Your Crowning Glory

A Beautiful Mess of Tresses

As you may have guessed this post is all about hair... long hair, short hair, curly hair, straight hair, fine hair, thick hair, red, brown, blonde, black hair, messy hair, unruly hair... the list can go on hair lol 

I shall be giving you a few hints and tips, and recipes for how to make your own hair products naturally.

This is a pic I took of my hair today its two days in from washing it, unstyled. I have naturally coarse quite greasy hair that cannot make up its mind. 

Our hair defines us, we all want it to look its best, it's our main accessory to our wardrobe. So I know when I am having a major wardrobe malfunction it stems from having a bad hair day. We all get those moments and it cant be helped, from shifting hormonal patterns to a bad diet. All we can do is eat the best organic food we can find, treat our insides well as we do out outsides, and our body, hair and skin will reward us back accordingly.

So to start, you will need to make sure you are eating all the right things and drinking plenty of water, as a solid foundation. (That will come in a different post at a later date) 

To make a start with caring for your hair naturally, it takes patience and time. There are quite a few recipes out there for home made shampoos, for which I have personally tried and tested most of them. I have had some serious bad hair days as a result of that (plus I have the photos to prove it!) 

The transition over from commercial detergent based shampoos (that have sls's parabens/preservatives and lots of other nasty chemicals that I cannot even pronounce) to natural is not an easy task. Most people don't stick to the transition as it can take up to 6 weeks for hair and scalp to balance itself out with its oil production and normalise. I know this, as I nearly gave up. But I figured I have come this far, it would be a shame to stop now. I ended up having to wear hats and head scarves over that 6 week period as my hair was an icky sticky mess and looked a very sorry sight indeed. However I was determined I was going to get this right. 

Now after a year of using a natural solid bar base shampoo, my crowning glory is at its finest it has ever been. It is now half way down my back its not been cut for that whole year, and I have not one single split end. 

I use natural hair dyes like henna, indigo, walnut powder, amla powder (all on separate occasions) All of these are very good for your hair and act like deep conditioning treatments as you are dying!

The one I use the most is the amla powder maybe once every two weeks. I mix it in with coconut milk until it becomes a paste much like custard texture and slather my hair in it. Wrap it up in cling film and leave it on for half an hour, rinse, then I go about washing it normally with my shampoo bar. Amla powder is made out of dried indian goosberry, and naturally darkens and deep conditions hair. As you can see doing things naturally seems back to front. but its the best way to do it. You condition then you wash.

Now onto shampoo bars. They are good for the environment as they don't use plastic packaging, and do not contain any nasties.

Here's a basic recipe that I use to make a luxurious shampoo bar:
What you will need is: 
5oz Castor oil
2oz Cocoa butter
9oz coconut oil
3oz Jojoba oil
9oz Olive oil
2oz Shea butter
1oz Beeswax

10oz water*
4.05oz of lye

*here you can make a herbal infusion of your choice instead of just plain water
Also optional but not necessary up to 2% essential oils of choice. 

As there are hundreds of tutorials online of how to make your own cold process soap,I shall let you do your own research. 

Dont want to make it? You can find it in my shop here or visit my store for various scented shampoo bars.

Citrus Burst shampoo bar

My youngest showing off her locks after freshly washing it lol hers is fine and flyaway

My Eldest has the thickest most unruly hair on the planet. I took this photo of her not long after getting out of bed haha she was not impressed with me.

As you can see from the above photo's all three of us have very different hair types. We all use my shampoo bars and we don't use a conditioner anymore. 

This bar makes for a very dense lather and is highly moisturising to the point I don't need a conditioner. But for extra added shine I give a final rinse to my hair with a Apple Cider vinegar solution, which is:

1tbsp ACV
1cup water**
10-12 drops of essential oils of choice. Please note if you add the essential oils you will have a lingering scent on your hair until your next wash.

**Another variation of this is to make a herbal tea instead of plain water and add the essential oils, or choose to just have the herbal tea.

