By Ana Vice

​Alfalfa (Medicago saliva) 
Alfalfa (aka Buffalo Herb, Lucerne, and Purple Medic) is associated with the planet Venus, earth element, prosperity, money, and luck. Money drawing spells sometimes include alfalfa and it can be kept in the home to protect against poverty and hunger. Some believe scattering the ashes of burnt alfalfa around your home’s property aids in maintaining prosperity and wealth. 

Alfalfa originated from the Middle East and was known as al-fac-facah, which means "Father of all Foods." It contains many vitamins and minerals and was brought from Persia to China by General Chang Chien of the Han dynasty (around 2000 ACE) and called Mu-su in Chinese medicine. It eventually made its way to England and South Africa, where it was called Buffalo Herb. 

Alfalfa is believed to have the spiritual power to bring prosperity, draw money and good fortune in business matters. It is said that alfalfa can bring good luck in gambling, as well. This symbolism may come from its use as a food to keep farm animals fed in times of need. Often found on foothills and mountainous areas, Alfalfa leaf tea is said to improve appetite, alleviate peptic ulcers due to its diuretic properties. 

Witchy Tip: Fill a small mason jar with alfalfa and put it in your kitchen cabinet to welcome prosperity, money, and protect against hunger. Add a bit to a sachet and keep it at your place of business to bring good fortune.

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum; A. spp.) Poison
Horse Chestnut (aka Buckeye) is linked to the planet Jupiter, fire element, and used for money drawing and healing. It can be carried to ward off aches and pains. If three horse chestnuts are carried at the same time, it’s said they can ward off giddiness. Alternatively, if you wrap a dollar bill around a horse chestnut and put it in a sachet to carry around with you, money will come. Carrying a horse chestnut is thought to bring for success in everything you do.

The horse chestnut tree produces fruit encased in a burr (similar to a chestnut) but the fruit is not edible. The nuts contain aesculin which can be toxic to humans and animals. Native Americans used the horse chestnut's toxic ability to stun fish by grinding it into a powder. 

In England horse chestnuts are called conkers and were used in a game by the same name. Kinger, a version played in parts of North Dakota in the United States, is played with Ohio Buckeye nuts. In America, traditionally, carrying a buckeye brings good luck. 

Witchy Tip: Obtain a Horse Chestnut and polish it. Carry it with you for good luck.
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By Amber C. Snider

By Ana Vice

Lavender (Lavendula officinale or L. vera) 
Lavender (also known as elf leaf, nard, nardus, and spike) is associated with the planet Mercury and air element. Its spiritual attributes are protection, purification, sleep, chastity, love, happiness, and peace. Lavender is often used in sachets, pillows, baths, soaps, perfume, oils, poppets, and/or added to incense. 

Its fragrant flowers can be put into dresser drawers to scent clothing (especially to attract love) or the flowers can be burned to promote calm and restful sleep. A piece of paper on which you’ve rubbed lavender is excellent for writing love letters. It has also been used as a substitution for rice as wedding confetti. Lavender used to be worn by “ladies of the night” to attract customers and let people know they were available. Despite love associations with lavender, during the Renaissance it was thought that the combination of rosemary and lavender could keep a woman’s chastity. 
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Ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians and Arabians used lavender as a perfume to attract love, too. While the Egyptians mummified their dead in lavender-dipped shrouds, Cleopatra apparently used lavender in her to seduce her lovers. Some say the energy of this plant is so strong that it can lift melancholy at the mere sight of it and bring in happiness. It’s often used in healing blends and purification baths. Some believe if you carry it with you to a place where there are ghosts or spirits that you’ll have the ability to see them. It can also be protective and ward off the evil eye. 
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Witchy Tip: Make a small pillow and stuff it with lavender. Place it under your pillow at night. Before falling into a peaceful sleep free of bad dreams make a wish or set an intention for one or more of the following: love, happiness, protection, longevity, or peace. 

Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) Poison 
Often associated with the planet Saturn and water element, morning glory (aka bindweed) can promote happiness and peace. Try placing its seeds beneath your pillow or within a sachet to prevent bad dreams. You can make blended oils with it or add essential oil to incense blends and baths. 

Morning glory flowers bloom and die within one day. The Japanese were the first to cultivate morning glory (Asagao) as decorative flowers in the 800s AD. Asa means morning and kao is face, and the flowers were often used at japanese weddings. Most morning glory species bloom in the morning and start curling up a few hours before nighttime. They require full sun exposure and mesic soils to grow well. 

Morning glory flowers have a short lifespan, so sometimes it can be associated with the fleeting nature of love. But since it also gives birth to new flowers in the morning, it can signify the renewable nature of affection. In the Victorian symbolism of flowers, morning glory represents love in vain, and morning glory vines were often placed on headstones to symbolize mourning, a short life span, or even resurrection.

According to the Chinese folklore, the star-shape of the flower signifies the day when the Chinese lovers Chien Niu and Chih Neu are permitted to meet for a single day each year. According to this story, the young boy Chien Niu was given the responsibility to take care of the water buffalos and the girl, Chih Neu, was entrusted with the task of sewing dresses. They fell deeply in love and eventually started ignoring their duties. This angered their God so much that they were separated on opposite sides of a silent river. Only once a year they were allowed to meet. Since the morning glory has such a short lifespan and ephemeral nature, it is befitting to symbolize the short-lived union between these young lovers.

