Herbal Witch - Tumblr Posts

Unsolicited Witch Tip #1

Feel like you've encountered an obstacle you can't seem to get around? Burn dried lemongrass leaves. It's a great herb for clearing obstacles, as it helps to ward off negativity and bring good luck.

Harmony at Home Blend

I've been away for a bit, taking care of some mental health things, but I'm back with another herbal blend for anyone who may want to bring some good energy to their home. Without further ado...

Ingredients and intention

Alfalfa (prosperity and cleansing)

Lavender (calm)

Rose petals (love)

Hyssop (cleansing and purification)

Lemon balm (tranquility and harmony)

Juniper berries (good luck and protection)

I haven't quite decided how I'm going to use this, but there are a few possibilities. Most likely, I will use them as an infusion to make a floor wash. Other options are grinding them to make either a floor sweep or a powdered incense.

Any ritual and spellcraft used with this is entirely up to you! I always like to focus on my intent when preparing the blends, and since this will be used with domestic magic, I like saying a little prayer to Hestia and leaving her an offering. Feel free to be as simple or as elaborate as you'd like if you choose to incorporate this blend into your practice.

Confidence Transformation Ritual

Today I'm tapping into Saturday's transformative energy by looking into my own life and figuring out what areas I need a spark in. For me, my confidence needs a little boost, so I set up a simple ritual with herbs, a candle, bay leaf manifestation, the Queen of Wands whose energy I'd like to channel, a red jasper stone, and a special tea blend I crafted for my intention.

For the tea-

Equal parts lemon balm (focus) and peppermint (energy)

Pinch of rose (love)

Pinch of hibiscus (confidence)

Orange peels (joy)

Embracing Change: a Ritual

Today, I decided to tap into the energy of change and transformation that Wednesday can bring. I've felt sort of stuck and in a rut lately. Life just feels stale, my practice has come to a bit of a halt (not alarming, I've been a witch for nearly two decades, and sometimes the spiritual burnout hits hard), so I felt like I needed to do something.

For this, I don't have any real instructions on how to go about things, and the items used really depend on your intention, but I can offer the bare bones of this spell.

Two candles (one black to represent the aspects of your life that you are letting go of, one white to represent the change you are embracing. If you want to use colors that fit the specific aspects, go right ahead!)

Some sort of imagery to symbolize change and transformation (I chose Death, as this card is a reminder to let go of what no longer serves you)

Herbs for your intention (here I used bay, lemongrass, hibiscus, Angelica root, and dandelion root)

Crystals to match your intention (red aventurine, red howlite, honey calcite)

If you have any special water to use, it can be part of this (I used a cap filled with snow water I collected last winter)

Any oils you may want to use

Set your space up to your liking. Do any cleaning you may do before spellwork. Whatever you need to do to feel in the zone, do it.

When dressing the candles (for this, I just used an all-purpose oil), take the one that represents what you're letting go of and dress it from the top to the bottom. Do the opposite (bottom to the top) with the one representing the change you're embracing. While doing this, focus on your intention. Are there certain areas in your life where you feel stuck? Do you have habits you need to release? Pour those energies into this act. Continue that focus as you add any crystals, herbs, etc. With each one, consider what each one means to you personally, and what its place is within this ritual.

If you plan to call upon deities, do this in whatever way you usually do. Offer libations as needed. So on, so forth. For this, I opted out of deity work (although I've found that when I usually just send intentions out to the universe, a deity I don't expect usually swoops in like, "Nope. You work with me now." [Looking at you, Hera. 💕]).

Speaking your intentions out loud. Address any deities you're speaking with and petition their help, if applicable. Otherwise, just speak. Don't think about what you're saying. Let it come from the heart. Tell the universe your problems. Talk about how you feel stuck, what you want to change, what an ideal outcome would be for you, etc. I feel like there's a special sort of magic just in the cartharsis that comes with giving voice to what you're feeling, especially if you don't have an outlet.

