Witch Tip Wednesday 1.31.18
Fighting Fear to Make Your Own Magic
There are so many resources for finding spells and correspondences that we become trapped by it. Not only that, but it can make people feel less than, when their spell they copied word for word, ingredient by ingredient doesn’t manifest.
Witches of old, our spiritual ancestors, knew that magic comes from the land. Before the technology boom, and the spread of witchcraft books, the solitary witch was a power unto themselves, and why is that?
It’s not a matter of being a hereditary witch from an uninterrupted line of witches since Agrippa rocked socks, it’s a matter of personal experiences and personal knowledge.
A spell you find written by someone else may not work, and not from lack of intent, but spells are skewed to the knowledge and experience of the witch who wrote it. If you have no connection to rosemary, but the book tells you, and you use it..it won’t be as effective if you used an herb or ingredient you associate with the purpose.
So, since witches, at least myself and my in real life witches, have a tendency to hoard things and ingredients they think may come in handy, but have no idea what to do with them, here’s a questionaire to connect with them, and use them.
Does it have any history?
Does it have any local significance, history, lore, or uses?
Where is it from/where did you find it?
Is it edible/how does it taste/smell?
How does it make you feel?
Do you have any memories associated with it?
The native trees, plants, seasons, animals are different all over the planet. You can become a better witch by learning to make magic based on that. If aconite and snow water are called for and you live in Southern California, you’ll have to grow it, order it, or hope a friend can send you some. It’s not efficient, and you may not connect with the ingredient.
Have the courage to deviate from the standards, and make your own. Every person is different, so why shouldn’t their correspondences and magic be?
If you need an example of the questions in use, read on. If not, then no worries and
A plant. Researched and it has many names: Cuban Oregano, Indian Borage, Mexican Mint, Broad Leaf Thyme.
It has been in use as a cooking ingredient in coastal areas for a couple hundred years.
I live in a predominantly Hispanic area, and I’m sure at least one of my ancestors in Mexico or Spain or Basque has used it. It’s also been used in folk medicine by several different cultures.
Originally from India, it was used in trade to the Spanish who propagated it through more trade and colonization to Africa, the West Indies, Caribbean, Mexico, Philippines etc. it grows in coastal regions well and I grow it in several places in my yard.
It’s a green, round and thick leafed plant with segmented stems. There are small hairs all over the leaves. No spines, sharp edges.
It feels soft, and thick. When I squeeze the leaves, plant juice is released. Slightly cooling.
It is edible and has been used as an herb for cooking for a long while. It tastes slightly like rosemary and thyme, with an almost minty after taste. Not menthol, but it smells almost camphorous.
It feels like anticipation. There’s a confidence in holding it, like you’ve prepared for something that you’re sure you can do, and it’s the day before.
It’s the first plant from the yard I propagated when my partner and I moved in together. It reminds me of beginnings, and every moment is a beginning in the scheme of things.
From this, I know that camphor is in sage which is great for cleansing. It reminds me of home, and rosemary which are both protective. Beginnings and love. I can dry it and burn it as incense to cleanse my home, make a tincture and take baths or use it as floor wash. I’ve used it in a safe return spell, it’s a part of my land, and when I travel, I bring a jar with it in my bag, and leave a piece of jewelry behind so I can return back to my land safely.
This is just an example of how you can work through anything to get a feel for how you connect to it.
