Alder- balance between the emotions and actions, Water and Fire elements, Ostara, Mars and the Moon, amethyst, ravens & hawks, purple, Fae, Apollo, Aphrodite; used to help face what you’ve been avoiding lately
Ash- feminine in nature, Fire element, energy conductor; new growth, good wood to use for wands, staves & besom handles; one of the three sacred trees (Oak, Ash, & Hawhorn); (known as to be the World Tree or Yaggdrisal in Norse/Celtic)
Aspen- protection, overcoming fear, ascent, Air element, Persephone, Hades, ancestry, heritage, cleansing, healing, family and community, Mabon, the planet Mercury
Birch- purification, protection, exorcism; represents renewal, Thor, rebirth and beginnings as it is the first tree after Winter to leaf; great in protection spells; (to ward off Evil Eye, tie a red string to branch)
Chestnut Tree- fertility, grounding and centering energy, healing, love, prosperity, abundance, attracting animals, relieving worry, transforming karma, Artemis, the planets Jupiter & the Sun, masculine
Fir- immortality, seeing situations clearly, planet Jupiter, Earth element, birth, used in blessing mothers and babies, shadow work, Artemis, Frigg,
Hawthorn- masculine, Fire element, Fae/fairies, love, marriage, Beltane, health, fertility, chastity, protection and death; keep out unfriendly entities/spirits when placed around doors and windows, considered portal to fea realm (NOTE: tree is sacred to fairies, it is strongly recommended that one ask permission before taking the blooms or sprigs; leave an offering when cutting down a whole tree- offerings such as milk, honey, wine or cider poured into the ground, baked goods, crystals & gemstones)
Hazel- spirit contact, manifestation, protection, prosperity, wisdom, dreams, divination, dowsing, knowledge, marriage, inspiration, wrath, fertility, intelligence, reconciliation, poetic inspiration, anti-lightning charm; sacred to Fae; traditionally burned in Balefires during Beltane & Litha (it is also said that mistletoe that grows on Hazel protects you from being bewitched)
Hickory- childbirth support, land nourishment, protection from legal difficulties, transitions,
Maple- feminine, Water element, the Moon, the planet Jupiter, wisdom of balance, love, longevity, money, travel, spiritual healing, learning and decision-making (especially when bringing about or dealing with change), great horned owl, communication
Oak- money, success, strength, fertility, stability, health, healing, potency and good luck; known for attracting light; associated with the Sky Gods/Goddesses (especially White Oak) a holy tree; one of the three sacred trees (Oak, Ash & Thorn); (their acorns were carried in the pockets of Druids for good luck)
Olive Tree- masculine, prosperity, wisdom, abundance, peace, protection, console (a person), Athena, the Sun, Fire element, Mabon
Pine- rebirth, immortality, strength in adversity, overcoming hardships through optimism & inner strength; Pine cones are good for tips of wands or staffs; (use a pine branch like a broom to brush away negative energy from your home or from surfaces (like a altar))
Poplar- life cycles, Zeus, death and rebirth, Hades, the planet Jupiter, enhancing divination tools, love; good for all-purpose wands; leaves for altar decoration for Samhain, celebrations in honor of Hades, ancestral rites, funerals/any ceremony related to the underworld
Redwood(aka Sequoia)- Earth wisdom, protection, fire resistance, healing, abundance, Fire element, balance
Rowan- the Sun, tourmaline, protection, Imbolc, meditation, broadening perspectives, dowsing, divination, the Goddess Bridget
Spruce- ancient wisdom, Goddess energy, healing, protection, purification, spiritual refreshment, pure intentions
Willow- divination, resonance, harmony, the Moon, moonstone, Water element, masculine, support, death, Hades, directing energy, ghosts/spirits, Hecate, Persephone, Lunar alignment, pain relief, personal empowerment, creativity, fertility, female rights of passage, inspiration, emotion, binding, love, protection, healing
Witch Hazel- dowsing, the planet Saturn; can be burned to rid of negative emotions, hexes/curses, and general negative
Yew- associated with death and rebirth, witches, Yule, consecrated ground, divination, astral travel, the planets Jupiter & Saturn, the Goddess Hecate; good for runes, Ogham sticks, frames for scrying mirrors, talking boards (PLEASE NOTE: it should not be used for goblets or any dishes that will be eaten from!!! It will make you sick or even kill you)
a list of ideas and activities for seasonal and discreet witches, based on what is around to do / use in the springtime. based off my personal experiences
mushrooms
Often indicators of a fairy ring/realm, and though they shouldn’t be disturbed, they can be portals for fae work.
