TOOLS FOR WITCHES SERIES - Herbs/ Plants/ Garden

 Merry Meet, friends. Happy Tuesday!

Another essential tool in any witch's cabinet are the herbs. Plants on a window sill or an entire garden, Their medicinal properties as well as their connection to the elements are important in our practice.

Courtesy of Cristina Ferringno - Pixabay

I want a real witch's garden at some point. I intend to make it happen next spring after I revamp the garden this fall. I have three books on my shelf that have been there for years. Two of my favorites are by Kate West. The Real Witches' Garden and The Real Witches' Kitchen. I'll link everything down below with both Llwellyn and Amazon links where available. The other is Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan (Book 1 in a series).That one also includes a gardening journal. I'd probably photocopy those and put in my garden planner. I'm not a fan of writing in the actual books. I think it would have been nice if she'd printed a gardening journal companion. I did notice she has an entire series dedicated to Garden Witchery so be sure to check out her page on Amazon.

One of the best things, for me, is the patience required to nurture plants and put my own energy into the plants. Whether I intend them for spells or for cooking, I like knowing where the plant came from and that the energy I've infused into its growth will further empower the use. 

You'll often find fresh herb plants at a local farmer's market or even in a big box store. For dried herbs, there are several options both in the big box store, natural food stores and on-line. When shopping on-line, please pay attention to any reviews. Sometimes, at the very bottom of the website home page, you can see how long they've been in business. Also try Etsy or Ebay and look at the reviews. Just type 'dried herbs' in the search bar of any of those last two for a plethora of options. My only concern with purchased dried as opposed to growing my own I'm not always sure how 'fresh' the ingredients are. That said, I do understand that we may not always have the ability to grow our own. 

Keep in mind... your herb garden can be as small as a few pots on your window sill, pots on the deck, or table in front of a sunny window. You don't need a large plot of ground to have an herb garden.

I plan to do an entire series on the individual herbs so stay tuned. I just wanted to get you thinking. If you have herbs you keep on hand, please leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to include them in the Gardening series this fall.

Here are those promised links:

Ellen Dugan Amazon Page - LINK  (Note: she also writes witchy fiction!)

Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan - LINK  - Llewellyn Link        

Kate West Amazon Page - LINK

The Real Witches' Kitchen - LINK 

The Real Witches' Garden - LINK 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

Our thought for the day:

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Journals and Book of Shadows

 Merry Meet, friends!

Today we're talking about journals as well as our Book of Shadows.

Photo courtesy of garten-gg

Pixabay

I've kept journals in some form since I was young. I think I got my first lock & key diary about the age of ten. I still have that journal. I also have journals that I have made and written in off and on over the years. Journals are an important way to track the changes in our lives but also for keeping notes about spell work. What the conditions were during the spell work, tools used, notes of what did (or did not) work, and thoughts on the over-all process.  These journals are not your book of shadows, though you could keep some of the same information in them. They are more for education, and even sometimes, venting. Places to let out your thoughts no one else needs to know. 

 

You can use anything for your journals. They can be notebook paper in a binder, a composition notebook, a plain journal from the store or one you've made. They can be permanently bound or put together like a traveler's notebook where you have one cover but can add in new pages as you fill them up.

While you can do the same for a Book of Shadows (BOS for short), or Grimoire, when I think of a BOS as more of a recipe book. I have a couple of videos to share from witches I follow on YouTube. They both have great videos on starting a Book of Shadows.

Natural Witchery - Grimoire Making Books, Materials, and Resources.

The Way of the Witch - Starting A New Book of Shadows

If you're really in to creating a junk journal style, check out the following video from Priscilla 

@Releasethecraftin. I believe this is one she made/ sold but you'll get some ideas.

Junk Journal Grimoire

For the longest time I didn't think I could make beautifully artistic pages then I saw a video where a witch uses one of those tracer projectors and blends different images into a cohesive page design. That may be in the second link. I've not watched them in awhile.

