Magical and Medicinal Uses of Water Lily

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Creation, Enlightenment, Hedge Riding, Love, Peace, Purity, Rebirth, Spiritual Connection, Wisdom

Magical Uses and History: The scientific name for water lilies, Nymphaea, is derived from the word "nymph," water spirits commonly found in Greek myths. This is a rather obvious reflection of the nature of water lilies, which commonly grow in bodies of water, their roots digging deep underground while their leaves or pads float to the surface. Often confused with the lotus, water lilies have a different history, folklore, and magical presence than the lotus.

In ancient Egypt, the water lily was highly regarded due to its unique nature. Like morning glories, Egyptian varieties of water lilies are nyctinastic, their flowers opening and closing due to temperature changes. They rise out of the water and bloom in the morning, but retreat back beneath the surface in the afternoon heat. This unique behavior led the Egyptians to associate water lilies, specifically blue water lilies, with the creation. According to the myth, a blue lotus flower arose from the primordial waters of Nun at the beginning of the world. Within was Nefertem, the physical manifestation of the first sunlight or sunrise. Sometimes referred to as "He Who is Beautiful" and "Water-Lily of the Sun," Nefertem is often depicted as a beautiful young man with blue water lilies adorning his head. In the Book of the Dead, Nefertem is referenced in a passage which says, "Rise like Nefertem from the blue water lily, to the nostrils of Ra, and come forth upon the horizon each day." Needless to say, the blue water lily symbolised creation, rebirth, and death, as well as the cyclical nature of sunrise and sunset. (What's even more interesting is recent fossilized remains of the earliest flowering plants are believed to be most closely related to modern-day water lilies, suggesting it really was there at the "beginning.")

Nefertem's myth doesn't end there, however. As the Sun God Ra suffered the effects of aging, Nefertem brought him a water lily flower. Ra smelled the flower and was instantly restored. As such, the scent of the water lily was believed to be restorative and protective, with numerous depictions of the flowers being held by gods and goddesses to the noses of pharaohs to ensure their long and ever-lasting reign. 

Furthermore, water lilies have been found in a great number of Egyptian tombs as potential offerings, as well as painted on walls and even on unguent jars. In these tomb paintings, the dead are often depicted smelling the flowers, which is believed to reference the restoration of the deceased's senses as they enter the underworld to await rebirth. During the mummification process, oil made from water lilies was used "to unite the limbs, join the bones and assemble the flesh" and reduce the smell of decay. Nefertem is said to have resided over this process as well, further associating him and the water lily with life, death, rebirth, and even perfume.

Similar myths of water lilies and rebirth are found in other cultures, more specifically among the Tupi-Guarani people of Brazil. According to their myth, the moon goddess Jaci was known to come in the night to kiss and light up the faces of beautiful young virgins. If she deemed them worthy enough, she would turn them into stars. Naiá, a young virgin, became obsessed with becoming a star, even after being warned that she would lose her flesh and blood in the process. Each night, Naiá roamed the mountains seeking out the moon, refusing to eat or sleep. One night, Naiá happened upon a lake, where she noticed the moon's reflection. Desperate for the moon's blessing, she dove into the water and drowned. Jaci turned her into a water lily, the "star of the waters," to reward her for the sacrifice and dedication. In Greek mythology, Chloris, the goddess of flowers, transforms a dying nymph into a beautiful flower, which some interpretations identify as a water lily. These myths, while certainly darker in nature, also show the water lily being a symbol of transformation and rebirth.

As such, water lilies can be used in spells and rituals related to creation, death, rebirth, and transformation. Place water lily flowers as offerings to your ancestors or creation/death deities. Use water lily oil to anoint candles or diffuse to inspire creativity and transformation. Add the petals to spell bags for similar purposes.

Because water lilies have roots deep below the water's surface and a blooming flower on the water's surface, water lilies are also thought to symbolize the connection between life and death or the world above and the world below. In ancient Maya, water lilies were often depicted being used in rituals and ceremonies, most likely as a psychotropic substance. It was also called "nikte'ha," meaning "vulva of the water," thus representing its connection with the divine, life, birth, and even fertility. In Egypt, the blue water lily was also used by spiritual leaders to induce trances. This tradition has been continued into modern day, with hedge witches, shamans, and other astral travelers using the petals to reach an altered state of consciousness. Diffusing water lily oil can help enhance psychic awareness and facilitate communication with the Otherworld.

Finally, the water lily has paradoxically been associated with both purity and lust. Certain varieties of water lilies act as a mild aphrodisiac and have been steeped in wine to induce lustful behavior. More often than not, however, the water lily is associated with purity and modesty. This likely arises from the fact that the water lily can emerge from the murky, muddy depths without a blemish, its flower petals untarnished by the dirt below. Water lilies are sometimes added to wedding bouquets to represent chastity and purity of the heart, as well as eloquence and grace. Their delicate fragrance was highly regarded throughout history and was said to temper earthly desires and temptations by reminding the imbiber to seek inner peace. Pliny the Elder even recorded water lilies being an antidote to love potions. As such, water lilies can be used in spells and rituals for purity as well as love. Use water lily perfume or oils in spells to enhance feelings of love and attraction or to aid during meditation. Water lilies can also be used in cleansing rituals and baths to purify and renew you or your space.

