Whispers On The Wind With Some Dandelion Magick

Its that time of year again, when you know spring has sprung!

Dandelions are back in season, and I am so excited (sad I know) but there is so much that you can do with this little gem.

One morning collecting from my garden - Dandelion flowers

Many avid gardeners are constantly trying to eradicate them, I actually welcome them into my home, and have kept a patch where I just let things grow wild in my garden. If I get a random dandelion grow where I don't want it to, I just dig it up and use the whole thing.

Dandelion Root

Dandelion leaf 

Parts used:
Flower
Leaf
Root

yup thats right the whole damn thing! Isn't that wonderful!!

One mornings harvest

Some things you can make with dandelions is salve, tea, coffee, honey, soap, jelly, salad, pesto and the list keeps going... oh and one more,WINE LOL yup I said it WINE!!! Who's with me on this one :)

Its so versatile I just don't understand why people try (but fail) to eradicate this wonderful healing medicinal plant.

OK back to the wine..

I am going to share my recipe with you
This recipe makes approx 3 x 70cl bottles

You will need:
1 Unwaxed orange
1 Unwaxed lemon
3 litres in volume of fresh young dandelion flowers,washed and dried.
4.5 litres of water
1.25kg granulated sugar
one sachet 7g of wine yeast

Peel the fruit, removing as much of the pith as possible, and put the peel with the dandelion flowers into the centre of a square of muslin. Tie the end of the parcel with string and boil the water for about 15-20 mins.

Remove the bag, squeeze it over the pan and discard. Then add the sugar to the boiling liquid. when the sugar has dissolved, pour the liquid into a large plastic food grade container and add the juice of the fruit. once the liquid has cooled to blood temperature, add the yeast.

Leave, covered, for 3 days in a warm place to allow the fermentation process to start. then siphon into a demijohn, being careful not to disturb any sediment at the bottom.put an airlock in the neck of the demijohn jar, and leave in a warm dark place. Once the bubbles have stopped popping up in the fermentation lock, siphon the wine into sterilised bottles, and cork. Leave to mature for about a year if you can bear it... thats the hardest part for me...


How to make a healing salve:
You will need
1 glass jar
1 glass bowl
containers for the finished salve
2 cups olive oil
1/4 cup beeswax or soywax for vegan version
vitamin e oil
dandelion flowers
essential oil a few drops (optional)

To start you will need to fill your glass jar about two thirds with dandelion flowers then add your olive oil. Dandelion flowers contain a lot of moisture so remember to thoroughly wash and dry them for a couple of days before using or your oil may grow mould and go rancid.

 Close the lid and place in a dark cupboard for 6-8 weeks, Remember to give your jar a shake every few days to thoroughly infuse the dandelions with the oils. You can speedup this process if you wish by gently heating the oil by placing your sealed jar in a crockpot full of warm water set on low, Leave on a low heat for a couple of hours then set aside to cool. I don't prefer this last method as I am not keen with heat, as it can destroy some of the healing qualities, so I leave mine in a dark cupboard for 6-8 weeks.

Now once your oil has been infused strain the plant matter out and compost. Now you have this golden liquid, add your beeswax and oil into a glass bowl, and gently heat to melt the beeswax. Once the beeswax has melted into the oil, allow the liquid to cool to blood temp. Then add your vitamin E oil and essential oil of choice. Pour into containers and allow to set. Once cool you can use your salve. This makes an excellent gift for those with hard working hands, like gardeners, DIYers, mechanics, or even if you suffer from cracked skin.

If you don't want to make it, why not purchase yours from my shop here

Medicinally, Dandelion helps to clear obstructions and is good for the liver, spleen, gall bladder and kidneys. It relieves fluid retention and premenstrual tension, detoxifies the system and encourages circulation. 

The Dandelion plant contains a wealth of vitamins, including A, C, D and B-complex. It also has high levels of minerals like magnesium, zinc potassium, iron and calcium.

Magickally Dandelion promotes psychic awareness, carrying thoughts between lovers. It is commonly used in country love divination to answer questions concerning a lover’s fidelity and intentions.

For Divination, wishes and calling spirits. drink dandelion tea or coffee to promote psychic powers. Leave a cup of this hot infusion by the bed to call spirits.

'Whispers on the wind' love magick, when the dandelion has gone to seed pick your flower make a wish, or send a message to your loved one, and blow. 

Ruled by Jupiter

Gender, masculine

Element, Air

For any personal spell castings please contact me direct via email opalstorm@witchywoowoo.com

To have a browse at what other herbal items are available please visit my website www.witchywoowoo.com

Disclaimer:

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

As always please do your own research. 

Witchgrass Magic ✨

Witchgrass is a very powerful herb medicinally, culinary and and in magic.

Considered by gardeners and agriculturers to be a noxious weed, you will find that this 'grass' will grow just about anywhere. Also known as couch grass, dog grass, twitch grass. 

Witchgrass roots, rhizomes are prized medicinally for its healing qualities.

Medicinally the roots are used, it is used to treat UTI (bladder) infections, bronchial issues, congestion and sore throats. 

High in mucilage it soothes inflammation providing relief for any tummy complaints, demulcent for sore throats. An expectorant for bronchial issues. Also used as a diuretic plus it's antibacterial elements to help with UTI's.

High in vitamins A and B. 

