BoS Prompts 19: Starting to learn ie Stones & Herbs etc..

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Prompt 19. Sunday 8th April 2018 - The 19th prompt will be..  Starting to learn ie Stones & Herbs etc..

First let me say I hope you all had a very blessed Ostara (Spring Equinox) and a Happy Easter!!  I'm already loving the springtime!

Through out this series of blog posts (Book of Shadows / Grimoire Prompts) I seem to have been asked the same one question, or similar question, multiple times over.  “How do you learn stones?” “How do you learn herbs?”  So I thought I would interject this series and add this blog in to help people with that.  - Doesn't matter if you're brand new or the wisest crone I'm sure you can learn something from these posts..

First note there’s no right or wrong way.  Also if you haven’t read the blog I wrote that includes the basic and key information about ‘Herbs and Stones’ you really should go read that first.

So as said there’s multiple methods..  For a lot of us we will never know every stone name, use, values, properties and such for nor herb for that matter.  There’s a great number of books including encyclopedias, bibles and other directories which hold great details on stones and herbs their properties and uses etc..  Alongside buying some of these books, the internet is an amazing resource.  BUT you might want to learn the basics of say 10 or so of the more commonly used ones, or that you would use most in your practices.  Eg. White Sage, Rosemary, Patchouli, Lavender etc..  Clear quartz, Malachite, Amethyst, Rose Quartz etc..  Just to name a few.

So here’s some of the methods I use (but there’s others).

Stones.

For the purpose of this blog when I say Stone I’m referring to all stones, semi precious and precious rocks, gems, crystals etc..

Now purchase yourself one of each of the stones you’d like to learn (if you don’t already have one/them) this can be online (such as ebay) – where one will be sent at random OR if you can get yourself to a shop and choose one that feels right to you even better!!  Although a lot of people say the stone chooses you not you choosing the stone!!  Note it doesn’t matter the size.  Although when starting out you don’t want to spend silly money on these things; as it might not be for you!  Note it's been said that some stones just don't work for some people.  Some times it's that particular stone and other times it's that particular type of stone.  There are always multiple stones that can be used the the same purpose!

Now you have your stone (feel free to Cleanse, Consecrate and Charge – a lot of people will have been handling the stones no matter where you got it from!  You can move on..

Some people choose to spend a few days with no real knowledge of a stone and try it out try sensing it’s vibrations and qualities, what feelings you get when holding it in your right or left hand, sleeping with it etc.. (write them down).  Other people jump right in at the beginning..  Either way if you spent a few days getting a feel for the stone (note you might have multiple stones but try to learn only one at a time).  Once you’re ready a great way to learn a stone is to spend a week with it!!  Look in books and online to get as much KEY information about that particular stone..  You don’t necessarily need to know its origins or how it’s farmed or made etc.  Although that information can be highly interesting I especially love the history and legend of The Apache Tear Stone.  But knowing things like..

• ·       What is this stone primarily used for in holistic healing?
• ·       Does this stone belong to one of the Chakra points?
• ·       Does this stone have a zodiac sign associated with it?
• ·       Does this stone feel hot or cold?
• ·       What are the metaphysical / magical uses?
• ·       Is this stone affected by Sun or Water (some stones can be damaged!!)

..You have the basics?  You wrote them down?  Good from here you can start practicing with it..  Try carrying the stone around on your person, try sleeping with it under your pillow, try out some workings which would include that stone, what feelings do you get..  If the stone is water tolerant what happens if you put it in a glass of water and then drink the water?  If it’s a stone that helps with say creativity do you notice your creativity enhanced?  A stone that aids with anxieties do you notice a decrease in your anxiety? – Note these things don’t always work straight away but really strong connections to stones may mean that stone is definitely one you’ll find yourself working with more often than not.

Continue your studies, and your regular life..  and see what happens.  There’s nothing wrong with spending more or less time with a stone..  It’s completely your choice.  Then move on to the next stone and repeat.

Note.  Getting to know stones, even if you don’t remember everything about them locks into your subconscious.  You may later find yourself writing a spell, ritual or working of some kind and find yourself reaching for that particular stone even though you can’t remember its properties though upon research that stone may be perfect.  Don’t shrug off that inner voice.

Storing your stones..  I keep my main ones an my alatar.  They’re the first of each that I got since starting my practice and so I keep them in a glass on my God side of my altar and/or placed around my center pentagram (see yesterdays Instagram post here https://www.instagram.com/p/BhP5wQrAD7w/?taken-by=missimoinsane) I keep the other stones I buy that I use in workings and then throw away or are permanently in the working such as a witches ball, in candles that are kept or gifted, in offerings or offering stones, in mojo or medicine bags, in manifestation box etc..  Some people keep them wrapped in silks, individual bags, in thimble display cases, shelves, around their home, in bowls and so on..

Buying your stones..  an idea for buying stones to use in workings is to buy chip stones, small bottled stones and/or beads of the stones you wish to use.  This can be cost effective while still giving your workings the same properties and powers.  Just a thought.  Also look out for deals I know a lot of ebay shows do 3 for 2 type offers.

Stones can be reused such as cleansed by the full moon's light, if they’re tolerant to water you could wash them with salt water or bury them in the ground for a night and a day..  There are multiple ways you can cleanse, consecrate and charge your stones.

Herbs.

For the purpose of this blog when I say Herb I’m referring to all herbs, spices, fungus, flowers and plants (flora) etc..  As well as resin, bark, powders and even oils (essential oils) etc..

Learning herbs can be very similar to learning Stones.  A lot of people do that getting to know it before actually studying about it which is great but I must advise some herbs (when touched, ingested, burned etc) are poisonous to humans and/or animals.  I always do my research before buying any herbs and bringing them into my home.

Again like stones buy some of the herbs you’d like to learn; again this can be online (such as ebay) assuming you don’t raid the kitchen cupboards, grocery store or your garden, nearby woods or other nature places).  Note it doesn’t matter the size/amount but you’ll want enough to do a few practice workings..  Unlike stones herbs can’t be reused unless it’s within the same working (such as you might use them in a blessing ritual which you then anoint your candle and roll it in the herbs and the remaining herbs you put into an incense especially for that particular spell or type of spell then of course..

Now you have your herb (feel free to Cleanse, Consecrate and Charge – a lot of people will have been handling the herbs no matter where you got them from!) you can move on..

Some people as mentioned choose to spend a few days with no real knowledge of the herb and try it out try sensing it’s vibrations and qualities, what feelings you get when holding it, sleeping with it etc.. (write them down).  PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT I SAID ABOUT POISONOUS ONES!!  MOST DIRECTORIES ETC WILL TELL YOU IF THEY ARE POISONOUS – BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS CHECK ONLINE SOME WEBSITES A DEDICATED TO POISONOUS FOR HUMAN, CAT, DOG ETC..  Other people jump right in at the beginning..  Either way if you spent a few days getting a feel for the herb..

Repeating everything I said you’d do for stones..

Storing your herbs..  I keep mine mostly in glass jars/bottles/tubes – or in foil bags in boxes (mostly).  I then keep these in a dry dark place.  Note I find it important to keep my magickal practice herbs and my kitchen herbs separate (just encase of cross contamination).

Buying your herbs..  While buying in bulk is somewhat cheaper note these things do have an expiration date.  So if you buy a few kilo’s of say jasmine make sure that’s something you’ll use within say 12 months.  You don’t want to find you still have practically a full bag four years down the line.  Sometimes a small amount will go a long way and you don’t need to buy much more than a sample bag.

Conclusion. 

I hope that’s given you some ideas for how you can learn herbs and stones.  Some people literally buy a bunch of stuff as a spell / working that requires a specific type of herb or stone and then learn them there and then or at least research enough to make sure it’s something you’re wanting to work with.  Which isn’t a bad way either although it’s good to keep a supply of the basics just in case.  You don’t want to find yourself requiring items for a spell on Friday which the online stores won't ship till Monday and it’s practically a week before you can do the working you wanted to do right away!

A better understanding of herbs and stones means that if you come across a spell that requires eg. White sage for purification but it’s hard to find that where you live or you just burnt your last leaf this morning but you have a bunch of frankincense resin or palo santo wood..  You’re in luck as you’ll know it’s possible to substitute the white sage for either of these two (for example).  – Meaning you can do your working now.  I love to customise workings by using what I have or what I feel connected too that will still work.  The same can be said for substituting other items such as candles.  But that’s now treading on the toes of next week’s blog focus “how to write your own spells and workings!”

Activity..

• Buy a stone / herb and follow the above practice (you don't want to do multiple stones and herbs at the same time nor one of each at the same time..  simply study one item at a time!)
• (Optional) Expand this study to other items..

Book Activity..

• (Optional) Copy down any information from above you think you will find useful.. and/or any further information you find out.
• (Optional) Write down the stone / herb properties of your most used stones / herbs.

Interact with me Activity..

• (Optional) on the Fb Page https://www.facebook.com/BookOfShadowsPrompts/ feel free to add any information you deem worthy..  

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Imogen x

Sunday April 15th's prompts No.20 -  Writing Spells (and other workings)