Kitchen Witch’s Guide to Divination: Finding, Crafting & Using Fortune-Telling Tools From Around Your Home by Patricia Telesco

The blurb on this book begins:

Divination is a time-honored tradition that has appeared all over the world in many different forms. Early diviners played a role similar to modern counsellors. Their task was to provide alternative perspectives and hope. Today, each of us is our own priest and priestess, counsellor and guide. Anyone with the right intention and concentration can learn to make or adapt their own divination tools, then use them to gather the insight they most need.

I won’t put all of it in, it’s a big blurb.

The first part of the book is called “Scry If You Want to: The Art of Seeing” and goes through the basics of divination with 20 commonly asked questions – effectively a FAQ for getting a reading. Developing your inner psychic lists a wide variety of tips and hints for opening your senses and setting the right mood for divination. Adapting divination methods begins with an overview of what is readily available, the pros and cons of different styles and methods and then how to adapt an existing system, or create your own.

The second part goes through many more styles and systems – each to its own chapter and gives some history and ways you can make this work for you.

When I first picked up this book, I was prepared not to like it. On the surface it seemed to be just another one of the many pulp superficial new age books that fill our shelves and are just a rehash of the books before and after them. However, once I started reading it, I was pleasantly surprised.

Patricia Telesco has a nice light voice, it’s easy to read and doesn’t preach, which is always good in my opinion. But it’s not all nice and light, there are many common sense answers and intelligent comments in all the right places. I especially liked many of the answers in the FAQ part. As I am a tarot reader myself, I’m really quite cynical about many of the readers I see, and the way their clients often behave.

When I saw the “Coupon Tarot” and divination by drawing an item randomly from your junk drawer I was starting to go back to my original preconceived notion of ‘this book is fluff’ but the explanations made sense and I can see how these could work. There were also the Omens that could be read around the home – these come from folklore, and she states how in our modern world you could think about the things that you see and hear or stand out. I was waiting for it to turn into the “everything has a special message” type of stuff that often makes me feel physically ill when I hear it from some New Age practitioners, but then she says:

“Lastly, if I could leave you with one final piece of advice when it comes to psychic information and divination, it would be simply: sometimes a rock is just a rock. Not everything in life has to have intense spiritual significance. A situation in your life could be just normal life happening! I’ve often joked with folks about creating a system based on body odors just for the fun of it. You laugh, but unfortunately some people get so caught up in their yearning for spiritual experiences that they forget to keep one foot on the ground, and actually seem to look for signs everywhere. No one needs omens, signs, portents, and divinations to know how to run every moment of every day. Just live it! Be the magick, and on those days when you get stuck with really difficult questions, then consider divination as an ally.”

Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about using any form of divination. Even if you are planning to stick with a well known tried and true system like the Tarot, there is still some very valuable advice for all in this book.

Blessings

Debbie

PS Cauldrons do stock this book for $33 – below RRP. Check it out here if you are interested.

My Top 20 Pagan Sayings Peeves

Okay, so in my previous post I made mention that there were little pearls of ‘wisdom’ that many self-proclaimed ‘Real’ Witches like to share. Mixed in with common threads and things they seem to say. Here are a few of my favourites, with my attitude towards them.

Please bear in mind, this is my attitude, it might not match yours, I may even offend you. Awesome. Maybe it will make you think about some of the things you say, even if they didn’t make it onto my shit list.

1. We're all about balance - but won't even discuss anything dark. That’s not being “about balance” that’s kidding yourself that you’ve got a clue.
2. If your intentions are pure then that's the best you can do - how about some research you idiot. If you cock up, own it and learn from it, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
   
3. It's in the hands of the Gods - are you a witch taking personal responsibility or a child wanting to be rescued from your own actions? Do you still need someone else to blame?
   
4. I'm constantly under psychic attack/cursed/bound - I'm not even going to touch that one right now. I think a profanity filter may be necessary for when I do.
   
5. We are traditionalists and will celebrate the Winter Solstice on the 21st of December every year - even though we're in New Zealand, it's the middle of bloody summer and the Solstice is in fact an astrological event that moves every year. Twat. What did you think this whole thing is about? Try being aware of what is actually happening around you.
   