Take all the time you need. If you need to give this more energy, sit there with it. No matter how quick I may be with a ritual, I let the candles burn out completely. I also do this in my living room, so either me or my boyfriend can see the flames at any give time. If fire safety doesn't allow for you to leave it burning while you move about, don't worry. Extinguish the flames as needed. You can return to burn them a little more throughout the day.

I hope the universe reveals this little ritual to anyone who may need it. I send it out into the world with the hope of helping. Have a magical Wednesday, and may the winds of change blow in your direction and lead you to where you need to be.

Unsolicited Witch Tip #5

Add hibiscus petals to dream sachets to dream of your beloved.

Energy Fix Spell Jar

It has been a while since I made a spell jar, but the time seemed appropriate. Things have been unusual hectic in my house, enough that I almost suspect I'm cursed (probably nothing so dramatic, but eh).

You can use any combination of these herbs (plus an other herbs you prefer for luck reversal, cleansing, protection, etc). I have a few blends for protection, but this was the combination I was vibing with tonight

For the jar

I put my finer-grained things on bottom then layered as I felt appropriate.

Black salt (protection, driving out negative energy)

Powdered eggshells (protection)

Powdered feverfew (repels negativity and promotes harmony)

Hyssop (purification, and honestly one of my favorite cleansing herbs)

Rue (protection, especially against curses, banishing negativity) [do not use if pregnant]

Angelica Root (cleansing, keeps evil spirits and curses at bay)

Valerian (protection and purification)

Lemongrass (cleansing, one of my favorite herbs for clearing negativity and other blockages, especially spiritual ones)

Layer in jar, seal with black wax. I added a sigil to the cork but am a silly goose and did not get a picture of it. I then wrote my intention on a bay leaf to burn.

For this, I invoked Hecate, because she found my at my lowest years ago, and I can always feel her with me at these points. I trust in her, and I know she will guide me through this with her infinite wisdom. Feel free to invoke whatever deities feel appropriate, or just call on the universe. Completely up to you and how you practice.

Deep sleep charm 🩵

These instructions are for a small spell pouch/charm intended to be kept underneath the user's pillow. It doesn't ward off bad dreams but promotes calm, restful sleep while protecting from disruptions. ☁️

Avoid performing this spell when you are actively angry or feeling very intense emotions.

Materials:

Small cloth pouch

Any of these crystals: (as many or few as youd like)

Apatite

Amethyst

Clear quartz

Blue lace agate

Citrine

Obsidian

Onyx

Chamomile (if your pouch is loosely woven, an intact tea bag could be helpful for minimizing mess)

Lavender

Witch hazel

Paper + pen

Step 1:

Toss everything into the pouch, focusing on a sense of calm.

Step 2:

Write something on the paper: manifestations, something that calms you, draw some doodles, anything that conveys serenity/happiness/rest

Step 3:

Tie the pouch shut loosely and charge it in moonlight. When you feel that it's ready to use, place it under your pillow. Charge it once a week or so.

☁️🩵☁️🩵

Unsolicited Witch Tip #7

Broken heart? It's no permanent fix, but place soothing herbs in a pot of water (I recommend rose, lavender, mint, lavender, and hibiscus) and allow to simmer. Breathe in the steam, accepting a whole and healed heart.

You can also strain out the plant matter, bottle the liquid, let cool, and add to your bath.

Cinnamon Syrup; Recipe and Uses

Cinnamon is a great spice to bake with when doing Kitchen Magic. It's a powerful and versatile ingredient. However, I personally don't like adding cinnamon directly to my drinks, as the texture can be gritty and off putting. But I love the flavour. So I decided to try making a simple syrup and infusing the cinnamon in that.

A simple syrup is just equal parts sugar and water, heated so all the sugar dissolves. You can use any sugar (Or sugar alternative if you want to make a Zero Sugar Syrup) but most of the time, white sugar is used.

