Hello, my dearest readers! As You can see, I’ve not abandoned the blog, but, to quote the poet, I still haven’t found what I’m looking for. It being a way to add the damn pictures to the posts. I just can’t afford to buy a camera, and my cell phone does not have the function.
So, until I discover some way to make photos, I’m afraid updates will be rather rare, as I can’t imagine a wall of text would be a pleasant way to spend Your precious minutes on. However, I still feel obliged to give you the customary Beltaine blessings, and hope You’ve had a glorious celebration. Mine was… well, there wasn’t any this year, but that’s not important right now. Neither is the strange thing I’ve come to think of as a “relationsheepish anti-agreement”, so I’m not going to mention it. See? No mention at all.
Anyway, (who said that?) there’s this little pest I want to write You about, and I don’t mean the guy. I mean the Red Spider Mite. It’s a very common pest that can be very dangerous to Your plants, as a friend of mine has recently discovered. Following my advice, he bought a small mint plant in a grocery store and potted it for kitchen use. The plant did not do well, the leaves yellowed and changes in watering regimen did not help. Of course, it was infected with the red spider mites.
Now I’m not generally in favour of interfering with the natural order of these things, but keeping plants in pots at home is already quite far away from what’s natural, and actually it is for this reason that the red spider mite is much more dangerous for Your indoor, potted plants than for those that grow outdoors. Besides, there’s not much point in letting Your herbs die, and that’s exactly what will happen if You don’t take action against the damn things. I’ve lost a lovely lavender bush to them once, and it was a gift from my mother, too…
The worst thing is that these insects (or, more specifically, arachnida) are unnoticeable at first glance, and chances are You’ll only start to suspect something once Your plants are very far gone. The mites are tiny, barely visible red specs and keep to the underside of the leaves, constantly draining the sap. If You’re not specifically looking for them, You’ll probably only notice the thin web they weave under the leaves or close to the stem, and by then it’s usually too late. They also migrate from one plant to others nearby, so they can really be a pest. What’s more, practically all fresh herbs I’ve bought in a grocery store had at least a few of them, probably because the manufacturers’ sell them shortly after growth and don’t care if they die after You’ve bought them (or actually hope for just that).
Ironically, once You know they’ve affected Your plant, the red spider mites are fought by the simple means of clean water. That’s right, no need for chemical stuff or complicated nettle and garlic macerates : just rinse the plant thoroughly under a cold shower (in extreme cases, You can use a sponge to wash it using water and soap, I’m not kidding), and then, spray the whole plant with clean water at least once a day. Just make sure You’ve not stopped too soon or the mites’ll breed back.
I’m writing all this now because I bought a second basil plant recently, after a prolonged inspection in the shop, since every plant was infected – finally I had to choose the one that had the least of them and fight the damn things at home. The salesman was very upset by this, probably on general principles since I wasn’t picking leaves or messing up the plants in any other way. When he finally cracked and asked me whether I “hoped to find a husband in there” (strange, I know) I said, “I don’t need a husband. And I don’t need tetranychus urticae, either.” Neither do Your home plants, so check up on them periodically, and blessed be.
It seems my displeasure with the weather was taken into account – it’s even colder today. But we Witches know that the year is round, and the frost has the promise of fire deep within it, as a great author once wrote. So we wait, and do our best to pass the time reasonably and wisely. And we make candles, eat cheese and celebrate the day of Imbolc.
The recipe for the mulled wine will come up in the next few days, although to be honest You already have it all on the greeting card.
It’s Midwinter again – the second I am celebrating by, among other things, writing a post here. I know I’ve been neglecting my readers more than usual lately, and I also know you must be growing tired of constant excuses. So there won’t be any.
Let me just say something that hasn’t been said in here for some time. Hell, I can’t even remember the last time I wrote here and was not, in some way, depressed. It was probably some time around last autumn, although there have been plenty of reasons to feel lousy since. And yet, here I am, all optimistic and eager to finally make something of my life. We’ll see how long this lasts.
And in the meantime, we have the Solstice to celebrate! It’s not as astronomically significant as the last one, but hey, can’t have everything. And the turning of the tide of darkness should always be a moment of joy. Which, of course, can be greatly expanded by right food, company and music.
