Herbs for Imbolc

Herbs can play an important role in any Sabbat celebration. At Imbolc, which is still in the middle of winter, the herbs play a practical as well as a spiritual role since they can be used to fortify the physical strength of the individuals that ingest them, therefore making it more likely that you will survive the rest of winter in good health.

Some of the herbs (By no means an all-inclusive list) that are particularly available and/or useful during this season are:

* Ash (leaf or wood) - Imbolg's symbolic tree is the ash tree and it is called the herb of the sun. Medicinally, reputed to clear obstructions from the spleen and liver.

* Celadine - Magickally, reputed to bring joy and cure depression. Medicinally, used to help jaundice and eczema. The fresh juice is used to cure warts, ringworm and corns. The roots are good for hemorrhoids.

* Chamomile - Magickally, it is used for purification and protection as well as Initiative and energy in adversity. Medicinally, it is antibacterial and used for upset stomachs and fevers

* Coriander - Magickally, for healing, especially headaches, love and health. Medicinally, it strengthens the urinary system and eases gas & indigestion

* Dragon's Blood - Magickally, drives away evil and negativity while building love and potency. Medicinally, it promotes healing and stops bleeding (used externally).

* Garlic - Magickally, good for protection and courage. Guards against foul weather. Medicinally, Prevents and cures intestinal worms. Very antiseptic, it is good for sore throats, bronchitis and infections.

* Heather - Magickally, Brings good luck and promotes peace in the home. Medicinally, strengthens the heart, suppresses coughing and aids sleeplessness.

* Lemon - Magickally, used for longevity, purification, love and blessings. Medicinally, it raises the vitamin C levels in the body, thus fighting rickets and scurvy.

* Myrrh - Magickally good for purification and blessings, exorcism, healing, and spirituality. Medicinally, Promotes circulation and increases heart rate and power.

* Rose Hips - Magickally, it is good for love, attraction, healing, sleep, peace of mind and spiritual peace. Medicinally, it provides one of the best natural sources of vitamin C available. They are used to combat acute disease and to build up the body and strengthen the immune system.

* Sage - Magickally, it boosts self-esteem and is good for protection, and exorcism. Medicinally, ensures long life, eases sore throat, dries up breast milk and is useful as a poultice for sores and stings

* Sunflower - Magickally, used for fertility, wishes, wisdom and health, Medicinally, fevers, vomiting, lung and throat problems, coughs and colds.

* Vervain - Magickally, good for purification and peace. Medicinally, used to treat the liver and diseases related to the liver, exhaustion, fatigue, fever, insomnia, asthma, post-natal depression, as well as painful or irregular menses. It will also help increase the flow of a mother's milk (after birth of the child).

* Violets - Magickally, used for protection, luck, and love. Medicinally, they are effective in healing internal ulcers. It is used both internally and externally for pimples, abscesses, tumors, and swollen glands.

* Witch hazel - Magickally, used for protection. Medicinally, used externally for insect bites, burns, bleeding wounds, hemorrhoids, and varicose veins. Internally it will stop bleeding from internal organs, treats bronchitis, flu, and coughs as well as promotes healing of stomach ulcers.

Herbal Bouquets

Herbal Bouquets: Language Of Herbs

The healing powers of herbs have long been known. And, in addition to their medicinal properties herbs, like flowers, speak a silent, symbolic language. While in recent times, flowers have become the more popular way to convey messages of love and caring, in ancient times, and even as recent as the Victorian era, herbal bouquets were exchanged to express that which words could not.

Some herbs have many meanings, even varying in interpretation by different sources. Others have very specific messages, such as Rosemary which symbolizes remembrance says, "Your presence revives me." A considerate nosegay of Chives asks, "Why do you weep?" Verbena's reassuring message is "You have my confidence." Abor Vitae conveys unchanging friendship saying, "Live for me." Mugwort bestows sentiments of happiness and travel, telling its recipient, "Be not weary." Sage speaks of domestic virtues, long life, and good health. Its potent message is, "I will suffer all for you."

