Magical and Medicinal Uses of Water Lily

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Creation, Enlightenment, Hedge Riding, Love, Peace, Purity, Rebirth, Spiritual Connection, Wisdom

Magical Uses and History: The scientific name for water lilies, Nymphaea, is derived from the word "nymph," water spirits commonly found in Greek myths. This is a rather obvious reflection of the nature of water lilies, which commonly grow in bodies of water, their roots digging deep underground while their leaves or pads float to the surface. Often confused with the lotus, water lilies have a different history, folklore, and magical presence than the lotus.

In ancient Egypt, the water lily was highly regarded due to its unique nature. Like morning glories, Egyptian varieties of water lilies are nyctinastic, their flowers opening and closing due to temperature changes. They rise out of the water and bloom in the morning, but retreat back beneath the surface in the afternoon heat. This unique behavior led the Egyptians to associate water lilies, specifically blue water lilies, with the creation. According to the myth, a blue lotus flower arose from the primordial waters of Nun at the beginning of the world. Within was Nefertem, the physical manifestation of the first sunlight or sunrise. Sometimes referred to as "He Who is Beautiful" and "Water-Lily of the Sun," Nefertem is often depicted as a beautiful young man with blue water lilies adorning his head. In the Book of the Dead, Nefertem is referenced in a passage which says, "Rise like Nefertem from the blue water lily, to the nostrils of Ra, and come forth upon the horizon each day." Needless to say, the blue water lily symbolised creation, rebirth, and death, as well as the cyclical nature of sunrise and sunset. (What's even more interesting is recent fossilized remains of the earliest flowering plants are believed to be most closely related to modern-day water lilies, suggesting it really was there at the "beginning.")

Nefertem's myth doesn't end there, however. As the Sun God Ra suffered the effects of aging, Nefertem brought him a water lily flower. Ra smelled the flower and was instantly restored. As such, the scent of the water lily was believed to be restorative and protective, with numerous depictions of the flowers being held by gods and goddesses to the noses of pharaohs to ensure their long and ever-lasting reign. 

Furthermore, water lilies have been found in a great number of Egyptian tombs as potential offerings, as well as painted on walls and even on unguent jars. In these tomb paintings, the dead are often depicted smelling the flowers, which is believed to reference the restoration of the deceased's senses as they enter the underworld to await rebirth. During the mummification process, oil made from water lilies was used "to unite the limbs, join the bones and assemble the flesh" and reduce the smell of decay. Nefertem is said to have resided over this process as well, further associating him and the water lily with life, death, rebirth, and even perfume.

Similar myths of water lilies and rebirth are found in other cultures, more specifically among the Tupi-Guarani people of Brazil. According to their myth, the moon goddess Jaci was known to come in the night to kiss and light up the faces of beautiful young virgins. If she deemed them worthy enough, she would turn them into stars. Naiá, a young virgin, became obsessed with becoming a star, even after being warned that she would lose her flesh and blood in the process. Each night, Naiá roamed the mountains seeking out the moon, refusing to eat or sleep. One night, Naiá happened upon a lake, where she noticed the moon's reflection. Desperate for the moon's blessing, she dove into the water and drowned. Jaci turned her into a water lily, the "star of the waters," to reward her for the sacrifice and dedication. In Greek mythology, Chloris, the goddess of flowers, transforms a dying nymph into a beautiful flower, which some interpretations identify as a water lily. These myths, while certainly darker in nature, also show the water lily being a symbol of transformation and rebirth.

As such, water lilies can be used in spells and rituals related to creation, death, rebirth, and transformation. Place water lily flowers as offerings to your ancestors or creation/death deities. Use water lily oil to anoint candles or diffuse to inspire creativity and transformation. Add the petals to spell bags for similar purposes.

Because water lilies have roots deep below the water's surface and a blooming flower on the water's surface, water lilies are also thought to symbolize the connection between life and death or the world above and the world below. In ancient Maya, water lilies were often depicted being used in rituals and ceremonies, most likely as a psychotropic substance. It was also called "nikte'ha," meaning "vulva of the water," thus representing its connection with the divine, life, birth, and even fertility. In Egypt, the blue water lily was also used by spiritual leaders to induce trances. This tradition has been continued into modern day, with hedge witches, shamans, and other astral travelers using the petals to reach an altered state of consciousness. Diffusing water lily oil can help enhance psychic awareness and facilitate communication with the Otherworld.

