The Witch's Bottle

I have to admit that when I first saw this term I was very intrigued. Here is a further explanation of what a witch's bottle is:

"
THE WITCH’S BOTTLE

The Witch’s Bottle is a very ancient type of spell, which has countless
variations. The idea of performing a spell and sealing it in a jar is as old
as the manufacture of jars, and may be regarded as a portable version of
burying a spell in the Earth -the jar here representing the womb of the
Mother.
Many examples of this sort of spell have been found by archeologists,
though modern versions tend to be rather different from ancient ones -partly
due to the difference in materials readily available for magical working. In
ages past anthropomorphic jars were especially popular for this sort of
working, the jar itself then taking on the character of a spirit helper to
aid the spell’s unfolding. Sometimes the whole jar would be made in the
likeness of a human being, or
animal, sometimes only the face would be shown. The so-called BELLARMINE
JARS, bearing the likeness of the Old God -often in tripple form- were
commonly used for this sort of undertaking and are strongly associated with
it.
Today, we commonly use any sort of jar or bottle that appeals to us, or
is convenient to use. Decorative jars are often favored, but ordinary glass
jars and bottles -either plain or self-decorated- serve just as well.
For this particular Witch’s Bottle, you will need the following things:

A small jar -such as a baby food jar, or a medicine bottle.
A larger jar -such as a canning jar, or a decorative canister.
A bit of paper and ink -red ink would be preferable.
Some herbs -a combination of Parsley and Sage might be a good general choice.
A bit of essential oil -vanilla might be a good choice.
Some stones -aquarium gravel would be good, as it is small and easy to handle.
A quantity of water.

Choose a time when you will be able to work unhindered. If possible it
is best to make the bottle during the Waxing Moon.

source
Yahoo Group - Daily Spells

This really looks like something that I would like to try myself!

It's Not All About Spells And Witchcraft!

When I first started actually practicing witchcraft and becoming a witch I came to find out that it involved more than just doing spells!

Although it's more of a Wiccan thing I have come to learn and appreciate that it's more about getting in touch with one's self!

Yes I have created and done spells, but I have also bought and lit incense - not to use in a spell - but to just have a nice atmosphere to relax in.

Another thing about spellcasting is that you have to be in a relaxed state - you have to relax as much as possible before you start or do a spell.

And it's this relaxation part that you have to follow - not only when you cast spells but you try to relax as much as you can all the time. This means quiet meditation and "grounding" one's self - especially when the pressures of one's life start to get to you.

Here is a very great article about just that!

10 Tips To Stay Grounded In The Present


Some of the things (well most of them - LOL!) I have done myself. They are nice and simple techniques that one can incorporate into their lives to have a more relaxed and peaceful existence - whether you are a witch or not.

A "Crafty" Witch?

I don't know how old the art of knitting is but I'm guessing that it is pretty old!

I, myself both knit and crochet and I find these very relaxing things to do! I can't make anything intricate yet but I'm well on my way as long as I remember to be patient and enjoy the journey along the way!

I was reading someone else's blog and they had posted about their latest knitting project and they even posted a picture of their completed work online which gave me the idea to do the same!

Of course you're going to have to give me some time for this - LOL!

But I think that knitting and crocheting are great ways to relax and I do enjoy it so!

I Started My Garden!

I don't have any pictures to show yet but I have started my garden!

Outside I have replanted some turnips (at least I think they are turnips - LOL!) that a neighbor gave me. Today's rain should help them along quite nicely!

Inside I have started planting some seeds to start growing inside before I transplant them outside.

As I was looking at my outside garden today I noticed that I have a lot of tree branches that fell from one of the past storms and I have been saving them all! Ultimately I want to be able to use some of them in my fireplace - when I have my fireplace(s) - LOL!

There are lots of things that I have been finding outside! I found some pine cones that I used in my Christmas decorations last year and I decided to save them.

I mention this because part of my chosen path has to do with being a green witch and to me that means using and utilizing all that nature has to offer - surely an abundance of tools and materials are at my fingertips and I am going to use them all!

