#spellpower

Why the X's? There are different theories about why three X's are drawn on Marie Laveau's tomb. Tradition says, if you draw three X's then knock, or spin around, and say your request and the spirit will grant it. Slaves were almost entirely illiterate. They drew an X to sign their names, since they could not write. It is believed that the original X's were a signing of her devotees names, saying "It's me, I was here". The number three is also sacred in most any religion as the holy trinity exists in some form or another to most people. It is also believed the X is a symbol of the meeting of light and dark and at the center is where we can communicate with the spirits. There is also a theory that since Vodou originated in Haiti, the slaves passing through is how it was brought to New Orleans, that the X is a version of the Haitian Cross which can look like two X's overlapping. As I was leaving a cigar, and I was surprised it was the only cigar there, I felt the presence of two people approach. My husband stood between us, as I was kneeling in prayer. It was what I assume to be a father and daughter (in her late teens, early 20's). She asked my husband "What's all this?" He replied "It's the grave of Marie Laveau." She replied "Who's THAT?" My husband's response; "She was a Vodou Queen." The young woman replied with "Oh". She hurriedly backed up, walked far around me and left. Hurriedly is an understatement. I chuckled, and I swear I heard Marie chuckle as well. You can read my full entry in my bio or click here; https://conjuredcardea.blogspot.com/2013/07/pilgrimage-to-tomb-of-marie-lave.html?m=1 #hoodoo #voodoo #conjurewoman #conjurework #PagansOfInstagram #magick #spellcandlesofinstagram #spellcraft #spellpower #FolkMagick #folkmagic #marielaveau #neworleansvoodoo #neworleans #PagansOfInstagram #voodooqueen #saintlouiscemeteryno1 #saintlouiscemeteryneworleans #graveyardgirl #conjurewoman #hoodoopractitioner #HoodooWitch https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfG-MFnWZs/?igshid=vvwlhi4wazx5

Described Usage: Riverbud’s water in and of itself, as aforementioned, is a powerful substance of rejuvenation. The liquid, when heated and left to reduce for a few minutes, produces a light sapphire tincture known as a coastal mana potion, a strongly rejuvenating draught for spellcasters to restore magical energies. The buds combined with the stalks of sea stalk in an 8:10 or 10:15 ratio will produce a bright yellow-green liquid known as a steelskin potion, hardening the skin and repelling water, useful for travel and battle alike when imbibed or rubbed on the skin. Combined with teaspoons of Siren’s Pollen, the plant’s second, in equal ratio and preparation above provides a deeply magenta-hued elixir known as a potion of bursting blood. This liquid, when imbibed, warms the blood considerably, causing capillaries to sometimes painlessly burst and pour like liquid metal upon anyone who harms the imbiber. This is doubly true for any blood shed whilst under the effects of this potion. 

Why the X's? There are different theories about why three X's are drawn on Marie Laveau's tomb. Tradition says, if you draw three X's then knock, or spin around, and say your request and the spirit will grant it. Slaves were almost entirely illiterate. They drew an X to sign their names, since they could not write. It is believed that the original X's were a signing of her devotees names, saying "It's me, I was here". The number three is also sacred in most any religion as the holy trinity exists in some form or another to most people. It is also believed the X is a symbol of the meeting of light and dark and at the center is where we can communicate with the spirits. There is also a theory that since Vodou originated in Haiti, the slaves passing through is how it was brought to New Orleans, that the X is a version of the Haitian Cross which can look like two X's overlapping. As I was leaving a cigar, and I was surprised it was the only cigar there, I felt the presence of two people approach. My husband stood between us, as I was kneeling in prayer. It was what I assume to be a father and daughter (in her late teens, early 20's). She asked my husband "What's all this?" He replied "It's the grave of Marie Laveau." She replied "Who's THAT?" My husband's response; "She was a Vodou Queen." The young woman replied with "Oh". She hurriedly backed up, walked far around me and left. Hurriedly is an understatement. I chuckled, and I swear I heard Marie chuckle as well. You can read my full entry in my bio or click here; https://conjuredcardea.blogspot.com/2013/07/pilgrimage-to-tomb-of-marie-lave.html?m=1 #hoodoo #voodoo #conjurewoman #conjurework #PagansOfInstagram #magick #spellcandlesofinstagram #spellcraft #spellpower #FolkMagick #folkmagic #marielaveau #neworleansvoodoo #neworleans #PagansOfInstagram #voodooqueen #saintlouiscemeteryno1 #saintlouiscemeteryneworleans #graveyardgirl #conjurewoman #hoodoopractitioner #HoodooWitch https://www.instagram.com/p/CEfG-MFnWZs/?igshid=rl8jnn2aotfr