During the Aztec civilization, people utilized the juice of some morning glory species to form a rubber-like substance. They also mixed the seeds with tobacco and insects to slather on their bodies before performing ritualistic human sacrifice in order to dull the pain. It was believed that morning glory would help the victim to travel to the afterlife and be reborn. Aztec shamans are also said to have used the seeds in order to have visions and communicate with their gods.
Morning glories inspired Louisa May Allcott to write Morning Glories and Other Stories and later Georgia O’Keeffe to paint Blue Morning Glories and Ram's Head, Blue Morning Glory in 1938.

Witchy Tip: Make a small pillow out of blue cloth and stuff with morning glories to place under your head or pillow at night to get rid of nightmares and maintain a happy, peaceful slumber. 

​Saffron (Crocus saliva) 
Also known as autumn crocus, krokos, kunkuma (Sanskrit), and saffer (Arabic), saffron is associated with the Sun, the fire element, love, lust, happiness, and strength.

The Phoenecians baked saffron into crescent-shaped cakes, which they ate in honor of the Moon and fertility Goddess, Ashtoreth. Saffron can be added to love sachets, as well as lusty or happiness potions. Saffron crocuses were sometimes worn at the girdle and believed to relieve menstrual cramps, while saffron spice was used medicinally for this very purpose. It was also believed to induce a higher level of sexual potency in men who took saffron. 

According to Greek mythology, Medea apparently used saffron to create the Promethean salve, which she smeared on Jason's body and then prayed to Hekate for her help. It was hoped that this ointment and blessing would render him invulnerable. The Promethean salve contained some of the sacred crocus (saffron). 

A tale of the two lovers Hermes and Krokos is a different origin myth for saffron. Krokos was a mortal and one time, while rough housing together, he was wounded by Hermes. Wherever Krokos’s blood fell, a saffron flower grew there. Another myth tells the story of how the saffron crocus arose from the blood of Prometheus, who was crucified in Caucasus; the toxic autumn crocus (sometimes known as meadow saffron) became known as the Promethean herb. In the East, right down to the present day, saffron robes are associated with dyes used for Buddhist and Hindu garments. Saffron spice is also often used in cuisines around the world, including Spanish paella and East Indian Biryani. 

Witchy Tip: Make a small sachet from golden orange or red fabric and stuff it with saffron. Wear this on your person to attract love and happiness or to heighten lustful feelings between you and your lover.
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Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) 
Also known as poziomki, tchilek, and jordboer, strawberries are associated with the planet Venus, the water element, love and luck. The delicious berry is considered a “love food” and the leaves can be carried for luck. Some believe that carrying a small packet of strawberry leaves eases pregnancy pains.

Strawberries often appear in European myths and folklore as the fertility and love fruit of various love Goddesses, such as Aphrodite and Freyja. Aphrodite was said to have created the strawberry when she wept heart-shaped tears of sorrow for her love, Adonis (Aphrodite’s mortal lover) after he was run through by a wild boar. 

The strawberry holds both spiritual and medicinal importance to a number of Native American tribes, such as the Pomo, Iroquois, Cherokee, and Navajo. The Native American Pomo tribe of what is now called California had special Strawberry Festivals representing springtime and new life. The Kashaya band of Pomo still holds Strawberry Festivals to this day. Among the Iroquois, strawberries were symbols of blessings and used to give thanks, while the Cherokee associated strawberries with love and happiness. 

One Cherokee story involves the very first strawberry and it goes something like this: At the beginning of time, the very first man and woman set up their home next to a big river as a newly married couple. They had everything they needed for a joyful life and lived very well until their first argument – which began small, but got bigger over time. The man asked why the woman did not cook what he enjoyed to eat. The woman asked him why he had not brought in firewood, and so after a while they began to insult each other and throw things. The woman was so upset she took off towards the rising Sun whilst the man lay sleeping. When the man awoke he noticed the woman was gone and so he found her tracks and followed them. 

The Sun could see what was happening and asked the husband if he was still angry with his wife. He confessed that he was not angry at his wife. Then the Sun asked if he would like to have her back. The man said that he would and so the Sun decided to help him. The Sun’s gentle rays reached the ground along the woman’s path. First, a huckleberry bush sprang up. But she kept walking. Next, blackberries grew on her path. She kept walking. Then the Sun decided to create something so striking, fragrant, and delicious that the woman could not help but notice it, despite her melancholy mood. 

This “something” was the very first patch of strawberries ever to exist. Their sweet scent filled the air and took hold of the woman’s senses. She felt her sadness lift. She immediately saw the heart-shaped, red strawberries and tried one. By tasting its sweetness on her tongue, she started to remember the joy she knew when she and her husband first met. She sat down on the ground and wondered what to do. 

Her husband caught up to her and sat down quietly beside her and smiled. She gave him strawberries to eat, too. They realized how much they loved one another and walked back home together taking a few strawberry plants with them to plant at their garden so they would never forget this lesson. The moral of this story is to do nothing in haste, consider all things thoroughly, and be able to forgive others for their faults.

Witchy Tip: Prepare some freshly cleaned strawberries as an offering to the Goddess Freya appealing to her Love aspect. Light pink (love) and red (desire and sensuality) votive candles anointed with Freya oil. Set your intention to welcome a robust love into your life or take the opportunity to empower yourself and set the intention for self love.

​Want to read more about herbs? Check out this story on the best herbs for purification and protection or review our entire herbal series here. 