A good mix of herbal tea recipe for all hair types is as follows:
This one is an all time favourite in my house as I tend to have all these herbs to hand and one size fits all :)

Rosemary & Thyme herbal rinse for all hairtypes:
1Tbsp rosemary
1Tbsp thyme
1tbsp comfrey
1tbsp calendula
1tbsp marshmallow root
1tbsp burdock root

Mix it all together in a bowl and store in a jar to use whenever needed. 
To use, all that is needed is 1 tbsp of herb per hot cup of water, cover (to allow for all the herbal goodness stay in the tea) steep for around 15 mins strain out the herbs, then rinse over your hair.. and thats it! How simple is that!

If you don't have the time or the herbs to make this yourself please don't forget to visit my website to get yours today. For rinses specifically for different hair types please take a look at the different options available.

Here is an explanation and breakdown of what each herb is good for:

Rosemary stimulates new hair growth by improving the circulation to your scalp. It is antibacterial and gently cleanses. Increases shine to your tresses, fights premature graying, and also relieves irritated, dry, flaky scalps. 

Thyme has antiseptic and antifungal properties that cleanse, heal and soothe the scalp. It's helps ease dandruff and stimulates the hair follicles to help with hair loss.

Comfrey, gives the conditioning 'slip' that your hair needs therefore softening your hair. Therefore giving lifeless hair body and bounce. Your hair will feel softer, shinier and stronger. 

Calendula, another soothing herb for sensitive scalps, rich in plant minerals that protect hair from free radicals, and the scalp from bacterial growth. Adds shine to dull hair. 

Marsh mallow root, is high in mucilage, giving extra slip, to help detangle, condition and moisturise hair. High in plant proteins, marsh mallow nourishes the scalp promoting healthy hair growth and lustre.

Burdock Root, rich in fatty acids that stimulate blood flow to the scalp, nourishes and strengthens hair follicles, to promote healthy hair growth and improve the overall condition of hair. The silica and phytosterols in burdock help soothe irritated scalp conditions like dandruff, decrease breakage and repair hair while adding sheen, hydration & luster. It increases shine and gives body to limp hair. The mucilage in Burdock Root also helps add “slip” to your hair to make detangling easier.

How to clarify your hair:

If you find your hair is quite gunky and has a build up of styling products, two ingredients are needed. Bicarbonate of soda and water. before you wash your hair prepare a mix by adding 1-2 tbsp of bicarb to a cup or two of water wet your hair then rinse it through, massage your scalp and bring it down the shaft of your hair. Then rinse your hair with water and wash as normal.

For a more intense clarifying mix, make your bicarb solution into a paste by adding less water.and massage it gently to the scalp for a few mins. Wash it out with water then wash hair as per normal.

I will write up a separate post on how to make your own hairstyling products naturally, from hair balms, to hairspray, to hair gel... look out for the next post

Happy washing!! 

A Little Candy Poison Apple

Poison Popping Candy Toffee Apple

Preparation time: 5mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups granulated sugar
• 3/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup honey
• tablespoon black food colouring
• Popping Candy
• between 10 - 15 small apples

Instructions:

1. Place some baking paper on a tray
2. sand paper your apples slightly to allow the hot candy to stick, then wash 
3. insert skewers into all your apples, 
4. In a medium pot place all the ingredients in except the apples and popping candy, keep stirring until sugar has melted and is smooth.
5. Keep the heat on medium and allow to boil stirring occasionally until it starts to caramelise. With a candy thermometer heat the mixture until it reaches hard crack stage (150 degrees Celsius/ 310 degrees Fahrenheit)  
6. Turn off the heat and allow to sit for about a minute or less, then dip your apples in the hot mixture, place on your baking paper, sprinkle your popping candy over the top as you go. and set aside to cool approximately an hour before serving.

for more hints and tips please visit my site on facebook www.facebook.com/witchywoowoo 

The Magicke about Pine

THE MAGICKE ABOUT PINE

Where to start?!?! So much to say about this wonderful herb, from oils to leaves to craft projects to magicke. Such a versatile herb that I can have lots and lots of fun with. As I'm sure you will too, once you are done reading this :)

Ok lets start with its health benefits. Pine needle tea! Yes that's right tea... Now I hear you say, why would I want pine needle tea, well for a fact its about 4 to 5 times higher in vitamin C than lemons and oranges. It also contains vitamin A which is essential for healthy vision, skin and hair, also for the regeneration of red blood cells. And is also a mucus expectorant.

