Moons & Musings

Ancestral work with herbs. Hi Guys, Yes, it's me again continuing our ancestral work mini-series with the follow-up as promised on herbs to use. As with all herbal work, if you plan to ingest them, seek medical advice first. As you gather your herbs (it doesn't matter if you are using fresh home-grown herbs, or store-bought dried ones) make sure that you speak your intentions to them, and connect to them. Keep stating your intentions during the workings, and express your thanks to the herbs for working with you in this. Herbs can be used internally, in foods, teas and tinctures; and externally, in baths, as an incense or an oil. You will know what works best for you, and consult a professional if in doubt. If you are seeking to do ancestral work, where possible, use herbs that your ancestors would have been familiar with or used, or if there is a particular plant or herb that you associate with them, then use that. Below is a list of general herbs and plants that can be used al...

So, here we are in the 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' (Keats: To Autumn), so we thought that we would look at the symbolism of fog, because, well, why not? Cat has tech issues today, so I am in the driver's seat for a minute! Scientifically , mist or fog is formed as water droplets that hang in the air when cold air and warm, moist air meet. It is commonly found in valleys in Autumn and Spring. Mist is thinner than fog, as such it will dissipate quicker. Technically, fog is when you can see less than half a mile (1,000m) ahead and mist is being able to see up to five miles ahead (1km to 8km). There is a lot of symbolism associated with mist or fog. The most obvious connection in today's world is an association with a state of mental confusion. I am sure that most of us have experienced 'brain fog' at some point. It is very prominent in a number of conditions, including (but not limited to) fibromyalgia, long covid and menopause. I was diagnosed with l...

  Hi Guys, Well, we got a good response for our introduction to the witch trials , so I guess we have our work cut out for us with this series! Trying not to get angry will take some doing! We are going to start local in Cornwall in the next instalment, then go on to individual cases throughout the world where documents allow us to research. I have a list of people executed in the UK (and in the separate countries of the UK before Unification in 1707), although these are not the trials, just the deaths. The first death of a UK based witch was in 1324, as mentioned in the introduction, and the last was an unofficial death in 1751. It was that of Ruth Osborne who was murdered by an unruly mob after a trial by ducking. So, let's start with the punishments meted out to those accused: Torture Branding Hanging Banishment Imprisonment Burning Drowning Ducking Beheading Garrotted Strangulation Shot with Muskets Disembowelled and fed to pigs! ( Poland) Impalement Pressing (crushed to d...

  Hi Guys, Continuing with our Hallowe'en themed posts, and carrying on from the Flora Friday's Mandrake post, I have decided to look at a concoction referred to as Witches Brew. Also known as: Witches' flying ointment Green ointment Magic Slave Lycanthropic Salve Hexensalbe (German)  translates as Witches Salve Flugsalbe (German) Translates as flying salve Unguentum sabbati (Latin)  translates as Sabbath Unguent unguentum pharelis (Latin)  translation unsure  unguentum populi (Latin) translates as   poplar unguent unguenta somnifera (Latin)  translates as sleeping unguent Ingredients are said to vary between those who documented its use in the Late Middle-ages, but are said to include: The fat of a babe from its grave Meal of fine wheat Smallage (a type of celery) Cinque-foil Wolf's bane (Aconite - toxic) Mandrake   - toxic Belladonna - toxic Hemlock - toxic Jimson Weed (Devil's Snare - toxic) Black Henbane - toxic Henbane Be...

Hi guys, So, fire week, and what is more linked with fire than the infamous witch trials? Yes, I know there was more than burning that occurred to punish these poor people, but that's what sticks out for me.  Yes, I have shoehorned this into this week's posts, but it has been written for a while. So, I went down a rabbit hole. I was looking up a reference in the Bible for another post, and ended up on Witch trials! As you do. So, a little background. To be totally Cornish about it... What 'appened woz....... I was going to start yet another series on mythological creatures like vampires, witches, mermaids, unicorns, you get the idea. Thought I'd start with witches, so wanted to find out when they were first mentioned, or when the word was coined, and plunged headfirst into the rabbit hole. Naturally, ended up at the trials, all of them! And the Malleus Maleficarum...... So, I think that this alone will be another series, giving you a little information here, then going ...

Hello all!! Today I'm going to teach you how to lock your mirrors!! (Apologies for the lateness, I overslept and it takes a while for me to get with it in the mornings!) What is Mirror Locking? Mirror Locking is a way to protect yourself and your home from negative energy. Mirrors absorbe energy just like other objects, however, a mirror can store and reflect energy back into the home! For example: - There is a Chinese legend that states that reflections were in fact demons and malevolent spirits copying you and trying to steal your life and take your place - We all know that Vampires traditionally couldn't see their reflection in mirrors for 2 reasons: 1 They were demons with no soul 2 The silver backing on mirrors of that time period (more on that later) - Mirrors have been seen as gateways and doors to different realms and places in many cultures and mythologies How do I lock a mirror? There are several ways, including: - Covering them during workings or when not...

Hello all!! Today, we're going to talk about Covens!! What is a Coven? The definition of a Coven is a group and/or meeting of Witches. Each individual Coven will have its own rules and morals for it's members to abide by. A Coven normally has a leader of sorts and in Wiccan Covens, the Coven is lead by a High Priestess and a High Priest. How big does a Coven have to be?   A Coven can be as small as 2 (technically an Obaven ) or as large as it wants to be, there are no limits to the number of people who can be in a Coven. A Coven can be a group of friends meeting at a house or a worldwide online community and everything in-between. Traditionally, a Coven usually consisted of 13 people and if the Coven grew too large, it would split. Do I have to join a Coven to be a Witch? No. Joining a Coven isn't mandatory or essential. Solitary practitioners are just as valid!! My friends and I meet up regularly: does that make us a Coven? Not necessarily. A Coven has leaders ...

Hello all!! Today I'm doing a quick guide for baby Witches about starting the craft!! I have probably covered a few of these things in previous posts along the way but I'd like to put everything into one place!! Step 1 Identify as a Witch . It may take time for you to find your path and your path may change a few times along the way. Check out our Which Witch series for more! Step 2 Research the history of Witchcraft . It's important to know your history and where everything came from. Step 3 Research closed practices . Find out why they are closed to you so you don't appropriate them (everyone makes mistakes, especially in the early stages so be sure to research thoroughly). Step 4 BOOKS!!  Get as many books as you can and always check reviews and cross-reference. Some of the information in some books may be outdated so always make sure to double check. Step 5 Learn the basics . Things to learn about: - Colour Magick - Common herbs and correspondences - Mo...