I've not watched all of this video but looks interesting. We can discover this one together.

SpiritSpellsMagick - Book Binding a Book of Shadows For Beginners

That should keep you busy. In the mean time, please let me know in the comments if you have a Book of Shadows, a Grimoire, or have you held off starting one for some reason.  Let's inspire and encourage one another.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

A new month full of promise. Like each day, each month and each phase of the wheel can be a new beginning. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Reference

 Merry Meet, friends!

Aside from ourself, I think one of the best tools a witch can have in his/ her arsenal is a great reference library. Whether you build hard copies on your book shelf or internet sights you trust, Having a place to look something up that is unfamiliar to you is a must. 

Face it, my witchy friends... we don't know everything. I know, surprised, right? 

Image by Jarmoluk - Pixabay

I have a vast collection of books that I value. However, I do not count on just one to give me the information I'm searching for. I will go through several, searching for consistencies in what I want to know. If I come across a piece in one book that doesn't jive with at least two others, than I discount the information and move on. You will find inconsistencies. That's okay. Part of the information is gleaned from other sources to write one book, while others will impart their own 'wisdom' into the topic. 

I have sources I trust. Here is a short list (in no particular order) and Amazon links when I could find them:

Scott Cunningham

Silver RavenWolf 

Deborah Blake

Kate West

Silja

Dorothy Morrison

Please tell me in the comments below what your favorite reference books are. I'd love to add to my bulging book shelves!

Okay, books aside, there are also some great YouTube sights as well as websites. I've linked to many on previous blog posts. 

A couple of my favorite Youtubers are:

The Witches Cookery. She is so relaxing to watch and informative on basic things. I wish I had the ability to attend one of her annual gatherings. 

The Green Witch She also has a VIDEO sharing her favorite books.

The Witch of Wanderlust Olivia is very relaxed. I love her forest wanderings.

Forest + Fawn though she hasn't done any videos since having her baby a couple of years ago. The little tyke keeps her busy!

Please share any YouTubers you love in the comments below. I love meeting new people.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Another month comes to a close. We can still look forward to hot weather here in the Northern Hemisphere but we are so close to another turn of the Wheel.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Tarot

 Merry meet, friends.

Image from RosieLea - Pixabay

The tarot is an ancient art of laying out and interpreting illustrated cards to gain insight into your past, present, and future. (Mind, Body, Spirit)

According to the dictionary - 

1. playing cards, traditionally a pack of 78 with five suits, used for fortune-telling and (especially in Europe) in certain games. The suits are typically swords, cups, coins (or pentacles), batons (or wands), and a permanent suit of trump.

   "tarot is a powerful way of revealing the truth about your life"

There are many different tarot deck designs. Browse the shop on Llewellyn.com and you'll be scrolling for some time, so pour yourself a drink and enjoy the view. 

When I was about twelve, my (step) mom gave me an interesting little pocket book by Dell Purse Books called Your Destiny in 36 cards. (published in 1969)  You'll find a copy at Abe Books . This book uses a standard deck of cards. I haven't used this in many years but I did dig it off my cluttered bookshelf this morning to share with you.

I have two decks that I really love working with. One is the Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake with beautiful artistry by Elisabeth Alba. There is a standard size deck (complete with guide book) as well as a mini set I have my eye on. 

I also have a Color Your Own Tarot Deck I picked up several  years ago at Barnes & Noble. I love this set because when I draw a card, I can use colored pencils to color in the image as I focus on the message the card wants me to receive while infusing my energy into the card - making it my own. 

There are many ways to read Tarot. You could choose to pull just one card every day. I like to keep a journal of my cards. For this I use the journal pages from MyLifeMyPlans on Etsy.  With this digital, I was able to print the pages out in any size. I chose a personal planner size.  Keeping a journal of your readings allows you to look back and see if there've been any changes in your tarot practice. 

