Harvesting time!

So, about this time you've harvested all the herbs you grew over the summer... and probably they are hanging, drying, now what to do with them???

Here's some hints on using those herbs!

Altar Decorations
herbs bundles, sprinkles or wreaths are made by choosing plants for their specific magics properties


Herb Amulets and Talismans
Herbal mixes again utilizing the herbs magics for clearing the space, for protection, for love, calming, energizing, healing,soothing the soul,the body, and spirit


Herbal Baths
Mixtures of fresh or dried herbs or oil preparations to add to your bathwater. Used to create a magical atmosphere, for cleansing and soothing the body and spirit.


Herbal Brews
Herbs infused in water, for outer applications but not ingested


Herbal Tea
are brewed in water, steeped until the right amount has been released then tea is then ingested.

Herbs for flavoring food
adding herbs to food for bring potent energies into the body. Used for clearing the body system, healing and magical, and of course, taste!


Herbs Healing
herbs used for their potency to aid in healing the body, the mind and the spirit
Herbs/oils are mixed into fat, beeswax, or other mediums.


Incense Plant
resin burned on top of charcoal to release the energy from the plant into the air. Incense sticks and cones are also used in herbs magics

Tinctures
Herbs are infused in alcohol, letting their energies be released into the alcohol


Herbal Perfume
Natural essential perfumed oils are used to anoint people, in herbs magics rituals using candles and sacred objects.


Herbal Soaps
Herbs and herbs magics oils are added to homemade soaps

Now, lets get busy!!!!!!!!

Preserving Herbs.. the easy way

Preserving Herbs
The shelf life of many herbs is one to two years but this period is shorter when herbs are exposed to light, heat and open air. Herb leaves keep their flavor best when they are stored whole and crushed just before use. When herb seeds are to be used for cooking, the seeds should be stored whole and ground up as needed.

Bag Drying
To prepare plants for drying, remove blossoms from the herb plant and rinse the leaves on the stem in cold water to remove soil. Allow plants to drain on absorbent towels until dry. Then place the herbs in a paper bag and tie the stems. Leave 1 to 2 inches of the stems exposed. This allows the plant oil to flow from the stems to the leaves. Place the bag in a warm, dry location. In about one to two weeks, when the leaves become brittle, tap them free of the stems and the leaves will fall into the bag. Store leaves in an airtight container away from the light.

Tray Drying
Clean herbs as for bag drying but the heavy stalks can be discarded. Put the leafed stems one layer deep on a tray in a dark, ventilated room. Turn over the herbs occasionally for uniform drying. The leaves are ready for storage when they are dry and the stems are tough.

 Microwave Drying

If you have a microwave oven, you can use it to dry herbs. Place the herbs between paper towels and set them on the rack. Close the door and turn the oven on a medium setting for about 2-3 minutes. Then check for dryness; the leaves should feel brittle and should crumble easily. If they are not done, turn the oven on for 30 seconds longer. Although this process actually cooks the herbs, the end product is just about the same as air drying. Store the dried herbs in closed containers.

Freezing Flavor
Herbs may also be frozen. Rinse herbs in cold water and blanch in boiling, unsalted water for 50 seconds. Cool quickly in ice water, package and freeze. Dill, parsley, chives and basil can be frozen without blanching.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is widely used as a culinary herb, especially in Mediterranean dishes, and is also used as a fragrant additive in soaps and other cosmetics. Traditionally, rosemary has been used by herbalists to improve memory, relieve muscle pain and spasm, stimulate hair growth, and support the circulatory and nervous systems. It is also believed to affect the menstrual cycle, act as an abortifacient (inducing miscarriage), relieve menstrual cramps, increase urine flow, and reduce kidney pain (for example, from kidney stones). Recently, rosemary has been the object of laboratory and animal studies investigating its potential in the prevention of cancer and its antibacterial properties.

bad luck/good luck

bad luck is coming, can you feel it?
like the sound of a small dog's nails clacking on a wooden floor
the elusive smell of something bad, that you can't quite pinpoint
Like the dark clouds that could mean rain, or snow
or the cold air creeping under the door way, and around the windows
bad luck comes like that
sneaks up when your sleeping
and settles in on your chest to stay awhile
and you pray that good luck will come
like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day
or the smell of hot chocolate steaming in your cup
when is it coming, why is it here, what will it do?
you never know, and when it hits, you no longer care
for time seems to stand still and good luck seems but a dream
like the ebb of the tides and the changing moons
bad luck never stays for long, and good luck always follows
like a cat purring in your arms, or the kiss of a tiny child
be patient, bad luck will end, and then comes good.
And all the time, bad or good, say to yourself...
The Goddess will Provide
and have faith that she will, in her own time, on her own conditions
but she will. For the Goddess is Hope, Love, and the anticipation
She will come, sit down beside you, and hold your hand, and as any good mother
she will kiss your tears away, and say "it's going to be alright, I promise!"
What more could you ask for?
So accept the bad mixed with the good
and smile away your tears

LOL

To fight Demons!

PROTECTION SPELL FROM DEMONS


Cast a circle on the ground and enter it. 

And say:


 Hear me knights of past, Knights of the ancient law.
 Hear me dead knights of an English tongue. 
Hear me knights lost in battle, who's blade did good. 
Hear me knights of old, hear me knights of lost souls. 
This night I invoke thee . 
I summon thee to my arms aid. 
Hear me knights, a new cause be given. 
Your body gone now spirit be.
 Hear me Dead Knights I invoke thee. 
By your spirit blade I invoke you. 
By your might I invoke you. 
By your spirit I invoke you.
 Come now , follow a new cause, I summon thee. 
Each of thee I enlist. 
I invoke you dead knights lost. 
Hear me and come to my aid. 
Hear me and fight at my side. 
Protect me from spirits harm. 
Fight my battles I say to thee. 
Hear me Spirits of lost knights , come to my aid, come to my side. 
Protect me from spirits harm.
Protect me from spirits light. I invoke you. I invoke you. I invoke you. I invoke you. I invoke you.
Let my army be done.
Let it be .
Let it be

Protection

PROTECTION SPELL FOR OUTDOOR WORK


Before attempting spells at night, out-doors, take up
a blessed object (wand for instance) and draw a
pentagram in the air.
Imagine the pentagram glowing
and the evil around being trapped outside the pentagram, until after
you complete your spells

chant:
 
Hail fair moon
Ruler of the night;
Guard me and mine
Until the light


DRAGON PROTECTION SPELL

"By the dragons light
On this (month) night
I call to thee
To give me your might
By the power of thee
I conjure thee
To protect all
That surrounds me
So mote it be
So mote it be!"