6. In the old days, a witch was a peaceful woman (but often mysterious and beautiful), who learned her knowledge from her mother and grandmother and would go peacefully and secretly into the forest to gather her peaceful secret herbs and make her peaceful secret potions for all those wonderful but ignorant other peasants who came to her peacefully and secretly for her help - I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.
   
7. Wicca means "wise" so witchcraft is the craft of the wise - again, how about some actual research.
   
8. You must follow the Rede/the Rede says... - the Rede is Wiccan and not universal, the word Rede means 'advice' not Law-That-Must-Be-Followed and the Rede is really some lovely poetry written 60 odd years ago to make Wicca seem acceptable to the masses.
   
9. A Real Witch is vegan/vegetarian/one of those nutters who claim to exist purely on light but get caught on camera leaving Maccas with a Quarter Pounder Combo - Harm None includes yourself (for those who quote the Rede as their reason). I don't absorb iron easily from non-haem (not meat) sources, my body is not made that way. If I don't eat meat I will get very sick. I won't be much use as a witch or anything else if I'm not eating meat. If that's what suits you, awesome, do it, but don't bother telling me I have to conform to your ideals.
   
10. You must have all the right tools/jewellery/clothing/cloak/material masturba... err, props - what a load of shite, you're born with all the tools you need. It's fun to have the rest, and can make learning easier, but it's all window-dressing in the end.
11. I've got 10/30/400 years experience - and? Seriously, what's your point? What have you done with all those years of 'experience'? Why do you think I should care? How does that make you any better than an honest learner or seeker? Or as a friend says is it 10 years or the same 2 years repeated 5 times?
12. My Grandmother was a witch/psychic/deep-trance medium/tea leaf reader/navel gazer so therefore I know all about it – cool for her. So what did she actually teach you? Was she a good one? And in all honesty, if she was any good she would have told you to keep learning as much as you can from everyone you can. She wouldn’t have claimed to know it all so why do you?
13. This psychic I went to told me that I’m such a powerful witch, and I was a witch in a past life and I got burned at the stake an’ everything – fuck off! There are a lot of dreadful psychics who will tell you anything you want to hear. If you are foolish and gullible enough to fall for this type of crap, please, keep playing with your powerful magic, see how you go... (evil laugh)
14. Anything at all about the Burning Times having any kind of link or relationship with modern witchcraft – enough truth and reality has been published about this subject. If you are still silly enough to play this kind of card, I may tie you to a stake myself. See also Salem Witch Trials.
15. The Patriarchy has demonised this Goddess/old Pagan Traditions/life the universe and everything – cos it was all so nice and peaceful and sweet right? Stop looking for something to blame and get your knickers in a twist about. Even if it was true (that whatever had been demonised I mean, which is doubtful in many cited cases), what do you really think your little piece of righteous anger will achieve? Do you think you can smite history? And now you’re demonising the Patriarchy, hypocrite.
16. Wicca is the original Pagan Religion that has been around for over 8000 years - seriously, I got that in an email once. I laughed so hard I snorted my coffee all over my screen. Someone I used to know wanted a bumper sticker made that said “Wicca: Pretending to be an ancient religion since 1951”. I also upset a couple of young fluffies at an expo when they thought they had the right audience to start talking about how ancient Wicca was and blah blah blah. They didn’t really like it when I stopped them and told them they were talking shit. It may have been inspired by something older, but Wicca as it is now was created by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s.
17. Wicca and witchcraft are the same thing, Wiccans are witches and all witches are Wiccans – no, they’re not, we’re not and both sides are offended by this.
18. All modern uses of the word witchcraft mean what we do/all witchcraft is nice, and caring and life-affirming – again, fuck off. Really, I mean it. I’m not always nice, caring or life-affirming much less all three in one go. See my previous post. And when they talk about witchcraft in Africa, a lot of what they mean is the really nasty often evil stuff that is performed by the witch-doctors. They are not nice, or happy fluffy people who dance around under the full moon. They curse, hex and sometimes even murder people (and often sacrifice cute small fluffy animals). And it still falls under the heading of witchcraft. You know, some of the news articles about these folks being on trial for it or lynched by locals for it are actually nice good human interest pieces not reasons to be offended.
19. We have nothing to do with/are better than Masons/Vodou/Satanists/Christians – speak for yourself sunshine. This is nothing more than needing someone else to look down on. If you tried looking for similarities instead of differences you might be surprised. And when you follow this up with a bleat about being discriminated against based on your beliefs, that makes you a hypocrite all over again.
20. Pagans/Witches/Wiccans are more accepting and open-minded, we don’t judge – yes we do. Look up – how often have you heard the previous quote from the same person? We just kid ourselves about it more. We’re still people, with all the same faults people have, and all the same traits. This is trying to feel more special/better than/superior to non-pagans.

