southernwitch13-blog

[southernwitch13-blog]

Just saying 😈

[southernwitch13-blog]

A Baneful Introduction

Baneful Work How many of us were draw to magic/witchcraft/hoodoo, whatever it is that you practice because of the darkness in it or the fact that it’s just a little bit evil? I know I was as I’ve always been drawn to the darker things in life. For me, like many of you I’m sure, the first experience I had with “witchcraft” was in the vein of Wicca. I was immediately disillusioned by the love and light and harm none. I knew there had to be more, so I began searching and digging. I devoured anything and everything I could find about witchcraft, trudging through the seemingly endless piles of Wiccan literature. Before I go any further, I am not anti Wiccan, and I hold no grudges against those who have chosen that path; assuming they leave me and my position alone. As I am not Wiccan, I don’t hold to the Wiccan laws like harm none and the threefold law, just so we’re clear. I found the things I was searching for in green witchery and hedge witchery but even the information I found here sometimes delved into the Wiccan world. I regardless have learned and am still learning much from these paths, but still I hungered for more. I kept digging until I found traditional witchcraft. The dark imagery and mystique of this world appealed to me and this is where I first started learning about cursing and hexing. I finally really felt like I was finding where I belonged. Alas, the witch is a constant student and never satisfied so I continued to thirst for new knowledge. The hunger eventually led to Appalachian folk magic. I was amazed to learn that many practices that my otherwise Christian ancestors and current family still hold to are considered magic. The do it yourself and do with what you have aesthetic of folk magic gripped me and totally changed my view of magic. These things worked and didn’t require expensive ingredients, in fact, most were free or cheaply and easily accessible from your mundane grocery. My studies eventually led to author H. Byron Ballard and her wonderful book; Staubs and Ditch Water – A Friendly and Useful Introduction to Hillfolk’s Hoodoo. This is a great, easy to read book on the basics of Appalachian folk magic and culture. Now, the Appalachian practice and Hoodoo are not the same but the lovely Miss Ballard’s use of the term sparked a curiosity and that is the area I am currently placing my study and efforts, ever combining and refining my eclectic mix of folk magic and witchcraft. Hoodoo is indeed a form of folk magic, originating in Africa and changing and morphing as the atrocity of slavery spread across the United States. It involves various forms of foot track magic, candle magic and petition papers just to start out with. Hoodoo is also very diy and make do with what’s on hand like other forms of folk magic. I do not claim to be an expert on any form of magic and hoodoo is the practice that I am least versed in. I will also add the disclaimer that many of the things I practice and will put forth in the following post are not purely hoodoo or folk magic or witchcraft but a mash up of the lot. Remember, in magic of any kind, intent is over 50% of what causes it to work. That’s it for this post, in the next one we will start to really dive into baneful work and the different spells and practices to achieve your desired outcome. Thanks for reading and stay witchy!