By Amber C. Snider

By Ana Vice

The vision of witches flying on broomsticks beneath a moonlit sky is an enchanting one. Besom brooms (aka witch’s besom or witch’s broom) come in various shapes and sizes, and often are synonymous with female liberation and the witch archetype. But both masculine and feminine qualities are apparent within the besom: The masculine aspect is attributed to the handle, while the feminine is attributed to the bristles. 
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A besom is said to be linked with the elements air (flight and spirits) and water (cleansing and purification) making it a great uncrossing tool to clear negative energies and bad juju from the home. It can be utilized for sweeping a ceremonial or sacred space before or after a ritual and also for opening or closing a magical circle. Bristles in an upward orientation ward off evil and bring good luck.

Besoms have been used for centuries and were even mentioned in the Old Testament (Isaiah 14:23). Celtic peoples associated the besom broom with the Fae (Faeries); Some believed that the Fae would direct a witch to a good tree in order to obtain wood for their besom. Besoms are also commonplace during handfasting rituals. 

There are different ways of making besoms if you don't want to purchase one. One way is to use birch twigs (or brush corn), ash (alternatively use cedar, hazel, or oak) wood for the handle, and a binding made from willow or heavy twine. According to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Benjamin Franklin is “credited with first bringing broomcorn to the United States,” which became a useful alternative to twigs when making besom bristles. In the 1700s non-magickal besoms were used regularly and even written about in popular culture. In Scotland, Robert Burns wrote a poem that was made into the song “Broom Besoms” and William Purvis wrote “Buy Broom Buzzems” which became popular in the late 18th century. In England, broom making was done by besom squires, but people made their own brooms, too. 

The first documented person to use a besom broom was Guillaume Edelin in 1453 AD (CE). It was rumored that Guillaume called himself a witch. Artwork from 15th century Europe depicts witches flying on brooms and later woodcuts in A History of Witches and Wizards 1720 AD (CE), as well. Since witches have long endured persecution, the besom became a way of keeping treasures and secrets hidden. Wands, herbs, and vials containing potions could be put safely in the besom’s bristles. It has been reported that some larger besoms even had hidden compartments. Others believe that spirits could be temporarily kept in a witch’s besom. 
 
The use of flying ointments and brooms led to the concept of a “witch in flight.” Flying ointments often had ingredients that were hallucinogenic, so a witch could use visualization techniques to imagine flight and go on a spiritual journey or change their state of awareness. Johannes Hartlieb, a 15th century Bavarian physician, wrote a compendium on herbs called the Puch Aller Verpoten Kunst, Ungelaubens und der Zaubrey that contains the oldest known description of witches' flying ointment. 
 
One of the most feared, yet respected witches found in Slavic and Russian folklore is the crone Baba Yaga. She is well-known and is said to hold Goddess attributes and power over the elements: earth, fire, water, and air. As she flies through the air inside her mortar, she wields a pestle in one hand and a broom to sweep the path behind her in the other. Crows and owls fly by her side. She appears as a crone and has been said to eat children, but also act as a spiritual guide to those who were courageous and clever enough to ask her in the correct way. Powerful and wise, she has been said to guard the doorway to the Otherworld and control the passage of the dead back and forth across its borders. Some believe she has power over life and death. 
 
These days the besom broom has been revived in films like Bedknobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury and stories like the Harry Potter book series (where the Nimbus 2000 was all the rage). Today besoms are sold at gardening supply stores, occult shops, and markets. Cinnamon besoms can be bought from Trader Joe’s and other kinds from Amazon or Etsy.

Here’s What You Need To Create Your Own…

By Kristi Klein

By Ana Vice

​The mandrake is a notorious (albeit highly poisonous) plant of ancient origins with distinct features. Mandrakes commonly have a short stem bearing a tuft of oval leaves and these leaves form a rosette at the base of each plant. The flowers are bell-shaped and consist of five petals, usually purple or yellow in color, and its fruit is a fleshy orange berry. Mandrake roots are long, thick, and forked – which is often why they are described as human-like. This human resemblance ties back to the idea that when uprooted, the mandrake will "scream." 

Some of the earliest accounts of the mandrake date back to ancient Mesopotamia circa 2000 BC (BCE). Long ago in the Middle East, the mandrake was used for both medicinal and magickal purposes. Some surgeons were said to have sedated their patients prior to surgery using the mandrake root. Ancient Arabs called mandrake the Beid el Jinn, or the Eggs of the Jinn (Jinn are dangerous spirits in Islamic mythology and not to be messed with). The mandrake is also mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30:14, Genesis 30:16, and Songs of Solomon 7:13). 

It’s important to note that mandrake is a member of the nightshades, as well as a hallucinogenic and narcotic alkaloid. Nightshades are in the Solanaceae family and there are over 2000 species (herbs, fruits, roots, or vegetables). They contain the alkaloid solanine, which is toxic in high concentrations. Some have been used medicinally for centuries, such as Black Nightshade or Bittersweet Nightshade and some are used in cooking (like tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, goji berries, tomatillos, and eggplants, just to name a few). However, nightshades such as mandrake, henbane, and belladonna are poisonous and can be deadly if ingested by humans or animals. 
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Mandrake is connected to Circe, as depicted in Homer’s Odyssey. Circe was the daughter of Helios (The Sun God) and Perse (a sea nymph) and she was skilled in both herbalism and transformation. As an enchantress on the Isle of Aeaea, Circe used her talents to transform people who offended her or meant her harm into animals. Mandrake is associated with Circe because of its soporific qualities and Odysseus used mullein to protect himself from her.

