How Witches Use Herbs to Empower Their Magick and Manifest Healing with a Sacred Tincture

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Many of my readers seek healing and magickal empowerment. With Midsummer near, we have the opportunity to harvest and dry herbs. Witches know that empowering dried herbs is the first step to creating a magickal tincture to empower your magick and heal yourself or another person.

Begin by placing your dried herbs on the pentacle that resides on your Witch’s altar. Say the following chant aloud:

Herb Empowerment Chant

Little bundle of [herb you are using] of mine,
I empower you now, for it is time.

I call upon the powers of the Moon and Sun,
I call upon the powers of the Earth and Sky.

I call upon the four elements, Earth, Air, Fire, Water,
Give this [herb you are using] all Your power.

I call upon the powers of the rivers and the seas,
Listen to my hopeful pleas.

May this [herb you are using] bring me peace and tranquility,
And protect me from all negativity.

Lovely Lady of the Moon,
Give me this, my greatest boon.

Now that your dried herbs are charged use the following directions to complete your sacred tincture.

How to Make a Sacred Tincture

What you will need:

2 dark jars
Funnel for liquids
Cheesecloth
Enough herbs to fill the jar one-third full
Bottle of vodka

On a waxing moon thirteen days before the full moon, cleanse and consecrate your jars, cheesecloth, funnel and a bottle of vodka.

Warning: Do not use poisonous herbs!

Ask the Gods to enrich these items with Their positive energy as you fill one of the jars one-third full of the herbs. Fill the jar the rest of the way with vodka. Shake the jar until the contents are well mixed.

Leave the mixture in a dark, cool place.

For thirteen days, mix the herbs by shaking them daily. Make sure to keep all the herbs fully submerged to avoid mold.

Once your tincture (the mixture) has been fully infused, use the second jar, funnel, and cheesecloth to strain the tincture. Place the funnel into the opening of the second jar. Cover the funnel with the cheesecloth and pour your tincture through the cheesecloth—into the second jar. Make sure you squeeze the herbs to get all the tincture out of them.

Label the jar and identify when the tincture was completed.

Now the tincture is ready for you to use in your spell work.

May this process bless your life.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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Goddess Style Weight Loss: Wiccans — Happy, Healthy and Confident

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Break Free with Goddess: Wiccans – How You Can Get Free of Worry, Illness and Anxiety and Enjoy Abundance, Health and Confidence

Be a Wiccan Badass: Become More Confident and Unleash Your Inner Power

Goddess Reveals Your Enchanted Light: Peace, Prosperity, Possibility Along Your Wiccan Path

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Goddess Walks Beside You: How You Can Listen, Learn and Enjoy the Wiccan Path

Goddess Style Weight Loss: Wiccans — Happy, Healthy and Confident

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Wiccans and Drugs

October 24, 2015 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Drinks

“I heard Wiccans use drugs,” Sandy said.

“Yes and no,” I replied.

True, many Wiccans use wine in our the Cakes and Wine ceremony. Alcohol is a drug.

Not all Wiccans use alcohol in the Cakes and Wine ceremony. Some substitute grape juice or another fruit juice. Some completely abstain from all drugs like alcohol and caffeine. Yes, even some teas are off the list.

We can’t throw all Wiccans into any rigid category. Some use other natural drugs to combat ailments such as depression symptoms, arthritis, and other sources of pain. Some imbibe marijuana, for example.

It is truly up to the individual practitioner to choose what may help for medical reasons or improved quality of life.

I know some Wiccans who aim to stay away from manufactured, pharmaceutical drugs. Some Wiccans choose to imbibe natural drugs like caffeine, alcohol or marijuana.

Many Wiccans live in states where marijuana use is illegal, and they abide by local laws. They do not break the rules of the place they live in.

I take medications that help me with an occasional migraine headache and for working with my depression symptoms. I do consult my doctor and monitor the effects of the drugs. Yes, do consult a physician about the use or non-use of drugs.

I invite you to pay close attention to how you do or do not use drugs. What results are you getting? What might you want to change for the better?