Water lily can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Divination

      Hedge Riding

      Purity Rituals

      Love Spells

      Rebirth Magic

      Death Magic

      Transformation Rituals

Medicinal Uses: When it comes to using water lilies in medicine, not all water lilies are created equal. Several varieties are toxic, while others, like the American white water lily (Nymphaea odorata), are perfectly safe. Please consult a licensed herbalist or your doctor before using water lily in your herbal practice. American white water lily contains tannins that help reduce inflammation and swelling and are antidiarrheal. Many varieties also contain nymphayol, an organic compound that stimulates the secretion of insulin and promotes the absorption of glucose, suggesting it is a useful treatment for diabetes. Nymphayol is also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, and has been found useful in treating gastric ulcers. Water lilies are also hepatoprotective, thus helping promote healthy liver function. Water lily should not be taken by those who are taking pain relievers such as opioids, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and medications used to treat Alzheimer's, dementia, or Parkinson's. Water lilies should also be avoided by those who suffer from seizures.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine 1 tsp of powdered water lily root with 1.5 cups of water. Boil for 30 minutes before enjoying. Drink up to three times per day. As a tincture, take 0.5 milliliters up to three times a day. Water lily can also be used externally as a cream, poultice, or ointment to treat minor swelling, bruising, or pain.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Book Review: A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews by S. M. Harlow

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Last year, I had the pleasure of reviewing S.M. Harlow's A Tea Witch's Grimoire, so when Weiser reached out to see if I wanted to review her next book, I jumped at the opportunity. A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews expands upon A Tea Witch's Grimoire, this time with the help of crystals!

Harlow dives into the world of crystal grids and how to use them in your tea practice. While she cannot include a comprehensive guide to every crystal, she does offer a very detailed list of crystals and their intention and tea pairings, making it easy to develop your own recipes and rituals to suit every occasion. This is paired with an excellent guide to creating crystal grids, how they work, the meaning of the different designs (sacred geometry), and how to use them in your practice, with or without tea. I've honestly never read such a complete guide to crystal grids, so this was a first for me. I walked away with a lot to think about and how to incorporate crystal grids more into my own practice.

A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews gives some background in tea witchcraft, but I believe there is the assumption that you have read Harlow's first book and therefore may only need a refresher instead of an entire guide. Since I have read her previous work and written my own book on tea witchcraft, I felt her refresher was more than enough to get even new witches started on their tea witchcraft journey.

As before, A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews contains a large number of recipes and rituals, complete with moon phases, ritual ideas, and more. There is even a chapter dedicated to crystal elixirs! I loved the inclusion of crystal elixirs, the water from which can be used to brew any number of teas given that the water is safe to drink. Remember, not all crystals are friendly!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the guides, recipes, and rituals in Harlow's latest book, A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews. I cannot wait to see what her future holds and if she will continue creating these fantastic recipe books! You can never have too many tea rituals in your life!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Banishing the Unwanted: A Ritual to Banish Entities from Another Realm

A reader recently left the following comment on one of my previous posts, Elemental Magic: Earth Spells and Rituals:

"Can you do more earth spells? Like banishing someone from another realm spell? Or just connecting to mother gaia and her energies rituals."

Of course, I can do that, and I decided to start with the first suggestion, banishing someone from another realm. As a hedge witch, it's not uncommon to encounter spirits, beings, and energies in the Otherworld, and while I do my best to protect myself and prevent anything from coming back with me, it sometimes still happens. If something does happen to come back with you, or you notice something otherworldly has attached itself to you through other means, this ritual will help you banish it.

This ritual is for the stubborn entity, the one you have already asked to leave, and isn't responding to other simpler methods of banishment, such as verbally requesting it to go, banging pots and pans, or the burning of banishing herbs.

What You'll Need

• Salt
• Black or dark green candle
• Light or match
• Black tourmaline
• Bowl of soil or access to earth 
• Dried rosemary, rue, or black cohosh root
• Charcoal disc
• A written name/sigil/object representing the entity/energy 
• A small shovel or spoon
• Bell or chime
• Offering to Mother Gaia, such as honey, wine, or quartz

What to Do

This spell is best performed during the waning moon.

Begin by grounding, centering, and cleansing your space and materials using your preferred methods. Next, draw a circle of salt around your ritual space and place the bowl of soil in front of you and the candle behind it.

Light the candle (and charcoal) and while holding the black tourmaline in your left hand, invoke Mother Gaia by saying, "Mother Gaia, ancient one, ground of being, giver of life; I call upon your strength and stone to cast out what is not my own." Visualize roots reaching deep into you from the black tourmaline and into the ground below you, drawing up Mother Gaia's strength. Feel her strength and perseverance fill you, starting at your feet and gradually spreading throughout the rest of your body.

When you feel filled with Gaia's energy, place your dried herbs on the charcoal disc. While still holding the black tourmaline in your left hand, pick up the written name/sigil/object representing the entity/energy with your right hand and say:

"By Gaia’s roots and ancient stone,

I cast thee out, now me leave alone.

Between this world and that, you fade,

Bound by Earth, the pact is made.

No path remains, no gate shall stand,

I send you back by Gaia’s hand,
To the lands beyond, the hidden realm.

From rock to root, your thread unwinds,

By sacred soil, all fate unbinds.”

Bury the written name/sigil/object representing the entity/energy into the soil and place the black tourmaline on top of it while you visualize the entity or energy being forced back into the Otherworld, the door slamming shut behind them. Sprinkle some salt over the burial and black tourmaline and waft the smoke from your herbs around you, your space, and the burial. While you do so, chant the following:

"Sealed by stone and guarded by soil, 

May no return disturb or spoil. 

With Earth’s embrace, I am now unchained.

Be gone, be gone, and not remain.”

Close the ritual by ringing the bell or chime, snuffing out the candle, and thanking Mother Gaia by saying something like, "Mother of Earth, your work is done. I thank you for your assistance today. I walk in light, the battle is won. So it is, so it shall be." Offer Mother Gaia your offering by placing it outside in her soil.

