Southern Conjure

Elder Flower (Sambucus Canadensis / Sambucus nigra)

Medicinal: The Elder Flower is an amazing plant, due to every bit of it being usable; the bark from its tree, the berries, the leaves, and even the roots have a special place. It's also thought to be 'the entire medicine cabinet' for a lot of country folk for years and years because of its healing properties and medicinal uses. To name just a few, it helps with boosting your immune system, fight off infection, helping to combat allergies, reducing inflammation in the mucous membranes in the sinuses, and can even be made into a tea to provide calming relief for severe cold systems.

Precautions: The raw fruit contains sambunigrin and could cause severe vomiting and diarrhea if taken internally. We highly recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using or ingesting herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

Spiritual Practice: Elderflower has been deeply established in folklore for hundreds of years. It is commonly used for uncrossing, protection, prosperity and abundance, and healing. It is also said to be used in spellwork related to removing negativity, negative spirits, and protection from witches. The elder tree is also associated with the goddess and feminine energy.

Russian culture has a long and rich history believing it gives protection from evil spirits, whereas the Bohemians believed that it is used in a spell to take away fever in a person. All in all, every part of this wonderful plant can be used in your work including the leaves, flowers, and berries. Even the stems are well known to make very nice wands. 

In Hoodoo: I use elder more as a banishing and cleansing herb, but that's just me. I have however used every part of the elderflower in protection and healing work, and even to help with uncrossing and prosperity. You can mix the leaves and berries with a few other herbs to make a mixture and scatter this around your house or business for protection from intruders, both in spirit and body. Add it to a small cloth bag and wear it to protect yourself from evil or bring good luck.

Plantain is excellent for treating all manner of wounds and skin irritations. Bug bites, cuts and scrapes are some of the most common issues treated with plantain.

While it would be beneficial to treat such conditions with fresh plantain, it may not be available when you need it. Thus, the plantain salve is born.

This plantain salve is good to have on hand when you are out and about. Apply to cuts, scrapes, and bites to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

This salve is prepared using dried plantain since some may not have access to fresh. However, this could be made with fresh herbs. Just be careful that the herbs are clean and watch for any mold developing when preparing the infused oil.

****************************** To prepare this recipe you will need:

1/2 cup Olive oil 1/3 cup dried plantain 1/2 ounce beeswax Makes 1/2 cup of salve. You will also need a pot, cheesecloth, measuring cup, and a jar (if infusing the oil via the slow/cold method).

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Step 1: Infuse oil Infusing oil may sound fancy, but it is nothing more than letting herbs sit in oil for a time. Anyone can do that! The best way to infuse oil and keep as much of the herbal goodness intact is to place herb in a jar, cover with oil, cap, and allow to sit for about 10 days.

Step Two: Strain out the herbs Once the oil is infused, strain the herbs out of the oil by pouring through some cheesecloth.

Be sure to squeeze out all the oil. You don’t want to waste any!

Step Three: Add beeswax Measure 1 ounce of beeswax per cup of infused oil. For this recipe I used 1/2 cup of oil and 1/2 ounce of beeswax. Place beeswax into a heavy-duty saucepan and begin to melt over low heat. Once the beeswax has begun to melt add the infused oil and stir to combine.

Once the beeswax is completely melted, pour into clean a clean jar (or jars).

Allow to cool completely before adding the lid.

Salve will keep for up to a year.

  You’ve stepped on it, ignored it, and tried to eradicate it from your lawn. However, this innocuous little weed is one of the most useful medicines on the planet, just begging to be harvested.

There are two major types of plantain in BC, Canada: Lance and Broad-leaf. Generally, all 200-plus varieties of plantain yield the same results.

It grows especially well in poor, rocky soil (such as driveways) and is often seen alongside dandelion. More often than not, you will see plantain growing in gravel pits and construction sites as nature seeks to regenerate the soil. Introduced to North America in the 1600s, it was once called “White Man’s Foot” by the Native Americans who witnessed that where the Europeans tread and disrupted the soil, plantain sprung up.

Plantain has often been the go-to remedy for hikers plagued by mosquitoes. Because it draws toxins from the body with its astringent nature, plantain may be crushed (or chewed) and placed as a poultice directly over the site of bee stings, bug bites, acne, slivers, glass splinters, or rashes. Bandage the area and allow the plantain to work its magic for 4-12 hours. Plantain may also be used to create a balm for emergency kits, or an infusion used as a skin or general wash. It is also a notable, soothing remedy for hemorrhoids.

