How to make a poultice for wounds

Hey guys!!

so as many of you may know, I stabbed my hand last night whilst making a wand. -_- Next time, I should listen to my inner voice aka my spirit guide, because the whole time I was thinking, "I should put some gloves on."
What can I say, I'm stubborn. And let this be a lesson to all of you, being stubborn=pain.

Anyways, my wound went all the way to/through muscle so I cannot move my thumb very much without being in EXTREME pain.

No worries though, I already got my tetanus shot a few weeks ago (funny how life works huh?) so I'm not at risk for any tetanus, and I'm keeping a close eye out for blood poisoning.

Now lets move on to the tutorial.

Let me start by saying, it is so important you make sure there are no pesticides on  the plants. You are running a HUGE risk of poisoning if pesticides have been sprayed. Its also a good idea to wash the plants before using them.

Also, although it is of the earth, there still is a chance for you to be allergic to the plant. If you know of any plant or pollen allergies, please just use some anti bacterial soap and whatever a doctor gives you.

Continuing, in no way shape or form am I guaranteeing that this will work for you. I've used daisies in the past for a wound and it worked wonderfully. This is my first time using ribwort, so hopefully it will be equally as awesome.

Here is what you need:
A mortar and pestle- I suggest ceramic.
wild daisies-I say wild because the kind you buy in a store are most likely guaranteed to have pesticides.
ribwort
scissors
water
bandage


So take your daisies and ribwort and cut them up. Put the cuttings into the mortar.
drip some water into the mixture-use a little, you can add more later.
use the pestle to grind all the goodness up.
when its to a "paste"like consistency youre done.

Put the mixture on your wound, cover with a bandage. ta-da done.

Leave the mixture on for a little while and afterwards you should see an improvement in the color of the wound (should be less redness). If not, thats ok!! Just keep changing the mixture!

Here are some handy dandy facts about daisies and ribwort.
 Ribwort Plantain  makes an effective treatment for wound bleeding. It contains epidermal growth factor, stimulating the repair of damaged tissue. Leaves extract has antibacterial properties. (plus many many other wonderful things!)

Its external use, as a poultice or addition to bath, can help in cases of wound healing, rashes, wounds and skin inflammations.  
(again, it does so much more than just this!)


here's a video I made if you want to watch and follow along!


http://youtu.be/omn4KhpHdc8

WitchCrafts-Runes

Hey guys!
This WitchCraft will be runes!

There are TONS of ways to make runes, from pieces of cardboard to marbles all the way to the harder handcrafted ways such as wood and stone.

For the easiest you will just need:
Cardboard
scissors
a marker

Cut the cardboard into squares or circles..really any shape you want. Then draw the runes on the cardboard. DONE!!

The second way is to use  glass marbles you can find at the dollar tree.  After that all you need is a marker and again just draw the rune on. DONE!

The third way, which requires a bit more work, is a salt dough recipe. Here it is:
1 cup salt

2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup luke warm water

Preheat oven to about 275 and cook for around 20 minutes, or until the dough turns golden. **this is an estimate depending on your oven!** keep an eye on it, you dont want it to burn or you know catch on fire.

Just roll them into little balls, flatten them so they’re..well.. flat. Bake them and when they have cooled draw the runes on. DONE!

The fourth way is great if you are a water sign or you have an affinity for water! Use clam shells or cowry shells. I suggest these because they have two sides, unlike say olive shells.
Anyways, take your shell and on one side draw the rune and DONE!

these last two ways are a little bit more complex.
For the wooden runes you will need:
a branch
a coping saw
a wood burner (you can substitute this for paint or a marker)
wood stain*optional

Cut the branch into pieces-carefully-with the coping saw.
use your wood burner to burn the runes into the wood. OR you can substitute this step and just paint or draw the rune on.
After youre done drawing the runes on, stain them. This is optional. I like the look of them stained as well as the natural look!

This last way is the hardest of all.
You will need:
stones
a dremel tool
diamond coated blades
paint

It is a must to have diamond coated blades, the regular blades are not strong enough to cut through the rock and will simply shatter.
 PLEASE TAKE ALL NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T GET HURT!

All you do is cut the runes into the stones-VERY CAREFULLY the diamond blade is EXTREMELY sharp! You don’t want to cut any fingers off!

When you’re done just fill the groves with paint and ta-da DONE!


here is a video where I talk about different types of runes.
in a later video I will discuss how to read the runes.
 

http://youtu.be/id5bsJ29hCg

WitchCrafts-Sachet

In today’s WitchCraft I’m showing how to make a sachet!

A Sachet is just a fancy name for “bag.” As witches you can hold many of your items in these, such as: runes, tarot cards, stones, herbs etc.

They can even be used for non-witchy purposes. A lot of times you can find these in craft stores to put little gifts in for friends.

In this version you will be sewing it, however, you can make a no sew one simply by using fabric glue or tape.

What you are going to need to make this sachet is:
-fabric

-scissors

-ribbon

-thread and a needle

-pins

So the first step youre going to do is decide how big or small you want the bag.

After that, go ahead and cut a square of fabric out to your desired length. Make sure you leave a few inches all the way around so you can sew the seam. You can always take away extra, you cant add more…….well you can, but its more difficult .

Next pin the edges together-except the top. Start to sew the edges making sure to keep the stitches close together so that your seam is strong.

When you’re done, take your ribbon and line it up about half an inch from the top. Fold down the top of the fabric over the ribbon and pin in place. Continue pinning all around the top, under the ribbon. Take the ribbon out and sew the top seam together. Make sure you leave two openings for the ribbon to slide through.

Flip your bag right side out and thread your ribbon through the holes at the top and Ta-Da youre done!!

here is a step by step video I made showing the process. Let me know if you have any questions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW8k1DXkaks

WitchCrafts-Smudge Stick

Hey everyone!

