We went apple picking and the weather was gorgeous. The sky was amazing. My sister and I went with all our kids. We nibbled along the way, picked raspberries, tons of apples and pumpkins too! We have the day off from school today, so I'm hoping to make some candy apples!

I went to one of my favorite sites for herbs and found this info on apples-

Apples may be incorporated into any ritual in which one wishes to give honor to a god or goddess of fertility. Dried seeds and bark may be powdered and burned as incense. Apples may be eaten, or the juice shared in the ritual cup when seeking knowledge through the Tree of Life, an act requesting wisdom from the deities. The Apple may also be used as a symbol of security. Apples are often associated with good luck. (If you cut an Apple in half horizontally and look where the seed cavity is you'll see it produces a five pointed star) The Apple is believed to improve one's spirits and elevate one's happiness.

-Carol

Rosemary Lavender face scrub
1 cup of oats
1 tablespoon of each of the following herbs;
Rose petals
Lavender flowers
Rosemary

In your blender chop all ingredients, heat oven to lowest possible setting, then turn the oven off, spread the chopped dry ingredients onto a cookie sheet and heat for about 7-10 minutes,
Place into sterile jar with lid.
To use, add a pinch to the palm of your hand, add enough water to make a moist scrub, scrub face allow to remain on face for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Mori`s mojo
Safe travel charm bag

Creating a charm bag: you can search the web and books, but the magick of a creating a charm bag is selecting personal items, those things that hold great value and meaning to you on a person level. Taking this first step of tapping into your own creativity puts the magick in motion. I like to begin by gathering more supplies then I really need. I’ll lay out a handful of stones & herbs, and then focus on the intentions of the bag. I will then select only those items that speak to me, even if I don’t find them listed on some correspondent list some where else.

For the safe travel bag, I selected the following items:
Blue flannel material; from my daughter’s trip to Ks.
Hematite, turquoise, tiger’s eye; also a gift from my daughter’s trip
A bear charm, as well as a squirrel eating a acorn charm; both gifts from carol, the bear for strength and protection, and the squirrel for keeping animals safe while I drive.
A dried zinnia flower that I planted at the roadside memorial, for emotional strength & protection
Broken glass from my son’s car, protection from my son as well a reminder to drive safe!
A shiny dime that I found { I believe my those are gifts from my son}
Herbs; patchouli, chamomile & lavender for calmness while driving, horehound to keep from getting tickets, sage & black art incense for protection, blessing send incense to bless my old car , and juniper berries from a dear friend I lost a few yrs back.
A power hematite necklace from my daughter-n-law.

I placed the herbs in my mortar & pestle, and grind them together blending their energy with my own and those ancestors who protect me.

I then place the stones in the bag, along with the herbs then tied the bag shut, I put the small charms on the string to the power stone necklace, and then secure it around the bag, leaving enough length of string to hang from my car.

The safe travel bag, gathers strength from the sun, and fills my car with the earthly scent of the herbs and incense, and reminds me when I open the door and get in, that I am protected and aware of my driving, reminding me to always pay attention and drive safe!

Goldenrod Spell for Wealth

When the noble goldenrod raises its head,
Cut three stems and bind them with golden thread.
Do this before autumn leaves begin to fly,
And hang them from a beam or rafter to dry.
When they can be
crumbled in your hand,
Mix them with earth and sand.
And one evening when the Moon is round,
Sprinkle this magical blend upon the ground.
Before the Wheel of the Year turns again
Abundance and wealth will fill your hand.

I'm going to try this fun and simple spell I just found. It's not my favorite wild flower but it is so abundant right now. When I was growing up, my aunt was so allergic to it, we weren't allowed to touch it! I'm glad to find this spell and will be harvesting some today, It's right at the back of my yard.
-Carol

These flowers are growing like crazy all along the road side here in upstate-ish NY. I always loved chicory, it's one of my favorite colors ever. I always read about it being a coffee substitute but never went that far. I think i'll collect some to store for magickal uses for now

Magickal Uses:

Chicory is a good herb to use when one is seeking to remove negativity and obstacles in the energy flow. This herb may be integrated into healing and Magick in order to promote a more positive outlook on life, and to improve one's sense of humor. Place the fresh flowers on your altar or burn Chicory as an incense.
-Carol

The sweet smell of honeysuckle fills the air, growing outside my kitchen window.
It fills the air while driving down the dusty country roads near where I live, I just love the sweet clean smell of honeysuckle. The sight of the flowers in bloom, remind me of faeries dancing on wild untamed vines. The magickal side of honeysuckle:



Honeysuckle

The Honeysuckle encourages us to reach for those desires sought while remaining true to the values and beliefs held. The Honeysuckle will help you to tread safely. The sweet scent of the Honeysuckle signals joy in the search for the self.

Yesterday we took a nice walk at a park on the Hudson River. We had a picnic too! I'm always gathering and collecting while we walk. I guess I need to keep busy!


I found these water chestnuts. I've always collected those since I was little, but called them cow heads. They kinda look like a bull with horns.
I found you can use these as protection if you put them over your doorway. It would be pretty bad if it fell off and you stepped on it though! They are cool to collect and look at. I guess they are bad news though as they are very invasive!

I gathered these rocks too. I loved the long skinny shape of them and brought a bunch home. I wonder what different rock shapes mean. There was a bunch in this shape, too. I wonder how they got this way. I had to take a handful. There used to be brick yards here, so there's lots of bits and pieces of stone and brick scattered about the edge of the river.
Another magickal day...

