HERBS OF THE SABBATS
Samhain--acorns, apples, broom, chrysanthemum, corn, dittany, ferns, flax,
hazel, heather, mullein, oak leaves, patchouli, pears, pomegranates, pumpkin
sage, straw, thistle, wormwood, all grains, harvested fruits and nuts
Yule--bay, bayberry, blessed thistle, cedar, chamomile, evergreen,
frankincense, holly, ivy, juniper, mistletoe, moss, oak, pine, pine cones,
rosemary, sage
Imbolc-- angelica, basil, bay, benzoin, celandine, myrrh, rowan, snowdrop,
first flowers of the year
Ostara-- celendine, cinquefoil, daffodil, elder flower, fennel, gorse, iris,
larkspur, lavender, mugwort, narcissus, olive, peony, pine, rose, St. John's
wort, thyme, vervain, violet, wisteria, woodruff, all spring flowers
Beltane--almond, angelica, ash, bluebells, cinquefoil, daisy, frankincense,
hawthorn, honeysuckle, ivy, lilac, marigold, meadowsweet, primrose, rose, St
John's wort, woodruff, all flowers
Midsummer/Litha--carnation, chamomile, cinquefoil, daisy, elder flower,
fennel, fern, larkspur, lavender, lily, mugwort, oak, pine, rose, St. John's
wort, thyme, vervain, wisteria, yarrow
Lughnassadh--acacia flowers, blackberries, corn ears, cornstalks, crab
apples, frankincense, grapes, heather, hollyhock, myrtle, oak leaves, pear,
sloe, wheat, all grains
Mabon --acorns, aspen, asters, autumn leaves, benzoin, corn, cypress, cones,
ferns, harvest gleanings, hazel, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, mums,
myrrh, oak leaves, oak sprigs, pine, pine cones, rose, sage, thistle, wheat
stalks
A short list from Scott Cunninghams "Magickal Herbs" book
I have used and loved just about everything that Scoot Cunningham has in his books. Here's one for healing.
2 parts Cinnamon
2 parts Sandalwood
1 part Rose petals
1 part Cayenne
1 part Ginger
1 part Rue
blue or purple cloth
Eucalyptus oil
Chamomile, White Willow bark, or Wood Betony
Mix and tie the ingredients in a blue or purple cloth. Anoint with
Eucalyptus oil and wear or place near bed at night. Some herbs that are
medicinally good for pain relief and magically good for healing that you
might add into the sachet would be Chamomile, White Willow bark and Wood
Betony.
Source: Scott Cunningham's Book of Incense, Oils and Brews.
This potent liqueur is easily made.
Take 2 to 3 pounds of fresh whole Ginger root. Slice into sections about 1/4
inch thick. Place in a sealable jar and pour in enough grain alcohol or high
proof Vodka to cover the roots. Seal and let stand for ten days to two weeks
After two weeks, set the liquid aside and cover the Ginger Root again with
fresh alcohol for another ten days to two weeks. Save the liquid, mixing it
with what you saved
from the first batch and discard the Ginger root.
If necessary, filter the liquid with a strainer or cheese cloth. Mix up a
batch of simple syrup by dissolving two parts sugar into one part boiling
water.
Blend the simple syrup and the Ginger alcohol mixture to taste.
Serves very well over ice in a wine glass!
I haven't tried this myself yet but thought that some of you might like it. CC
1/4 part saw palmetto berries
1 part astragalus root
2 parts sassafras root bark
2 parts of-it-tieng
2 parts damiana leaf
2 parts gingerroot
2 parts licorice root
1 part Chinese star anise pods
2 Panax ginseng roots per quart of tincture
black cherry concentrate*
*Available at health food stores; do not use fruit juice.
Make a tincture of the above ingredients. Steep for 6-8 weeks; the longer,
the better.
When the tincture is done steeping, strain and discard the herbs. To each
cup of liquid add 1/4 cup black cherry concentrate. Thought it's tasty, do
not add more than 1/4 cup of concentrate per 1 cup of tincture, as this may
cause fermentation.
Shake well to mix, and rebottle. If desired, add the ginseng roots back into
the rebottled elixir.
To use: Take about 1/8 cup 2-3 times per week for a few months at a time.
Source:
"Healing Tonics 101 Herbal Concoctions"
Herbs for Colds and Flu
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea and related species).
Also called Purple Coneflower and native to the U.S.,
this plant was the most widely used medicinal plant of the
Central Plains Indians, being used for a variety of conditions.
