LynSusun September, 2010

Glorious Goldenrod

I love autumn, don’t you? The days shorten and fall colors thrill my senses. Perennial roots get busy storing nourishment that will last them through the winter. And the meadows bloom with purple asters and riotous goldenrod flowers.

Goldenrod (the Solidago genus, Asteracea family) is one of my favorite plants, and hopefully, soon it will be one of your favorites too.

Before you complain that goldenrod is a pest and you’re allergic to it, let me set the record straight: You aren’t. No one is, no one can be, allergic to goldenrod pollen. Why? It has virtually none. What little pollen it makes is sticky, all the better to stick onto insects who pollinate the goldenrod. Only wind-pollinated plants – like ragweed (Ambrosia artemisifolia), which blooms at the same time as goldenrod, and has an especially irritating pollen – make enough pollen, and spread it widely enough, to cause allergic reactions.

Set aside your mistaken bad thoughts about lovely goldenrod, and, if you can, visit a patch. Goldenrod is a wide-spread wild plant in North America (found from Florida to New Hampshire and west into Texas), Europe, and Asia. Goldenrod is also treasured as a garden plant from New Zealand to Germany, and has become a highly-successful weed in Japan. So, no matter where you live as you read this article, it is likely that you can find a patch of goldenrod.

It is rare to see one goldenrod plant growing alone; it multiplies by sending out root runners, so there are usually dozens of plants growing densely together. Notice all the bees and insects happily crawling about on goldenrod’s numerous small yellow flowers.

There are many types of goldenrod, and you are likely to find several kinds if you look around. The species Solidago canadensis and S. odora are considered the most medicinal (and the tastiest), but all species of goldenrod are safe and beneficial and can be used to help the immune system get ready for winter.

Goldenrod tonics are easy to make. Harvest any goldenrod by cutting the top third of the plant in full flower on a sunny fall day. Or, respectfully pull the entire plant, roots and all, in the late autumn or early winter. Then follow the simple directions below. Note: You can use any size jar when making a vinegar or a tincture, so long as you fill it full.

To dry flowering goldenrod:

Bundle 2-3 stalks together and hang upside down in a cool, shady room until thoroughly dry. When the stalks snap crisply, store the dried herb in brown paper bags. One or two large handfuls of crushed leaves and flowers, steeped in a quart of boiling water for 30 minutes makes a tea that can be used hot, with honey*, to counter allergies (especially pollen allergies), fevers, sore throats, coughs, colds and the flu; or taken cold to relieve colic in babies, and gas in adults. Dried mint and/or yarrow are tasty, and useful, additions when making goldenrod flower tea.

To dry goldenrod roots:

Rinse dirt off the roots, then cut away all the stalks, leaves and dead flowers. If possible, hang your roots over a woodstove to dry; if not, place them on racks and put them in a warm place to dry until brittle. Store in glass jars. Depending on the difficulty you are addressing, goldenrod root tea may be made with large or small amounts of the roots brewed or decocted in boiling water. Or the roots may be powdered, alone or mixed with flowers, and applied to hard-to-heal wounds and sore joints.

To make a goldenrod vinegar:

Chop the goldenrod coarsely, filling a jar with chopped flowers, leaves, stalks (and roots if you have them); then fill the jar to the top with room-temperature, pasteurized, apple cider vinegar. Cap it tightly with a plastic lid. (Metal lids will be eroded by the action of the vinegar. If you must use one, protect it with several layers of plastic between it and the vinegar.) Be sure to label your vinegar with the date and contents. Your goldenrod vinegar will be ready to use in six weeks to improve mineral balance, help prevent kidney stones, eliminate flatulence, and improve immune functioning.

To make a goldenrod tincture:

Chop the goldenrod coarsely, filling a jar with chopped flowers, leaves, stalks (and roots if you have them); then add 100 proof vodka, filling the jar to the very top. Cap tightly and label. Your goldenrod tincture will be ready to use in six weeks, by the dropperful, as an anti-inflammatory, a sweat-inducing cold cure, and an astringent digestive aid. Medical herbalists use large doses (up to 4 dropperfuls at a time) of goldenrod tincture several times daily to treat kidney problems – including nephritis, hemorrhage, kidney stones, and inability to void – and prostate problems, including frequent urination.

The colonists called goldenrod tea “Liberty Tea” for they drank it instead of black tea after the Boston Tea Party. In fact, Liberty Tea proved so popular, it was exported to China! Let goldenrod liberate you, too. herbal medicine is people’s medicine, a gift from Mama Earth to us. Green Blessings.