Alas, not all herbal messages are loving or even uplifting. Borage speaks of bluntness and says, "Your intentions only embarrass me." Lemon Balm begs, "Don't misuse me," and the spiciness of Savory tells it like it is, "The truth may be bitter." Goldenrod offers a little more encouragement while sending a message of indecision, pleading, "Allow me time to decide."

Still, the language of herbs can be light-hearted and humorous. The common cooking herb Parsley stands for useful knowledge, festivity, joy, and victory while claiming, "The woman of the house is boss." Sweet Marjoram tells a persistent admirer, "Your passion sends blushes to my cheeks."

The following offers the symbolic messages of other herbs:

Balm - sympathy Basil (sweet) - good or best wishes, love or serious intentions
Bergamot (Monarda, Bee Balm) - compassion, sweet virtues
Betony - surprise, healing Calendula - sacred affections, joy, remembrance, grief
Catnip - intoxication with love
Chamomile - energy in adversity
Cilantro (Coriander) - hidden worth
Cowslip - pensiveness, happiness
Dill - good spirits
Elder -zealousness
Fennel - worthy of praise or flattery
Geranium - present preference
Gloxinia - a proud spirit
Hop - injustice
Ivy - friendship, matrimony, fidelity, constancy
Lavender - acknowledgment, suspicion, devotion, loyalty
Mint - grief, homeliness, wisdom, eternal refreshment
Marigold - despair, grief, honesty
Nasturtium - optimism, splendor
Pennyroyal - flee away
Peppermint - cordiality
Santolina - protection
Sorrel - affection
Southernwood - bantering jest
Spearmint - warmth of sentiment
Tansy (Tannacetum) - resistance, life everlasting, hostile thoughts
Thyme - thriftiness, happiness, courage

Herbs heal on many levels and offer us a way to convey our sentiments through their beauty and fragrance. Herbs may be combined with other herbs or flowers in a posy or nosegay to convey just the sentiment you wish to express to someone you care about.

~Source Unknown~

Hekate - Guardian Goddess at the Gate

There are approximately twelve centuries of recorded Hekate worship (from the eighth century BCE to the fourth century CE), including the original Greek contexts and the later Roman ones (when She, along with the rest of Greek religion, was appropriated by the Roman culture-builders).

Original images of Her indicate a Maiden goddess with "public displays of devotion...often for the common good of a community."

Later images of Her (particularly, though not exclusively, Roman) are negative portrayals (and certainly misogynist) of a Crone goddess with solitary, secretive, middle-of-the-night devotion by female practitioners of sorcery.

The original Greek images show Her to be a Maiden Goddess in the "earliest (and perhaps only indigenous) example of a triple-goddess involving Hekate. They represent the usual three stages of a woman's life that are found in Greek art: Maiden (Hekate), Bride (Persephone), and Mother (Demeter)."

She was a minor or secondary goddess who served "one or more of several specific functions, none of which were unique to Her":

Hekate Propylaia -- "the one before the gate" -- a guardian goddess whose statue was often at the entrance to major temples of other deities, primarily Demeter, or at the entrance to private homes.

Hekate Propolos -- "the attendant who leads" -- a personal attendant and guide, the most famous example of which is when She leads Persephone back to Demeter from the Underworld
Hekate Phosphoros -- "the light bringer" -- a torch-bearer (probably related to her role as guide, especially one who guides and attends initiates at the Mysteries, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries); while other deities carried a single torch, Hekate was most prominently associated with torch-bearing, and unlike the others, She usually carried two; though later sources identify Her as a moon goddess (and say the torches are a symbol of Her connection with night and the moonlight). Her early role as torch-bearer has no such connection, though they might refer to the Morning and Evening stars (Venus).

Hekate Kourotrophos -- "child's nurse" -- a title applied to nearly all Greek goddesses and to a few Greek gods; specifically applied to those who govern childbirth; it may refer to a maternal caring for all mortal beings and may possibly refer to caring for women specifically
Hekate Chthonia -- "of the Earth" -- according to the author, this is the most difficult to analyse; from my reading of Claude Levy-Strausse, I understand that chthonia in mythology points to Earth as Source, as Mother of all living, or to our earliest understandings of creation and creator

"The first three of these are Her most distinctive functions, and generally involve attending upon more prominent deities such as Demeter, Persephone, Artemis, and Kybele. Individually they are not unique to Her, but no other deity can claim all of them. The last two titles, on the other hand, are shared with numerous other deities. It does not seem possible to rank these functions as to their importance; different ones were emphasised at different times and locations."

