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Rain and tea and coffee

DIY: Brews and Potions

Witches standing over an open fire while stirring up potions in a cauldron is one of the many romanticized views of witchcraft. Today, witches brew many things for love, luck, health, wealth, and etc. Potions are a widely regarded instrument for witches. Potions are simply liquid spells that can be taken internally or applied externally to the body. Teas, enchanted perfumes, tinctures, and washes are the many forms these spells can come in. Some are used for healing, others are used in ritual or magickal work. 

Kitchen Herbs and Common plants for Brews

Back in the day, homemade teas and salves were the only medicine available. Using these things today is still very popular and a holistic approach to health that treats the mind, body, and soul together. What you use does not have to be expensive, it can come from your back yard or your home. Many of what you already have you can use to make tinctures, teas, and decoctions. Also, syrups, tonics, waters, and vinegars. If you work with the herbs you have at home already on hand, you will be able to create your own remedy with a distinct local flavor. 

The Power Behind the Plants

It is believed that many spiritual forces animate the world; called animism. When working with a plant or crystal, or performing a spell or ritual at a specific place, witches work with the spirits behind those plants or crystals, and call upon the spirit of that location to help them in their work. There is a special partnership and alliance between the witch and spirit, manifesting in forms of animals (familiars) or in the form of other plants, crystals, and locations. Over time, working with these spirits on various projects will deepen the relationship and the witch will gain information on magical associations, properties, and lore. These things often come through dreams, inspirations, or visions. The spirit will gain energy, attention, and physical shelter as animals or plants or crystals carried as a talisman. 

Teas and Decoctions for Health

Using teas and decoctions (herb-and-water remedies in the form of conceited potions that your drink) is a very easy homeopathic way to get started. They are made with dried or fresh herbs, roots, or flowers infused in hot water. Cold infusions is used for tinctures, where the herbal properties are absorbed and released into liquids over time. 

Decoction Method

For plants woody and seedy such as root and bark, use this method

Once the plant parts are boiled, place on a low heat and set to simmer for 15-20 minutes

After simmered, cool them and strain them, pressing the herbs through a cheesecloth or strainer

Ready to drink

Tea Method

For flowers, leaves, fruits, and/or stems of plans, use this method

Start steeping the herbs in the water before it reaches full boil 

Once the water begins to steam or boil, remove it from heat

Steam for no more than 5-10 minutes

While hot, strain into a container

Drink right away or follow the cold tea method

Cold Tea Method

Following all the preparations of the tea method, after straining, pour into a container and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

Herbs for Teas and Decoctions

If using a tea ball, only use a pinch of each plant or spice. If using an infusion pot, or something similar, use approximately ¼ teaspoon of each ingredient. If you use root, seeds, or bark, use the decoction method. If you use flowers, leaves, fruits, or stems, use the tea method. If you use a combination of plant matter, use the decoction methods but then drink it iced following the cold tea method. 

Angelica Root: Soothes colds and flu, reduces phlegm and fever; expectorant (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Eases headaches, indigestion, muscle spasms, insomnia, earaches; reduces stress and tension, improves skin 

Blackberry (leaves or roots): Reduces diarrhea (note: blackberry roots are used as decoction, while blackberry leaves are used for tea)

Catnip: Soothes teething pain, colic, diarrhea, indigestion, anxiety, insomnia (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Reduces fevers and diarrhea; soothes indigestion, gastrointestinal gramps, flu; antiseptic (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Cayenne Pepper: Soothes coughs, colds, arthritis, nerve pain, fever, flu; expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with theophylline) 

Camomile: Reduces insomnia, anxiety, stress, fever, arthritis, indigestion; aids with sleep and pain relief (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon Bark: Soothes sore throats and coughs, anti-inflammatory (avoid taking with diabetes medications) 

Dandelion Root: Detoxifying, aids digestion, relieves constipation, laxative (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills) 

Dandelion Leaf: Mild diuretic, potassium rich (discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Elderberry Berry: Wards off colds and flu

Elderberry Flower: Reduces fever (avoid taking with medications that decrease the immune system) 

Garlic (for syrups): Antiseptic, eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid or medications used for HIV/AIDS, or with medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Ginger: Eases morning sickness, nausea, colic, indigestion, diarrhea, fever, sore throats (avoid taking with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Ginkgo: Relieves anxiety, vertigo, tinnitus; improves circulation, helps concentration; helps vision and premenstrual syndrome (avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo; discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking) 