Plantain is renowned for its healing effect on the digestive system. This is especially useful for anyone who has been damaged by antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain medications, food allergies, or Celiac disease. Both leaves and seeds specifically target the digestive system for healing. The leaves may be steeped as tea, added to soups, or dried with a sauce similar to kale chips. The seeds – a type of psyllium – can be ground or soaked for bulk mucilage or absorbable fibre, which, consumed before meals, may help with weight loss.

Because plantain is a gentle expectorant and high in silica, an infusion can be helpful for lung problems, coughs, and colds.

Medicinal plants and herbs truly do put the "mother" in mother nature. Like good friends, herbs are always there for you to support your body and help put things right when you're not feeling well. Medicinal herbs in nature can cure many ailments and truly do put effective, punctual and natural healing power right in the palm of your hands. Here are three herbs which can help you take charge of health.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint is one of the easiest choices to make when selecting herbs for your medicine cabinet or tea shelf. Peppermint, of the family Lamiaceae, is one of the most popular herbs around due to it's powerful healing properties. Peppermint is high in volatile oils, such as menthol. Volatile oils trigger cells in the body that perceive cold, which is why menthol causes a cooling effect on the skin. Peppermint applied externally can help sooth sore muscles and can be used as a local anesthetic. Peppermint's oils penetrate deeply to the nerves and muscles to impede stimulation in cells, blocking pain. When used internally, peppermint acts as an antispasmodic; this makes peppermint ideal for treating digestive ailments such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, or upset stomach. Additionally, uses of the active compounds in peppermint include the following: immunostimulant (immune system stimulant), anti-inflammatory, fungicide, insectifuge (insect repellent), and aldose-reductase inhibitor (substance that prevents eye/nerve damage in diabetics).

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Oregon grape, of the family Berberidaceae, is a great addition to your herbal medicine cabinet. This is due to the herb's capabilities as an effective antibiotic and a bitter tonic to improve digestive function. These healing attributes come from the medicinal alkaloid called berberine, which is found concentrated in Oregon Grape's bright yellow bark. Berberine works wonderfully as a natural antibiotic because of its ability to reduce bacterial adherence to cell walls. Oregon Grape therefore works effectively against infections of the bowels, throat and urinary tract. Additionally, Oregon Grape contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypotensive (promoting low blood pressure) compounds.

Gotu Kola (Hydrocotyle Asiatica)

Tisanes:

good for flowers, stems and leaves…Dried herb ratio: ABOUT 3-4 teaspoons herb to 1 pint water Fresh herbs: 3 teaspoons herb to 1 pint of water

Steep the herbs for 10-15 minutes in water that has just been boiled. Then strain the infusion.  If using for medicinal value, the infusion should be consumed in 8-ounce doses, three times a day.

For storage: cover mixture, store in a cool place, and use within 24 hours

   Maceration: cold infusions…some herbs infuse better in cold water (Valerian, marshmallow root)Ratio is the same as above.  Allow to steep overnight.  Strain. 

   Decoction: STRONG infusion good for herbal roots, barks, seeds, berries, and stems, or just a really strong “tea” (works nicely for toners and rinses)Ratio: Use 3/4- 1 cup herb to 1 quart of water.

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The Beef Tongue “Tapa Boca” Shut Your Mouth/Stop Gossip Spell

INGREDIENTS:

1 Beef Tongue (found in any meat market)

Master of the Woods (great commanding herb)

A piece of Master Root or some Calamus (controlling herbs) Salt

Red Pepper/crushed red pepper

Black Pepper Habinero Chile Peppers Hot Sauce (any kind) 9 large nails (I like old & rusty) Yarn or string 2 Black Candles (can carve your intentions on them) Small Bottle of Whiskey, any brand White piece of Paper with Person’s Full Name and Birthdate (seriously, find a way to get this!) or intended victims’ photo, hair, or other personal object (DNA is best) White piece of paper, 4 X 6 inch size, with your curse or request on it. (also known as a petition paper)

Take the Beef Tongue and cut a slit in it, making sure you do not cut through to the other side. Sprinkle some of the Red Pepper, Black Pepper, Habinero chile, hot sauce and salt in the slit. Place white piece of paper or photo or personal object in next. Cover with more of the peppers, salt, hot sauce and chiles.

Wrap the larger piece of paper around it and use the 9 nails to hold together the tongue at the slit, making it as closed as possible. Tie the red ribbon or yarn onto one nail at one end, then begin wrapping the ribbon around the tongue until it is completely covered. Tie the ends off to secure the ribbon or yarn.

Take tongue, whiskey, black candle, green candle, and lighter or matches to a deserted or quiet railroad crossing. Open bottle of whiskey and pour some of it on a railroad cross piece (usually wooden). Lay tongue where you poured the whiskey. Place each one of the candles on each side of the tongue and light candles. Leave opened bottle of whisky next to tongue. Ask the God of Iron, Ogun, to take care of this person for you, who keeps “wagging their tongue” in malicious gossip about you.