Astrolog

I can't believe that with all of the astrology-related postings that I have done that I didn't mention the name of the astrology program that I use! The main astrology reading program that I use is called Astrolog and it is available as a free download by clicking here.

For it being a free, downloadable program it is quite powerful and full of options!

I use it for the majority of my astrology readings including my own as as you will be able to see from some of my previously related astrology blog entries, this astrology program provides some pretty accurate readings!

Onions And Garlic

As I was preparing my turkey earlier this morning I got to thinking about the onions and garlic that I was going to add to the turkey and came to realize just how many things that onions and garlic can be used for!

I mean it can be used for a lot of things when I'm cooking and I use them in my stews and soups and salads!

I also want to be able to grow them in my garden but so far I have only successfully managed to grow garlic chives (but don't worry, I'm going to try again next year!)

It also reminded me that I am also a kitchen (as well as green) witch and I felt exactly like this when I was preparing my turkey! All the spices and other ingredients that I was adding to the turkey, chopping and cutting and peeling in my nice warm kitchen on a gorgeous (though chilly) sunny day!

All I need now is a warm, open hearth!

Onions! And It's Many, Many Uses!

Oh the many, many uses of onions!

I took this picture with my cellphone camera when I was making some stew (that I soon hope to create a recipie and call it "Witch's Stew" A nice and simple stew recipie for when you don't have a lot of ingredients. I love slow-cooking my stew all day long so that I can smell it cooking all through the house! And now since the weather is turning chillier (if not down-right cold!) having a good hearty stew really helps to hit the spot!

But looking at this picture has reminded me of the many uses of onions! Since I am part kitchen-witch, I can really appreciate the fact that you can use onions for many different things and some of the things don't even involve cooking!

I also know that there are some spells that use onions.

I think that it's the strong scent of onions that makes it a popular choice for many, many things!

Also on a side note - its another thing that I want to try to grow in my garden too as I have had great success with growing onion-garlic!

Herb - Mint

Mint can be used in spells to help your prosperity, healing and creativity.

I have grown this in my garden before but never knew of all the things that it can be used for!

Herbs - Lemon Grass

Lemon grass is an herb that can be purchased but you can also grow it on your own. I found out that you can take the stalks that you buy from the store and put them in water and when the roots start to grow (about 2 weeks) you can then plant them in the ground.

I have not grown any of this yet but I plan to! (Hopefully I will be putting pictures of my garden here)

It can also be used in teas and is known to help one's psychic abilities.

It can also be used in spells as well!

Of course I have a garden and I just can't wait to start to grow this herb.

Related Links:

• Herb Lemon Grass

I Did A Tarot Reading For Myself Today

I did a tarot reading for myself today and I drew the "Ace Of Wands"



This card symbolizes creativity and says that the seeds of opportunity and success are coming my way (which I certainly HOPE SO!). Additional interpretations are:

expanding your potential
opening to greater possibilities
conceiving a dream
expressing yourself
stimulating your imagination
allowing a talent to unfold
coming up with a solution

At this point in my life the above sounds absolutely true!

I have been doing tarot readings for some time now and I do readings on myself as well.

"Treasures" Of The Natural Kind!

I'm working on my patience! I have come to find out that the more patient I am the more that favorable things happen and ironically the more I get done! With that being said....

I was raking leaves yesterday! Now the fact that I actually got able to get out and rake leaves is a good thing in and of itself because I have been having financial concerns that took up the majority of my brain waves. I was feeling bad about them and worrying about them which I know only adds weight to the problem and makes the problem far more worse! So I started to think about all the things that I have to be grateful for and believe there are a lot of things that I have to be grateful for! And so I went out and raked leaves! I was doing this because my area provides pickups for leaves. I was also doing to get outside and be outside - its always advised to be a part of nature as much as you can. Another reason why I was doing it is because the more work I do outside the house the more it looks like someone is taking care of the outside of the house.