Ginseng: Aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, boosts the immune system (do not take with medications that slow blood-clotting, and avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Relieves gout and cramps

Lavender: Relieves anxiety, headaches, tension, stress, indigestion, irritable bowl syndrome; antibacterial; antiseptic; disinfectant (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives) 

Lemon Balm: Relieves anxiety, cold sores, colic, insomnia restlessness, indigestion; boosts memory (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives) 

Nettle: Relieves hay fever and arthritis; diuretic (avoid taking with diabetes medications, medications for high blood pressure, sedatives, medications that slow blood clotting, and lithium) 

Onion (for syrups): Helps lower systolic blood pressure, relieves colds, antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Parsley: Helps with iron deficiency, anemia, fatigue; diuretic (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics) 

Peppermint: Relieves nausea, anxiety, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, fever, coughs, colds; anesthetic (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver) 

Pine Needles: Expectorant; antiseptic; relieves coughs, colds, fever, congestion

Rosemary: Improves focus, memory, concentration, blood pressure, circulation; antiseptic, antidepressant; eases indigestion

Thyme: Antibacterial, antiseptic, eases coughs and colds, expectorant (do NOT take with medications that slow blood-clotting) 

Tea and Decoction Health Blends 

The amounts listed here are for dried herbs, flowers, and spices. Dried ingredients are preferred for teas. If you wish to use fresh ingredients for decoctions, and they are available, double the amount. 

Anxiety Relief

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Cold Relief

¼ teaspoon elderberry flower

¼ teaspoon thyme 

Mood Booster

¼ teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon rosemary

Gastrointestinal Cramp Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon goldenrod 

Arthritis/Joint Pain

¼ teaspoon goldenrod

¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

(Note: after the tea cools, apply it by rubbing the liquid into the affected area)

Diarrhea Relief

¼ teaspoon blackberry root

¼ teaspoon catnip

Circulation

¼ teaspoon ginkgo leaf

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon rosemary 

Energizing Tea

¼ teaspoon ginseng

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Indigestion Relief

½ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Expectorant

¼ teaspoon pine needles

¼ teaspoon nettle leaf

¼ teaspoon angelica root

Sleepy Time

½ teaspoon chamomile

¼ teaspoon catnip

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Fatigue Relief

¼ teaspoon ginseng 

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Fever Break

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

¼ teaspoon angelica root 

Flu Relief

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold)

¼ teaspoon lemon balm

Headache Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon thyme

¼ teaspoon lavender 

Immune-System Booster 

½ teaspoon dried elderberries 

¼ teaspoon nettle 

¼ teaspoon calendula (marigold) 

Sore Throat Relief

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

(Note: add honey after steeped) 

Stress Relief

¼ teaspoon basil

¼ teaspoon chamomile

¼  teaspoon lavender 

¼ teaspoon peppermint 

Cleansing 

¼ teaspoon dandelion leaf

1/8 teaspoon goldenrod 

1/8 teaspoon parsley 

Herbs for Magickal Teas

Follow these steps to empower your tea:

As you steep the potion, envision yourself covered in either a blue or green light (whichever color represents healing to you)

As you drink the potion, visualize a blue or green light coming from the liquid. 

Once you drink , the light will start radiating from within throughout your whole body and then out into the world around you

See it reach heaven (as above) and into the earth (so below), extending your will and desire into the universe

if you are the kind of person who likes affirmations and chants, try saying: “Herbs grown naturally, health and wellness come to me” (Robbins & Bedell, 2017) 

Angelica Root: Angel work, protection, hex removal, exorcisms, health, meditation, divination (do NOT use if you are diabetic) 

Basil: Loves exorcisms, wealth, astral travel, rituals for the dead, house blessings, ancestral work, calling on and working with dragon spirits, calling draconic or dragon spirit–based energy into your spell, protection, attracting money

Blackberry: Healing, money, protection, exorcism

Catnip: Love, beauty, happiness, calling on the energy of cats, working with cat spirits, used as an offering for cat spirits, breaking spells, fertility, psychic powers (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on lithium or sedatives) 

Calendula (marigold): Money, prosperity, health, psychic development, protection, prophetic dreams, legal matters, psychic powers, healing (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Cayenne Pepper: Fidelity, hex breaking, protection, removal of blocks and negative energy, overcoming obstacles, fire, strength, passion (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting an with theophylline) 

