Deep Breaths

Breathe Easy Spell

Banish colds and coughs or keep them at bay with this sweet-smelling spell. Shake together in a blue bottle the following essential oils:

10 drops rosemary

10 drops tea tree

10 drops eucalyptus

10 drops lavender

One teaspoon sea salt

Hold the open container in both hands under your nose and breathe deeply three times. After the last exhalation, intone:

Power of wind,

Strength of the trees,

Energy of the earth,

Salts of the sea,

I call upon you to keep me well and strong.

With harm to none, so mote it be.

You can administer this respiratory booster with four drops added to the water of a vaporizer or diffuser or a cotton ball tucked into your pillowcase. Six drops poured into the running water of a hot bath will ease breathing immediately. 

Lavender Space-clearing Spell

To do any healing work, you must first clear clutter, both physical and otherwise, that creates energy blocks. Banish “stale” and unhealthy energy from your kitchen workspace and living space with this herbal magic. Steep lavender in hot water. Once the infusion has cooled to room temperature, dip your fingertips in and sprinkle tiny droplets throughout your home while intoning:

All is new here now, I say.

Make way, be gone, goodbye

All here is new, say I.

So mote it be!

Use the remainder of the lavender infusion to wash your front steps or stoop, the entry to your home, thereby clearing and cleansing the threshold of your home.

You will notice that every time you enter your home, it feels lighter and brighter thanks to the energetic decluttering. 

Kitchen Witch Wisdom Quick Tip – Mother Nature’s Multivitamin

Once a rose has bloomed and all petals have fallen away, the hip is ready to be picked.   Ground rose hips are the best source of immune-boosting vitamin C; they contain 50% more vitamin C than oranges. One tablespoon provides more than the recommended daily adult allowance of 60 mg. The pulp from rose hips may be used in sauces or made into jelly. What a delicious way to ward off colds and ailments!

Peace of Mind by the Cupful

Heart’s Ease Cauldron Cure

Here is a soothing sip that can uplift your spirits anytime and also serves to ward off chills. This combination of herbs brings about “letting go” of sorrows, worries, and doubts and reignites feelings of self-love.

Stir the following together in a clean cauldron:

One ounce dried rosehips

Once ounce dried hibiscus

Two ounces dried mint

One tablespoon dried ginger root

Combine the herbs, pour into a colored jar and seal the lid tightly. When you are ready to brew, pour hot water over the herbs, two teaspoons per cup. While this steeps for five minutes, write down any thoughts or fears you need to rid yourself of on a small piece of paper.  Now say each one aloud, then chant, “Begone!” After this letting-go ritual, burn the paper with sage in the cauldron on your altar. As you sip the tea, enjoy your renewed sense of self and peace of mind. 

Offering you a cup of comfort

Conjuring by the Cup

Growing and drying herbs for your own kitchen witchery brews is one of life’s simple pleasures. Tea conjures a very powerful alchemy because when you drink it, you take the magic inside. For an ambrosial brew with the power to calm any storm, add a sliver to ginger root and a teaspoon each of chamomile and peppermint to a two cups pot of boiling water. Let steep and as the mixture brews and cools, pray:

This day I pray for strength and health,

And the wisdom to see the beauty in each waking moment.

Blessings abound, good health is true wealth.

Green Witchery Healthy Brews

Herbal tea nourishes the soul, heals the body and calms the mind. Try these:

Blackberry leaf tea reduces mood swings, evens glucose levels aiding in weight management. This miraculous herbal even helps circulation and such issues as inflammation and varicose veins. It is helpful to cancer patients and is believed to be a preventative.

Cardamom is a favorite of expectant mothers everywhere as it calms nausea and morning sickness; this East India fragrant is excellent for digestion, clears and cleans your mouth and throat. Anyone who likes cinnamon will love cardamom.

Nettle raises your energy level, boosts the immune systems and is packed with iron and vitamins.

Fennel is excellent for awakening and uplifting and is excellent for digestion and cleansing. Fennel also is a natural breath freshener. Catnip is a gentle but potent sleep-inducer

Catnip is one of the witchiest of teas and is not only grown as fun for your feline familiar. At the first inkling of a sore throat or impending cold, drink a warm cup of catnip tea, and head off to bed and you will awaken feeling much better. Catnip soothes the nervous system and can safely help get a restless child off to sleep,

Echinacea lends an increased and consistent sense of well-being and prevents colds and flu. It is a very powerful immune booster.

Ginger Root calms and cheers while aiding digestion, nausea and can also fend off coughs and sore throats.

Dandelion root grounds and centers, provides many minerals and nutrients. This wonderful weed is also a cleanser and a wholly natural detoxifier

Pharmacopeia – The Spice Rack of Life

Did you know your pantry is like a pharmacy?  Thankfully, it is far cheaper.

Cumin is loaded with phyto-chemical, antioxidants, iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc and magnesium and contains high amounts of B-complex. Cumin helps with insomnia.  Cinnamon is truly a power spice. Just half a teaspoon daily can dramatically reduce blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes and lower cholesterol. Cayenne promotes circulation and boosts metabolism. Clove is an antifungal and abets toothaches. Nutrient-rich parsley is a detoxifying herb and acts as anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic helping conditions from colic to indigestion. Rub it on itchy skin for instant relief! Sage is very beneficial in treating gum and throat infections. Sage tea has helped ease depression and anxiety for generations. Thyme is a cure for a hangover and doubles to alleviate colds and bronchitis. Cilantro is is a good source of iron, magnesium, phytonutrients and flavonoids and is also high in dietary fiber. Cilantro has been used for thousands of years as a digestive, lowering blood sugar having hypoglycemic properties, possibly the result of stimulating insulin secretion. Ginger stimulates circulation and is an excellent digestive, aiding in absorption of food and rids bloat. Immune champion turmeric boosts production of antioxidants and reduction of inflammation. Blue Zone centenarians credit their long healthy life by drinking turmeric-root tea daily. Pack your pantry with these seasonings for optimal health and happiness. 