Finally, the water lily has paradoxically been associated with both purity and lust. Certain varieties of water lilies act as a mild aphrodisiac and have been steeped in wine to induce lustful behavior. More often than not, however, the water lily is associated with purity and modesty. This likely arises from the fact that the water lily can emerge from the murky, muddy depths without a blemish, its flower petals untarnished by the dirt below. Water lilies are sometimes added to wedding bouquets to represent chastity and purity of the heart, as well as eloquence and grace. Their delicate fragrance was highly regarded throughout history and was said to temper earthly desires and temptations by reminding the imbiber to seek inner peace. Pliny the Elder even recorded water lilies being an antidote to love potions. As such, water lilies can be used in spells and rituals for purity as well as love. Use water lily perfume or oils in spells to enhance feelings of love and attraction or to aid during meditation. Water lilies can also be used in cleansing rituals and baths to purify and renew you or your space.

Water lily can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Divination

      Hedge Riding

      Purity Rituals

      Love Spells

      Rebirth Magic

      Death Magic

      Transformation Rituals

Medicinal Uses: When it comes to using water lilies in medicine, not all water lilies are created equal. Several varieties are toxic, while others, like the American white water lily (Nymphaea odorata), are perfectly safe. Please consult a licensed herbalist or your doctor before using water lily in your herbal practice. American white water lily contains tannins that help reduce inflammation and swelling and are antidiarrheal. Many varieties also contain nymphayol, an organic compound that stimulates the secretion of insulin and promotes the absorption of glucose, suggesting it is a useful treatment for diabetes. Nymphayol is also anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory, and has been found useful in treating gastric ulcers. Water lilies are also hepatoprotective, thus helping promote healthy liver function. Water lily should not be taken by those who are taking pain relievers such as opioids, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and medications used to treat Alzheimer's, dementia, or Parkinson's. Water lilies should also be avoided by those who suffer from seizures.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine 1 tsp of powdered water lily root with 1.5 cups of water. Boil for 30 minutes before enjoying. Drink up to three times per day. As a tincture, take 0.5 milliliters up to three times a day. Water lily can also be used externally as a cream, poultice, or ointment to treat minor swelling, bruising, or pain.

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Book Review: A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews by S. M. Harlow

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Last year, I had the pleasure of reviewing S.M. Harlow's A Tea Witch's Grimoire, so when Weiser reached out to see if I wanted to review her next book, I jumped at the opportunity. A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews expands upon A Tea Witch's Grimoire, this time with the help of crystals!

Harlow dives into the world of crystal grids and how to use them in your tea practice. While she cannot include a comprehensive guide to every crystal, she does offer a very detailed list of crystals and their intention and tea pairings, making it easy to develop your own recipes and rituals to suit every occasion. This is paired with an excellent guide to creating crystal grids, how they work, the meaning of the different designs (sacred geometry), and how to use them in your practice, with or without tea. I've honestly never read such a complete guide to crystal grids, so this was a first for me. I walked away with a lot to think about and how to incorporate crystal grids more into my own practice.

A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews gives some background in tea witchcraft, but I believe there is the assumption that you have read Harlow's first book and therefore may only need a refresher instead of an entire guide. Since I have read her previous work and written my own book on tea witchcraft, I felt her refresher was more than enough to get even new witches started on their tea witchcraft journey.

As before, A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews contains a large number of recipes and rituals, complete with moon phases, ritual ideas, and more. There is even a chapter dedicated to crystal elixirs! I loved the inclusion of crystal elixirs, the water from which can be used to brew any number of teas given that the water is safe to drink. Remember, not all crystals are friendly!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the guides, recipes, and rituals in Harlow's latest book, A Tea Witch's Crystal Brews. I cannot wait to see what her future holds and if she will continue creating these fantastic recipe books! You can never have too many tea rituals in your life!

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Banishing the Unwanted: A Ritual to Banish Entities from Another Realm

A reader recently left the following comment on one of my previous posts, Elemental Magic: Earth Spells and Rituals:

"Can you do more earth spells? Like banishing someone from another realm spell? Or just connecting to mother gaia and her energies rituals."

Of course, I can do that, and I decided to start with the first suggestion, banishing someone from another realm. As a hedge witch, it's not uncommon to encounter spirits, beings, and energies in the Otherworld, and while I do my best to protect myself and prevent anything from coming back with me, it sometimes still happens. If something does happen to come back with you, or you notice something otherworldly has attached itself to you through other means, this ritual will help you banish it.

This ritual is for the stubborn entity, the one you have already asked to leave, and isn't responding to other simpler methods of banishment, such as verbally requesting it to go, banging pots and pans, or the burning of banishing herbs.

