Sweetheart Tea

Here is a quick recipe to create exactly the right mood for a dreamy evening:

• Stir together in a clockwise motion

• 1 ounce dried and pulverized rosehips

• 1⁄2 ounce peppermint

• 1⁄2 ounce dried lemon balm

You can store this in a tin or colored jar for up to a year for those special evenings. When you are ready to brew the tea, pour boiling water over the herbs, two teaspoons for every cup of water. Say the following spell aloud during the five minute steeping and picture your heart’s desire:

Herbal brew of love’s emotion 
With my wish I fortify
When two people share this potion 
This love shall intensify
As in the Olde Garden of Love.

Sweeten to taste with honey and share this luscious libation with the one you love.

Power Crystals for Pisces

The soul gem for the very end of the zodiac is kunzite.

 It is a very lovely lilac-rose-colored stone that was discovered at the very beginning to the twentieth century, about one minute ago in geological terms. Before the planet Neptune was discovered, Pisces shared its former ruling planet, Jupiter, with Sagittarius; kunzite is Jovian (relating to Jupiter) gem. It is a sensitive stone, which befits a sensitive people. Kunzite will help you face this pressure-filled world and stay above the fray with grace.

The power stone for our beloved fish is the chrysoprase, a gem that has been revered throughout the ages. Chrysoprase was assigned sovereignty and utilized by high priests of nearly every era. This crystal is perfect for the sign that can attain the highest level of spiritual evolution. With chrysoprase, you can help others and yourself through soul attunement.

Pisceans can count as their heart stone the all-purpose fluorite, which comes in a rainbow of colors corresponding to the rainbow gills of fish. This stone is found all over our planet and is so universally helpful that it presents a solid foundation for gentle Pisceans. Fluorite at home and work will add comfort and grace to your space.

One Easy Secret for a True Magical Home: Color!

Use color magic on your walls for real house mag

If you are going to paint your walls, fences, furniture and she-sheds, you should be very considered in your choice of color.  Every aspect of your spell craft can be enhances using colors that amplify your intention. Here is a simple guide to color magic for your explorations:

Red is for action, passion, vitality, strength, survival, fertility, courage, sexuality, conflict, independence, assertiveness, competition and standing out.

Orange brings joy, creativity, expressiveness, intellect, releasing addiction, business success and ambition, vitality, fun, new ideas, and sharing good times with others.

Yellow is used for enjoyment, inspiration, success, happiness, learning, memory and concentration, persuasion, imagination, charm, confidence and travel.

Green is great for prosperity, abundance, money, physical and emotional healing, growth, luck, marriage, plant magic, acceptance and counteracting envy and possessiveness.

Light Blue represents spirituality, tranquility, peace, protection and growth.

Blue is used for communication, will power, focus, forgiveness, good fortune, truth, patience, harmony at home, orderliness, removing bad vibrations, sincerity and true blue loyalty.

Indigo is ideal for spiritual guidance, mindfulness, psychic ability, divination, meditation, ambitions, dignity and overcoming depression.

Violet is the color of spirituality, connection to higher self, insight, clarity, tension and the divine feminine.

Purple is  for wisdom, cronehood and elders, influence, driving away evil, changing one’s luck, independence, breaking habits, and spiritual power.

Lavender is the color to use aspirations, for knowledge and accessing intuition.

Pink is the color of love, compassion, nurturing, femininity, friendship, romance, partnership, spiritual and emotional healing, protection of children and personal inner work. 

Brown is good for house blessings, animal magic, material goods, stability, food and forests.

Grey is best for   contemplation, and removing negativity in your environment.

White connotes newness, cleansing, purity, peace, balance, healing, truth, and spirituality,

Black stands for grounding, wisdom, learning, protection and security, reversing hexes, removing negative energy, transforming, defense, scrying, and secrets.

Silver is used for feminine divinity, psychic awareness, intuition, dreams, victory, communication, luck and moon magic.

