The Summer of Lavender (syrup) and Mugwort

The Summer of Lavender and Mugwort

      This coming summer, I have plans.  We all do, I'm sure.  I'm finishing my book, and so many other projects during the heat of the summer.  I've been harvesting mugwort already for tincture, for smudge sticks, and my "Firm Boundaries" incense, that I'm sure will pop up on my Etsy shop.  

     What will help me get my growing list of "To Do"s done?  Tea.  Glorious tea.  You all know I've got a tea shop.  This isn't about that.  It's all about the lavender.  Or rather, that tasty, tasty home made lavender syrup.  

     I use vanilla sugar in the winter time. Just add a whole vanilla bean to your sugar jar.  It'll attract wealth and happiness to your home, and tastes incredible.  If you'd like to make ahead, cut a vanilla bean in half with scissors.  Place it in a glass Ball pint jar and fill with sugar and seal.  I make these to give at Yule!

     But once the weather turns warm, I can't get enough of my lavender.  Lavender soda from DRY brand is divine.  I can count on both hands the sodas I drink in a year, and half of them are lavender soda.  My lavender syrup is the perfect homey touch for tea that keeps me on task.

     Lavender simple syrup is as easy as making traditional simple syrup because any sugar recipe can be made a lavender recipe. Simply add one teaspoon lavender buds per one cup sugar.  Sugar cookies become Lavender Sugar cookies.  Lemonade becomes Lavender lemonade.  

     Lavender simple syrup, just heat two cups water with two teaspoons lavender buds and two cups sugar.  Bring to a boil, stirring often. Boil two minutes and remove from heat.  Allow to cool completely before bottling. Some choose to remove the lavender buds before bottling. That is a personal choice.  Store in the refrigerator.  Add to any beverage you might sugar, coffee, tea, etc. 

Crone's Crate: Ostara Edition

Crone's Crate: Ostara Edition

Five Stars!

Edited to Add: Arcana Wildcraft: Ostara Oil

      One of the things I like most about Crone's Crate is how lush everything looks.  The first thing you see when you open this box is the scroll with details of this sabbat's goodies.  Spoiler Alert: I don't have any products in here so I'm not worried about being biased. ;)
The Thank You note enclosed is a nice touch.

The first thing I do is take a gander at the shipment details. some folks look at these scrolls as *spoilers* but I love knowing what I'm looking forward to as I unwrap all the precious packages.  I don't hate on anyone who waits until the box is empty to read the literature.  

Can I tell you just how sweet the confetti is?  It's enough to be adorable without being annoying.  Black tissue paper and pink butterflies.  Even the sticker she chose to close the tissue paper is on point.

     The Magical Druid- Goddess Altar Plaque: This plaque was the first item in the top of the box and I'll admit, a hard boiled Pagan I've seen a lot of items listed as "Goddess..." and this was great.  Thin enough to be a great altar item.  Thick enough that I won't worry about damaging it by using it.  I love that they left the wood raw.  I've been a wood worker for twenty something years and adore the way open wood smells, as well as how it wears when left to its own devices.  The Magical Druid has truly outdone themselves.  You can find their work here.

     The Vitality Enchanted Candle- Nui Cobalt Designs: I love the quality of beeswax that Nui Cobalt Designs uses.  One of the main reasons I use beeswax candles (when I do) is because I adore the warm smell.  "This vivacious candle has a lust for life." I can't wait to put that lust for life to work for me.  

     Nui Cobalt Designs- Handcrafted Mojo bag for Renewal.  "...to restore vitality, banish malaise, and empower you to start fresh." Not only does this mojo bag smell great, it's beautiful.  My mojo bags are never this pretty, LOL.  I'll be happy to use this one and won't think twice if I accidentally pull this one out while digging in my pockets.  The teal matches the paper and general theme, but it's also decorative enough that most people won't give it a second look, unless it's to remark on the delicate design on the bag.