*Note: Do not give honey to babies under 12 months old.

Tags: goldenrod, Herbal, herbs

• Herbal

Mary DAlba June, 2010

Sunflower

Sunflower (Helianthus Annus) is also known as Corona Solis, Marigold of Peru and Solo Indianus.    Sunflowers are very common as happy gifts and there are in many gardens but Sunflowers have some wonderful magickal uses.  The Sunflower energy can be used by anyone who is trying to channel the energy of the Sun and to get in touch with any fire or sun deities.
Sunflower was sacred to the Aztecs.  They considered it a religious herb and to honor the Sun God, they would carry and adorn themselves with sunflowers.  In Peru, the temples were decorated and honored with sunflowers.
Some of the lore around sunflowers is interesting.  If someone is trying to become virtuous or preserve their virginity, they can anoint themselves with Sunflower oil or juice pressed from the stems of the sunflower.
In addition, if you’re trying to find out the truth, sleep with a sunflower under the bed and the truth of any matter will be revealed to you.  Also, if you cut a sunflower at sunset and make a wish, the wish will come true before another sunset.  But make sure to ask for a wish within reason.  Anything unreasonable or farfetched will not be brought to you.
To protect against smallpox, wear sunflowers seeds in a bag around the neck, either in a pouch or create the seeds into a necklace.  If you’re trying to correct clumsiness, speak with the sunflower deva to help with that and keep you safe.
For women who are trying to conceive, they eat sunflower seeds to encourage fertility and happiness.  Also, it can be used in foods – eating sunflower seeds or adding it into cakes.
It is also a protection herb.  When sunflowers are planted in the garden, it protects against pests and brings luck to the person doing the gardening.  It can also protect energy – someone will not be allowed to send malicious or nasty energy to someone else.  For folks that like working with dragons and lions, the powerful energy of sunflowers can be helpful in working with those fiery beings.
Sunflowers help with depression or unhappiness.  You can always bathe in sunflower oil to help with sadness, attract joy and also to lift the spirits.  Sunflower oil can also be used to anoint ritual robes or tools, especially crystals and stones in healing.
So remember, when working with the Sunflower herb, make sure you’re using it to help with positivity and joy.
Remember, this is not a substitution for medical advice so always check with a medical professional to make sure working with herbs or oils are safe for you.

Keywords for Sunflower:
Magickal Uses/Spells:  Health, Wisdom, Happiness, Wishes, Wisdom, Fertility, Releasing Sadness
Deities:  Apollo, Demeter
Planet:  Sun
Signs:  Leo, Virgo
Gender:  Masculine
Element:  Fire
Tarot Correspondence:  Sun

Tags: herbs, sunflower

• Herbal

LynSusun May, 2010

An Abundance of Greens

I didn’t lose it all with Bernie Madoff, but, like many others, I watched my material wealth shrink this past year. Am I worthless because I’m worth less? Of course not. I’m worthwhile, no matter what I’m worth financially. Having less money doesn’t have to mean having less joy or less abundance. I didn’t lose my job – since I am self-employed, I know I won’t be laid off – but work has slowed down, giving me time to appreciate the many ways abundance pops up in my life.

An abundance of things is not fulfilling or satisfying. Having many things can be a burden. It takes time to care for them, leaving less time to enjoy them. Things can be lost, stolen, or broken, giving rise to anxiety about loss. To find abundance, give something away. Trust that the empty hand will be filled.

Abundance is nurtured by sharing. Abundance is not wasteful. Keeping it all for myself is not abundant. Abundance is not proud. Abundance is open and flowing. Abundance loosens my grip on life and reminds me that every breath is a give-away dance. I am surrounded by abundance. Abundance is free. Abundance is a gift. Where is your life abundant?

My goats give me an abundance of milk. So much milk, I have to make cheese every other day. Abundance is hard work. Abundance is usually the result of effort.

My friend fed a stray cat. Now my friend has an abundance of cats to feed. Abundance can appear unexpectedly. Feed abundance and it will multiply.

My peach tree ripened an abundance of fruit last year. One branch, loaded with a hundred pounds of peaches, broke – even though we propped it up in an effort to prevent breakage. Abundance pushes boundaries, it breaks through the levees, it is not orderly or tame. Abundance is demanding.

