wytch– she’s one and the same, and for me, this is the epitome of what I have always viewed witches as being ever since I was a child. It is that unobtrusive and eccentric woman who grows herbs in her gardens and about her house, who has developed a unique and unusual relationship with the wild things that visit her yard and inhabit her grounds. It is the woman who has the ancient knowledge and wisdom to incorporate the magickal use of herbs into her everyday life—in the food she prepares, in the water and solutions that she uses to clean her home, in the incense she burns to smudge her living quarters.

It’s not the flashy publicity oriented media image of a witch that people seek out…it is the quiet Wise Woman in the unusual house down the road; the woman people whisper about curiously amongst themselves, the woman cocooned in ancient mysteries and magickal ways.

This is the Kitchen Witch– resplendent in her simple life-style that centers around hearth and home; the Cottage Wytch…immeshed in centuries of tradition and mystery; the Hedge Wytch…creating natural magick in the wild woods using the magick of the green, the magick of the stones, the magick of the Goddess.

*Note: I’ll be adding more thoughts and insights to this subject, as they come to me and as I have the time. I love this aspect of the witch, and it’s this image that is most familiar and most attractive to me. I have to shake my head and wonder when I hear people referring to witches in negative and ugly terms. I think…Apparently they have never met a hedge wytch! The green witch is well-rooted in all three aspects of the world encompassed by these witches, and although some people may point out slight differences in a practice here or there amongst the kitchen/cottage/hedge witch, these simple and natural witches are much more connected and united than they are distinctive to each other.

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A Little Magick

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

Today was the perfect day, literally speaking, to tweak a little magick and give it a special nudge. Although today is Tuesday and influenced by the energy of Mars, I used the hour of Saturn…the energy I needed for my little task. The herbs were wormwood & cloves, salt, and an old hoodoo oil (which I’ll not name here). The candle was black.

I love the feeling inside a cast circle. It was exhilarating and the energy moved easily and well. The spell candle is quietly burning itself out as we speak.

Magick was made…

Tarot Card for the day is…The Sun.

Warmth and light, bright tidings, brilliance– both mundane and magickal, physically and spiritually. Although someone seems to have their ‘head in the clouds’– don’t get too cocksure. If you’re always looking up, you might trip on something below. Also, the phoenix rising from the ashes…pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes– looks like you get a second chance.

I was going through some photos from last fall and came upon this one. I took this picture standing in my livingroom, watching my husband burn autumn leaves in the driveway. As I came from the kitchen, I wondered what the orange glow was. No wonder the neighbors wonder. When we have bonfires, hubby is in charge of the firepit– I imagine he was in a past life too.

I snapped a pic of this tombstone on one of our outings to Ridge Cemetery. It wasn’t that the tombstone was so unusual, it was the fact that this lady was buried all by herself, in a huge wide expanse of ground between the Catholic & Protestant areas. In fact, there’s nothing else in this area except Nell and two willow trees, one of which she was buried under. Why was she so segregated? Perhaps she wasn’t ‘baptized’ according to Christian code? I guess we’ll probably never know. My girls took an immediate liking to Nell– good vibes, from the grave, though the tree. We stayed and kept her company for sometime. I have a feeling we would’ve loved her smile.

My boy, Salem, has claimed several unusual spots around the house for himself. This one is literally in ‘The Witch’s Corner’– though he didn’t get to keep this cozy nest, because eventually I needed the shelf space. He also has a penchent for sharing the bathroom and hates closed doors– he’ll beg to come in with you, even rattling the sliding door if you don’t let him have his way. The first couple times he did this, I thought it was hubby– and I was chewing him out…I open the door– and it’s Salem. Spoiled boy.

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Tea Time with the Witch: A Little of This, A Little of That

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Amythyst Raine

Cafe-du-Matin-Print-C102639061.jpg tea time 1 picture by witch_of_endore

So much going on, where to begin?…First, there are issues with the webhost of my website, The Witch’s Corner. Some people have uninterrupted access to my site and others do not, including me. First they said it had something to do with the ISP, then it was the DNS, and since I have no access to Webs at all, I can’t get into the support forums to figure it all out. It wasn’t that long ago that we experienced similar problems, which knocked my site out for a week. This has spooked me sufficiently enough that I’ve been moving the contents of my site (from a cached page) over to Yola– mostly to use as a backup url, just in case this should happen again. But if this occurs too often, I may have to make Yola my permanent home.

