Book Review No. 42 - Magical Power for Beginners by Deborah Lipp

Well hello there! Welcome back to my little blog, thanks for taking a gander and I hope you find something interesting. Not a whole lot is going on right now, just trying to stay cool in the heat. I've been listening to a lot of AFI, Alkaline Trio and Charlotte OC. If you've not checked out these artists, you really should.

It took me a little while to finish this week's book, but in no way is that a bad thing. Deborah Lipp's book "Magical Power for Beginners" is excellent. I can honestly say if you are new to this topic, this is a perfect place to start. Lipp covers a whole range of topics, some I never even thought to explore, in a very approachable manner. 

Book Review No. 37 - The Witch's Cauldron by Laura Tempest Zakroff

Welcome back! I've another great book to review. I know I call these "Book Review Tuesdays" and most of these are no longer posted on Tuesdays. Maybe I will get back to being more consistent soon...but until then...I hope you enjoy! Have you ever wanted to know more about the witch's cauldron, that symbol so deeply associated with witchery? I highly recommend Laura Tempest Zakroff's book "The Witch's Cauldron". She did a masterful job covering so many aspects of the magical vessel, this is a great reference book as well as enjoyable to read.  

 

Book Review No. 32 - Spirit Conjuring for Witches by Frater Barrabbas

Salaam friends, I hope you have all been well. I've been struggling a little. Some pesky health issues have cropped up, setting me back. But, I am trying to not let it get me down.

So in the honor of Book Review Tuesdays, I've finally got to finish a book I started several weeks ago.

This week, I want to write a little bit about "Spirit Conjuring for Witches" by Frater Barrabbas. This is a heft book on spirit conjuring, if this is something you wish to incorporate in your practice I highly recommend. 

Witch's Salt - What is and How to's with a DIY Black Salt Recipe

I was feeling particularity witchy the other day and decided so try my hand at a new recipe. After watching a plethora of YouTube videos on different salt types used in witchcraft, I wanted to go out a buy them all. And then I saw the price of some of these salts...yikes...they can get quite expensive.   There are many different types of salts, each having their own mineral content (usually dictating the color) and uses. Many of these salts also are used in gourmet cooking, so it can make finding them relatively easy. If you want to just go out and buy some, that is perfectly OK. I found volcanic black lava salt at Walmart for about $5.00 for 8-9 ounces. If you are a little more frugal or more hands on, then I want to share a easy and cheaper (if you have items on hand) way to get one type of salt: Black Salt.  

 

Book Review No. 31 - The Little Big Book of White Spells by Ileana Abrev

Hello! Welcome back, how are you? Back again for another book review, well come on in and sit a spell.    I've just finished Ileana Abrev's "The Little Bog Book of White Spells", which is a good spell book with some useful information in it. I've read several different types of spell books, and this one is pretty on par with what to expect.   

  Abrev discusses how to get started using this book and the basics of spell working. How to set up a altar, color magic, some crystal work, correspondence charts, items you will need to set up a practice, all of this is useful setting the groundwork for being successful. This is great for beginners, and a useful reference or refresher for the more advanced worker.  

Book Review No. 30 - The Magic of Trees by Tess Whitehurst

Welcome! As it is a new year, I have a whole bunch new books that I want to get too. Yes, my husband has spoiled me and took me book shopping and then I order some more online. I have an addiction. I've also "committed" myself to reading 25 books this year, well that' the goal at least. I didn't read nearly as many books as I wanted last year, so I hope to remedy that in the next solar cycle.    I finished this book awhile ago and took some time to digest its contents. This is such a lovely book, full of a lot of great information. Tess Whitehurst's The Magic of Trees: A Guide to Their Sacred Wisdom & Metaphysical Properties is such a great resource into tree magic. Without a doubt, you can tell Whitehurst put a lot of work and energy into this collection.  

 

Wildcrafting - Red Clover - Uses and Recipes

Hello there! Welcome! I want to introduce you to one of my favorite naturally gathered flowers. Red clover, an abundant plant found in many meadow or field-type areas, is a great wildcrafted goodie! This plant is native to Europe, Western Asia and northwest Africa but has been introduced to many other areas of the world. Here in the U.S. it is readily seen during the spring/summer months.

Book Review No. 22 - The Norse Shaman by Evelyn C. Rysdyk

Welcome and hello! This week I finished a well-researched book called "The Norse Shaman" by Evelyn C. Rysdyk. Before reading this book, I knew very little--to nothing--about actual shamanic practices of the Norse tradition. I do have a strong anthropological background, so I thoroughly enjoyed the historic data snippets in this book. Rysdyk backs up the Norse shamanic traditions with archeological evidence, which is refreshing. Several books I've read in this genre sort of forgo the archaeological record and jump right into the traditions without giving perspective about the landscape these people survived in.   

  After a brief introduction to shamanism and its role in many cultures across the globe, Rysdyk's focus of the book is on Norse shaman practices (obvious by the name of the book). Each chapter delves into different aspects of this tradition, and Rysdyk provides a meditation prompts to explore shamanistic trances on your own. This is also called "a seiðr ceremony". Warning, this is not a beginners guide to shamanism, and if you are not familiar with meditation or trancework you may want to skip this part of the book until you are more familiar with what to expect. Since I am a novice myself, I read through the meditations but did not perform them. I am looking forward to actually picking up her other book called "Spirit Walking: A Course in Shamanic Power."   Well researched and well written, if you have interest in Norse spiritual practices or just there culture in general, I recommend adding this book to your reading list. I really enjoyed this book, and found I had a hard time putting it down. Rysdyk's book has whet my interested in shamanism and Norse culture (not that I don't already have a strong interest in this region), something I hope to further explore.   Until next time, go out and enjoy the sunshine, Jenny

Easy Infused Oil Recipe

Howdy! Here is my easy and simple infused oil recipe. Actually here are two methods...for the same recipe. One fore someone who is patient and one for someone in a hurry.  For the patient loves.   You will need: Dried herbs Carrier oil (almond, grapeseed, olive, sunflower, jojoba all work great) A clean, dry container Cheesecloth or fine-mesh metal sieve Patience