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Plant Study #1

The Witches Apothecary #1 Plantain (plantago major, plantago lanceolata, plantago media) This is by far one of my favorite medicinal, magical and edible plants. It is wide reaching in its growth range and tolerable soil conditions. This is an herb that can be found almost anywhere, in fact, is bet there was probably some in the last gravel parking lot you parked in and most definitely in your own backyard. Plantain in general flourishes in USDA hardiness zones 2-15 and is native originally to Europe and Asia and is very widespread across North America. Chances are, if you live there then you have some species of plantain. There are different types of plantain throughout the world. While this article focuses on the species prolific in the US, all plantago share the same properties. Feel free to search the inter webs for your genus loci. I have a friend that lives in Australia that makes a wicked cough syrup from her local plantago species. One of the easiest methods of getting a good ID on a plantago is the veins or strings visible when you tear a leaf. I know of no other plant species that has this. Plantago Major Also known as common, dooryard, broad leaf, greater or round leaf plantain, way bread, devils shoestring, bird seed, snake weed and white man's foot; this is the plant I think of immediately when I think plantain. A simple step off my back porch reveals this species in my flowerbeds (growing wild as a "weed") and through out the yard. The leaves are obviously broad and round and have the ever present strings when you break a leaf. Later growth can also be identified by the long, pipe cleaner like seed heads. This is truly a gift from the Earth Mother and she has made it so easy to use. Plantago Lanceolata Also know as narrow leaf, ribwort, buckhorn, English or lance leaf plantain, chimney sweeps, rib grass, ripple grass, headsman, hen plant, snake plantain, fire weed and soldier's herb. This plant is also very prolific in my area. The long, blade like leaves contain the aforementioned strings when the leaf is broken but the seed heads differ with this species. In this plant the seed heads resemble a small cone on a long stem. Plantago Media Also known as hoary and sea plantain, this species resembles a cross between the two previous plantago species. It has broader leaves than Lanceolata but not as broad as Major. It also exhibits the seed head from both previous species; with the long, cone like flower of Lanceolata and the pipe cleaner of Major. While I have seen this plant in my local area (central Kentucky) it doesn't seem to be as abundant as Lanceolata or Major. Uses and Preparation Starting with the mundane uses, which alone are astounding with this plant! As an edible, it can be eaten either cooked or raw. It's a wonderful addition to a wild green salad or a pot of cooked greens but I would suggest use to be sparing in these preparations. Flavor wise, the plantain is somewhat complex tasting like an earthy salad green with very portobello mushroom undertones and aftertaste. Medicinally, its main action is as a drawing agent but there are a wealth of uses. The raw plant, chewed into a spit poultice, is effective at removing the venom from insect stings and bites. It is effective in raw form when mashed or made into an ointment for skin irritations such as eczema and sun burn. This preparation can also be effective to stop blood flow from minor lacerations and hemmerhoids. A tincture, tea or syrup can also be made to help the effects of bronchitis, tuberculosis, sore throat and laryngitis. These preparations are also effective for urinary infections and digestive issues. The ancestors also used a tea of plantain leaves to purify the blood. Plantain root has also been used as a treatment of toothaches when chewed and as a treatment for earache when a tincture is made. As a bonus, plantain seeds contain psyllium and work as a bulk laxative and anti diarrheal. Plantain Ointment Pick enough plantain leaves to fill a glass jar of your choosing. I use canning jars and adjust the size to the amount of ointment you plan to make. Fill your jar with plantain, packing it full. Then take your favorite oil or hog fat and use enough to cover the leaves. For a personal use batch I'd choose a half pint jam jar. If using oil you can use whatever you like. I use whatever is cheapest in a gallon jug at the grocery but you choose what's best for you. Another item needed if using oil is a good quality beeswax. I prefer food grade beeswax because I trust its purity more. I also like to get wax from a local source if possible because I like having the energy from the local land. I typically mix my ointments in a 3:1 ratio with the 3 being the oil. Don't ad the wax until your oil is infused and the plant material is strained out. You have two choices when infusing an oil with a plant. If you just let the plant sit in the oil it will be ready in about 4 weeks. A quicker method is to gently heat the oil. Doing this charges your oil in about a week. I use a candle warmer/wax warmer for small batches and a crock pot on the setting to keep things warm for larger ones. When using lard, no wax is require because it is quite solid at room temperature. While this makes your an easier recipe it also requires that it be heated while it infuses. The same methods stated above are appropriate for heating the lard. After your infusing time is over you will need to strain out the plant material with a fine wire mesh colander or several layers of cheese cloth. I suppose ladies nylons would work well for this and it would also be benefiting to the feminine nature of the plant itself. This is also the time to add your wax if you chose to go with an oil base. Let the wax melt and mix thoroughly. Now you can decant into your desired tins and allow to cool. I use repurposed Copenhagen cans because I have tons of them from my nasty little habit (a pinch or three of chewing tobacco in that pint jar really supercharges the drawing ability of this ointment but that's a story for another post!). This is good for any purpose where drawing is required such as stings, boils and splinters. Plantain Cough Syrup You need enough plantain to fill a quart mason jar and some sugar. Put a layer of plantain and cover with sugar then another layer of plantain, then sugar. Alternate like this until the jar is full and allow to sit over night. In the morning ensure that the jar is still full because things can settle. Put the lid on tight and either bury in the yard (my preference) or store in a cool, dark place for a month. After that time has passed, dump the contents into a sauce pan and just bring to a boil, stirring often as to not burn the sugar. Strain out your plant material and bring the liquid to a light boil again. Decant liquid into a warm jar and allow to cool, cap it and store in the fridge. Take 1-2 tsp when the cough besets you. Magical uses Plantain is a protective herb and as such can be used in juju dolls, protection charms and amulets. Anoint candles with plantain oil for protection spells or strengthening. It can also be used as a general strengthening force for any working. Soak 9 roots in whiskey and stab them into your path and this will prevent enemies from laying tricks in your path. Wearing an anklet of 9 roots will protect you from an enemies foot print magic. Special thanks to my friend Bel for sharing the amazing cough syrup recipe a while back. You're awesome! Disclaimer: I am not a doctor! By using any of these remedies or ideas you accept full responsibility of the consequences. Consult your medical doctor before use. These are folk remedies and results may differ from person to person. References Hoodoohillrootworksupply.blogspot.com encyclopedia.com ( http://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/plants/plants/plantain ) Google images USDA http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/ TC Permaculture http://tcpermaculture.blogspot.com/2012/10/permaculture-plants-plantain.html?m=1 Wikipedia https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantago_media

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Nature's Magic

The sounds you hear when in nature are astounding; the wind through the trees, the trickle of the crick, the birdsong, deer crashing away from their beds after catching your scent. The smell of dead leaves and fresh, loamy soil, this is the domain of the southern witch. Their practice is rooted in nature and folk lore, midwifery, water witching, weather prediction and herbal healing. They go by many names; green witch, hedge witch, kitchen witch, traditional, granny woman, cunning man, but all are firmly rooted in a love of nature. Regardless of season, nature has something to offer the wildcrafting witch. From herbal medicine to ingredients for magical workings to things that are just down right tasty for the table, nature will always take care of those who take care of her. While nature is free for the taking, always remember it is not a free for all. Always ask permission from the nature spirits, give thanks and leave a small offering. It can be as small as a bit of saliva; a bit of you for a bit of it. I also will occasionally leave a bigger offering of tobacco and whiskey, which the spirits love. Also remember to never take all of anything! Leave some for the animals and some for seed; do your part to help the Earth Mother continue to provide. In coming post we'll discuss the bounty that nature provides and how to put these wonderful gifts to use. Be blessed!