Don't think you can read Tarot or interpret the cards? No problem. A lot of decks come with guide books or there is a wide variety of books available. One of my favorites is Illustrated Tarot Spreads. Also, as I was collecting links I found this one on Amazon. The price $11.11 - you know the numbers had my attention! The book is called Tarot Spreads Workbook.

Whether you have a deck you love or want to test the reading waters, check out the article on Llewellyn about Reading and Ceremony for Charging A Tarot Deck.

If you don't own a tarot deck or haven't pulled yours out in awhile, I encourage you to become familiar with this medium in your practice.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Our last full week in July. August then fall celebrations are just around the corner. The Wheel seems to turn quicker as we age, doesn't it?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Crystals : An Introduction

 Merry Meet, friends!

As I began researching for this post, I realized that while CRYSTALS are an important tool in our practice, like their facets, their are many different aspects to each one. So, I'm going to introduce CRYSTALS in this post and give you some book titles you might want to explore. I'll turn Crystals into their own series in the future.

I want to start with the Kitchen Witch's Guide to Magickal tools by Patricia Telesco.

AMAZON

In the opening of Chapter 14 on Crystals, Patricia gives this background:

"In looking at our community, there's no doubt tat we love our pretty, shiny things not only in jewelry but as implements of the altar, components to spellcraft..... Humankind has always been drawn to stones and utilized them in a wide variety of ways."

She goes on to showcase a small selection of crystals and their meanings.

YA Fantasy author, Sarra Cannon always has a variety of crystals both on her desk at home as well as set up in her work area when she goes out to a coffee shop to write or retreat stay. 

    

                                                                            AMAZON

Melanie Marquis reminds us that crystals are a natural substance and that they, as well as other rocks have intrinsic magickal powers. They are an energy source. If you've ever walked into a rock & gem store or a New Age shop without cloaking yourself from the energy, you may feel a bit off-kilter (putting things mildly)  Some people react differently to the various stones and at varying levels. 

Artworks of Nature Website

While on my recent trip to Central Illinois, I felt off-balance while walking through the mall. Now, keep in mind this was before I found an amazing shop. I've seen shops like this in stand-alone brick n mortar but never in a mall. I was in love the moment I stepped into their doors. Follow the link above and check out their website.  Anyway, after taking a moment to cloak I wandered the store until I came across the Amethyst stones. Mind you, I didn't take any crystals with me. I only wore my protection amulet give to me by a friend but the amulet wasn't doing what I needed. I needed the 'balance' of the amethyst. I found a CHARMED Amethyst bracelet with a Triquetra charm. I don't know if it was the other stones in the shop or putting that particular stone close to my skin that did the trick. I felt much better. 

AMAZON

If jewelry is your thing, check out Ms. Deborah Blake's book above. Beginning on page 32, you'll find instructions for a gemstone necklace. We'll explore more of each of the books mentioned during the Crystal Series.

In the mean time, I hope you'll add these books to your craft library (if you haven't already) and I'll see next week.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

I spent a good portion of last week at the RSJ romance writer's conference. Lots of good energy coming into this week. How is your July going so far?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

FULL MOON - Buck Moon

 Merry Meet, friends!

The Buck Moon peaks tonight. I'm ready to recharge my soulful batteries and continue with pitching more from my studio. A good cleansing is needed.

We still have heat here in southern Missouri. 

If you've not prepared for tonight, here are a few things to keep in mind:

*A Full Moon is great for charging crystals, charging boards (a board used to absorb energy outside so you can charge items inside the home if needed)

* Start a gratitude journal. Sometimes we get so busy focusing on all the garbage in our live, we forget all the good things we can be thankful for.

* Cleanse your space (and your personal entity) with sage. 

* Have something you on your mind you need to extinguish? Write the thought on a piece of paper and burn in your cauldron, adding a little incantation to send the problem on it's way.

