John the Conqueror

Also known as High John the Conqueror root is said to be the root of Ipomoea jalapa species. This includes plants such as Morning Glory and Sweet Potato.

It can also be called bindweed or jalap.

The jalap root contains convolvulin which is a powerful cathartic, HOWEVER, in large amounts causes vomiting and is very UNSAFE for people to use.

The Magic in the Mundane

Significant in North American folklore.

High John the Conqueror was known as an all-powerful mystic, trickster figure. Similar to;

Loki of the Norsemen

Coyote of Native America

The root itself can stimulate spiritual wellness amongst people.

Often used in spells dealing with;

Luck

Protection

Increasing money

More power

* As per usual please be very careful when thinking of ingesting herbs, plants and flowers

**Please consult your family doctor or a professional if you are not certain of anything

Primrose

Different from the roses we have already covered in the correspondences.

Also known as Primulaceae or the common Primrose, Primula vulgaris.

It generally occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in cool or mountainous regions and are usually perennial herbs.

As the common primrose’s leaves are edible they can be used in a variety of ways, from gardens and landscapes to aromatherapy, herbal medicine and much more.

In the language of flowers primrose means fickleness.

Magickal Uses 

Element: Air (but also Earth?)

It is the flower of the fairies.

Often associated with the Norse goddess Freya.

Can be used in moon ceremonies to decorate the altar.

Use in a bath to make your inner beauty show.

Also used in magicks to do with the hunt and achieving one’s goals.

Used by ancients to see fairies.

* As per usual please be very careful when thinking of ingesting herbs, plants and flowers 

**Please consult your family doctor or a professional if you are not certain of anything

Cinnamon

This spice is obtained from the inner bark of several tree species in the genus Cinnamomum. However, only a few species are grown for spice in the commercial aspect. 

It is used in a large variety of culinary drinks and dishes, ranging from savoury and sweet.

There are two main types of cinnamon:

• Ceylon cinnamon: This type is also known as “true” cinnamon.

• Cassia cinnamon: This is the most common variety today and what people generally refer to as “cinnamon.”

Cinnamon contains powerful medicinal properties.

• Loaded with antioxidants

• Could protect against heart disease

• May have anti-bacterial properties

• And many other properties

The Magick in the Mundane:

Cinnamon is wonderful when burned for purification: it is good for when energies are a little sticky so you can use them to help get rid of unwanted energy in places and on tools such as your Tarot cards.

Steep it and make a tea for divination.

Well used in kitchen magick.

Can be used in money sachets.

Also used in love spells

Well used in Yule spells and traditions (including food and beverages.

* As per usual please be very careful when thinking of ingesting herbs, plants and flowers 

**Please consult your family doctor or a professional if you are not certain of anything

Rosemary

Native to the Mediterranean this evergreen looking plant is actually part of the Lamiaceae, or mint, family.

In the spring and summer this plant will sometimes sprout blue flowers, however, this is very dependent on the amount of humidity present.

Folk Names for Rosemary

• Dew of the Sea

• Incensier

• Sea Dew

• Ros Maris

• Rosmarine

• Rosemarie

• Guardrobe

Step into the Magick:

Gender of Rosemary: Masculine

Elements that Rule Rosemary: Fire & Air

Planets: Sun

Sign: Leo

Deities: Hebe, Aphrodite & The Virgin Mary

Chakras: Third Eye, Heart & Solar Plexus

Many people say that rosemary can be used as an ‘all-purpose’ herb. However, sometimes this is not the case so I suggest going with what you feel is correct.

• Protection

• Purification

• Love spells

• Memory/mental spells

• Elf and Faerie magicks

• Dream magick

* As per usual please be very careful when thinking of ingesting herbs, plants and flowers 

**Please consult your family doctor or a professional if you are not certain of anything

Acorn

Also known as the oak nut, the acorn is the nut of the oak tree.

Do you know why acorns are nuts, however, almonds are not?

That comes with the makeup of the ‘nut’ in question. A nut is classified as a dry pod that surrounds the fruit and single seed inside. So what is an almond? Almonds are considered drupes, which are fleshy fruits with a thin skin, like cherries.

The Acorn has a very important role when oak trees are the dominant species in a forest. 

Wildlife that eats acorns may include; squirrels, ducks, woodpeckers and many more. For these animals the acorns are very rich in nutrients. However, they can be toxic to other animals such as horses.

The Magick;

Acorns frequently appear as a motif in art. The designs can be found on jewelry, furniture and architecture dating back centuries. 

They are said to have served as a talisman to ancient Romans. Specifically, in Roman folklore the Roman goddess Diana is frequently depicted wearing a necklace of acorns. 