There are an abundance of weeds in my garden. If I let them grow, my tomatoes would suffer. I must remove one abundance in order to cultivate another. Abundance requires attention. One abundance may prevent another abundance.

I don’t really weed my garden, though; I harvest the weeds for food and medicine.

Some weeds – such as purslane, garlic mustard, catnip, chickweed, wild oregano, oxalis, and chives – are delicious in salads. Others – such as lamb’s quarter, amaranth, dandelion, chicory, and sorrel – are better cooked.

And many are superb medicines. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is a prolific weed that I harvest and tincture when in flower. A dose of 5-25 drops can be used to ease and eliminate menstrual cramps, relieve even extreme anxiety, lower blood pressure, strengthen the heart, counter blood vessel inflammation, and moderate menopausal flashes.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a generous and abundant plant who offers her roots, leaves, stalks, and flowers as food and medicine. Dandelion wine, cooked dandelion greens with fresh garlic and olive oil, and dandelion root tincture and vinegar are a few of our favorite ways of using this weed. A few drops of the root tincture just before a meal aids digestion and prevents heartburn.

Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) also offers an abundance of food and medicine. We add her leaves to salads, make a vinegar of her red seeds, and dig the root early in the spring or late in the fall to tincture. A dose of a dropperful of the tincture (or a teaspoon of a vinegar) of the roots, taken two or three times a day, is one of the best ways to increase the amount of iron in the blood. Yellow dock tincture is considered to be the very best agent for helping those who need an aid to maintain regularity. Since it is not a laxative, it’s safe to use daily, if you wish.

Garlic mustard (Alliaria officinalis) is the essence of abundance. It covers roadsides as well as blanketing the garden. This biennial plant gives her roots for horseradishy condiments – just blend the spring-dug roots with vinegar – and her leaves for salads and cooked greens. Being in the cabbage family, garlic mustard is part of an important and established means to prevent cancer. (Four servings of cabbage family plants a week reduces overall cancer risk by fifty percent.)

Some weeds – such as grasses, wild geraniums, ragweed, clear weed, smartweed, knotweed, and beggar ticks – are too tough or too bitter for me to eat. I feed them to the rabbits, whose droppings enrich the garden soil and nurture the weeds.

Using my weeds gives me abundance in abundant ways. I save about $500 a year by eating my weeds instead of buying greens and vegetables. I save more than $2000 a year by eating my weeds instead of buying vitamin and mineral supplements. And I can’t even guess at how much I save by using weeds as my primary health care. My entire health care expense is about $100 a year. That buys me all the vodka, vinegar, oil, and honey I need to make the tinctures, vinegars, ointments, and honeys I use to maintain and regain health.

Harvesting and drying the herbs I use for teas and infusions not only saves me money on health care, it saves me money on entertainment. Instead of going to a movie or the mall, my family spends time together picking anti-cancer red clover, hanging memory-boosting comfrey to dry, harvesting St. Joan’s wort for muscle-easing oil and anti-viral tincture, gathering wild grapes and elderberries for heart-healthy wines, and preserving the abundance around us for winter.

Material, physical things are finite and limited. Feelings and thoughts and weeds are not. I may have less money and less ability to buy things, but there’s no price on joy. Smiling creates brain chemicals that make us happy. Cultivate an inner smile. Look for the silver lining. An abundance of love is always available, if we avail ourselves of it. Accept and make use of the earth‘s green blessings.

Abundance is free.

Abundance is a gift.

Abundance is open and flowing.

Abundance can appear unexpectedly.

Feed abundance and it will multiply.

Abundance is demanding.

Abundance is wild.

Abundance is hard work.

Abundance is not proud.

Tags: greens, herbs

• Herbal

Hearthkeeper May, 2010

Basic herbs

We all need to have some basic herbs in our pantries. Not for magickal uses only. But for flavoring our foods as well… I have chosen the following herbs that I feel are Basics that I MUST have in my kitchen, and I will give the food and the magickal info on them, as I know it and can research it. This may be incomplete as some do not have traditional correspondences. You will also remember that you will use this as YOU see fit.. not as I do or someone else does. If what I have written here does not suit you, feel right, or sounds crazy. Disregard it and research for yourself to get what does feel right.

Basil- (mundane) The strong, clove like flavor is essential to many Italian recipes and is most often paired with tomatoes. Basil is primarily used in sauces, pizzas, salads and pasta dishes. It is also the main ingredient used in pesto.