* Dance in the moonlight, freeing yourself of all the things that are weighing you down.  (skyclad is an option) This will help ground you to the earth.

* Light a candle. Thank the Earth Moon for providing you with the cleansing energy, allowing you to move forward.

* Fill a bottle with spring water (preferably) and place in the moonlight for future ritual purposes.

* Meditate. I love to light a candle and meditate with the flame. 

* Drum. This is a great way to offer thanks.

* Take a cleansing bath. I recommend The Book of Sacred Baths:52 Bathing Rituals to Revitalize Your Spirit by Paulette Kauffman Sherman

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Candles

 Merry Meet, friends!

I do apologize for coming in late today. I just could not stay awake this morning so I went back to bed. Then I awoke to rolling thunder and pounding rain, so no internet. I guess that means, I'm right on time.

AI generated from Pixabay

Candles have so many purposes in our magic tool box. 

Let's start with the colors. I LOVE colors. Like stones or the clothes we wear, each color has its own vibe and correspondence.  If you want to attract money, use a green candle. Love, red or pink are the colors to use, black for shielding or warding of negativity, and so on. White, a non-color can be used for anything. Just visualize the color and the intent and you're good to go.

If you've made a wish and blown out a birthday candle, you've been practicing magic. Though, we now know, you should never blow out a candle. Either snuff the candle or let the flame burn down, depending on the spell. 

Candles are great for those still practicing in secret, or 'in the broom closet'. If someone askes, just tell them you felt like using a purple candle today or a specific scented candle. No one will be the wiser. Remember, the intent comes from within. 

I'm in the process of revamping my magic area. Such a jumble of things, including a tub full or books I need to find shelf space for and a vintage wardrobe from the 1800's that serves as my altar - or should be.  I'll get there. 

AMAZON

AMAZON

One of the books I love on candle magic is Magical Candle Crafting by Ember Grant. This is a great resource for creating your own candles for spells & rituals.

I love the 'chime' candles for spells. They're only about 4" tall and the size of your pointer finger. If you don't have some place local for chime candles or their small ceramic holders, do a search on Etsy for chime candles and holders. You'll be shopping for awhile. I especially like this Selenite holder. Adds a little something extra to your intention. 

You can also search for Candle Magic Guides if you'd like pintables for your BOS.

If you like things a bit more visual, there are several on YouTube. This one by Ethony has great basic information. Even if you've been doing candle magic for awhile, sometimes going back to basics sparks something you'd not thought of or forgotten.  I will say, she's a bit 'entertaining' but the information is there. 

When talking about intentions, colors are not the only thing to keep in mind. You can enhance the intention by carving sigels, rune signs or other images such as hearts or dollar signs into the candle for added umph. 

However you work with candles, always keep safety in mind. Your candle should be placed in a sturdy base, small cauldron, terra cotta dish or similar item. Adding a base of sand is also a good idea. Never leave a candle unattended. If you're doing candle magic that requires you to burn from one marking to another over a period of five days, for instance, always make sure you have the time to be vigilant with the candle the entire time it needs to burn. Always extinguish with a candle snuffer. I've picked mine up at Dollar Tree. 

Here are a few links to magical candle supply shops on line. NOTE: I've not shopped from any of them, so please do your homework - and shop local when you can.

Click the word to be taken to their shop:

Velvet Witch  

Until next time...

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends.

I hope everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday weekend.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - The Cauldron

 Merry Meet, friends!

The hour is early for me but I wanted to get this post written while Bob sleeps in. He hasn't done much of that since his retirement. While I love my coffee time with Bob, I've also missed my morning work hours.

I got home late yesterday afternoon from my trip to IL. I know were spending time today so diving in.

AI generated from Pixabay

This basic vessel is so much more than it's simplistic design leads you to believe. 

For centuries, the cauldron has served as the heart of the home. Made in various sizes, the vessel could be used for boiling water or making a hearty stew. They were also used to create concoctions for various ailments.