To prepare your tea, just boil some water, add a teaspoonful to your mug pour the water over it and let it infuse for about 10 to 15 mins. The needles should sink to the bottom by this time. Now if you have those handy tea baskets to hold the needles in even better!

Once your tea infusion has cooled this could also double up as an antiseptic. Think about all the products for the bathroom on the supermarket shelves that contain pine, well there is a reason for it, not only does it smell quite pleasing, but it also kills off the bad bacteria.


As an essential oil its benefits are tremendous! Pine oil is antimicrobial, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, balsamic, cholagogue, deodorant, diuretic, expectorant, hypertensive, insecticidal, restorative, rubefacient, adrenal cortex stimulant as well as stimulant to the circulation and nervous system.


So if you ever have achy bones, feel exhausted or are a sufferer of rheumatism add about 4 handful of needles to 4 cups water allow to simmer for 15 mins, strain then add to bath water for a natural relief and revitalise.


Again if you suffer from a stuffy nose from a cold, or have a respiratory issues, steam inhalation here is great, as it is an expectorant it will work wonders!


Pine nuts add a delightful taste to salads, baking and pesto, basil and pine nuts are very complimentary go ahead, try it :)

Pine nut basil pesto recipe:

4oz fresh basil leaves,

3/4 cup parmesan cheese

6 cloves of garlic (or to taste)

1oz pine nuts 

olive oil

Which leads us onto pine cones...

Pine cones are found in wreaths, potpourri, tree decorations and even firelighters. For the crafter they are incredibly versatile all you need is imagination. For more on different herbs and their magickal properties, please visit my facebook page. 

Here's a potpourri recipe ~ Winter Pot Pourri: 

You can make this, for yourself or to give away as gifts.

1 quart mixed alder cones, pine cones, pine needles, juniper tips, and scented conifer tips

50g (2oz) mixed scented evergreen leaves, comprising: myrtle, bay, eucalyptus 

25g (1oz) fine ground gum benzoin

25g(1oz) lavender

2 teaspoons cinnamon powder

1/2 teaspoon whole cloves

1/2 vanillia pod

2 drops lavender oil

2 drops pine oil

2 drops lemon oil

This is a sharp, spicy scented pot pourri, Buy yours here

Rainbow Flames: 

My children love taking part in this experiment, they love to watch the flames change an array of different colours just by throwing a treated pine cone onto it. 

Ok here are the colours and what is needed to create them.

you need a large bucket of pine cones (so you better get collecting lol) 

The colours are:

Purple/Violet - Potassium Chloride (found in non-sodium salt substitutes)

Red - Strontium chloride (red) or lithium chloride (deep red)

Blue - Calcium chloride (can be found in bleaching powder)

White - Magnesium sulphate (epsom salts)

Yellow/Green - Borax/Borax substitute

Green - blue vitrol/bluestone

Yellow - Sodium chloride (found in table salt) 

Most of these can be found in your local supermarket, the ones you can't just have a look online. Amazon and eBay are pretty good. 

Soak these pine cones in one of the above solutions 1/2lb of powder of choice to 1/2 gallon of water. Make sure it as all dissolved before adding the pine cones. Let the pine cones sit in this solution over night. Next morning place the cones in a mesh bag and allow to dry for  a couple of days. 

You can have fun with these, and you can add the colours into your magickal workings too when working with fire-spells.

Now my fellow witches if you find that you don't have the resources or the time to make these I will gladly do this for you! All you need to do is click on this link and order yours today :) 

TIME FOR SOME MAGIC:

Carrying Pine cones on your person aids with fertility, floor wash made with pine wards of negative influences entering your home and fights illness. To get your magickally charged floor wash click on this link and request a custom order.

A pine wand or cone on your alter also wards off negative influences.

Element: Air/Fire

Planet: Mars

Symbolism: Birth, Fertility, Abundance, Fortune, Health and Love

Fragrancing your home naturally, and magickal benefits

Simmer pots... Simmering potpourri. 