Gold represents masculine divinity, great fortune, abundance, prosperity, understanding, divination, fast luck, positive attitude, justice, health, attraction, luxury, and magic involving the sun.

Copper brings business success, passion, money, fertility, and career growth.

Warming Brew: Apple Brandy Spirits

With an arctic freeze coming, we need to stay warm. This drink will do it!

 

Here is a delightfully easy recipe that will produce a flavorful homemade liqueur that smells as good as it tastes.  If you are interested in making a hassle-free bottle of spirits apples are a wonderful way to start.  Start with these ingredients:

4 Apples, sweet ones, not sour

2 cups Brandy

2 cups Vodka

1 quart clean and sterilized Mason jar

 First, clean, core and slice your apples Place the slices in a Mason canning jar. Pour in the alcohol to cover, using equal parts brandy and vodka. Put the jar in a cool dark place in your pantry. Allow the infusion process to happen for month or until it is to your tastes. The combination of sweet apples and brandy gave a luscious fruit-forward flavor, with no need for sugar.  After infusing, strain the apple slices out using a strainer to filter the liqueur. Pour the spirits into a pretty and sealable bottle and enjoy at your next pagan party.

Bonus tip: apples can really be used with any spirit so let your imagination run wild!

Kitchen Cupboard Cures: Easy Herbal Healing

How often to you see a panicky pagan or stressed out herbalist?

Rarely, I assure you. We all have to keep pace with the modern world, but our connection to the earth and the cycles of nature help maintain balance and harmony, despite the hurly burly of these tech-driven times. This post is aimed at conjuring wellness so you can stay centered, grounded and healthy. When our grandmothers and elders who came before us tended cuts, bruises, colds, flu’s, fevers and other illnesses their family suffered, they didn't have a corner drugstore. Instead, these wise women relied on simple wisdom, common sense, and pantries well stocked with herbal remedies. These preparations were made from plants that grew in the kitchen garden or were wild weeds gathered in the fields and woods surrounding their homes. This stash of kitchen cupboard cures combines the wisdom of our elders with a modern  sensibility. Yes, you will save money, but more importantly, you will begin to learn what works for you and master the art of self-care as you bring much comfort to your loved ones.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) This revered candy classic is also a wonderful anti-inflammatory which relieves the discomfort of colds in the sinuses, It can sooth sore throats, coughs and also is a GI curative. Treat licorice root exactly as you would ginger with 1 minced teaspoon of fresh or dried steeped in one cup of tea twice day, 

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) While it may seem like this is another “candy as medicine,” marshmallow is a time-tested plant long employed in field medicine.  It is highly valued as it contains a lot of mucilate, the same substance which coats and our mouth and throat as well as the stomach and gut. Minced fresh or dried root or the leaves are equally healing in quarter cup quantities, steeped for 4 hours, Strain out the stems and drink hot, cool, and sweetened or however you like this gentle herb.

Milk Thistle (Silybum manianum) Healers love mile thistle for its ability to protect the liver from toxins, harsh medicines, alcohol and unseen environmental pollutants, It can be obtained as an extract at any health food store or upscale groceries or pharmacies. There is some evidence it can also help heal the kidneys.

Mullein (Verbascum Thapsus) Here is an herbalist’s favorite for healing any respiratory ailment involving congestion coughs sore throats and calms the breathing. Mullein flowers infused in oil are also used to aid earaches. Take one heaping tablespoon of the leaves and steep in one cup of boiling water for no more than 10 minutes. Taken as a tea once, you’ll feel better soon

Harness the Healing Power of Herbal Essential Oil

The flu season is the biggest ever this year.  Try herbal healing!

 

Essential oils have been used medicinally for centuries.  They are extracted from flowers, grasses, shrubs, herbs, and trees.  If you are skeptical about the efficacy of essential oils, you’ll at least find it reassuring to know that the oils enter and exit the human body without leaving any toxins behind.  The best ways to use essential oils are externally, absorbed through the skin, or through steam inhalation.  There are hundreds of essential oils used by herbalists, but for general therapeutic use in the home, these are my recommendations you need to have at the ready. 

