Tag Archives: spices

December 7, 2023 · 9:30 pm

The Herbs of Winter Solstice )O(

Merry meet all,

I made a wreath frame! I used the wood from the trees on the nature trail. I am so happy with how it turned out. The best part is, aside from the fact that the wood smells like spruce or pine, is that it is reusable. Winter Solstice is almost here! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I used silver fir, silver birch, cedar and witch hazel to make the wreath. I think it is beautiful. I chose those trees because the wood is more pliable.  I cleaned the needles and leaves off of the branches then cleaned the branches. I dried them and then attempted to make the wreath. I pre bent the wood to make it work for the wreath. This is a good tip. That helps it bend when you make the wreath. I also used string, wire and my hot glue gun. Once I had a pieces of wood bent and where I wanted it, then I didn’t need the hot glue gun as much. I want to add 1 more silver fir branch to fill in the gaps then I will add the spruce and herbs. I really enjoyed making the wreath but it had its moments, like getting the wood to cooperate. I think that the silver fir was the easiest to bend. That and cedar, but the cedar tree here is my neighbour’s tree. I can’t use that wood. The wood is even a lovely colour and has a beautiful scent! 

I love how my wreath turned out. Winter Solstice is on its way! I am in the spirit of Yule and I have already decorated my goth tree! I am so happy that I won a contest with Weird Little Worlds press. I can’t wait to receive my prizes! I have no idea what I am getting so that makes it more exciting. 

I want to talk about which herbs are best for the Winter solstice. The natural beautiful herbs can be found in your own home, in your neighbourhood or in a park. Get outdoors! Let’s go for a walk and see what we find. The most common herbs for Yule are cinnamon, frankincense, bay leaves, pine, juniper, cedar, rosemary, oranges, mistletoe, oak, thyme, sage and oregano. Pinecones, spruce needles and hawthorn are good herbs for Yule. I will now discuss how these herbs can be of benefit this holiday season. 

Juniper berries symbolize cleansing and purifying a space. The berries are also good for protection and purification. 

Cinnamon is good for warmth, protection and prosperity. Cinnamon has such a lovely earthy aroma. 

Cloves have a beautiful aroma too. Cloves promote healing and protection – from the Yule lads!

  • “Thyme, subtle yet powerful, is a herb that weaves itself into the solstice tapestry with threads of courage and purification. It’s a reminder of the resilience of nature, and its aromatic leaves help to fortify our spirits during the introspective winter months.
  • Nutmeg, a fragrant whisper of the tropical lands, brings its mystical warmth to the solstice. It’s a spice that conjures up the magic of the moment, enhancing our connection to the spiritual realm and the inner joy of the festive season.
  • Chamomile, known for its calming and soothing effects, becomes a comforting ally during the long nights, offering relaxation and promoting restful sleep. Other herbs such as rosemary, juniper, and frankincense hold their own significance, each contributing to the enchanting tapestry of winter solstice traditions.
  • Rosemary,with its needle-like leaves, is a robust herb of the solstice, revered for its ability to strengthen memory and uplift the spirit. It’s a symbol of remembrance during the longest night, reminding us of the evergreen aspects of life, even in the depths of winter.
  • Frankincense,with its ancient and wise scent, is a resin that calls to mind the sacred and the divine. It’s used to elevate the mind, opening the inner pathways to meditation and deep contemplation. Its smoke is said to carry our prayers and intentions up to the heavens, making it a powerful addition to winter solstice ceremonies.
  • Peppermint, crisp and invigorating, cuts through the winter’s chill. It’s a herb that stimulates the senses and invigorates the soul. A cup of peppermint tea can awaken the mind and body, making it an excellent herb for staying alert and cheerful during the solstice’s introspective moments.
  • Pine,with its clean and fresh fragrance, symbolizes resilience and longevity. It’s a reminder of the green that will return to the world. Pine boughs are often strewn across the solstice hearth or used to make wreaths, representing the eternal cycle of growth and rebirth.
  • Holly, with its vibrant red berries and deep green leaves, stands as a symbol of everlasting life. It’s a plant that holds a special place in winter solstice lore, representing the enduring nature of life and the hope that shines even in the darkness.
  • Mistletoe, a sacred plant of the druids, is revered for its mystical properties and its role in ancient solstice ceremonies. It’s a symbol of peace and love, and hanging it in the home is said to bring good fortune and protection.”

