Raspberries
You are getting early access to this one Witches as we haven’t even recorded this episode yet!
This time we are talking specifically of the red raspberry or Rubus idaeus, as it is the most widely used. While the name says that it is a berry it is actually part of the Rosacea (rose) family.
Native to North America they are generally cultivated in Canada. Although they are well known for the sweet berry that they produce, the leaves are also used in medicines (please see bottom disclaimer).
Magick and Folklore:
Element; Water
Planets; Moon, Venus
Signs; Cancer, Pisces
Chakras; Sacral Chakra
Used often in spells that encompas
As you know we do not condone love spells themselves unless they are for self love, here you can use the berries in wine to create a simple self love potion, try freezing the berries and adding them to white wine.
Pregnancy protection: A charm can be made from the dried leaves and fruit
Protection of businesses: Planting a bush near the home or business can protect it on all levels
* 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
Juniper Berries
Juniper Berries are the female seed of the Juniper tree, they are not considered a true Berry but actually a cone that resembles a Berry, it's what gives gin its special flavour. Unlike a typical pine cone the juniper berry remains fleshy, and merged covering the seeds. They resemble the berries of the yew tree which are very poisonous.
Juniper Berries have a tart pine-like flavor which people primarily use as a spice. Primary health benefits:
High in nutrients and powerful plant compounds
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant properties
Potentially Anti-Diabetic
Promote heart health
Antibacterial and Antifungal
Magical Properties
The oldest Juniper Trees are estimated to be between 2000-6000 years old. And has been used for its healing properties for almost as long as people have been around. Juniper Berries can help cleanse vibrations, attract love and protect from misfortune. Junipers symbolize the strength and preservation of the human spirit. They represent hope and wisdom. It is also considered a religious symbol and is said to have sheltered jesus as an infant.
Ways to use Juniper:
Juniper essential oil for relaxation
Carry a Juniper Berry amulet for protection
Cleanse your home from negative energy in a simmering pot
Diffuse Juniper oil to uplift, relax and promote restful sleep
Smudge with Juniper to raise your vibrations, and open the third eye chakra
Juniper and rose petal bath to attract love
Make a juniper berry jar for house protection
Hang juniper beads to protect for safe travel
Keep juniper under your pillow to mend relationships or attract love
Drink Juniper berry tea for relaxation and healing
Magical Correspondences
Planet: Sun/Saturn/ Jupiter
Element: Fire
Zodiac: Libra
* 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
Tumeric
This perennial herb is part of the ginger family. Scientifically known as Curcuma longa, it is native to southern India and Indonesia and was widely used in ancient times as a perfume, spice and dye. Now it is mainland and in the islands of the Indian Ocean.
Turmeric is known for its many health benefits, however, as we are not doctors we do implore you to do your own research that does include consulting a doctor or medical professional for information.
The Metaphysical:
Planet: Sun or Jupiter
Element: Fire
This versatile plant can be used for glamour magic as well as healing, strength and luck spells.
Use it as a magical ink and conduct communication spells, or use in any kind of banishing or abundance magic.
Can be used in protection magic as malevolent spirits, particularly the angry dead, can be sent away with the smell.
As it can be used as a natural dye you can utilize its properties by dying sachets, bags, or poppets, it makes a lovely orange/yellow colour.
* 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
Queen Anne’s Lace
This herb is a part of the Apiaceae family and it is also known as wild carrot. While not directly related, our domesticated carrots are cultivators of a subspecies of this family.
Please be cautious with this plant and make sure that you are absolute in identifying this plant as it is very similar to poison hemlock, giant hogweed and cow parsley and should not be switched with these plants as poison hemlock and giant hogweed is extremely toxic, so maybe steer clear of the cow parsley as well.
Originally native to temperate climates in Europe and Southwest Asia, it has now spread to North America and Australia.
The name ‘Queen Anne’s Lace’ comes from Queen Anne of Denmark who was the wife of King James I.
Magick in the Mundane
In magick, this plant represents purity.
It can encourage positive thoughts and clear away doubt.
Use it in spellcraft to help make decisions on delicate matters in your life.
In creative spells it can be used to help writers block or find other new talents.
Used often in fertility spells.
Can be used to replace blood in spells.
* 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
Fennel
From the scientific name Foeniculum vulgare, it is a perennial herb that branched from the Apiaceae, or carrot, family.