-Carol

On one of my walks I found a bunch of wild roses. I left them in this beautiful bowl I received from Mori to dry. Next I threw a bunch of things together-

My recipe-

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. vitamin E
• 8 drops rose geranium essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• A big pinch of dried roses
• A big pinch of dried lavender (from Mori's garden)
  

Instructions:
Combine sugar and oil, add vitamin e, e.o's and herbs.

Mix up. Keep in jar.

Sugar is good for really dry spots. I have actually been using this on my heels, hands and elbows. My heels are so dry from flip flop weather and I think this helps. Also, the rose geranium is supposed to keep ticks away, which is why I bought the stuff. We have so many ticks around here and Lyme's Disease is really getting out of hand. Maybe this might help to keep those nasty things off my ankles!

-Carol

We took a short walk on Friday to one of our favorite swimming holes. It was a little on the too cold side, but it was a nice break. On the way back up the trail. I noticed Indian Pipe growing. I always thought this was so cool! I always thought it was a fungus too, but it is actually a flower. It is known by so many names that I had a difficult time finding much magickal information on it. I found the most info by one of it's names- elecampane here ( The site is difficult to read though) and here.
You can read it below-

Elecampane is magickally used for banishing and to dispel angry or violent vibrations. Associated with elves. Use in a sachet to attract love or in incense to purify initiates. Strong association with the Elven world and Tarot. Useful for baby blessings. Hide a sachet of elecampane or sprinkle it around doorways to keep out bad vibrations. Ground together with vervain and mistletoe for a powerful love powder.

Worn, elecampane attracts love- Sew up some of the leaves or flowers in pink cloth, or make a sachet. It is also carried for protection, and the herb smoldered on charcoal aids in sharpening psychic powers, particularly when scrying.

I also found out the flower is associated with elves, fairies and nature spirits, it can be used in garden and fairy magick. Which I love knowing

As you would guess there is also a Cherokee legend that goes along with the plant. It says where ever you see a grouping, there has been an argument in the past and the indian pipes are to remind us to live in peace.

My favorite names this plant also goes by are- Fairy smoke, elfwort, and Ghosts of summer's woods
-Carol

Last night I went on a walk down the road and brought my camera along. We walked about a mile to an old quarry. Hidden behind some dirt mounds was a beautiful pond and loads of wild flowers. Today I researched and identified the flowers I saw, then looked up their magickal qualities. It was so interesting! It took some time identifying, but well worth it. I will now go back and gather some. Do you want any? Or should it be like that divination hike....



Toadflax- protection and breaking hexes

















Thistle- joy and energy. Leave throughout the room for cleansing














Blackberry- money and protection. Hiding place of the fae













Herb Robert- part of the geranium family. This one I will research more, because it seems so interesting. It's even planted in the "magic" garden section of the medieval gardens of The Cloisters. It's good for love, protection and increases the power of other herbs. It's also known as Dragon Blood red.










Cattail- Lust..... hhhmmmm






Pine- prosperity. Burn for strength and to rid negative energies. The scent will alleviate guilt. Guess what I'm doing tonight:) Isn't this tree gorgeous, it's so soft and almost furry looking. They all were.







Rough Fruited Cinquefoil- eases heart ache and grief. Money, protection, wisdom





Blueberry-protection. This was a very nice find. We munched along the road all the way there!


-Carol

Fern Leaf fennel
I love this crazy herb, this year it has grown as wild and free as it pleases, almost taller then me, this is one of the herbs my husband doesn't really like, he says it looks like weeds are taking over, but me.. That’s another story, I love that it grows all along my south side of the trailer. Most years the leaves get striped bare from so many caterpillars, but those caterpillars turn into beautiful amazing blue swallow tail butterflies!
among its natural wildness and beauty it also holds magickal powers of protection!

MAGICAL USES:
it is said that if you grow fennel around the house, fennel confers protection. You can also hang fennel up at windows and doorways to ward off evil spirits, and repel negative energy. It can also be carried as a protection herb, and used in purifications sachets, and well as healing mixtures.

~ Blessings~
Mori`

Since we are covered in bug bites and the poison ivy is coming and going, I'm going to whip up some jewel weed potions! This stuff is the best for itches and stings. I thought it was called jewelweed for the flowers. I'm just finding it's name comes from the way the water beads up on the leaves after it rains. It's like the plant doesn't get wet, the droplets form "jewels". The seed pods are one of the most fun things to play ever. You touch them and they explode! I love that. That's where the other name of the plant comes from- Touch me nots.
It's great on poison ivy and if you look at my picture, you'll see how they are usually found next to each other( and notice the daddy long legs, too). We have loads growing in the back yard and I'm going to grab some! My plan is to infuse some in cider vinegar, or maybe I'll do it quicker and boil it, whip it up in the blender, then strain. I'm going to keep some in the fridge to keep it cool and soothing and use it for dabbing and put some in ice cube trays for really bad itches! It's also the best thing I have found for immediate soothing of stinging nettles. I have boiled it in oil and made a salve by straining and adding beeswax, in the past too. One more recipe I just discovered and find interesting is lotion.

Jewel Weed Lotion Infusion Potion-
Boil 1/2 cup of jewelweed in 1 cup water. Strain after about 10 minutes and add to any lotion, as much as will work in. This may only last a couple weeks, unless you add a preservative. Sometimes, I add a vitamin E tablet to preserve.
-Carol