Shakespeare's quote often comes to mind when people think of the cauldron. The imagery in a few words is in itself, magical.

"Double, double, toil and trouble;

fire burn and cauldron bubble."

Cambridge Dictionary defines the cauldron for two purposes:

A large, round, usually metal container for cooking in, usually supported over a fire whose contents can be set on fire as part of a ceremony or to start a sports event. 

You'll often see cauldrons at RenFair's and medieval fetivals. Sometimes, even at Rendezvous Re-enactment encampments. 

When it comes to magical practice, cauldrons come in all sizes from about 2.75" x 3" as seen on the WitchesSage website to vintage pots that will hold multiple-gallons. 

Small to medium-sized ones are perfect for burning incense as well as moon festivals to burn pieces of paper with statements of things we want to let go. There is definitely magic in placing intentions into the cauldron, setting the piece on fire and watching the negativity go up in smoke!  

You can also use them for water scrying or vision quests by filling them with water. (I prefer using my moon water for this or that little extra something)

Properly treated ones such as those from Lodge Cast Iron or Lehman's (they offer an 8 oz. size) are great for cooking or serving celebratory foods. Keep shipping in mind when ordering on-line. They are heavy in any size. I purchased the small one for my altar at a local Bass Pro shop, so search places that offer camping cooking equipment.

Keep in mind that, like the finger 'wand', any vessel will serve your purpose with the right intention but who doesn't love the expanded belly of a true cauldron?

For more detailed information, please check out the following sites:

The  Cauldron Goddess    Auntyflo

Let me know in the comments below, do you own a cauldron? If so, what do you use it for most?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

 

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, Friends!

Wow.. another month in the books for 2025. Did you accomplish all you'd hoped? If not, we're on the cusp of a new quarter and new beginnings. You Got This!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Wands

 Merry Meet, friends!

The ribs are on the mend. I still can't bend over without feeling them wanting to overlap one another (think crossing your fingers where each of the two fingers represent a rib bone)

But I am back to work so let's get started on this series!

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay - BWSavannah

Each tool in your bag of tricks serves a specific purpose. One of my favorite tools is the WAND.

Wands are an extension of the power within. When directed appropriately, they can open or close doors to other worlds and offer protection. According to McFie's Wizard Shop, the wand is nothing more than a hand-held stick made of either metal, wood, or stone. One thing the blogger does not mention is the finger. I'll talk more about that in a minute.

Orangerium  sums the point up nicely that the wand is 'a symbol of mystical power, transformation and enchantment'. 

The tool dates back to early biblical times where they were nothing more than a STAFF for shepherds protecting their flock, or creating change. (Exodus 7:10-12) We've always thought of that simple stick as a walking stick for the shepherd, not necessarily as a weapon. A good shepherd knew the power he could wield in that simple, often times carved, piece of wood. 

AI Generated from Pixabay

Over time, we've seen wands change from those basic sticks into beautiful pieces of art.  The fact remains that these are are visual tools. Wands come in various forms as McFie's mentioned but they left out one.  If you don't want to share your practice with others, the most basic wand you have is your finger. Yes, your FINGER! The intention directed through any wand comes from the power within you. Remember being told as a child "it isn't nice to point"? Well, there was a lot of truth to that statement.. If you were pointing at something, or someone, I hope it was with good intention.  Think ET phoning home, where he points his alien finger and the tip glows with power.  You have that same power within you, no special tools required!

Several years ago I purchased an entire collection of Mind Body Spirit pages as part of their binder series. Under SPELLS & MAGIC - Casting Spells, there is one on Using Magic Wands. Here are some of the uses they suggest:

* Sleeping with a willow wand is said to make your dreams more vivid and meaningful.