It is native to southern Europe and Asia Minor, and cultivated in temperate climates worldwide, however, in Australia and parts of the United States it is considered an invasive species so check your area to make sure before planting.
Often used to relieve digestive issues, such as bloating.
Magical Properties
Element: Mercury
Element: Fire
It can be used in spells pertaining to protection, healing, purification, and power.
Use in kitchen magic by adding it to dishes or salt blends.
Use it on your altar in spell work for Sabbats such as Litha or Lughnasadh.
Create a crown with it for Samhain for protection with other herbs such as rosemary. This crown can also be made to increase your magical powers. If the crown is not to your taste you can also add the seeds to sachets and spell bags for the same effect.
Hang bundles of the herb around your home for protection against curses.
* 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
Onion
Onions or Allium cepa are in the family Amaryllidaceae and are grown for the bulb which is edible.
Originally native to southwestern Asia, however, it is now grown all over the world.
They are not grown for their nutrition, as they have little value this way, but they are known for their flavour.
There are many different varieties that you can obtain anywhere you shop, they can all be used in spell work as well.
The Magick in the Mundane
Onion is a wonderful ingredient for Kitchen Magick
It can be used in healing magick as it is a wonderful anti bacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Ancient Egyptians believed the layers of the onion represented the universe and eternity. With this belief they would place onions in the eye sockets of the deceased.
They can be used in spells for sexual energy and fertility.
Used in money, prosperity, success, protection, banishing and spells.
While most think that onion peels are a waste product, that is incorrect, you can dry them out and powder them to add to spells and black salt.This way you can use the whole onion and not have waste.
Correspondences:
Element: Fire
Planet: Mars
Chakra: Heart
* 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
Sweetgrass
This perennial grass is in the family Poaceae, and along with tobacco, sage and red cedar, this plant is considered sacred to Indigenous, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
This means it is one of the ones I tend to stay away from out of respect. However, because I don’t work with them I’m not going to go into much detail and stick to the outline of things.
Sweet grass has a sweet scent that usually intensifies when it rains or the plant is burned.
I live in Canada and the two closely related species that are native here are: common sweetgrass (Hierochloë hirta subspecies arctica) and alpine sweetgrass (H. alpina).
Also known as; Seneca Grass, Vanilla Grass, Holy Grass, or Buffalo Grass.
The Magick
Element; Water
Astrological Sign; Libra
Planets; The Moon, Venus
Season; Spring, Summer
Where is it used in spellcraft;
Burned as a special offering during sacred prayers
Burned for personal and home blessings
Carried as a protective totem
Burned for purification purposes
Incorporated into sweat lodge ceremonies
Kept in the home to attract positive energies
* 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
Step inside the Witch's Garden - After the Harvest
As the down time for our gardens grows closer I dream of my garden and find myself with many changes I want to make for next year. Many of you know this is only my second year gardening at the new house, added to that I moved the original location of the garden elsewhere, and did much better than the previous year. However, there are some things that I would definitely change, not to mention new plants that I want to grow. While I cannot do anything about the plants at the moment I can assist my garden and prepare it for next year.
If you are just starting out and want to plan your garden in advance, my best suggestion for, but don’t know where to start, is to keep it simple and small. Buy a notebook and write all of your ideas down, trust me this is helpful as you will not remember what you want to grow later. Look up those plants that you want to grow, as you may need to purchase bulbs now and have them ‘over winter’ in order for them to bloom successfully.
For flowers, choose varieties that are hard to kill, and grow well in your area. I also like ones I can use in my craft, like roses and lavender. If you choose to plant herbs and not flowers, start with the ones you use in your cooking. This is a perfect way to, also keep yourself ‘in the closet’ if you are not ready for people to know you are a witch. Veggies are another thing I like to keep in my garden. On the podcast, I talk about a few veggies that you wouldn't think have magical properties, but they do! Again, I do suggest easy for beginners and not to overwhelm yourselves with too many. Lettuce and bell peppers are my suggestion for easy veggies as they can be container grown, however, I would look at what grows well in your zone and at what times.
You might end up crossing some plants off and adding new ones, however, this gives you an idea of how many containers (if you are container gardening) and/or dirt you need for the required space.
For me, I know that the place I want to grow gets overrun with weeds very quickly. While I do grow everything in containers (large ones) because I rent, I will be putting weed fabric down to help the space with the overgrow, and so that I can use more of the space.
