The Witch Bottle

 . . . So I'm on this new path of being a Green Witch.  What does that mean?  Well, a green witch is someone who works with earth magick.  I'm extremely connected to the plant world, and find peace and magic in nature.  A new thing I started doing now that it's harvest season where I live, is to use herbs and plants in my practice.  I also learned about Witch Bottles last night, and my gut was just like, "OMG YAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSS BB WITCH!!"  

Apparently, witch bottles were used to keep witchcraft and curses away, back in the 17th century, I think originating in the UK.  Knowing what we know now, of course, the witches were the ones making the witch bottles.  But because women who did anything that went misunderstood by the masses were called witches, we can see why the lore surrounding it would be a little derogatory.  Think of it as a good witch/bad witch scenario, with the good witches creating these bottles to keep away negativity, and such.

 

Fast forward to me last night.  I was in desperate need to find something that I could put together with things from around the house that would KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF MY YARD AND OFF MY PROPERTY.  WHY IS THAT SO DIFFICULT.  I don't really want to use black salt to create a border because I am a gardener, and I do want my land to be habitable, and if I bought crushed black tourmaline, it would take a week to get here.  Enter: Witch Bottle!  Thanks, again, to my lovely new witchy mermaid friend, Jenny, for this tip!

 

How To Make One:

• Get a little bottle.  I used an empty baby wine bottle from a Vinebox order.  Glass or pottery.
  
•  Sea salt
• Red ribbon
• Rusty nails/screws
• Vinegar

*You'll want to make sure that the things you're putting in your bottle are right for the intention you're trying to set.  Mine was for protection, and keeping people away.  If you want to do something more positive, you'll want to switch up your ingredients.  

Make your intention clear.  I prefer to write mine down, and then burn them in a fire-safe receptacle.  If you're not into fire, just tell it to the universe, and hold each object and thank it for the work it's about to do for you.

If your bottle is for protection and boundaries, you can follow this process:

Add the rusty nails/screws first.  These really say, "STAY AWAY!" 

Next, add the salt.  Salt is a purifier, and I like to think that it really aids in the intent's clarity.

The ribbon is next.  If you're of Italian decent, I'm sure you've seen the gold charms of the crossed fingers, and the horn, with black and red ribbon to keep the malocchio away.  This is also for protection from negativity.

I also added basil and rosemary from my garden.  They bring peace, protection, prosperity, aid in cleansing and banishing, and help to ward off anyone or anything you don't want.

Now here's the fun part for me.  I took the ashes from my burned intention, and put them right into the bottle to add that little extra bit of oomph!

Vinegar is last.  Top up the bottle.  You can also use red wine, or -- GASP -- your own urine, but vinegar seemed just fine to me.  This is called marking it as your own.  Hence, urine.  On top of the vinegar, I spat to mark it as mine.  

Seal the bottle, and make sure it'll stay shut for good.  I poured some candle wax over it, also, just for good measure.

Now you have to choose where it'll go undisturbed forever.  I chose to bury mine at the far end of my property.  You can choose to sit it in the garage in a random corner, or on the kitchen windowsill, or bury it near the front door.  There are varying explanations of this on the internet, and you can look them all up.  If somewhere calls to you, though, just put it there.  I chose to bury mine so far out because the issue isn't within my home, it's out in my yard, which, even after 7 or 8 years of living here, people still think is common area.  As you place it, say some stuff to echo your intent.  End with, "So be it."  And don't forget to express gratitude for the forces coming to help you.

Once you choose where to leave or bury your bottle, you might want to do a little cleansing/releasing ritual to get your energy back.  I was pretty exhausted after the creation and burial of this lovely magickal thing, so I did what I do after I read for others: washed my hands with ice cold water and antibacterial soap.  I didn't feel the need to smudge, since it was all my energy.

Now, here's the really cool/creepy/fun/witchy/ultra-magickal part: about two hours after I buried it, I heard one of my cats hissing at the front door.  I figured it was Polly O'Possum coming to clean up the birdseed, as usual, but no!  It was -- GASP -- A BLACK CAT!!  I made magick, and was graced with the presence and protection of a black cat mere hours after burying my witch bottle!  I know black cats typically carry the stigma of being bad omens, but really, they're lucky and full of protective power.  This was the best gift I never even asked for.  It was confirmation.