If your access to The Witch’s Corner is uninterrupted– good for you!…The url is: http://ladyamythyst.webs.com

If you are one of the unfortunate few, like me, who can’t bring this site up using the url above, here’s the links to the Yola sites I’m in the process of creating– remember, this is a project that’s under construction. Because of the massive amount of material I’m transferring, I’m actually setting up two websites at Yola that are interconnected. One contains my tarot reading page, along with wytchy merchandise from Wytchy Wares; the other site contains information on witchcraft, cyrstals & stones, metaphyscial laws, rituals, spells, all the “other stuff”:

http://cauldronmagick.yolasite.com

http://thewitchscorner.yolasite.com (This site is not published yet, but hopefully it will be very soon, hang onto this url)

My Newsletters:

Because of other writing obligations, my newsletter will be going out quarterly in 2011. That means I’ll be putting a newsletter out for March, June, September, & December.

Thank you so much for your support & your enthusiasm. Below are links to last year’s newsletters and my newsletter archives:

Newsletter Archives:

Newsletter Archives 1

Newsletter Archives 2

This Thursday I’ll be having Ladies over to the house for a little Wytchy Mischief. That’s about all I can say on the topic, other than it rightfully deserves to be capitalized. The girls and I will probably be tidying up the house on Wednesday, the day before– when company comes I like candles lit, incense going, and soft ambient music in the backgroud…Let the fun begin. 🙂

As some of you might know, the oldsest cat we have in the house passed away last Friday– Tatters. Dr. Kent estimated that he must have been around 13 years old, and he was positive for feline AIDS. That cat spent most of his life roaming this neighborhood as a feral cat, until one very cold winter night, he decided to gird up his loins and come in to sit for a spell. He stayed. We saw him through his last month of life, most of which he was actually enjoying, lolling around on my daughter’s bed pretending to be a house cat. His health decline and death was very fast and unexpected. I believe he found us for a reason…when we were needed.

Tuesday– what a day!…Mars; red or orange candles; in your face aggressive energy; herbs: basil, pepper, onion, cayenne pepper, allspice, cloves, cinnamon; number 9. Warrior energy is on the rampage today– I feel it more strongly than usual. Light a red candle and flex your muscles…both magickal and mundane.

Tarot Card for the day: The High Priestess (R)

You’re not listening to that little voice in your head– it’s trying to tell you something, but you may be trying to drown it out with common sense and reasonable explanations…and these things don’t always work in certain circumstances. Shhh…listen, what is it telling you to do?

The High Priestess today has a sense of calmness about her, almost an arrogance– the good kind– in being solid about who she is, what path she wishes to tread, and where she’s headed in the future. Under certain conditions, she has the knack for being in control without giving the impression that she is– very clever!

Blessings,
Amythyst Raine

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December Newsletter & Updates

Posted on November 21, 2010 by Amythyst Raine

I’ve included in this newsletter an excerpt from the book I’m working on now:

“The Gray Witch’s Grimoire”

You’ll find it in the section titled, ‘Spell of the Month’.
It’s a handy little spell called:

“To Spite Your Face”

This newsletter is loaded with all sorts of information, links, and special offers from my website, The Witch’s Corner, as well as the usual sections for those interested in divination, crystal magic, kitchen wytchery, and herbs.

Click Here to enter this beautiful winter wonderland!

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August Newsletter: The Theme is “Family”

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Amythyst Raine

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments

The theme this month is ‘Family’, & this includes a slideshow of vintage photos of mine, as well as spells for reconciliation & a few other issues.

I’ve posted an anonymous tarot reading for a client, and I may continue to include this practice in future newsletters. if you’re interested in receiving a free reading, you’ll find more information here.

In the witch’s kitchen- Scott Cunningham had listed magickal correspondences for *Fast Food*, I kid you not, and I can assure you it will be very easy for me to put this into practice.

You’ll find the usual sections…herbs, stones, updates from my website & wytchy shops, videos of the psychic/medium Lisa Williams in action, etc.