Leave the burial undisturbed for an entire moon cycle before burying the spell remains away from your home or tossing them down a river.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Remember, visualization is not necessarily seeing an object in your mind, but instead an incorporation of all senses to bring about the object or intention. When visualizing, it's more about creating those feelings than necessarily seeing the object or outcome in our mind.
• This ritual can be performed outside if the entity seems to be attached to you and not your space. There is no need to dig up the spell remains if performed outside. If you decide to perform this ritual outside, bury the spell remains in your backyard or away from your property.
• Do not leave a lit candle or charcoal disc unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• If you cannot light candles, a black painted electrical tea light will work just as well.
• If you do not have access to loose herbs, use a banishment incense as a replacement.
• If you cannot burn loose herbs or incense, soak the loose herbs in warm water and sprinkle the water around your space, over yourself, and the burial instead.
• If using rue, handle with care. Rue sap is phototoxic, which makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight. It can result in mild redness, itching, severe burns, and blistering. Dried rue generally doesn't contain any sap, so the risk of phytophotodermatitis is very low.
• Black cohosh and rue are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep pets out of the room while burning or working with these herbs. After the smoke has cleared, the area is safe for them to return to.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First and foremost, this spell is best performed during the waning moon, which is strongly associated with banishment. Since we are trying to banish forces or entities, the waning moon is the best time to do this. In times of dire need, you can ignore the moon phase altogether and work the magic you need to.

Next, salt was used to draw a circle around your ritual space and tools. Salt is naturally cleansing, purifying, and protective. In the mundane world, salt is used to preserve food as it is antimicrobial in nature. For this reason, it's also believed to protect and ward against unwanted spirits, entities, and energies. After cleansing and consecrating your space, the salt ring helps keep the positive in and the negative out of your sacred space, as well as aids in banishing the entity later in the spell when it is sprinkled over your burial.

The color black, black tourmaline, rosemary, rue, and black cohosh, like salt, are also associated with banishment, protection, and purification and are used for such purposes in this ritual. Black tourmaline is also naturally grounding, helping to connect you to Mother Gaia and the Earth, as well as helping to bind and banish the unwanted entity. By placing the black tourmaline on top of the burial, you are shutting the door and locking the entity away in the earth. Prior to this, the black tourmaline was held in the left hand, the hand of receiving, as we are attempting to connect with and receive the energy of Mother Gaia to banish the unwanted entity.

Gaia is an earth goddess, characterised by fertility, new life, creativity, receptivity, and grounding. However, because of her association with earth and therefore soil, caves, and other dark places, she is an excellent goddess to call upon when banishing entities, particularly those from the Otherworld. While Gaia is often seen as a nurturing mother figure, she is also portrayed as a force of destruction and chaos, capable of unleashing natural disasters and inciting conflict when she feels wronged or when balance needs to be restored. According to mythology, Gaia helped Cronus overthrow, castrate, and imprison her husband, Uranus. Later, she joins Zeus to overthrow Cronus and the Titans. She even sends her son Typhon to attack the Olympians and instigates the battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants. Needless to say, she is a force to be reckoned with and if you feel wronged by the entity you are banishing, Gaia will surely take your side and aid in their removal.

After connecting with the Earth and Gaia, an item associated with the entity is used to connect your ritual intentions to the entity you are banishing, tying the two together. Naming what we want to banish is extremely powerful, as names hold power. Knowing one's name is thought to give one power over the other, so if you know the entity's name, use it. This object or name is held in your right hand, which is your giving hand. In this case, you are trying to "give" banishment, using the energy you received from Gaia.

This item is buried, covered in black tourmaline, and salt to banish and send it back to the Otherworld, using the earth as a portal and the black tourmaline and salt as the door and lock. Once covered, the entity cannot return, and its energy is absorbed into the earth. This ritual is closed out by using the banishing herbal smoke to remove any residual energies from you and your workspace, and sealed with the ringing of a bell. Bell ringing helps remove energy and helps symbolizes the close of this ritual.

Finally, an offering is given to Gaia to say thanks, and the spell remains are allowed to sit for a full moon cycle to ensure the door remains closed. The spell remains can then be buried away from your home (to keep the entity away), in your backyard (for banishment), or thrown into a river (to cleanse and purify).

Want to break this spell? Invite the spirit, energy, or entity back, but I can't guarantee it'll be happy after you banished it. 

Remember to record this ritual in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

To my anonymous commenter, I hope this ritual helps address a potential issue you may have and that it brings you closer to Gaia in the process. For everyone else, keep this ritual on hand just in case something follows you home you weren't expecting!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Book Review: Once Upon a Place by Holly Bellebuono

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Before I delve into the heart of my review, I would like to thank Llewellyn for allowing me to read and review what is one of the best nonfiction books I have read thus far this year. I must also preface this review with a disclaimer that this is not a traditional occult book, but instead a literary analysis of the meaning of places in legends, myths, folktales, and children's stories. If that doesn't sound like something you are interested in, then this probably isn't necessarily the best book for you, but I would implore you to at least give it a try.

Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film by Holly Bellebuono delves into the world of fiction to explore themes and messages that are commonly found in the World Journey or Hero's Journey and how the lessons are conveyed through the use of different locations. The themes are so prevalent that they can be divided into distinct categories: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth. Furthermore, these tales feature similar character elements: Descent and Resurrection, Chaos and Void, and the Beast and the Guide. She explores a variety of myths from around the world, including not just the ever poignant works of the colonizers, but also tales from indigenous peoples in Africa, South America, and North America, with the expressed goal of showing this is not a Eurocentric phenomenon, but a human one. We are all linked by the stories we tell, and the similarities across cultures reinforce that the human condition is universal.