It's flavour is quite mild and slightly sweet in flavour as it contains vanillin. Some liken the flavour to licorice So it's quite an easy herb on the palate. You will find your pets will instinctively dig this root up or nibble on the leaves and eat it if they are feeling under the weather. Hence its other folk name 'dog grass' 

To made a medicinal tea for UTI here's a recipe below:

Nettle

Dandelion 

Marshmallow root

Witchgrass 

Horsetail

Cornsilk 

Optional add any of these

Uva Ursi

Cranberry

Chamomile

Echinacea 

Parsley 

To taste do not add honey as the bacteria will feed on the sugars, instead add just a small pinch of stevia. Or not if you prefer unsweetened. 

Also to each cup add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda, to help alkalise the urine, to ease off the burning sensation. 

Drink this tea 3 times a day.

If you don't want to use this medicinally and consider this a noxious weed, as it does contain the minerals calcium, potassium, phosphorous and flavonoids of fructose, pectin, glucose, inocitol and mannitol you can dig up the whole plant (arial and roots) make a decoction and use it as plant feed. 

Culinary:

Witchgrass can be cooked just like any other root vegetable, it can be added to stews to help thicken it up, roasted as a veg or to make a coffee substitute. Dried, you can grind it down into a powder to make a flour substitute. Added to beer or boiled into a syrup... Use your imagination the possibilities are endless..

Magickally 

Witchgrass is traditionally used for happiness, love and lust. It's fantastic for the removal of hexes and exorcism and can be used in many ways. The arial part of the plant tends to be used here. 

Witchgrass braids can be made and hung up for protection of the home, and can also be used for smudging for banishing and clearing, and for the protection of psychic attacks. And in the case of the removal of hexes and curses use it in their removal of you do not wish to send it back to its originator. 

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Earth 

Sprinkle the dry herb or make a herbal infusion of Witchgrass about the home for unhexing and to send negative energy back to the originator. An infusion of this herb can also be used to be consumed to dispel depression and bring a more positive outlook. Placed under a pillow of the beloved, Witchgrass brings new love and closeness to a relationship. Can be added to talismans, grisgris, amulets and poppets. 

To purchase the herb  and root of Witchgrass please visit instore here 

If you wish to purchase a magickal herb that is not on the list please contact me direct are there are far too many to list online. 

To purchase a witchgrass braid for smudging visit instore here

For any personal spell castings please contact me direct via email opalstorm@witchywoowoo.com

To have a browse at what other herbal items are available please visit my website www.witchywoowoo.com

Disclaimer:

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

As always please do your own research. 

Sweet Violets... the call of spring

Sweet violets are enticing, not only by the way they look with their plush dark green foliage and deep purple flowers, but they also smell sweet too.

As spring sets in these are one of the very first flowers that 'spring up' from our cold winter months, letting us know that the warmer weather is on its way.

Violets have been used over the centuries by many herbalists and perfumers. Its a gardeners favourite too.

They are very versatile and can be used in the kitchen in many ways either medicinally, culinary or magickally. Below you will find a few recipes.

Violet flowers add a delicate flavour to honey or salads, and look beautiful when crystallised.

Used in skincare, healthcare and perfume products, they have cooling, cleansing, expectorant and antiseptic properties, that lend to a variety of medicinal applications.

Bronchitis, coughs and catarrh, rheumatism, skin complaints, mouth and throat infections, and cancer. These are just some of the complaints that violas have been said to help.  Although its medicinal use is nothing like as common as it once was.

Here is a cough recipe I use with my children, that I find super effective.

Herbs needed:
Angelica root
Anise herb
Hyssop
Mallow
Mullein
Sage 
Thyme
Violet
Honey
ACV


Method:
Take 5 parts honey and one part Apple cider vinegar and gently heat to a thick syrup, add your herbs to this warm mixture, do not let it burn. Give it a good stir and let it cool. Pour into canning jars and let it sit for a couple of weeks. you can choose to strain out the herbs from this mixutre... but I never do. To administer take 1-2 tsp of this mixture and and an extra 2 drops of ACV to each tsp. 


Another Recipe I love is violet cordial, there are copious amounts of recipes out there so I shall let you do your research

Magickal Attributes:

Planet:  Venus
Element: Water
Gender: Feminine

Magickal Uses: Protection, Love, Lust, Luck, Wishes, Peace, Healing. Violets are a herb of love and protection

Violets bring peace. They may be used to dispel anger and to cool heated tempers. They ward off evil spirits and protect against nightmares. Violets are sacred to Dionysos and symbolize abundance and fertility, yet they are also associated with death - particularly the untimely death of children. Thus, they can be used to meditate on the mysteries of life, death and rebirth and on the abundance of the earth womb, where all life is created and to which it will return.


A Healing spell:

You will need:

• Purple paper 
• White yarn or string 
• scissors 
• Fresh Violets (whole with stems in holder or vase) 
• Black pen 
• Purple candle

This is best done when the moon is full, but you can do it whenever you feel it necessary.

Light the candle and fill the small vase with water.
Place the freshly cut violets in the vase and say a chant, focusing on the well-being of the person and the healing of their ailment.

Cut a heart out of the purple paper and write the name of the person on one side, and a short but heartfelt “Get Well” message on the other side.

Poke a small hole in the top right side of the heart and thread the white string through it, tie it, and attach it to the vase.

Give the little vase of violets to the target person and await their recovery.

To purchase the dried violet leaf  please visit instore here

If you would prefer I perform magickal castings on your behalf, please contact me direct to discuss. To purchase any other magickal or herbal preparations please visit instore now. opalstorm.etsy.com

Disclaimer:

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

As always please do your own research.