Described Usage: Silkweed is used in a traditional and beloved Pandaren brew known as Silkstout, popular in the Heartland and Halfhill. As Silkweed grows year round on the farmland, it is enjoyed throughout the entire year, especially in times of harvest bounty or celebration. The brew is said to be relaxing and rejuvenating, as well as smooth on the palate. The recipe goes as follows: combine an equal amount of Silkweed blooms and leaves, fresh, with an entire root of freshly grated ginger. Allow to fully steep in steaming water, then add the juice of two orchard lemons. Combine an equally weighed amount of cane sugar to the ratio of Silkweed, and finally, add yeast and allow to ferment in a warm, dry place. In time it becomes a delicious, silky smooth brew, tasting of earth, ginger, citrus, and caramel. The farmers of the Valley are a clever brood, however, and do not use Silkbrew as a restoring tonic alone. If their land is threatened, two different, but equally weighed distillations can be poured into one another to create a ruby hued, aptly named potion of weaponry. This elixir increases the force of blows a great deal, as well as prowess in combat. The farmers have also been able to create a few different effects by combining certain teas with Silkbrew, or reducing the ratio of Silkweed by half, and substituting with another herb. With blackened Green Tea Leaf, it creates a potion of the Jade Serpent, increasing wisdom and spellpower that glows a bright chartreuse. With rain poppy, it creates a yellow Monk’s elixir, increasing vitality. Fool’s Cap added provides a shining effect to weapons and armor upon movement when imbibed, blinding the opponent- known as an elixir of mirrors. Lastly, a fully bloomed Snow Lily tea, half mixed, will create an elixir of perfection, a deeply jade liquid said to make blows more deadly in combat. I consider this a great lesson in humility, and to never underestimate what a seemingly simple plant is capable of in the right hands.

Described Usage: The polutice of Khadgar’s Whisker and water can still be used on wounds for increased healing and as an antibacterial. In more advanced distillations, the brewing process for most potions of Khadgar’s Whisker is… interesting. Usually, the herb is mashed with other reagents and warm water, then left to ferment for days or even weeks. This is why, when mixed with Fadeleaf, those without an extreme alcohol tolerance experience an acute lack of perception afterwards in trade for the potion’s properties of stealth detection. Traditional Khgar brewing uses yeast for fermentation, but where such things are scarcely found, such as in the Plaguelands, the spores of the common toadstool have been substituted. Usually, large batches of these potions are made in wooden casks and imbibed enjoyably as one would a malt beverage. Not all brews have the side effect of dulling motor function. In fact, most do not; some simply retain the taste and warming sensation. True to its inherited name, Khadgar’s Whisker can be combined with crushed herbs for effects of the arcane. For magical restoration, Goldthorn dust can be added, for wisdom and clarity, Blindweed in whole, and for healing, the leaves of Sungrass. The one reagent that should not be fermented with this herb is the leaf of Dragonsteeth- the reaction that occurs is quite unpleasant. I urge you to simply take my word on this.

The most popular story of this occurrence is that a chip of hot mithril landed in a Blacksmith’s scalding mug of Goldthorn tea. This somehow escaped the smith’s notice until after taking a sip, when his hammer landed on his own hand. Instead of the hammer breaking his hand, his hand broke the hammer. Thus the concoction, aptly named Stoneshield, was created. It is now synthesized by crushing both Goldthorn and Mithril and adding boiling water to the mixture. I’ve heard of some soldiers keeping a small measure of this in place of a tooth, and biting down to spare themselves a fatal blow in battle- the concoction only works for a matter of seconds. Further experimentation has found that using an identical process with Elemental Earth will create a potion of restoration, which is moderately successful at purifying afflictions both natural and magical- such as poisons, diseases, and curses. This is less of a tea and more of an ingestible clay. It is rather unpleasant to consume, but I can guarantee it is less unpleasant than death itself.  

Described Usage: Netherbloom’s pollen is its most prized reagent. In addition to giving the effects summarily listed above, a concentrated enough liquid dose can be used to send a rush of adrenaline to the body. It is a common drug for victims of stroke, blood clots, and those whose hearts have stopped beating. Alchemically, the properties of the pollen are various. Combined with a tincture of Nightmare Vine, it greatly enhances magical abilities, especially magicks of destruction. Assassins combine the pollen with fel lotus to slay their targets with ease. Mages prefer a powder of the pollen with ancient lichen stirred into tea, to increase their ability in combat. The substance takes on a reddish hue, and is aptly named “Elixir of Mageblood”. Although a spoonful of Netherbloom pollen in tepid water and catalyzed with Felweed fern makes a mighty fine healing potion, little of the substance is used in this way. In a certain capacity, its uses are either highly lucrative or rather shady. The pollen should be kept in a locked container, or diluted in dyed to disguise its vaguely glowing, purple tint. The Dalaran hospital has their own methods of this, which change every few months or so. For my purposes, I find crushed walnut shell added to the watered pollen produces a brownish black, making the substance look rather unremarkable. A bit of crushed chalk also works well, as it renders the purplish substance a silvery white, much like an innocuous tonic of Peacebloom.

Described Usage: The whole of Mana Thistle blooms can be blanched or eaten raw to restore magical energies. Its seeds, crushed and steeped in alcohol and honey, remove toxins from the body- especially the liver. My alchemists have adopted this as a hangover cure, but the true medicinal use is detoxification and the restoration of damage. Still, this is probably prudent, I must admit. It is thought to have some sort of tie to elements, as a finely-crushed  powder of Manathistle seed combined with various primal elements provide a corresponding resistance to various magicks. The addition of primal shadow will provide protection against shadow magicks, for primal mana, protection against arcane, primal water, protection against frost, and primal fire, protection against fire. Curiously, primal life will produce either protection against nature or holy magicks, depending on the temperature of boil. Low temperature will yield the former, high, the latter. These potions are often made en masse via their combined reagents boiled in cauldrons of water. Before a battle, Blood Elves take a small philtre of whatever is needed to gain an advantage on the enemy.