In Scandinavian countries it was believed that putting an acorn on a sill would protect a home from lightning. These ancient beliefs can still be found reflected in window blind pulls, which have historically been made in the shape of acorns.

The oak king was considered the king of the forest. As the forest was said to harbor fairies, they are often depicted as wearing the tops of the acorns as hats. 

It was said that a young woman could foretell her future by naming two acorn cups for herself and her sweetheart, then floating them in a bowl of water. If the cups sailed together, a marriage would follow; if they sailed apart, separation would ensue. 

A German folktale tells of a farmer who has promised his soul to Satan, but asks for a reprieve until his first crop is harvested. The devil grants it, but the farmer outwits him by planting acorns, thus ensuring himself a long life.

Another old folk belief is that carrying an acorn brings the wearer good fortune. 

If you plant an acorn on a moonless night you will receive money in the near future. So, the next time you walk beneath an oak tree, pocket a few of those acorns. 

* As per usual please be very careful when thinking of ingesting herbs, plants and flowers 

**Please consult your family doctor or a professional if you are not certain of anything

New Years 2024

This time of year is especially busy for us witches (specifically this witch). With Christmas parties to attend and both Yule and Christmas to celebrate, it does not call for much ‘you time’ unless you schedule it in (and let's be honest, it then doesn’t feel as relaxing).

I try to use my New Year to ‘recharge’. 

What do I mean by this?

There are a few very specific things I do at the New Year to help me feel a little refreshed. I try to make the things that I ‘have’ to do less demanding and try to focus on refreshing myself for a new year of stresses as well as the highs and lows that come with the year ahead.

I start this care on the 31st with refreshing my wards, spirit traps and crystals around the house. I also set up my working candle for the year (yes I do use other candles but I have one main one that sits in the middle and I use for the year for each ritual). The last thing I do on the 31st is to take a warm bath (this can be ritual or just a warm bath or long shower).

Starting January 1st I light that working candle for the first time, I like to think of new beginnings while doing so. I also take a shower to rinse off the negative gunk from the year before (if you have chosen to take a shower the night before you can skip this step if you like).

** for what my New Years looked like please check the FB page on January 2nd

Terrarium Candle Stand

This is a good craft to be a little or as creative as you want (I am not being very creative this time).

What you will need;

• Wine glass

• hot glue gun

• hot glue

• decorations of your choosing (I choose small ornaments for simplicity)

• small aluminum pie tray (you can use anything to secure it but these are 8 for $1.50 (Canadian) at Dollar Tree)

• Candle of your choosing (size might be determined by the base of your wine glass)

• sharpie

How to create;

If you are using a more intricate theme than ornaments, trace the mouth of your wine glass onto the aluminum tray. This will be your guide when assembling your scene.

If you are using ornaments like me you can fill the glass with the decoration and hot glue it immediately.

Wait for the glue to dry before cutting the aluminum from the glass.

Turn it ‘right side up’ (for our purposes this is the base up) and place a candle on top.

You can add this to an existing display or use it on its own.

Yule Candles

On the day of Yule, I usually try to burn a candle from when I wake up to when I go to bed. I usually like these candles (for any holiday really) to be created by me (or someone I know). This is how I make a simple cost effective candle without too much extra fuss.

What you will need;

• Candles of your choice (I tend to use the Dollar Tree jar pillars for the easiest choice)

• a wick (or several depending on the size of your vessel and the size of the wick. As an added ease I tend to use the wicks that come in my candles)

• some sort of vessel (I have chosen a stemless wineglass also from Dollar Tree)

• your oven (this is the easiest way or you can double boil them on your stove)

• baking sheet (if you are using the oven method)

• oven mitts (regardless of method the jars WILL be hot)

• double sided adhesive or hot glue

How to build your candle;

Take your candles and place them in a preheated oven (usually at about 200 F). If you are using the stove method, it is this step where you take the jars of your candles and place them in the water cold (it is better, and you will have less jar breakage if you heat the jars with the water).

While you are waiting for the wax to melt you will set up whichever vessel(s) you would like to use for the candle (if you are using the wicks in your candles you will have to wait for the wax to melt in order to continue). I usually use adhesive dots or a small dot of hot glue to keep my wicks in place (there is also adhesive that you can buy specifically for this step).

When the wax is melted pour it into the vessel (if you are using multiple colours you will have to wait for one to dry most of the way before adding another.

Wait for the wax to fully dry (this might be overnight depending on the size of your candle).

Light the candle and enjoy!

*if there is a dip near the wick in your candle you can use a heat gun on low, or a hair drier in order to buff it out).

Paper Bag Stars

This craft is fun for the whole family!