The leaf and root are mildly antibacterial, antiviral,
and used for wound healing.
German research has confirmed, in numerous clinical studies, the
usefulness of Echinacea purpurea in strengthening the body's immune
system as well as prevention and natural treatment of colds and flu.
~*~
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).
Goldenseal root has a long history as a native American herb used by
Indians and early settlers for its antiseptic wound-healing
properties.
It is also used for its soothing action on inflamed mucous membranes.
A popular remedy for colds and flu.
http://herbalmagick.blogspot.com/
Angel Water Skin Toner
1 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons rose petals
4 tablespoons sage leaves
3 tablespoons lavender blossoms
2 tablespoons rosemary
3/4 cup rosewater
Heat the vinegar and pour it over the herbs. Place the mixture in a quart
jar and cap it with a non metal lid. Shake daily for ten days. Strain and
add the rose water.
http://sunriseherbfarm.com/reci
Flavor and Fragrance
"A savoury odour blown Grateful to appetite, more please my sense than smell
of sweetest Fennel." John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1667-1674
All parts of this fragrant herb have been used in cookery. The feathery
leaves were put under loaves of bread to add flavor, and the aromatic seeds
were sprinkled on top. the roots and stems were cooked and eaten as a
vegetable, and the leaves and seeds were added to salads, sauces, fish
dishes and preserves. It is known that the Emperor Charlemagne loved the
herb and encouraged its cultivation on his imperial farms, and it is
recorded that crops of fennel grew profusely in the Spanish countryside
during the 10th century. It was common practice for the poor to eat fennel
to dull the appetite and stave off hunger pangs. The Puritans who settle in
the New World chewed fennel seeds in church, as well as dill seeds, to still
their hunger during long, tedious sermons. Both herbs became known as
Meetin' House seeds.
Fennel was also a popular strewing herb. Its leaves were sweet-smelling and
an effective flea-repellent. When the Portuguese first discovered the
island of Medeira, they were struck by the overpowering fragrance of the
wild fennel growing there. They called the place where they landed Funchal,
from the Portuguese word funcho, meaning fennel.
*Carry some fennel seeds in an airtight container to use as smelling salts.
*Cook a whole fish on a fragrant bed of fennel leaves to impart flavor.
Fennel Sauce
"Pick green fennel, mint and parsley, a little of each, wash them clean, and
boil them till tender, drain and press them, chop them fine, add melted
butter, and serve up the sauce immediately, for if the herbs are mixed any
length of time before it is served up to table they will be discolored. If
approved, there may be added the pulp of green gooseberries, rubbed through
a hair sieve, and a little sifted sugar." --Richard Dolby, Cooks Dictionary
and Housekeeper's Dictionary, 1832.
Rhodonite is a silicate (Quartz) composite, in many ways, similar to Rose
Quartz. Manganese brings out the rosy colors both stones are noted for. Unlike
Rose Quartz, it forms more patiently. Usually the result of the Manganese
metamorphosing with other minerals like Aluminum and Calcium through a
sedimentary process. Frequently, the exposed Manganese will oxidize as the
minerals weather together, creating black and gray veins.
The crystal is very strong and has been a popular carving material for the
last few hundred years. Russians have used it extensively, carving the
sarcophagus for czars and emperors from whole slabs. At Easter, Russian
children would exchange eggs carved from Rhodonite. Most Russian Rhodonite
comes from the Ural Mountains.
While this gemstone rarely forms actual crystals, fine triclinic specimens
have been found near the Manganese deposits at Wermland Sweden. Rhodonite
found in Massachusetts has yielded occasional druzey clusters.
Russia and Massachusetts recognize Rhodonite as a national and state gem.
A fairly common stone, it is also found in Alaska, New Jersey, North Carolina,
Montana, California, New Mexico. In the 1960's, amateur rock hounds Tommy
Raspet and Perry Williams found separate deposits in Washington state. Around
the world Rhodonite is found in Australia, British Columbia, Brazil, Mexico,
India, Madagascar, Japan, New Zealand and several other regions.
Its name comes from the Greek word rhodon for rosy. Though I did run across
one reference that credited a Celtic word rhod, which means wheel, as the
origins of Rhodonite's name.
Rhodonite does not seem to have a rich history of legend, but it is easy to
feel this stone's unconditional love. Like Rose Quartz, this gemstone teaches
the all important lesson of self love.