I can’t promise to upload the recipe today, but I’m celebrating with a carrot cake this year and you will definitely hear about it in near future. Well, if it comes out all right.
So, there’s no pentagrams in the snow, no blood-shedding, just the warmth of candlelight and of the oven. Time for some plans, too, because it’s going to be all uphill from here.
And, as a small solstical bonus for my readers, here’s a ‘recipe’ – really, it does not deserve the term – for cinnamon oil macerate. It’s pretty handy for both solstical baking and prosperity charms.
The weather is lovely and the sun is so beautifully warm You’d hardly believe its Autumn here on the Northern Hemisphere. But it is, and soon, days will get short and light will be grey and cold. There are many ways to counter that, of course, such as tea, music, cocoa or cooking. And candles.
If You haven’t noticed already, I like making candles. Shops nowadays can offer really great candles, with lovely, steady light and practically all colours, but my favourite pillar candles always leave a shell of wax behind that just begs to be used again. And who am I to refuse them? Making Your own candles allows You to add all sorts of fragrances and herbs to them, not to mention the additional advantage of having made something with Your own hands. It’s important, at least for me, to know that I can make things, not just use them.
I’ve already shown how to roll something that resembles the usual table candle. But, as a friend of mine remarked recently, it’s damn hard to make them look good and usually their appearance can’t rival the nice, straight shop candles. So, in order to please her aesthetic sense, we’ve worked out an easy way to make votive and pillar candles without specialised equipment, using… Well, garbage, actually.
What we did was take those cardboard tubes that You get from using up a roll of paper towels or toilet paper, scotch tape and some additional cardboard scraps. Here’s how we went about it :
Wax (in this particular case, an old green candle cut into bits)
Cardboard tube (toilet paper here)
Natural string for the wick
Scotch tape
Double boiler
Scraps of paper and scissors
Home-made cardboard candle mold
We cut a circle of cardboard to close the tube from one end and made a hole in the middle to pass the wick through it. We attached it to the tube using a generous portion of scotch tape to make it as impregnable as possible, since we’d be pouring liquid wax into it. After putting the string in, we tried to seal the hole with scotch tape too, but, as You will see, we sort of failed. Still, some other material such as plasticine or chewing gum should do nicely in this case.
Getting the wick just right
We then cut another piece of cardboard into a cross and made another hole through it. This was used to keep the wick straight and centered from the other end. It’s important, as the wick has to run straight through the middle of the candle or it won’t burn properly and might be dangerous. The wick is put through the hole and the cross arms are folded to keep it all in place.
Like this.
Candle sets in the mold. Note the spilled wax which drips from the wick hole in the bottom.
Once all that is done, the makeshift mold should be put on a safe surface (I used my cooking grate, because it won’t stand straight on a flat space since the wick comes out from the bottom) and the wax, molten in the double boiler, can be poured in. Because I didn’t get the bottom hole sealed properly, I put a piece of paper to protect the table from spilling wax. Far more of it poured out than I’d hoped, but after tearing the cardboard away I still got a nifty little candle.
The homemade mold prototype
If You have it all glued up properly and use a tube from paper towels, for example, You can make lovely, tall pillar candles, straight and smooth. Shorter tubes result in nice stubby fellows that can be used as votives. Of course, You are limited by the tube’s diameter, but this way You can make Your own pillar candles out of practically nothing. (The little “crater” around the wick is normal and the result of setting wax losing its volume and can be filled with a new portion of wax easily but I was too lazy.)
I’ve been neglecting my readers, have I not? Well, there’s not much I have to say to excuse myself, but let me tell You this – I’ve been neglecting a lot of things lately. I didn’t even remember the Equinox was today until a friend reminded me. (Thanks, man!) I was planning to share a recipe for stuffed peppers, but it will have to wait.