 

You guys.  Magick is so real.  You just have to be confident with your own power to create it.  And ALWAYS use it for good.

  

💚❤💖

Reading for the Collective

I was playing with my moon phase app, and the suggestion to do their card spread for the Waxing Moon came up in my horoscope today.  I thought, "Hmm, what a perfect way to do a collective reading today!"  So here we are. 

1) Where are we right now?

I love this King.  A fellow reader once told me that my reading style would ultimately be like the King of Swords, blending logic and intelligence with intuition and wisdom.  I feel like with this card popping up for all of us after the upheaval of the Full Moon/Solar Eclipse craziness, which magnified all the shadow work that we all still need(ed) to do, it's a good sign that we're on the right track.  Maybe our choices aren't even clearly laid out for us yet, or we're not getting the fruits of our labor, but it's all coming.  Now is the time to observe, and it's OK to pat ourselves on the back because hey -- we made it through a cray-cray period, and now we get to reflect on it.  Look out on what you've created, and see if there are still things that you want to change.  If so, now's the time to do it, or at least get the ball rolling.

 2) Where do we want to be?

Two of Cups, reversed.  I don't typically read love energy at all.  It can be muddy, and comes with an expectation of future predictions, which I do not claim to be able to make.  However, I very occasionally get an undeniable pang of romance in collectives, and I have to share it.  Here, I feel like there is a longing for intimacy.  It could be romantic, or not, depending on what you're looking for.  It could even be just a coffee date with an old friend.  Regardless, our cups are a little empty on the love front.  The wold is opening up, and it's time to get back together with other people.  There's a hunger for human connection, even from introverts like myself.  Being starved from it really makes the heart grow fonder.  This could mean a couple things: go out and have fun with your bestie; go out on a date with someone new; go back to your favorite bar; maybe you just need someone to talk to.  I also get the feeling that there are underlying things that we all want to be doing.  The solar eclipse really brought that energy of expansion into our lives, and now we have all these little baby ideas. Which ones really spark your interest?  Talk about them with a trusted friend.  Putting ideas out into the universe, actually saying things, makes you accountable.  Maybe that's what you need to do.  Maybe you just need to hear your ideas come out of your mouth, and then talk about them.  Sharing our inner world with someone is definitely intimate, and this applies here in a big way.

3) What habits and strengths do we need to work on?

High Priestess.  This one is pretty clear.  The High Priestess is our higher self, the bridge between the human world and ethereal realms.  Pay close attention to synchronicity in your daily life.  Repeating numbers, vivid dreams, seeing your favorite animal out in the wild, someone calling you right after you randomly think about them, and of course, trust your gut.  There's a ton of spiritual energy that is flowing to us all right now, and we're basically being told here to remove all the roadblocks so that we can receive the messages meant for us.  What can you do to connect better with your intuition?  How can you ascend into your higher consciousness?  Put on your favorite tunes, and have a solo dance party!  If you find joy in cooking, get in the kitchen, and make some sweet food magick!  Get in the garden if you're a worshiper of Earth.  I'm not a good one to offer meditation advice, but if you're called to do it, meditate.  There are many different apps that have guided meditations if you're like me, and can't sit there in the stillness for very long at all.  It's definitely something to work on.  Yoga is a good way to actively meditate.  Connecting your breath to the movements is what's supposed to make it such a spiritual experience.  Another good option is always just to go outside barefoot, and connect with the earth.  Listen to the sounds of nature, feel the sun and air on your skin, taste the honeysuckle nectar, be open to the beauty that Mother Nature creates for us to enjoy.  Take a forest bath!  There, you'll connect with yourself.

4)  What relationships can we work on?