I absolutely loved her approach and devoured this book in two days. It is not a super-easy read, but Bellebuono is so engaging and thought-provoking, I struggled to put it down. In fact, I was reading snippets in between running dungeons and raids in World of Warcraft, and at one point, my friend told me to wait at the end of the dungeon while he cleared it so I could finish out a chapter. I was that engrossed in the information Bellebuono had to share with the world. Once Upon a Place is very clearly a labor of love.

So why would a witch and an occult publisher be interested in reading and publishing such a work that is clearly meant for the literature analysis world? Because the stories we tell have deep meaning and lessons that all of us can benefit from, especially the witch. As a witch who analyzes old stories to glean magical truth, Bellebuono has given me a lot to think about. Who is the Guide? The Beast? Where is this story taking place, and what does that mean for the protagonist? How is a Forest different from a single tree? A Labrynith different from the Vessel? These locations give a whole new meaning to the stories I have read dozens of times, and as I continue to read more of the Nordic myths, I will be looking out for Bellebuono's classifications.

It's not just in the analysis of ancient myths and legends, however, that Bellenuono's work is helpful. If you are into analyzing your dreams, reading tarot, or hedge riding, this book will be of particular use. Bellebuono ascribes meaning to what a lot of us would otherwise overlook. Thinking of my own hedge riding practice, I also descend into the Otherworld before ascending with enlightenment. I never really understood why until now: thematically, humans have always descended into the unknown before ascending with new knowledge, power, and strength. This is exactly what most hedge riders are doing as well, without even knowing they are doing it! Furthermore, understanding the meaning of places can help you better understand the messages and lessons being taught by your dreams, journey, or divinatory practices. How is finding yourself in a Forest different from finding yourself in a Cavern? Going back and reading through my past hedge riding journeys, I have realized I have been missing valuable information without even realizing it.

I cannot begin to express how helpful and enlightening I found Once Upon a Place. If you are interested in taking your practice to the next level, especially if you are interested in folklore, dream magic, hedge riding, or tarot. My only qualm with Bellebuono's work is the inclusion of Harry Potter, whose inclusion continues to perpetuate an incredibly harmful IP. I wouldn't let its inclusion stop you from picking up this book, though.

Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film by Holly Bellebuono is available now wherever books are sold. Again, I highly recommend picking up a copy today!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Magical and Medicinal Uses of Butterfly Pea

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Clarity, Fertility, Healing, Love, Lust, Peace, Purity

Magical Uses and History: The butterfly pea, a vibrant blue-flowering plant native to Southeast Asia, has long held cultural, medicinal, and magical significance, particularly in India, Thailand, and Malaysia. The earliest known mention of its uses comes from ancient Ayurvedic texts, where it is referred to as Shankhpushpi or Aparajita. In these texts, butterfly pea is mentioned as enhancing memory, promoting cognitive function, and reducing stress. It was used in similar ways across the continent, making it the perfect addition to spells and rituals related to memory, stress relief, and cognitive function. Drink as a tea to during studying or while working on a difficult assignment. Add the flowers to memory spell bags or jars, burn as an incense, or place near your bed to help you remember your dreams. It can also be used to bring balance and harmony due to its tranquilizing properties. As such, add it to spells and rituals to bring balance and harmony, soothe tempers, and promote overall well-being.

Across the continent in China, butterfly pea is associated with love, lust, and sex, particularly for people with female genitalia, due to the flower's uncanny resemblance to a vulva. It's due to this appearance that Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus assigned butterfly pea to the genus Clitoria, a somewhat controversial name. Needless to say, butterfly pea is often believed to support feminine health and wellbeing and promote fertility. This makes butterfly pea flowers perfect for spells related to feminine health and wellness, fertility, love, lust, and sex. Add to teas with roses and cinnamon to draw love to you, use in ritual baths to increase lust, or add to spell bags and bottles for similar purposes.

Apart from its uses in healing and love spells, butterfly pea is also associated with protection, purity, and clarity. In Hinduism, the butterfly pea is sacred to the goddess Durga and is often used in prayers as a symbol of purity and spiritual clarity. The name Aparajita is derived from the word "Aparjeo," which means undefeated. As such, butterfly pea flowers can be used in spells and rituals for protection and to connect with the divine. Burn as an incense to open your mind to communicate with the divine, add to altars as an offering, or hang in your home for protection.

Butterfly pea's vibrant color is also believed to symbolize good fortune and prosperity. In Hinduism, butterfly pea is offered to the Shivling on Mondays and Saturdays to ensure the family never suffers from a shortage of money, while it's given to Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays to ensure continued wealth and prosperity. In Thailand, drinks and desserts made from butterfly pea are often served to bring the newlyweds good luck and prosperity. Add butterfly pea to spells and rituals to promote wealth, money, and prosperity.

Butterfly pea can be used in a number of spells, including:

   Protection Spells

   Healing Magic

   Prosperity Rituals

   Love Spells

   Sex Magic

   Peace Magic

Medicinal Uses: Butterfly pea is rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant known to reduce free radicals and protect against cellular damage. It could potentially lower one's risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer, slow down the aging process, and support overall immune health. Due to high concentrations of acetylcholine, butterfly pea is often used to improve memory retention and recall, enhance focus, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It's also used to relieve stress, enhance mood, and promote sleep. Some studies also suggest butterfly pea may help regulate blood sugar levels and, therefore, can be used to help prevent diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Preparation and Dosage: As an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon butterfly pea flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the infusion to steep for 5 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day. As a tincture, take 1-2 milliliters up to 3 times a day. Butterfly pea can also be used in salves to decrease signs of aging.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Magical Properties of Mangano Calcite

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Magical and Medicinal Uses of Dragon's Blood

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Exorcism, Healing, Love, Protection, Purification

Magical Uses and History: Despite its name, dragon's blood is a resin commonly harvested from trees such as Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabar, Dracaena draco, and Croton lechleri. Each variety has slightly different chemical and aromatic properties, but all share the characteristic crimson hue and are, therefore, used interchangeably in spiritual practices.