So I'm raking leaves and taking my time because I know that I don't have to do it all in one day because I have a few days before the scheduled leaf pickup. I'm taking my time and remembering all the things that I am grateful for.

Like I said before I found out and I am learning that the more patient and less stressed I am the more that the world opens up to me. And this was true while I was raking up the leaves. You see there were branches that I have to break up because they fell during some past storms and while I was doing that I found some great branches that I can use elsewhere!

I always wanted a "natural" wand and now I have several pieces to choose from. I also saved some of the stronger branches because I'm going to use them in my garden to help hold some of my plantings. Being outside also gave me time to reflect on all the possibliities that I have for arranging things the way I want them to. I already have a birdbath and I was also thinking about adding a birdfeeder or a small bird house.

Plus I have a lot of other ideas too! I was going to add a cute picture here but Blogger is acting "wonky" and it won't let me upload any pictures so I saved the picture and hopefully I'll be able to post it soon!

By the way I'm enjoying all the Halloween-ish things going on now including watching the old horror movies (and some new horror movies as well) and I'm thinking of adding some Halloween decorations around the house!

I would also love to hear the Halloween plans of my fellow witches!

My Altar - Sort Of

I have seen pictures of other people's altars posted online and while I don't have a "set" altar right now I do have a small one that is on the dresser in my bedroom. It is my offering to Ganesha that is supposed to do away with the blocking of opportunity and to help increase the flow of abundance and wealth into my life.

Hopefully you can make out the picture even though its not the best quality. I took the picture with my cameraphone.

My offerings include my spare change and other offerings of candies and mints. I only use them in times of emergency and replace them back as soon as I can!

I haven't decided where I'm going to put my permanent altar yet. It is just so hard to decide where.

I Started My Garden!

I was looking at my gardening notes (yes I keep notes (-: and saw that I haven't had a garden since 2003! 4 years! A lot has gone on in my life in those 4 years and I can see why I wasn't doing any gardening. But to turn this into a happy post I started planting my first seeds in the past few days!

This is quite an accomplishment for me and I'm very excited to have started my garden again! It gives me more meaning now since I have taken the path of a hedge/green/kitchen witch. I mean really - shouldn't a hedge/green/kitchen witch have a garden!!!!!!

My first planted seeds are just a few vegetables but I plan on planting something like every two weeks. (Hopefully I'll post some pictures here of my garden). Excited as I am I just want to plant everything but my past experience with gardening has shown me that having patience is the best thing.

I'm thinking of having a true witch's garden which just means that besides having a lot of different things planted, the things that I plant I will use also in my cooking and my spellwork which brings me to the subject of herbs.

I can just imagine harvesting my herbs! Gathering the harvest and wrapping them together with string.......................

I have a good sized area for my garden and have a section for herbs and a section for vegetables and I'll plant flowers and the like at different corners or areas. But one of the most important things that I have learned about gardening is that it takes patience. There will be a lot of maintenance but there will also be a lot of fun times watching them grow, picking and harvesting them.

I don't know how many of you out there have gardens or are thinking about starting a garden but I would highly recommend it! Not only is it relaxing it also teaches one patience and gives you more appreciation for nature and what goes on with nature. When I'm out in my garden I like feeling the breeze and looking at the trees and just hearing the sounds of the neighborhood. All of this does wonders for your soul. And when your soul is at peace so are you.

Incense

Well I bought my first piece of incense a few days ago. I was always curious about them. I'd see them all the time in stores and wanted to buy them but I just didn't know what to do with them?

Now that I have started to meditate on a regular basis adding incense as part of my tools is what I wanted to do. Now the first time I used them I put them in a long vase but I discovered that as the ashes burned, they dropped so I have to figure out what I'm going to use to catch the ashes. I have done a little researching online and I found the picture above. I figure I can use that as a basis for what kind of burner that I can use. My first idea is to use one of the old ashtrays that are around and fill it with sand. Of course now I have to find some sand somewhere! But in the meantime I'm going to try the ashtray part.