Lavender Oil

If I could only have one essential oil, I would choose lavender because it is so versatile.  It is a natural antibiotic, antiseptic, sedative, antidepressant, topical treatment for scalds and burns, and a good detoxifier; it prevents scarring and promotes healing, and its lovely scent has a calming effect and is widely used in aromatherapy.

Tea Tree Oil

Used by aborigines in Australia for centuries, tea tree oil is a powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic.  It has a fresh camphor smell and is used to treat athlete’s foot, sunburn, candida, and other infections.

Peppermint Oil

A wonderful therapeutic for digestive, respiratory, and circulatory complaints, peppermint oil is used to treat indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, halitosis, catarrh, varicose veins, headaches, skin irritations, and rheumatism.  It also works as a deterrent for infestations of mice, fleas, and ants.  It is not surprising that peppermint oil is regarded as the world’s oldest medicine.

Eucalyptus Oil

In eucalyptus oil, we have an all-purpose antiviral, antibiotic, diuretic analgesic, and antiseptic.  It can be therapeutic for coughs, colds, respiratory stimulation, and insect bites.  If you start to feel cold symptoms, use 5 drops of eucalyptus oil in a hot bath or in a bowl prepared with boiling water for a head steam.

Thyme Oil

Thyme is an “old-time” antiviral, antibiotic, antiseptic, and diuretic curative; it was highly valued and widely used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for fatigue, coughs, warts, rheumatism, neuralgia, and acne.  Thyme oil works very well mixed with base oil for massage.

Rosemary Oil

Sweet-smelling rosemary oil is a great antiseptic to use for flu, coughs, headaches, depression, muscular stress, arthritis, rheumatism, fatigue, and forgetfulness.  Rosemary oil is stimulating and will perk you up if you do a head steam with it or put a couple of drops in the bath.

Coziness by the Cup: Ambrosial Brews

I recently had a cough that wouldn't go away until I doubled my tea intake.

 

Herbal 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 silver of ginger root and a pinch each of chamomile and peppermint to a cup of hot black tea. Before you drink, pray:

This day I pray for calm, for health,

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

Blessings abound.

Herbal teas can also nourish the soul and heal the body:

Blueberry Leaf Tea

Reduces mood swings, evens glucose levels, and helps varicose veins.

Nettle

Raises the energy level, boosts the immune system, and is packed with iron and vitamins.

Fennel

Awakens and uplifts, freshens the breath, and aids colon health.

Echinacea

Lens an increased and consistent sense of well-being, and prevents colds and flu.

Ginger Root

Calms and cheers while aiding digestion, nausea, and circulation.

Dandelion root

Grounds and centers, provides many minerals and nutrients, and cleanses the liver of toxins.

What Are Your Power Flowers? Astrological Herbology

You can also choose the herbs for your altar based on your sun or moon sign. 

Explore making tinctures, incense, oils, potpourri, and other magical potions for your rituals using celestial correspondences. For example, if the new moon is in Aries when you are performing an attraction ritual, try using peppermint or fennel, two herbs sacred to the sign of the Ram. If you are creating a special altar for the time during which the sun is in the sign of Cancer, use incense oils, teas, and herbs corresponding to that astrological energy, including jasmine and lemon. These correspondences create a synthesis of energies that adds to the effectiveness of your magical work.

