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.

Making Combustible Incense

Basic Materials Needed:

*powdered wood (sandalwood, red sandalwood, cedar, etc.)
*benzoin sumatra resin
*orris root
*gum tragacanth (gum arabic can be substituted, but about twice as much arabic as tragacanth will be needed and drying time will be longer)
*salt petre/potassiun nitrate
*water, spring or distilled
*fragrant material (herbs and/or oils, resins not recommended)
*two bowls, one for water and one for mixing
*a stirring implement
*mortar and pestle, coffee mill or grain mill (for grinding ingredients to a fine powder)
*measuring spoons
*small kitchen scale
*wood or bamboo sticks (for stick incense)

Procedure:

Step 1
Grind ingredients (if not already powdered) into as fine a powder as possible.

Step 2
Mix together base ingredients.

6 parts wood
2 parts benzoin sumatra
1 part orris root

Add 3-5 parts of fragrant herb incense scent mixture you want to use (prepared from recipe of choice) to the base.

Step 3
Add gum tragacanth to the base mixture. You will want between 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of tragacanth per 2 teaspoons of incense mixture.

Step 4
Weigh incense mixture on the scale. Measure out 10% by weight of potassium nitrate. An approximation:

One Tablespoon of potassium nitrate powder weighs about 20 grams
1/2 Tablespoon of potassium nitrate weighs about 10 grams
One Teaspoon of potassium nitrate weighs a little more than 6 1/2 grams
1/2 Teaspoon of potassium nitrate weighs a little more than 3 1/4 grams
1/4 teaspoon of potassium nitrate weighs a little more than 1 1/2 grams
1/8 teaspoon of potassium nitrate weighs a little more than 3/4 grams
So, if you have 20 grams of base, set aside 2 grams of potassium nitrate; if you have 10 grams use 1 gram, etc.

Step 5
Take 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons of water for every 3 teaspoons of incense mixture and place water in a bowl. Disolve the potassium nitrate in the water completely.

Step 6* (cones)
Add the water and potassium nitrate solution to dry ingredients. Add any oils you plan to use at this time. 5-10 drops, combined, should be more than enough. Mix the ingredients into a sticky dough (it is best to do this with your hands).

Step 7 (cones)
To make cones, simply take small potions of the incense dough and shape it -- take care that you do not make the cones too thick. Be sure to press the bottom of each cone down onto a flat surface to ensure it will stand.

Step 6* (sticks)
To make stick incense, instead of adding your solution to the dry ingredients, add any oils (5-10 drops combined) to dry ingredients and mix well.

Step 7 (sticks)
Take your sticks and dip them, one at a time, into the water solution and then roll them in the dry ingredients so that the incense adheres to the stick. Set each stick aside to dry for 5-10 minutes (stand them upright by sticking in a ball of clay), then repeat the procedure until the stick achieve the desired thickness.

Step 8
Allow incense to dry. Sticks will most likely dry overnight, but may need to dry longer. Cones will take at least overnight, 24 hours or so is recommended. If after 24 hours they are not dry, something went wrong. You can easily tell when sticks are dry... generally touching them will tell you. Cones however, may be dry on the outside and still be wet inside. To tell if a cone is dry, squeeze the largest end lightly in your fingers. If it holds its shape, it should be dry. It the incense crumbles, you can test to see if it is dry and you will know that next time you want to add more Gum Tragacanth to your mixture.

Recipe/Procedure Source: Buddhamind

Cauldron Of Creation Incense

ג' בתשרי תשס"ח

My newest original incense recipe, Cauldron Of Creation:

5 parts frankincense
5 parts myrrh
3 parts white willow bark
2 parts dandelion root
2 parts orris root
2 parts damiana
1 part lotus root
1 part galangal root
1 part whole ground pomegranate
1 part mullein
1 part broom
1 part heal all
1 part balm of gilead
1/2 part lobelia
1/2 part acacia
1/2 part saffron

per ounce of dry ingredients:
5 drops mugwort oil
5 drops dragon's blood
1 drop hyssop
1 drop sandalwood
1 drop cinnamon bark
1 drop Feminine Clarity

Compound in a black vessel on the night of the Dark Moon, preferably in autumn or winter. Store in a warm place (like a herb cupboard) in an airtight dark jar for 28 days to 3 months prior to consecrating and using ritually.

Medicinal Hawthorne Berries

כ"ה באלול תשס"ז

I'm seeing red everywhere today - red berries, that is.

From Herbal Extracts Plus, on the cardiotonic effects of red Hawthorne berries:

Hawthorne Berry is a wonderful and trusted cardiac tonic that is used to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and significantly enhance blood circulation to the heart and brain. It is used to strengthen the heart and relieve angina, myocarditis (inflamed heart) and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).

Hawthorne Berry is an excellent cardio-tonic that supports good heart health and protects it in a variety of ways. It is thought to be especially effective in the beginning stages of heart disease, as well as speeding up the recovery time after a heart attack. It is also believed to strengthen a weak heart muscle associated with age, relieve pressure and tightness of the chest, ease angina and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), as well as mild cardiac arrhythmia. The bioflavonoids found in Hawthorne interact with key enzymes in the heart to increase the pumping force of the heart muscle and eliminate arrhythmia. Hawthorne is also characterized as having positive inotropic (affecting muscle contraction) effects leading to an increase in heart rate. Although the Commission E no longer recognizes this use (due only to lack of clinical studies), Hawthorn Berry preparations have traditionally been shown to combat angina, a condition resulting from insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle.

Good heart health is further supported by Hawthorne's rich flavonoids, which are thought to dilate and open up the blood vessels (as a vasodilator), allowing oxygen-rich blood to get to the heart and reduce the risk of a heart attack. It is thought that Hawthorne causes direct dilation of smooth muscle in coronary vessels thereby lowering their resistance and increasing blood flow.

Hawthorne berries are also useful for the treatment of arthritis, osteoporosis, ADD (attention deficit disorder), insomnia, nervous tension, and some cancers, including leukemia and Burkitt's lymphoma.

See link for more information and contraindications for use.

My Bone China Ritual Plate

י"ח באלול תשס"ז

It was waiting for me, just for me, to buy it. It was the only one the seller had and I bought it.

My bone china ritual plate is a Mikasa bone china "White Silk" soup plate, so ritual water can be poured into it to dissolve the words and letters of a petition spell. The petition potion can then be drunk directly from my bone plate.

Ingestable Blackberry Ink

י"ח באלול תשס"ז

For spells (like the biblical Sotah ritual, for example) requiring ink ingestion, a recipe for blackberry [1] ink:

1/2 cup ripe blackberries crushed through a strainer
1/2 tsp. vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt

Refrigerate unused portion when not in use.

Footnote:

[1] blackberry correspondences - feminine (gender), venus (planet), water (element), healing/money/protection (powers), Brigit (archetype)

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.