Cold and Flue Season Funny

This was posted on Facebook by Earth Fare and gave me such a giggle I had to share it with you all.

The Metaphysical Properties of Hawthorn

According to Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs:

“Hawthorn was once used to decorate May poles. At once time Hawthorns were believed to be Witches who had transformed themselves into trees. Witches have long danced and performed their rites beneath the thorn.”

He goes on to say:

“Hawthorn has long been used to increase fertility. Because of this power it is incorporated into weddings, especially those performed in the spring.

‘The leaves, curiously enough, are also used to enforce or maintain chastity or celibacy. The leaves are placed beneath the mattress or around the bedroom for this purpose…worn or carried it promotes happiness in the troubled, depressed, or sad.

‘The Romans places hawthorn in cradles to guard the child from evil spells.

‘In the past most Witch’s gardens contained at least one hawthorn hedge.”

In reference to fairies, Cunningham states:

“The hawthorn is sacred to the fairies, and is part of the tree fairy triad of Britain: ‘Oak, Ash and Thorn,’ and where all three trees grow together it is said that one may see fairies.”

In Llewellyn’s 2013 Herbal Almanac, Darcy Blue French writes of Hawthorn in her article “Four Roses: Tree Medicine from the Rose Family.”

“Hawthorn is a wonderful remedy…It will soothe and calm the spirit.” She describes it as aiding those who have asthma attacks, suffer from panic or fear or who have a dream quality and a “tendency to get lost in ‘other worlds’ or appear to be ‘taken  by the Faerie.’”

Ann Moura, in Green Magic: the sacred connection to nature, says of Hawthorn in her correspondences section:

Hawthorn – Protection, Witchcraft power, Otherworld, Beltane, ward negativity, attract Faeries.

She later associates Hawthorn with Creativity, Crone, Dark Moon, Death-Passages, Hunter, Lunar Eclipses, Solar Eclipses, Transitions-Rebirth, Underworld, Purity, Saturday.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn
Crataegus oxyacantha


The Benefits of Hawthorn include:

Heart
Famous for its heart tonic - both physically and emotionally.
Physically, hawthorn is used for a variety of heart problems including angina, arrhythmia  high and low blood pressure, and arterial hardening.

Hawthorn and rose tea by Artisan Witchcrafts

Hawthorn can even decrease the need for heart medications - but should be monitored so as not to cause contraindications with heart and blood pressure medicines.
A tonic and an astringent - best for those lacking cardiovascular system tone.

Shen
Hawthorn was a tonic for what the Chinese called disturbed Shen. Shen is a word for spirit which resides in the heart. This is our emotional state of mind. Disturbed shen could manifest as heartache, depression, restlessness, anxiety, fear, or even PTSD.

An ally for all suffering from a broken heart or any situation which requires protection of the emotional mind.
Hawthorn is also a calming nervine, so it should also be monitored if taking other calming medications or herbs.

Hawthorn Berries from Wytchen Wood

Other
Asthmatics who tend to have attacks when upset or frightened can find aid in Hawthorn.

Hawthorn has also been used to aid the treatement of those with Parkinson's disease, stroke, toxic shock syndrome. It improves circulation, minimizes leg cramps and tremors, and increases a feeling of well-being among patients treating the disease.



The recommended dosage of Hawthorn for heart disease is 160 mg a day divided into 2 doses though some may take up to 160 mg three times a day depending on their condition.

I recommend hawthorn mostly for heartache for soothing comfort.

Full Moon Elixir Harvesting

Tonight, at midnight no less, I'll be harvesting my Hawthorn Heartache Elixir.
It's been brewing for 3 weeks now and I think a Friday morning under the full moon would be more than perfect for such a blend.

My Heartache Elixir contains hawthorn berries, rosehips, fine brandy and raw Alaskan honey.
It is then infused with the energy or both rose quartz and bloodstone to enhance the hawthorn and rose properties including aiding the heart and the blood.