* Rowan wands can help to enhance clairvoyant abilities

* Cast circles - opening and closing metaphysical doors

* Place a wand on an altar at a gathering as an offering to the ritual

* Enhance the power of your spells to focus energy

* Use a wand made from specific wood that fits the intention, such as a seasonal festival

Deborah Blake talks about various tools in her Witchcraft on a Shoestring book. She also gives instructions for making a basic wand.

For more of a visual, there are several tutorials on YouTube. Rebekka from The Witch's Cookery is one of my favorite channels. Here's her wand video from four years ago:

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry meet, friends!

I hope everyone had a blessed Mid-summer! Anything you'd like to share, please leave in the comments.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Delayed

 Merry Meet, friends!

I have to apologize for the delay. I had things laid out to post then cracked a couple of ribs. I'm better today but still have a couple of weeks to go before I can sit upright for very long. Lots o reclining or laying down for the time being.

In the mean time, please leave a comment below -

I'll be back as soon as I can!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

The month is zipping by. Soon we will be celebrating Mid-Summer. Are you attending a gathering? I'd love to hear!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry meet, friends!

Getting back into the swing of posting and paying more attention to the calendar. How are you doing?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS FOR WITCHES Series - Part 1

 Merry Meet, friends!

I'm crunching posts today as I leave tomorrow for a writer's conference and I am trying to keep things rolling. 

I have plans to talk about Ten Tools For Witchcraft so I thought for today's opening post, I'd share a video from Megan at Round The Cauldron across social media. In this video she talks about tools she can't live without. I haven't watched the video in awhile but as I do more research, my list and hers may differ.

You'll find all of her links in the description box of the video. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

I hope your world is full of beauty.

Blessed be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

As June approaches, are you beginning to make plans for Litha? I think I'll have the grandgirls. Haven't set that time-line yet.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

I hope your week is full of promise. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Remember to Smile!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet!

Another beautiful month of possibilities.

Blessed Be!

~  Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

I apologize for not having April's posted. I was in such a state the last couple weeks of March preparing for a road trip that I just didn't get to the computer. 

We're back on track as I have no plans to travel long distances any time soon. I'm parking the broom for awhile.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

 

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, everyone!

After a long absence of finding my space again, I'm ready to return to regular postings. Thank you to everyone who've enjoyed my Monday posts and for your patience. I may only have one more post this week - talking about what I have planned - then we'll be back to inspiring!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MAGIC IN NUMBERS

 Merry Meet, my friends!

The cabin is a bit dusty but I'll have it cleaned up and ready for visitors again soon. My plan is to open the doors and windows the first week in March. 

I love numbers and am studying numerology this year, so when dates come up I know there is magic in the air.

In case you've not noticed:

02-25-2025

Photo lifted from thereisadayforthat.com

Among many this celebrated on this day, it is also World Spay Day. I know this might seem cruel to some folks, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, if you are okay with spaying and don't have a pet, consider making a spaying fee donation to your local animal shelter or veterinarian's office.

I took the second half of 2024 off to try and bring order to the chaos in my office/ studio. I'm not done yet but at least everything is sorted together and I know where stuff needs to go. Now to find time to put stuff away while still creating and writing. 

I'm also participating in the #dothe100dayproject. If you don't know what that is, the challenge is to do something creative, everyday, for the next 100 days. We started on the 23rd but feel free to jump in.

Some folks are making actual art pieces, finishing up unfinished projects or sorting through their stuff a little bit every day.  Me, I'm using a card sketch to make a tag. I have lots of manilla file folder 3x5 tag bases, over 600 stamp SETS and LOTS of patterned paper. Here's an example of my tag from yesterday:

I have over 300 card sketches I've collected. I pick one and condense the sketch from a 4.25 x 5.5 card front to a 3 x 5 tag. I've also broken the 100 tags to be made down in to 10 themed categories with 10 tags in each category. When I'm finished, I'll have enough tags for 10 themed journals (yet to be made)

I have a plan for posts coming up so I'll be back March 3rd.

Blessed Be

~Rain