(magickal) it’s element is fire, use for clairvoyance, commanding, divination, harmony, honesty, love, protection, psychic development, purification, wealth. Use in love and prosperity spells. Carry to attract wealth. Sprinkle basil over your sleeping lover to assure fidelity. Use it in a ritual bath to bring new love in, or to free yourself of an old love. Also used for purification baths. Sprinkle on the floor for protection, and burn as an exorcism incense.

Dill – (mundane) a totally unique spicy green taste. Add whole seeds to potato salad, pickles, bean soups and salmon dishes. Ground seed can flavor herb butter, mayonnaise and mustard. The leaves go well with fish, cream cheese and cucumber.

(magickal) it’s element is fire use for Love, lust, money, protects children. Hang in the doorway to protect your home, or carry to protect your person. Can be used in money spells. Add to a ritual bath to become irresistible to the one you desire. Use in love and lust spells.

Lavender - (mundane) Flowers and leaves can be used fresh, and both buds and stems can be used dried. Lavender is a member of the mint family and is close to rosemary, sage, and thyme. It is best used with fennel, oregano, rosemary, thyme, sage, and savory. To use in cooking, use 1/3 the quantity of dried flowers to fresh. Because of the strong flavor of lavender, a little goes a long way. Wonderful in cookies.

(magickal)it’s element is air, use for chastity, love, peace, happiness, clairvoyance, longevity, sleep, protection

Marjoram- (mundane) While fresh marjoram is excellent with salads and mild flavored foods, it has is better tasting when dried. Marjoram has a slightly more delicate flavor than Oregano. Marjoram because it is more delicate should be added toward the end of cooking so its flavor is not lost. Marjoram goes well with pork and veal and complements stuffing for poultry, dumplings and herb scones or breads.

(magickal) protection, love, happiness, health, money

Oregano – (mundane) Oregano goes well with vegetables, roast beef, lamb, chicken and pork. It is generally used to season Mexican, Italian, Greek and Spanish dishes. Oregano has a warm, aromatic scent and robust taste. It’s uses include seasoning soups, stews, meat pies, pasta sauces and shellfish.

(magickal)

Parsley - (mundane) Parsley has a delicate favor that combines well with other herbs like basil, bay leaves, chives, dill weed, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano and thyme. Flat leaf or Italian is used primarily in cooking because of its more robust flavor and curly parsley is used primarily for garnish. Add at the end of cooking for better flavor.

(magickal) purification, protection, lust

Rosemary- (mundane) Rosemary’s aromatic flavor blends well with garlic and thyme to season lamb roasts, meat stews, and marinades. Rosemary also enlivens lighter fish and poultry dishes, tomato sauces, and vegetables. Dress fresh steamed red potatoes and peas or a stir fried mixture of zucchini and summer squash. Rosemary has a tea like aroma and a piney flavor. Crush leaves by hand or with a mortar and pestle before using. Also wonderful in bread.

(magickal) it’s element is fire, use for good memory, friendship, fidelity, youth, protection, love, lust, purification, sleep. Burn to purify and cleanse. Use in love and lust incenses and potions. Use for healing of all kinds. A tea of rosemary causes the mind to be alert.

Sage - (mundane) Sage enhances pork, lamb, meats, and sausages. Chopped leaves flavor salads, pickles, and cheese. Crumble leaves for full fragrance. Use ground Sage sparingly as foods absorb its flavor more quickly. Sage is a wonderful flavor enhancement for seafood, vegetables, stuffing, and savory breads. Rub sage, cracked pepper, and garlic into pork tenderloin or chops before cooking.

(magickal) it’s elements are Earth and air, use for Longevity, prosperity, Spirituality, protection, wishes, healing, Use in healing and money spells, purifying, use as incense during sacred rituals-walk the smoke to the four corners of the room to repel and rid negative energies and influences. Especially good when moving into a new home. Heals wounds, aids digestion, eases muscle and joint pain

Thyme - (mundane)- Thyme is included in seasoning blends for poultry and stuffing and also commonly used in fish sauces, chowders, and soups. It goes well with lamb and veal as well as in eggs and croquettes. Thyme if often paired with tomatoes.

(magickal) it’s element is water, use for health, courage, purification, attracting faeries relives giddiness and nightmares. Burn for good health and use in healing spells. Burn as purification incense. Wear to increase psychic powers.