Credit given to https://www.outdoorapothecary.com/winter-solstice-herbs/

I hope this helps you all find creative ways to use these herbs for the Winter Solstice. You can use these herbs in decorating a wreath, a winter solstice simmering potpourri on the stove, you can dehydrate oranges and use them in decorations, and you can make your home smell like Yule! There is no limit, the only limit is in your imagination. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch )O(

 

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April 11, 2023 · 9:50 am

Flying ointment in the making )O(

Merry meet all,

I want to make  a flying ointment. I gathered a few herbs – mugwort, mandrake, wormwood, three bay leaves and three star anise, and garden sage. I mistakenly bought safflower oil, I wanted sunflower oil but it was organic and on sale. Safflower oil has a few health benefits such as it is anti inflammatory, help prevent blood clots, widen blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and stimulate the heart. That is good to know. I blended the herbs in a bowl. I measured how much sage, wormwood, mandrake and mugwort I wanted to use for the recipe before I added the herbs to the jar. I used 3 bay leaves, 3 anise, one tablespoon of mandrake as it does contain alkaloids, 2 tablespoons of wormwood, 1 cup of mugwort and 1 cup of garden sage. I blessed and empowered the herbs in the bowl. I had to measure how much of each herb I used to make sure I would not overdo it with the mandrake. The artemisias are safe to use for a flying ointment but even mugwort can poison you if you use it too much. I am growing mugwort from seed and I have a few potted mugworts growing beautifully at my kitchen windowsill and one in my bedroom. 

I put the herbs into the jar, making sure they blended well and filled the clean dry jar with the safflower oil. I topped the jar up with more oil, added a bit of natural waxed paper, then put the lid on. Now I store the jar with the tinctures I am also steeping. I will wait about 6-8 weeks before I strain it all and make the ointment. It is a long wait but I believe it is better to do it this way. I didn’t choose to use olive oil because while olive oil is good, it also has a strong scent. 

Mugwort in a pot

I have to use this carefully. Even though I used one tablespoon of mandrake, the herb has a notorious reputation for good reason. It is kith and kin to the Solanaceae family of plants, including tomatoes. I would recommend that if you try this, to do so with the most utmost caution. I have had the potion and salve for a long time yet I have hardly used it at all. I have to around to using it but I will. I also made lotion bars with the herbal oil but I will still use it cautiously. The poisonous plants can have a harrowing effect on a person’s health and well-being. Caution is advised. 

It is recommended that a person only use the salve or oil for a ritual purpose and then clears their schedule to rest after. Do not operate a forklift, or drive a car or handle a sharp kitchen knife. The overuse of mandrake can result in tingling or numbness in your extremities, delirium, hallucinations, dehydration, even death. That is why I caution anyone considering using it. 

When the frost is gone, the plants and many other plants will of course go out to my garden. I can’t wait. I love using herbs in potions. This year, I want to grow and make my own spices. I don’t trust GMO food. Growing my own organic spices such as cayenne, mustard, dill, chives, means I am in control and I know where they came from and what conditions they grew in. 

I support sustainable and organic gardening practices. I hope that you all do the same. I wish you the best of luck. I would love to read your comments here on your own gardening practices. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch

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October 8, 2021 · 11:48 am

Autumn Recipes – Apple Chutney & Applesauce

Merry meet all,

We all feel that telltale chill in the air. My garden must be feeling the chill.. I just harvested tomatoes and a cucumber. The pumpkin vine struggles to grow before the frost claims it and the rest of the garden. The wind blows hard through the trees. I am thankful for the frost blanket that protects my plants. The cucumbers will be the final harvest.

Let’s begin October on the right buckled shoe! It’s time to dig out your favourite cozy winter woollies.  One of my favourite sweaters to wear in the fall hails from Killstar. I love the long black sweater because of the graphic Purr Evil. ( I am but not as evil as my cat, ok, just kidding). I have a few other warm woolly sweaters, and I love the black cable knit pullover cardigan. It matches everything I wear and always looks great. Always wash your sweaters in cold water and allow to air dry. They will last years. Dig out scarves, mitts and gloves. Brush them clean of dust or hair. Put away the summer gear. It’s hard yeah but we need to protect our health.

Now that you are all cozy and styling, venture outdoors for a lovely nature walk. Gather pinecones, acorns, flowers, seeds for next spring, and chryanthemums or marigolds. View the change of the colors of the tree leaves. Feel the fresh crisp air blow your hair. Observe the birds and squirrels storing their seeds away for the long cold rest. Carry a cup of joe or chai tea with you to guard against the chill. Collect apples in a basket – but first get permission if you have to to pick them – to make applesauce or chutney. Grab a pumpkin and now you are all set! You can melt wax in a double boiler and coat gorgeous fiery coloured autumn leaves to preserve them. If  you have a press, save the leaves and then press them into your Book of Shadows. Make your own paper with flowers you saved from your nature walk. Create an original pumpkin carving design. Download herbal tea recipes suited for fall. Invite your friends out to a big pumpkin patch and. or apple picking lot. 