Potpourri was a medieval product revived by the Victorians, who used the symbolic meanings and powers of flowers. Grow these flowers in your kitchen garden or buy cut flowers. Dry them; then place them in a pretty container. Choose flowers that connect with your astrological sign and personal energy from the following list:

Aries, ruled by Mars: carnation, cedar, clove, cumin, fennel, juniper, peppermint, and pine

Taurus, ruled by Venus: apple, daisy, lilac, magnolia, oak moss, orchid, plumeria, rose, thyme, tonka bean, vanilla, violet

Gemini, ruled by Mercury: almond, bergamot, mint, clover, dill, lavender, lemongrass, lily, parsley

Cancer, ruled by the Moon: eucalyptus, gardenia, jasmine, lemon, lotus, rose, myrrh, sandalwood

Leo, ruled by the Sun: acacia, cinnamon, heliotrope, nutmeg, orange, rosemary

Virgo, ruled by Mercury: almond, cypress, bergamot, mint, mace, moss, patchouli

Libra, ruled by Venus: catnip, marjoram, mugwort, spearmint, sweet pea, thyme, vanilla

Scorpio, ruled by Pluto: allspice, basil, cumin, galangal, ginger

Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter: anise, cedar wood, sassafras, star anise, honeysuckle

Capricorn, ruled by Saturn: mimosa, vervain, vetiver

Aquarius, ruled by Uranus: gum, almond, acacia, citron, cypress, lavender, mimosa, peppermint, pine

Pisces, ruled by Neptune: anise, catnip, clove, gardenia, lemon, orris, sarsaparilla, sweet pea

New Year's Metamorphosis Ritual

Are you ready to usher positive change in with the new year? 

 

Choose a place in your home or wherever you feel secure to do this deeply personal ritual. Allow it to be dark. You are in the dark cocoon and about to burst out into the light. Cast your circle of change by moving clockwise around the room three times. Notice as you walk that you can feel the darkness increasing. You are creating a magical space in which you will work for your desired change.

Stand in the middle of the circle and speak aloud what you want to get rid of in your life. Speak the truth from the safe center of your sanctuary. Close your eyes and turn to the east. Now, using creative visualization, call up the element of air. Picture a piece of the day sky filled with clouds and the night filled with stars. This is the element of air. Wait until you feel its presence fully entered in the circle and speak aloud:

I face the east; I am air. I call upon the powers of the sky and the stars to aid me now.

Now turn to the south and visualize a flaming red ball of sun, which is fire, heat, and life. You will know the element of fire is present by the heat you feel in your circle. Speak aloud:

I face south; I am fire. I call upon the powers of flame and heat, the passion of fire to help me through. Burn away the old, my former self.

Now turn to the west and visualize the waters of the world, oceans, rivers, creeks, and lakes, all merging into a single drop of the holiest water. Speak aloud:

I face the west. I am made of water. I call upon the powers of water, more powerful than any stone. I ask the waters of life to cleanse me and purify me, ready me for total change.

Now face the north and visualize the green of the earth, the soil and seeds of change. Speak aloud:

I face the north. I am grounded in this earth. I call upon the powers of earth, our planet, to give me the strength to change.

Stand still in the center of your circle and feel the energies of the elements, the powers of the four directions, and the strength of nature’s helpers. Relax into this energy and allow visions, ideas, and inspiration to arise. Welcome new feelings and sensations. You should be open to experiencing new patterns of thought. Thinking in a new way is one way to shed your old skin. Now begin to move and stretch in your circle of magic. Reach up as high as you can, and bend and bow as you emerge from the cocoon of your old self. Breathe deeply, inhaling and exhaling slowly and fully. After ten breaths, you should being to feel a buzzing sensation at the top of your head. This is the signal that you have arrived at a new level of consciousness. You have shed your old limits; your transmutation is complete.

Walking counterclockwise, retrace the steps of your circle. As you walk, speak your gratitude to the elements and the directions, taking care to give thanks for all the help you have received during this circle of change. Your circle is now open.

As you go through the next few days, reflect on your new feelings and impressions. New people will come into your life. New opportunities will arise. You have given yourself the gift of new life. Enjoy this new post-metamorphic phase of change and treasure it.

Chakra Tonics: Gentle Healing

This healing practice is distilled from the study of chakras.

Here are just a few examples of how to apply stones directly upon your body or that of anyone else who needs healing. By working with your chakras, you can become much more in touch with your body and soul.