Until next month

Merry Cooking and Blessed Eating

The Hearthkeeper

PS. If there is anything you would like to see here.. please email me at thehearthkeeper@gmail.com

Blessed be…

Tags: herbs

• Herbal , Recipes

Summerwynd and Celticmoon May, 2010

Wounds are bothersome whatever time of year, however, with garden season upon us and all the other outdoor activities they can really become a nuisance. That being said, once again let us look to nature for yet another holistic remedy.

Wound Powder

1 ounce Krameria

1 ½ ounces Goldenseal root

1 ½ ounces Usnea

1 ½ ounces Echinacea root

1 ½ ounces Eucalyptus leaf

1 ounce Juniper leaves

1 ounce Wormwood

Grind all the above into a fine powder (an electric coffee grinder works great) and sift through a fine mesh kitchen sieve.

Place powder into a sealed container, it will keep in freezer for up to one year. Powder can be sprinkled on fresh open or oozing wounds, repeat as needed; can also be sprinkled on socks or in shoes for athlete’s foot and on baby’s bottoms for diaper rash.

In next month’s installment we will be looking at herbal remedy Oils for infections and Rashes.

Tags: healing, herbs, wound

• Herbal

Mary DAlba March, 2010

Violet

Violet (Viola odorata) is also known as Blue Violet, Sweet Violet, English Violet, Common Violet or Garden Violet.   Its origins are Europe and Asia but can also be found in North America and Australasia.   In India, it is known as Banafsa and is used to help with tonsillitis and sore or tender throats.

Violet originated from Io, one of Zeus’s many romantic interests.  Zeus’s wife Hera found out about Zeus and Io and, in a jealous rage, changed her into a heifer.  Zeus, having pity on her, changed her into the beautiful violet.  Violet is known to bring wonderful results when used in rituals with just women.
It is said if you collect Violet at the beginning of Spring, your dearest wish will come true.  It is also burned during the Spring Equinox as a sign of Spring.   Violet is also known to bring change in luck and fortune and can be used in ritual or magick to do so.

For protection purposes, it can be carried in a satchel on a person by warding off “wykked sperytis”.    Violet can be in the home – many people use it in plant form – to protect again evil spirits or negativity.   Violet is used in lust and love spells.  Many people wear it in their shoe to draw in new love, bring back an old love or heal a broken heart.  It is also used in amulets and satchels.  Mixed with Lavender and you have a powerful lust drawing potion.

Violet is a funeral herb.  It is said to help with the grief and healing of the hearts when a child passes.  It is known to bring comfort to those in sorrow.

To protect against colds, Violet is combined with Marjoram and can be worn to ward off sickness.   Also, if you have a headache, you can place it on the head to cure.  It is good to wear in a satchel to protect again wounds or sickness from getting worse.

It is also very useful in helping with insomnia and sleep by placing in a pillow case.  It brings peace, serenity and calmness.  Violet also helps with calming angry situations and was used in ancient times for such a purpose.

Remember, this is not a substitution for medical advice so always check with a medical professional to make sure working with herbs or oils are safe for you.

Keywords for Violet:
Magickal Uses/Spells:  Love, Lust, Protection, Luck, Healing, Peace
Deities:  Io, Faeries
Planet:  Venus
Sign:  Taurus, Libra
Gender:  Feminine
Element:  Water
Tarot Correspondence:  The Empress, The Lovers

Tags: herbs, violet

• Articles

Mary DAlba January, 2010

Marjoram

Marjoram (Origanum majorana or O. Vulgare ) is also known as Joy of the Mountain, Knotted Marjoram, Marjorlaine, Mountain Mint, Pot Marjoram, Sweet Marjoram and Wintersweet.   It is indigenous to the Mediterranean and can also be found in the United States.   It is considered a cold-sensitive perennial herb.  Marjoram is sometimes mistaken for Oregano.

The Greek and Romans considered this herb as a source of happiness.  Today, people who are depressed use it to lift their spirits and bring happiness.   Marjoram can be burned to help with life changes.
Marjoram is used in love spells and to bring love to you.  It is also placed in food to strengthen love.  It is thought when a person anoints themselves or places Marjoram under their pillow, he or she will dream of a future spouse.   This herb was sacred to the Goddess Venus and is still used as an offering to her in rituals today.  Marjoram was also woven into wedding bouquets or wreaths to wear as crowns or placed on top of a wedding cake to provide love and happiness to those getting married.

For protection purposes, it can be carried in a satchel on a person.  It also can be placed around the house, a bit in every room, for protection but it must be replaced every month to continue the potency.  Also, it can be grown in a garden for its shielding powers against evil.