What you will need;

• paper bags (I chose to use the lunch bag size you can have them bigger if you use yard waste bags)

• scissors

• glue (I’m using hot because I have it on hand, normal will work too)

• hole punch (if you have one the scissors work for what we need it for as well)

• ribbon or string

• any stamps or paints you would like to use

How they are made;

Count out the number of bags you will need for one star (I used 8 lunch bags for one star but you might need more or less depending on the size you choose).

To glue the bags together glue the bottoms and the middle of the bags.

Stack them together (in the same direction) but don’t add glue to the final side.

Once you have the desired number of bags stacked, cut the tops to make a point (check here to see if you have enough bags, if not add more here.

Cut shapes into the bag if desired at this point.

Once cut to how you wish add glue to the final side to create the star.

Punch or cut a hole where you wish the top of the star to be and add the ribbon (or string).

Hang it up and enjoy!

Cinnamon Candle Holder

What you will need;

• Cinnamon Sticks

• Candle size of your choosing (I chose a short pillar candle)

• hot glue gun

• hot glue

• ribbon or string (this is optional but I think it gives off a finishing touch)

• something to use as the base of the candle (I used aluminum tart pans because you can get them 8 for 1.50 at Dollar Tree)

How to make;

Take the candle you want as a guide and start gluing cinnamon sticks together.

When you get around the whole diameter of the candle you want to glue it to your preferred base. If the base needs trimming (you have a base that you can trim) wait for the glue to dry before doing so.

Add ribbon and any other decorations you want (ensure they won’t catch on fire).

Light your candle and enjoy!

Simmer Pot

Simmer Pots are a great way to cleanse spaces and get aroma into the space you want if you are unable to burn incense or candles for any reason.

For my Yule simmer pot, I tend to use the same if not similar combinations of scents to the incense I created closer to the beginning of the countdown.

What I used;

• dehydrated oranges (if you do not have any already see the blog post I created)

• cinnamon sticks

• cloves

• cranberries

• water

• pot (or crock pot works as well just have the lid off)

Place all ingredients into the pot of your choosing

Put stove on low heat and simmer

*check pot occasionally to see if you need to top up the water

Salt Dough

This really easy dough can be used for crafts. My original recipe makes quite a lot of dough so I have halfed it for this recipe

Ingredients;

• Salt 1/2 C

• All Purpose flour 1 C

• Water 1/ 2 C

• Food colouring (optional)

Other things you will need;

• bowl

• measuring cup

• mixing spoon

• oven

• cookie cutters (you can use new ones that are only for these types of crafts)

• chopstick, skewer or toothpick

• parchment paper

• rolling pin

• ribbon or string

• paint (if you want to do that instead of the food colouring)

• paint brushes (an if you are using the paint)

How to make the Dough;

First measure out the dry ingredients.

Then add the water slowly until it makes a dough. It might start to get a little tough to mix by the end.

You may have to knead the dough to make it come fully together (this is where you would split it in to the different colors you want and add food colouring).

To roll out dough to 1/4 of an inch (I’ve found the easiest, less messy, way to do so is to place it between two parchement sheets).

Stamp with desired cookie cutters (don’t forget to place a hole where you want it to hang from if you are making an ornament).

Bake at 250 F for about 2 hours (or until it is dry).

If you would rather paint your dough than use food colouring you would do this after they are dry.

Yule Ball

These fun ornaments can be made for any time of the year. Fun fact; I am trying to make one for every Sabbat.

What you will need;

• clear ornament (I chose plastic because I have an animal that will knock it over but you might want glass)

• salt

• cinnamon sticks

• juniper berries

• orange peel (powdered)

• pine (or some kind of evergreen)

• jute twine

• ribbon

• charms

How to create your charm

Find a stable surface for your ornament.

Place in the salt first to stabilize the rest of the items.

We then placed in the powdered orange peel to add as the base.

After we added the cinnamon sticks, berries, and the pine.

We chose to glue our ornaments shut (this is optional but recommended).

After the ornaments were dry we tied the juste around it with the charm and finished the ornament with a ribbon to hold it.

Hang it up!

Yule Coffee

Here is my recipe for the coffee that I drink on Yule morning. My everyday coffee contains only the cinnamon.

Please note though that I am making this coffee for 1 person so your amounts may need to be quite larger depending on how many people you plan on serving or what flavours you prefer to have most dominant.

Ingredients;

• Your preferred coffee (I am Canadian and like Tim Hortons coffee)

• Cinnamon

• Ginger

• Cloves

• Nutmeg (I could not find my nutmeg at the time of making this post so it isn’t in the pictures)

How to make it;

Combine all of your ingredients together.

I own a Keurig, however, this is not the best way to prepare it.

For larger groups, the best way is to place it in the filter and make a big pot of coffee.

If you are serving it to yourself or only a couple of people I like using my single-serve filter or my French press.