Leave and do not look back. Take alternate way home.

Good morning and blessings to all of you. I pray everyone has a most beautiful day. Ella

HEMATITE:

Hematite possesses the curious property of "healing" itself. Make a small scratch on the surface of the stone, then rub your finger over it. The scratch may disappear.

Hematite can be powerful in drawing illness from the body. Hematite is also worn for grounding and stabilizing purposes, and to focus the attention on the physical plane.

You can also do scrying with Hematite. The best way is to sit in a darkened room, light a candle. Settle before it and hold a large piece of hematite so that the candle's flame is reflected on it. Gaze at the reflection and visualize a question. The answer is said to come to you.

Sea buckthorn oil is cold pressed from the whole berries to produce a regenerative oil that is used to treat a wide variety of skin disorders. Sea buckthorn oil can be used directly on the skin to regenerate skin after injuries, burns, wounds, and sun damage. Those with psoriasis and eczema may benefit from the oils ability to prevent plaque formation. Current studies are being performed on its ability to combat wrinkles, acute dryness and other symptoms of prematurely aged skin.

Sea buckthorn oil heals on the inside as well and is suitable for a dietary supplement. The reddish/orange, thick oil is chock full of vitamins phytosterols, beta-carotene, anti-oxidants, and carotenoids. Sea buckthorn oil is very soothing to the gastro-intestinal tract, and may be of help in treatment of colitis and stomach ulcers. Other traditional uses include immune system stimulation and protection from harmful chemical contamination at the cellular level. One recent study found sea buckthorn oil to be effective in reducing dry eyes when it was taken orally.

There is widespread consensus that Sea buckthorn oil is a beneficial dietary supplement that can greatly improve the condition of skin hair and hair. While the cost of the oil is rather high, it is highly concentrated and can be used very sparingly.

Preparation Methods & Dosage :The oil is used for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Sea buckthorn oil should be diluted when used in skin care formulations. Take 1 tablespoon or four to five 500 mg capsules daily as a dietary supplement.

The Archangels are the heads of the Angelic Hosts. They stand midway between the primal, archetypal level of force contacted with the Hebraic God Names and the building, actively working level of the Angelic Hosts.

Angels are the symbolic builders of the universe, the construction workers who serve the One Divine Architect-Source under the direction of “Foremen”, who are the Archangels. Angels have specific duties and responsibilities in correspondence with their particular Sephira upon the Tree of Life. Angels are a part of what are called the Angelic Hosts, also known as the Malakhim, the and Cherubim.

All spiritual experiences are based in the brain. That statement is truer than ever before, according to a University of Missouri neuropsychologist. An MU study has data to support a neuropsychological model that proposes spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain.

The study is one of the first to use individuals with traumatic brain injury to determine this connection. Researchers say the implication of this connection means people in many disciplines, including peace studies, health care or religion can learn different ways to attain selflessness, to experience transcendence, and to help themselves and others.

This study, along with other recent neuroradiological studies of Buddhist meditators and Francescan nuns, suggests that all individuals, regardless of cultural background or religion, experience the same neuropsychological functions during spiritual experiences, such as transcendence. Transcendence, feelings of universal unity and decreased sense of self, is a core tenet of all major religions. Meditation and prayer are the primary vehicles by which such spiritual transcendence is achieved.

“The brain functions in a certain way during spiritual experiences,” said Brick Johnstone, professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions. “We studied people with brain injury and found that people with injuries to the right parietal lobe of the brain reported higher levels of spiritual experiences, such as transcendence.”

This link is important, Johnstone said, because it means selflessness can be learned by decreasing activity in that part of the brain. He suggests this can be done through conscious effort, such as meditation or prayer. People with these selfless spiritual experiences also are more psychologically healthy, especially if they have positive beliefs that there is a God or higher power who loves them, Johnstone said.

“This research also addresses questions regarding the impact of neurologic versus cultural factors on spiritual experience,” Johnstone said. “The ability to connect with things beyond the self, such as transcendent experiences, seems to occur for people who minimize right parietal functioning. This can be attained through cultural practices, such as intense meditation or prayer or because of a brain injury that impairs the functioning of the right parietal lobe. Either way, our study suggests that ‘selflessness’ is a neuropsychological foundation of spiritual experiences.”

The research was funded by the MU Center on Religion and the Professions. The study – “Support for a neuropsychological model of spirituality in persons with traumatic brain injury” – was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zygon.