Camomile: Protection, luck, money, sleep, peace, purification (may decrease effectiveness of birth-control pills and some cancer medications, and may increase the effects of warfarin; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver) 

Cinnamon: Sexuality, lust, wealth, money, consecration, purification, love (avoid taking with diabetes medications)

Dandelion (both root and leaf): Purification, manifestation of wishes, enrichment, money (avoid if on antibiotics, lithium, or water pills; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking medications for your liver)

Elderberry: Exorcism, protection, healing, prosperity, sleep, protection against witchcraft (avoid taking with medications that decrease immune system) 

Ginger: Love, money, success, power, protection (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Ginkgo: Healing, mental clarity, fertility; avoid taking with ibuprofen or with medications that slow blood clotting; numerous medications have interactions with ginkgo, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Ginseng: Fertility, sexuality, lust, manifestation of wishes, healing, beauty, protection (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting; avoid taking with diabetes medications or with MAO inhibitors) 

Goldenrod: Money, divination (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lavender: Love, protection, purification, happiness, peace, healing, meditation, psychic abilities (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Lemon Balm: Love, success, healing, cleansing (may cause drowsiness, avoid taking with sedatives)

Nettle Leaf: Protection, exorcism, healing, jinx-breaking, lust (avoid taking with sedatives, lithium, or medications for diabetes, for high blood pressure, or that slow blood clotting)

Parsley: Healing, fortune, success, lust, protection, purification, ancestor veneration, working with the dead, traveling to the land of the dead, calling upon the energy of death and decay (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting or with diuretics)

Peppermint: Purification, love, healing, psychic powers, (avoid if you have acid-reflux disease; avoid taking with cyclosporine; discuss usage with your doctor if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver)

Pine Needles: Cleansing, drawing the aid of spirits, love, mental focus, protection, lust, exorcism, healing

Thyme: Health, healing, sleep, psychic powers, love, purification, courage, good luck (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting) 

Magickal Tea Recipes

Attract and Protect Money

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp chamomile

¼ tsp basil

Exorcism

¼ tsp angelica root

¼ tsp nettle leaf

¼ tsp elder flower

Spirit Aid

¼ tsp parsley

¼ tsp rosemary 

Love and Lust

1/8 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp catnip

¼ tsp ginseng 

Cleansing

¼ tsp dandelion

¼ tsp lemon balm

¼ tsp thyme

Protection

¼ tsp pine needles

¼ tsp elderberries

¼ tsp blackberry leaf

Divination

¼ tsp goldenrod

¼ tsp peppermint

Psychic Development

¼ tsp calendula (marigold) 

¼ tsp ginkgo leaf

¼ tsp lavender 

Tinctures and Tonics for Health 

A tincture is a traditional herb infusion made with an alcohol base. A tonic usually uses either vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar as the base. The alcohol used in tinctures must be at least 100 proof, or 50%, alcohol, which is why most vodkas and gins are used. Tinctures can also be made with vegetable glycerin or apple cider vinegar for those with alcohol issues, although less potent and yet still effective. 

Crafting Tinctures and Tonics

Tools needed:

Two mason jars

Cheesecloth

The herbs/plants/spices

Measuring cups

An herb grinder

Alcohol/vegetable glycerin/apple cider vinegar 

Tool to measure the dosage such as droppers for infant medication

Steps for recipe creation:

When preparing a tincture, the rule of thumb is you want a 1:4 ratio of herb to alcohol. If your herbs start to float, your ratio is good. Allow them to settle, and add a little more alcohol until the mixture is fully saturated. 

Prepare the ingredients

Fill the mason jar with the herbs/plants/spices

Add the alcohol or alcohol substitute  (If using apple cider vinegar as your base, you will need to take the additional step of laying wax paper on top of the jar lid)

Keep in a cool, dark place for a month (some may require refrigeration, and that will be noted) 

Shake twice daily 

After 1 month, strain the herbal matter from the liquid into the second jar using a cheesecloth (squeeze the cheesecloth to get out as much of the liquid as you can)

After straining, fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water–this dilutes the alcohol, allowing you to ingest it directly

Ready for use 

Herbs and Plants for Health Tinctures and Tonics 

Many of these will not taste good, but will work:

Alfalfa: Energy booster, laxative, cleanser (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting or suppress the immune system and with birth-control pills) 

Allspice: Stimulant; eases indigestion, colds, coughs; reduces hives and swelling (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Aloe Vera Juice (liquid): Soothes the skin, antiseptic (external use only)

Angelica (fruit or seeds): Eases indigestion, gas, gout; balances nervous system (do NOT use if you are diabetic)

Bay Leaf: Eases indigestion, coughs, colds, fevers (do NOT take with any narcotics or sedatives) 

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Antiseptic, eases symptoms of urinary tract infections (do NOT use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have stomach irritation or kidney disease; avoid taking with lithium) 

Bergamot: Soothes colds, fevers, coughs, nausea, indigestion, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with photosensitizing medications) 

Black-Eyed Susan: Soothes swelling, back pain, earaches; immune booster

Black Peppercorn: Anti-fungal, heals ulcers, relieves arthritis

Burdock Root: Detoxifying, soothes colds and skin issues (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Cedar (freshly dried leafy twigs): Soothes gout, naturally antiviral, boosts immune system (may cause drowsiness, avoid if on sedatives)

Clover (red): Soothes coughs, colds, bronchitis (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting and with tamoxifen; may decrease effectiveness of birth control pulls and medications that are changed by the liver)

Cloves: Soothes nausea and indigestion; antiseptic, expectorant (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Comfrey Leaf: Ease arthritis, rheumatism, coughs, colds, diarrhea, asthma; antibacterial (do NOT take with medications that can harm the liver)

Coriander Seeds: Aids in digestion; aphrodisiac; boosts immune system

Cramp Bark: Eases arthritis, rheumatism, menstrual cramps

Echinacea: Eases colds, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, boosts immune system (interacts with various medications, discuss usage with your health care practitioner before taking)

Garlic: Antiseptic; eases atherosclerosis, rheumatism, ear infections, symptoms of urinary tract infections; supports healthy cholesterol; helps lower blood pressure; boosts immune system; expectorant; reduces risks of colon, rectal, and prostate cancers (do NOT take with isoniazid, medication used for HIV/AIDS, or medications used to slow blood-clotting) 

Goldenseal (roots and leaves): Aids digestion; eases colds, hay fever, menstrual cramps (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver)

Horseradish: Antiseptic; antibacterial; expectorant; soothes flu, colds, coughs, symptoms of urinary tract infections; diuretic; appetite stimulant (avoid taking with thyroid medications)

Hyssop: Soothes colds, fevers, sore throats, asthma, rheumatism, indigestion; expectorant

Lemon: Boosts immune system, helps prevent kidney stones, eases indigestion and constipation, relieves toothaches

Lemongrass: Supports healthy cholesterol; antibacterial; detoxifies; relieves constipation, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, coughs, colds, fevers, anxiety, stress, fatigue; boosts immune system

Mugwort: Eases menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, fevers, colds (do NOT take if pregnant) 

Mullein: Relieves asthma, coughs, colds, diarrhea, hemorrhoids; expectorant; diuretic

Nutmeg: Stimulates digestive system; relieves diarrhea, nausea, anxiety (avoid taking with medications that are changed by the liver) 

Orange: Lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol, relieves arthritis and anxiety, stabilizes mood, boosts immune system; laxative (do NOT take with celiprolol, ivermectin, or pravastatin) 

Onion: Helps lower systolic blood pressure, eases colds; antiseptic (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Skullcap: Eases headaches, stress, menstrual tension, insomnia, anxiety, sedative

Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory, reduces cholesterol (avoid taking with medications that slow blood clotting)

Valerian Root: Eases insomnia (do NOT take with alcohol, sedatives, or anti anxiety medications) 

Witch Hazel Bark: Relieves pain, diarrhea, colds, fevers, ulcers, colitis; antiseptic

Wormwood: Eases indigestion and stomach disorders; aphrodisiac (avoid taking with anticonvulsant medications)

Yarrow: Antiseptic, relieves pain, hay fever, colds, fevers, menstrual cramps (do NOT take with medications that slow blood clotting, avoid taking with lithium or sedatives)

Yellow Dock: Laxative; reduces anemia, relieves fatigue, aids digestive system (do NOT take with digoxin, diuretic medications, or medications that slow blood clotting)

For tincture recipes, there are many books and sites that can be used for reference. 

