⋆ WW: Beginner "Witches" Study! ⋆

Merry Meet Lovelies!!

Thinking out loud..! So a lady asked me (on my introduction to PPWWMM video I posted on my YouTube @ imogenakamissimoinsane) for some suggestions to books since I had mentioned, at length, about the price tag that comes with doing the Wicca A Year And A Day 366 book due to the shopping list requirements..

I pondered upon what she had asked knowing that when I first started out there was no YouTube and being in the broom closet at that time the only study opportunities I had were the internet... I couldn't really have books (not that I could have afforded them). But armed with that and a printer.. I was able to research, study, write, print out, highlight, make notes and combine all this in plastic document sleeves in 3 rather large and extensive ring binders which I was always swapping and changing and moving things about. - This became somewhat of my first Book of Shadows (BOS).

For the first 2-3 years before I officially started practicing this is what I did, I studied and I studied everything. Armed with a knowledge that not everyone's personal opinion (or their practice) is right but at the same time it's not wrong!! And this is why I class myself as a Witch / Pagan / Eclectic Wiccan - because I take what parts from various walks of life, practices, religions etc and apply what feels right to me to my path and my journey and my practice etc.

While study is something I still do, and pretty much daily, there's always more to be learnt / taught!! So I suggested to her a YouTuber by the name of The Gothic Enchantress of whom did a video called "Tips for beginner witches!!!" and I personally think if you write down every 'key word' she says.. Google and study each word, not only would it be a fantastic starting point for beginners but a great refresh to formed practitioners. - Plus a huge crossover and/or education to not just none witches but to those of pagan and similar faith or interested to learn (more) and those with no knowledge other than the Hollywood Notions of what witchcraft, witches, pagans and occult etc actually is..

Share: Video & Full Credit Goes To YouTuber The Gothic Enchantress - Thank you!!

Video & Full Credit Goes To YouTuber

The Gothic Enchantress

Task

1. Go grab matterials to be able to jot down notes. Such as a note book and pens / computer, writing software and a keyboard / phone and writing app.

2. Watch the video through at least twice, (perhaps the first time just watch and the second make notes) rewind if you have too, but write down all key words that are said. 

3. Make a plan to study these words even if it's only one word a day or one word a week and really focus and research and learn (you may even learn some words or terms you were very confident about their meanings will suprise you!).

I hope that might be of use to you!!

BB Imogen Xx #PPWWMM

Exploring Strange Thoughts - Falling For A Leaf.

Falling For A Leaf.
(An usual perspective.  And magical story.  With an unknown ending.) 

A macro photo of an Oak leaf by me on 10th October 2016 

© Imogen Cane - missimoinsane 2016

The tree stands tall proud of what it has achieved as the seasons come and go.  Growing, evolving, changing, producing. Each leaf different and unique like the individual fingerprints of the forest.  Each leaf succumb to being well worn and weathered; be it burnt from the sun, bitten by bugs, battered by critter, be it waving to the moon in a cool breeze, or simply messed up on by foreign creature such as birds high above.  The leaf may become torn or broken but strong from where it came, stronger with energy for where it's going.

This one Leaf, so big and strong, so attractive and charming, so well formed and complete, grew to push past all the other leaves and be at the very top of the tree.  Watching as day becomes night and back to day.  Bathing in the warm sun light, the magical beams of the moon and surrounded by all the elements.  This Leaf is an enchanted Leaf, growing in wisdom, ever watching, ever learning, ever adapting.  Always kind and offers such shelter, protection or giving anything it can offer.

Until one day as the seasons change, this Leaf is the very first to fall..  Falling gracefully from the very top of the tree twisting and turning spiralling down, down, down.  But never did the Leaf hit rock bottom for it was swooped up on a new journey embracing life destined on a new adventure.  A new beginning for the Leaf to thrive and see more than a Leaf could ever have thought to of seen, even from the tip top of the proud tree called home.  The Leaf's passage taught it to dance in the wind blessed by the air.  The Leaf learnt to doge the flame of fire so not to be burnt.  The Leaf learnt to survive by the hydration of water.  Finally the Leaf learnt to return to the earth.  As the Leaf finally spiralled down one last time the Leaf saw the spirit all around. Finally as the Leaf touched ground, grounding itself, the Leaf noticed the path that it had taken and felt blessed by all it had seen, nourished by the wisdom, empowered by all it had touched and embraced, all that had been the wonderful paths the Leaf had got to experience just a taste of just one possible magical journey of life.  But now the Leaf felt alone, colour fading from its the face.

People walked by; some even stopped to admire the fallen Leaf for a short while, though sadly did not stay.  Until one day there came a Girl almost as magical as the previous path the Leaf had seen and she gave the Leaf hope and excitement for what was to be an exciting new journey as she picked it up and carried it for a while on a new adventure.  It was then that the Leaf looked up and saw the moon and the sun both in the sky above.  Feeling the most magical and special things although sadly it was not meant to be for the Girl hurt the Leaf.  Dropping it, leaving the Leaf behind.

The Leaf, lonely, far from where it came was about to lost hope but keeping it's faith and understanding where the journey had gone awry but still torn by the ending.  Knowing that it's not the end but still colour fading fast. The ticking clock bellows obnoxiously.  The Leaf trundling along mindlessly watching the world go by, surrounded by what once felt so new and alive slowly becoming decayed and cold.  The Leaf had been so caught up it had forgotten other journeys could yet be found, even in the most unlikely of circumstances. Feeling alone, wilting, energy fading.  Just as the Leaf looked up one last time to take in the view another Girl saw just how beautiful the Leaf was.  Though this Girl once shined brighter than the sun, moon and stars put together she too now faded from her journeys past.  Seeing the Leaf she knew it was magical and knowing it was special enabled her to light up like she had once before, though the Leaf didn't even see her for what she was or what she could be.  Despite this the Girl felt she needed to find a way to bring back the hope as she was wanting to claim this magnificent Leaf for her very own.  She carefully picked up the Leaf, introduced herself awkwardly and hoped something divine was afoot as she felt the life this Leaf had had transform..   sparking magic into her very being, right into her fingertips.  She knew she wanted nothing more than to take the Leaf and do her very best to fulfill a happily ever after ending still full of bright blessed light.  Like something from a fairy-tale she felt perhaps she knew him once upon a dream.. That she had longer for.  She gazed in hope and desire as the Leaf remained still, for the Leaf now sat behind the glass.  She stares at the Leaf as though charmed with warmth and amazement of how just one thing can be so simply beautiful... as she longed and she hoped something more was yet to come.

Imogen x

 - Exploring what's in my head.

www.missimoinsane.webs.com 

❤---------------------------------------------------------------------------------❤

❤ When you feel like you've always known a stranger... 

Best with headphones - Loud.

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