The Devil, clarified with Temperance, and The Hanged Man.  This is the relationship we have with ourselves. I don't get an external vibe with this combo, however, if you do have a "devil" in your life, then you'll want to pay attention to this one.  As it pertains to our internal relationship, there could be a lot of people having Angel/Devil moments.  Try to balance them out.  Is the devil trying to get you to indulge in things that you know are no longer meant for you?  Is the angel really killing your vibe by guilting you into doing the "right" thing?  Try to balance those things out.  That's a material world problem.  Alter your perspective on the situation, and it might not even be as aggressive of a threat as your currently perceive it to be.  In regards to having an actual devil in your life, please get out of that situation.  I've found that two cards come up consistently for people with narcissistic personalities: The Devil, and The Emperor, reversed. The Devil tends to be a little less powerful (in my opinion) than the other.  This to me right now feels like someone's just testing you.  They're trying to see how far they can nag you and annoy you and push you before you'll finally put a stop to it.  My advice, don't let them turn into the reversed Emperor.  

5) What skills can we improve upon?

Nine of Wands.  I really still feel a little ego death happening here.  It's like, it's time to recognize how far you've come, and how much you've changed and grown, but you're still not there yet.  You're not quite where you want to be, and that's fine.  Surrendering your ego is probably one of the hardest things to do in this world.  But you have to also have the wherewithal to understand when it's time to say, "Yeah, that didn't really work out.  It's time to start something new," rather than continuing down a path that's finished.  We all still have work to do, and this card is the beginning of the light at the end of the tunnel.  Keep on keepin' on, and you'll get a clear vision of what's next.  Remember to express gratitude for where you are right now.

6)  Where should we set our intentions?

Judgement.  Spiritual ascension.  Leaving the old You behind.  Rise above the petty drama of the human world.  I love this card in this deck.  It's extremely personal, and relates to our own personal graduation from one cycle to another.  It's asking you to peel back all the layers that are put on to deal with the daily blah, and get back to your authentic self.  Set your intentions for what you want your life to feel like.  What do you want to cut out, what do you want to make more time for, what do you want to do in your career, how do you want your home to look, what do you want your soul to look like?  I feel like this entire reading is all about connecting to your intuition.  Go inward so that you can emerge.  Also, allow flow.  Stop trying to control stuff that isn't worth your time.  Put that energy to good use manifesting the life you want.  Write some stuff down, set it ablaze, and let the cosmos have it.

Deck used today is The Light Seer's Tarot, by Chris-Anne.

✌❤

New Moon, Ring of Fire Solar Eclipse Reading for the Collective

 You guys, this one is a doozy.  The amount of surrendering and releasing that the Divine is asking us all to do right now is exponential.  It's almost like our guardian angels are super tired of trying to give us what we want, and signs, and messages, and we're just ignoring them because we're in this human fog.  So it's almost like, if you don't do this shadow work, they're going to make it impossible for you to continue to ignore it, whether you like it or not.  So without further ado:

Surrender Resentments

"Holding on to resentments only poisons you.  Try to forgive others for their shortcomings, and keep moving forward toward positive situations in your life.

In this row, we have Temperance, Page of Cups, and 6 of Cups.  6 of Cups is all about things past.  Sometimes when it comes up, it can be in regards to memories, reminiscing, or getting in touch somehow with old friends or relatives.  In this case, I feel it's situational.  In alignment with the oracle card, it's really nagging me with something that's being held onto that needs desperately to be let go, and left in the past.  And Temperance is all about polarity, balance, and patience.  I feel like letting go of those grudges or shoulda/woulda/coulda, or anything that still gnaws at you that you can't change, would allow for a better balance in life.  Also having the patience to trust divine timing is pretty present.  A lot of things are stalled right now, and I think it has to do with there not being enough space in our lives.  The Page of Cups in this deck has a flying pig up at the top.  This is the "When Pigs Fly" card.  It's wishful, and doubtful at the same time.  But notice the heart center.  It's glowing.  Pages have the childlike enthusiasm that we wish we had more of in our regular adult lives.  It's a call to really feel what your heart wants, and if you already know what your heart wants, then maybe you're having that "when pigs fly" moment.  With the other cards, though, it's pretty apparent that what we're meant to do here is to let things go that no longer serve us so that we create the adequate space in our lives to actually welcome in what we truly want.  You cannot do it all, all the time.  It doesn't matter how hard you try.  There just aren't enough hours in the day here on Earth for us to do all the things.  Really look at your priorities and commitments, and see what you can cut away.  Guess what?  That weekly neighborhood get-together will be just fine without you if you choose to do something else that actually enlivens your soul.    