Mandrake is also one of the sacred plants growing in the Goddess Hekate’s garden in the Orphic Argonautica. In this myth, Medea (a priestess of Hekate) makes an ointment from the Plant of Prometheus (Mandrake) and rubs onto Jason’s armor to make him invincible in search of the golden fleece. Furthermore, mandrake has been a traditional ingredient in the flying ointment magickal formula of witches.

The European mandrake (often written about during the Medieval and Renaissance periods) originates from the genus Mandragora. Mandragora grows in Europe, the Mediterranean region, and China. Ever popular in Slavic folklore, mandrake is said to have the ability to open any door, promote good luck, and attract money, in addition to aiding in protection. On the mountain Rtanj, mandrake can be found by the aid of a hedgehog or tortoise. Soldiers would stitch a piece of the lower part of the root into the lining of their military uniforms for protection against their enemies. Mandrake (or Raskovnik in Serbian) has the power to collect negative energy and some believe the upper part of the mandrake root can be put into a red bag and kept hidden in the home to keep a family safe from harm.
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To read more about sacred, magickal herbs, check out our new herbal section here. 

By Ana Vice

By Ana Vice

​Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) 
Frankincense (aka Olibanum and Olibanus) is often associated with the Sun and the Element of Fire. Its spiritual attributes include protection, purification, consecration, and exorcism. It’s burned as a resin to release powerful and positive vibrations, in addition to having the ability to drive away evil and remove negativity. This makes it useful for uncrossing rituals. 

Frankincense can be burned to induce visions and to aid in meditation. It’s often added to sachets for luck, protection and spiritual growth. Frankincense essential oil is also a good all purpose anointing oil.

Along the Incense Road, Frankincense has been used and traded for over 3000 years. The Ancient Egyptians burned frankincense at sunrise to honor Ra the Sun God (Creator and God of Light). They believed that Ra’s role was to sail across the heavens during the day in his barque (boat) called the Barque of Millions of Years in order to bring the sun across the sky. 

Everyday Ra emerges from the East riding in his barque and during his journey he must fight the evil serpent named Apep (The Lord of Chaos). Apep is a personification of the very darkest hour of the night. If Ra were to lose this fight, the Sun would not rise. In some versions of this story, Ra (in the form of the great and divine cat Mau) defeats the evil serpent Apep. At the end of the day, Ra is swallowed by Nut (Goddess of Night and Moon). Upon his nightly death, Ra sailed down into the Underworld and the Moon took his place in the night sky, illuminating the heavens. 

To the Egyptians, the tears and sweat of the gods could be collected from trees like the Boswellia (where Frankincense resin comes from). This resin could be burned itself or used in incense. There was a level of secrecy about the exact process for making incense, but it is known that it required a certain number of days, symbolic ingredients, and magickal formulas. It has been said that the Egyptian priests believed that they could create the bodies of the Gods by combining resins with herbs, honey, wine, or raisins. Incense was considered a Fragrance of the Gods and often burnt before statues of the Gods at their temples in order to honor them. This is why Frankincense was used as an offering to Ra. 

Frankincense was also burnt in honor of Baal (Ba’al), God of Fertility, Sun and Storms to the Phoenicians and the Canaanites. Baal’s parents were the deities El (Supreme God) and Asherah (Goddess of Motherhood and Earth), and he was associated with lightning bolts and bull horns. Frankincense also played a big part in honoring kings, Roman Emperors, and biblical Magis. To this day frankincense is included in incense recipes used by the Catholic Church.

Witchy Tip: Anoint a petition (written intention) and white candle with Frankincense oil for an uplifting purification ritual.
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Juniper (Juniperus communes) 
Juniper (also known by the folk names Enebro, Gemeiner Wachholder, and Gin Berry) is associated with the Sun and element of fire. Its spiritual attributes are protection, anti-theft, exorcism, health and love. Juniper wood is used to make talismans and amulets, while the berries are good for sachets, incense, oil blends, perfumes, or to fill poppets. Juniper essential oil is often blended with other ingredients for use in protection. 

Juniper is used by cultures all over the world for spiritual protection. With its unique aromatic profile –– fresh, woodsy, earthy, with a hint of balsamic –– it was traditionally used throughout Europe as an herb of protection and to keep thieves away. 

Mediterranean Witches used juniper to break hexes. It can be hung at the door to keep evil away or burned during exorcism rites. A sprig of the plant can protect its wearer against accidents and attacks by wild animals, ghosts, and illness. Juniper can also be added to love mixtures – particularly the berries – which can be carried to increase male sexual potency. 

When burning juniper, the smoke is said to aid in clairvoyance. It also burned for purification when attempting to make contact with the Otherworld at Samhain fire festivals (which mark the beginning of the Celtic Year). 

Further away in Central Europe, juniper smoke was commonly burned for springtime cleansing. It was also burned during outbreaks of the dreaded Black Death (aka The Pestilence or The Plague, which peaked approximately around 1347 to 1351 in Europe) and used to smudge households. In Medieval times, juniper berries were used to flavor whisky in Scotland. Meanwhile, in other parts of Europe, some people kept Juniper berries in their mouths to create a “protective aura.” 

