#archaeplastids

Published in the 1940s, The White Goddess written by Robert Graves has served as the basis for a great deal of popular information on the Celtic ogham. Despite being the grandson of ogham scholar Charles Graves, Robert took liberties with the history of the ogham alphabet and added embellishments such as the thirteen-month ogham tree calendar. The appeal of this calendar for working with the energy of trees has captured the imagination of many of us who have incorporated it into our magical practices.

All of us get worn down due to the sheer busyness of life. When we feel depleted, oftentimes, we get a little sad, too. To rid yourself of negative emotions, try this purification bath. Draw a warm bath at noon when the sun is at its healing peak, and add the essential oils into the water as it flows from the faucet.

Traditionally, oak symbolizes strength, prosperity, protection, and overall blessings.

Oak is a standard wand for witches, druids, and others, since it represents power.

There is not denying we live in a time of immense tension. So many of us are living under enormous stress and strain. But, come to think of it, so were our grandparents and relatives who lived through World Wars. The Great Depression and really hard times. For that reason, some of the homemade healing potions, teas and cures our grandmothers cooked up from the kitchen cabinet are the best things to turn to in tough times. Here are some lovingly passed down from Auntie. Many remedies can be made from what you have in the kitchen, from spices as well as plants. These kitchen table cures will offer you and your family much relief from stress and strain.  Here are a few simple tried and tested recipes:

“I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more, But dipped its top and set me down again. That would be good both coming and going back. One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.” —Robert Frost, "Birches"

When I think about making incense cones and sticks, I usually see wood (a base material) as the simplest and most reliable ingredient in the blend. After all, it’s the base material that provides the heat to evenly burn the other ingredients. I generally use a simple formula when creating a pure wood incense: 2 tablespoons of wood powder, 1/8 teaspoon of gum binder, and about 1 tablespoon of water. Simple right?  

Roots, nuts and flowers can provide you with natural dyes.  Collect flowers in full bloom and make sure any nuts or berries you use are ripe.  Experiment with different plant materials to create a variety of colors.

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm starting to study the Ogham, and Yuri Leitch's book, "The Ogham Grove," is setting up a very nice system for me to spend approximately two weeks at a time getting to know one of the letters in this alphabet and the tree it's associated with, as well as other associations, during the time the sun is in that part of his Ogham Year Wheel. I find information online and in the Ogham books I'm starting to collect (like Erynn Rowan Laurie's "Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom"), as well as trying to find the tree in my local area so I can meet it in person. :)