One of the earliest mentions of dragon's blood dates back to the 1st century, where it is noted in Periplus Maris Erythraei as a product of Socotra, a large trading center. Dragon's blood was used as a dye and paint pigment, as well as medicine. Traditionally, dragon's blood was used to cure a variety of respiratory and gastrointestinal problems as well as to treat minor wounds and abrasions across the world. The Greeks and Romans used it to halt bleeding and promote coagulation, and later as an astringent, a practice shared by those across Asia and Central America. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed to promote circulation and stop bleeding while warding off evil spirits. It continued to be used well into the medieval and Renaissance periods, its name and historical uses being the subject of significant debates. 

Around 50-80 AD, Pliny and Dioscorides refer to a cure-all known as cinnabaris or cinnabar. According to Pliny, cinnabar was the product of elephants and dragons fighting to the death and their blood mingling. It wasn't until the late 1400s that anyone sought to question Pliny's description, with multiple naturalists, physicians, and botanists arguing over what cinnabar actually was. Today, modern translations believe cinnabar is a reference to the tree Dracaena cinnabar, the Socotra dragon tree, which produces dragon's blood resin. According to Greek myth, the tree originated from the blood of the dragon Ladon, who was slain by Hercules. Upon the dragon's death, the blood seeped into the ground, resulting in the dragon tree being born. Needless to say, dragon's blood is perfect for spells and rituals involving healing and protection. Sprinkle around your home, burn as incense, or add to protection spell bags to create a protective barrier and promote health and well-being. Dragon's blood can also be added to oils to anoint candles, entryways, or yourself for similar purposes.

Due to its red color and its association with dragons, dragon's blood is also believed to enhance personal power and amplify one's magic. It can easily be added to spells and rituals to boost the energy of the spell as well as the energy of other ingredients within the spell or ritual. Because of its ability to amplify, dragon's blood is the perfect resin to use when consecrating ritual items, invoking spirits, or awakening spell ingredients and tools.

Apart from its use in medicine, dragon's blood was highly sought after as a dye and pigment for paint. It was used to stain furniture and violins, to create paint, and even in photoengraving. As a result, dragon's blood makes a great magical ink to write spells with or to use in your grimoire. It can also be used as a blood substitute due to its rich hue.

Dragon's blood can be used in a number of spells, including:

   Protection Spells

   Healing Magic

   Purification Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Dragon's blood is derived from multiple tree species, but Dracaena cochinchinesis and Daemonorops draco are the most commonly used in medicinal applications, although all varieties have been found to be generally safe. Dragon's blood is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, providing protection against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Studies have shown promising results in dragon's blood use for treating topical ulcers due to conditions such as herpes, as well as minor wounds and cuts. Internally, dragon's blood is antidiarrheal and is sometimes used to treat diarrhea or dysentery.

Preparation and Dosage: Externally, dragon's blood can be used as an ointment or a diluted tincture to treat ulcers and minor skin abrasions. To dilute, combine 3 to 5 drops of dragon's blood tincture with one ounce of water. Rinse the ulcer or wound up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 1 milliliter with 2 ounces of water or juice up to three times a day. 

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Book Review: Celtic Hedge Witchery by Joey Morris

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am so thankful Weiser reached out asking if I would like to review Celtic Hedge Witchery: A Modern Approach by Joey Morris. I will never turn down a book on hedgecraft as I am always looking for new perspectives. There are so few resources out there for the budding hedge witch as it is, so when one comes along, I know I have to review it.

Celtic Hedge Witchery focuses on Morris's personal gnosis with Celtic influences. Most books on the market on hedge craft focus more on the Celtic side of things, so it's not surprising Morris does as well. However, Morris takes a more academic approach, analyzing the historical literature, similar to what I do here on my own blog. I absolutely loved her approach, but it makes for a denser read than other occult books for sure.

Morris delves into Celtic folklore, including the tale of Taliesin, the Cauldron of Poesy, and more, to establish the foundation of her practice. This includes a hedge witch's connection to the natural world, the three realms of the Otherworld, plant spirits commonly used by hedge witches, and even shapeshifting. Within several chapters are exercises, mostly visualizations, to help you ground, center, and release, connect to the three realms and the cauldrons within you, and even build your sacred grove, which I refer to as my garden. These visualizations are beautiful and will certainly help those of you who need more direction to help you get into hedge riding. 

There are also multiple chapters on connecting and working with plant spirits, which I thoroughly enjoyed, especially the inclusion of some of my favorite plants to work with as a hedge witch, such as nettle and dandelion. These chapters use the Ogham along with visualizations to build connections as they relate to hedge riding and spirit work. I can't wait to spend more time with these chapters and start incorporating them into my own practice. While I am leaning further away from Celtic-inspired hedge craft and more towards a Norse-inspired practice, the approach and skills outlined in Celtic Hedge Witchery are easily transferable. That's part of what makes most occult books worth reading, even if you do not share the author's practice. The lessons, skills, perspectives, and general practices are easily transferable to any practice, and can open your mind to more creative pursuits.