From Albert Henrichs :

"Hecate was a popular and ubiquitous goddess from the time of Hesiod until late antiquity...she emerges by the 5th cent. as a more sinister divine figure associated with magic and witchcraft, lunar lore and creatures of the night, dog sacrifices and illuminated caves, as well as doorways and crossroads."

From Hekate's History :

"Hekate probably originated in the mythology of the Karians in southwest Asia Minor, and was integrated into Greek religion around the sixth century BCE. However, there is evidence that Hekate evolved from the Egyptian midwife goddess Heqit, (alternatively spelt 'Heket' or 'Hekat'.) The frog headed goddess Heqit assisted with the daily birth of the Sun and was associated with the apparently magical germination of the seemingly lifeless corn seed. In pre-dynastic Egypt the matriarch and wise woman of the tribe was called the 'heq'. It's interesting to note that Hekate is associated with childbirth."

From Hekate, Queen of Transition :

"Hekate's symbols include the toad (conception), torches (guide), keys (gateways and transitions), snakes (guardian and underworld), dogs (guarding and hunting) and possibly owls (night and prophesy). The cypress tree is sacred to her as well."

Essential Oil Conversion Chart

1/2 dram = 1/16 oz., or approx. 60 drops
1 dram = 1/8 oz., or approx. 120 drops
2 dram = 1/4 oz., or approx. 240 drops
4 dram = 1/2 oz., or approx. 480 drops
8 dram = 1 oz., or approx. 960 drops
1 oz = 2 tablespoons or 6 teaspoons or 30 ml/cc or 28.35 grams or approx. to 700 drops
Another source says 1 oz. = 1120 drops
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons or 15ml
1 teaspoon = 5ml/cc
15 grams = 1/2 oz (.52905 oz)
15 grains = 1/4 teaspoon (solid) or 15 drops of fluid
60 grains = 1 tsp. Or about 60 drops
To convert ounces to grams multiply # of ounces by 28.35
To convert grams to ounces you multiply # of grams by .03527
To convert grams to grains you multiply by 15.43
To convert grains to grams divide by 15.43
1 gal. = approx. 7.775 pounds (depending on the liquid)

U.S. to Metric
1/5 teaspoon = 1 milliliter
1 teaspoon = 5 ml
1 tablespoon = 15 ml
1/5 cup = 50 ml
1 cup = 240 ml
2 cups (1 pint) = 470 ml
4 cups (1 quart) = .95 liter
4 quarts (1 gal.) = 3.8 liters

Weight
1 fluid oz. = 30 milliliters
1 fluid oz. = 28 grams
1 pound = 454 grams

Metric to U.S.
1 milliliters = 1/5 teaspoon
5 ml = 1 teaspoon
15 ml = 1 tablespoon
34 ml = 1 fluid oz.
100 ml = 3.4 fluid oz.
240 ml = 1 cup
1 liter = 34 fluid oz.
1 liter = 4.2 cups
1 liter = 2.1 pints
1 liter = 1.06 quarts
1 liter = .26 gallon

Weight
1 gram = .035 ounce
100 grams = 3.5 ounces
500 grams = 1.10 pounds
1 kilogram = 2.205 pounds
1 kilogram = 35 oz.

Cooking Measurement Equivalents
1 cup = 16 tablespoons or 48 teaspoons
3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons
2/3 cup = 10 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
3/8 cup = 6 tablespoons
1/3 cup = 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon
1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons
1/6 cup = 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons
1/16 cup = 1 tablespoon
1 pint =2 cups
1 quart = 2 pints
1 tablespoon = 3 teaspoons

Droppers come in various sizes with various size openings. A drop is usually exactly the same amount of liquid no matter what size the dropper, but essential oils are very, very thin and lightweight and very, very thick and heavy weight, and so thick Patchouli weighs more in less space than thin Tea Tree. But generally:

1 dropper holds 20 drops which is 1 milliliter
1/2 dropper yields 10 drops which is 0.5 ml.

