Scribal Ink Base

י"ח באלול תשס"ז

As an alternative to archival black India ink as a base for my original Temple Pathways scribal ink recipe, for spellwork I am going to handmake my own black ink base as well. The black ink base takes some time to prepare, so in the meantime I will use the one made with an India ink base.

Here is a basic sofrut ink recipe modified from here:

3 grams gum arabic
3 grams ground gallnuts (source of tannic acid)
1 gram kankantum (vitriol - i.e. iron or copper sulphate)
1/8 liter distilled water
1/8 liter blackberry Manischewitz wine

To the above recipe, I'll add:

tsp. of vinegar (helps retain color, magickal healing property)
tsp. of salt (inhibits mold growth)
tsp. ground pomegranate rind (another source for tannic acid)
remaining ingredients as described in Temple Pathways ink recipe

crush, cook over open flame to residue, strain, wait 6 months

Some other basic ink recipes:

How To Make Ink
Ink Recipes 1
Ink Recipes 2
Ink Recipes 3
Ink Recipes 4
Ink Recipes 5
Ink Recipes 6 - bizzare, interesting recipe
Ink Recipes 7 - from the sixteenth century Booke of Secrets
Ink Recipes 8 - from the sixteenth century book, The Arte of Limming

Temple Pathways Scribal Ink

י"א באלול תשס"ז

My new original recipe for Temple Pathways scribal ink, to be used for writing in my Book of Shadows (Sefer Tzelem):

1 small vial archival black India ink (or handmade alternative)
bit of lampblack handgathered from my own beeswax candle flame
1 drop mugwort oil
1 drop frankincense oil
1 drop myrrh oil
1 drop dragon's blood oil
1 drop cinnamon bark oil
1 drop of pomegranate juice
1 drop Kabbalistic Name Incense infusion
1 small chunk undissolved Kabbalistic Name Incense
1 small unground piece of gall nut (the happiness nut)
gum arabic to thicken as needed

The vial of prepared ink will be stored in this Temple pathways knotwork container.

Scribal Tools

י"א באלול תשס"ז

Here are some of the tools I have chosen for scribal craftwork. For symbolic discussions, see here, here and here.

Solid Silver Finger Egyptian-Style Stylus



Solid Bronze Semi-Sphere Dipping Inkwell



Temple Pathways Knotwork Ink Jar Container



Ark Box To Contain Scribal Supplies, Inscribed Inside With My Hebrew And Celtic Craft Names & Blessings Of Unified Multiplicity



Old Ways Lock & Key



Beriyah, Yetzirah, Assiyah Scribal Manifestation Chest Upon Which The Ark Will Rest

Fine Line Infuser Cup

ט' באלול תשס"ז

My new exquisite Fine Line infuser tea cup for magical infusions and ritual teas. It's a hand-spun hand-glazed delight.

Bewitching Altar Oil

ה' באלול תשס"ז

My newest original altar oil blend, Bewitching. Absolutely Divine.

5 drops frankincense
4 drops myrrh
3 drops mugwort
3 drops dragon's blood
1 small piece ginger (unground, dropped into blend)
1 small piece orris root (unground, dropped into blend)
1 small piece gall nut (unground, dropped into blend)

All essential oils added to a base of 1/8 cup jojoba oil. Store in an earthy spell bottle.

Altar Besom

ה' באלול תשס"ז

My altar besom. Handcrafted from broom corn grown dedicated to the purpose of constructing besoms. Pine wood handle.

From History Of Early American Brooms:

"The sweeping quality of brooms changed in 1797 when Levi Dickenson, a farmer in Hadley, Massachusetts, made a broom for his wife, using the tassels of a variety of sorghum (Sorghum vulgere), a grain he was growing for the seeds. She thought Levi's broom was exceptionally good and told friends and neighbors about it."

How sweet. Levi made a witchy broom for his wife and changed the entire broom-making industry. She really liked his broom, apparently. LOL.

Mystic Brew Altar Oil

ד' באלול תשס"ז

My newest original recipe, Mystic Brew altar oil blend.

4 drops frankincense
4 drops myrrh
3 drops mugwort
1 drop sandalwood
1 drop benzoin
1 small piece orris root (unground, dropped into blend)
1 small piece gall nut (unground, dropped into blend)

All essential oils added to a base of 1/8 cup jojoba oil. Stored in a cobalt blue (cloak of protection) apothecary vessel.