Magickal Tinctures

When making a tincture for use magickally and spiritually, shake the tincture two times a day to direct your energy into the jar and activate the magick within the herbs. 

Tincture-Charging Spell

Materials: 

1 green candle (herb spirits) 

1 white candle (spirit and magick)

1 candle to charge the tincture (color depends on spell)

1 mixing bowl 

Herbs and alcohol for the tincture (or alcohol substitute) 

2 Mason jars

Cheese cloth 

Ritual:

Place the three candles in a triangle on your altar or workspace. The white candle should be the top of the triangle (facing away from you to direct the energy out into the universe). The green and other candle form the base

Place the bowl at the center of the altar, and place your containers of herbs and alcohol on the floor

Light the white candle while stating: “For the power of spirit”

Light the green candle while stating: “For the herbal spirits”

Light the colored candle for your need, and state your need 

Place an herb in the bowl, state a thank-you blessing to the herb, and explain why you are using that herb. Repeat for each herb, and as you add each herb, stir the mixture of herbs clockwise for increasing or bringing something to you and counterclockwise if you are trying to remove or decrease something in your life

Once you have mixed all the herbs in the bowl, hold your hands over the mixture and state your intent

Visualize a light coming out of your hands for that need (red for love and passion or power; green for money, success, growth and fertility; blue for healing; yellow for success; etc)

Pour the mixture into one of the mason jars and add the alcohol (do this at a safe distance form the lit candles)

Place the lid on the jar

Remove the mixing bowl from the alter and put the mason jar with the tincture blend in its place, in the center of your candles. Keep the mason jar there until the candles have finished burning

Shake the tincture, focusing your mental, emotional, and physical energy into the jar. As you shake, chant: “I can upon the powers green, Release the powers unseen. Herbs awakened on this day, Blessings in this tincture stay.” 

Shake the jar twice daily for one month, each time visualizing the need behind the tincture

Once the month has passed, strain the mixture into the second jar using the cheesecloth. 

Now the tincture is ready to be used in magickal work

Herbs for Magickal Tinctures

For magickal uses, the following herbs, spices, and plants are only for external use in tincture blends:

Angelica Leaf: Angel work, protection, removing hexes, exorcism, health, meditation, divination 

Alfalfa: Money attraction (drawing money to you), prosperity, protection

Allspice: Money, luck, healing

Aloe Vera: Protection, peace in the afterlife, prosperity, success, love

Bay Leaf: Protection, purification, enhancing psychic powers, strength

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): Victory, protection, money, power, strength

Bergamot: Money, clarity

Black-Eyed Susan: Cleansing, releasing, grounding, integration, mediumship, connecting with the dead

Black Peppercorn: Protection, exorcism 

Burdock Root: Protection, uncrossing (removing hexes or curses)

Cedar: Healing, purification, money, protection

Clover: Protection, money, fidelity, love, exorcism, success

Cloves: Enhancing psychic powers, astral travel, protection, exorcism, love

Comfrey Leaf: Money, safe travel, protection

Coriander Seeds: Love, health, healing, lust, fidelity

Cramp Bark: Protection, luck

Echinacea: Strengthening spells, offerings to spirits

Garlic: Protection, exorcism, lust, antitheft

Goldenseal: Healing, money

Horseradish: Purification, exorcism

Hyssop: Purification, protection, cleansing

Lemon: Purification, love, friendship, justice

Lemongrass: Repelling snakes, lust, enhancing psychic powers

Mugwort: Strength, psychic powers, protection, prophetic dreams, astral projection

Mullein: Courage, protection, love, divination, exorcism

Nutmeg: Gambling luck, money, fidelity, prosperity, luck

Orange: Love, divination, luck, money

Saint John’s Wort: Health, protection, strength, love, divination, happiness

Skullcap: Love, fidelity, peace

Turmeric: Purification

Valerian Root: Purification, cleansing, peace, love, protection, breaking hexes and curses 

Wormwood: Summoning spirits, working with the dead, enhancing psychic power, protection, love, prophesizing, breaking hexes and curses

Witch Hazel: Protection, chasteness (less likely to give into temptation and sexual desire)

Yarrow: Psychic development, courage, love, exorcism, protection

Yellow Dock: Money attraction, customer attraction, love attraction 

Source

Robbins, Shawn, and Bedell, Charity. The Good Witch’s Guide. New York: Sterling Ethos, 2017. Print.

tw// explosion

Hello, hope all of you are safe and doing well.