Apple folklore
The apple has taken a prominent place in world mythos, often associated with magic, paradise, and the gifts of knowledge and sensual experience. … Apple has been called Fruit of the Gods, Fruit of the Underworld, and the Silver Bough due to her associations with the underworld.

Now what to do with all those apples? Simple. Try making this chutney. Your pals will be impressed. 

ZESTY APPLE CHUTNEY RECIPE

Prep Time: 30 minutes.     Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds apples
  • 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds
  • zest of one orange
  • 1 cup water

Gather all the ingredients. One tip for keeping apples and pumpkins fresh is to combine one part white vinegar with 4-6 cups water. Put it in a bowl and dip the fruit into it. If the pumpkin is large, then rub the mixture over the whole pumpkin then let dry. They will last you longer. Core, peel and chop the apples and the onion. Add the ingredients to a good sized pot. Mix all the ingredients together. Don’t let this burn. Cook at medium heat, bring to a boil then let it simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Stir frequently. Taste test the chutney to ensure the ingredients are blending nicely. Check the acidity of the chutney. 

Remove pot from heat and allow to cool. Store the chutney in jars. Wipe the rims of the jars before tightening the lids. You can if you wish preserve the jars in  a water bath canner for 10-15 minutes. Label the jar before storing. 

 

APPLESAUCE RECIPE

  • Ingredients
    4 pounds of apples (about 8 to 10 apples, depending on the size), peeled, cored, and quartered (use apples varieties that are good for cooking such as Granny Smith, Pippin, Gravenstein, Mcintosh, Fuji, Jonathan, Jonagold, or Golden Delicious)
    2 strips of lemon peel (use a vegetable peeler to strip the zest only, not the pith)
    3 tablespoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar (more or less to taste)
    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    Up to 1/2 cup of white sugar (can sub half of the white sugar with brown sugar)
    1 cup of water
    1/2 teaspoon of salt

Boil peeled, cored, quartered apples with lemon, cinnamon, sugar, salt in 1 cup water:
Place the peeled, cored, and quartered apples into a large pot. Add the strips of lemon peel, the lemon juice or vinegar, cinnamon, sugar, water and salt. (You might want to start with half the sugar at this point and add more to taste later.)

Bring to a boil on high heat, then lower the temperature, cover the pot, and maintain a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, until the apples are completely tender and cooked through.

Remove lemon peels, mash the cooked apples:
Once the apples are cooked through, remove the pot from the heat. Remove the lemon peels.

Use a potato masher to mash the cooked apples in the pot to make a chunky applesauce. For a smoother applesauce you can either run the cooked apples through a food mill, or purée them using a stick blender or a standing blender. (If you use a standing blender, do small batches and do not fill the blender bowl more than halfway.)

If the applesauce is too thick, add more water to thin it out.

If not sweet enough, add more sugar to taste. If too sweet, add more lemon juice.

This applesauce is delicious either hot or chilled. It pairs well with pork chops for savory dishes, it’s terrific with cottage cheese as a snack or light lunch, and it’s great with vanilla ice cream or yogurt. Label the jar before storing it. 

Freezes well and will last at least a year in a cold freezer. If you freeze it, make sure to allow enough headroom in your jar for expansion. At least an inch.

If you are truly keen on harvesting herbs for autumn, elderberries, burdock and dandelion are good healthy choices. Take cuttings of chives, mint, sorrel, sage, lavender, rosemary, thyme, oregano, Harvest all the basil. Dip the cuttings into a rooting hormone powder and plant them in a terracotta pot with fertilizer enriched soil. Save the seeds from the garden. I harvested a huge patch of lemon balm. I now have more seeds than I will know what to do with. When the seed heads of lavender are brown, that is the time to harvest the seeds. Whether you save seeds in a paper bag or a jar, label, label, label!! You need to know sage from sorrel. So you won’t recall what seed is which a few months from now. Don’t leave it to memory. Download pretty labels and get creative! 

You can have tons of fun during autumn and be creative in the kitchen. If you grew a bounty of herbs during the summer, why not use them in your favourite recipes? Or learn a new recipe. I never made chutney before but it sure enlivened my tastebuds. Wow. 

Blessed Be, Spiderwitch

 

 

 

 

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August 20, 2020 · 12:52 pm

Autumn Decorations

Merry meet all,

My favorite time of year is almost here! Autumn is a time of harvesting and the magic of Halloween. It’s hard to believe Halloween is 2 months away. 

