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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Cow Parsley Anthriscus Sylvestris or cow parsley is a member of the Apiaceae family, just like the carrot and hemlock. It has tall, hollow stems topped with a flurry of delicate white flowers. In Europe it is a common hedgerow plant, and a familiar sight to walkers and foragers. It’s one of the first flowers to appear by the roadside in spring. With many common names including the grand “Queen Anne’s Lace” and the morbid “Mother Die”, this plant is a piece of living history and an intriguing part of the British countryside. The Kitchen Garden Encouraging cow parsley into the garden would…
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Book Review – The Seven Elemental Forces Of Huna: Practices for Tapping into the Energies of Nature from Hawaiian Tradition by Susanne Weikl
Book Review The Seven Elemental Forces Of Huna Practices for Tapping into the Energies of Nature from Hawaiian Tradition by Susanne Weikl 228 Pages When I studied Huna decades ago, I learned about the three bodies and the seven principles. In this book, Susanne Weikl presents the seven elements of nature from the ancient Hawaiian shamanic tradition. These forces are sources of power “to bring fulfillment, incentive, inspiration, growth, healing and ease into our lives.” These energies are primordial and powerful, and are at work in our DNA, she states. The book offers exercises, rituals and techniques to recognize and tap into the energies of water, fire, wind,…
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Retha’s Crystal Reflections
All You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Quantum Quattro Quantum Quattro is a combination of multiple minerals. Different sources state different combos, but the most prevalent is shattuckite, chrysocolla, dioptase and malachite. “Quantum” means 4 in Italian. It’s also believed to contain silicon dioxide and smoky quartz. And sometimes even ajoite, azurite and cuprite. Quantum Quattro comes from only one deposit on earth, in Namibia, Africa. It comes from an oxidation zone of copper deposits. Whether it includes some or all of the individual minerals previously mentioned, it still encompasses the properties and energies of them all, as they all grow together in the larger matrix that the…
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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: The Christmas Tree Straight away, I know many of you will be wondering why I’m bringing Christmas to the table, when most of us are looking forward to Yule or the Winter Solstice. Well, it’s because I absolutely adore the tradition of the Christmas tree. And, despite what many people think, it’s not an inherently Pagan symbol, although there are definite Pagan roots, pardon the pun. Christmas trees are so popular today that they are grown in all 50 American states, including even Hawaii, and most other places in the world. From candlelit trees in Germany in the 1800s to fiber optic light shows…
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Tarot Talk
Knight of Pentacles (The Knight of Pentacles card is from the artist Ciro Marchetti http://www.ciromarchetti.com/)** Back to the Court Cards! Let us examine another Tarot “Royal” by getting to know the Knight of Pentacles. Just in case this is the first time you are reading my column, we will first review some basic information. A Tarot deck has 78 cards. There are 22 Major Arcana cards dealing with broader and more far-reaching life experience issues, archetypes that are easy for us to identify with and connect with at some point in our lives. There are 56 Minor Arcana cards that are customarily grouped into four categories or suits…
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Pixie Witch Kitchen
Pixie’s Crock Pot Chicken Dumpling Today we are going to make one of my families favorites. It honestly can’t get much easier for a warm delicious hardy dinner. 13 ingredients and 13 steps. Lucky 13 and the four Elements will be used in my magickal recipe today. I’m sure you have guessed what four elements by now right? Earth, Water, Fire and Air. I use these Elements in my daily life from cooking, rituals, spells and to survive of course. Without these 4 elements we simply can not survive. Thanks to the Earth for helping us grow these magickal ingredients. Strengths: Grounded and Logical Direction: North Gender: Feminine Colors: Green,…
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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Hyacinth The hyacinth is a flowering plant which grows from a bulb. It has beautiful clusters of fragrant flowers and is very popular during the holiday season and spring. This easy to grow plant has a wealth of history and mythology, and could bring a touch of magic into your home as well as a blast of floral colour and fragrance. The Kitchen Garden Hyacinths are poisonous so aren’t grown for culinary purposes. They contain oxalic acid, a compound that causes skin irritation externally. If taken internally it can cause: Damage to mucous membranes Damage to respiratory tract Wheezing Shortness of breath Laryngitis Inflammation…