Simmering herbs over the stove to create protection, enhance love spells, for healing the sick etc.. Is an old tradition with handed down knowledge from the wise ones. Why not collect some herbs of choice and do the same. Not only do you fragrance your home naturally without the use of nasty chemicals, but you can also have your herbs for their intended use for your spell casting. 

All you have to do is gather your ingredients together mix them up in a bowl with your hands, whilst visualising your specific intent. Charge the herbs with the energies that are required, and add to simmering water... and that's it! your home will smell wonderful, and depending on the blend, it can uplift, energise, heal, protect, be used in love spells, bring prosperity and good fortune and the list can
go on...

Here are a few blends to try:

Protective blend 
4 tbsp Rosemary
3 Bay leaves
1 tbsp Basil
1 tbsp Sage
1 tbsp Fennel seeds
1 tsp dill seeds
1 tsp Juniper berries

Love Blend:
2 Bay leaves
2 cardamom pods
2 tsp Cinnamon 
2 tbsp rosemary
4 Vanilla pods

Prosperity Blend:
3 tbsp All spice
9 Almonds
1 tbsp Bergamont
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp clove
2tbsp Jasmine

if you don't have the herbs available but have the essential oils you can use those in a diffuser instead.

Now I can understand if some of you do not have the time or the resources to make these yourself, so how about you let me do that for you! If you would like purchase your blend hop over to my store now!! All custom made to order :) please request a custom order and I shall create one for you.
The blends available in my shop may vary from the ones above. Please visit my store at www.witchywoowoo.com and order yours today!

How to make stuffed vine leaves

Stuffed Vine Leaves

Tis the season for harvest, and I have been busy.. busy.. busy!

Now this is the kitchen witch in me, I love my cooking, and even better still, I love to cook with the herbs and vegetables I have grown myself in my back garden. You can quite often hear me humming a tune as I am collecting and cooking away :)

Here are some freshly collected vine leaves 

As my heritage is Greek-Cypriot this dish is a popular one in my house. I always make more than I need, as I can freeze it for a later date. Its great as a starter and a yogurt dip, as part of a main meal. My kids just raid the fridge when they are hungry and pick one out and eat as a quick snack. Be creative with what you mix it with :)

For the rice ingredients:

2 cups rice

1 Onion

6 whole lemons (or however many you want for that lemony taste) 

olive oil

Mince ingredients:

1kg mince (whatever you prefer) 

2 plum tomato tins

1 onion

3 cloves garlic (optional)

teaspoon of cinnamon

tablespoon dried mint

salt, pepper to taste. 

Fresh Vine leaves,or if you don't have these to hand I have seen vine leaves inbrine being sold.

Method:

Start by washing your rice, and draining it from the water, whilst that is draining, chop up your onion and place it into a pan on a low heat with a little olive oil until soft. 

Take your rice and add it to the onions, stir the onions and oil into the rice until coated completely. 

Then add 4 cups of boiled water to the rice, at this point place it on the lowest heat setting available with the pan lid on. 

Juice your 6 lemons and add this to the rice.

Let the rice cook for about 12-15 mins or until the water has been completely been soaked up. Once this is done let it sit with the pan lid on to continue to soak up the moisture. 

For the mince.

Chop up your onions and garlic,and add to the pan with a little olive oil and cook until soft.

Then add your mince. Cook until the juices of the mince run clear and add your plum tomato, cinnamon, mint, salt, pepper. 

Let this cook on a medium to low heat until the juice has been reduced for about 15-20 mins. 

At the same time you will need to blanch your vine leaves for about 5 to 10 mins.

Once this is done you will need a big bowl, to mix the mince and the rice together this will be your stuffing.

Now take your vine leaves, making sure that the smooth side is facing downwards. Place a tablespoon to two tablespoonfuls of the stuffing in the center of each leaf. Taking the bottom of the leaf (the bit where the stalk was) and fold it upwards to about the center. Then take the left and the right side into the center. This creates the 'sides' to hold it all in. Now roll it up from the bottom to make a cylinder shape and place it into a pyrex dish. Do this will all the vine leaves you have available to hand. Any left over stuffing mixture can go in the freezer for future use. 

