Apache Tears

Apache Tears are a type of Obsidian that occurs from the solidification of lava that is forced into the air in bursts. The air hardens the lava before it hits the ground. This stone is great for grounding energy into the Earth since it was created from the hot molten core of the Earth. It is also a stone that can be used to help relieve and release any grief one my have. Through this, it can bring about a sense of hope and relieve stress.

It is a prominent stone in protection, including psychic attacks. This stone will remove any negative energy and block negative energy from reaching your aura. Physically, this stone helps reduce muscle spasms, assists in detoxification of the body, enhances immunity, and helps the body with vitamin absorption.

You may want to add the Apache Tear to your crystal collection for added protection. You can even place some in oils and bath water for detoxification and cleansing.

Apache Tear Charm

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Materials: Apache Tear (small to medium size), thin crafting wire, leather string, clip for key chain

Instructions:

1. Create a Sacred Space to create this charm within. You may call upon the elements and create a Salt Circle as you see fit.
2. Bless, and cleanse all materials with each element.
3. Create your charm by wrapping the crafting wire around the Apache Tear as a holder until secure. You may want to use crafting glue to ensure security.
4. Leave two lengths of the wire leading from the stone and braid in the leather string with the wire by first wrapping the leather string around the base of the wire near the stone, knotting it (glue if needed), and braiding it upward.
5. Create a length of leather and wire braiding about 1 1/2 to 3 inches in length.
6. Attach the key chain clip to the leather and wire braid.
7. Bless, cleanse, and concentrate the charm.

For more about stones on auric protection, click here.

Dill

Lao Coriander, otherwise known as Dill, is an herb used in many traditional dishes around the world as well as for medical purposes. Its name has thought to have originated from the Norse or Anglo-Saxon word "dylle" which means "to soothe or lull". In Anglo-Saxon England, Dill was used for various medicinal purposes such as for:

• Headaches
• Boils
• Lack of Appetite
• Stomach Problems
• Liver Problems
• Nausea

It may also be used for:

• Fever and Colds
• Cough
• Bronchitis
• Sleep Disorders
• Menstrual Cramps
• Nerve Pain

For a more complete list of uses, click here.

In Greece, Dill leaves were used as fragrance. It also has the ability to be used as an antibacterial against Staph infection. However, Dill may also cause miscarriage.

Health Benefits of Herbs and Spices

Picture from: http://suhanijain.com/2012/10/29/health-benefits-of-herbs-spices-daily-health-tips/

Aloe

Aloe is notorious for its soothing abilities for burns such as sunburn. It also soothes dry, itchy skin. It helps to sooth inflammation and keep bacteria away from from organs that are vulnerable. Studies show that this little plant can even help heal gastric ulcers. Also, aloe may help those with type 2 diabetes with its blood sugar-lowering effects.

If you'd like to read more about these medical effects and about the research being done you may click on the reference below.

Reference:
The Amazing Healing Properties of Aloe Vera

Tree Hugging

This doesn't come as a surprise to people who follow nature-based religions but for those who need more evidence it may be quite a shock. Tree hugging has been around for ages. The benefits have been observed through personal experience but it is also scientifically validated. Matthew Silverstone, author of Blinded by Science, has scientifically approached the conclusion that the vibrations given off from trees and plants prove to be beneficial to health. Some of the affects caused by hugging trees include:

• calming those with ADHD
• improving concentration levels
• healing headaches
• emotionally stabilizing

For more information about these discoveries you can visit the article about tree hugging by clicking here.

I learned through my studies of Wicca that different trees can help heal different ailments. Each tree gives off its own vibration depending on its type of wood. That is why when considering what wand to create or use, you should also consider the type of woods and their magickal properties. For example, lets say you had a wand created of Black Walnut wood. Black walnut is a type of wood that kills all the plants around it because of its toxicity. In that case, black walnut does not have good healing properties and you would not want to use that type of wood for a wand that you intend to use for healing purposes. However, it is good with transitions in life and helping sever ties with the past and looking toward the future.