I can do those types of things now rather than scramble in the spring when I am also trying to plant and organize what is going into the garden in the spring.
Whatever you choose to plant we would love to see them! I have added a few pictures of my Witch’s Garden to the True North Witches’ Facebook page. You can email yours to truenorthwitches@gmail.com or post them on the True North Witches’ Facebook page!
Apple
These are the edible fruit found on apple trees, also known as Malus spp. Among these varieties are the domestic or orchard apple which are known as Malus domestica.
While they are now cultivated worldwide, they originated in Central Asia. This wild ancestor was known as Malus sieversii, and can still be found today.
They have religious and mythological significance in many cultures, the include but are definitely not limited to Norse, Greek, and European Christian traditions.
Magick in the Mundane:
‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away’ we all know the saying. However, did you know that it has some magickal correspondences to the saying as well?
Sabbats/Seasons: autumn, particularly Mabon and Samhain festivals.
Element: Water
Crystals/Stones: Rose quartz, red jasper, pyrite
In magick apples often symbolise love
They can be associated with health and well-being along with self care
The fruit symbolises gratitude, generosity, harvest, and abundance
They serve as a reminder to enjoy the fruits of our labours and to be grateful for the bounty of the Earth as they ripen around the harvest festivals
Through the connection with Christian mythology, apples have been associated with self-knowledge (the tree of knowledge and Adam and Eve, although it’s not specifically an apple in the bible)
* 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
Samhain Countdown Day 27
Samhain Bath
Bathing is a ritual in itself, although I will not be partaking this year, I usually enjoy a good Samhain bath. As with the incense and simmer pots, a lot of creating your bath is up to your preferences. I have given you a good starting point, however, you should make it your own.
Things you can add to your ritual;
Sounds or music that you or your ancestors enjoy
Incense to burn;
copal
sandalwood
mastic resin
benzoin
sweetgrass
wormwood
mugwort
sage
cloves
myrrh
patchouli
What you can add to your bath:
Epsom salts
Reusable tea bags
or you can just throw it in your bath but don’t let it go down the drain after
Dried apples
Bay leaf
Rosemary (for remembrance of our ancestors)
Sage
Lavender
*anything else that strikes your fancy just make sure you do your research and are not allergic to it
Drink ideas;
ale
cider (hard or regular apple)
mulled cider with spices
wine (usually red)
Build your bath ritual on what calls to you.
Samhain Countdown Day 26
Make Your Own Scrying Mirror
What is a scrying? What is a scrying mirror and what is it used for?
Scrying is the practice of gazing into a reflective surface and a method of divination. This could include, but not limited to, water, fire, glass, and dark stones.
A scrying mirror is a mirror, usually black in colour, used as a tool in divination.
What you will need to make your own;
mirror or frame with a glass piece inside
this could be as small as a compact mirror or as large as a wall mirror that us up to you
you can find mirrors that work well at dollar stores or while thrifting
stand for your mirror (if you are not hanging it)
black paint (spray paint usually works best)
paint brush (if using regular paint)
sealant (mod podge works well)
How to Assemble;
remove the glass or mirror out of the frame
lay the mirror or glass on some newspaper
clean it thoroughly with a vinegar water solution or window cleaner and a lint-free cloth
allow the mirror/glass to dry
paint the surface of the glass with the black paint
acrylic because tends to dry quickly so it might be best.
to make it as streak-free, do as many thin coats as you need, you want it completely covered
when it's completely dry, put it back into the frame, do this with the painted side on the inside
wrap it in a soft cloth and store it where no one can bother it
Samhain Countdown Day 25
Pumpkin Pie
What is a harvest festival without a pie? I love making pies this time of year, specifically those that correspond with what is being harvested. For Samhain that happens to be pumpkin or apple. However, I already gave you my apple recipe for Mabon, so this time you are getting my Pumpkin Pie recipe
Like with the apple pie, those of you who are not so inclined to bake but still want to bake this, there is nothing wrong with picking up premade crust and filling (or one or the other) to make a pie.
I often get the premade fillin this time of year when making pumpkin as I usually take on too much and makinf the filling from scratch is too much work for me. (I still make the crust because nothing beats the family pie dough recipe).