So for the first of my WitchCrafts I'm going to show you guys how to make a smudge stick. I am personally making a cedar smudge stick, but you can use any herb or plant you want. A popular one and, in my opinion, essential smudge stick to have is a sage smudge stick. Sage is used to cleanse and I use it to cleanse all of my new tools and items I buy that I plan on using in my craft as well as cleansing my house to get rid of any negativity that might be hanging around!

Cedar is used for protection to just name one use of it. I some times burn it after Sage-ing to protect my tools/items and my home.

First and foremost, if you gather the herb or plant yourself please ask the plant or tree for permission to take from it. THIS IS A MUST!!!!!! Touch the plant/tree, ask it aloud or in your head, "May I use your twigs/leaves." If you feel any negative feeling-guilt, sadness, anger etc, stop immediately and do not take from the plant. If you get a  good feeling-happiness, joy etc go ahead, BUT only take what you need. Do not be greedy. If you work with the same plant/tree for a while you wont have to stop and ask and wait for a feeling. For me and my cedar trees, I get the feeling just by standing next to the tree.
Finally give thanks to the tree, not only verbal, but physically. If it hasn't rained in a while, water the plant/tree. If you can distribute fertilizer or plant food for the tree. Take care of what the Goddess has given you.

So enough shop talk, lets get into the tutorial.

All you need is:
-Cedar
-twine
-scissors

Gather your cedar in your hand in a nice grouping. Take your twine, wrap it around the bottom a few times to give yourself an area to hold on to. Wrap the twine up the smudge stick, then back down. Finally tie the string so your stick is secured!

That's it! Easy peasy!

Here is a video I made that shows exactly how to make it!

http://youtu.be/JP00XKHmfks

Let me know what other WitchCrafts you guys would like to see!

Blessed be. )O(
-Kaylan

Shell magick with Kaylan

Hello and merry meet!

For this class we will be talking about shells!

We all know you can use stones, feathers, herbs, woods, etc, but few people remember the gifts from the ocean: shells. Many people forget about shells, in fact I have only read one book that even mentions their use in spells and the like.

Hopefully this brief course will help those of you who live near a beach and have a great access to shells and other marine things.

This will be very easy, just a list of the shells/ocean things and their properties. Also at the end, I will give a run-down of what you can do with this knowledge.

·        

•       Abalone: Used to contain empowered herbs, stones and other magickal objects. Some people (like myself) never use a shell to burn herbs. It is felt that it’s kind of rude to the water spirit to bring in some fire. Of course, it is up to you. Practice as you wish.
• ·         Auger- used for male related spells, fertility, courage, power, healing male aligments.
• ·         Carrier Shells- great for prosperity and gain.
• ·         Clam shells- used for purification and love as well as friendship spells
• ·         Cockle-spells for love, friendship, family and emotions.
• ·         Conches-love magick. If  you have a big enough one, you can blow into it making a horn sound which is said to summon spirits.
• ·         Cone shells- used in protective spells
• ·         Coral-when worn, it makes the wearer happy. Great for psychic workings. Harmony. Protection.
• ·         Cowries-used for prosperity and money. Also some associate cowries with goddesses, are used for female magick such as menstrual problems, birth, pregnancy etc.they are good for enhancing spirituality.
• ·         Driftwood- a little controversial as it is from a tree. In my opinion, driftwood has its own “personality,” apart from its parent tree-it is no longer connected to the Earth via roots, but through the ocean.  It has changed, it is free from the binds of the roots. Therefore, I would use driftwood in spells where you are needing change  (slow change) or freedom. Also, in Norse myth, the first man and woman were created from drift wood, it would be a great material to carve figures out of. Or used as a wand.
• ·         Kelp or seaweed-great for travel and protection whilst traveling.
• ·         Latiaxis Shells- used in spells for protection or defense.
• ·         Left-handed whelks- used for making dramatic, positive changes in your life.
• ·         Limpets-courage, confidence and physical strength. Also used to find a way out of a problem. Meditate with for help on divination.
• ·         Moon Shells- Psychic awareness, purification and peace.
• ·         Nautilus- wisdom, knowledge. Creating harmony.
• ·         Olive shells- healing
• ·         Operculum- used for defense and shutting the door to the past. May also be used for prosperity and wealth. ** Please do NOT harm a shell fish to obtain the Operculum!**
• ·         Oysters- love and good fortune
• ·         Tooth shells- money
• ·         Rock Shells-used in defense spells.
• ·         Sand dollars-wisdom ** Please do NOT pick up a living sand dollar from the beach! You are killing a living creature. Dead sand dollars tend to be a light grey to white.
• ·         Scallops- the shell version of quartz. You can use a scallop shell as a sub for any other shell.
• ·         Screw shell-used in male magick, fertility, male ailements, courage, power etc.
• ·         Spindle top/Tulip shell-good for magick pertaining to fate, destiny, karma and change
• ·         Star fish- you can use a 5 pointed star fish as a pentacle. ** Please do NOT pick up a live star fish!
• ·         Turrid shell- karma, destiny, change, fate.

You can use shells just as you would stones! With some of these you can even make jewelry out of them and wear them as you would stones. Shells are great for water signs to use as well as anyone who has an affinity toward the water element.

Please always remember to never harm a living creature!! Almost all of these contain a living creature. If you are unsure or you know it is still alive please leave it alone! Some of these are even poisonous.
Accidents happen, if you do pick up a shell without knowing it has a creature inside of it until later when it has died, please do the right thing and apologize and give an offering to the sea.

With that said, I hope this was helpful to some of you! Some times shells are much easier to obtain and identify than stones!

Blessed be and happy casting!
)O(