You may have heard of what happened in Lebanon today and if not, basically, there was a big explosion in Beirut that affected many cities, destroyed shops, homes, cars, caused many injuries and deaths. The cause is uncertain.

As a fellow lebanese myself (that also lives there), today was absolutely terrifying, probably the scariest moments of my life. We heard a deafening sound as the floors were shaking. Some of us thought it was an attack, others thought it was an earthquake. As soon as it ended many expected a second one, which luckily never happened.

Here's a video of what happened that was sent to me, there are also many others that you can find online.

Windows were broken, doors wrecked, cars flipped over, buildings collapsed, people hit by flying or falling objects, and unfortunately, many didn't make it out alive.

We were one of the lucky ones, our families and friends were all safe and our homes were fine.

Some people couldn't even get out of the crumbling builings, so we saw corpses being pulled out, although some people survived the crash. But wherever we looked, there was blood, poeple were half covered in it, their shirts, pants, hair, everything. And that sight was traumatizing.

We watched the news with elders severely injured, children with blood-spattered shirts and people in pain that couldn't get in the hospitals because they were full.

Some people are missing. Just try to imagine the pain and fear their families and friends are feeling.

Articles about what happened, there are a lot more

Not only are we in the middle of a pandemic, but Lebanon is also going through a very serious economical crisis. To give you an example, before, $1 equaled 1 500 lebanese pounds. Nowadays, $1 equals more than 7 000 lebanese pounds. Not to mention that we obviously don't have any dollars at disposition, so yeah we're fucked.

People are hungry, homeless, unemployed. And even if they are getting paid, it'll be useless since the prices of everything went up because they were affected by the economical fiasco.

Important additional information

Today, I heard my 7 year old cousins scream in fear that they were going to die. I saw my aunt shaking, worried that her children won't survive. I saw my dad freak out while trying to reassure us when we both knew that we were uncertain about the next minutes of our lives. I heard the panic in the trembling voices of my family and friends as they couldn't believe what had just happened. I thought my loved ones and I were going to die in the next seconds.

I'm never forgetting those moments and feelings.

I don't think signing petitions will help, i don't even know if the following links will help either, I just know Lebanon and it's people are desperate for anything because the future of this country is extremely uncertain.

https://helplebanonnow.carrd.co/

https://lebanoncrisis.carrd.co/

https://www.gofundme.com/f/lebanonneedsorg?utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link

https://helplebanon.carrd.co/

http://redcross.org.lb/SubPage.aspx?pageid=1370&PID=158

http://www.caritas.org.lb/get_involved/donate

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/lebanon-relief?utm_term=PYp7gXzyD

I think donating to the red cross would be the most helpful, so if you are considering it, it'd be great.

There are so many great threads on twitter about what you can do to help, just search help lebanon or something to find them. Also if you can, please donate, and as I said, the lebanese pound is pretty much worthless currently so USD is way more useful to us.

So, our Lung is on fire.

It is already threatened by huge deforestation, to the point it lost 20% of its wildth in less than 30 years.

It’s been burning for around two weeks and almost no word has been uttered about it. I, sincerely, have come to find out about it just now. I’m shooketh ™️ because we’re really burning away this planet.

The Amazon Rainforest holds 20% of global waters, it’s an area of incredible value in termns of biodiversity and, nevermind, it’s a crucial climate regulator. Spread awareness, demand help.

🌿Herbs to use in Sleep Magic🌿

Anise - Used to help ward off the evil eye, find happiness, and stimulate psychic ability. Fill a sleep pillow with anise seed to prevent disturbing dreams.

Bay Leaf - Protection, good fortune, success, purification, strength, healing and psychic powers. Place under the pillow (or use in dream pillow) to induce prophetic dreams.

Bergamot - Money, prosperity, protection from evil and illness, improving memory, stopping interference, and promoting restful sleep.

Catnip - Provides protection while sleeping. Grow near the home or hang over the door to attract good spirits and luck.

Celery Seed - Mental and psychic powers, concentration. Use in sleep pillow to induce sleep. Chew celery seed to aid in concentration.

Chamomile - Love, healing, and reducing stress. Burn as incense for de-stressing, meditation, and restful sleep.