The root chakra is at the base of your spine and is associated with passion, survival and security and the color red. Above it is the sacral chakra in the abdominal region, which corresponds to such physical urges as hunger and sexuality; the color is orange. The solar plexus chakra is yellow and is associated with personal power. The heart chakra is green and  symbolizes harmony, creativity, health, abundance and nature. It is the combining of  soul color of yellow  and spiritual color of blue.   The throat chakra is blue and is considered the center of communication. The third eye chakra is located in the center of your forehead and is associated with intuition and the color indigo. The crown chakra at the very top of your head is your connection to the universe and is violet in color

The first step for anyone undertaking crystal healing is to lie down, relax, and get very comfortable. Empty everything else from your mind.

Lapis lazuli and its fellow blue aquamarine can be laid upon the throat chakras to release any blockage therein. This greatly aids in self-expression and is wonderful for professional speakers as well as performers such as actors and singers. Turquoise laid on the face—cheeks, forehead, and chin—is a calming agent, significantly reducing tension. Azurite on the brow opens the third eye and deepens wisdom; this can balance the energy of the head and allow more light into the third eye.

Malachite, a heart stone, placed near the heart and along the center of the abdomen will create a sense of harmony and facilitate letting go of pain, suffering, and old childhood wounds.

The Rainbow is a simple and effective method for total-body wellness. Choose from this list of stones, making sure you have one of each color of the rainbow—violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red—plus one white stone and one black stone for completion. Then, simply lay the stones on their corresponding chakra centers. I’ve included a list of crystal and body affinities in case there is any specific area you want to focus on:

Root Chakra:

bloodstone for the kidneys

carnelian for the liver

garnet for the spine

hematite for the blood and circulatory system

rose quartz for the heart

fire agate for the stomach

Sacral Chakra:

amber for the thyroid

fire agate for the stomach

coral calms and soothes nerves

orange calcite for the bladder

chalcedony for the spleen,

Solar Plexus Chakra:

calcite for the skeletal system

jasper for the shins and for the skin

danburite for the muscles

fluorite for the teeth

citrine protects the aura

Heart Chakra:

chrysocolla for the pancreas,

chrysolite for the appendix,

chrysoprase for the prostate,

beryl for the eyes,

moldavite for the hands,

moss agate for circulation, immune boosting

Throat Chakra:

blue tourmaline for the thymus

benitoite for the pituitary

lapis lazuli for the throat

dioptase for the lungs

celestite for the intestines

Third Eye Chakra:

lapis lazuli for the throat

celestite for the intestines

calcite for the skeletal system

fluorite for coordination and balance

Crown Chakra:

jadeite for the knees,

dendrite agate for the nervous system

moonstone for the womb area

purple fluorite for the bone marrow

amethyst for sobriety

Yuletide Soul Tribe Ritual

How are you celebrating the holiday of Yule with your soul tribe? 

Here is an excellent way to closen the bonds of your circle and kindle sparks of positive change at the coming new year. In a safe place outdoors, build a bonfire and create an altar to the east of it. Place a small cauldron with a candle in it on the altar, and surround it with mistletoe, ivy, and holly. Participants should also wear crowns woven from these evergreens. If it is too cold or snowy where you live, you can gather indoors and form a semicircle around the fireplace, or around the altar.

Begin the ritual by holding hands around the fire. Hum softly, gradually building the hum to a shout. This shout represents the cries of the Goddess giving birth once again to the sun, and to the new year. The ritual leader says:

All bow to the East! Hail to the newborn Sun, and to the Great Goddess who has brought him forth!

Everyone bows to honor the Sun God and the Mother Goddess. The ritual leader chants:

Brigid,

Diana,

Morgan,

Cerridwen,

Heaven’s Queen,

By the light of this moon

In this dark night,

Teach us the mystery of rebirth.