So basically, think about what vibration the tree or the wood from the wand provides. What are you seeking? Happiness? Love? Relief? Which vibration do you need the most? If you are unsure then common trees are the best choice such as Oak, Willow, Cedar, Ash, Birch, Maple, Elder, and Sycamore.

If you'd like to look at some trees and their meanings, you can check out this article connecting tree meanings to the Celtic Ogham System by clicking here.

Earthing

Picture from: http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/04/the-health-benefits-of-walking-barefoot.html

I've known about the benefits of Earthing, or walking barefoot, for quite sometime but until recently have I been seeing these pictures pop up around the internet highlighting being barefoot. When I do outdoor rituals when the weather permits, I do them barefoot to feel the ground. To use the Earth energy around me to feed into the purpose of the ritual. I also love to dance barefoot.

Since we live in a society where being barefoot in cities and certain areas is not permitted we tend to keep our shoes on whenever possible because it's convenient. Go ahead. Take those shoes off and feel the grass and dirt beneath them. Even if you're surrounded by concrete you can still make use of the ground. Earthing, is becoming very popular. It's always been popular to me but now it's finally being recognized as healthy and energizing.

Love the Earth. Walk the Earth. Harmonize with the Earth.

Thyme

Picture from: http://www.crunchybetty.com/thyme-to-control-blemishes-and-acne

Thyme is a very interesting herb. Did you know that thyme volatile oil was placed in milk to keep it from spoiling before the invention of refrigeration? Interesting right? During the periods of plague, townspeople would burn this herb to ward off the disease from themselves and their home. This herb has a multitude of uses which include:

• treatment for coughing
• aiding in curing bronchitis
• relief from the common cold
• fights respiratory infections
• aides in asthma relief
• aides in allergy relief
• combats parasites

As for spiritual uses, thyme has a reputation for improving health, sleep, and increasing psychic awareness, mainly clairvoyance. It is also used in procuring love and can be seen coupled with rosemary in many love spells. It's also said to increase courage.

Reference: Thyme: Herbal Remedies

Try This!

Make a small satchel of lavender and thyme to place under your pillow to help you sleep peacefully at night.

Drink herbal tea that consists of 1 part rosemary, 1 part thyme, and 1 part peppermint to help ease your common cold. Add honey to help ease your sore throat and aide in cough relief. 

Rosemary

Picture provided by: http://georgeweigel.net/favorite-past-garden-columns/cooking-herbs

Rosemary is a pretty hardy herb. It loves heat, it loves the sun, and it's a pretty low maintenance plant. If you're going to use this herb for cooking and you're growing your own, it's best to make sure to cut clippings before the plant blooms. Of if it does bloom then you should cut the blooms off because this makes the herb taste woody. If you're using it for other purposes other than cooking or for adding fragrance to soaps, lotions, your home, etc, then here are a few medicinal qualities that come in handy.

• Improves memory
• Relieves spasms and muscle pain
• Aids in hair growth
• Helps maintain circulatory and nervous systems
• Treats indigestion
• Can work as an antioxidant

You may ingest rosemary by eating it in foods or drinking it in herbal teas. You can also use it in topical creams such as lotion, soaps, salve, and oils. However, here are a few warnings about this herb.

• Do not use this herb if you are pregnant. It acts as an abortifacient which can cause miscarriage.
• If you are on medicines to control blood sugar and are diabetic Rosemary is known to altar blood sugar levels and interfere with the drugs taken for diabetes.
• Rosemary acts as a diuretic so do not take it in addition to other diuretic drugs. It can raise your chances of dehydration.
• Rosemary interferes with the blood's ability to clot so do not take it along with any other blood thinners you may be taking.
• Rosemary interferes with ACE inhibitors taken for high blood pressure

Reference: Rosemary Medicinal Properties

As for the magical properties of Rosemary the famous saying is:

"Rosemary for Remembrance"

Rosemary is most famous for its ability to improve our memories. It is also known to aid in protection, purification, and passion. It is commonly used in love spells as an anointing oil.

Try this!

• Place Rosemary under your pillow to help you remember your dreams
• Place 3 drops of Rosemary oil on a pink candle, let it burn all night and burn itself out to help bring passion and love your way.
• Carry Rosemary on you to help bring you good luck and protection.