This is a stone of self confidence born out of trust in your own heart, your
own voice, your own choices. Carrying this stone will keep your mind calm,
allowing you to process chaotic situations and patiently assess your options.
Rhodonite will strengthen your resolve, helping you be more disciplined in
your walk.
Your Heart Chakra will benefit from the energies in a Rhodonite stone. This
crystal will activate, charge and clear this loving center. It gives you a new
level of patience and understanding for dealing with everyday challenges.
Approach conflicts with more constructive solutions that promote true equity
for everyone involved.
You can also use this stone for balancing the yin and yang, your male/female
energies. It makes an excellent meditation stone for promoting world peace,
equality, brotherhood and human kind's generous spirit.
Use this gemstone to heal emotional scars left by old wounds. Begin to accept
the healing relief of forgiveness. Rhodonite also promotes physical healing
following a traumatic accident or event. Victims of sudden heart attacks or
equally serious illnesses may recover more quickly and more completely if they
carry the stone during their convalescence. Wounds and cuts heal rapidly, with
less scarring when a stone is applied to the injury.
Healers using psychic and intuitive energies in their medicine will find
Rhodonite an important companion stone. It protects you from being injured or
permanently damaged by the harmful energies you work with. The stone gives the
healer strength to remain constant and your intent focused during your task.
Rhodonite is recommended for emphysema and arthritis patients. It may be
helpful in building the immune system and fighting throat infections, such as
strep throat. You may also experience positive effects on the pituitary and
thyroid glands, pancreas and the central nervous system.
by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2008 *Permission from the author to place in my journal*
Alfalfa - Has protein and vitamins A, B1, B6, C, E, and K.
Aloe - This versatile herb has been used for over 5,500 years.
Agrimony - Aids recovery from winter colds and flu.
Angelica - A warming herb and more.
Arnica - soothes sore muscles and reduces pain and inflammation.
Ashwagandha - Uses in traditional Indian and Ayurvedic medicine are
extensive.
Asparagus Root - It could also help you fall in love all over again ;-)
Astragalus - Chinese immune system booster.
Bee Balm - Antiseptic and rich in antioxidants.
Bilberry - A circulatory enhancer and diabetic aid.
Black Cohosh - A powerful antispasmodic herb and all around muscle relaxer.
Borage - For courage!
Boswellia - Anti-inflammatory action.
Burdock - The tenacious tonic.
Calendula - Also known as the pot marigold. Internally and externally, a
useful herb.
Cayenne - A spice so hot yet has soothing medicinal properties.
Chamomile - Need help sleeping? Try a cup before bedtime.
Chasteberry - Also known as Agnus Castus and Vitex, this herb can handle
PMS!
Chickweed - For insect stings, bites, excema and other skin problems.
Cleavers - A powerful restorative for the lymphatic system.
Coffee - Yes! Coffee is an herb!
Comfrey - One use is to promote more rapid repair of broken bones.
Cranberry - Useful as a preventative for urinary tract infections.
Damiana - Hailed as an aphrodisiac since ancient times
Dandelion - To treat liver, gallbladder, kidney and joint problems.
Dong Quai - The female ginseng.
Echinacea - Enhances the immune system. Try it instead of a flu shot!
Elderberry - Internally and externally, a versatile herb.
Ephedra - used in popular over-the-counter remedies for nasal congestion.
Evening Primrose - Supplies many essential fatty acids.
Eyebright - To soothe irritated eyes, promotes general eye health.
Fennel - If you like the flavor of anise or licorice, try this as a tea.
Fenugreek - Help for high cholesterol
Feverfew - Helps reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
Of-It - May help prevent premature aging and slow the aging process.
Garlic - A natural antibiotic! It's antibacterial action is equivalent to
1% penicillin.
Gentian - Supporting and nurturing the digestive system.
Ginger - An ancient Indian proverb, "everything good is found in ginger".
Ginkgo Biloba - Enhances your memory.
Ginseng - Primarily for men. Dong Quai is the equivalent for women.
Goldenseal - keep it in your herbal medicine chest.
Gotu Kola - A relaxant and nervous system restorative. May promote
longevity.
Grape Seed - A powerful antioxidant.
Green Tea Leaf - The number one drink in the world.
Guarana - A potent energy source.
Hawthorn - The new hope for heart health.
Hop - An ingredient in beer has long been known as a sedative.