The ritual leader lights the candle in the cauldron while everyone else remains perfectly still. Now is the time when the Goddess will reveal herself privately to each participant. If you are outdoors, listen and look carefully for a sign. Traditional omens are a sudden wind, shooting stars, the screeching of an owl, and the appearance of a deer. Even if you are indoors by the fire, the Goddess will still make herself known in your heart. When the time feels right, the ritual leader says:

Queen of the Stars,

Queen of the Moon,

Queen of the Earth,

Bringer of Fire,

The Great Mother gives birth to this new year

And we are her witnesses.

Everyone shouts:

Blessed be!

Pass the lit cauldron to each participant so they can speak a blessing for the new year and the new sun. Place the cauldron with the candle back on the altar. The ritual leader closes the ritual with this final expression of gratitude to the Goddess:

Blessed be to the Mother Goddess

Thank you for the sun that gives us life

Without beginning and without end

Everlasting in Eternity.

This ritual is now done!

A toast to the new sun should take place with hot cider or mead, and warm festive foods.

Stress-Busting Essential Oils and How to Use Them

Put simply, essential oils have aromatic, fragrant molecules that can actually pass right through the blood/brain barrier, having a direct effect on the areas of our brain in charge of controlling feelings of stress and anxiety and even panic and depression. 

Are you stressed out, feeling unwell or simply a case of the blues? Essential oils can help in so many ways and are wonderful to boost your immunity and your mood! Turn to these scentful helpmates to help you deal with anxiety, respiratory ailments, headaches and so much more. Sure, they smell good and even feel good on your skin but how do they really work to ameliorate depression, anxiety, lungs, heart rate, skin conditions and so many other issues? A German study conducted by Ruhr University found that “essential oils may affect a number of biological factors, including heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure, breathing, and immune function." Essential oils are unique in that they can be both a stimulant and soothing for us humans. The same oil can have cause a different response based on the application as these oils are adaptogens, as they truly adapt to the your individual needs. If you are feeling down in the dumps, for example, bergamot can be a major pick me up and one I have depended on for years. My clients and I have come to depend on the power of these natural healers for dealing with stress, anxiety, worry and woe.

Stress-Busting Essential Oils and How to Use Them:

1.     Breath in deeply: Rub 1-2 drops in cupped palms and take a long, deep breath

2.     Apply to your skin: Rub 1-2 drops of oil into your temples, wrists or anywhere, for full body relaxation

3.     As a quick pick me up: Put a few drops on a handkerchief, cotton pad or on a scarf and inhale as needed. You'll get instant calming support throughout your day.

4.     As a shower infusion: Immerse yourself in an essential oil steam by adding a couple of drops in your shower. Remember to plug or cover the drain and inhale deeply.

5.     In a diffuser: To get long-lasting benefit, use a diffuser (great for everyone at home - adults, kids and pets!)

 

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is beloved and for good reason; it is one of the best and most commonly used "adaptogenss" that appears to adapt to any mood. An instant refresher, the sweetly serene and floral aroma is relaxing and calming. Applied topically, lavender oil is excellent for mental concentration, reducing stress tension, calming upset and alleviating insomnia.
 

From the Breath to Your Brain:
Put  2-3 drops of lavender oil in your palms, rub rapidly  and take a deep inhalation. This way the smell enters the amygdala, the center for emotions, and provides a feeling of instant relaxation. In case you are have skin sensitiveness, you can put the drops of lavender essential oil b a cotton call or clean dry cloth, I advise keeping some at your desk for work and also bring a tiny bottle for when you are travelling, Heck, keep some with you at all times!

Headaches, Begone!
Dab a drop of lavender oil on your temples near your hairline when you have a tension headache and it will begin to diminish right away. If you are looking for even more relief and relaxation, run on your pulse points such as your wrist and insoles of your feet,

Lemon and  Lavender Lift  Blend

This is a miracle mix of oils that you should massage into your body for both stress relief and a moisturizer:

4 crops lavender oil

2 drops lemon oil

4 drops clary sage

5 teaspoons of your favorite carrier oil such as sesame and shake in a small dark colored dropper bottle. Keep this blend handy!

