By Katrina Rasbold
Fossils (such as ammonites) and petrified wood share a similar energy in that they are a part of the past preserved into stone. Petrified wood was actually once wood and forms when the woody stems of plants become buried in wet sediments saturated with dissolved minerals. The lack of oxygen slows decay of the wood, allowing minerals to replace cell walls and to fill void spaces in the wood. Continue reading Stone Magic: Petrified Wood
By Katrina Rasbold
Kava kava is an interesting plant in that all seeds it produces are sterile. This means that the only way to propagate the plant is through cuttings. It is high needs, so you will not likely be able to grow it in a pot or even in a greenhouse. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Kava Kava
By Katrina Rasbold
It can happen to all of us, although thankfully, not usually to the degree we see in the graphic above. Rituals fail. It is easy to raise one knowing eyebrow and say that it failed because it was intended to fail and all things are exactly as they should be and blah, blah, blah, but there is a huge difference in knowing that rituals sometimes do not go as planned versus understanding why rituals sometimes go in the ditch and how to manage that inevitability. Continue reading Witch At The Crossroads: Ceremonial Interruptus
By Katrina Rasbold
What we loosely call “herbs” when we talk about magical herbalism is an inclusive label that also includes flowers, roots, barks, and in this case, trees. Where most people think of small green things growing in pretty pots when they talk about herbs, Witches and other magical folks basically mean, “botany” and we are voracious about studying the energy of all parts of pretty much any plant. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Slippery Elm
By Katrina Rasbold
As magical people, we love our stones and crystals and there are a lot of terms that surround that fun and energetic topic. What is a gemstone? What makes one precious or semi-precious? Continue reading Stone Magic: Precious vs Semi-precious Stones
By Katrina Rasbold
Buckthorn was one of the first magical herbs I learned about back in the 1980s. I was in Scorpio Herbs (no longer in operation) in Texas and one of the folks working in the shop told me that buckthorn “brings the magic together.” She went on to explain that if you include herbs in your spell work, you should also throw in some buckthorn because it encourages the other herbs to work together more cohesively toward your goal.
By Katrina Rasbold
Legend says Elecampane (Inula helenium) as named for Helen of Troy and grew in the places where her tears fell. Related to the sunflower, this plant is quite tall, up to sixty inches or so. It has a rigid stem with leaves that are green on the top and white on the bottom. It has vibrant yellow blooms that smell a bit like sweet camphor. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Elecampane
By Katrina Rasbold
What is the difference between “baneful” and “coercive” magic? Continue reading Ask a Witch: Baneful vs Coercive Magic
By Katrina Rasbold
Tourmaline is one of the stones, like peacock ore, that seems like it should not exist in nature. Its luminous beauty is one of Earth’s beautiful miracles and to make it even more amazing, its magical attributes are off the charts. Continue reading Stone Magic: Tourmaline
By Katrina Rasbold
Lovely, fragrant lavender is a favorite herb of Green Witches, appreciated for its peaceful, calming influence, this herb is frequently infused into oils and included in perfumes, soaps, and incenses.
By Katrina Rasbold
Do you use Tarot reversals? Some readers do, some do not… what are the benefits? Can you use Tarot cards for spellwork? Continue reading Ask a Witch: Tarot Reversals & Tarot Spellwork
By Katrina Rasbold
Pendulums are wonderful tools for divination, locating lost items, and other magical works. But how do you actually use a pendulum? Continue reading Ask a Witch: How Do I Use a Pendulum?
By Katrina Rasbold
Mugwort is the workhorse of magical herbalism with a wide variety of energetic uses. It is tall, green, and has small yellow flowers. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Mugwort
By Katrina Rasbold
Comfrey is a plant with large leaves requiring plenty of moisture, so it does not thrive in heavy sunlight. It has lovely dark green leaves and beautiful purple flowers that overhang in a fountain effect. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Comfrey
By Katrina Rasbold
Many Witches appreciate the reconstructionist approach to spellwork, feeling it lends authenticity to their practice. Does technology have a place in spellwork or is it in opposition to the flow of energy? Continue reading Ask a Witch: Are Technology and Spellwork in Opposition?
By Katrina Rasbold
This azure blue stone with its occasional gold and green intrusions is a favorite of many, not just for its beautiful appearance, but also for the magical qualities it imbues on the wearer/carrier, including special protective qualities for children. Continue reading Stone Magic: Lapis Lazuli
By Katrina Rasbold
Most of you are likely familiar with this weeks herb: ginger. Cooks commonly use ginger to add its unique flavor to sauces and baked desserts. If you have tasted it, you know it heats up the flavor palette of any dish and that is exactly how it works from a magical perspective. Continue reading Herbalism For Your Day: Ginger Root
By Katrina Rasbold
Selenite, a brittle, translucent form of gypsum, is multi-faceted in more ways than one! It’s beautiful milky surface is refractive and has a shiny appearance to it. Continue reading Stone Magic: Selenite
By Katrina Rasbold
Does all magic come at a cost? If you manifest a goal, must you lose something? What are the persoanal risks of spell work?
Continue reading Ask a Witch: Does All Magic Come at a Cost?
By Katrina Rasbold
This week’s stone is the powerhouse offshoot of chalcedony, Carnelian. Its fiery appearance speaks to the radiant effects that it projects into the lives of those who welcome its assistance.