From The Aromatherapy Book by Jean Rose

Obligations of True Path Walkers

Obligations of the True Path Walkers

To bring back the natural harmony that humans once enjoyed.
To save the planet from present practices of destruction.
To find and re-employ real truth.
To promote true balance between both genders.
To share and be less materialistic.
To become rid of prejudice.
To learn to be related.
To be kind to animals and take no more than we need.
To play with one's children and love each equally and fairly.
To be brave and courageous, enough so,
to take a stand and make a commitment.
To understand what Generations Unborn really means.
To accept the Great Mystery
in order to end foolish argument over religion.

Herbal Dreamcraft

Dream Divination:

Sights into the future, burn frankincense, dried jasmine flowers, or mugwort in bedroom before going to sleep. Tea brewed from mugwort or rosebuds will also work. You can also sleep with ash leaves, bay leaves, cinquefoil, heliotrope, holly, jasmine flowers, marigold flowers, mimosa, mugwort, onion, or yarrow under your pillow.

Dreams of Guidance for Love matters:

Sleep with any of the following herbs above your bed or underneath your pillow; cinquefoil, marjoram, vervain, and yarrow.

Dreams of Spiritual Guidance:

Drink mint tea before sleeping, or sleep with Buchu leaves or mint leaves under your pillow.

Enhance Dream Recall:

Mugwort, passionflower leaves, and rosemary. Drink as tea before going to bed or place under your pillow while sleeping.

Healing Dreams:

Drink tea-potion made from catnip or mint, burn cedar as a magickal dream incense, or sleep with agronomy, catnip, mint, sandalwood, or thyme under the pillow.

Mugwort:

Most potent herb for dreamcraft. Aids in astral projection and lucid dreaming when burned as incense or placed under pillow while sleeping. Brew a tea from mugwort and drink it just before going to bed in order to strengthen psychic and magickal dream powers.

Prophetic Dream Visions:

Make dream pillows or potions with any of the following herbs; adder's tongue, agrimony, anise, camphor, cinnamon, daisy, holly, hops, ivy, lemon verbena, lesser celandine, mandrake root, marigold, mistletoe, mugwort, onion, peppermint, purslane, rose, Saint John's wort, verbena, vervain, wormwood, and yarrow.

Psychic and Spiritual Growth:

burn frankincense or mugwort, drink mugwort tea, or sleep with the herb underneath or sewn into your pillow.

Spiritual Protection:

Burn cedar incense before going to bed. Keep live hyacinth plant near your bed, or sleep with any of the following herbs underneath your pillow; anise seeds, marigold flowers, mistletoe, mullein, purslane, rosemary, thyme, Ti plant, and yarrow. Will also guard against nightmares, psychic attacks, and baleful phantoms of the night.

Sweet Dreams and Restful Nights:

Place any of the following herbs under your pillow; catnip, hops, mistletoe, passionflower leaves, psyllium seeds, and vervain. Rub juice of a lettuce on your forehead or eating its leaves before going to sleep will also help.

MILD SEDATIVE:

Pour 1 pint boiling water over 1 tsp. dried catnip. Cover andsteep until cool. Strain and sweeten. Start with 2 Tlb. increase by 1 Tlb. until you find the right amount. Store in the fridge.

HOP SEDATIVE:

Pour 1 pint boiling water over 1 1/2 tsp. dried hops flowers. Let steep, covered,10 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Add lemon juice.

FEVERFEW TEA:

Pour 1 pint boiling water over 1 ounce of feverfew flowers. Cover and steep until cool. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink cool.

TO INDUCE SLEEP:

Mix 2 Tlb dried peppermint with 1 Tlb each of rosemary and sage. Pour 1pint boiling water over the herbs, steep for 5 to 10 minutes,strain and sweeten with honey.