Vintage Nibs For Craftwork Quillmaking

י'ו בחשון תשס"ח

I've purchased some vintage nibs and ferrules for making unique handmade quills for my craftwork. Here are 3 of the nibs I've collected so far. I'm going to find so much absolute joy in quillmaking using vintage nibs.

Klipat Nogah Quill Pen

י'ה בחשון תשס"ח

The exquisite handmade feather shades of grey quill pen I've chosen for raising up sparks craftworking. It features two black and white barred wild turkey wing feathers, and two gray Pilgrim goose feathers. Soft, smoky-colored rabbit fur wraps around the entire base of the handle, and a beautiful silvery-black hematite (see below) stone falls gently from its silver-tone wire cradle. Smooth black wrap and a vintage, unused silver-tone Roeder Kugelzack writing nib finishes off my pen, measuring approximately 13" long overall.



Worn through the ages as an amulet against bleeding, hematite is also known as the "blood stone." Native American folklore states that war paint made from hematite would make one invincible during battle. Hematite is also used to balance out emotions and energies between the body, mind and spirit, helps dissolve negativity, and aids in memory enhancement.

Binah's Brew

ט' בחשון תשס"ח

Here is a herbal recipe for protection and exorcism of negativity with which to cleanse one's "place", brought together with the waxing gibbous moon 67% full [1], during the planetary hour of the moon. The time of the moon operates on a 19-year cycle. The nineteenth letter of the aleph-beit is kuf (ק).

Mix the herbs together within a consecrated vessel. Sprinkle the mixture in the place to cleanse and raise up the sparks which dwell in hiding there.

1 part lobelia
1 part nettle
1 part mullein
1 part woodruff
1 part white willow
1 part witch grass
1 part angelica

Footnote:

[1] 67 is the gematria of Binah (בינה). There are 7 herbal ingredients in this recipe. The sum of all squares from 1 to 7 is 140, where 140 = 67 X 73, where 73 is the gematria of Chochmah. The 7 ingredients move with the power of Chochmah, brough down through Binah.

Wand Of The Epiphany

ז' בחשון תשס"ח

My simple wand looks like the one pictured. I harvested it last winter as it soaked in the snow near the lilac bush that grows right outside the window of the room I had as a little girl (and during the time of the epiphany).

As a snow-soaked water-oriented instrument of the earth, my wand carries a powerful synthesis of earth and water elemental energies. This powerful energy is represented by the Hebrew letter mem (מ, ם). Through mem (see link), my wand has the following correspondences:

Concept: The springing up of wisdom from the well of the superconscious.

Meaning: Water; a perfect imperfection.

Shape: A reservoir, with a slight opening in its lower left corner. The final mem: A completely enclosed reservoir.

Number: 40.

Space: Earth.

Time: Winter.

Soul: Lower torso, specifically the abdomen.

Quality: Love expressing itself like water.

Archetype: Mashiach ben David.

Channel: From netzach to hod.

Made from lilac wood, my wand has further correspondences to feminine power, Venus and again, the element of water. It's magical properties include protection and exorcism of negativity and evil. In other words, it functions to guard the integrity of the energy it directs.

It has no adornments other than the magical carvings I have made into it. Measuring 10 and 3/8 inches long from point to point, the wood of the slender instrument is kept supple by treating it periodically with Feminine Clarity oil.

For more on my wand, see Sod Ha-Ibbur, Turning History at Walking On Fire.

8 Night Crystal Consecration

ג' בחשון תשס"ח

8 Night Ritual Preparation Of New Crystal Ball

Using two squares of brown, earth colored or natural cotton or linen cloth, wrap the crystal ball in the first cloth.

Over 8 successive nights, in the second cloth, sprinkle a previously prepared herbal blend (into all previous additions as nights proceed), wrap with it over the wrapped crystal ball and place it centrally on the altar (with other standard ritual elements). Place Jewitch hexagram-pentacle like a kippah upon it.

Night 1 - purification, exorcism of negative influences and protection
1 part vervain
1 part vetivert
1 part witch grass
1 part amber
1 part rosemary
1 part elder flower
1 part lobelia
1 part galangal
1 part dragon's blood
1 part woodruff
Statements of command - Be removed all negativity. Be exorcised of ill will. Be protected from all harm.

Night 2 - lock-opening
1 part lotus
1 part black sesame
Statements of command - Be open the mysteries of joy. Be open the paths of wisdom. Be open the gates of understanding. Be open the way of knowledge. Be open the fullness of beauty. Be open the cauldron of clarity.

Night 3 - fidelity
1 part pomegranate
1 part scullcap
1 part elder flower
Statement of command - Be faithful and true.

Night 4 - healing, health, peace and harmony
1 part benzoin
1 part heal-all
1 part scullcap
1 part burdock
1 part mullein
1 part nettle
1 part thyme
1 part balm of gilead
2 parts passion flower
Statements of command - Be healed. Be healthy. Be vital with wellness, harmony and peace.

Night 5 - divination and psychospiritual awareness
2 parts pomegranate
1 part broom
1 part damiana
1 part orris root
1 part angelica
1 part dandelion root
1 part mugwort
1 part flax seeds
1 part uva ursa
1 part marigold
1 part wormwood
Statement of command - Bestow clarity, insight, wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

Night 6 - strengthen spirituality and raise vibrations
1 part myrrh
1 part frankincense
1 part sandalwood
Statements of command - Be strong. Be strong. Be strong.

Night 7 - happiness and joy
1 part saffron
1 part witchgrass
1 part gall nut
1 part vanilla bean
Statements of command - Manifest and reveal joy. Break out with happiness. Rest content.

Night 8 - empower
1 part ginger root
1 part mugwort
1 part cinnamon
1 part saffron
Statement of command - Be empowered.

Night 9 - Night of rest. First night covered in cleansed, dedicated sphere stand on altar.

Night 10 - May now be ritually used.

Carved Elegance

א' בחשון תשס"ח

For my new healing quartz crystal ball (shown here), I purchased this carved stand of oriental wood with a rosewood finish. It's simple, yet elegant.

Perfect Imperfection

א' בחשון תשס"ח

I purchased my crystal ball today. My 5 1/4" diameter pure quartz crystal healing sphere with veils, inclusions, rainbows and "depth". Peaceful.

Samhain Mulled Cider

כ'ט בתשרי תשס"ח

Recipe at Moonshadows.

2 litres of sweet apple cider
½ litre fresh orange juice
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ginger
Cinnamon sticks and orange slices to float in the pot.

"In a large pan or cauldron if you have one available for cooking, combine the apple cider, orange juice, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Simmer slowly on low heat for about 15 minutes. Take care that the cider does not boil. Add the cinnamon sticks and orange slices and served whilst still warm. You can refrigerate any leftover mulled cider, it's nice cold as well."

Black Mirror

(My black mirror.)

כ'ז בתשרי תשס"ח

Black mirrors are not only useful for skrying. Other ritual uses for a black mirror include:

- during spellcrafting
- to direct energy
- as a meditative tool

When not in use, as with a crystal sphere, keep your black mirror covered. Never let anyone else use or tinker with your black mirror, as this may interfere with the effectiveness of the tool. If this does occur, clear and recharge it according to your tradition.

Crystal Caves

כ'ד בתשרי תשס"ח

A witch chooses her unique healing crystal ball with the same tender loving care with which an etrog is chosen for sukkot. A healing crystal ball is not just a crystal ball. And a sukkot etrog is not just an etrog. Exquisite distinguishing love goes into choosing them. It's bashert.

Cover with a ritual cloth when not in use.