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

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Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

You Can’t Know It Unless You Live It

December 27, 2014 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

He had that look in his eyes. A dash of confusion and a pinch of cynicism. “Tell me. What is Wicca, really?” Andrew asked.

Because I knew Andrew had to leave for an appointment soon, I thought that I’d better boil this down to a few sentences.

Then I thought, What does Wicca really mean to me?

Is Wicca just about herbs, brews, crystals and poppets? Or is it something else? How can I sum Wicca up in just a few sentences, or even one sentence?

Could you do it?

Yes, Wicca involves herbs, brews, crystals and more. But that is not Wicca. Is it about the Gods, dancing and singing? It does have those, too. But what is Wicca at its core?

The clearest way I can explain Wicca is: It’s a practice. Wicca is something you do. Not something you have. You can have all the trimmings with the crystals, herbs, fancy robes and even a crystal ball. But that does not make you a Wiccan.

Wicca is something you practice everyday. Wicca is a part of you. It’s what you do not what you have.

Wicca is honoring the God and Goddess with each breath, and honoring the earth as you walk. It’s finding the peace within your mind and heart, and then sharing that with others.

To me that is what Wicca is. It is finding the light with the Gods’ guidance and reflecting this light for others to find their own way on the path.

I strive to do this everyday. Sometimes I’m right on the mark, doing and breathing Wicca. Sometimes, I’m off. Perhaps, I miss my daily meditation. This is why we look on Wicca as a practice. You continue to develop yourself throughout your life. Sure, at times, you may stumble. But Wicca is about taking each step forward.

You continue walking the Wicca path before you.

Sometimes it’s hard; sometimes it’s easy.

With the Gods’ guidance, it’s always true and fulfilling.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

Goddess Has Your Back: How Wicca Can Help You Raise Your Self-Esteem and Make Your Life Magickal

And

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

And

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

How you can heal: Alternative Medicine vs. Modern Medicine

October 11, 2014 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Medicine

“Get yourself to a doctor,” my dentist said. He just saw bruises in my mouth, and he knew it was the sign for something serious.

Soon I saw my doctor who had me go through some tests. An hour later, I was on the phone with the doctor who said that the tests indicated that I should go immediately to the emergency room!

Many Wiccans like to use alternative medicine instead of modern medicine. But how do we use alternative medicine wisely? I’ve personally used catnip tea for reducing a fever. I’ve also used salty water for gargling when having a sore throat.

I’m suggesting that this is an “and” situation. You can use both alternative medicine and modern medicine. Sure, we Wiccans sometimes use ancient herbal lore from our ancestors. And still, there’s a definite time for modern medicine.

Back to my time in the emergency room. Further tests revealed that I had Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura or ITP. This is an affliction in which my spleen destroyed my platelets so that my blood did not clot. I was informed that if I bumped into something, I could bleed out!

During my hospitalization, I had to recline on a special air mattress because a regular mattress gave me bruises. It got so bad that I had bruises in the shape of the physicians’ hands from when they examined me.

ITP was an affliction that could not be solved by simple herbs.

After one month in the hospital, I endured a splenectomy (the removal of my spleen). This saved my life.

Again, I’m suggesting that we look upon alternative medicine and modern medicine as part of our toolkit. If I have the sniffles, I might start with teas. However, I’m so glad that I followed the advice of my dentist.

I feel that we, modern Wiccans, have the advantage of both herbal remedies for small afflictions and modern medicine when you need it.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

For more of Moonwater SilverClaw, consider some of her books:

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Book

The Hidden Children of the Goddess Embrace Wicca, Become Strong, Be at Peace with Yourself and the World Around You

And

Beyond the Law of Attraction to Real Magic: How You Can Remove Blocks to Prosperity, Happiness and Inner Peace

Beware The Fluffy Bunny!

January 12, 2014 / Moonwater / 5 Comments

Beware The Fluffy Bunny!

What is a Fluffy Bunny Pagan?

