Holiday Gift Idea-Sented Mug Coasters and Book Review

I came along this great idea to give as a gift even for those who would not know it is magic. They are herb scented mug coasters. The idea came from Yule: A Celebration of Light & Warmth by Dorothy Morrison.

Dorothy Morrison gives you not the pagan belief of Yule, but a brief explanation over the different beliefs around this same time. It has a brief explanation of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, various symbols of this time, how the times are celebrated and great gift and magick ideas. There are recipes and even a daily event calender used to help plan the day to day till Yule. I recommend this book for those just starting out in the path and wish to know more about this time of Yule, or if you just want to learn some new recipes. Here is one of the gift ideas mentioned.

"Scented Mug Coasters" 

You need:
printed and non-printed 6 inch squares of fabric (your choice) 2 of each for every coaster you make
batting cut in 5 and a half squares also 2 of each per coaster you make
needle and  thread and scissors or cloth cutting tools
dried herbs that are aromatic (cloves, cinnamon, allspice, lavender, lemon balm, etc.) (Morrison, 2000)

take the two batting pieces and put herbs on top of one and place the other on top of that one, quickly bast them together (which means a quick sowing that does not have to be perfect and just makes the two pieces stick together like a pillow, usually in a X pattern on top)
then place you little pillow in between the two, decorated or one plain and decorated fabric 6 inch pieces, to sow together with a back stitch.
When the amount you want is made then you speak these words over them:

"Herbal coasters, do you thing
Harmony, joy, and comfort bring
To all who rest their mugs on you 
Make their worries far and few"
(Morrison, 2000)

You can use this or a variation of one you wish to make yourself.


Morrison, Dorothy. Yule: A Celebration of Light & Warmth. 2000. pp. 97-98. Llewellyn Publications.

Florida Water part 2

Ok here we go I found a water based Florida Water I got the recipe from the new Hedgewitch book by Silver Ravenwolf. This uses raw herbs preferred fresh and the water does need to be boiled also it is warned that before you place the liquid in the Mason Jar you should get the Jar is warm or the sudden heat will crack the glass.

a Mason Pickling Jar
2 slices of each an orange, lemon, and a lime
some fresh mint, lemon balm, and hyssop from the garden
a sprig of rosemary and a sprig from basil

Pack the Mason Jar with the Herbs as much as you like. Boil the water (enough for the Jar) place the water in the Mason Jar, Allow the mixture to cool completely and strain. Pour the strained liquid in a sterilized jar or bottle, keep in refrigerator. Is potent for 3 days.

This mix does not last long, but if there is need of it for a spell you can make this the day before and use it and dispose of it outside in the garden and give blessing to the garden from the potent mix.

Ravenwolf, Silver. Hedgewitch, spells, crafts, & rituals for natural magick. 2008. Llewellyn Publications. Wooodbury, MN.

Making Florida Water and Apoligies

   First I want to say I am sorry, but due to a lot of things going on I have not been on here as much as I would have liked, I even forgot to come on here I will try to keep it to holidays and once a month for my posts. I will try to even report stuff for the Sabbots when I can.

   Now the Florida Water, I have seen a lot of these how to make your own, but the idea is other then the base and using rose water there is no right or wrong way to make it. You pick out the oils of flowers, because that's what Florida water means (flora), these oils are what you feel a connection to you. You make your Florida Water to what you feel and what, of the oils, speaks to you. I have found what I need mostly, but there is at the end an herb powdered you need to place in the Florida Water to make it have a cloudy look, which they all seem to have, and to give that extra bit of power. I have seen some use orris root powder which is good, but my access to such things is limited so I am searching for that one herb that calls best to me before I make it.

  Now there are two ways to make the Florida Water I will put down the first one that uses clear 90 percent proof alcohol, clear kind is best, as a base, for the teens out there and maybe for special reasons some cannot get the alcohol. I think if you feel it is better go with a lower percent. I will place this recipe first then come up with the water based one later, that has to be done a certain way and I need to get things collected to work on and find what works. Now this first one is easier to make last longer and not need refrigeration. You might want to add or subtract to your tastes the amount of oil for each sent. Also be careful if you have sensitive skin some oils might irritate sensitive skin. Please do not drink Florida Waters it would not be good for you.

   2 cups of alcohol base (I use a clear type of wine)
   2 tablespoons of rose water
  16 drops of lavender oil
  10 drops of lemon oil (fruit that comes from a flower)
  12 drops of rosemary oil (has flowers)
  16 drops of lily of the valley oil
   5 drops of Jasmine oil (this is very strong so only a few drops are needed)
  14 drops of rose geranium oil
     1 tablespoon of dandelion root ground this is a root good for divination and helping with connecting with spirits if you are doing hedge witchery

   If you wanna use this and find the herb you like best go ahead and use this recipe or change it for your needs.

herbal information from :

Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham 2nd edition reprinted 2001.

Samhain/Halloween Kids fun.

There is a great site that is an online magazine for the kids when you parents are unsure what to do for games or stories. This site offers that and more they have projects and stories to keep your child entertained and to learn about Wicca/pagan basics. http://www.broomstix.com/index.html They have some great ones now for Halloween. Making skull candles holders, making a small hand broom or besom, a triple goddess fan and more. Check it out.

A Little Helper to keep an eye on those moon phases

CURRENT MOON

moon phases

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

After checking this book out from the library, after someone had suggested this book, I must say it is a great way to really unblock areas that seem to get you stuck. Like the depression I used to go through thinking that no one would love me or that if someone said something mean about me I believed it half the time. I took everything personal. This book shows how we have made these agreements with ourselves to where if we do something we were taught was bad, like witchcraft for instance, we would mentally beat ourselves up about it. I know many witches that have come from a type of Christian background that were part of not just the church but the family were very strict, had problems getting away from areas like that they ask themselves, am I doing the right thing?, am I going to hell if I am wrong?; these are the many things I am sure that many of you out there have gone through. I must say a good book to start with if you are thinking of being in witchcraft or if you just want to change your life, this is the book to take a look at.

This guy has three other books, one is The Mastery of Love, The Voice of Knowledge, and the The Four Agreements Companion book. The last one is supposed to be a type of workbook that you work the stuff in it on a separate notebook. I am looking forward to getting my hands on these. He also has them in Spanish and the three book set of The Four Agreements, The Mastery of Love and The Voice of Knowledge. I will review the other books and let you know but you should just check them out yourself. Even if you do not want to buy them just check your local library they might have or can order from other libraries that they are connected to.

Great Site for the Pagan

I discovered this site that is a great way to connect to fellow pagans of all kinds of flavors and beliefs. This site is great it has groups that you can join on it to learn things like crafts, spells, and making of tools. It has also groups to do with herbs. Check it out you won't be disapointed.
http://www.paganspace.net/
This is my site on pagan space.
http://www.paganspace.net/profile/CrystalWolfclaw