I think I need to stop there. I could go on all day, I’ve just spent a weekend at a big Spiritual Expo after all, I always hear this kind of crap throughout these weekends. And worse. And there is better, there are some really wonderful down to earth people out there and I thank them for keeping me sane.

I am a Witch

Now there's a loaded word.

Witch.

Everyone has a different definition for it, and all are convinced that theirs is the only correct one and often take great offense at the other definitions.

Witch.

As the blog name shows, we love the Witches out of MacBeth. I also love Bad Jelly the Wickedest Witch in all the world. Stinkypoo stinkypoo knickers knickers knickers. I don't find offense in the ugly hags of Halloween, or the evil witch queens of fairy tales or the Isobel Gowdies of history.

Calling them witches and what they do witchcraft is older than the modern "white witch". This is a more traditional form of the word.

Where I do find myself becoming offended is at the modern "white witches" of our world. The people who go looking for something to be upset about, firing off emails filled with righteous indignation to Meriam Webster for the dictionary definition of Witch or to protest the negative imagery of Halloween, or to constantly bitch about how "those Christians stole our holidays."

I stopped calling myself a witch for a long time. I didn't want to be pigeonholed into someone else's negative assumptions, I didn't want to be thought of as the wrong kind of witch. Now don't get me wrong, it was nothing to do with being associated with Devil Worship, Satanism (something totally different) or the hags of literature. In all honesty, I would prefer that to being associated with what seems to be the modern witch.

I was going to list the easy signs for successful identification of such characters, but it was sidetracking this post and starting to piss me off, so I'll leave that for another post :)

I have also found myself deeply offended by some of the information that is readily available for the seeker, or beginner or the curious. I started to write on a website that had a lot of the 101 information, but so badly fluffed out or filled with other peoples ideas as hard and fast rules that I frequently threw up a little in my mouth. It was awful, so I started setting a few things straight. Because of the guidelines for articles on this site, my writing was polite, verified by other sources and simplistic, but I was still getting my message across.

I found my work on other people's blogs. That's kind of flattering. They like it enough to repost it. Unfortunately, that is copyright theft, my contract doesn't allow me to have my work published elsewhere for a specific time period even if I had been contacted and asked for permission and I'm the one who suffers for it, but most were happy to shorten it and post a link to the full article. When I find one of my articles on another blog, credited to the blog owner and by her clixsense stats at the bottom of the page, she's made a lot of money from it (hundreds of US Dollars), there's a whole new level of offense to take. And worse, having read some of what she actually has written, her spelling, grammar and her whole grasp of the english language is so terrible that I'm completely gobsmacked that anyone can mistake my work for hers!

Silly woman, you call yourself a witch, and claim all this knowledge and experience. I call this a lie. If you had even half the knowledge and experience you claim, foolish harpy, you would know that I'm not going to take theft like that lying down. Even if you are of the fantasy-filled fluffier variety, all white light and sparkly moonbeams, you would be "knowing" that Karma (even if you really mean dharma) will be kicking your arse so hard you won't sit down for years.

I'm not of the fluffy variety, I'm not going to sit back and wait for the Universe to "teach you a lesson." I work with a Goddess who had the job of punishing those who transgressed - think you know your stuff - figure out who She is. Sod the Universal Cosmic Laws of what goes around comes around, think of me as your agent of dharma (cos Karma is about the next life you uneducated twat).

I am a Witch. I work with Magic, Gods and spirits. I take responsibility for my actions. You push me and I will push you back. My path is my own, my work is the result of my life experience, how dare you try to claim mine as yours.