Horse Chestnut - For strengthening and toning of the circulatory system.
Juniper - Best known for gin, an excellent remedy for urethral and bladder
infections.
Kava Kava - Equivalent to a glass of wine.
Kudzu - Helps inhibit the desire for alcohol.
Lavender - In the middle ages, it was thought to be an herb of love.
Lemon Balm - Brush its leaves and your fingers will smell like lemon mint.
Lobelia - Indian tobacco, but be careful!
Lomatium - Reputed to have antiviral effects.
Marshmallow - Long used by herbalists to treat coughs and sore throats.
Meadowsweet - Used by herbalists to treat rheumatism in joints and muscles.
Milk Thistle - A restorative herb for the liver.
Mullein - The respiratory soother.
Myrrh - Soothing effect on inflamed tissues in the mouth and throat.
Nettle - Keeps the body from making inflammatory chemicals (prostaglandins).
Oats - Treats nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and “weakness of the nerves".
Onion - prevention of atherosclerosis.
Oregon Grape - Useful for mild infections.
Parsley - Think twice before you ignore this token herb on your dinner plate
Passion Flower - Has a slightly narcotic effect, may impart a marijuana type
high.
Pau d'arco - A good remedy for fungus infections.
Peppermint - Soothes indigestion.
Phyllanthus - Used in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,000 years.
Psyllium - Supplies dietary fiber.
Pygeum - Helps men with BPH, improves urinary flow and other symptoms.
Quince - Sent as presents, or shared, were tokens of love.
Red Clover - Produces gradual beneficial changes in the body.
Red Raspberry - Connected to female health, including pregnancy.
St John's Wort - Natural anti-depressant that really works!
Sarsaparilla - Used for arthritis, cancer, skin diseases, and a host of
other conditions.
Saw Palmetto - For prostrate health in men.
Schizandra chinensis: A mood elevator helping one be happier, healthier.
Senna - A cleansing herb.
Slippery Elm - An ingredient in some commercial cough drops.
Spearmint - Used to relieve hiccough, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and colic
Stevia - Sweeter than sugar.
Tea Tree - The oil kills fungus and bacteria.
Uva Ursi: a natural tonic for the urinary system.
Valerian - Nature's answer to valium.
White Willow - The Herbal Aspirin.
Witch Hazel - The astringent that isn't.
Wormwood - Very interesting herb. Be sure to read about it.
Yarrow - Can also keep wounds from becoming inflamed.
Yellow Dock - Excellent liver and gallbladder tonic.
Yohimbe - Be careful of this one! Inhibits hunger,
Zedoary - Finally found a "Z" herb! Aromatic, stimulant. Useful in flatulent
colic and debility of the digestive organs, though it is rarely employed, as
ginger gives the same, or better results. It is used as an ingredient in
bitter tincture of Zedoary, antiperiodic pills (with and without aloes)
bitter tincture, antiperiodic tincture (with and without aloes).
Compendium Of Herbal Magick Beyerl, Paul Encyclopedia Of Magical Herbs, Cummingham Modern Herbal Vol. 1
CRYSTAL MEDITATIONS
by Stephanie Pflumm ©Copyright 2008
Quartz Crystals have an ancient history as a tool for meditation, divination &
enhancing powers. It has been used as a source of power across all continents
& cultures.
In South America, Quartz was considered a sacred stone inhabited by spirits.
Several Crystal skulls have been found among the ruins of Mayan temples. One
perfect carving was found in 1924 in the ruins in British Honduras. Even under
the keen eye of the microscope, not a single tool mark was found on the entire
skull.
North American tribes also considered the Crystal holy & pragmatic. When
farming on a hillside that did not receive much sunlight, they put Crystals to
an ingenious use.
They would grind large Crystals into smaller pieces, place them in a hollow
cow's horn & bury them in the ground for a year. The results was a very fine
crystalline powder which was spread among the plantings along the hill. What
little sun did reach the crystallized hill, was magnified & the crops
flourished.
The Australian Aborigine tribes honored the Crystal as a magical stone.
Rainbow Crystals (Crystals with internal fractures) were considered the home
of the Rainbow Spirit who had incredible powers.
There are many ways you can use Crystals & gemstones in your meditations. The
best way will always be the one that feels most correct to you. I'll discuss a
few different Crystal meditation practices, including my own meditation; you
will notice several similarities in each one. There are many resources with a
variety of practices, experiment until you find the one that works.
