Lusty Jasmine

Jasmine is one of my favourite flowers. It has so much more to it than most people realise.

Jasmine flowers are white and delicate, part of a climbing tree; these flowers are best picked at night, as this is when their aroma is most intense.

Jasmine for this reason has strong connections to the night, and the moon. Whenever I work with the Moon, Jasmine is usually involved.

Properties;

Antidepressant
Antiseptic

Antispasmodic

Aphrodisiac

Sedative

We all will have heard that Jasmine is an aphrodisiac, but it is so much more than that. We call it an aphrodisiac because Jasmine increases the number of spermatozoa in men, which helps reduce infidelity. And because of it's deeply relaxing nature, most herbologists think that this may be responsible for it's effect over sexual problems like impotence, premature ejaculation, and frigidity.

Jasmine is a superb hormone balancer, it helps relieve spasms of the uterus, and eases menstrual pain. Mix with raspberry leaf, in a tea, and you have a super effective womb tonic.

This does mean that it is best avoided during pregnancy...unless you are ready to go into labour, in which case go nuts!

Jasmine is a valuable remedy when it comes to severe depression. It's calming to the nerves, whilst also being warming to the emotions. Such a power combo. Burning jasmine in the home will help aid your mind, as will carring essential oil mixed into a carrier oil to apply in the style of a perfume.

See!
How amazing is Jasmine.

If you'd like posts on a specific herb or flower, comment below, and I will do my best to oblige.

Britain's Young Witches

Over the Halloween period, here in the UK, BBC1 aired a one off show entitled 'Britain's Young Witches' - a huge breakthrough to have this on our TVs, trying to break the stigma around Witchcraft!
This video can be found on BBC Iplayer, I will post the link below, so if you're in the UK, you can give it a watch.
I enjoyed it, and I'm glad it was broadcast to so many people.

I will just tell you my niggly bits about the show; firstly, everyone bar the book keeper were young, yes, but they were also young to the craft. At most they had been practicing for 3-4 years...now I am in know way saying that that makes them any less of a witch, or that their voices count for less... but it did not help the stigma that witchcraft is a passing phase, a current trend. Having some more experienced Witches would have been beneficial, even if they didn't have as many insta-likes.
Secondly, the comments on appearance, and witch asthetic. This was just stupid. People who share similar beliefs, usually enjoy similar types of tv shows, or similar hobbies...why is it so unbelievable that they share similar fashion trends, that are unrelated to Witchcraft. Aswell as the fact if you simply look at Harmony Nice, compared to the two gentlemen witches in the show, their styles are so very different, the suggestion was laughable.

Anyway that aside, it's definitely worth a watch.

Britains Young Witches

Blessed Be

xoxo

Happy Samhain

Merry meet, and a happy Samhain to all readers.

What a sabbat it was!

What did you guys get up to? Share in the comments, I'd love to read what you guys have been doing.

Matt and I waited in for trick or treaters, which is always fun.

Then I spent an evening with my witch sister, Suzie. She made me magical mulled cider, and I broke her 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Virginity. Then we made midnight margaritas, and watched 'Practical Magic'.

 When I came home, it was time for my favourite part of Samhain - ritual work, and my 12 card spread for the new year.

This is a shot of my altar, looking all mystical in the candle light.

Let me turn the lights on, so you can see what's going on!

Along with my Directional correspondence, my altar had Crow feathers, to call in and honour the Morrigan, My Pentagram, white flower petals, and parts of a roe deer skull, so I could harness the energy from ancestors and nature.

Directional Correspondance;

North - Earth

East - Air

South - Fire

West - Water

As I do every Samhain, I pulled 12 cards to tell my what the new year has in store for me.

It is always a perfect and magical way to end Samhain.

Never forget to give an offering to the Gods you've worked with; I cast a little of my blood in the fire in thanks to the Morrigan - she is a Goddess of war after all.

This work left me utterly drained for the day following Samhain.
Large ritual work definitely takes it's toll, so be wary that you don't plan much for the following day. My body was hurting, my emotions were all over the shop, and my physical and mental state were utterly drained. Especially around Samhain and Beltane, the veil between the worlds is so thin, it is easy to tap into a lot of magical energy.
After any ritual work, be sure to drink plenty of water, and have a comfortable place to sit down, for atleast a few minutes.

----------------
Blessed Be
xoxox

October

Samhain draws closer, and so does my birthday.

October is my favourite season for so many reasons.

It is the true start to fall, when you can really see the days shortening, and are forced to snuggle up by candlelight in blankets and warm jumpers. When warm baths filled with cinnamon and clove, are a weekly ritual. Pumpkin pie being made in the kitchen, and tea constantly boiling.

When a drive through the country is a feast for your eyes.

Hues of green, yellow, brown, orange, red.

Watching the flowers, and trees go into hibernation - seeing them wither and burrow deep beneath the earth, and finding life beautiful.

Spicy hot chocolate, and chai tea lattes.

Toffee apples.

Bats and pumpkins can be found all throughout the house.

We start to retreat inwards, into that hermit state of being.

Reminiscent of the tarot card - embracing the dark, and the power within ourselves...with the hope to come out shining in the spring.

Here is a little chant to recite at these times;

"Burrowing like the rabbit
Or the bear beneath the ground.
The winters hush upon me
I do not make a sound.
Let the world keep spinning,
Without me for a space,
I am turning inward
In search of peace and grace."

This is perfect for setting yourself up for meditation, or when the outside world just gets a bit too hectic for you.

Glastonbury Visit

Hello lovelies!

Today once again found me in the magical streets of Glastonbury. I went with my witch sister Suzie, and we went to do some shopping, visit the Wytches Market, and get matching tattoos...yep we're that cool.