What You'll Need

• Salt
• Black or dark green candle
• Light or match
• Black tourmaline
• Bowl of soil or access to earth 
• Dried rosemary, rue, or black cohosh root
• Charcoal disc
• A written name/sigil/object representing the entity/energy 
• A small shovel or spoon
• Bell or chime
• Offering to Mother Gaia, such as honey, wine, or quartz

What to Do

This spell is best performed during the waning moon.

Begin by grounding, centering, and cleansing your space and materials using your preferred methods. Next, draw a circle of salt around your ritual space and place the bowl of soil in front of you and the candle behind it.

Light the candle (and charcoal) and while holding the black tourmaline in your left hand, invoke Mother Gaia by saying, "Mother Gaia, ancient one, ground of being, giver of life; I call upon your strength and stone to cast out what is not my own." Visualize roots reaching deep into you from the black tourmaline and into the ground below you, drawing up Mother Gaia's strength. Feel her strength and perseverance fill you, starting at your feet and gradually spreading throughout the rest of your body.

When you feel filled with Gaia's energy, place your dried herbs on the charcoal disc. While still holding the black tourmaline in your left hand, pick up the written name/sigil/object representing the entity/energy with your right hand and say:

"By Gaia’s roots and ancient stone,

I cast thee out, now me leave alone.

Between this world and that, you fade,

Bound by Earth, the pact is made.

No path remains, no gate shall stand,

I send you back by Gaia’s hand,
To the lands beyond, the hidden realm.

From rock to root, your thread unwinds,

By sacred soil, all fate unbinds.”

Bury the written name/sigil/object representing the entity/energy into the soil and place the black tourmaline on top of it while you visualize the entity or energy being forced back into the Otherworld, the door slamming shut behind them. Sprinkle some salt over the burial and black tourmaline and waft the smoke from your herbs around you, your space, and the burial. While you do so, chant the following:

"Sealed by stone and guarded by soil, 

May no return disturb or spoil. 

With Earth’s embrace, I am now unchained.

Be gone, be gone, and not remain.”

Close the ritual by ringing the bell or chime, snuffing out the candle, and thanking Mother Gaia by saying something like, "Mother of Earth, your work is done. I thank you for your assistance today. I walk in light, the battle is won. So it is, so it shall be." Offer Mother Gaia your offering by placing it outside in her soil.

Leave the burial undisturbed for an entire moon cycle before burying the spell remains away from your home or tossing them down a river.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Remember, visualization is not necessarily seeing an object in your mind, but instead an incorporation of all senses to bring about the object or intention. When visualizing, it's more about creating those feelings than necessarily seeing the object or outcome in our mind.
• This ritual can be performed outside if the entity seems to be attached to you and not your space. There is no need to dig up the spell remains if performed outside. If you decide to perform this ritual outside, bury the spell remains in your backyard or away from your property.
• Do not leave a lit candle or charcoal disc unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• If you cannot light candles, a black painted electrical tea light will work just as well.
• If you do not have access to loose herbs, use a banishment incense as a replacement.
• If you cannot burn loose herbs or incense, soak the loose herbs in warm water and sprinkle the water around your space, over yourself, and the burial instead.
• If using rue, handle with care. Rue sap is phototoxic, which makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight. It can result in mild redness, itching, severe burns, and blistering. Dried rue generally doesn't contain any sap, so the risk of phytophotodermatitis is very low.
• Black cohosh and rue are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. Keep pets out of the room while burning or working with these herbs. After the smoke has cleared, the area is safe for them to return to.
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First and foremost, this spell is best performed during the waning moon, which is strongly associated with banishment. Since we are trying to banish forces or entities, the waning moon is the best time to do this. In times of dire need, you can ignore the moon phase altogether and work the magic you need to.

Next, salt was used to draw a circle around your ritual space and tools. Salt is naturally cleansing, purifying, and protective. In the mundane world, salt is used to preserve food as it is antimicrobial in nature. For this reason, it's also believed to protect and ward against unwanted spirits, entities, and energies. After cleansing and consecrating your space, the salt ring helps keep the positive in and the negative out of your sacred space, as well as aids in banishing the entity later in the spell when it is sprinkled over your burial.

The color black, black tourmaline, rosemary, rue, and black cohosh, like salt, are also associated with banishment, protection, and purification and are used for such purposes in this ritual. Black tourmaline is also naturally grounding, helping to connect you to Mother Gaia and the Earth, as well as helping to bind and banish the unwanted entity. By placing the black tourmaline on top of the burial, you are shutting the door and locking the entity away in the earth. Prior to this, the black tourmaline was held in the left hand, the hand of receiving, as we are attempting to connect with and receive the energy of Mother Gaia to banish the unwanted entity.