Surrender Your Ego

"Cultivate gratitude, be of service to others, and come from your heart.  A big ego can work against you, but humility will further your goals."

Row number two holds Judgement, Empress, and 9 of Wands.  So this is pretty clear, and right up there with the oracle.  I like Judgement in this deck a lot because it's personal ascension.  You're being lifted from your old self, and rising into this new form of You.  And the Empress is the mother of all creation.  Notice the moon tied right to Earth in her womb.  This New Moon is the perfect time to shed that old skin of yours.  But again, in order to do it, we need to look at ourselves and accept that we're imperfect, we've been wrong about stuff, things didn't go our way, sometimes we were dicks about the stuff that didn't go our way, and that whatever all that was is now finished.  Ego death is hard to work through if you've never had to take that step back and really look at what's transpired.  But it's worth it to gain an entirely new perspective on yourself, and situations around you.  9 of Wands here says to totally recognize what you've done, and how far you've come; but it's also saying that there's still plenty of work left to be done.  And it's a warning of impending burnout.  Again, you can't do all the things, and you certainly can't do them all perfectly.  

Surrender Denial

"Accept people and situations exactly as they are, without denying the difficulties.  Then you can see things clearly and make the best decisions."

And here we are at the next stop on this shadowy journey: Denial.  Ah, yes.  A classic . . . This is our mirror moment.  Our guardian angels are now holding up a mirror, asking us to see what is right in front of us, and we're just ignoring them.  10 of Swords, Knight of Swords, Ace of Cups.  I mean . . . the goose is cooked.  The party is over.  Call it a day.  Release the burdens.  Those people you don't really like but continue to hang out with, aren't really your friends.  The Knight is only able to venture forth once all those swords are dealt with, once and for all.  And notice how his speed is picking up.  You can't expect to travel at the speed of sound, and make all these cool things happen for yourself if you're being dragged down by stuff that literally is not meant for you, or that is so in the past that no one even really remembers what actually went down.  And then the Ace of Cups right at the end just just like, "Yeah, hey.  I'm here waiting to fulfill your wildest dreams whenever you're ready to put all those wands and swords down."  The current astrological things that are going on -- multi-planet retrogrades, new moon, solar eclipse in Gemini -- are bringing up stuff that we haven't even thought about in the last how-many years.  Like, stuff from 2009.  Stuff from 2014.  Stuff that you literally think you've let go of, but they shaped who you are, and you still resent them for turning you into something that you weren't before that.  So bring it all to light, write it down, rip it up, and burn it.  Release it up to the cosmos, and open up some space.

Our bottom cards today are Strengh, and 9 of Wands, again.  Whatever you're releasing, know that you have the strength within you to do it, and get through it.  The burdens are many, and it' time to lighten the load.

The Magician is always a little confidence boost for us when we're feeling overwhelmed.  The tools to clean out all this crapola that's bogging you down is within you.  Maybe you need to find your courage, or your gumption, or your internal fire; but it is within you already.  You are your magic.

 

Wisdom of the Oracle gave us Clean It Up.  This one asks not only to clean up your mental clutter, but your physical clutter, too.  Allow better energy to flow in your home, as well as in yourself.  "Time to clean house!"  Even little things like bills, unopened mail, laundry, dusting -- it all holds energy, and the more it piles up, the more you get bogged down in it.  So clear your space, as you're clearing your space.  And a smudging never hurt, either.  Clear out all that blah!

Decks used today were the Power of Surrender by Dr. Judith Orloff, MD, The Light Seer's Tarot by Chris-Anne, Northern Animal Tarot by Wilder Hearts Studio, and Wisdom of the Oracle by Collette Baron-Reid.

I hope this reading resonates with all who read it, but if it doesn't, leave it behind -- it's not meant for you.  In that case, write some stuff down that you'd like to manifest, and release it up to the cosmos tonight during the new moon, or tomorrow during the solar eclipse.  The energy is RIPE with expansion.