Witchy Tip: Create a protection incense blend using ground up juniper berries and frankincense resin in order to create a safe and sacred space in your home. Self-igniting charcoal and a fire-safe vessel (such as a witch’s cauldron or porcelain dish) works nicely. A coffee grinder used only for magical workings is a good investment.
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Curated by Enchantments' Staff

We celebrated Beltane (the festival of fertility, sexuality, and the return of passion and vitality) earlier this month on May 1st. It's a time that marks the midway period between spring and summer, and the blessed union between God and Goddess. Fire is the primary element associated with this festival/holiday, so it's apropos that our new mixtape should follow suit.

Here, we curated a Spotify playlist to keep the flames going all month –– perhaps all throughout the year. Because why let that fiery energy simmer down throughout the month of May? It's a time to celebration new life, the coming of joy, and the abundance of warm summer months. Highlight artists on the playlist include DYAN's "Looking For Knives," The Velvet Underground's "Venus in Furs," Chromatics' "Cherry," The Weeknd's "Wicked Games," Natalia Lafourcade's "Lo Que Construimos," and more.
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Want to learn more about the sacred Fire Element? Click here to read The Dance of the Flame, Part I. ​

By Veronica Boscia

​Try a water-based Love Oracle. 
Fill a basin with rose water. Write the name of a potential suitor on a bay leaf and add to the rose water. The bay leaf that remains floating is your answer. (Spell taken from Divination for Beginners)

“Yes or No” answer rose spell.
Gather three fresh roses and place each one in its own vase. Label the vases (left to right) with “Yes,” “No”, and “No Answer.” Your question should be about a specific situation or person. The “No Answer” means that it’s not the right time to ask or that you’re asking the wrong question or for the wrong reason. The flower that remains – and lives the longest – is your answer. 

“A life filled with love, must have some thorns, but a life empty of love will have no roses.” -Heinz Duthel

For practical rituals to invoke self-love during hard times, check out this story. 

By Coleman Drew

The more you practice the art of magick, the more energetic correspondences you’ll be able to incorporate into your craft. I’m a firm believer in making my magick work for me; if my will is time-sensitive, I find a way to work it right away. But more often than not, I’m able to choose the optimal time & day to aid and assist my magickal wishes. 

The more advanced & studied magician considers the very best day of week, season, astrological configuration, planetary hour, and more to assist their practice. For those just beginning their magickal journeys and even for seasoned alchemists, working your spells with the phases of the Moon can prove to be powerfully beneficial. 

Our next Full Moon (and last Supermoon of 2020) is May 7th at 6:45am EST. This Moon in the sign of Scorpio – known as the Flower Moon, Corn Planting Moon, Milk Moon, or the Vesak Festival Moon (the festival that commemorates the birth of enlightenment.) –  is all about transformation and seeing things clearly. Are you currently lacking clarity? Ending a cycle of some kind? It’s a juicy time to plant new intentions or finish what you haven’t gotten around to. As a Supermoon, the moon's orbit is extremely close to the earth, making it an energetically potent time. 

Here are the best times to work your Moon Magick...
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By Eva Crawford

By Carmen Pouerie 

At Enchantments, we always recommend taking a sea salt bath before performing magick (or for any occasion). Usually a good Uncrossing bath (or scrub) is all I need to feel “back to myself,” but since NYC has been on lockdown and the store temporarily closed, I realized I didn't have any left in the house. When this happens, I normally add a few drops of Uncrossing oil to plain sea salt or Epsom salts, but even my oil vial was empty. This meant I had to improvise – as witches do. 

After cleaning my small bathtub, I decided my intention would be purification, healing and love. I focused on this as the tub filled with water and went searching in my kitchen for herbs and items to promote those intentions. 

This is what I gathered...

• Clear and rose quartz (for clarity, healing, love)
• Sea salt (which strips away spiritual negativity. My sea salt is blended with pepper, which is also good for repelling negativity)
• Coconut water (known to cleanse and protect your spiritual aura. You can also use coconut milk, as an alternative)
• Lemon and orange slices (They not only act as a mild disinfectant and astringent, but are great for clearing and happiness.)
• Green tea bag (to promote healing)
• Basil (for love and protection)
• Bay (for purification, strength, healing, protection)
• Rosemary (for healing)
• Dried roses (for love)
• Sage (for cleansing, healing, protection)
• Rosehip seed essential oil (to promote love and also heal damaged skin)
• Vanilla extract (to promote love, balances mood and reduce stress)​ ​

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Sometimes it’s good to follow up your water bath with a sound bath or short meditation session to affirm your magickal intention. You can also place your sachet of bath herbs on your altar until it completely dries out and reaffirm your intention each time you look at it. After it dries, empty the cloth bag and re-use in your next bath (up to 2-3 times). 

Cleansing is only one step in the process and spiritual hygiene involves more than just purifying yourself and space. I always recommend doing some kind of protection ritual and attract positive energy after you do a cleansing. Candle magick is always a good follow up to bath rituals; in this case, I carved myself a Peace and Protection candle after I was done. 

Here are some other ingredients you can add to your bath...