The primary purpose of meditation is to clear your mind, to calm the insane
distractions of our world. Once you can clear this static, you can become open
to a host wonders & energies. Besides, simple meditations can refresh & revive
the body & spirit.
Secluding yourself from the outside world & sitting quietly is not enough to
bring you to a meditative state. Every breath you take can bring in a
distraction, if you are not in control of where it is going.
This is the first thing each of the meditations have in common. A disciplined
way of controlling your breath.
The second is visualizing. This allows you to create a mental block against
unwanted thought patterns during your meditation. Think of it as creating a
force shield for your spirit.
BEGINNING MEDITATION:
Sit in a comfortable chair (not overstuffed, but well fitting), with your feet
on the floor & your hands on your knees. Keep the Crystal you are working with
in the palm of your predominant hand.
As you breath in, imagine the loving life force of Mother Earth entering you
through the soles of your feet. Briefly hold the sweet air & allow the loving
energies to fill you. Imagine exhaling through your Crown Chakra & releasing
the love into the universe.
Continue breathing, holding & exhaling with that visualization, until you feel
a comforting flow moving through you.
Take the Crystal & bring your hands together & up so that they are level with
your heart, (continue your breathing pattern) holding the Crystal with the
point away from your body. Imagine that flow of loving energies now moving
through your Heart Chakra, into your arms & hands & out through the point of
the Crystal.
Accept & be a part of the light & love flowing through & around you.
When you are ready to complete your meditation, reverse the flow by breathing
in through your Crown Chakra & out through your feet.
CRYSTAL MEDITATION:
Hold a clear Crystal in your non dominant hand & send loving thought patterns
into the Crystal, honoring the energies within.
Control your breath by breathing in slowly for the count of six, hold for six
counts & breath out for six counts (if six is too long, try four) until the
pattern starts to feel comfortable.
Visualize light coming in with each breath, filling your body & spirit &
leaving through the crystal to create light around you.
As the light circles & grows around you, ask the energies within the Crystal
to communicate that which you need to know. Be open to what you receive.
MY MEDITATION:
For my meditation, I use 12 Gems & Crystals to draw a circle. Depending on
what work I wish to do in meditation, I may bring a stone or crystal into the
circle with me.
Using a Chakra breathing exercise, I begin taking control of my breath. I
imagine my breath slowly entering & exiting through each of the seven Chakras,
beginning at the base.
As I go through each Chakra/Breath I visualize the color represented by that
Chakra. Red for base; Orange - stomach; Yellow - diaphragm; Green - heart;
Blue - throat; Indigo - third eye; Violet - crown, flowing in, through & back
out into the universe. Slowly building an imaginary rainbow around me.
When I reach the Crown Chakra, I open myself to the universe & its gifts.
To ground myself after meditation & working, I reverse the Chakra/Breath/Color
exercise until I imagine myself resting comfortably but firmly on Mother
Earth.
There is never a wrong way to achieve a clear mind & a balanced body. Feel
free to experiment with different breathing exercises, stones or
visualizations. The right way is the one that works for you.
Golden Herb Rolls
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1/4 cup water
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 package quick-rising yeast
2 teaspoons dried savory leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed, crushed
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 eggs, divided
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 20 to 24 muffin cups. Combine milk, butter and water in small saucepan; heat until butter is melted. If necessary, cool to 120� F. to 130� F. Combine 3 cups flour, sugar, yeast, savory, salt, thyme and dill in large mixer bowl. Add milk mixture and pumpkin; beat for 2 minutes. Stir in 3 eggs and remaining flour. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place for 10 minutes or until doubled. Spoon into prepared muffin cups, filling 1/2 to 3/4 full. Cover; let rise in warm, draft-free place for 30 to 40 minutes or until doubled. Beat remaining egg and brush on top of rolls; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until rolls are golden and sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans; serve warm or cool on wire rack.
Soothing Rosemary Lotion
1 ounce rosemary leaves
1 cup rain water
1 cup vinegar
In a stainless steal or enamel pan, simmer leaves and rain water. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat. Remove from heat, add vinegar and strain. Let cool and pour into a glass jar with a lid. Keep in a cool dark place. Apply to sore areas with a cotton ball. Rub small amounts on skin as a lotion. Overall skin softener. Also soothes swellings, stiffness from exercise and sports, and sore spots.
*NOTE* Author unknown if you do know of who the author may be please let meknow and I will correct the post.
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