Watch your back honey, you've pissed off a Witch.

Magickal Herbs - The Uses of Juniper

The traditional, herbal and magical uses of Juniper are varied.

The Juniper shrub, or Juniperus communis, grows freely throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It's typically found in places where lime is present in the soil. Folk names for Juniper include enebro, gemeiner wachholder, geneva, gin berry, ginepro and gin plant.

Juniper berries take several years to ripen, so it is not unusual to see a tree covered in berries of differing colours and ripeness. Only the blue berries are harvested which are slightly dried which changes their colour to the black that we commonly see.

Traditional Uses of Juniper

Juniper berries are probably best known for their use in making gin. In fact, the distinctive flavour of gin is from the Juniper berries. Some recipes for making Sauerkraut include juniper berries in with the cabbage. Most commercial Juniper berries seem to be harvested for making essential oil, or a berry extract called ‘Roob’ or Rob of Juniper.

Different varieties of Juniper are well known as traditional Japanese Bonsai trees, usually the dwarf Juniperus procumbens varieties, as they have a spreading, cascading habit.

Ancient Greeks burned Juniper to fight and prevent epidemics, including the plague, this continued even into the 19th Century when French hospitals burned it in an attempt to prevent the spread of smallpox.

In the Middle Ages, Juniper was believed to ward off demons, disease and venomous creatures, and it was planted around homes to protect them against the evil eye and to keep snakes away.

Herbal Medicinal Uses of Juniper

Juniper oil is used for various complaints involving the digestive system, and illnesses of the kidney and bladder, although it should be avoided by those with kidney disease. The berries, when chewed, sweeten the breath and help to heal infected gums.

In aromatherapy, Juniper oil is used as to detoxify the body and is often used in massage blends for this reason.

Before taking any herb internally, be sure that it is correctly identified first and check with a qualified medical herbalist.

Magical Uses of Juniper

Juniper is a masculine herb, under the element of Fire, and the influence of Jupiter. It is considered to be a protective herb, and specifically guards against theft. Wearing a sprig of Juniper is believed to protect the wearer from accidents and wild animal attacks. Hung at your door, it's said to protect you and your home from evil forces, evil people, ghosts and sickness.

Juniper has been used as incense for a very long time, and used in exorcisms, to help psychic powers, to break hexes and curses and to attract good, healthy energies.

When added to love mixtures, or amulets, it is believed to increase male potency. Dried Juniper berries can be strung together like beads for a simple amulet or charm.

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham, Second Edition, Llewellyn Publications, Minnesota, 2002.

Wylundt’s Book of Incense by Steven R Smith, Samuel Weiser, Inc, Maine, 1996.

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl, Phoenix Publishing Co, Washington, 1996.

Botanical.com – retrieved 10 December 2010.

Magickal Herbs – The Uses of Dragon's Blood

The Traditional, Herbal and Magickal uses of Dragon's Blood resin.

Dragon’s Blood is the name given to the resin harvested from the fruit of the Dragon’s Blood Tree. Several different palms are given the name Dragon’s Blood Tree, Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabari, Dracaena draco, Croton draco, Croton lechleri and Calamus draco (although this has been renamed Daemonorops draco, it is still a name used)

Dragon’s Blood is usually founds as a bright red resin, in powder or granule form. When larger pieces are broken, the inside is glossy and bright. There are unscrupulous vendors who sell “poor man’s Dragon’s Blood” which looks and smells the same, but is a blend of talc, red sandalwood and frankincense.

Traditional Uses of Dragon’s Blood

Dragon’s Blood has been used as colouring for various goods like varnishes, toothpaste, tinctures and for dying horn to look like tortoiseshell. Many violins are still varnished with Dragon’s Blood, which gives them that beautiful rich colour. The ‘tears’ named for the shape they form when ‘bleeding’ from the trunk or fruit have been strung to make stunning jewellery.

It was believed that a woman burning Dragon’s Blood while sitting near an open window at night would entice a straying lover to return to her, and that a stick of Dragon’s Blood placed somewhere near the bed, would cure impotency in men.