  

The Wytches Markey was in the town hall of Glastonbury, and featured lots of lovely stalls of all magical persuasions. Such as 'Steel Stick .N. Stone', 'The Ivory Dolls', 'Tawny El' - The only thing I purchased from here was a beautiful art print by Vikki Yeates Illustrations, but there was so much creativity in that hall.

 Moving on from here, with plenty of time till our appointment at the tattooists, we hit all of our usual Glastonbury favourites; for some reason I feel like Suzie and I walk around more than most when at Glastonbury. We go up and down the street more times than necessary, letting our inner guide lead the way. We did discover a lot of new great stores, we've never seen before; Our favourite being 'ShieldMaiden' - A new store for all your Viking needs. Whilst the shop was a bit of a vegan minefield, there were plenty of interesting things to look at, and some beautiful ceramics, and clothes.  

StarChild is always a must on these trips.
This was actually the first time I needed to purchase from behind the till.

I needed a few herbs for upcoming ritual work I have planned, and a few ingredients for teas. They weigh all their herbs out on scales, and charge by weight. Literally like something from TV, you are watching the sales woman stand on a ladder, and reach for one jar, from a wall of multi-coloured herbs and plants, all with a hand written label.

After lunch, which was a delicious vegan tomato and bulgar wheat soup with ciabatta - we had to make our way to the tattooist.

 We'd already picked our design, something I really loved after coming across it on Pinterest (I know not very original) Our tattooist was a guy named Tom, who was great. He put up with all our weird questions and behaviours, joked with us, gave me 2 lollies throughout my tattoo, and just overall did a beautiful job.

Before heading home, we stopped in the George and Pilgrim, 15th century inn, and had half a pint of Guinness. Purely because this is Jason Mamoas' beverage of choice...and he is a God, so.... There was logic there somewhere.

It was a lovely way to end our trip.

And finally once I got home, I took a shot of all my shopping.

Final Shopping List;

Hare Art Print - Vikki Yeates

StarChild Happy Tea

Samhain Card

Poisons, Potions, And Aphrodisiacs Book

2 Rat charms (to be made into earrings)

Catnip

MeadowSweet

Raspberry Leaves

1 epic tattoo

Witches Bottle

This bottle of protection for the home, and your loved ones inside it, is some essential magical working.
These bottles work in the reverse of voodoo dolls. So like a voodoo doll, you need bodily fluids, hair, nail clippings, from yourself, and those who live with you. This represents your beings, and attracts unwanted attention, negativity, and bad magic cast your way. But then the other things you place in the bottle ensnare that negativity or magic, and they stop it from reaching you and doing harm.

(image found on google)

To create your own bottle, first find a suitable container with a lid. It can be a jam jar, a pretty glass perfume bottle, a glass water bottle, whatever you have available.
Although be warned your final result, will not look pretty. This is not pretty magic. This is raw magic at it's core, and you are essentially creating a trap to contain bad things you do not want to come into your household.

So once you have this container gather parts of your family.
Nail clippings, hair, spit, blood.
The use of blood is the most potent way to protect your home. My witches protection bottle, has period blood in, directly from my womb and the core of my power - if this option is available to you whilst creating this bottle, do it!!
Also in my bottle are nail clippings from my partner and myself, and hair from us both, and our cat (don't forget your furry familiars, they need protection to)

Once you've got these stored in your bottle, you need to go and hunt for jagged nails, rusty barbed wire, broken glass, knotted twine - all visualisations of things that will trap and contain negative things, and protect you.
 As you place these things inside your bottle, visualise them trapping invisible thoughts that are coming to you, and spells cast in your direction.

Now, having everything in your bottle, put on the lid, and now using a black candle, seal the lid on with the wax. Black is for banishment, so as you are sealing your witches bottle, visualise a force field of light coming from the ground beneath your house and gardens, and stretching up and out to create a dome, over your dwellings.
 Thank the gods and goddesses for their protection, and to finalise the magic, the witches bottle needs to be buried near your front door.
If this is not possible, in the back of a fire place or hearth. And as a last resort buried in a pot near the front door. As long as it is near an entrance/way of entry to the home it should work.

This is mine, in it's hidey place, within our boarded up fire place.

Blessed be,

Jade xoxox

Mabon

Otherwise known as the Autumn Equinox; the sabbat Mabon looms closer. Falling on the 22nd of September, this sabbat is all about giving thanks for the harvest that has come, and thanks for the harvest yet to come. With the fields nearly empty, it is a time of abundance and a time for gratitude.
The word 'equinox' comes from latin, and translates to 'equal night' - on the equinox the earth receives the same hours of light, as it does dark; which is why they are times of balance.

There are certain types of magic, that are most prosperous at Mabon.

• Home and Hearth Magic - a perfect time to protect your home with a witches bottle; or give the house a thorough cleaning, now is the time to rid everything from your home that no longer serves you.
  A ritual such as this ~~ https://www.thoughtco.com/mabon-ritual-for-home-protection-2562297 ~~ is lovely around this time.

• Whip up some kitchen magic - Use foods of the season, and the harvest, like apples and bread, to get hot in the kitchen. As you bake or make, pour your intentions for a happy, healthy family into the ingredients. Feasting at the times of harvest is an age old tradition, so anything you bake, can be shared between to spread the magic you've put into it.

Foods of Mabon

• Bread
• Apples
• Squash
• Pumpkin
• Grains
• Root Veg
• Corn
• Cider

• Prosperity Magic - Use this time of balance to draw in money and abundance. You can refer back to my blog post on 'Money Magic' here ~~ http://jadeaddismagicmusings.blogspot.co.uk/search?q=money+magic ~~ on simple tips to bring prosperity in.

Blessed Be,

 Jade xoxo