To make from scratch you will need;
For the Crust (if you use the premade dough skip getting these ingredients):
1/2 cup fat of your choice (I use butter or shortening but you can use what you want so long as it is cold)
1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt (I use sea salt but table is fine too)
1/2 cup COLD water (if you have ice put it in the water (not the dough) to make it cold enough if all you can get is tap)
* this recipe only makes 1 pie dough
* this recipe freezes well so make more and freeze it
For the Filling (if you choose to make it from scratch):
2 c mashed, cooked pie pumpkin
1 12oz can evaporated milk (if you have larger or smaller cans make sure it adds 12oz)
2 large eggs, beaten
¾ c packed brown sugar
½ tsp ground cinnamon, or more to taste
½ tsp ground ginger, or more to taste
½ tsp ground nutmeg, or more to taste
½ tsp salt
Assembly:
mix flour and salt until combined
add the cold butter until it is a rough pea sized crumble (don’t over mix)
slowly add in water until it becomes a dough
refrigerate for 1 hour
while the dough is cooling combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, spices, brown sugar, salt and eggs (using a mixer or had mixer works well)
make sure that it is well combined
once dough is out of the fridge roll out the dough a little larger than your pan (each crust makes a 9” crust)
pour prepared filling into the crust
if you feel confident you can add shapes to the top part using any extra dough
place in a 400 F oven for about 40-60 min or until you can insert a toothpick, cake tester, skewer or knife into the pie 1 inch from the edge and it comes out clean (smaller pies will take less time)
check pie periodically as you might have to cover the edges with tin foil to prevent it from burning
let cool and enjoy!
Samhain Countdown Day 24
Gravestone Rubbings
It’s field trip time!
It is suggested to go to an older cemetery as the newer tombstones have less texture and are not so easy for this task.
What You Will Need;
a large sheet of paper
large crayon (colour of your choosing)
How To;
go to a cemetery
find a stone that calls to you
place the paper on the stone and rub the crayon over the paper
using the crayon sideways is best
fill the page with the pattern
thank the person by name that was on the memorial
Samhain Countdown Day 23
Samhain VS Halloween
If you are a brand new or newer witch you might be asking yourself, ‘Wait, how is Samhain different from the Halloween celebrations I have been observing up until now?’ (heck even I still get confused at times).
Here I have broken it down a little bit to give you an idea of the differences.
Samhain
It is the third and final harvest festival of the Wheel of the Year
Signifies the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice.
Takes place on October 31st, starting at sunset and ending at sunset on the 1st of November
Marks the end of summer and the beginning of winter
On the old calendar it was considered an important time for giving offerings and communicating with the dead
Halloween
Believed to have been derived from the pagan and Celtic celebration of Samhain
but was taken, changed, and celebrated by many different cultures over the years
It was originally a day known as “All Hallow’s Day” and it was a Christian alternative to Samhain
It originated in medieval England and celebrated the lives of faithful Christian saints
Originally it was celebrated on May 13th however it was later switched it to November 1st, making October 31st known as “All Hallows Eve,”
This would eventually change and become known as Halloween.
This tradition, however, has kept many of the same traditions of Samhain
Although it focused more on their saints than that of ancestors or evil spirits.
Samhain Countdown Day 22
Samhain Spice Cookies - makes about 25 cookies
What you will need;
110g AP flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 pinch ground cloves
57g softened butter
110g packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Method;
Stir together the dry together in a bowl.
Cream together butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until smooth
this is usually easiest with an electric mixer, however, if you don’t have one you can hand mix as well
Combine egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture
Gradually incorporate the dry mixture into the butter mixture
make sure the previous dry mix was incorporated fully before adding more
Form the dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap
Place in refridgerator
for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
Preheat your oven to 350 F (175 C)
Prepare your baking sheets
grease them really well or use parchment paper or silicone mat if you have one (this will help with clean up as well)
Flour your work surface and, with a rolling pin, roll out your dough to about 1/8-inch thickness
Cut with 2-inch cookie cutters (or cutter of your choice just know the size of the cutter affects the amount of cookues you will get on a batch)
Bake in the oven until the edges begin to brown, this will be about 10 to 12 minutes.
Allow cookies to cool slightly before placing them on the cooling rack or they will bend and break.
Enjoy!
Samhain Countdown Day 21
Paper Plate Masks
Samhain is known as a time where the veil between this world and the spirit world is thin. It is thought that spirits, good and evil, walk amongst us. Therefore, costumes and masks were a way to confuse the evil spirits so that they wouldn’t ‘spirit’ you away, so to speak.
How a person decorates their masks is completely up to them.