Peace ✌

When Iris Eyes are Smiling

I've grown to love iris season a lot over the past couple years, but for some reason, this year, they really just blew me away.  In my own garden, they were beautiful, but even at work on the tables, they were stunning.  The one pictured here is from a BFF's garden.  She gave me a huge clump of these beauties last year, so they won't bloom for me until next year.  When I saw that she had left me a stalk so that I could see what they'll look like, I gasped at its gloriousness, and immediately took a bajillion pictures of it.

I feel like, because they're so short-blooming, they don't get nearly as much play as later summer flowers.  Perhaps they're one of those plants that isn't truly appreciated unless you have it for yourself.  But what's so lovely about them is that they're blooming before a lot of other things.  They're the stars in the garden even before the peonies.  All the later perennials are poking their heads out of the soil while these ones are putting on a show.  Of course, it's a show that only lasts about two weeks, but it's still a show.  And the varieties are endless.  And if you mix in German Bearded Iris, with Japanese and Siberian Iris, you'll increase your season from two weeks to four or five.  Awesome.

So what the hell is the point of this post, other than blabbing on about how pretty they are, and what a cool thing it is to manipulate bloom seasons?  Welp, I suppose it's about appreciating that particular time period of the year.  Coming out of winter, we're cozy, rested, and anxious to get out into the nicer weather.  Iris can relate.  She's over the snow and ice, and doesn't need super warm ground to wake up.  She's ready to go when we are, and is always there smiling at you as you drive or walk past, or snap a photo for your phone's wallpaper, or when you see her flowers and realize that the sun is actually starting to get warmer, and that the days are getting longer.  She's the welcome wagon for the majority of us who haven't been out early enough to really appreciate the daffodils and tulips.

Next spring, when the irises bloom, really stop and look at them.  See the intricate designs on their delicate, shimmery petals; feel how silky they are, and notice how sturdy the bloom stalks are that come out of the most perfect, almost geometric foliage.  There's a lot of energy that goes into creating perfect flowers, and humans don't understand that concept. . . even though humans are basically fleshy plants, themselves.  (And how apropos, considering that anything that's worth anything in our lives requires our time, energy, and nurturing to bring it into fruition.)  Irises are a garden staple, so they would make a good study partner for someone who doesn't really know anything about plants.  If you find a Bearded Iris in your travels, notice its tubers on the ground.  Without adequate light hitting them, they won't bloom.  You can't thrive, either, without adequate sunlight, so remember to take time out of your day to go outside, and soak up that Vitamin D.  Let Iris inspire you.  Even though it might still be a little chilly, at least the sun is shining, and your internal reserves are full of creative energy.

Peace 💜

Oracle Reading for the Collective

 

Good morning, everyone, and happy Saturday!  Today's collective reading comes from the Angels & Ancestors Oracle by Kyle Gray, and The Power of Surrender Oracle by Dr. Judith Orloff, MD.  I love these two decks, and together they make for a really concise reading.

Surrender to Nonaction

"Now is the time to be still and not act.  Simply breathe and focus on your own power.  Let others come to you."

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know that this card came up in a collective reading last week.  With this energy still lingering, I really feel like there are still cycles that are repeating for people.  The time to stop them is now.  Come back to yourself, and stop messing with stuff that either doesn't serve you, or isn't worth your energy, or is something out of your control.  Go inward, and check in with yourself.  What do you need to pause and reflect on?  What do you need to stop?

Sun

"Enjoy Success and Happiness"

The Sun completely contradicts the energy of nonaction, however, because the Sun wants you to go out and feel its warmth, and bask in its joyful energy.  And this energy is so expansive that it's almost begging you to go out and do all the things.  But if you do take a minute to put these two requests from the universe together, you'll begin to realize that the point is to stop doing, so that you are able to enjoy the sun's energy.  You can't really bask in the glow if you're not paying attention to it.  Also, there's an energy of accomplishment here.  Maybe your guides and angels are asking you to realize how far you've come, and recognize that you're the shiznit. You got to where you are right now with hard work, and you should be proud of it.  

Arrow

"Surround Yourself with Protective Energy"

And here's where we get a little muddy.  So all the people are doing all these new things because they've had their Tower moments, and things have ended, and new beginnings abound, right?  But since they're doing all these new things that are purely beneficial to themselves, there could be negative things surrounding you that aren't necessarily intentional on their part, and literally have nothing to do with you.  So be aware of that.  If something doesn't feel good, don't entertain it.  And more importantly, surround yourself with people and things that raise your own vibration.  Don't get sucked down into the negative minutiae.  Not your circus, not your monkey.

