Natural Remedies: 15 Ways to Use Dried Lavender

Lavender is an extremely versatile herb. Like lavender essential oil, there are many uses for dried lavender, here are just a few:

• Sprinkle over floors before sweeping/vacuuming. Your vacuum bag and/or bin will smell lovely! 
• Use as an insect/moth/silverfish repellent in wardrobes and cupboards. Hang lavender bags or make a pomander.
• Add to letters and cards for a scented surprise. 
• Create scented candles by adding dried lavender and some essential oil to heated wax.
• Add to other dried herbs plus some frankincense and myrrh to create incense.
• Make Lavender bath salts. Add 1/4 cup dried lavender to 1 1/4 cups of Epsom Salts, and a few drops of essential oil. Combine and store in a tightly closed jar. Pour into a muslin bag before adding to bath. Keeps 6-9 months in a cool, dark place.
• Make lavender bags. Place in drawers to keep clothes fresh or by your pillow as a sleep aid. Squeeze the bag regularly to refresh the scent.
• Lavender bags make great wedding favours. You can coordinate the bag material with your theme. 
• Lavender bags also make great car air fresheners.
• Add culinary grade dried lavender to your favourite drinks to add a floral flavour. Add to green tea or floral gins. 
• Add culinary grade dried lavender to salads, cakes and chocolate.
• Use in place of rice or paper as wedding confetti. Fragrant, a pretty colour, biodegradable, and perfect to take to a wedding if you’re not sure on the venue rules. Create confetti cones and leave in a basket for your guests on your big day. 
• Make lavender infused oil, perfect for restless legs, dry scalps, and itchy bites. Fill a jar half way with dried lavender. Cover with a carrier oil (I recommend Grapeseed). Cap and store somewhere cool for 4-6 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain, and use within 9 months to a year.
• Use lavender oil made from dried lavender to create balms and salves.
• Use lavender on stalks for smudge sticks, or loose with other herbs to create incense.

NEXT - Natural Remedies: Nettle & Rosemary Hair Rinse
NEXT - Review: Magical Aromatherapy by Scott Cunningham
NEXT - Flower Magick: 52 Floral Magickal Correspondences 

Review: Goddess Provisions Box (June 2022)

Take a look at last month’s incredible Goddess Provisions Box “Solar Energy” - fit for a Summer Solstice Queen.

This box turned up after the cut-off point for ordering BUT @goddessprovisions are now taking orders for their July “Luminous Light” box, which looks beautiful!

In this box I received:

• Atma Botânica Sun Shower Steamer - Let me tell you; this stuff smells AMAZING @atmabotanica

• Tarot Sun Pendant Necklace - I’m definitely wearing this later and tomorrow!

• Apothékary Co. Blue Me Away Superfood Blend Packets
  
  
• These blue matcha and Siberian Ginseng are supposed to be good for cognitive boosting and mental clarity, EXACTLY what I need right now. @apothekaryco

• Solar Radiance Bookmark - Perfect for all the witchy books I have coming up to show you.

• Golden Ray Spoon - Perfect for measuring herbs for tea or spells.

• Earth Harbor Sunstone Hair Elixir - Contains seaweed, coconut, jasmine, calendula, carrot and jojoba oils. I can’t wait to get this on my hair! @earthharbor 

• Prehnite Crystal - This water-safe stone is perfect for aligning those heart and solar plexus chakras.

• Radiate Your Light Postcard - This is a run-down of everything in the box plus discount codes, Moon Wisdom Club etc. I actually look forward to this part of the box as much as anything else. These postcard-sized works of art can be framed and displayed. Art by @creativewannabe_ Jay Kay.

I feel like these already-generous boxes are that little bit more special around the sabbats. Thank you @goddessprovisions for your incredible work and for sending me this beautiful box.