Now your Pyrex dish is full, pour over some warm water to about half and if you want add a few slices of lemon and tomatoes over the top. Cover the stuffed vine leaves with a couple of plates to hold them down and place into the oven for 20 mins to half hour. The leaves should darken in the oven ever so slightly. 

And there you have it!!

Total yummy goodness :)

Enjoy!

~Opal Storm )O(

The Magic Behind Horse Chestnuts ~ A Spell A Day

Horse Chestnut ~ Magickal and Abundant

Well where do I start with this versatile herb! It just screams Autumn. You can collect these precious little gems from around late September to October. You can see children running around in parks and woodlands picking them up and stuffing their pockets. 

There are many uses for this perfectly formed round little ball, medicinally and magically. I would only suggest culinary use if using the sweet chestnut. Even the scientific names are different. Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) can be toxic if ingested by humans but is fabulous when used externally. This one is typically used for cattle fodder. Hence the name 'horse chestnut' It is quite bitter in taste, but is literally odourless. 

Horse Chestnut 

As you can see from the picture above this is the one we are more accustomed too in our neighborhoods. 

Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa), is the one we don't see often, but still can be found here in the UK. They are the perfect sign when you see them in shops that the winter festivities are kicking into play. They can be roasted, fried, ground into flour and can be used as a substitute to potatoes and grains.  There are so many reasons to use this sweet aromatic 'nut'. As there is a wealth of information on sweet chestnut on the web, I shall stop here :) Here is an image below so you can spot the difference.. The sweet chestnut outer skin is a lot spikier than the horse chestnut, and is pointier on one side. 

Sweet Chestnut

Even the leaves on the trees are different 

Now we can get into the nitty gritty of things, I will be talking about the common horse chestnut that can be found nearly everywhere in the UK.

Here are a few ideas that you can use these fabulous little nature perfect balls for

Making your own tincture, that can be added to creams and salves for varicose veins, leg swelling,leg pain, edema, and cellulite* (*For cellulite on a whole; diet,lifestyle and skin treatments all need to be addressed. there is no one single miracle cure) Also excellent for

hemorrhoids, lymphedema and prostrate enlargement.


To make your own tincture you will need to crush and macerate as much as possible your horse chestnuts.


What you need:

Vodka (40% is fine) or vinegar or glycerin whichever you prefer. (I use vodka)

As many horse chestnuts needed.

A glass Jar.


Sterilise your jar with boiling water.

Add your macerated horse chestnuts to fill about half the jar

Then top the rest up with vodka (or whatever you choose to use here)

Label and date your jar, then place in a dark cupboard for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. Don't forget to shake it every couple of days to make sure the vodka is extracting all the essential goodness.

And there you have it horse chestnut extract that you can add to your home made creams and salves. Why buy expensive? When you can do it for next to nothing, and you are in control of your ingredients.

The Horse chestnut has astringent and anti-inflammatory qualities. It also contains saponins. In the old days this was our native 'soap nut'. To use, peel the outer brown shell, then chop finely. Add about 8-10 (or more if needed) of these to a bowl and pour hot water over them. Allow it to steep for about 15 mins to cool slightly, you will see a milky white liquid with bubbles on the top. Strain this liquid and you can use it to hand wash your delicate's (satin's, silks) and woolens with. Its cleansing power is extremely high and its ability to remove stains is fabulous whilst also being super gentle to your fabrics! Go ahead and try it :) 

What about crafting with children? Well here is a super duper idea :) 

Horse chestnut soap with added essential oils and dried flowers of choice.

What you need:

15-20 Horse chestnuts

Dried flowers of choice

5-10 drops essential oil

silicone mould

Take about 15 horse chestnuts peel and macerate.

Then add your flowers, about 2 tbsp, and 5-10 drops of essential oil

Place in moulds and allow to dry for up to a week , or place in dehydrator if you have one. 

Purchase Natural Laundry Soap For Delicates

Once you unmould you have your soap!! Use use as above to retrieve the liquid for your delicates.  

Now if you don't have the time to make these, let me do the work for you just click on the link here and it will take you to my shop

Horse Chestnuts Magickal properties are:

For Male fertility, Health and luck. 