Herbal Medicinal Uses of Dragon’s Blood

The different varieties of Dragon’s Blood Trees have been used for many different herbal remedies. One has been said to cure syphilis, while another is used as an astringent and vulnerary (effective in treating wounds, cuts and burns) and yet another is used to make an intoxicating drink.

Correct identification of which type of Dragon’s Blood is used for which ailment is essential, and as such, it would be advisable not to make assumptions, but to see a qualified Medicinal Herbalist before trying any remedies using Dragon’s Blood.

Magickal Properties of Dragon’s Blood

Dragon’s Blood is under the planetary influence of Mars and its elemental association is fire. It is said to be sacred to Shiva, so it's burned as an offering to Him.

Dragon’s Blood is an ingredient in many loose magical incense recipes as it adds power and strength to any spell or working. It is said to increase the power of any ritual energy. On its own, Dragon’s Blood is considered to be a protective herb, with the ability to drive away negativity and evil spirits.

Dragon’s Blood Ink is used to seal and protect magical writing, such as agreements, oaths and vows. It is also used for love or protective talismans and sigils.

Sources:

Botanical.com – retrieved 26 September 2010-09-29.

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publications, Minnesota, 2002.

Wylundt’s Book of Incense by Steven R Smith, Samuel Weiser Inc, Maine, 1996.

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl, Phoenix Publishing Co, Washington, 1984.

Magickal Herbs – The Uses of Mugwort

The Traditional, Herbal and Magickal uses of the very versatile herb mugwort.

Mugwort is the common name of Artemisia Vulgaris, and is also known as Moxa, Felon-weed, Sailor’s Tobacco, Artemis’ Herb, Naughty man, Old man, Old Uncle Henry, Muggons, St. Johns’ Plant, and Cingulum Sacti Johannis. Mugwort is a member of the Daisy family and grows like a weed in many places.

Traditional Uses of Mugwort

Many medieval stories and legends tell of shoes stuffed with mugwort to prevent the traveller from fatigue and sore feet. When dried and rubbed, the leaves become quite woolly, so it certainly would have cushioned the feet and perhaps kept them warm. In England of long ago, mugwort was used as a tea substitute, and was used in beer-brewing, and many Eastern European countries used mugwort in poultry stuffing. Mugwort repels some insects, and can be laid between rows of vegetables to deter moths.

Mugwort was believed to protect against poison, wild beasts, demons and sunstroke. Ancient tradition says that placing mugwort in a building prevents elves and “evil thynges” from entering. Legend tells that St. John the Baptist wore a belt or cingulum woven from mugwort when he was wandering in the wilderness. In China, the Dragon Festival sees bunches of mugwort hung around the home to keep away evil spirits. In Japan, the Ainus burn large amounts of mugwort to remove the evil spirits of disease.

Herbal Medicinal Uses of Mugwort

Medicinally, mugwort is listed as being good for all things female, especially childbirth and menopause as endorsed by Culpeper, Hippocrates and Dioscorides. As a tea, mugwort is a diuretic and can be used for treating feverish colds. In a bath, it is also good for feverish colds, but is recommended for rheumatism and aching legs as well. In Chinese Traditional Medicine, mugwort is known as Moxa and used in the process called moxibustion.

Before taking any herb internally, be sure that it is correctly identified first and check with a qualified medical herbalist.

Magickal Properties of Mugwort

In Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham describes mugwort as being feminine, under the influence of Venus, the element of Earth and sacred to Artemis and Diana. Wylundt’s Book of Incense mostly agrees, but gives mugwort to the element of Air, although this may be because Wylundt is talking about using mugwort incense.

The most common magickal usage of mugwort involves prophecy and divination. A dream pillow of mugwort is said to produce prophetic dreams and aid in achieving astral projection. An infusion of mugwort is used to wash magic mirrors and crystal balls or any other scrying tools that can handle being wet. Mugwort can be stuffed into a pillow to rest a crystal ball on when scrying or leaves can be sprinkled around the base. A tea made from mugwort and drunk before beginning a divination can enhance psychic ability and development.

Mugwort is also used for protection. An incense including mugwort can be burned to protect the home. An amulet or mojo bag stuffed with mugwort is said to protect the traveller from misfortune.

