Herbal &
Floral tinctures & oils
A simple
& respectful way of making them
Tinctures can be used in making
bath salts, cosmetic products, in herbal medicine making(only if you know
what you are doing) & for many other things like imparting the essence
& quality of the plant into the practice of "Magick".
Oils can be used in the bath,
in massage, & in making a variety of soap & cosmetic items. Like
the tinctures they impart the essence & qualities of the plant or gem
to the person they are being used on. (caution, herbals should never be
used during pregnancy or where there might be a harmful reaction.)
Tinctures
-
Fill a clean, dry, sterilized jar with the
plant material to be used.(I prefer wide mouth canning jars.) Tamp down
the material firmly but not so tightly air will be trapped.
-
Add pure grain alcohol, or a good quality
brandy, just covering the plant matter. Run a knife down along the edges
inside the jar to remove any air bubbles that might appear.
-
Do not cover.
-
Do not disturb except for looking for air
bubbles for 2 weeks. I set mine in a sunny window in an unused bedroom
although some recipes recommend setting them in the dark. I feel sunlight
helps release the plant essence I want to be using.
-
Strain into another jar using a sieve lined
with a coffee filter, or cheesecloth. Allow to settle a few days. Pour
off only the clear liquid. Dispose of the rendered plant material safely
since many animals will find the remains delightful.
-
To decant, pour into sterilized, dry bottles
with either corks or the bale closures. I prefer the self sealing bales
since they can be shipped & won't leak.
-
This product maybe boiled prior to decanting
if you wish to be using it for human consumption, 20 minutes at a low boil
is recommended. (Please note due to the alcohol content boiling is NOT
necessary.)
Oils
When using purchased essential oils, 10
drops per pint of oil used is what I recommend. Commercial food quality
colorings may be added, but do detract from the integrity of the product
in my opinion.
Medicinal strength when using in a
therapeutic bath (use no soap or detergent, just soak) is 3 drops of essential
oils to one teaspoon of carrier oil.
The recipe below is used full strength
in baths & massages but can be diluted using ten parts carrier oil
to one part of the oil we are making .
-
Add plant material to a clean sterilized jar,
gently compressing but not to the point of not allowing the oil to penetrate
through the matter being used.
-
Fill with a carrier oil just to the point
where the plants are covered. Any vegetable oils can be used. My favorite
is almond oil. Canola or Sunflower seed oil can be used with no ill
effects.
-
Run a knife down the side of the jar getting
rid of any air bubbles.
-
Loosely cover with plastic wrap just to keep
out the dust.
-
Set in a sunny window for two weeks. Do not
disturb unless you see air bubbles appearing then you gently let them out
by sliding a kitchen knife into the jar
-
Strain through cheesecloth into clean, sterile
jars(Do not squeeze the cheesecloth.)
-
Allow to settle for at least a week.
-
Pour off only the clear liquid into clean
sterile bottles with anti seep closures.
Gathering the plants correctly
(the following sections
also appear in Sacred Smoke)
Speak to the plants..
Use respect,kindness, when talking to them.
Ask thier Guardian Spirts for
permission to take just enough
to use for your intended project.
Take no more than necessary
& never more than a little from
any one plant.
Try to establish a long lasting partnership
with the Spirit of the Herb.
It will make the products you use
& produce more potent.
Let your intention be known...
Let magick manifest in your
life....
Creating Sacred Space
Although
there are many ways of creating sacred space commonly sage(desert sage
not the kitchen kind) is used for purification of one's self, spaces, spiritual
or healing tools.
There are many cultures
& each has it's own beliefs about the smoke rising from the herbs.
Different herbs may be used for different purposes depending on a person's
traditions or origins.
Respect all
beliefs even if you can not embrace them as your own. Do not disrespect
or dishonor any part of some one's religion or culture.
Commonly
sage(desert sage not the kitchen kind) is used for purification of one's
self, spaces,
spiritual or healing tools.
If using smudge, you might try this
method:
After lighting
the smudge ,
offer it to the cardinal directions, North, East, South, & West,
or it can be held next to your heart.
Fan the smoke over your body.
Begin by bringing it towards the heart, up to the head,
down the arms , the torso legs & feet.
Bathe your
space & tools or what ever it is you wish blessed with the smoke.
You may also
use smudge in healing work . When healing the mind & soul the smoke
will help
make the connection with
the spirit helpers.
Smoke going
skyward will carry our intention to the universe. The old & unhealthy
will be purged & the attributes attributed to the plant or plants
being used will be assimilated.
All rituals
have a beginning point and evolve by paying attention to one's own feelings..The
right
way feels good to the practitioner.
There will soon be a strong sense of well being & personal
connectedness to the experience.
A kind of a magic will begin to creep into your very soul. You will know
when a pratice is right for you.
Patience &
commitment are required as with anything new...It is possible that Spirit
will instruct
you through your dreams
or visions if you just open your heart & mind to it..
Don't be afraid to
ask your friends or elders how or why they do something.Take a class or
two, or ask your local herbalist
when you buy thier wares.
Warning
When working with any type of
a ritual or spiritual pursuit be very careful as there is always a danger
to the inexperienced. The spirits are sometimes very powerful .
In all aboriginal
cultures the spirits are respected & dealt with only by a trained shaman
or medicine person. There are those among us who have the calling to be
true practictioners of the old ways. This can be a very unpleasant experience
& in our modern society is often mistaken for
phsycosis or schizophenia.
It is best
to leave these pursuits alone. If you feel compelled to follow the spiritual
path BEWARE....all things are not what they appear to be.
There is a
rather malevolent manifestation that feeds upon raw emotional energies
especially fear. Remember fear is the one thing that only you, yourself,
can feed . The more you feed it the larger it grows. It sometimes becomes
so great you can feel it taking control of your life.
You can
not escape until you turn & face yourself . You must realize your own
most powerful demons are of your own making.
Everything
can be controlled if you take the time to learn the methods.Your own shadow
is the hardest thing to master & the hardest to force to reveal it's
self.
Your shadow
is what you keep hidden in your soul , hidden from even your own persona.
Shadows make you hate. What is hate but fear, lack of understanding?. For
the things we hate are the very things we fear might be in our own souls.
The things we know might, if given time , find a way out.
Our hidden
thoughts, the sinister preoccupations that linger right on the threshold
of reality, waiting for the opportune time to manifest- to become real
.
Subconsciously
we feed them, help them grow strong in the pursuit to escape. We feel them
growing . Subtly creeping into that which we call our own. Seeking to become
part of some vast master plan. All seeking to devour what we percieve ourselves
to be. To bring out the dark side, the
dark side that exists even
in the best of us. Exists most in those who choose to deny it. Those who
seem to be the most perfect are the most at risk. Beware & if you must
proceed.......
BE CAREFUL IN ANY SPIRITUAL PURSUIT.
BACK
to the BEGINNINGS.......