Well, the year is round, and Kitchen Witchcraft had made a full circle some time ago. The Autumnal Equinox marks the descent towards darkness, the waning time. But fret not – light will come back again, as it always has. Personally I find much solace in that certainty, as I’m sure I’ve written more than once already. The Autumnal Equinox (on this side of the world, of course. Yes, I know about the existence of Australia) is the time to thank the Earth for all she has given, and let her take her well-earned rest. The gifts of Autumn are bountiful and valuable, but we must use them wisely to let them last for the winter. This is the time to make wine, fruit and vegetable preserves, to dry mushrooms and pickle cucumbers and do all these things that humans invented so that the gifts of the Earth are not wasted.
I was never all that good at making jams, but my Mother is, and she already has. Myself I am probably going to celebrate by preparing an alcoholic tincture of some kind (I’ve just found out that our nalewka is a word used for them abroad as well, and currently awaiting trademark registration) if I have the patience. If not, I’ll pickle some peppers or french beans for the winter. It’s really not all that hard, and I like to think of it as a kitchen ritual that is exemplary of the Kitchen Witchcraft practice – with a spiritual as well as practical meaning.
All You need is a jar big enough to hold the portion You want, water, salt and citric acid. Clean the beans and boil them for a short time (3 minutes are enough). The jars have to be absolutely clean and the lids must fit perfectly. For best results, boil the jars in a big pot just before use. Boil the water with salt and acid, put the hot beans into the jars and pour the brine over them. Screw the lids on tight and put the full jar back into the pot. Boil them for about an hour, then take them out. After 48 hours boil them again for about 40 minutes, and now You have jars of french beans ready for winter.
And traditionally, Kitchen Witchcraft provides You with music for this special day. Have fun, I’m off to celebrate!
I actually did it. I self-published a novella on amazon.com in kindle format. It is not the one I’ve been working on for the last year, though, it’s something else. A lovecraftian bit of haunted house horror I had written on account of being quite a Lovecraft fan.
I’m not expecting huge sales and making a million dollars on it. It’s more of an attempt at determining whether anyone would actually want to read my prose. I’m treating it experimentally, although of course a million dollars would be nice. If you’re interested in the book, it has a website here and can be bought for kindle e-reading devices here. I made the cover design myself, too. It was fun.
It’s a story that aims to maintain some of H.P.L’s original flavour, but refresh some of the more…. lacking areas of his writing. If any of You are familiar with him, You’ll know what I mean.
I would be most grateful for any help in promoting this little folly of mine, but by no means feel obliged to anything. It’s already a big thing that You actually read this blog.
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.
- Midsummer Night’s Dream
The common thyme. Strong, fresh scent, beautiful, small leaves and the resilience of something much bigger and tougher. This ancient herb has been used by many nations throughout the world since antiquity, respected for its antiseptic and preservative qualities that could be profited of by cooks, medics and even embalmers. Even nowadays, many throat remedies are still made of thyme, coltsfoot and marsh mallow, despite all the progress in pharmacology.
Thyme is an easy herb to keep, even in a pot on your windowsill. It likes sunny spots best, but will actually make do anywhere, as long as there’s some direct light. It does not need a lot of water – indeed, too much of it can hurt the plant – and will struggle along even if You forget about it for a week, which makes it a good start for beginner herbalists. Even dried up and brown, the plant will regain almost all of its strength when taken care of.
If You want to have some fresh thyme at home, the best way to go about it is to buy a live plant. Thyme is very difficult to raise from seeds and is usually propagated by cuttings, even by professionals. If You bought a plant and want to put it in a pot, remember that thyme is a survivor ; it has evolved to withstand harsh conditions and those are the ones that suit it best. The most important thing here is to keep the soil well-drained. But don’t worry : just take the intended pot and fill the bottom with a 3 to 4 cm layer of stones (gravel or sea pebbles, anything small) and the rest with soil. This will make Your plant feel right at home.
Thyme can also be used to great effects in gardens, as it really is rather decorative, very resilient and can take severe cold well. An interesting fact is that ants like to make nests among thyme roots, and gardeners have successfully drawn ants away from an undesirable spot by planting thyme bushes somewhere else.