Gaia is an earth goddess, characterised by fertility, new life, creativity, receptivity, and grounding. However, because of her association with earth and, therefore, soil, caves, and other dark places, she is an excellent goddess to call upon when banishing entities, particularly those from the Otherworld. While Gaia is often seen as a nurturing mother figure, she is also portrayed as a force of destruction and chaos, capable of unleashing natural disasters and inciting conflict when she feels wronged or when balance needs to be restored. According to mythology, Gaia helped Cronus overthrow, castrate, and imprison her husband, Uranus. Later, she joins Zeus to overthrow Cronus and the Titans. She even sends her son Typhon to attack the Olympians and instigates the battle between the Olympian gods and the Giants. Needless to say, she is a force to be reckoned with, and if you feel wronged by the entity you are banishing, Gaia will surely take your side and aid in their removal.

After connecting with the Earth and Gaia, an item associated with the entity is used to connect your ritual intentions to the entity you are banishing, tying the two together. Naming what we want to banish is extremely powerful, as names hold power. Knowing one's name is thought to give one power over the other, so if you know the entity's name, use it. This object or name is held in your right hand, which is your giving hand. In this case, you are trying to "give" banishment, using the energy you received from Gaia.

This item is buried, covered in black tourmaline, and salt to banish and send it back to the Otherworld, using the earth as a portal and the black tourmaline and salt as the door and lock. Once covered, the entity cannot return, and its energy is absorbed into the earth. This ritual is closed out by using the banishing herbal smoke to remove any residual energies from you and your workspace, and sealed with the ringing of a bell. Bell ringing helps remove energy and helps symbolizes the close of this ritual.

Finally, an offering is given to Gaia to say thanks, and the spell remains are allowed to sit for a full moon cycle to ensure the door remains closed. The spell remains can then be buried away from your home (to keep the entity away), in your backyard (for banishment), or thrown into a river (to cleanse and purify).

Want to break this spell? Invite the spirit, energy, or entity back, but I can't guarantee it'll be happy after you banished it. 

Remember to record this ritual in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

To my anonymous commenter, I hope this ritual helps address a potential issue you may have and that it brings you closer to Gaia in the process. For everyone else, keep this ritual on hand just in case something follows you home you weren't expecting!

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Book Review: Once Upon a Place by Holly Bellebuono

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Before I delve into the heart of my review, I would like to thank Llewellyn for allowing me to read and review what is one of the best nonfiction books I have read thus far this year. I must also preface this review with a disclaimer that this is not a traditional occult book, but instead a literary analysis of the meaning of places in legends, myths, folktales, and children's stories. If that doesn't sound like something you are interested in, then this probably isn't necessarily the best book for you, but I would implore you to at least give it a try.

Once Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film by Holly Bellebuono delves into the world of fiction to explore themes and messages that are commonly found in the World Journey or Hero's Journey and how the lessons are conveyed through the use of different locations. The themes are so prevalent that they can be divided into distinct categories: the Cavern, the Deep, the Vessel, the Forest, and the Labyrinth. Furthermore, these tales feature similar character elements: Descent and Resurrection, Chaos and Void, and the Beast and the Guide. She explores a variety of myths from around the world, including not just the ever poignant works of the colonizers, but also tales from indigenous peoples in Africa, South America, and North America, with the expressed goal of showing this is not a Eurocentric phenomenon, but a human one. We are all linked by the stories we tell, and the similarities across cultures reinforce that the human condition is universal.

I absolutely loved her approach and devoured this book in two days. It is not a super-easy read, but Bellebuono is so engaging and thought-provoking, I struggled to put it down. In fact, I was reading snippets in between running dungeons and raids in World of Warcraft, and at one point, my friend told me to wait at the end of the dungeon while he cleared it so I could finish out a chapter. I was that engrossed in the information Bellebuono had to share with the world. Once Upon a Place is very clearly a labor of love.

So why would a witch and an occult publisher be interested in reading and publishing such a work that is clearly meant for the literature analysis world? Because the stories we tell have deep meaning and lessons that all of us can benefit from, especially the witch. As a witch who analyzes old stories to glean magical truth, Bellebuono has given me a lot to think about. Who is the Guide? The Beast? Where is this story taking place, and what does that mean for the protagonist? How is a Forest different from a single tree? A Labrynith different from the Vessel? These locations give a whole new meaning to the stories I have read dozens of times, and as I continue to read more of the Nordic myths, I will be looking out for Bellebuono's classifications.