In Shamanic practice, mugwort is used for consecration and purification. Burned in a manner similar to smudging or as incense, mugwort is used to clear the messy energies of the day and the outside world. Paul Beyerl also lists mugwort as being traditional for consecration of all silver tools.

Mugwort is quite a commonly used plant, and an essential component of any Witches herb cabinet.

Sources:

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham, Second Edition, Llewellyn Publications, Minnesota, 2002.

Wylundt’s Book of Incense by Steven R Smith, Samuel Weiser, Inc, Maine, 1996.

The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl, Phoenix Publishing Co, Washington, 1996.

Reader’s Digest Magic and Medicine of Plants, Readers Digest, Australia, 1994.

Northernshamanism.org – retrieved 3 September 2010.

Making Magickal Incense – How to Make Homemade Incense

Magickal incense is a wonderful tool in ritual, spell-crafting and meditation. There are stores that sell magickal incense, but it is very easy to make.

Incense is a blend of herbs and resins, ground together for a magickal purpose. There are plenty of books and websites that provide recipes, these can be followed exactly or used as a place to start.


Most incenses utilize a resin as a base. Resins used in magickal incense include:

• Frankincense;
• Myrrh;
• Copal;
• Benzoin; or
• Dragon’s blood.

Woods or roots can be added to these substances. Some common choices include sandalwood, cinnamon, galangal, angelica or lotus root or some seeds and leafy herbs such as juniper berries, star anise, patchouli, mugwort or cloves.

Choosing which ingredients to use is as simple or complicated as you choose to make it. Some recipes have only 2 or 3 ingredients; others like Kyphi can have up to 20 ingredients. It comes down to personal preference. Some like to look up which herbs are suitable for a purpose, and others prefer to stare at their herbs for a while, and use whichever herbs catch their eye. Both systems can work equally well.

Magickal Herb Substitutions

If the herbs that are listed in a recipe are unavailable, or difficult to obtain, substitutions can be made. Pagan or Wiccan Herbal books often feature an appendix that list herbs by magical intentions and by planetary ruler.

Depending on the purpose and intended usage for the incense, substitutions can be made using either list. For example, if the purpose of magickal incense was communication, then any Mercury ruled herbs would be appropriate, as Mercury is the planet of communication.

Making the Incense

The process of empowering magickal incense begins as soon as the decision is made to make it. However, grinding the incense is a tedious process, and this provides an opportunity to raise energy and infuse the magickal incense with a purpose. The chosen herbs are placed in a mortar and ground with a pestle. Some leafy herbs like mugwort and bay leaves can be very hard to grind, so it is worth cutting them finely first, and grinding the smaller pieces with the rest of the incense. How fine the incense is ground is entirely personal choice, but it is important to ensure that the ingredients are well mixed.

When the magickal incense is sufficiently ground, remove it from the mortar and pestle and put it in a jar. An opaque glass jar is usually recommended for storing incense. Hold the jar with the incense in your receptive hand, and hold your power hand over the top. Visualise your magical purpose, see it working, and send that image or feeling through your hands into the incense. Completely fill the incense with the magickal purpose until it seems to glow. The incense is now ready to use.

Using Magickal Incense

This form of Magickal Incense is also known as loose incense and is burned on a charcoal block. Charcoals are often round (although not always) with a depression in the top. The charcoal is held over a flame with tongs or tweezers to light it. There will be sparks and spits glowing across the surface, and generally, a lot of smoke. When the entire block has sparked it will then begin to glow and smoulder. It is now ready to be placed in a burner, also known as a thurible or censer, on a bed of river sand, small stones or soil. As most burners are brass, salt or sea sand will corrode the burner. Sprinkle the loose incense lightly on the top, and enjoy the incense.

Making incense really is a simple process, and one that can be rewarding as it won’t have anyone else’s potentially conflicting energies infused in the incense. Magickal herbs are readily available and easily researched for intentions. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll never be caught without the right incense for the occasion again.

Sources:

Complete Book of Incenses, Oils and Brews by Scott Cunningham, Llewellyn Publications, Minnesota, 1989.

The Incense Bible by Kerry Hughes, MSc, The Haworth Press, New York, 2007.