#simple syrup

This Banishing Potion uses the magical properties of Banishment and Protection that are often attributed to Black Pepper. It is best used as an adjunct to more intensive banishing spells that include black pepper as an ingredient- call it a way to apply your magic inside your body where it can do the fastest work. It can be used to banish the influence of a person on your life or to banish a particular habit that you wish to be rid of. The proof is in the magic, so to speak. Please add your own intent as is appropriate to your path where appropriate.

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) has a long history of being used as a protective and banishing herb that, if the stories are to be believed, has been used for this purpose since the Middle Ages. Although I have not found concrete evidence as to WHY black pepper is associated with these properties, I assume it's due to its fiery Martian nature.

You can increase the Martian aspects of this spell by performing this on a Tuesday or during the Hour of Mars.

The spell begins by crafting a Black Pepper infused simple syrup.

Black Pepper Syrup

1-2 tbs. Crushed Black Pepper or Whole Peppercorns 1/2 Cup Sugar 1/2 Cup of Water Mortar and Pestle (optional)

Because the main component of this spell is Black Pepper, I highly suggest that you grind your own peppercorns in a mortar and pestle if you are able. This is a great time to add some intention to this working - focus on what you are looking to banish from your life and really think about crushing it like you are crushing the peppercorns. Make that thing smaller and smaller as the peppercorns get smaller and smaller. Once crushed, you can turn your crushed black pepper into simple syrup by combining it with the sugar and water on the stove on medium-low heat until the sugar is dissolved into the water. You can attempt to strain out the pepper bits if you wish, but I personally keep them in the syrup.

Simple Syrup keeps in the fridge in an airtight container for 1-2 months.

Black Pepper Banishing Old Fashioned

2 oz. aged liquor* (I used Johnny Walker Red Label) 1/4 oz. Black Pepper Simple Syrup 1-3 dashes of Angustora Bitters (optional to taste) 1-3 berries or cherries** Rocks glass, Muddler Here we are following the traditional method for making an old fashioned. Add your fruit, the syrup, and the bitters into the bottom of a rocks glass and muddle them together - this is the primary place where you are adding your intention into the making of this drink. As mentioned above, I like to think about crushing whatever I am looking to banish from my life at this time. Add in your liquor, ice, and stir to combine. You can also use the stirring to confirm your intention - I like to be very clear here and state out loud EXACTLY what I am looking to remove from my life.

Drink and enjoy. Bonus tip: When you pee later, imagine the thing that you are trying to banish leaving your body and being flushed down the toilet for a bit of extra oomph to this spell.

Banishing Black Pepper Iced Tea

2-4 oz. unflavored black tea, steeped and cooled*** 1/4 oz. Black pepper syrup, or 2 taste 1-3 berries or cherries* Tea glass, cocktail muddler

Here we are following the traditional method for making an old fashioned. Add your fruit, the syrup, and the bitters into the bottom of a rocks glass and muddle them together - this is the primary place where you are adding your intention into the making of this drink. As mentioned above, I like to think about crushing whatever I am looking to banish from my life at this time. Add in your tea, ice, and stir to combine. You can also use the stirring to confirm your intention - I like to be very clear here and state out loud EXACTLY what I am looking to remove from my life.

Drink and enjoy. Bonus tip: When you pee later, imagine the thing that you are trying to banish leaving your body and being flushed down the toilet for a bit of extra oomph to this spell

*Any aged liquor will work for this spell. I've tried it with Aged Rum, Gold tequila, Rye, Bourbon, and Scotch. The smokey notes of the Red Label are a really nice compliment to the spicy of the black pepper but use what you would normally drink. ** Use Blackberry or Raspberry for the extra benefit of their protective properties to this potion, or cocktail cherries as suit your needs ***Any quality black tea will work for this working.

I made a Rybka pouch! I couldn’t buy the pattern so it’s my guess based on looking at photos but I think it turned out pretty good!

A honeysuckle simple syrup kinda day. 💐

I mixed this beautiful May Sunset cocktail as the four of us were together to celebrate Mum and Dad's Agate Anniversary, and yesterday's evening skies after too many rainy days!

Ingredients (serves 1):

8 ice cubes

15 millilitres/½ fluid ounce (1 tablespoon) London Dry Gin

7.5 millilitres/1/4 fluid ounce (1/2 tablespoon) Angostura Bitters

30 millilitres/1 fluid ounce (2 tablespoons) Simple Syrup

the juice of half a lemon

chilled Champagne, to top

edible flowers, such as phlox or violas

Place ice cubes in a shaker. Pour Gin, Angostura Bitters and Simple Syrup over the ice.

Thoroughly squeeze in the juice of the lemon halve.

Close shaker tightly and shake energetically.

Double strain into a chilled coupe glass, and top with chilled Champagne. Garnish with phlox flowers.