Yule Money Bowl

I would like to preface this by saying that your money bowl does not have to look exactly like mine. If you feel the need to add or take something away that is your intuition telling you what your personal spell needs. This is what my intuition told me that this particular money bowl needed.

What you will need;

• a vessel to place your items (I used a bowl but it doesn’t have to be that large)

• salt

• a candle (again I used a votive but you can use even a birthday candle if you want)

• bay leaves

• cinnamon

• rosemary

• coins

How I put mine together;

I started by placing my salt in the bowl.

Then I hid my coins in the salt (you can leave them on top)

After I had the salt level I placed in my cinnamon sticks. I wanted to place them sticking straight up.

Then add the bay leaves.

The rosemary was the last herb I put in I decided to place something in the bowl that was from my own garden.

Lastly, I put the candle in the bowl.

The chant (if you want to make one) is personal as this is your money bowl no one else’s. However, I would place somewhere in the chant about the yuletide season as this is a Yule Money Bowl. That is up to you though.

Dehydrating Oranges

I am putting this in as a craft for the holidays as I tend to use this as decoration and in my simmer pots (which is a recipes coming later in the countdown)

What you will need;

• Oven or dehydrator (I have a dehydrator but I’m not using it this time)

• As many oranges as you want to dehydrate (I’m only using one for this day due to some unfortunate dropping issue)

• Parchment paper (if you are using a dehydrator this might depend on the shape. Mine is round so I don’t like fiddling with parchment)

• Baking sheet (only if you are using your oven)

• Knife

• Cutting board

How it is done;

If you are using a dehydrator I usually look up the temperature that it suggests for what I am dehydrating. For my oven, however, I keep the temperature as low as it will go (I only use the oven if I have all day to use it).

Turn on whatever device you are using to preheat.

Take your oranges and slice them up as thin as you want (remember the thinner you have them the less time it will take to dehydrate regardless of what device you are using).

Make sure if you are using a baking sheet it has parchment paper on it (I’ve tried aluminum foil and it doesn’t work as well for me).

Place oranges on the tray (regardless if it is the dehydrator tray or the baking sheet).

When the device you are using is up to temperature place the sheets in the machine.

This is where it gets tricky. There is no actual timing for dehydration. The best you can do is watch the oranges and wait until they are done (this will take hours).

When they are all dry place them in your air-tight container.

Monitor them for condensation on the inside of the jar. If you see some they have to be dried further or you risk them spoiling.

Yule Wreath

What you’ll need:

• foam wreath form

• rope or ribbon of your choice (I used 2 spools of nautical rope but you might need 3)

• straight pins (found in the sewing things)

• decorations of your choice (I decided on a bow and bells for mine

How to decorate your wreath;

Take the wreath form and find the spot you want to start.

Anchor one end of the tope into the foam with a straight pin and start wrapping as tightly as you can.

When it gets to the end of the rope secure it with another straight pin.

Continue this process until the wreath is filled with your desired amount of rope.

Add any extra decorations you want. If they are soft you can place them in with more straight pins. However, if they are solid you may need glue or sticky dots.

Cinnamon Stars

*These cute little stars you can use as ornaments or to just place around the house

What you will need:

• 5 long cinnamon sticks (the shorter ones do not work very well)

• hot glue gun (any glue will work but hot glue dries fast)

• ribbon (if you plan to hang to)

• any other decorations you want on it

To put together:

Place sticks in a star-like pattern (it might not be exactly the shape you want as the sticks' length and place determine much of the shape).

When you get a rough shape of what you want start gluing down the pieces.

Let the base star dry for an hour, than add ribbon (if you want to hang it) and any other decorations you like)

*like every other day if you would like to see pictures of the one I have made you can find them on Facebook

Yule Incense

* Please note that these are to my taste and it depends on how much you want to use so there are no measurements

I have included in my incense blend this year;

• cinnamon (I prefer grating the sticks and having them as chunks but if ground is what you have use that)

• ginger (I used freeze-dried because that was what I had but ginger pieces dried works as well)

• bay leaves (I just crush them up but you can grind them if that pleases you)

• orange peel (not shown here I forgot to grab it, you can dry your own, or if you live where there is a Bulk Barn they sell it as well)

**Everyone’s practice is different add or subtract until you get a scent that screams Yule! to you.

Bay Wish Spell

This is one of my favourite small spells to do.

What you will need:

• Candle

• bay leaves

• lighter (or match)

• a glass of water (just in case)

• pen or marker

• fire proof dish

What you do;

Write your wish on the bay leaf.

Light the candle while envisioning your wish.

Take the bay leaf and place it in the flame of your candle.

Hold the bay leaf as long as you can without burning yourself and then place it in the fire proof container.

Don’t dwell on your wish and let the universe (or deities) do their work.