On a stovetop, over medium heat, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Stir until Sugar Dissolves. Add Cinnamon Sticks. You want to break them up a bit, butt still keep it chunky so it's easy to strain. 4 to 6 sticks should do.

I also added a coffee bean to energize/activate my Cinnamon's Properties since these were older sticks. But that's optional.

Bring syrup to a simmer, and let it continue to simmer for 5 to 10 minutes with the lid off. Take care not to boil the syrup as that can change the sugar's structure. Once done simmering, remove from heat and place a lid on the pot. Let it sit and cool down over the course of a few hours. This allows the cinnamon to infuse further.

Now strain the syrup using a Siv or cheese cloth. To the syrup, mix in half tsp of vanilla if you want. Jar it up and store in the fridge.

Uses

Cinnamon attracts and enhances just about anything positive in life. Love, Prosperity, Power, Success, Money, Happiness, ect. Cinnamon was also used in purifying rituals of past cultures. For this reason, many Witches will add some Cinnamon to their morning beverage.

You can add this syrup to coffee and tea, treating it like a sweetener. So if you take a spoonful of sugar in your coffee, you'll use a spoonful of syrup.

You could also try making your own coffee creamer with this simple syrup and a can of evaporated milk. If you like your Creamer super sweet, use sweet and condensed milk.

Mix some of this syrup in with sparkling water for a different flavor pop.

Add a spoonful to plain yogurt with some berries either as it's own thing or to enhance the properties of the fruit.

Let me know how else you use cinnamon syrup!

To Banish Negative Energy

Another from my older book of shadows. Just a simple little jar (or sachet, if you prefer) to help keep your space clear of negative energy.

Ingredients

Sea salt (cleansing)

Bay (banishing)

Lavender (peace)

Rosemary (cleansing dark energies)

Slip of paper with your intention (or you can write it on your bay leaf)

Add all the ingredients to a jar or sachet, focusing on your intention. I also like to burn black candles while doing this, but that's completely optional. This can be as simple, or as complex as you prefer.

Set the final product on a windowsill, nightstand, shelf, etc. Wherever you feel like it best serves your purpose. I also like to place protective crystals next to it to amplify the magic.

Purification Incense

A nice little herbal incense blend to help rid a space of negative and stagnant energy.

Ingredients

Bay leaf

Cinnamon (powdered makes this a lot easier)

Lemon balm

Grind the ingredients in a mortar and pestle, then combine, mixing together. Spoon over lit charcoal and burn in an area with open window to cleanse and clear the energies.

A candle spell for job hunters

Finding a job since moving has been a thorn in my side, honestly. So I've decided to weave a little magic into my efforts.

First and foremost, before we get into it: candles become more of a fire hazard after they've been dressed. Please practice fire safety!

That being said...

Materials

Yellow candle (success, strengthens focus)

Peppermint (prosperity)

Cinnamon (prosperity, success)

Bay leaf [crumbled as fine as you can] (manifestation)

Catnip (attraction, in conjunction with everything else, specifically attracting employment

Anointing oil of your choosing (I tend to use just olive oil, but decided to use a prosperity oil a friend made)

Green aventurine (opportunity)

Citrine (luck and abundance)

Tigers eye (courage to put yourself out there and get what you aim for)

(Optional) oracle or tarot card that reflects your intention

Start by dressing your candle with your oil. To draw something to you, dress from the bottom of the candle, moving upward to the center. Add your herbs, focusing on the intention. Arrange your crystals as desired, as well as your card if you want to include it. Light your candle, holding your intention in your mind. I also put the leftover herb mixture around the candle, but that's because I am prone to prepping too much.

Herb and stone and candle's flame

You can simply focus on your intention, or you can say something aloud. For this, I said this little incantation

"Herb and stone and candle's flame

Open roads for employment gain.

Guide my feet and ready my hand

Brave my soul to trust the plan."

Let the candle burn out.

Unsolicited Witch Tip #11

Just get over an illness? Burn caraway seeds, mugwort, and rosemary to ward off any lingering negative energy while recovering.