Morris also covers basic protection, wearing of a mask (loved this chapter), and offers practical hedge riding advice, but I felt there was more theory and less practice in this book. This is an excellent introduction, to be sure, but it needs to be paired with other works and potentially a teacher to help you effectively begin hedge riding. For this reason, I ended up rating the book 4.5 stars instead of 5.

If you like my approach to analyzing historical texts as a way to explain the theory behind the practice, this is definitely the book for you. I am going to go back and reread Celtic Hedge Witchery simply because I enjoyed Morris's approach so much, and I did not feel I was in the correct headspace to completely process all she had to offer on my first read through. This book is definitely one you need to sit with and process to fully grasp the concepts being taught.

Despite wishing there was a little more in Celtic Hedge Witchery, this is probably one of the best foundational hedgecraft texts currently on the market, especially if you already practice a Celtic-inspired Craft. Morris lays out the historical evidence and adapts them to modern life flawlessly. This book is certain to please all of you hedge witches out there and hopefully adds context to your craft.

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

A Complete Guide to Mannaz, the Humanity Rune

Today, we continue our runic study journey by looking at Mannaz (MAHN-nahz), the Humanity rune. While this rune appears much later in the runic poems, I felt it important to cover it now, considering all that is happening in the world. Mannaz (ᛗ) is associated with collective effort, humanity, and connectivity, which is critical in times of crisis.

As seen in my previous runic guides, today's post will include a deep dive into the runic poems, Mannaz's cultural significance, its correspondences, how to work with it, its meaning in a spread, and its relationships with runes. Also included is a free printable for your Book of Shadows or Grimoire!

Mannaz's Portrayal in the Rune Poems

Mannaz ᛗ is the fourth rune in the final ætt, which belongs to Tyr. This ætt is characterized by justice, courage, heroic glory, and balance. Mannaz encompasses Tyr's spirit of justice and balance by reminding us that we must form and keep community with each other. Like Jera and Isa, Mannaz appears in all three runic poems, suggesting similar cultural meanings across the continent.

Icelandic Rune Poem                                  Translation:

Maðr er manns gaman                                  Maðr, delight of man

ok moldar auki                                              and augmentation of the earth

ok skipa skreytir.                                           and adorner of ships.

homo mildingr.                                              

Anglo-Saxon Rune Poem                            Translation:

Man byþ on myrgþe his magan leof:            The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen;

sceal þeah anra gehwylc oðrum swican,     yet every man is doomed to fail his fellow,

forðum drihten wyle dome sine                    since the Lord by his decree will commit 

þæt earme flæsc eorþan betæcan.              the vile carrion to the earth.

Norwegian Rune Poem                               Translation:

Maðr er moldar auki;                                    Man is an augmentation of the dust;

mikil er græip á hauki.                                 great is the claw of the hawk.

From each of these three poems, a pattern emerges. First and foremost, Mannaz ᛗ is referred to as "Man" which, in more modern times, has been referred to as 'humanity.' This is where Mannaz gets its modern English name "Man." However, it is more than just a reference to humanity and mankind. The Anglo-Saxon rune poem in particular hints at Mannaz's deeper meaning of community, collective effort, and connectivity. "The joyous man is dear to his kinsmen" suggests that we are each an integral part of our families and communities, but we will all eventually "fail his fellow" through death, which is divinely ordained. 

This allusion to community is further supported in the Icelandic and Norwegian rune poems, which offer a more positive perspective on man's condition. Both poems highlight man's role as an augmentation of the earth or "dust," suggesting we are not only part of this world, but made from it. Our connection to the Earth and all her creatures is within us, part of us. The Icelandic rune poem further suggests that not only are we made of earth, but humans are also the "adorner of ships." This focuses on the positive aspects of human interaction and our accomplishments. We are able to contribute to the greater good of our community and create beautiful things when we work together. The Norwegian rune poem supports this potential for great achievement in the final line "great is the claw of the hawk."

In Norse mythology and folklore, the hawk is associated with wisdom, observation, and knowledge. Veðrfölnir, a hawk, is often depicted perched on Yggdrasil, the world tree, between the eyes of an eagle. Its position symbolizes his role as a messenger and scout, thus associating the hawk with wisdom and insight. The reference to the hawk in the Norwegian rune poem likely represents human ingenuity, especially when working together, just as the hawk works with the eagle.

Needless to say, all three poems reference our interconnectedness to each other, importance in our community, potential or destiny to do great things, but also our eventual death.

Apart from the rune poems, we can also look at the composition of the Mannaz rune itself. Mannaz consisted of a double Wunjo rune- ᛗ. Wunjo signifies joy, happiness, and fulfillment, a state of harmony within oneself and their relationship with others. Generally, Wunjo is seen as joy and happiness within a family. By putting two Wunjo runes together, Mannaz now represents multiple families or the community. Therefore, Mannaz can be viewed as joy, happiness, and fulfillment within the community or society.

Mannaz's Cultural Significance

Norse culture placed strong emphasis on community and the family, which can be seen through the Eddas, sagas, and archeological evidence. A large family was fundamental, particularly on farms where additional help was needed. An individual's status within the community and their destiny were directly tied to family land ownership. While more land meant higher status, it also required more helping hands to manage it, so it wasn't uncommon for multiple generations to live together in longhouses. These longhouses could house 30 to 50 people and served as multifunctional spaces. Individuals would live, work, and gather within these houses. 

Community and social cohesion were strongly valued as families relied on each other for survival. Larger assemblies of families were often known as "things" that were usually ruled by a chieftain. Together with their chieftain, the community would discuss political matters, make laws, and resolve disputes. Strategic marriages were planned, and communal victories were celebrated together. These were held often and played an essential role in maintaining social order while simultaneously strengthening communal bonds. It was an opportunity to display generosity, exchange gifts, and celebrate each other.