Luxuriating In Lavender: Teas & Tinctures

Lavender  is a gift from goddess and truly smells heavenly. It is also a powerful healing herb. 

For tea, the rule of thumb is one teaspoon dried lavender flowers to one cup boiling water to aid tummy trouble, headache, aches, insomnia and even for calming the mind. You can easily amp up the therapeutic power of your brew, add any of these excellent herbs - dried yarrow, St. John’s Wort, or chamomile.  This is a simple and streamlined way to infuse lavender: pour heaping tablespoon into a bowl of hot water and then drape a towel over your head and breathe in the aromatic fumes to deal with respiratory issues, coughs, colds, headaches, stuffy sinuses and nervous tension. You will come away feeling renewed and your kitchen will smell like the heavens above. You can use the water in your morning bath or to your sink garbage disposal; grinding up the flowers refreshes that hard-duty kitchen appliance.

Lavendula Tranquility Tincture

This cure-all should be kept on hand at all times for soothing the skin, the stomach and anything in need of comfort. I have even seen it be used to stanch bleeding in small cuts. You need:

Dried lavender

Dried calendula

Clear quart jar with lid

Cheesecloth

Dark glass for storage

2 cups distilled water

1 cup clear alcohol such as vodka

Fill your clear quart jar to the halfway point with the dried lavender and calendula. Pour in the alcohol also to the halfway point, Add in the water and seal with the lid securely and shake for a few minutes until it seems well mixed. Store in a dark cupboard for one month, shaking once a day.  After 30 days, strain with cheesecloth into the dark glass storage jar and screw the lid on tightly. The lavender leavings will make lovely compost or, even better, dry and bundle them to toss on your next bonfire or at home in the fireplace. 

The scented smoke will smell faintly of incense. Magical!

Earth Element Ritual: Getting Grounded

I bet you love the beauty of trees and might even have a favorite tree. 

What is your favorite tree? I love willows for their dreamy beautfy. In Celtic lore, they were called wishing trees.  Taoists refer to them as money trees.  My spiritual circle  thinks of them as manifesting trees.  Either way, they are trees that give to you and root in the earth, growing, giving stability, and cleaning the air.  Plant one in your yard or in a pot for your home or office.  If you have to rely on indoor gardening, the biggest ficus you can find will do nicely in a jade-green ceramic pot.  Choose from among the following magical trees (or trust your intuition in arboreal matters):

Willow: healing broken hearts

Apple: divination, spell work

Oak: strength, lust

Peach: love magic

Olive: peace

Aspen: sensitivity

Eucalyptus: purification

Cherry: romance

If prosperity is your real concern, write your wishes on little paper scrolls and bury them in the soil near the tree.  Every time you water the tree, you will be bringing your wishes closer to fruition.  If you are looking for luck, happiness, or general good, verbalize your wish as you hang charms on the branches of your tree – colored ribbons, crystals, coins, and keys, anything that strikes your fancy.  This should also be a custom with friends and guests.  Every time you add an ornament, you must take one down.  Only when your charm has been removed will your wish come true.

Feng Shui of Love

Here is pagan feng shui for the bedroom that will prevent problems before they even happen!  

Fill your home with the energy of love and happiness with some of the simplest and most effective magic of all by creating sacred and safe space for yourself and your loved ones. It will also greatly enhance your sleep and even make dreams more pleasant. 

Feng Shui of Love Tips:

Never bring old pillows into a new home!  Old pillows can cause poor sleep and bad dreams, and they can kill a relationship.  Old pillows can carry sexual energy, too.

Never place your bed in the center of a room, as it will cause anxiety and get in the way of a healthy sex life.

Never have the foot of the bed facing the door, as it brings very bad luck.

Always make the bed, and change the linens often to keep your love-making fresh.

Place these objects in your bedroom to attract loving energy:

Two crystals of rose quartz of equivalent size

Pink, orange, or red fabric

Two red candles

Images of two butterflies (but never two dead butterflies)