Happiness Tea Spell

One of my favorite tea recipes that I like incorporating into my day whenever I need that extra little boost.

1 part lemon balm

1/2 part lavender

1/2 part rose petals

Blend and prepare your tea, steeping for 4-6 minutes. While steeping, breathe in the warmth and say "A cup of tea, a simple request. Fill my day with what I love best. With joy in my soul and hope in my heart, I thank the gods [universe, whatever feels right to you] for this new spark."

If you want to add a little extra layer to this spell, I like lighting a yellow candle during the process, as well as placing a citrine by my cup while the tea is steeping so I can infuse the brew with its energy.

To the one follower who is waiting patiently for my flint knapping post I will get on it soon 🖤

For now a recipe for good luck loose leaf tea:

2-3 apples (I make this when I'm making apple pie)

Cinnamon sticks

Some ground ginger (optional)

A bit of sugar

Black loose leaf tea (I use supermarket plain loose leaf tea as the base for this recipe, the nicer stuff does taste better but you're going to flavour it anyway so it doesn't really matter)

Preheat the oven to about 180c fan

1. Peel the apples in small-ish pieces, the apple peel is the star of the show here. Coat it with sugar and ground ginger if using, then place on a lined baking tray

2. Cover the peel with tea leaves and broken up pieces of cinnamon sticks (1-2 sticks, depending on how cinnamony you like it). This is where you say your good luck charm.

3. Wack it in the oven for at least half an hour, taking it out to mix and turn over the peel. You want the peel to be dehydrated but not burnt (browned is fine), the tea leaves should help soak up some of the liquid.

4. Take the tea out to cool down, and once cooled add to a sterilised jar or paper bag, whatever you store your tea in. Make sure to seal it to keep the flavour stronger!

1 table spoon makes a decent cuppa, 2-3 if you're making a pot. Mixing in some honey can be nice, but it tastes better without milk in my opinion.

Money Powder

Cinnamon (prosperity, success, amplifies and enhances other ingredients)

Ginger (money, luck, quickens manifestation)

Mint (prosperity and abundance)

Bay leaf (wishes, success)

Grind all ingredients and mix together, focusing on your intention.

Sprinkle mixture in your wallet or purse. Use to dress candles for prosperity rituals. Can also be used as a floor sweep to help banish financial struggles and invite stability.

Attraction Tea (to aid in love magic)

This is a tea I would make to enhance any love magic I performed. Hell, you can even set your intention to be all about self-love too. It's versatile enough.

I don't have proportions because this was a fave during my more chaotic and less organized days of practice, but I prefer it with more emphasis on the rose, and then using the rest to your preference.

Rose petals

Cinnamon

Ginger

A little honey as desired

Mix your ingredients(except for honey!) together and put in a tea infuser, bag, etc. Prepare your tea. As it steeps, breathe in it's steam and hold your intention in your mind as you exhale.

This can be done on its own or in conjunction with a more elaborate working. If, while enjoying this by itself, you want to add a little atmosphere, light pink candles and incorporate rose quartz for a softer vibe, or opt for red candles and carnelian for something a little more passionate.

Unsolicited Witch Tip #13

To cleanse yourself of unwanted energies, add lemon juice, sea salt, and strongly brewed coffee to your bath

Unsolicited Witch Tip #14

Place star anise under your pillow to protect against nightmares.

Sleepy Witch Bag

Honestly, one of my favorite little spells because it's so easy to customize.

Take a drawstring bag (ideally in a color you associate with peace).

Add any combination of the following: amethyst, selenite, howlite, rose quartz, moonstone, laboradite, rose petals, lavender, mugwort, rosemary, cloves, and bay. If there are other herbs or stones that match a specific need, feel free to throw those in too.

Focus on your intention with each item. Say a little prayer for peace. Light candles. Whatever you need to do to connect with your practice, do it.

Place the bag near your bed. This can be a bedside table, windowsill by the bed, under the pillow, etc. Whatever works best for you.