Patti Wigington defines a “Fluffy Bunny” as: “In general, ‘fluffy bunny,’ or ‘fluffbunny,’ is a derogatory term used to apply to members of the Pagan community who (1) insist that they know everything they need to know, (2) often make blanket statements about what ‘real Pagans’ do and don’t do, and (3) flat-out refuse to acknowledge that people who think differently from them can be Pagan, too.”

If someone thinks they know everything they need to know, they can make serious mistakes. Such arrogance can lead to physical danger. For example, I once read a book that talked about grinding certain stones, putting them in water and drinking the water. Do NOT do this! The rocks may contain traces of harmful compounds like arsenic or other poisonous substances.

Further, grinding stones with a high silicon composition is like grinding up glass. Drinking such a solution will turn your insides into hamburger. Again, don’t do it!

Watch out about herbs, too. Avoid just taking the advice of one book. Check in with an elder or mentor (or two or three). Do NOT experiment on yourself!

By definition, Fluffy Bunnies aren’t doing research. They can fall into believing mixed up notions. For example, Wicca is NOT the TV show Charmed.

The truth is: Wicca and Paganism have a real history throughout time. It’s valuable to study such history and avoid being misguided by something created merely for entertainment. I have heard a number of people saying that Fluffy Bunnies have a bad reputation for talking about things in an “everything is butterflies and unicorns” manner.

Fluffy Bunnies, as Patti noted, often make blanket statements about what “real Pagans” do and don’t do.

I note that sometimes Wicca and Paganism appear like herding cats. Everyone has their own ideas of what is the right way. I am Gardnerian, a British tradition. Does that make someone in the Feri tradition wrong? No.

Here’s a way to view the situation. Let’s say you have a potato. Every tradition cooks the potato differently. One may dice the potato, fry it and enjoy fries. Others mash the potato. Still, others may bake the potato and leave it whole. Does this mean that one is better than the others? No. The people all cooked the potato.

The outcome was the same, just the preparation was different.

Now, one might say that Fluffy Bunnies are merely cooking the potato in their own way. Fair enough. However, with this article, I’ve pointed out some details that we, as Wiccans, need to view with great care.

How about being a Learned Wiccan or Pagan?

Sounds good to me.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater

Litha/Midsummer

June 16, 2013 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Bee

Litha/Midsummer

The Summer Solstice Litha, also known as Midsummer, represents when the God is at his height in power and fertility. The sun now takes its longest path across the sky and we experience the longest day of the year. This completes the sun’s waxing cycle and begins the waning part of the solar year. The days become increasingly shorter until the Wheel of the Year returns to Yule when the days once again wax with the sun. The days grow longer.

Wiccans enjoy collecting and drying of herbs during Litha. Many of them take nice walks out in nature to harvest herbs. Herbs harvested during this period have greater magickal powers than herbs gathered at other times of the year. Herbs reach their peak of strength and potency during Litha.

Once again, the bonfire holds a prominent place. The God rises to his peak as his power and strength expands at Litha.

Along the line of a bonfire, when my coven meets for Litha, we do a barbeque. Meat and fire form a good combo for this Sabbat! Yum!

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Using Herbs for Magick at Midsummer (Litha)

June 9, 2013June 10, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

The Herb Catnip

Using Herbs for Magick at Midsummer (Litha)

Many Wiccans enjoy harvesting and drying herbs at Midsummer, also known as Litha. At its annual height of power, the Sun (representing the God) makes the herbs quite powerful at this time. Wiccans recognize that herbs, so empowered, are best harvested during the Litha Sabbat.

We harvest flowers and plants and hang them to dry during Litha.

Warning: Never use plants that have had pesticides and other chemicals sprayed upon them in your practice.

To collect herbs, you will use a boline, a knife with a curved blade and a white handle. Wiccans use this tool for all of their cutting, from harvesting herbs to carving symbols in candles.

To harvest a herb, cut the plant while leaving a long enough stem so you can tie it in a bundle. Then, hang the bundle upside down. In this way, the plant’s energies will be concentrated at the head of the plant, the part you are going to use.