How To Make A Traditional Witch's Besom

כ"ט באב תשס"ז

Here is a cool link at Briar Rose giving step by step instructions on how to make a traditional witch's besom.

Tree Of Life Tapestry

כ"ז באב תשס"ז

This is the exquisite Tree of Life tapestry I've purchased to cover my bed. It will be ritually charged by passing it through an incense blend of 2 parts witch grass, 1 part aloeswood, 1 part nutmeg, 1 part mugwort, 1 part passion flower, 1 gall nut, and 1 part angelica.

Spell Locket

כ"ז באב תשס"ז

Since it hasn't proven to be beneficial to my career or to acquiring parnassa to be too open about being either a witch generally, or a Jewitch specifically, by wearing an openly identifying pentacle or star of David in a predominantly Christian environment, I've decided to assert my Jewitchiness in another, more concealed, way. I'm going to wear a witch's locket within which I will place a piece of parchment with my Hebrew and Celtic circle names, and a "Jewitch pentacle star", all written on the parchment with dragon's blood ink and passed through consecration incense. In this way, even at work, I can "identify myself" within the environment as a Jewitch, even though no one there may ever know it.

Happiness Nut

כ"ז באב תשס"ז

Gall nut pieces contain a heyuli for a long happy healthy life. A vessel of these will also grace my altar for the High Holy Days.

Altar Snowflake Obsidian Ball

כ"ז באב תשס"ז

This 2" diameter (פת) snowflake obsidian "crystal" ball plays on the Rosh Hashanah candle inscription מי קרא פת and acts as a "sign" of the Divine (פת) "morsel" of sustenance and benevolence being brought down. It will grace my altar throughout the High Holy Days.

Rosh Hashanah Spell Candles

כ"ז באב תשס"ז

I will be using two 7" by 1.5" handcrafted pure beeswax candles for my Rosh Hashanah spellwork. The head of candle A and the base of the candle B will be ritually inscribed like this:



The base of candle A and the head of candle B will be ritually inscribed like this:



The side of the candle A will be ritually inscribed like this:



The side of the candle B will be ritually inscribed like this:



The inscription האה pertains to a feminine configuration of the Essential Divine Name containing the heyuli through which Divine Knowing extends into being.

The Ogham letters are my Celtic circle name Lleucu.

The paleo-Hebrew letters are my Hebrew name Liorah Chanah.

The modern Hebrew inscription מי קרא פת was revealed as I awoke from dreaming this Shabbat morning and directs Binah (of Chochmah on the path of mem, balancing Hod-Netzach) to summon and give form to a unified morsel of Divine Knowing.

The modern Hebrew inscription בינה קרה פתח creates the opening in reality to actualize the inscription above, and means "opening for Divine Understanding (of Divine Knowing) to happen" throughout Malchut.

The 3- and 4-shins represent Divine Matriarchal Wisdom and Understanding.

The spiral triskelion represents the feminine cauldron of Divine Knowing and Wholeness.

The shalshelet trope represents Da'at Torah, reception and transmission of Torah (mekubal/mashpia function), it's mysteries and mesorah.

Each candle will be dressed and handrolled with a mixture of Witch's Brew oil and Consecration incense blend.

BOS Consecration Incense

כ" באב תשס"ז

1 part aloeswood (f, water) - intensifies blend energies, strengthening
1 part scullcap (f, water) - fidelity and peace, protects husband
1 part orris root (f, water) - protection, divination
1 part thyme (f, water) - healing, health, purification, love, courage
1 part passion flower (f, water) - peace, harmony
1 part sweet myrrh (f, water) - raises vibrations, transformation

1 part vetivert (f, earth) - love, hex-breaking, anti-theft, parnassa

1 part ginger (m, fire) - success, power
1 part saffron (m, fire) - wind raising, strength, happiness, lust
1 part wormwood (m, fire) - protection, spirit calling
1 part dragon's blood (m, fire) - protection, transforming evil
1 part angelica (m, fire) - protection, healing, visions
1 part frankincense (m, fire) - raises vibrations