     Honeyrun Farms- Spring Harvest Honey: I own a tea shop.  As a result I've become a honey snob. /grin  This honey is so light in flavor and texture it dissolved into my morning cup of tea, perfectly.  It's a raw honey and I was pleasantly surprised at the taste / texture difference from my local bee farm honey. I'll be buying from them in the future. 

     Villainess Soaps- Ostara limited edition soap. Smells like warm, wet grass and blueberries.  I love it.  The scent is nice enough that I am looking forward to my next shower.  I like that Villianess' soap texture is hard enough that it doesn't melt in the shower.  I have a soap caddy with drain holes in it.  It sits about head height, so it is out of the spray.  

      Boline Apothecary- Flying Trapeze Balm. "If it heals the hands of trapeze artists, imagine what it can do for you."  It's the end of the winter season, and my hands are chapped and raw.  I applied just enough to get a feel for it while digging though the box of wonders.  I'm impressed.  Will see how it wears though the day.  I'm writing an encyclopedia of magical aromatherapy, so I wash my hands more often than not. 

      Coastside Conjure- Mercury Retrograde Oil. Best for last! I was really excited to see this on the list when I glanced at the enclosed scroll.  You see, this oil and I have a history.  In December, I had a tea party with Shelley of Crystals, Candles and Cauldrons in Hampden, MD. While chatting during a lull in the shop Shelley introduced me to this incredible oil by saying, "OMG, you HAVE to smell this."  Perfumes, smells and the like are my jam. (You may have noticed.) I scurried over like a squirrel to a fresh bag of peanuts.  It smelled good enough that we both anointed ourselves on the spot.  It smells like lemongrass, lavender and a hint of chamomile.  I came home and bought the first bottle I could get my hands on.  Having a second bottle on hand makes me feel better about the upcoming Rx period.  /wink

Edited to Add: Arcana Wildcraft: Ostara Oil

     Think back to when you were a kid.  Spring had its own smell of course.  Ostara was in a class by itself.  It wasn't warm enough in the Northeast to really smell like spring yet.  The mud had barely enough time to thaw.  Ostara's smell is captured beautifully in this oil offering by Arcana Wildcraft.  The smell of soggy ground, herbs and a hint of the fruit of spring-to-come. Blueberry and rosemary with a hint of spring greens.  I'll be using this in workings to evoke the new beginnings embodied in spring and Ostara's promise for the future.  

     

Exciting News!

Exciting News

     I just received my signed paper copy of my contract, so I'm official. I'm now under contract with Red Wheel / Weiser as the author of the forthcoming, "Encyclopedia of Magical Aromatherapy".

Magic Tea Sample Packs!

Needful Things--Themed Pouches

http://blackthornhoodooblends.com/products/3needful-things 

     Themed Mini Panacea Pouches designed to fit a specific need.  Simply choose the need you have and you'll get a box with three sample sized tins, designed to help different goals.  Just spoon, brew, and enjoy! Price Includes Shipping! 

Themes- 

* New Home- Peaceful Home, Helping Hand and Fiery Wall of Protection

* New Job- Money Draw, Triple Fast Luck, Crown of Success

* Love Drawing- Adam and Eve, Come to Me, Follow me Boy

* Money, Honey- Money Draw, Helping Hand, Road Opener

*Major Mojo- Fiery Wall of Protection (protection, Florida Water (cleansing), Run Devil Run (banishing).

* Psychic Eye- All Seeing Eye, Tarot Time, Meditation

* Comfort- Black Magic, Cry on my shoulder, White Magic

* Office Warrior- Run Devil Run, Gossip Stop, Hex Breaking

* New Beginnings- Beltane, Crown of Success, Florida Water

* Healing Mojo- Helping Hand, Holy Spirit, Go the **** to Sleep

These packages come as described.  No substitutions will be allowed.  If you'd like to choose your own teas, please refer to either of the Panacea Pouches. 

These teas are designed to be enjoyed.  No efficacy guarantee is implied or inferred.