• Coffee or coffee grounds (for banishing and stimulating  the senses)
• Pineapple juice (for energizing, to dissolve dead skin cells, and for use as an astringent)
• Milk of any kind (for purification and Goddess energy. Plus, it softens skin)
• Aloe gel or juice (for protection, luck, to soothe skin irritation, and restore the skin’s natural pH)
• Vinegar (for banishing. Can also be used as a mild cleanser and astringent)
• Calendula/Marigold (to invoke calming vibes. Also an anti-inflammatory)
• Chamomile (helps calm anxiety and soothes irritation)
• Cucumber (for healing and to hydrate skin)
• Eucalyptus (for healing and to open up airways)
• Fennel (for healing, cleansing, skin hydration)
• Ginger (for healing, luck, wealth, grounding, and to relieve aches)
• Lavender (for love, protection, purification, and to soothe skin)
• Witch Hazel (an excellent astringent)
• Beer (to invoke abundance)
• Wine (used for consecration and blessings)
• Vodka (as an astringent)
• Coins or money (to welcome in wealth)
• Stones or rocks (for protection)
• Locks (for security and safety)
• Nut, bolts, and screws (to ensure success in projects)​​

By Enchantments Staff

It's Friday. And while most of us are still sheltering in place, that doesn't mean we can't have a good ole fashioned (solo) dance party, sound bath, or jam sesh to celebrate the approaching weekend –– or to celebrate the fact we survived the week. 

Enchantments' staff decided to curate a list of our most played tunes over the last couple weeks and behold: our very first mixtape was born. We're publishing it under the theme "I heal myself through music" and you can also meditate on the custom sigil (see above and below) designed for the same purpose. Pretty apropos right now, eh?

Happy listening, stay blessed, and tune in next month for our a new mixtape (hopefully when we can all roam together out in the world). Until then, click on either image to access the playlist or click here. 
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By Ana Vice

​Part 1 – Herbal Magick: Spiritual Healing and Well-Being

Sacred herbs and plants have been used around the world for their spiritual healing properties for millennia. They’ve been used to invoke love, protection, money, luck, clairvoyance, uncrossing, emotional wellbeing and more, as well as for holistic medicine and aromatherapy. 
With the COVID-19 pandemic happening now and many folks losing work, stability in their home life, experiencing disruption in their routines, and in some cases missing or losing loved ones, being able to maintain their spiritual practices in such times of uncertainty and stress is important. 

Herbs (any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers) can be blended for use in oils, incenses, baths, ointments, lotions, soaps, perfumes, teas, tinctures, put into pillows, and more. You can also use sacred herbs to stuff poppets intended for well-being and protection against illness or use them as burnt offerings to deities or spirit guides. 

Before working with multiple herbs, it’s important to keep them clearly labeled and separate those not safe for ingestion. Many herbs are poisonous to both humans and animals and should be handled with care. For example, eucalyptus and onion are toxic to cats and dogs. It might be a good idea to make note of this if you have pets. But not to fear, most herbs mentioned in this article are non-toxic and are to be used in a spiritual and magickal context. 

Many of you may already have some of these in your magickal apothecary or cabinet – others you can find at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Enchantments has a botanica of over 150 herbs for your spiritual needs, but please note that they are not for ingestion.

Here are 10 herbs to help aid in spiritual healing and wellbeing –– as well as colorful mythologies and stories associated with each plant. 

Apple (Malus domestica)
The Apple has several folk names including Fruit of the Underworld, Silver Branch, or Fruit of the Gods. It is associated with the planet Venus and the water element. You can use apple’s blossoms, seeds, or fruit in your magickal formulas. The apple is often associated with healing, fertility, and love.  

Apple blossoms can be an ingredient used in incense or oil blends dedicated to healing. Alternatively, apple blossom essential oil can be used. Similarly, an amulet or poppet can be made from apple tree wood to promote healing and longevity.

For the Greeks, Gaea (a.k.a. Gaia) was the personification of the Earth and considered the Mother of the World. She guarded the golden apples from a “Tree of Life” in the garden of the Hesperides  (much like Idun or Iðunn” who guards sacred apples in Norse mythology). In Roman mythology, Venus – the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility – is also associated with the apple. 

During Samhain it is tradition is to take an apple and cut it in half and “place” (via intention) any illness or bad habits into it. Next, you put the two parts back together and bury it in the earth. As the apple decays illness and bad habits go away. Another example, which is one of my favorites, is The Isle of Apples found in Avalon in the stories of King Arthur. 
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Witchy Tip: With intention, try making baked apples, drinking apple tea, or make apple pie to promote well-being. Apples, honey and cinnamon together provide both spiritual and holistic healing properties.
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Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum, C. zeylanicum, S. cassia)
A few folk names for Cinnamon are Ceylon Cinnamon, Cassia Bark, and Sweet Wood. Associated with the Sun and the element of fire, cinnamon bark can be used in magickal formulas or ground down to make a powder. Cinnamon is associated with a number of spiritual attributes in addition to healing, such as love, luck, and money.

The scent of cinnamon has an inviting aroma. It warms our soul, ignites our passions, promotes high vibrations, and has the potential to elevate our mood. It can be used in healing incenses, oils, perfumes, and sachets. 

Worshipers of Ra (an Egyptian Sun God) used cinnamon as an offering to bring in positive solar energy. The Ancient Greeks also burned cinnamon in their temples and for various ceremonies. Cinnamon is also associated with Oshun, the Yorùbá Orisha and goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She, like the Egyptian Goddess Isis and Roman Goddess Diana, is known for healing, bringing happiness, and prosperity. 

Witchy Tip: Take a white or yellow sachet and fill it with cinnamon sticks and dried orange peel to joyfully lift your spirit and provide a warm healing vibe. Use it as a potpourri or make a small cloth pouch to use as a gri gri (mojo) bag. You can also place a personal item or written intention inside to personalize it.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus spp.)
Some folk names for Eucalyptus are Blue Gum, Fever Tree, or Woolly Butt. It is associated with the Moon and the element of air. Parts often utilized in spiritual work are the leaves and pods, which are made into an essential oil for healing, purification, and protection against illness. 