Use for magical workings in any of the above, or in mojo/amulets/charm pouches 

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Fire 

Blessings 

~Opal Storm )O( 

    

A Spell a day ~ New Job - Successful Business Spell

Apple & Cider Spell

As It is that time of year, harvesting your produce and putting it to good use can be a pretty daunting task. Why not use your apple harvest to create something special. 

Before I go to the spell, here are a few ideas for your apple harvest. 

Apple juice, by simply juicing with a juicer.

Apple cider, there are two versions of this, alcoholic or non alcoholic.

For the non alcoholic version, collect upto 4 - 5 times more the amount of apple cider you would like to make.Wash, remove bruises and core the apples. Once this is done place them into a blender and blend until it gets to about the consistency of apple sauce. 

The next step is to place the pureed apples into a muslin cloth and strain out the liquid. You can now refrigerate your liquid. Or freeze to keep for a longer period of time. 

Alcoholic Apple Cider. Here you will also need cider yeast or wine yeast.  You will need to make starter yeast the day before you add it to your apple cider. To do this add half a cup of fresh apple cider to one pack of cider yeast, seal the jar and give it a good shake to mix thoroughly. now leave this overnight in your refrigerator. The next day check your jar for bubbling, this shows the starter is now ready, release the pressure in the jar slowly so you don't get a volcanic eruption!!  This really didn't happen to me honest! lol :) 

Now place your fresh cider into a pan and with and over medium heat keep at a slow simmer . Simmer for at least 45 mins. The reason for this is to kill off and bad bacteria, and wild yeasts that could alter the flavour of your cider. Add honey or sugar to taste

Now get your fermentation bucket make sure its clean and sterilised, pour your Apple Cider into the container, allow to cool to room temperature and then add your prepared starter. Give it a good stir with a sterilised spoon and seal the container and set the airlock. 

Place your container in a dark place for a couple of days. Check to see if the airlock is forming bubbles, this means the carbon dioxide is being released, this should continue to bubble for the next two weeks. When the bubbling stops your cider is ready, bottle into sterilised bottles and store. As with wine it improves with age, the longer you leave it the better it tastes.

Apple cider vinegar. This is another favourite of mine, and so simple to do! All you need is your apple offcuts, or if you have fresh apples you can use those. Place your offcuts into a bucket, now cover with water till it gets to the point where you can submerge them. (there is no wrong or right amount of how many apples or water to use here) then add one cup of sugar to the mix place a plate over the top to keep the apples submerged under the water cover and forget about it for the next two weeks. 

Once the two weeks are lapsed strain the liquid from the apples, you can now smell the apple vinegar in the liquid. Sterilise some glass jars and pour your now vinegar liquid into them. Cut a piece of muslin cloth to cover the mouth of the jar and screw the lid on top. This allows the vinegar to continue to breathe. 

Now if you want to get quite crafty and make some gifts for Yuletide gifts, you can add herbs and spices to your vinegar to infuse the flavours, my favourite is rosemary and mint. Remember to label and date your jars! Enjoy

There are many more things that you can do with apples, they are so versatile. Get experimenting with different recipes, and don't forget to come back and let me know!

Now for the Apple and Cider Spell for a new job - successful business:

Ingredients: 
5 Orange candles
An apple twig
A small knife
An apple 
A bowl
A symbol of your work
Cider

On a Friday night, place the lit candles in a large circle. Use orange candles as orange is the colour of optimism and determination. Put all the other ingredients in the centre of the circle. 

Take the apple twig and draw an inner circle on the floor, working in a clockwise direction. You must remain within this magic circle to perform your spell. With the knife, cut the apple into 22 pieces, the number 22 incorporates all the other numbers. 

Drop each piece of apple into a bowl, wishing for luck in your venture as you do so. Place the symbol you have chosen to represent your work on top and sprinkle with a little cider. Stir the pot in a clockwise direction. 

As you put in the effort, so your life will bear fruit. Close your eyes and wish for success before drinking a toast of cider

Blessed Be

~Opal Storm )O(

Please note, for any spell castings please contact me direct at opalstorm@witchywoowoo.com. I work on donation, so please respect my time as I use my energies and ingredients for each spell cast. Thank you