Marjoram is also used as a funeral herb.  It is placed on the graves on loved ones and as it grows and flourishes, it is thought to bring spiritual bliss to the departed.

To protect against colds, Marjoram is combined with Violet and can be worn to ward off sickness.   When used in a tea, it can promote love, happiness, health, well-being, sleep and wishes.

Remember, this is not a substitution for medical advice so always check with a medical professional to make sure working with herbs or oils are safe for you.

Keywords for Marjoram:

Magickal Uses/Spells: Love, Happiness, Protection, Health, Money, Peace, Psychic enhancement
Deities: Venus, Aphrodite, Thor and Jupiter
Planet: Mercury
Sign: Aries
Gender: Masculine
Element: Air
Tarot Correspondence: The Magician

Tags: herbs, marjoram

• Herbal

Mary DAlba December, 2009

Mistletoe

Mistletoe (Viscum album –European Mistletoe; Phoradendron leucarpum and P. flavescens – Oak Mistletoe/American Mistletoe ) is also known as All Heal, Birdlime, Devil’s Fuge, Donnerbesen, European Mistletoe, Golden Bough, Holy Wood, Lignam sanctae crucis, Misseltoe, Thunderbesem, Witches Broom and Wood of the Cross.   It is known as all purpose or “All Heal” herb by the Druids.  Mistletoe is found in Winter Holiday season and can be found in Europe and the United States.   Also, Mistletoe is a parasite and only grows on a host plant.  So if you decide to grow Mistletoe, make sure to grow it with a plant that you would not be upset if it weakens or dies because Mistletoe absorbs the nutrients from the host plant.   

WARNING:  Mistletoe, including the berries, can be poisonous and should not be picked, ingested or used unless studied thoroughly with an herbalist.

In ancient times, the Druids revered Mistletoe because they believed it was the “all-heal” herb because of its miraculous healing qualities.  They also felt it shared its qualities with the powerful Oak because it could be found growing on the Oak Tree, which they also revered.  During the Winter Season, it was cut with a golden sickle and not allowed to touch the ground.  It was then wrapped in white cloth and offered to the Gods. Magically, it was used for protection purposes against any misfortune, lightening, fire, disease, and bad luck.   Lore tells us that it was placed in children’s cribs to protect babies from being stolen by fairies and replaced with changelings.

Here is some more lore about Mistletoe: Laying Mistletoe near the bedroom door (or placing it under a pillow or hanging it on a headboard) helps to promote restful sleep and pleasant dreams.   To banish evil, burn Mistletoe.  Women can carry Mistletoe to help with conception.  And, of course, we all know the lore of kissing your loved one under mistletoe.   The tradition is that if you kiss your loved one under the mistletoe, you’ll stay in love.  Mistletoe is also known to be the patron herb for locksmiths because Mistletoe is thought to open things that are locked.   If you’re trying to ward off sickness, a ring of carved Mistletoe wood will ward off sickness.   Also, it is said if you’re trying to cure a wound, carry Mistletoe and it will heal quickly.  (Do not apply herb to the wound.) Mistletoe was also the herb that killed Baldor.  Baldor was the courageous and good hearted son of Odin and Frigga.  The only way he could be killed was with the dart of Mistletoe.  Loki, the God of mischief and destruction, could not stand that something could not be destroyed so he disguises himself and has Frigga tell him the secret of how Baldor could be killed.  Loki finds a Mistletoe dart and throws it at Baldor, killing him.  It is thought that this myth illustrates rebirth and transformation because Baldor is so pure, when he dies, the age of purity dies with him, only to be reborn when the world itself is reborn.  Also, this is why Mistletoe is used for protection amulets and spells because it is said to invoke Baldor, where nothing dark or evil can exist.

Remember, this is not a substitution for medical advice so always check with a medical professional to make sure working with herbs or oils are safe for you.