Cooking Up Lots of Love: Spells to Attract, Create and Keep Love in Your Life

Like many before me, love spells were my first.  At the age of fourteen, I cast my first and soon my best friend was the object of amorous attention from a previously disinterested suitor. Since then, I have had many years and ample opportunity to perfect this most joyous aspect of the craft. I have happily watched these spells kindle and keep love’s passion alive time and again.

Any metaphysician will tell you the most common requests for help involve matters of the heart. Witchcraft is based in the knowledge that our destinies lie in our own hands, even where love is concerned. Why suffer the slings and arrows of romance gone wrong when you can do something about it? Below are lots of ideas for magical workings so you have a life you love and a life filled with love.

Light of Love: Altar Dedication

Use a small table or chest in your bedroom and cover with a rich red scarf or cloth.  Adorn it with objects that signify love- red candles, ruby-colored bowls, roses, a statue of Adonis, a heart-shaped chunk of amethyst, whatever stirs your feelings and senses. Give the area a good smudging to purify the space to refresh for new beginnings. Anoint your candles with oil of jasmine, rose or any scent that is redolent of romance to you and light similar incense. Light both and speak aloud:

I light the flame,

I fan the flame.

Each candle I burn is a wish,

I desire and will be desired in return.

Twin Hearts Candle Consecration

If you are seeking a soulmate, this simple spell will do the trick. At nearly any new age bookshop, you can find heart-shaped semiprecious stones. On the next new moon, take two pieces of rose quartz and stand in the center of your bedroom. Light two pink candles and cite:

Beautiful crystal I hold this night,

Flame with love for my delight.

Harm to none as love comes to me.

This I ask and so shall it be.

Keep the candles and crystals on your bedside table and think of it as shrine to love. Repeat three nights in a row and ready for yourself for amour.

Mists of Avalon Potion

If you are dreaming of real romance, you can bring about visions of your true love to come with this potent potion:

3 drops rose oil

3 drops lavender

3 drops neroli, orange blossom essence

4 ounces pure distilled water

Pour all these into a colored glass spray bottle and shake well three times. Fifteen minutes before you retire, spray lightly on your linens, towel, and pillow case. Keep a dream journal on your nightstand so you can record details of the great love that will soon manifest.

Conjuring By the Cup: Pagan Coziness

Growing and drying herbs for your own kitchen witchery brews is one of life’s simple pleasures. Tea conjures a very powerful alchemy because when you drink it, you take the magic inside. For an ambrosial brew with the power to calm any storm, add a sliver to ginger root and a teaspoon each of chamomile and peppermint to a two cups pot of boiling water. Let steep and as the mixture brews and cools, pray:

This day I pray for strength and health,

And the wisdom to see the beauty in each waking moment.

Blessings abound, good health is true wealth.

 Green Witchery Healthy Brews

Herbal tea nourishes the soul, heals the body and calms the mind. Try these:

Blackberry leaf tea reduces mood swings, evens glucose levels aiding in weight management. This miraculous herbal even helps circulation and such issues as inflammation and varicose veins. It is helpful to cancer patients and is believed to be a preventative.

Cardamom is a favorite of expectant mothers everywhere as it calms nausea and morning sickness; this East India fragrant is excellent for digestion, clears and cleans your mouth and throat. Anyone who likes cinnamon will love cardamom.

Nettle raises your energy level, boosts the immune systems and is packed with iron and vitamins.

Fennel is excellent for awakening and uplifting and is excellent for digestion and cleansing. Fennel also is a natural breath freshener. Catnip is a gentle but potent sleep-inducer

Catnip is one of the witchiest of teas and is not only grown as fun for your feline familiar. At the first inkling of a sore throat or impending cold, drink a warm cup of catnip tea, and head off to bed and you will awaken feeling much better. Catnip soothes the nervous system and can safely help get a restless child off to sleep,

Echinacea lends an increased and consistent sense of well-being and prevents colds and flu. It is a very powerful immune booster.

Ginger Root calms and cheers while aiding digestion, nausea and can also fend off coughs and sore throats.

Dandelion root grounds and centers, provides many minerals and nutrients. This wonderful weed is also a cleanser and a wholly natural detoxifier.

Heart’s Ease Cauldron Cure

Here is a soothing sip that can uplift your spirits anytime and also serves to ward off chills. This combination of herbs brings about “letting go” of sorrows, worries, and doubts and reignites feelings of self-love.

Stir the following together in a clean cauldron:

One ounce dried rosehips

Once ounce dried hibiscus

Two ounces dried mint

One tablespoon dried ginger root

Combine the herbs, pour into a colored jar and seal the lid tightly. When you are ready to brew, pour hot water over the herbs, two teaspoons per cup. While this steeps for five minutes, write down any thoughts or fears you need to rid yourself of on a small piece of paper.  Now say each one aloud, then chant, “Begone!” After this letting-go ritual, burn the paper with sage in the cauldron on your altar. As you sip the tea, enjoy your renewed sense of self and peace of mind.