My sister had been very ill at the start of this year. First, she suffered terrible menstrual symptoms while also catching a respiratory infection. Following the infection, we realized she had a gastrointestinal bug which kept her weak and in bed, unable to eat or drink much without vomiting. She did not eat for about 4 days and drank very little.

On the 4th or 5th night, she was crying in pain and frustration after vomiting every few hours. I knew I had to try something else that the mundane alone just could not seem to substitute. I got to work gathering supplies for making a healing doll. I sewed the fabric and added my herbs—oak leaf for protection, salt for cleansing, bay for intention, pine for healing, maple leaf for longevity—invoking each of them for their specific properties. I drew her initials, star sign, and some Ogham—Tinne and Ceirt—representative of my intention. When I was finished, I swayed for a while and chanted “For all that is ill, healing and peace. As I will, so mote it be”.

I finished the spell and went to her room to comfort her and help her drink. I ended up also massaging castor oil on her abdomen and focusing my energy there to help with any blockages or illness.

The next day she was feeling a bit better, and was able to eat some yam without vomiting, but was still depressed about her situation. So, the following day, I helped her tidy up the tissues in her space, and pick up the clutter that had been building. We talked about her emotional and physical struggles, I opened the door and window to let out stuffy air (and unbeknownst to her, any negative energy), and helped her remove things around her room that reminded her of negative things before replacing them with things she truly loved.

The day to follow, she was up and moving, rosy cheeked, eating normally yet cautiously, and any illness and blockages had been slowly clearing. The suffering that plagued her for nearly 2 weeks had been cleared up in just a couple days. I had doubted myself, my magick, and my holistic medicinal knowledge, but this experience was the perfect way to prove that I am capable of much more than I give myself credit for.