Here is what you need to make your own;
paper plate
paint
glue
pencil crayons (coloured pencils)
markers
crayons
fake leaves
fake flowers
small plastic pumpkins
scissors
ribbon (or use a stick if you don’t want to tie it)
hole punch
*any other items you want to decorate your this is your art, make it personal
How to create;
draw desired shape and design on to paper plate (if you want to just leave it round and cut out eyes you can do that too)
cut out the shape with the scissors
draw, colour or glue to create your vision
use hole punch to make holes in the ends of your mask and attach ribbon
if you are using this with the stick just hot glue to one side
wear on Samhain
Samhain Countdown Day 20
History of the Jack o Lantern
It’s Halloween, and you see carved pumpkin Jack-o-Lanterns in almost every doorway. We see them often at this time of year; however, did you know that they weren’t originally made out of pumpkins?
Original jack-o-lanterns were made from root vegetables such as turnips or rutabagas and illuminated with candles. These would then be placed at windows and doors in order to chase away evil or negative spirits.
It only became pumpkin carving when it was brought over to America.
There are two origin stories as to why they are called ‘jack-o-lanterns’, rooted in Irish traditions.
The first comes from the phenomenon of strange flickering lights over peat bogs, these were also called jack-o-lanterns, they were also considered the fabled creature ‘will-o’-the-wisps.
The Second was created from a myth called ‘The Legend of Stingy Jack’.
The Legend of Stingy Jack
This tale derives from an Irish legend, which appeared in print in the 19th century. According to this legend, Jack invited the devil to drink with him. As the story says, Jack was a stingy man and didn’t want to pay for their drinks. He ended up convincing the devil to turn himself into a coin so that Jack could pay for their drinks. However, Jack ended up placing the devil, turned coin, into his pocket near a silver cross so the devil couldn’t change back into his original form.
The story then goes into more detail about the trick Jack came up to with the devil. However, in the end, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with it ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” and then, simply “Jack O’Lantern.”
*there are longer versions of this story and I encourage you to look them up!
Samhain Countdown Day 19
Samhain Coffee
This one is a nice simple way to make your coffee feel a little more like Samhain. It is also a lovely way to add a little magick to your day (especially one if you are in the closet).
This is not too complicated, however, I do recommend it in a normal drip coffee maker or French Press, vs in the Keurig (even though this is how I do it).
If you only have a Keurig my best suggestion would be to get one of those reusable pods.
What you will need;
coffee of your choice (I use regular but if you prefer flavoured then use that)
1/4 tsp (roughly) cinnamon per cup of coffee
creamer, milk or cream
if you require sugar, sweetener, honey or maple syrup add it too
other fall flavours (no measurements it’s to your preference)
nutmeg
cloves
ginger
sage
pumpkin
How to;
Prepare your coffee
if you are using a filter, reusable Keurig pod, or French press, place your flavours in with the coffee
if you are using a regular Keurig pod, place the flavours in the bottom of your mug
you will need to do some extra stirring for this
Make the rest of your coffee the way you usually do
taste as you go because the inclusions may require you to adjust the ratios you usually do
Samhain Countdown Day 18
Spin Your Fears
You will need;
construction paper
scissors
paper plate
crayons, markers, or pencil crayons (coloured pencils)
a fastener (like from the office supply store)
How To;
cut a small triangle out of the construction paper
take a writing implement and divide the paper plate into at least 4 pie-shaped sections
in each section write the name of a fear (or you can do a Samhain-related theme)
take the fastener and attach the construction triangle to the paper plate
when ready, meditate on a topic, spin the triangle, and focus on the theme that it picks for you
Samhain Countdown Day 17
Lemon and Rosemary Biscuits
This particular recipe can be varied to suit your ritual or spell.
What You Will Need;
1 sprig of fresh rosemary
90g (3oz) unsalted butter
30g (1oz) sugar
125g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
180g (6oz) icing sugar
juice from half a large lemon
2 tsp water (this might be more or less)
golden sugar to sprinkle on top
Method;
take the leaves off of the rosemary and roughly chop
cream together butter and sugar
sift together flour and icing sugar
gradually add dry ingredients to the sugar mixture
add rosemary, lemon juice, and water
blend until it forms a firm dough
roll out thinly, about 1/8 inch
cut into rounds
lay on a baking sheet and sprinkle them with sugar
bake on the middle shelf
10 min at 350
makes a dozen (based on cutter size)