1 part sage (m, air) - immortality, wisdom, protection

2 parts uva ursa - increases shamanic powers
2 parts Jezebel root - brings down benevolence
2 parts witchgrass - happiness, love, lust, transforming evil

1 drop spikenard - fidelity, health
1 drop hyssop - purification, protection
1 drop cinnamon bark - spiritual power, strengthening
1 drop pomegranate juice - essence of the mitzvot, manifestation

Writing By Beeswax Candlelight

כ" באב תשס"ז

These are the perfect holders for the 7" X 1.5" beeswax pillars I am using as I write in my Book of Shadows. The candle wax can melt gloriously down the side to collect in the cup of the holder. There is something especially magical about the way the beeswax melts and collects in the cup, not only on account of the visual, but also on account of the delicate scent of melting beeswax. I can't really define the beauty it pulls into the moment, but the effect is palpably present for me. And I haven't even experienced it yet. Soon. Very soon. When all is ready, I will consecrate my Book of Shadows, and make the first mark. It will be special.

I have a small personal table which I fully drape with black cloth to lay my Book of Shadows upon to write in it. At the corners by head of the table are two candle stands upon which sit the beeswax pillars by whose light I write.

Pure ecstacy.

Royal Ritual Goblet

כ" באב תשס"ז

This is my new ritual witch's goblet. It's handcrafted with a green basin raised upon a purple stem and base. To me, the royal purple argaman color symbolizes synthesis of the universes of tikun and tohu. The green represents all life of the earth (signifying all existent reality). In the structure of my witch's goblet, all life of the earth (once cast down) now is raised up by the royal purple. ס

See this post on Walking On Fire for additional commentary.

Chicory Root Mugwort Tea

י"ד באב תשס"ז

I've introduced myself to the new magical pleasure of organic chicory root and mugwort tea.

Chicory is a masculine herbal, with magical correspondences to the Sun (space) and air (element). It's magical properties include removing all obstacles which may arise, purification and opening up locked places. It's health benefits include hormonal balance, lowering cholesterol, reducing the pulse rate, aiding in the absorption of calcium, promoting a healthy digestive tract, and lowering the risk of colon cancer.

Mugwort is a feminine herbal, with magical correspondences to Venus (space) and earth (element). It's magical properties include providing strength and protection, increasing psychic awareness, healing and promoting prophetic dreaming. It's health benefits include promoting a healthy digestive tract, anti-depressant properties, and anti-anxiety properties.

To prepare chicory root mugwort tea, simmer 1 Tbsp dried chicory root and 1/2 tsp of mugwort for every cup of water. Strain after simmering for 20 minutes.

It's Here!

ח' באב תשס"ז

I've been waiting since March and it arrived today! My new exquisitely handcrafted Book of Shadows is here! It's gorgeous! I'm Happy! Happy! Happy! I feel like dancing in the moonlight and cackling like a crazy woman I'm so happy!

Moon & Sun Sabbats

ט"ו בתמוז תשס"ז

There are 8 festival sabbats (distinct from full and new moon esbats) in the witch's wheel of the year - 4 moon sabbats and 4 sun sabbats.

Moon Sabbats

The moon sabbats are called fire festivals, and can occur anywhere between 29-59 days following the preceding solstice or equinox. The 4 moon sabbats are Samhain (Feast of the Dead, Feast of Apples), Imbolg (Feast of Torches, Feast of Waxing Light), Beltane (Bonfire of Light, Celtic Lag B'Omer, Cetsamhain-opposite Samhain), and Lughnasadh (Feast of Bread, Lammas).

Sun Sabbats

The sun sabbats refer to the quarter days (solstices and equinoxes), and are based on the astronomical position of the sun. The 4 sun sabbats are Mabon (autumn equinox), Yule (winter solstice), Ostara (spring equinox), and Litha (summer solstice).

Making Parnassa

ז' בתמוז תשס"ז

In follow-up to an April 27 entry, Segulah For Parnassa, the result of the spell is this:

After several years of both unemployment and significant underemployment where I worked part-time on Sundays in a job not commensurate with my experience, education or abiltities, less than a month (חי days later to be exact) after performing the ritual segulah, my first day of employment orientation occurred on May 15 for a position dealing with data management and clinical reimbursement - a position more aligned with my interests, abilities and personality.

Thank Goddess.