NEXT - Review: Wild Once by Vivianne Crowley 

Natural Remedies: Nettle & Rosemary Hair Rinse

Nettle is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. It contains silica and sulphur which together make hair shinier, thicker and healthier. Nettle boosts the circulation, meaning more oxygen (and therefore nutrients) reach the hair follicles. The antioxidants get rid of damaging compounds and inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen (type of hormone) that causes baldness in both men and women.

Rosemary is also believed to prevent DHT from bonding to hormone receptors that enable the hair follicles to be attacked. Rosemary contains ursolic acid which increases (scalp) circulation. It is unsurprising, then, that hair re-growth has been observed in trials using rosemary oil. Its antibacterial properties cleanse the hair and increase shine.

Working together nettle and rosemary do amazing things for the hair.

This recipe has been in my Book of Shadows for over 20 years now. It seems a bit odd rinsing your hair after washing it with what is basically tea(!), but it will add body and shine.

• Step 1 - Add a handful or two of Nettles, and a handful of Rosemary sprigs, to a heat-proof bowl. Add 1L of boiling water and leave over night to steep.

• Step 2 - Strain. At this stage you could add 50ml raw apple cider vinegar if you wanted, but I don’t bother.

• Step 3 - After shampooing rinse your hair with this mixture, no need to wash out. Use all in one go, this mix isn’t for storing.

‼️ CAUTION: this beautiful reddish-brown mixture will stain ceramic bathroom ware, so please be careful. Rosemary can darken blond hair over time; so if you’re blonde - and enjoy being so! - you might want to avoid frequent use. 

NEXT - Natural Remedies: Women's Blend Diffusion
NEXT - Flower Magick: Using Flowers in Cooking
NEXT - Rose Magick: Correspondences 

Simple Magick: 10 Easy Witchy Self-Care Activities

It’s been a busy few weeks with the kids, I’ve been working towards getting a shop and Patreon launched, I’m enrolled on a magick course, and I’ve had a virus. Unsurprisingly, my M.E. and other chronic illnesses are now flaring, and I’ve hit a wall. I feel seriously unwell, which means I feel decidedly unmagickal.

It got me thinking about the small, low-energy things we can do when we feel this way. Small, simple things to bring that witchy feeling back, without burning ourselves out further. Whilst they may seem obvious when listed, they often get forgotten. Employing them can help us feel better.

Easy Witchy Self-Care Activities:

Burning Incense 

This always perks me up! My favourite scent burning ~ Patchouli Forest ~ makes me feel magickal again.

Lighting Candles 

A soft, warm glow rather than bright lights soothes frazzled nerves, and creates a magickal atmosphere; conducive to rest and recuperation.

Books

Whether it be folklore tales, a magical fictional story, or even just a quick flick through a favourite witchy book to look at the pictures; a book is sure to lift the spirits.

Bathing 

A ritual bath, or even just a bath or shower with some special smellies, is bound to make you feel much better.

Witchy Clothes 

Even if it’s just to sit on the sofa, wearing something that makes you feel empowered or special in some way can give you a low-energy boost for the rest of the day.

Witchy Films 

My go-to is The Wicker Man ~ the original version of course ~ and is the perfect low-energy activity.

Making a Cup of Tea

I’m not a tea (or a coffee!) drinker, but I imagine a nice witchy brew is a good low-energy activity.

Meditation

I often fall asleep during meditation due to chronic fatigue, but it means I’ve had a rest nonetheless. If you can stay awake during meditation all the better, but if not don’t worry.

Witchy Shopping

Whether you purchase or not, some witchy browsing is a fun, low-energy activity that gets the witchy juices flowing again.

Journaling or adding to a Grimoire 

Adding to your Grimoire is a great use of your time and requires very little energy.

What have I missed from this list? What’s your go-to?

NEXT - Simple Magick: How To Use A Crystal Ball
NEXT - Natural Remedies: Lavender Salve
NEXT - Witchcraft Books: Herbal Sunday Witchstack 

Natural Remedies: Women’s Blend Diffusion

Use this women's essential oil blend in your aromatherapy diffuser. 