It's not just in the analysis of ancient myths and legends, however, that Bellenuono's work is helpful. If you are into analyzing your dreams, reading tarot, or hedge riding, this book will be of particular use. Bellebuono ascribes meaning to what a lot of us would otherwise overlook. Thinking of my own hedge riding practice, I also descend into the Otherworld before ascending with enlightenment. I never really understood why until now: thematically, humans have always descended into the unknown before ascending with new knowledge, power, and strength. This is exactly what most hedge riders are doing as well, without even knowing they are doing it! Furthermore, understanding the meaning of places can help you better understand the messages and lessons being taught by your dreams, journey, or divinatory practices. How is finding yourself in a Forest different from finding yourself in a Cavern? Going back and reading through my past hedge riding journeys, I have realized I have been missing valuable information without even realizing it.

I cannot begin to express how helpful and enlightening I found Once Upon a Place. If you are interested in taking your practice to the next level, especially if you are interested in folklore, dream magic, hedge riding, or tarot. My only qualm with Bellebuono's work is the inclusion of Harry Potter, whose inclusion continues to perpetuate an incredibly harmful IP. I wouldn't let its inclusion stop you from picking up this book, though.

Upon a Place: Forests, Caverns & Other Places of Transformation in Myths, Fairy Tales & Film by Holly Bellebuono is available now wherever books are sold. Again, I highly recommend picking up a copy today!

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Butterfly Pea

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Clarity, Fertility, Healing, Love, Lust, Peace, Purity

Magical Uses and History: The butterfly pea, a vibrant blue-flowering plant native to Southeast Asia, has long held cultural, medicinal, and magical significance, particularly in India, Thailand, and Malaysia. The earliest known mention of its uses comes from ancient Ayurvedic texts, where it is referred to as Shankhpushpi or Aparajita. In these texts, butterfly pea is mentioned as enhancing memory, promoting cognitive function, and reducing stress. It was used in similar ways across the continent, making it the perfect addition to spells and rituals related to memory, stress relief, and cognitive function. Drink as a tea to during studying or while working on a difficult assignment. Add the flowers to memory spell bags or jars, burn as an incense, or place near your bed to help you remember your dreams. It can also be used to bring balance and harmony due to its tranquilizing properties. As such, add it to spells and rituals to bring balance and harmony, soothe tempers, and promote overall well-being.

Across the continent in China, butterfly pea is associated with love, lust, and sex, particularly for people with female genitalia, due to the flower's uncanny resemblance to a vulva. It's due to this appearance that Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus assigned butterfly pea to the genus Clitoria, a somewhat controversial name. Needless to say, butterfly pea is often believed to support feminine health and wellbeing and promote fertility. This makes butterfly pea flowers perfect for spells related to feminine health and wellness, fertility, love, lust, and sex. Add to teas with roses and cinnamon to draw love to you, use in ritual baths to increase lust, or add to spell bags and bottles for similar purposes.

Apart from its uses in healing and love spells, butterfly pea is also associated with protection, purity, and clarity. In Hinduism, the butterfly pea is sacred to the goddess Durga and is often used in prayers as a symbol of purity and spiritual clarity. The name Aparajita is derived from the word "Aparjeo," which means undefeated. As such, butterfly pea flowers can be used in spells and rituals for protection and to connect with the divine. Burn as an incense to open your mind to communicate with the divine, add to altars as an offering, or hang in your home for protection.

Butterfly pea's vibrant color is also believed to symbolize good fortune and prosperity. In Hinduism, butterfly pea is offered to the Shivling on Mondays and Saturdays to ensure the family never suffers from a shortage of money, while it's given to Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays to ensure continued wealth and prosperity. In Thailand, drinks and desserts made from butterfly pea are often served to bring the newlyweds good luck and prosperity. Add butterfly pea to spells and rituals to promote wealth, money, and prosperity.

Butterfly pea can be used in a number of spells, including:

   Protection Spells

   Healing Magic

   Prosperity Rituals

   Love Spells

   Sex Magic

   Peace Magic

Medicinal Uses: Butterfly pea is rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant known to reduce free radicals and protect against cellular damage. It could potentially lower one's risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer, slow down the aging process, and support overall immune health. Due to high concentrations of acetylcholine, butterfly pea is often used to improve memory retention and recall, enhance focus, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. It's also used to relieve stress, enhance mood, and promote sleep. Some studies also suggest butterfly pea may help regulate blood sugar levels and, therefore, can be used to help prevent diabetes in high-risk individuals.

Preparation and Dosage: As an infusion, combine 1 teaspoon butterfly pea flowers with 1 cup of boiling water. Allow the infusion to steep for 5 minutes. Drink up to 3 times a day. As a tincture, take 1-2 milliliters up to 3 times a day. Butterfly pea can also be used in salves to decrease signs of aging.

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