As previously mentioned, Things would also decide and pass laws, which were largely oral in nature. As such, enforcement of the laws relied on the community. Failure to follow the laws resulted in ostracization and even exile from the community, which often meant a death sentence, as without the help of your community, it was unlikely you would survive the harsh winters.

Björketorp Runestone by Joachim Bowin

While the Mannaz rune doesn't often appear in the archeological record, it was no doubt highly valued among the Norse as it represented one of their core cultural values-- community. Where we often see the Mannaz rune is on Stentoften stones, whose meaning is debated among scholars. It is widely believed these stones relate to death, possibly as a commemoration of the dead. Given Mannaz's association with community, it comes as no surprise that it would be found on such stones, possibly symbolizing collective grief or possibly as a community blessing to ensure the deceased rest peacefully. 

While the evidence of Mannaz's cultural significance is scarce in the archeological record, there can be no doubt that it was honored and revered as a key tenant of Norse society.

Mannaz's Correspondences

It should be noted that general correspondences are not mentioned in any Nordic text. Instead, these are a best guess based on experiences from both myself and others. In fact, most of these are of modern invention, pulling inspiration from Wicca. As with all correspondence lists, you can add and subtract based on your experiences.

• Upright Meaning: humankind, humanity, social order, interconnectedness, connection, social harmony, support, assistance, collaboration, community, memory, wisdom
• Reversed Meaning: loneliness, isolation, obstacles, interference from the outside, self-delusion, manipulation, lack of support, disconnected, stagnation
• Letter: M
• Element: Water
• Zodiac: Aquarius
• Planet: Jupiter
• Animal: hawk/goshawk, raven, fox
• Colors: purple, blue, dark red
• Deities: Tyr, Odin, Mimir, Heimdall
• Plants: ash, vine, sage, nutmeg, caraway, ginkgo, lemongrass, rosemary, spearmint
• Crystals: garnet, amethyst, apatite
  
  

How to Work with the Mannaz Rune

Incorporating runes into your magical practice can be incredibly rewarding and bring new energies to spells and rituals. But how exactly can you use Mannaz in your workings?

1. Meditate on Mannaz to better understand your role within your community and discover your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Use in spells or rituals to strengthen existing relationships and build new connections.
3. Wear or carry the Mannaz rune to promote friendships, cooperation, and build connections.
4. Chant Mannaz to raise energy to connect with your higher self or connect with divinity, especially Mimir, Odin, Tyr, or Heimdall.
5. Sleep with Mannaz under your pillow to invite dreams that offer guidance on your purpose, relationships, and identity.
6. To promote harmony and mutual respect, write the names of the people you wish to build community with on a piece of paper and draw the Mannaz rune over all of them.
7. Draw the Mannaz rune in anointing oil, chalk, or smoke in a community space to promote harmony and collaboration.
8. Include the symbol of Mannaz (ᛗ) in collaborative assignments, projects, or documents to ensure a harmonious collaboration. You can draw or type the rune into the document in white so it goes unnoticed.
9. Draw the Mannaz rune on packaging or storage of donated food and resources to bless them as acts of solidarity.
10. Incorporate the Mannaz rune into signs, banners, and murals used in activism and protest art.
11. Use in spells and rituals for community protection, collaboration, harmony, and interconnectedness.
12. Draw on a candle while praying for protection and justice for marginalized communities.
13. Use in spells and rituals to elevate marginalized voices.
14. Include on mutual aid altars or other community altars to bring balance and harmony.

Mannaz's Meaning in Rune Spread

What does it mean if Mannaz appears in a rune spread? Mannaz holds various meanings depending on its position and relation to other runes in the spread.

Below are some examples of how to interpret Mannaz when it's next to or near other runes:

• Next to Wunjo or Gebo suggests that working with others and leveraging collective strength will be beneficial.
• In proximity to Isa suggests isolation, stagnation, and a need to re-evaluate your path and motivation.
• Near Dagaz suggests a relationship with a strong foundation built on mutual support.
• If Mannaz is reversed near Nauthiz, it indicates waiting until decisions are made.
• In combination with Sowilo suggests future success for your community and yourself.
• If Mannaz is reversed and found in proximity to Tiwaz or Uruz, it is likely not a good time to show aggression or assertiveness, and instead, take a step back and approach the situation with empathy and understanding.
• Paired with Kenaz suggests personal enlightenment

Mannaz's Relationships with Other Runes

Mannaz, when upright, embodies the concepts of social harmony and personal integrity, while also representing humanity as a collective force. In relation to other runes, Mannaz represents either our relationships or our inner self, and its meaning is influenced by the runes around it. It does not directly oppose or support other runes but instead offers further insight into the meaning of the runes around it.

Reversed, however, Mannaz embodies manipulation and isolation, that you or your community is disconnected from each other. Its full meaning in the reverse position is supported by the runes around it.

***

Mannaz invites us to remember that we are a small part in a larger picture and that our role in society is important. We are greater together. Below you will find a printable, cheat sheet that includes a summary of all important information that you can incorporate into your Book of Shadows or Grimoire.

Click the image below to download your free cheat sheet for your Book of Shadows or Grimoire.

