The Rowan Berries Are Ready

 

The Rowan berries are ready for harvesting. The berries range from reds to oranges where I live, and they all have that perfect pentagram on the bottom. The birds love them, and once dried, cooked or fermented they are edible for people, too. Brew wine with the berries or split a dried berry and steep in hot water for a tea that helps increase second sight.

 

 Here I'm whittling down wood and bark from branches for incense. All parts of the tree can be used as incense, but take care to dry everything well and don't burn raw berries. 

 Use Rowan for protection and to banish evil, ward off hexes and the workings of Witches. As a liminal plant, Rowan has the power to move between worlds, open and close gates, summon and banish. 

Use the fruit bunches to decorate your Autumn altar and feast table, or string the berries up for a festive garland, prayer necklace or meditation beads. 

Rowan speaks and is heard in the Spirit world and carries immeasurable Spiritual Authority. Take some time to learn more about Rowan- it's easy to spot right now while it's fruiting. 

Blessings,

Solaris

Hedge Bindweed

Dark Moon workings with hedge bindweed from my garden. Considered a nuisance by most gardeners and landowners, it's quite useful in Witchcraft, and so I give it some room to spread around. 

There are medicinal uses for bindweed, like the morning glory pictured here, but that's not of interest to me for this particular plant.  

It is said the roots can act as a substitute for High John the Conqueror Root in any Hoodoo spell. 

The value for me is in the vines and roots. 

I like it for use in constricting, containing and binding spells.

With flowers that like to bloom at dawn and dusk, bindweed is a liminal plant that sits in the in-between. Witches like this plant for its use as an ally for accessing thresholds, doorways and other realms and worlds.

 Use the vines to bind people, spirits or objects. It can be used in handfastings, for relationships, protection, baneful works and hexing. 

Bindweed can be braided, knotted, coiled, bound into a ball, tied in various fashions, and wrapped around any object. Weave intentions, energy, enchantments, hair, fibers and other items into the vines as you go, or slip in a picture, name paper or spell between the vines. The continuous vine is perfect in rituals and spells for creating a connection to other worlds for journeying, for safe travel for yourself or a loved one, and as a bridge or link to a place, person, object or time. 

Use it while it's fresh, between Spring and early Fall.

Thistles

Thistles to me are a perfect Witchcraft ingredient. Their sharp, spiny leaves leave no doubt they are excellent in workings for banishing, protection, and wrathful undertakings.

Folks usually see them as weeds and yank 'em out of their pristine gardens and lawns. But I gently corral mine into areas where they can grow free because they have something important to offer, both for me as much as for the creatures who use our land for food. Thistles are part of the daisy family, and while many thistles are medicinal, I primarily use mine for spells and potions. I harvest and dry them from my backyard, and then add them to things like protection powders, black salt, hotfoot, and other things as I see fit. Thistles work as protectors, wards, repellents, banishers, and those painful, annoying prickly leaves make them perfect for hexing as well as breaking a hex.

I have a superstition that if I get poked or 'bit' by the thistle during harvesting the plant will not work for me. On the rare occasion that happens, I leave it and don't use it. When a plant gets too feisty, I understand that plant ain't for me, and I move on. No means no. I've never been one to override the spirit of the plant. Without respect for the plant or the plant's spirit, there can be no harmony or successful relationship. As a Witch, I'm always listening to what the plant is tellin' me and honoring that. Sometimes this plant here don't want to be bothered, while that one just like it over there is happy to work with me. I have found people who ignore this information and take what they want when they want without regard for the plant find themselves at the business end of riled up land spirits. Stay wise.

Thistle comes in several forms- Blessed or Holy Thistle, Milk Thistle, Bull Thistle, Scotch Thistle and many others. While all related they have slightly different botanical properties, however, since I use them for Witchcraft, and because their physical features are largely similar, and because I have found the essence or spirit of the plant to be quite similar across the spectrum, I consider them interchangeable, especially because medicinally most can also be used with similar results. I say this to convey that I don't really care which type grows in my yard, I use it the same way regardless. Ifin it matters, which I don't think it does, the ones I grow happen to be Bull Thistle, also known as Spear Thistle and Common Thistle. They are labeled an 'injurious weed' in the UK, and a noxious weed in Australia and several US states. Unlike the Blessed Thistle that grows a yellow flower, mine develop purple flowers in the Summer and like most flowering thistles, they are a rich food source for certain birds and butterflies.

Traditionally, thistle has been used for purification, to bring spiritual aid to the home, to protect from evil, and is associated with Mars, Aries and Fire. Growing them in your garden encourages protection, strength and healing. While they are no fun to step on when barefoot, try and let a couple grow out of the way in your garden or yard to enjoy their protective qualities and natural warding abilities. They are edible, too, though I haven't had a mind to want to eat them myself, but if you do, there's plenty of herbal and medicinal recipes online to explore. Use common sense and always know your plants well before consuming.