Keywords for Mistletoe

Magickal Uses/Spells:  Protection, Love, Hunting, Fertility, Healthy, Exorcism, Fidelity, immortality and as an aphrodisiac

Deities:  Apollo, Freya, Frigga, Venus, Odin, Baldor

Planet:  Sun, Jupiter

Sign:  Leo

Gender:  Masculine

Element:  Air

Tarot Correspondence:   Tower, Knights, Sixes

Tags: herbs, magic, magick, mistletoe, yule

• Articles

LynSusun December, 2009

Cinnamon, Cardamom & Nutmeg

The aroma of winter is wood smoke and evergreen. But winter holidays smell spicy. Herbs that grow only in the tropics – such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, allspice, and vanilla – are called spices. Their aromatic oils and volatile esters entice us with delicious smells and mouth-watering tastes. And spices warm us from the inside, as if we had ingested the tropical sun on a cold day. Spices help preserve food and counter a variety of illnesses, too. Come, sit and warm your feet by the fire. Close your eyes and imagine the dense green forests where aromatic spices grow.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) made me an outlaw. A toothpick soaked in cinnamon oil was the “drug” of choice in my grade school. No matter how much the adults attempted to dissuade us, no matter how they threatened, we found a way to get our cinnamon “fix”. As an adult, I prefer my cinnamon in sticks or finely ground, though I can still vividly recall the hot rush of a fresh cinnamon oil toothpick. Any food can be enhanced with cinnamon, from apple pie to baked beans, from meat marinades to salad dressings. The scent of cinnamon heralds holiday cheer.

Medicinally, cinnamon is a warming tonic. It chases chills, prevents colds, and warms the hands and feet of those who feel cold all the time. Cinnamon has been used for over 2500 years as an appetite enhancer, a stomachic, a carminative, an antimicrobial, an antispasmodic, an anti-rheumatic, and an anti-fungal. A cup of cinnamon tea – made by steeping a cinnamon stick or a scant teaspoonful of powdered cinnamon in a cup of boiling water for no more than ten minutes – is a good way to cheer up and prevent the flu on frosty winter nights.

A cup of cinnamon tea also eases menstrual cramps, soothes sore joints, relieves gas pain, and allays that feeling of fullness after a big meal. A sip or two of cinnamon tea before meals improves digestion and prevents acid reflux. Those who drink cinnamon tea regularly will have less cavities, stronger gums, and fewer insect bites.

Cinnamon made the news recently for its ability to counter diabetes. Modern herbalists are intrigued by its mildly estrogenic and strongly antioxidant effects.

Folk medicine reminds us that cinnamon tea is a gentle but effective remedy for both childhood diarrhea and infestations of worms. In India, cinnamon tea is regarded as a remedy against halitosis, nausea, and vomiting. Cinnamon is frequently used by herbalists everywhere to improve the taste of strong, rooty brews.

The essential oil of cinnamon is a good substitute for clove oil in treating toothache. It is particularly effective in killing the organisms that cause periodontal disease.

Those who are pregnant and those with stomach or intestinal ulcers are advised to avoid cinnamon. It can poison. A little of the essential oil of cinnamon (of course the parents were right!) and very large amounts of powdered cinnamon can cause symptoms. Poisoning begins with central nervous system sedation – characterized by sleepiness and depression. This is followed by tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) and stimulation of the vasomotor center, which causes increases in intestinal peristalsis (diarrhea), respiration (panting), and diuresis (perspiration).

Cinnamon has been used for centuries as a perfume and a preservative. It was considered more precious than gold in ancient Egypt where it was valued as essential in embalming. Both Christians and witches are said to have known of the spiritual energy of cinnamon and so included it in their rituals. Why not make cinnamon part of your holiday rituals?

Cardamom (Eelettaria cardamomum) is an exotic spice that is not used much in American cuisine. Perhaps because the powder loses its taste almost immediately. Buy cardamom seeds still sealed in their pods for best flavor and effect.

Chewing cardamom seeds freshens the breath and improves digestion.

In Germany, cardamom is approved for use against the common cold, to relieve coughs, to counter bronchitis, to lower fevers, to ease inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, to resolve liver and gallbladder complaints, to counter loss of appetite, and to improve the ability of the immune system to counter infection.

In folk medicine, cardamom is used, like cinnamon, as a general remedy for all digestive complaints, especially gas. Unlike cinnamon, it is safe for use during pregnancy and a nice way to calm morning sickness. In India, cardamom is considered a remedy against urinary tract problems. Modern medicine is investigating the antiviral properties of cardamom.

For a special winter treat, try freshly-ground cardamom sugar instead of cinnamon sugar on your holiday toast.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is another seed valued for its aroma and healing powers. Everyone who’s had eggnog has tasted nutmeg. The tight outer covering of nutmeg is the spice called mace.