Stag

"Trust and Thrive"

And here we have the Forest King.  He's got antlers to protect you from all that negativity, and is asking you to go with your gut.  Follow what feels good.  Notice the spirals behind him in the card.  Life is cyclical.  Think about it: seasons change, day goes into night, and you start new things and end old things.  And now that we're in the cycle of the new things, you're being called to stand confidently in your own light, bask in your own glory, and go with what feels amazing to you.  There's a new opportunity that you might be apprehensive about, and Stag says trust your gut.

 

Medicine Mother

"Honour Your Inner Knowing"

And on the bottom, we have Medicine Mother, the great maternal force who's always right.  Remember when you started saying, "OMG.  My MoThEr WaS rIgHt!"  Well, here she is, reminding you what you already know to be true.  You need to do what you need to do, and stop putting it off.  If there is still some part that you're hanging onto that you know isn't right, let that shit go.  In order to live an authentic life, you have to do what's right for you, not everyone else.  Is there a risk associated with quitting jobs, starting new ventures, breaking up with people and things?  Yes.  But if you don't take the risk, you'll never reap the rewards you seek.  This card really is asking for you to pony up.  Be courageous, and do the thing.  Rip the band-aid off, and see what happens.  You'll feel way better, and the things that are meant for you, will come if you make the space in your life for them.  Alter your perspective on your particular situation right now, and ask yourself, "Why am I still repeating this cycle?  Haven't I already learned this lesson?"  Maybe the lesson isn't something super deep, but it's just letting go.

Peace ✌

What is Trailing Arbutus, and Why is it in my Blog's Name?

Image courtesy of SummitPost.com

 

Trailing Arbutus, or Epigaea repens, is an evergreen herb native to eastern North America, where I'm from.  Also known as Mayflower, it's nickname, "budding beauty", can often be applied to someone whose talents haven't been shown to the world yet.  What's cool about it is that it's vulnerable, or even shy.  If it becomes disturbed, it will never grow where it was, and its habitat is then destroyed.  

I'm sure you're reading that like, "Wtf is cool about that??"  And my answer is, that it is such a metaphor for my own life.  When I become disturbed in any situation, I rarely will go back to it once I leave, and I very seldom will allow that cycle to continue.  Also, I'm trying to be more vulnerable.  Life has made me into someone who generally doesn't like to show or share emotions with anyone.  It makes me uncomfortable.  And I have ALWAYS been shy.

So the Arbutus speaks to me here.  It's a work in progress, and I hope that through helping my readers, I'll help myself.  Or allow others to help me!  This is also something I struggle with.  I tend to be very independent, and I don't like asking for help because if I do it myself, it'll be done the way I want, in the time frame I want.  I know -- a cycle I shouldn't keep repeating, but that's something that will take a lot of conscious effort to stop.  It's very ingrained, and definitely falls into the category of Shadow Work.

Getting to the Owl -- My birth totem, spirit animal, and mysterious friend.  I have always loved owls.  I've collected them since I was a child, and continued into adulthood.  I found out that Owl was actually my birth totem in the Native American zodiac after a visit out west to New Mexico.  It made so much sense.  A little cliche, but the wisdom is what I've always had.  I've always been able to see beyond the minutiae to the bigger picture of everything.  My intuition has always guided me, and when I wasn't listening, I walked down my own stupid paths that made no sense, and basically shaped me into something I didn't like, and then had to completely shed and regroup.  

I can't stress enough how important your gut instincts are.  Never doubt them.  That nagging feeling you get in your core is your own intuition telling you that something is not meant for you.  Don't go there if it doesn't feel right.  But on the other hand then, anything that feels amazing to you, it probably is!  If you feel led to it, and it's calling your name, and you feel excited when you think about it, it's yours.  That's not to say that sometimes you won't be tricked by outside influences if you only use your intuition, but combining it with your own smarts is the best way to go.

 

So be wise like the Owl, and be a little more flexible than the Arbutus.  I strive for it every day.

 

Collective reading coming soon!

Peace ☮