Hops - Believed to increase the restfulness & serenity of sleep. Also used for healing rituals, sachets, and incense.

Jasmine - Use in dream pillows to induce sleep or burn in the bedroom to bring prophetic dreams. Helps to promote new, innovative ideas. Also good for charging quartz crystals.

Lavender - Magickal uses include love, protection, healing, sleep, purification, and peace. Promotes healing from depression. Great in sleep pillows and bath spells. Burn the flowers to induce sleep and rest, then scatter the ashes around the home to bring peace and harmony.

Marigold - Place above the bed or in dream pillows for prophetic dreams. Scatter under the bed for protection while sleeping. Peppermint - Use to increase the vibrations of a space or in spells and incense for healing & purification. Place in sleep pillow to ensure peaceful sleep and bring about prophetic dreams. Use to anoint furnishings and household objects. Burn in a new home to clear out sickness and negative energy. Use in magickal workings to provide the push needed to bring change to one’s life. Carry with other herbs to boost love & abundance wishes.

Poppy Seeds - Pleasure, heightened awareness, love, luck, invisibility. A popular ingredient in food magick. Sleep on a pillow stuffed with poppy seeds to bring relief from insomnia.

Thyme - Attracts loyalty, affection, and the good opinion of others. Wear a sprig to ward off unbearable grief or provide strength and courage when needed. Burn or hang in the home for banishing, purification, and to attract good health for all occupants. Use in cleansing baths prior to working candle magick. Use in dream pillows to ward off nightmares and ensure restful sleep. Add a thyme infusion to the bath regularly to ensure a constant flow of money. Place in a jar and keep in the home or at work for good luck.

Violet - Calms the nerves, draws prophetic dreams and visions, stimulates creativity, and promotes peace & tranquility. Violet leaf provides protection from all evil. Violet crowns are said to cure headaches and bring sleep. Keep a spray of violets on the altar to enhance night magick. Wear the leaves in a green sachet to help heal wounds and prevent evil spirits from making the wounds worse.

Source: http://www.themagickalcat.com/Articles.asp?ID=242

Medium Witch Pt. 2 Requested by @maleficusmagicae

Trying to find something to motivate myself and I found this little line from Van Gogh

DON’T SCROLL PAST THIS

for the last 2+ weeks, the Amazon has been catching fire. Yes, it’s the season where that’s normal but because of the sayings (aka incentive) of our new president, some farmers are taking advantage of that and intentionally setting the trees on fire. Yesterday, because of this, the sky of São Paulo looked like this. AT THREE IN THE AFTERNOON.

Hospitals of the northern states are filling up with people (especially children and seniors) claiming they can’t breathe properly. ALREADY ENDANGERED ANIMALS ARE DYING. THIS IS SERIOUS.

Germany and Norway, huge donators to the Amazon cause will stop sending money because they don’t see results (that can also be credited to our president, who has been tweeting angrily ever since - not because he cares about the environment, btw). That money gives this guy and his team equipment to save little guys like these:

THIS AFFECTS EVERYONE, NOT JUST BRAZILIANS. The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world, and it’s being destroyed. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

If your country is holding elections, vote for someone who cares about this. Don’t let another Bolsonaro or another Trump have the power to do something and then do nothing. This is going to shape our future — if we have one.

PLEASE REBLOG, EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS!!

side note: not to sound bitter or ungrateful but also like what’s up with Europe… y’all exploited South America for centuries but just because you “aren’t seeing results” you stop helping altogether?? if you really wanted to help you wouldn’t stop because you think you aren’t helping lol

🔮🌿LAVENDER TEA BREAD🌿🔮

INGREDIENTS Lavender Cake: ¾ cup milk 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh lavender 6 tablespoons butter, softened 1 cup white sugar 2 eggs 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt

Lavender Glaze: ½ cup milk 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds 1 cup confectioner’s sugar

PREPARATION Cake: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. Combine the milk and lavender in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat to a simmer, then remove from heat, and allow to cool slightly. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until the mixture is light and fluffy. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the creamed mixture alternately with the milk and lavender until just blended. Pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a wooden pick inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

Lavender Glaze: Place the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. When it starts to boil, take the pan off the heat and add the dried lavender buds. Let the mixture steep for 5-8 minutes, then strain the milk Whisk it into the sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until you get a smooth and opaque glaze. Pour or spoon over the cooled loaf.