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Wall of Justice Spell to Block ICE or Other Unjust Forces

Watching things unfold the way they have since January 21st in the United States has been both disheartening yet confirming. I had been telling people for months prior to the election what to expect with a second term, and the number of people insisting it wouldn't be this bad was alarming. It is exactly as bad as we said it would be, and every day I feel like we are flooded with more bad news. The ICE raids, in particular, have hit me the hardest as I watch my students hide in their homes, terrified to go to work, pick up groceries, or play outside. I am talking about children being terrified to even exist in brown skin. As a result, I decided to design a spell to help protect my students and their families, along with some practice mundane actions as well. No spell will completely keep you safe, but when paired with common sense and activism, it creates a potent combination. Know Your Rights has an amazing guide for If You Encounter ICE, as does Immigrant Legal Resource Center and ACLU Texas, that perfectly pairs with this spell. I also highly recommend downloading ICEBlock to your phone.

What You'll Need

• Brick or stone
  
• Black paint pen (or water-resistant permanent marker)
• Dish of water (large enough to hold brick or stone)

What to Do

This spell is best performed during the waning or full moon.

Begin by grounding, centering, and cleansing your space and materials using your preferred methods. On one side of the brick or stone, write words representing ICE, white supremacist structures, or other unjust forces you want to block, such as "ICE," "oppression," “hate,” or “fear”. On the opposite side of the brick or stone, draw an Algiz (ᛉ) rune.

*Not pictures of my actual spell

Place the stone or brick in the dish of water and chant, “This wall stands strong, blocking hate, rejecting fear. ICE shall not enter here. So I will it, so shall it be.” Hold your hands over the brick or stone as you visualize this brick or stone as part of a greater wall that blocks oppressive energies from entering your community or space. Feel your energy and visualization entering the brick or stone, empowering it with your intention. Continue chanting and visualizing until your intuition tells you the brick or stone is charged.

Remove the brick or stone from the water and place Algiz rune up in one of the following locations based on your intention:

• Your or a friend's entryway (door or window)
• On your altar
• In a community space such as a public park, garden, community center, or other public space, specifically near a fence or wall, if you can
• In a wall or fence you or the community is building
• around a map of your city or town (as suggested by a commenter below)

Do not bury the brick or stone, as it needs to be recharged monthly by the waning or full moon, after major events such as protests, incidents of hate or political unrest, or emotionally intense events, or as needed.

To recharge, pour fresh water over the brick and say, "Fresh water renews this wall's strength; no hate shall pass. ICE remains blocked from this space. This wall holds justice."

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Remember, visualization is not necessarily seeing an object in your mind, but instead an incorporation of all senses to bring about the object or intention. When visualizing, it's more about creating those feelings than necessarily seeing the object or outcome in our mind.
• If placing in a public or semi-public space, try to avoid drawing unwanted attention. Do not do anything illegal in the process of placing this brick or stone.
• This spell is great to do in groups, whether with your coven or as part of a community event. Each member makes their own brick or stone, which can then be used to erect a wall to protect a designated area. Combining all of your energy and intention strengthens the spell. This is especially useful in protecting a specific family or community member.
• To customize this spell, you can add herbs such as St. John's Wort, rue, angelica, rosemary, or mugwort.
• For additional protective strength, drip protective oils such as hyssop or dragon's blood.
• Instead of plain water, consider adding Florida water for additional protection.
• This spell alone will NOT keep you or others completely safe. It must be combined with mundane actions to work, so don't make this brick or stone and think you are suddenly invisible and can do whatever you want. That isn't how magic works, no matter how much we may want it to.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

*Not pictures from my actual spell

First and foremost, this spell is best performed during the waning moon, which is strongly associated with banishment. Since we are trying to repel these forces or entities, the waning moon is the best time to do this. However, this spell can also be performed during the full moon or even the waxing moon. The full and waxing moons are both associated with strength and amplification and can therefore strengthen the wall you are building. In times of dire need, you can ignore the moon phase altogether and work the magic you need to.

Bricks and stones were the most commonly used materials to build walls and fences, and in many places they still are. The brick or stone symbolizes strength, foundation, and permanence, the same elements you want in a wall, fence, or fortress that resists oppressive ideologies and institutions, such as ICE and white supremacy.

Writing the oppressive force or agency onto the brick or stone in black not only externalizes the issue and gives you power over it, but also helps banish or block them, as the color black is associated with banishment and protection. The Algiz (ᛉ) rune is a symbol of protection, especially against outside forces. By writing words associated with ICE, white supremacist structures, or other unjust forces you want to block on one side, and the protection rune on the other, you effectively block the force from coming any further. This is further strengthened by placing the words associated with what you are blocking face down, placing them away from you, and making yourself hidden from them.

*Not pictures of my actual spell

Water is associated with purification, fluidity, and protection. By placing a brick or stone in the water, you energetically contain the harmful forces named and purify your life of them. The brick or stone can remain in the water for further protection or be placed somewhere it can serve as a direct protector.

Finally, the chant and visualization charge and empower the spell and connect it to a larger wall of collective resistance. Fighting against oppression and breaking down oppressive forces requires communal efforts, and linking your strength with that of others greatly reinforces the wall of protection around our most vulnerable. Even if others are not making bricks or stones like you, I know others are praying, raising energy, lighting candles, protesting, calling their representatives, writing new bills, representing immigrants in court, and taking other social justice actions. All of these examples raise energy that blankets our communities, and your brick is just another addition to the growing wall.

Want to break this spell? Simply remove the stone or brick from its location and scratch through both the words and rune while saying, "I release the energy contained within." You can also leave the spell to wane naturally over time. Without upkeep, the spell will naturally degrade and fade into nothingness. 

Remember to record this ritual in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

Things are tough right now. It's important that we continue to remain hopeful and joyful, as both are revolutionary acts. Look out for each other. Get involved when you can. Don't be afraid to use your magic to fight oppression. After all, that is what witches have always done, and I am proud to be a witch. Stay safe out there, my friends.

If you liked this post, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar.