Wednesday 1 April 2015

WW. Animal Totems / Spirit Animals & Guides (IMO)



Animal Totems / Spirit Animals & GuidesIn My Opinion


An ongoing & incomplete study!
Part 1.

It is my belief that a Totem usually refers to an animal much like that of a Spirit Guide however I believe that Spirit Guides can also be animal, human, deity, spirit, angels, fairy or fairy like creature, or some other unexplained guide.  Where as a Totem (to me) generally specifically means animal.

Animal Totems / Spirit Animals are more commonly associated with Shamans of old (and new).  But they also play a large role in our lives, even when we don't realise it!!  It is said that they help define and guide who we are in our paths, our journeys and even in ourselves.  They aid towards defining us as people and who are as well as capturing our imaginations.  And also the way we associate with certain animals and/or animal traits.

Shamans believe that these animals guide us in our past, current and next lives as they are a part of our soul and part of the energy that is inside of us.  As well as guiding they can also help us understand ourselves and who/what we were in our pasts not just in this life but the ones before, be it human, animal or other living energy.  Each person has one spirit animal but it is not unheard of for a person to have two or more. 

Native American Ancestors created large totems made from huge great trees and they would carve the heads of animals such as eagle, lion and bear.  Very strong symbols these would represent strength of kinship, honour and pride.  Today we still see these monuments of powerful symbolism and they are still used in religion and décor world wide today.

Typically these Animal guides are presented to us through dream or more commonly through meditation.  Some deep meditation searches may or may not require substance uses which enhance trance divination states to aid in the meditation process and bridge that connection. Some are as simple as a repetitive symbolism throughout one's life / lives; for example every time something good happens you see a Raven.. chances are you have a connection to Ravens and this is something you should investigate.  And it doesn't of course have to be a real live animal photographs, paintings, carvings or other imagery of animals can be just as strong and powerful connections.  Other alternatives are said to be drawing a card from a Shamanic Medicine Card Deck (similar to that of Tarot) or other animal based cards.  Or you may just feel a connection to certain animal(s).  Dreams are often large carriers of animal and their messages.


Here are a few sites which may give you more information about your animal or the meaning and symbolism of your animal should you be luck enough to already know your animal(s).
Imogen 

An ongoing & incomplete study!

Monday 30 March 2015

WW. Hedge Witch - What is one?


What is a "Hedge Witch"?


Hedge Witches.

The name 'Hedge Witch' originates from many many many moons ago when villages were separated by the forests.  The edge of these forests, where they met the village, were known a hedge.  You would often find, in most villages, a herbal practitioner who lived in or near the edge of the forest.  - These practitioners of herbal and/or spiritual practice who lived near the hedge became known as Hedge Witches or a Hedge Witch.

Today's Hedge Witch doesn't necessarily live in or even anywhere near a forest, or Village for that matter.  The term still is used based on the practice, though they do still tend to have a great relationship with nature.  Also most commonly known for always having a remedy, lotion, potion, brew or something for every occurring aliment or requirement.

A Hedge Witch is also known for not only herbal practice for medicinal and spiritual purposes but also for having an understanding of nature and is often seen encouraging spiders, wasps and other unwanted bug killers as a natural way to tend to their plants.

A Hedge Witch is a witch who practices a very eclectic path and is the one you would seek if say you were unable to see a Doctor or Dentist for example.  A Hedge Witch has many herbal remedies in his/her cupboard for many an ailment. For they know many medicinal and spiritual properties of many plants and how they can aid and treat many different symptoms.  This knowledge would usually be passed down through generations and each Hedge Witch takes pride in developing their knowledge and these skills through further reading and practice.

That said a Hedge Witch is a solitary practitioner.  She/He doesn't belong to a coven or follow any organised religion.  But she/he does follow their own craft and is very much a free spirit.  Their knowledge, as mentioned, usually handed down to them by their family.  Though intially through word of mouth and practice.  To this day no two Hedge Witches are alike in fact it is said that you can ask a dozen Hedge Witches what they think a Hedge Witch is like and each of them could come up with a dozen different answers themselves!!  That said while they follow the same general rules, ie properties and uses for various herbs and practice, they each follow their own unique paths.

Not all Hedge Witches follow Deity.  Though most do have just a general belief in The God and Goddess as in Nature.

Hedge witches are also known as shamans, charmers, healers, and, priest/esses, Rea Beth coined a great term Hedge Mystic. A person who studies and practices the Great Mysteries of Nature.

BB - Imogen 


Resources & Good Reading:




Saturday 14 March 2015

WW. Olde Herb Names!!



Collaboration Blog with Lee-Anne Mann

Back in the day, we would have used terms such as 'Eye of newt', 'Burning Bush' and even 'Dragon's wort' in our cauldrons for various brews, curses, spells, rituals and potions etc..  Until now we always thought that these words were pretend terms which would give Witches the creepy story embellishments for book..  Terms which are still used today in books but also Tv and Film.  These days its very unlikely to hear real witches use these names like our sisters before us...  Yes that's right!! - Low and behold they are just a simile of plants inc herbs we use today!  The old names refer to what 'it' looked like or what 'it' came from!! 

Listed below is a list of those such terms..  Enjoy!


The magical and ancient folklore name is in bold; the common name is in normal everyday modern name. For spell ingredients please check variations of the name, for example: Goose Blood = Blood Of A Goose, Dog = hound, Donkey = Ass = Mule, Pig = Swine etc.
Adders Tongue  or Tongue of Adder/Snake
Dogstooth Violet or Adder’s Tongue Fern
Ass’s Foot
Coltsfoot
Bear’s Foot
Hellbore
Beehive
Snail Plant
Beggar’s Tick
Cockhold
Bird’s Eye
Speedwell
Blood
Elder sap
Bloody Fingers
Foxglove
Blood from a Head
Lupine
Blood of a Goose
A Mulberry Tree’s Milk
Blood of Ares
Purslane
Blood of Hephaistos
Wormwood
Bone of an Ibis
Buckthorn
Bread and Cheese
Hawthorne
Bull’s Eyes
Marigold
Bull’s Foot
Coltsfoot
Burning Bush
White Dittany
Candlemas Maiden
Snowdrop
Candlewick Plan
Mullein
Calf’s Snout
Toadflax
Cat Gut
Hoary Pea
Cat’s Eye
Star Scabious
Cat’s Foot
Snake Root
Cat’s Milk
Wartwort
Cat’s Paw
Ground Ivy
Chicken Toe
Crawley Root
Cock’s Comb
Yellow Rattle
Crow’s Foot
Cranesbill
Crown for a King
Wormwood
Dew of the Sea
Rosemary
Devil’s Milk
Wartwort
Devil’s Scourge
St Johns Wort
Demon’s Scourge
St Johns Wort
Demon’s Curse
St Johns Wort
Donkey’s Eyes
Cowage Plant
Dove’s Foot
Wild Geranium
Dragon’s Claw
Crawley Root
Dragon’s Eye
Nephalium Loganum
Dragon Wort
Bistort
DwaleDeadly Nightshade/Belladonna
Duck’s Foot
American Mandrake
Eagle
Wild Garlic
Earth Smoke
Fumitory
Elf Wort
Elecampane
Enchanter’s Plant
Vervain
Eye of the Star
Horehound
Englishman’s Foot
Common Plantain
Erba Santa Maria
Spearmint
Everlasting Friendship
Goosegrass
Eye of Christ
Speedwell
Eye of the Day
Daisy
Eye of the Star
Horehound
Eye Root
Goldenseal
Eyes
Aster, Daisy, Eyebright
Fairy Fingers
Foxglove
Fairy Gloves
Foxglove
Fairy Smoke
Indian Pipe
Fat from a Head
Spurge
Felon Herb
Mugwort
Five Finger Grass
Cinquefoil
Flesh and Blood
Tormentil
Foal’s Foot
Coltsfoot
Frog’s Foot
Bulbous Buttercup
From the Loins
Camomile
Goat’s Beard
Vegetable Oyster
Goat’s Foot
Ash Weed
Golden Star
Avens
Grace Of God
St Johns Wort
Hare’s Foot
Clover
Hedgehogs
Medicago Intertexta
Hawk’s Heart
Heart of Wormwood
Honey Lotus
Melilot
Horse Tail
Scouring Rush
Horse Tongue
Hart’s Tongue ( Scolopendrium Vulgare )
Joy of the Mountain
Marjoram
Lamb’s Tongue
Ribwort Plantain
Little Dragon
Tarragon
Lion’s Hair
Leaves Of The Taproot or Tongue of Turnip
Lizard’s Tail
Breast Weed
Lizard’s Tongue
Sauroglossum
Love-In-Idleness
Pansy
Love Man
Goosegrass
Love Parsley
Lovage
Love Root
Orris
Lad’s Love
Southernwood
Maiden’s / Mother’s Ruin
Southernwood or you can also add a dash of Gin
Man’s Bile
Turnip Sap
Man’s Health
Ginseng
Master of the Woods
Woodruff
Masterwort
Angelica
May Lily
Lily of the Valley
May Rose
Black Haw or May Blossom
May
Black Haw or May Blossom
Maypops
Passion Flower
Mistress of the Night
Tuberose
Mother’s Heart
Shepherd’s Purse
Mutton Chops
Goosegrass
Nose Bleed
Yarrow
Old Man’s Beard
Fringe Tree
Old Man’s Flannel
Great Mullein
Old Man’s Pepper
Yarrow
Old Maid’s Nightcap
Geranium
Oliver
Olive
Ox Tongue
Bugloss
Pig’s Tail
Leopard’s Bane
Pig’s Snout
Dandelion
Password
Primrose
Queen of the Meadow
Meadowsweet
Rabbit’s Foot
Field Clover
Ram’s Head
Valerian
Seven Year’s Love
Yarrow
Shepherd’s Heart
Shepherds Purse
Sleep Wort
Lettuce
Snake Head
Balmony
Snake Milk
Blooming Spurge
Snake’s Tongue
Adder’s Tongue Fern
Sorcerer’s Violet
Periwinkle
Stag Horn
Club Moss
Star Flower
Borage
Star of the Earth
Avens
Starweed
Chickweed
Starwort
Aster
Swine Snout
Dandelion
Tears of a Hamadryas Baboon
Dill Juice
Thousand Seal
Yarrow
Thunder Plant
Houseleek
Titan’s Blood
Wild Lettuce
Toad
Toadflax
Toe Of Frog
Bulbous Buttercup
Tongue of Dog
Houndstongue
Torches
Mullein
Unicorn Horn
Helonias Dioica
Unicorn Root
Ague Root
Wax Dolls
Fumitory
Weasel Snout
Dead/Dumb Nettles or Yellow Archangel
Weed
Ox-Eye Daisy
White Man’s Foot
Plantain
White Wood
White Cinnamon
White Ox-Eye
Daisy
Witches Aspirin
While Willow Bark
Witches Bells
Foxglove
Witches Briar
Brier Hips
Witch Herb
Mugwort or St Johns Wort (depending on type of spell)
Witch Wood
Rowan
Wolf Claw
Club Moss
Wolf Foot
Bugle Weed
Wolf’s Bane
Arnica
Wolf’s Milk
Euphorbia
We must admit there are some we haven't even heard of before now!!  We hope you found this enjoyable and who knows it might even be helpful someday!! 

By (Guest) Lee-Anne Mann and (me) Imogen Cane
Blessed Be, x

Tuesday 3 March 2015

WW. Lesson: Finding 'My' Element.

Hi everyone,
So I got talking with friends about elements or more importantly how to find yours and how to connect..  I thought it might benefit a few people to have a little mini lesson on this.  Please feel free to add more helpful information to the comment section of this xX



What are the Elements? 

(Please note this information is valuable).



What Element am I?

Now each of us is born under a certain sign (birth Sign) and there for each of us already have an element!  For me (Imogen) I'm a Sagittarius which makes me a fire sign.  - BUT I feel more so connected to Earth!  And I don't feel connected to Air and a little bit to water..  For the longest time I actually felt like I was cheating on Fire!!  Like me and Earth were having some secret love affair and it didn't feel good.  Then I learned that my Chinese Element is Earth!!  Woah!!  So I am born under both Fire and Earth!!  But regardless of this.  You can be born under Water and Metal and still feel you're a Child of The Fire Element.  


So first let’s address "what are my signs / elements" - I highly recommend this site:  https://www.myspiritualprofile.com/ simply because it gives you so much information on your stone, tree, number, day, signs, and elements etc...  


Having done that you should now know a little more about yourself.  How did that feel?  What did you learn? Has this affected you in any way?  - So I suggest writing this information down, also make notes if there's anything there you feel connected with prior, that explains a little about you didn't know about..  Perhaps you just made a few personal connections you didn't even realise - and yes I know how tempting it is to now run off and do the same for your boyfriend, girlfriend, hubby, sibling, parents, best friend, boss, your crush... and while that's fun...  for now I suggest save on confusions and just learn about yourself.  - Now while this is 'YOU' don't take this as 'IT' you don't have to be or feel any of these things.  Eg.  Maroon I hate that colour!  Fig? I don't feel connected to this tree and I definitely am not a fan of Tuesdays!!  Just simply use this as a guide.


I know a lot of people who are 'X' sign and are not connected at all, only a little or they're most connected. Some people are indeed equally connected to all. And some people are connected to none. - While both of these are seemingly quite rare traits it does happen.


How do I find my Element?

Exercise Part 1. I personally feel (credit where it's due) and I would suggest a couple of things.  First being a video by YouTuber 'TipToeChick' I honestly feel her lessons on this would help everyone / anyone and even if you already have an element it could still be a fun exercise for you and a learning curve even.  So here's her video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhAJa4w2Rrw I personally feel it 'starts' from Lesson 2 but feel free to watch Lesson 1.  I personally felt that Lesson 3 / there was no real follow up to this I don't know if she deleted that particular video or what.  But she suggests spending a day with each of the elements and obtaining items from that day and well watch her videos.  I personally love all her videos.  So for me she's a must see beautiful person.  - Full credit to TipToeChick.



Exercise Part 2. You can do this for each of the elements. http://www.wikihow.com/Connect-to-Your-Element cast a circle. making sure you call upon the elements and deity. I personally would bring a couple of items representing that specific element into the circle with you and spend a few HOURS with soothing very quiet music and just spend time meditating. Think about that element. How that element feels, smells, looks (I wouldn't suggest taste though lol). Think how that element came into your life. How do you feel about the element? How do you feel connected? Experiences. How often are you affected by this element? Etc etc. I'd take a notebook and make notes on thoughts and feelings. Also very much interact with your items. For example.

Fire. Candle, matches, charcoal (and cauldron) etc... Watch how the flame moves. The heat it radiates, the colours. The smell. The emotions etc. 

Water. Tap water, Sea water, Rain water, Spring Water, Storm.. Moon... Sun... Holy.... Different water temperatures? Is the water cloudy?  Can you feel the waters energy?  - I recently while on a beach trip found a bottle that had got filled with seawater. I brought this home - no idea what I'll use it for but you never know. But I notice this water is tainted with sand and other sea particles. It's cloudy not clear like tap water. Even rain water seems less transparent. Etc. Again feel how water feels on your skin. Does it smell? How do you feel about it etc.

Air. Feathers, incense (smoke), empty vial of 'air'. ...your lungs. Breath. Smell. Interact. I feel air is possibly the hardest yet the one we all do more so than the others.

Earth. Soil, herbs, plants, flowers etc. Feel textures. Smell... touch, other senses. Etc etc...

In the video TipToeChick did she suggests spending a DAY with each. Go out.. go places. Go to the beach, the woods, a field, your garden. Even big cities still have elements. Elements are everywhere.



Exercise Part 3. You do not NEED to cast a circle or spend a full day. You can simply just interact over any space of time. I would try and dedicate time to each element but you can also revisit this at any time or specific elements at any time. Always feel free to call upon the elements and talk to them. I personally use all elements in my rituals, prayer, spells etc etc. Even Tarot Readings and/or Dowsing. Here's another exercise where basically you can write down what you know about each element.. and then research to find out how accurate your knowledge is regarding 'that element' http://www.wiccantogether.com/profiles/blogs/your-personal-element 


I have my element, now what?

Practice! It really is that simple. Learn about it - this is important. Learn how to wield it to aid you in your magical and/or spiritual practices. As mentioned before I typically use all elements. Though I am more so connected to Earth and Fire. For me connecting to Earth and Fire can be something as simple as herbs for earth and an incense burner for fire. And burning these can enhance mood, state of mind, atmosphere etc. Aiding in relaxation, concentration, sleep, energy... and well a lot of uses. Though Air can also be used in this way and indeed an oil burner can represent water too. Fire connections in Candles and Earth connections in Plants. - This is just me personally. For Air you could try wind chimes. For Water you could try a small water fountain. There are many simple ways to connect with deep meaning.


Learn and study more about this element. How is it used? Who uses it? Deities (Gods/Goddesses)? Why is it used? Seasons and Wheel of The Year? Colour and item representations... Prayer, Ritual, Light Spell Work, Blessings... list goes on.



Challenge:

1. Read the information here and browse the links shared.
2. Write down your given element(s) from https://www.myspiritualprofile.com/ (please note that while your Chinese element may NOT be Earth, Air, Fire or Water).
3. Write down your elemental feelings prior to doing the exercise. If you like do this prior to any research at all and see how it compares up at each stage.
4. Pick one or more exercises to do / try.
5. Write about everything - this can be in a spider diagram, notes, pros and con's list, paragraphs - etc. However you feel comfortable writing, be sure you can reread this at a later date and it'll still make sense to YOU.
6. Keep learning and growing. Try different things. Do your own research.
7. Share any additional finds and helpful information, thoughts, suggestions, ideas, your journey and all that good stuff in the comments below (IF YOU WANT). Feel free to add more pictures to our growing galleries (or ask an Admin if they'd mind doing it for you).


REMEMBER THERE IS NO 'RIGHT OR WRONG' IT IS PERSONAL AND WHAT FEELS RIGHT TO _YOU_. I hope that might have helped some of you xX


Imogen xo

Tuesday 24 February 2015

WW. Gather your Herbs -

A collaborative blog takeover by Allen David Binns 

When is the best time to gather your herbs and barks?

It is important to know when to gather plants in order to collect them at their most potent stage of growth. Although every plant is unique, there are some general guidelines for determining this:  So into the meadow, riverbanks and woods I set off with my dog Chloe to have a look around.

Greens
The leaves, stems, and above ground portion of a plant is usually most potent at or just before flowering. They are best gathered in the morning soon after the sun has evaporated the dew away, and before the plant has spent too much time under the hot sun.
Flowers
Gather flowers at their peak of blooming, avoiding those that have begun to wilt. They should be gathered in the morning soon after the sun has evaporated the dew away and before they have sat too long in the hot sun. I love gathering flower heads in the morning while Chloe runs around playing in the morning sunlight.
Roots
Roots should either be dug in the autumn after the plant has seeded or in early spring just as the new growth begins. They should be gathered early in the morning, and before the sun has been overhead too long. If the foliage of the plant has already begun to die back you can gather throughout the day. If you can, replant crowns and be sure to leave a sufficient number of plants to continue the population. If gathering rhizomes, don't dig up the plant, but trace down the stem and find the rhizome in the dirt. Cut the rear portion of the rhizome a couple of inches away from the stem and pull it up without removing the growing part of the plant from the ground. This allows the plant to be harvested without much trauma, and is preferable to replanting crowns.
Seeds
Gather seeds when ripe. For some plants, such as Nettles, cut the tops of the plants off and hang them upside-down to dry. When dry, shake seeds loose over a clean surface and collect the seeds from there after they fall, I really enjoy collecting seeds, rosehip seeds, hawthorn seeds and holly seeds to name a few, me and Chloe found a massive Holly bush at christmas full of berries and collected many seeds, dont you just love Mother Nature.
Bark
Bark should be gathered in early spring, as this is when the sap starts to flow up from the roots, or in the autumn, as the sap is returning to the roots. Never strip bark in a circle around a tree, as this will prevent the flow of nutrients from the roots to the branches and kill the tree. Use vertical strip, or prune branches. Sometimes thinning a crowded population will improve the growth of the other trees; if so, take the whole tree. It is generally the inner bark that is used in herbal medicine.



Avoid gathering near roads, power lines, areas that may have been exposed to fertilizers, chemicals, pesticides or other insidious forms of chemical pollution. Plants growing around the foundations of old houses, especially those high in minerals, may take up any lead in the soil from old paint jobs. Obviously, don't gather plants that look sickly, or from an area that doesn't radiate healthy growth.

After gathering the plants, the next step is called "Garbling". What this means is to go through what you've gathered, washing dirt off roots and picking out wilted leaves, woody stems, stray grasses and other plants that came along with what you picked. Garbling can be a tedious experience, but it is really quite delightful, and allows you to get to know the plant you've collected even better.

Once you've sifted through your herbs, you can either hang them up to dry (in which case, don't strip leaves off the stem while garbling), cut them into smaller pieces to dry (many roots may require this), or chop them up to tincture. If drying, find a place out of the sunlight with plenty of air and ventilation. I bundle up herbs and hang them in a closet or the shed, or dry them on top of a wardrobe near the ceiling, checking on them and turning them so they don't mold As long as you have gentle heat and air circulation, you shouldn't have to worry too much about mold. Another option is to dry herbs on a screen or wooden dish rack, which will assure adequate ventilation.

Only when the plants are completely dry should they be put into clean glass jars. Mason jars are ideal containers. Though many books say to use amber glass to protect the herbs from light, a Mason jar kept in a dark place works just as well, and costs less.

Most herbs, dried and stored properly, will retain their potency for at least a year; roots and barks generally for two. It is a good idea to date your herbs so you know when you need to replace what. Some herbs are said to either lose the virtues entirely or greatly diminish in potency upon drying, and these should be tinctured fresh if possible.

Using herbs collected by your own hands is an experience entirely unlike using store bought herbs and a personal connection to the land that we live upon is a wonderful way to spend your day and my dog Chloe couldnt agree more.

Blessed Be, Alan