While it isn’t advised to eat them, they can be used as offerings to fae, gods, or used in spells. just be careful not to pick anything dangerous
☔ rain
Clouds and rain can be used for divinationandgrounding, but also spells of all kinds. A bit of rainwater is a powerful ingredient in any spell or ritual.
herb/floral bundles
Herbs are growing, it’s a good time to ready bundles of them to dry for the rest of the year.
flower crowns
You can make flower crowns according to each flower’s meaning and correspondences, and use their charms. here are some suggestions
new growth
As the season changes over, it’s a good time for rituals and spells for shaking off the old and making way for the new, like this one
In a series of letters to pen pal and art collector Elizabeth Stein, sculptor Beatrice Wood (1893–1998) often shared daily anecdotes of her cats’ antics, observing that cats “are of course just human beings with four legs instead of just two.” During this time, Stein was in her nineties and Wood was more than one hundred years old. Through their correspondence, both women relished the daily pleasures of life.
This letter is currently on view in our exhibit ‘Before Internet Cats’ http://s.si.edu/2o7sJWN
Selection from a small cache of letters in our collection written by Laura Ingalls Wilder between 1949 and 1952 to Evelyn Wenzel, a graduate student who was writing a Master’s thesis on Wilder’s books.
“The old spirit of sturdy independence seems to be vanishing. We all depend too much on others. As modern life is lived we have to do so and more and more the individual alone is helpless. One is always at the mercy of others instead of being sufficient unto himself. A conflict with nature and the elements is a clean fight, but a struggle against man and his contrivances is something very different. At times I have a homesick longing for the old days and old ways. However, I know there is no turning back. We must go on.”
The Evelyn Wenzel Collection of Correspondence from Laura Ingalls Wilder, Children’s Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota Libraries
Identification : There are more varieties of rose that I could list here, so instead here are some of the key versions to watch for. Damask Rose only blooms for a couple of weeks but is used in 96% of all perfumes (Bulgarian rose oil) This is the best oil for anti-depression. The Cabbage rose is used to create French rose oil this is the strongest aphrodisiac use this version for love spells. Provins Rose was the first cultivated in europe around 5000 years ago, this is the best option for creating Rose water.
Uses: Perfumery, potpourris, stewing, Incense, Gentle skin care, Acne, Add to a bath to bring calm
Try It : A simple rose water method ;
Mix 3 parts vodka to 1 part distilled water (Sorry Tap water won’t work) in a jar. Add fresh rose petals ensuring the liquid covers the rose entirely (At least 2 inches of clear liquid above the flowers. Cover the jar and leave it in a warm place such as a window for 3 weeks. Strain out the petal and rebottle the water. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Warnings: Nil
Parts used: Flowers, Hips (Hips have 50 times more vitamin C than Oranges)
Magic: Attract Love, fertility, Binding spells, clairvoyance, Mending a broken heart, empowerment. Commonly used on Altar’s to build your connection to your deity. The Romans would be give their deities a crown of roses as an offering. Wash your hands with Rose water prior to casting love spells.
Folkloreand History: Thought to have originated around Persia, we have been cultivating rose for at least 3000 years with over 10,000 know varieties available. Rose oil contains over 300 chemical components, only 100 of these have been identified by modern science. The Romans also loved roses, not only as displays but on the floor to walk on as a status symbol. Even some wines (Falemian)were served with petals floating on them. Both bride and groom would be crowned with roses, a tradition that has remained till this day as the buttonhole and bouquet. In old english formal dinners it was tradition to suspend a rose over the table as a symbol that everything discussed was to remain secret.
The rose has always been associated with love but did you know planting one in the garden was supposed to bring you luck (Green witch tip). The rose is connected to a number of religions representing the soul in Islam and connection to Mary in Christianity. Red Roses represent Passion and Sacrifice, White for purity, Yellow for Wisdom and Joy, Pink for gratitude and peace, Purple for Wonder and positive change.
Plant Tips : There is a rose for everyone, from ground cover rose used to prevent weeds, Climbing roses for amazing shows to Shrub roses found in most garden and park. In almost every colour you can imagine new variants are produced each year. Most roses does grow their own roots but are grafted onto a roots stock from another plant. Most are planted in spring, liking good soil and plenty of sun.
“that kiss was awkward” “it has a bad angle” “they look so off” my brothers in christ they are two emotionally repressed middle aged men who had never known what romantic love is, did you think they would immediately be experts at making out this is actually perfect ☠️