Review: Garden of Chthonia Soaps by Lizzie

Two of my favourite resources on Instagram are the pages run by the lovely Lizzie.

A huge amount of interesting, in-depth, and inspiring information can be found on Lizzie’s Folk Herbalism page ~ @the_wortcunning_wyfe ~ alongside lots of beautiful close ups of the herbs and plants she is talking about. I have learned so much, and her page is an absolute joy!

Over on Lizzie’s other account ~ @gardenofchthonia ~ you can find website details for her amazing lotions and potions. https://www.gardenofchthonia.com/

I have been a customer of Lizzie’s for a while now. In a bid to reduce our plastic waste we switched over to soap bars for washing our hands and showering some years ago, and after trying sooooo many soaps in that time, I can honestly say that Lizzie’s are the best.

I thoroughly recommend that you check out both pages, which are a wealth of information, and take a peek at Lizzie’s website, too.

NEXT - Review: Gaya Candles 

Natural Remedies: Stinging Nettle & Rosemary Hair Rinse

Nettle is rich in many nutrients and antioxidants, making it a great plant ally. It is rich in silica and sulphur making hair shinier, thicker, and healthier. Nettle boosts the circulation, which means that more oxygen - and therefore nutrients - will reach the hair follicles. Nettle contains super antioxidants that help get rid of damaging compounds, and inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen (type of hormone), that causes baldness in both men and women.

Rosemary is believed to prevent DHT from bonding to hormone receptors that enable the hair follicles to be attacked, and it contains ursolic acid which increases (scalp) circulation. It’s unsurprising, therefore, that hair re-growth has been observed in trials using Rosemary oil. It’s antibacterial properties gently cleanse the hair and increase shine. Working together, Nettle and Rosemary do amazing things for the hair.

This recipe has been in my Book of Shadows for over 20 years now. It seems a bit odd rinsing your hair after washing it with what is basically tea(!), but it will add body and shine to your hair.

Step 1 - Add a handful or two of Nettles, and a handful of Rosemary sprigs, to a heat-proof bowl. Add 1L of boiling water and leave over night to steep.

Step 2 - Strain. At this stage you could add 50ml raw apple cider vinegar if you wanted, but I don’t bother.

Step 3 - After shampooing rinse your hair with this mixture, no need to wash out. Use all in one go, this mix isn’t for storing.

CAUTION: this beautiful reddish-brown mixture will stain ceramic bathroom ware, so please be careful. Rosemary can darken blond hair over time; so if you’re blonde - and enjoy being so! - you might want to avoid frequent use. 

NEXT - Natural Remedies: Lavender Oil
NEXT - Rosemary Magick: 17 Uses & Correspondences
NEXT - Personal Magick: My Kitchen Apothecary

Spell: Protective Evening Beauty Ritual

The other day someone asked me if I have a witchy beauty regime or ritual, and I do, so I thought I’d share.

Each night I cleanse my face with these crocheted face pads. They were made for me by a friend and they’re brilliant because you just throw them in the washing machine; they’re so much better for the environment than cotton pads.

When I get up to my room I sit on the edge of my bed and brush my hair with this beautiful comb my husband gave me. This is quite a feat in the winter because with thick stone walls and no heating it’s very cold. But as I am combing I visualise any negativities from the day being removed, any negative thoughts or energies being sent from others being removed, and I keep going until I am happy.

Once I am done I apply R&B Hair Moisturiser by Lush, which I visualise as a protective barrier (I have enchanted it), which smells amazing! I am now ready to get into bed, snuggle up with my husband, and dream sweet dreams.

Do you have a daily or nightly ritual? 

NEXT - Spell: Protective Bell Spell
NEXT - Simple Magick: Using Black, Pink & White Salt in Witchcraft
NEXT - Sacred Symbols: Elhaz of the Elder Futhark