Benefits of Hawthorn Heartache Elixir include
Aiding blood pressure and blood circulation
Strengthening the heart both physically and emotionally
Aiding those suffering from grief, loss, and heartbreak

I made a large batch of this elixir as I will be sending some to my grandmother, who has suffered many family losses this past year, and I will also be sending some to those participating in the Herbal Solstice Swap on PoppySwap with me.
Depending on how things go, I might be offering the Heartache Elixir on my etsy store soon in small amounts.
If you're interested in trying this elixir, let me know and I can work out sending you a small sample for a minimal price and shipping.

Tarot Readings!

I am now offering to do Tarot Readings for querents online. This is something I’ve been thinking, praying and divining about for a while now and I just had the final push to take a deep breath and do it.
I will be offering readings with a variety of decks in a variety of spreads including:

The Faeries’ Oracle by Brian Froud
Thoth Tarot Deck by Aleister Crowley
The Jane Austen Tarot Deck
The Witch’s Tarot
Herbal Tarot (Coming soon)

The spreads include:

1 card question reading
3 card Past Present Future reading
3 card Body Mind and Spirit reading
6 card Relationship reading
9 card Wheel of the Year reading
10 card Celtic Cross spread

Prices for readings range from $3 to $20 and can be bought on Etsy or paid for by donation here on the blog. For the reading, all I need is your first and last name and e-mail address, which can be sent to my e-mail address hedgewife (at) yahoo (dot) com.

I need your name in order to focus on you as I am doing the reading. Since the readings are entirely online and I do not have the connection I would normally have if I was sitting with you in person or hearing your voice over the phone. Having your name helps me to hone in on your energy. I promise will not use your name for any other purpose than this reading.
I need your e-mail address to send your reading to you. Your reading will include the cards drawn, the reading of each card, overall reading and a picture of the spread for you to review yourself.

While I have full belief in the cards and in my ability to read them, I must add this disclaimer:
My tarot readings are for entertainment purposes only. Readings and advice given in readings should not be used to replace medical, legal or any other professional advice. Tarot readings are not meant to diagnose or cure any ailment. These readings are not guaranteed and the reading or reader cannot be held responsible for any action the querent makes after the reading.

That being said, I am having a special for the Witch’s New Year (Halloween) and will be offering 9 card Wheel of the Year readings for $9. That’s just $1 a card! This is a $6 savings so that you all can have the opportunity to see what the new year has in store for you! If you’re interested, please act fast as I will only be hosting this special from today to November 10th, 2012.

Happy Witches New Year readers and querents and may the Divine bless all of you in the paths you take.

Casper Bunnicula or Halloween Bunny is not for Easter

Today I adopted my very first pet rabbit.
His name is Casper Bunnicula...I'll get to that in a bit.

Casper is half Satin half Flemish Giant and a true albino complete with pink eyes.
He is as large as a house cat and very energetic is a little shy.
We adopted him form a small homestead out near Palmer where a lady had rescued a few Flemish Giants that were being mistreated and the female had mated with one of her Satins.

Now, about the name. Casper was the given name from his breeder as he is an albino and ghostly. Bunnicula came about when my friend reached into the cage and he bit her as he recoiled from her touch. I giggled and said he was my lil vampire as he curled up in my lap.
Thus Casper Bunnicula he was dubbed

I am so in love with this rabbit. I've been stressed recently and his snuggles have been a balm on my heart.

pictures coming soon
but until then...
here is an article about how house rabbits are eco-friendly pets

7 Ways Rabbits are Environmentally Friendly

Herbal Solstice Swap 2012

Herbal Solstice Swap 2012

A little while ago I ran into a thread on the PoppySwap community forum that discussed a group of 13 craft makers coming together to create products and swap them for last years Winter Solstice.
I sadly missed the opportunity to participate but that didn't stop me or the others that thought this was a great idea.

We started the Herbal Solstice Swap for 2012

If you're on PoppySwap and want to participate, it's super easy.
Join by commenting on the thread, so we know you're participating
Create 13 items
Send the items out by December 17th to the designated addresses that will later be given by e-mail
and receive 13 items.

Sounds like fun right?

I'm making a big batch of Hawthorn Heartache Elixir if that tempts anyone.