You can put eucalyptus leaves in sachets or use them for stuffing healing poppets. Eucalyptus essential oil can be used in an aromatherapy vessel for the home to help fight off respiratory illness. Also, it has been said that Eucalyptus branches may be placed over a sickbed to promote good health. Eucalyptus pods can be strewn onto a thread to make a necklace to help soothe a sore throat.

The Aboriginal Australians used eucalyptus to bring down a fever and the plant was also used as an insect repellant, expectorant, mouthwash, and to heal wounds. Eucalyptus was introduced to the rest of the known world sometime in the late 1700s. Since then, it has been incorporated into several spiritual traditions, including Hoodoo.

Witchy Tip: Try anointing a white candle with eucalyptus essential oil and setting an intention for good health.
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Marigold, African (Tagetes erecta, Tagetes spp.)
A few folk names for African Marigold are Cempasúchil, American Marigold, and Aztec Marigold. Marigolds are associated with the Sun and have symbolized the power of healing since the times of the Aztecs. 
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One of my favorite stories describes the love of Xóchitl (a beautiful Aztec maiden) and Huitzilin (an Aztec warrior). They loved each other so much that when Huitzlin died in battle, the sun god Tonatiuh (who bestows warmth, well-being, and fertility, in addition to being the patron of warriors) heard the Xóchitl’s pleas to reunite them. He wanted to help her and so he transformed Xóchitl into the cempasúchil (marigold) flower. The warrior Huitzlin, according to Aztec beliefs, was then reincarnated in the form of a hummingbird. In this form he could forever find nourishment within Xóchitl (now transformed into a flower). The lovers would be always together as long as cempasuchil flowers and hummingbirds live on earth. 

The marigold flower later became the Day of the Dead Flower, because during October 31st and November 1st it is believed the souls of the dead can visit their loved ones. The flowers attract spirits with their vivid color and sweet scent.

The marigold is also commonly associated with Ganesha, the Hindu God of Luck, Wisdom, and Success. In India, marigolds are used to make garlands and decorations for a variety of celebrations, including weddings and festivals. Marigold petals can also be used in sachets, baths, or incense.

Witchy Tip: Try using approximately 2-3 tablespoons worth of dried marigold petals and burn them in a fire-safe dish or cauldron. Make an intention for good health and well-being by visualizing the warmth of the Sun and general positivity. 

By Coleman Drew

I’ll hang some prisms in my windows, I thought. Let’s take a page out of Pollyanna’s playbook and use rainbows as a symbol to keep my own ‘glad game’ going. Mind you, this was during the winter, before we would come to understand the extent of our current affairs with the pandemic. In this time of isolation and uncertainty, I am relying more than ever on these simple, yet powerful reminders to help keep me sane and optimistic. (By the way, for all you homebound folks out there needing a fluffy distraction, Pollyanna is now available on Disney+). 

A Witch worth their weight in salt does their magickal homework, and for all of us, each practice is unique. While I was letting my inner Hermione Granger run wild with research, I discovered the word prism comes from the late Latin and Ancient Greek word prisma, meaning a ‘thing sawn’. A prism is a glass or other transparent object with at least two surfaces and a specific angle between them – the degree of which determines the way the light’s path bends. Because each color travels at different speeds, when white light passes through a prism, it bends and separates into a spectrum of colors. 

A perfect example of a prism in action is Pink Floyd’s 1973 album cover for Dark Side of the Moon. A beam of white light can be seen streaming in from the left, hitting a triangular prism center, and bending into a rainbow of color out the other side. ​
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Soon after wishing for prisms, I rediscovered three in my room! Once again I’m reminded that the power of a clearly defined intention will help us pay closer attention – especially if you let your dreams refocus your eyes on what is right in front of you. 

One morning in between wake and writer’s block, a glimmer reflected from my bulletin board caught my eye. I looked up to find a heart-shaped prism from my childhood hanging, seemingly at attention, among the other treasures of days long passed. What a silly place for something meant to catch the light, I thought. 
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​I’d soon find two more prisms in my room, one heart-shaped and another an orb – both lightless and hidden. Gods, what else in my room isn’t living up to its fullest potential? My internal monologue continued as my eyes found my own face in the mirror across from me: No time for a self-crucifixion today Capricorn, we’ve got some f-ing rainbows to hang up!

Boredom will either act as the key to unlocking magickal, creative play (helping us entertain ourselves and discover the world around us) or boredom will shine a mirror on areas that need to be addressed. These are not mutually exclusive, but that's another story, another spell.

I looped the first prism heart around my curtain rod and the effect was immediate. Rainbows were bouncing around my room! I giggled and quickly hung up the others on the adjacent window. I turned to admire my newly revitalized space. The heart-shaped prism cast large streaks of color all around my room, while the orb created smaller, more concentrated rainbows. The effect was utterly enchanting and filled me with glee - which is key to unlocking a sense of play. 

Here are some tips on how to create the same magickal effect at home...

• Place your magickal objects on the windowsill to be charged by the power of the Sun – and all of the colors of the rainbow.  Set clear intentions each time you do so.