Hang your herbs in a dry place where there is no direct sunlight—to avoid the sun leaching out the essences you’re trying to capture. Use an attic or if none is available just be sure the area you choose is dry.

Once you’re certain that the herbs are thoroughly dried you can take one of two steps. Either grind them with a mortar and pestle or package the whole leaves of the herb. Be sure to use air tight containers, made of either glass or ceramic. These materials will not contaminate your herbs with chemicals like plastic tends to.

Wiccans enjoy using the energies of herbs in their magic.

Consider expanding your use of herbs, too.

Blessed be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Offerings

May 20, 2013 / Moonwater / 12 Comments

Offerings: picture by David O.

Offerings

Why do we give offerings and what are they?

Offerings are small gifts we present to the Gods. They can be many things from candles to wine. You can even offer up your time to a good cause for a deity. I used to volunteer at an animal shelter, for example. More often I offer candles and incense up as offerings. I take a candle and hold it up and say something like: “Here is a candle, please take this offering as thanks for ______”.

Then I light the candle and place it on my alter to burn down completely. Never extinguish a candle once you have lit it for an offering to the Gods. This is considered taking back the gift and is insulting to the deity. Always let it burn down completely down and out on a safe heat proof surface.

You can also do this process with incense and other herbs. Burn incense and or herbs to the Deity you want to honor. Besides burning candles, incense and herbs you can pour a libation (a liquid offering) out onto the earth. You can use anything: wine, juice and blessed water.

Why do we present offerings to the Gods? We say thank you for the Gods help on things we have asked for. After a spell is successful, we will make an offering to say thank you for their help.

Some Popular Offerings:

candles
incense
wine
herbs
seeds
ground corn
hand made objects
fruit
milk
bread (cakes)
time (volunteering at an organization)
crystals
coins
donations of clothes or other things to a shelter (animal or human)

So say thank you to the Gods.

They help us every day.

Blessings,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Ointments

May 13, 2013May 14, 2013 / Moonwater / 2 Comments

Ointments

Herbs as Ointments

When I make an ointment using herbs, I use vegetable shortening. You can use lard if you want but this substance smells terrible.

To make an herb ointment, use one cup of vegetable shortening to three tablespoons herbs.

Melt shortening down and add herb(s) into base and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain liquid and let cool. Store sealed, air tight, in a cool place. That’s how we make an herb ointment. Be sure to use a glass jar or ceramic jug to store it in. Using plastic or metal will interfere with the ointment’s chemistry. For example, plastic has chemicals that can leach out in your ointment.

Where do I apply it?

Depending on what your using it for, apply to affected area (perhaps a rash that needs healing) or dab on wrists and neck. Never put an ointment on an open wound. This will block off air flow to the wound and can cause infection.

Ointments can often smell nice (like my lavender ointment) and that’s a great two-for-one opportunity: healing and a pleasant fragrance.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw

Magick with Poppets

April 28, 2013 / Moonwater / Leave a comment

Irises

Poppets

What is a poppet? A poppet is a doll made of cloth and stuffed with herbs. Wiccans often make a poppet to represent themselves.

Poppets are easy to make. Take two rectangular pieces of cloth. Draw a human shape (like a ginger bread man) on one piece of your fabric.

Poppet Outline

Lay one piece on top of the other and cut out the shape. You should have two cut out pieces of cloth that are the same shape and size.

Cut out poppet

Next start with the body and sew up both sides together, sewing everything but the head; leave that open.

You’ll need to decide which herbs will best suit your desires. For example, one might use cinnamon (yes, I know it is a spice) to attract money. Another example: to attract love and friendship, you can choose to use rose petals.

Take your herbs and your poppet. Once you have filled the body, sew up the head to seal the herbs inside. You can add hair or other features to your doll to make it look more like you.

Hold your completed poppet in your hands and visualize your intent. You can chant to help charge your poppet.

When you are done, place the poppet in a safe place where it will not be disturbed until you need to use it again.

Blessed Be,

Moonwater SilverClaw