Now is the time to plant garlic to harvest next late summer. It’s so easy. It’s better to plant organic garlic cloves than nonorganic. Organic cloves don’t have the germination inhibitors sprayed on them. Plant the cloves with the tip pointing up a few inches from each other. Cover with soil and water lightly. Next year, you can harvest fresh garlic. The garlic you grow in your garden tastes way better than the store bought garlic. 

Summer is the ideal season to enjoy corn. Why not make a corn doll to add to your autumnal celebrations for the season? This link tells you how to make one. Feel free to be as creative as you wish. https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/How-to-Make-Straw-Dolls#:~:text=How%20to%20Make%20a%20Female%20Corn%20Husk%20Doll.,5%20Step%205%3A%20Create%20the%20Clothing.%20More%20items

Here is a great way to make a corn husk doll too: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Corn-Husk-Doll

Get some squash (it’s okay if it’s from the store and not your garden), and other autumnal decorations from a local craft shop. I don’t know about any of you but I can’t wait to make my abode look more festive. I love autumn. It truly is a magickal season. Make a pot of wholesome nutritious squash soup to enjoy while you conjure awesome fall decor in your home! 

You can also go out on a nature walk for findings. Acorns are everywhere now and flowers are withering. They sometimes dry and their colors change to gorgeous reds and browns. I want to make a harvest doll and hang it in my garden to symbolize my gratitude for the bounty from my garden.

Gather crab apples and bake an apple crisp. Rhubarb is done for the season now. Rhubarb crisp is delicious. Add garden grown strawberries for more flavor. Hang Indian corn in your apartment. Decorate with gourds, apples and orange candles. 

Now you have a festive theme! Mix and match it anyway you like. Add in incense and you’re all set. Nothing screams Witch more than autumn. This is our time. This is our power. 

Blessings, Spiderwitch 

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December 16, 2019 · 3:42 pm

Winter Solstice – Yule Lore

 

Merry meet all,

Winter Solstice is almost here! Today I am going to write about Yule lore. So grab that mocha and get yourself all cozy. Here we go.

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year. It occurs around December 20 to December 23. The Winter Solstice is celebrated now in the Northern Hemisphere. 

The dark half of the year relinquishes the light half of the year. But also now the sun rises a little higher in the sky each passing day. The sun’s rebirth is celebrated. Our ancestors celebrated the longest night of the year, the rebirth of the Oak King, the giver of life that warms the frozen earth. From this time on, the sky stays brighter a little longer. 

Bonfires were lit in the fields and crops and trees were “wassailed” with toasts of spiced cider. People decorated their homes with evergreen boughs and lit candles on the trees (don’t try that at home!). Gifts of clove spiked apples and oranges were offered to loved ones. The apples and oranges symbolized the sun. The evergreen boughs were loved for their symbolism of immortality, never dying. They represented the eternal aspect of the Divine. Our ancestors loved holly, ivy and mistletoe for good fortune. 

Yule logs were decorated, coated in cider or ale and flour, and brought into the home. The Yule logs were burned on the night of the Winter Solstice then smolder for twelve days. The Yule log was a part of a previous log that was saved for this ceremonial purpose. It must never have been bought. The most popular wood was Ash. Ash is the wood of the Teutons, a bringer of light. I can see why Ash was favored. 

The deities of Yule are the newly born gods, Triple Goddesses, the Oak King, and Mother Goddesses. Dagda and Brighid are honored at this time. 

The symbols of Yule are Yule log, or small Yule log with 3 candles, evergreen boughs or wreaths, holly, mistletoe hung in doorways, gold pillar candles, baskets of clove studded fruit, a simmering pot of wassail, poinsettias, and  Christmas cactus. 

The Herbs of Yule are bayberry, blessed thistle, evergreen, frankincense holly, laurel, mistletoe, oak, pine, sage, yellow cedar.

Foods of Yule:
Cookies and caraway cakes soaked in cider, fruits, nuts, pork dishes, turkey, eggnog, ginger tea, spiced cider, wassail, or lamb’s wool (ale, sugar, nutmeg, roasted apples).

Incense of Yule:
Pine, cedar, bayberry, cinnamon.

Colors of Yule:
Red, green, gold, white, silver, yellow, orange.

Stones of Yule:
Rubies, bloodstones, garnets, emeralds, diamonds.

Activities of Yule:
Caroling, wassailing the trees, burning the Yule log, decorating the Yule tree, exchanging of presents, kissing under the mistletoe, honoring Kriss Kringle the Germanic Pagan God of Yule

Spellworkings of Yule:
Peace, harmony, love, and increased happiness.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Blessings, Spiderwitch

 

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