• Experiment with all of the colors for a deeper understanding of each shade’s unique manifestation energies. This takes trial and error – so don’t be afraid to play. Keep notes for which magick works best for each color: Yellow turns out to be the best for your money magick or purple is the color to invoke protection. Maybe you’re keen on green for a love spell – if the color feels right, it probably is.   

• See all the fragmented colors as a reminder to honor all aspects of yourself. This can develop into a daily mantra of sorts, a time to ask yourself:  How and what am I feeling? Am I a little blue today? Yellow perhaps? Or maybe fighting a case of the mean reds?! 

 

• Identifying and labeling how you’re feeling can allow you to better gauge the various colors or energies you need to draw upon in order to balance your mood. It can be your “Chakra checklist.” Go color by color, setting the intention to open and balance all aspects of yourself.

 

• If you don’t have prisms lying around or a victorian chandelier at your disposal to dismantle, try to find other things around your home that catch the light: jewelry, stained-glass, colorful vases or jars, or make your own rainbow decals with cling wrap and markers. Be sure not to place anything that could be damaged by direct sunlight and nothing that could magnify the light causing a fire. Always play safe Witches! Get creative – they don’t call it Witch-CRAFT for nothin’! 

 

• The idea of bending and re-directing the light is a powerful concept. It’s analogous to magick itself, if you think about it. We use metaphors or correspondences to represent the energies we're working with and manifesting. By experimenting with prisms and playing with the light, you can also come up with new daily spell practices or reignite others that have been forgotten. 

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Each day, when the sun’s presence activates the rainbows, I am reminded to check-in with myself. Where do I need to bend the light to more colorfully express myself? A quest that began with a way to hold on to the light during times of darkness led me to understand that sometimes, it’s about redirecting the light you already have within. 

For more stories on how to practice magick during hard times, click here for Veronica's story on manifesting self-love. ​

By Veronica Boscia 

Acknowledge your feelings. 
That means all of them. The good, bad, and the ugly – they’re all valid and okay. With each emotion and feeling that arises, embrace the flow and take time to figure out what they’re trying to tell you. 

Elevate your thoughts.
Negative thoughts lower your vibration, whether they are directed inwards or outwards. Behind every negative thought is a positive one just waiting to prove it wrong. Try changing a negative thought into an empowering one. For example, if your isolation partner is getting on your nerves, reframe your thinking to reasons why you are happy to have them. Then send them gratitude for being there, for bearing witness with you – send them a beam of light. Remind yourself that your feelings are valid, but they do not control you. Acknowledge the negative thoughts – and then let them go. 

​Try a writing exercise. 
Magick can be very powerful with clear intention and a strong will. Try writing down your spells with those clean hands!  

• Write down five “positive” emotions you are feeling right now.
• Next, write down five “negative” emotions (or things that are bothering you right now).
• Acknowledge the negative emotions and consider what you can control and what you can’t. Ask yourself, what can I do about it? What good can I take from the “bad”? How can I learn from this?
• Lastly, write down the emotions you want to let go of on bay leaves (commonly used in purification rituals) and burn them with the intention of releasing and letting go. ​​

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Sanitize with positive intention. 
If you have a hard time shaking away negative thoughts, sometimes physical visualization techniques can be beneficial. Try sanitizing your surfaces and washing your hands with affirmations: “I am washing away any uncomfortable feelings. These negative thoughts are only temporary. I let them go and wash them away.” Of course, you can also personalize your affirmations if these don’t resonate with you. 

Moisturize with positive intention.
After all that hand washing, remember to moisturize. Many scented moisturizers are made with ingredients with magical properties, so you can literally lotion up with magical intention! 

And you probably already have lotions with magical ingredients: Eucalyptus has been used since ancient times in healing and protection rituals, as well as to treat upper respiratory issues. Visualize yourself being completely healthy as you lotion up. 

Another commonly used healing herb is lavender, which also helps promote a sense of peace and protection. Wear it knowing you are loved and safe. 
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By Eva Crawford

Want to give your children (or yourself) a magickal project this week? Our illustrator Eva Crawford designed a printable enchanted forest cove illustration for the perfect stay-at-home activity. 

By Carmen Pouerie

Listen to your body. 
This down time is allowing us to be present with ourselves without the distraction of responsibilities outside of our homes. Sometimes I neglect to eat or drink water while I’m working. Make it a point to eat or drink when your body asks you to. Rest when you’re tired, both physically and emotionally. Take time to yourself when you are overwhelmed. Reach out to your support system when you are lonely. Meet your body’s basic needs.

Practice self-care. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary. 
When our physical and mental health is at risk, doing little things to make yourself happy are very important. Now is a good time to care for your body by trying a new skin care item, take long bubble baths, style your hair, paint your nails, etc. 

You can care for your mental health by journaling, expressing your thoughts to your family and loved ones (while maintaining social distance), cooking your favorite meal, spending time with your pets, or picking up a new hobby you never had time for. Take time for yourself. 

Create incantations and sigils. 
Incantations are simply singing your intentions over an object or during an action to achieve a specified intention. While we’re alone, there is no one around to hear our silly little poems or phrases, so speak your intentions aloud. It will help to strengthen it, as well as let you hear a voice that isn’t your TV. 

Sigils are magical symbols and can be as simple as a happy face for happiness or as intricate as one of the Seals of Solomon. To create your own, write out your intention in a few words, then eliminate repeating letters. After that, you can attempt to combine all the remaining letters into a unique symbol that is specific to you.​