Modern medicine validates nutmeg’s ability to inhibit diarrhea and slow down the action of the gastrointestinal tract. Folk medicine agrees, using nutmeg against diarrhea, dysentery, inflammation of the mucus membranes, flatulence, and vomiting. Nutmeg has also been shown to affect prostaglandin synthesis and to be a particularly potent antimicrobial. It may also be anti-rheumatic.

Chinese herbalists use nutmeg against diarrhea, worms, and all digestive upsets. In India, herbalists choose nutmeg to relieve headaches, to improve poor vision, to bring sleep to those with insomnia, to lower fever, to ease malaria, to counter impotence, and as an aid when there is general debility. American herbalists view nutmeg as an aromatic, carminative, digestive stimulant, and a hallucinogenic poison.

The oil of nutmeg, applied cautiously and externally, can relieve the pain of rheumatism, sciatica, and neuralgia. When inhaled, it counters respiratory tract infections.

As few as two nutmegs can poison. Overdose symptoms – which can last for up to three days – include stomach pain, nausea, intense thirst, double vision, reddening and swelling of the face, anxiety, lethargy, delirium, and hallucinations. Death from kidney failure may occur.

For best effect, and safety too, heat one whole nutmeg in a cup of full-fat milk for 5-10 minutes, add honey and enjoy. The nutmeg can be rinsed and reused many times.

Like cinnamon, nutmeg carries a powerful spiritual/magical energy. Carrying one in your pocket or suitcase is said to insure safe travels.

Green blessing are everywhere, especially in your spice chest.

Tags: Cardamom, cinnamon, herbs, Nutmeg

• Herbal

Sarah Watson November, 2009

Festival time is around once again, and with it comes all the excitement and wonder of browsing the shops, playing games, and finally getting that turkey leg. I can’t help you with getting the turkey, but I can help you save money by offering advice to get those old-fashioned goodies cheap- or even help you on how to make them yourself.

The first piece of advice is to shop wholesale, or find deals on sites like ebay.com or etsy.com. Ebay has pretty much anything you could ever need, and if you see something, you have the option to haggle or bid as low as you think the product is worth. On sites like etsy, you can find supplies to make your own products, such as hand-mulled soap, homemade candles, hair accessories, jewelry, or whatever else you would want to make. And like ebay, you have the option to haggle or buy wholesale through certain shops.

Second, sniff out and pounce on sales- this can be garage sales, thrift stores, or even throw-aways that aren’t wanted. You can find things to build up on, like an awesome shirt that you can use to rip up or add to. By building your supplies or, say, a custom outfit for faire, you are saving money in the long run. Also, by building from the bottom up, you have all the options of customization without paying for something you don’t need- you can simply find someone who can customize it for less if you can’t do it yourself.

Last but not least, do NOT discard any remnants of old materials or scraps, such as melted candle wax, old buttons, ragged shirts, floral bits, etc. Put them aside- there might be a day and time for those remains. You can use the castaways to make something quick and easy that might alter the way something looks or feels. Also, you can use them to barter or trade with people- either for a cash return or for a service or product that they might offer. Remember, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

By doing just these little steps, you save time, money, and effort. In the long run, you might be able to go get that turkey leg- or even two- and not have to worry about spending the money in shops when you can make things yourself, or find them cheaper.

I save money as often as I can, and find new recipes or skills to dabble with. One powder that I make on hot days at faire is great on skin and helps with the heat. I do not remember how I heard about it, or when- but I call it “Faire Days Heat Helper:”

Faire Days Heat Helper

Mix together equal parts of ground cinnamon, powdered         cardamon, and cornstarch. Rub onto skin and leave on as a perfumed powder.

Also, I have an enormous stash of buttons and other oddities. I make quick and easy buttons that go great with dancer outfits or tribal getups. Collect a few buttons- about 7 per ear ring. You also need wire, hemp cord, fishing line- or another type of thread or cord- and ear ring posts.  Depending on the desired look,some jewelry links might prove to be useful. Attach the cord to the ear ring posts, and then attach the buttons to the cord or wire (wire works best) through the button holes. Loop the wire around, which secures these to the cord. Add more buttons to make any desired effect you might want to try. At the end, add a knot or two and then trim the excess. Photos follow, in order, illustrating good materials to work with, and the steps in order to create these ear rings:

Stay tuned next time to read about how to make your own hair wreath or crown and bath soak that will make you look- and feel- like a million bucks, as well as give a lesson on chakra importance and how it applies to making you look and feel beautiful.

Tags: buttons, Crafts, herbs, natural

• Crafts