Culinary uses
Because of the strong aroma, thyme herb is a great seasoning for all those dishes that need an extra zing. Meats of all kinds can benefit greatly from being marinated in olive oil and thyme (and will keep longer). It’s a great ingredient for all kinds of salads and casseroles where the taste would otherwise be too bland. The only problem is that the leaves are very small, and if You have a live plant, You’ll have to pick quite a lot of them and it becomes tedious after a while. But that’s hardly a real disadvantage.
Medicinal uses
Thyme is most commonly used as an antiseptic, due to high concentration of essential oils. Most common use for it are throat infections, which can be treated with infusions, thyme oil (it’s hard to make as it has to be distilled twice, so at home best stick to infusions) or some more complicated recipes I will not dwell on right now. It is also used to stimulate the digestive system and can raise blood pressure, although not enough to be any danger to patients suffering from hypertension. Usually. Of course, ultra-high concentration of thyme oil should be avoided by them, but then again, it’s not likely to come across that sort of dose anyway.
Magic uses
In magic, thyme can be used to great effect. Due to the strong and persistent nature of the plant, it can be used in charms to grant courage and resilience. The potent, healthy aroma invigorates the spirit and clears thought similarly to lavender, but with more emphasis on action. Thyme can also be used to ward off nightmares, be it the fresh herb, the dried herb used in a witch bag, or incense. It is definitely worth to keep this small, but noble bush at home.
Theoretic introduction has been done, so it’s time for some practical advice on the matter of herbal tinctures. After all, theory is easy to access these days, but some things You only learn with time.
Since those are alcohol- based brews, they are highly resistant to bacterial contamination. This means they will keep long and, usually, they can be stored in second-hand bottles or jars that have been thoroughly washed by means of preparation. Oil macerates or ointments, on the contrary, need a container that has been at least sterilized by boiling, and even then You’re being casual about it. However, there’s still a few guidelines that should be observed with alcoholic tinctures.
Choosing ingredients
Not every herb lends itself well to alcoholic extraction, so You’re safest when following trusted recipes, as it’s near-impossible to list all cases and exceptions. Not every case will benefit from an alcohol-based remedy, either. It is also very important to choose the ingredients with a specific situation in mind. In magic, this of course means a right herb for a right spell ; in herbalism, the ingredient must be right for the patient. Common mistletoe plant (visci herba) is, for example, often used in remedies for chronic headaches, but given to someone with low arterial pressure it might prove quite disastrous.
Mixing ingredients
When making a tincture from more than one ingredient, remember they can, and will, interact with each other. By no means can You presume that similar herbs (or those with similar properties) can be safely mixed and prepared together. If You have Your heart set on a multi-component tincture, always make sure You that whatever You’re mixing can be put together safely. Again, it’s best to follow recipes that’s been checked and proved fine.
Choosing the alcoholic base
This has proven to be quite a problem for apprentice herbalists, as I know from experience. Most good recipes will give the exact strength needed, so that the maker can achieve the desired effect by careful mixing of spirit and water. However, this depends on the intended use for the tincture : rubbing alcohol can be used for external purposes, but absolutely not if the resulting potion is to be consumed. Rectified spirit (sometimes uncut, sometimes mixed in right proportion with water) is the best bet here, since it can be used for both purposes without problems. If a lower alcoholic percentage is sufficient, clear vodka can be substituted.
Doing it right
Generally, if You have a dependable recipe and are following it, You’ll be good. Some ingredients need to be stored in the dark while infusing, some shouldn’t be exposed to alcohol too long, some need shaking or stirring and some absolutely do not. If You have a recipe that doesn’t specify these details, it might be best to look for one that does, so You know what You’re doing.
A lot of this knowledge will only accumulate over time as You practise the skills required, so remember to keep notes. Still, even with those uncertainties, alcoholic tinctures are by far the easiest herbal preparations to make. Don’t even get me started on ointments.
So, we’re having Spring around. Things are growing, sprouting leaves and all that. Soon, there will be a new supply of fresh herbs for us to use for anything that a Kitchen Witch might want, and this means more or less everything. But fresh herbs are not available forever, which is why herbalism has devised many techniques for preserving them. I’ve already outlined some of those, and today, we’ll explore the subject of alcohol tinctures in more detail.
One of the oldest and simplest tricks in the book, a tincture is a preserve obtained by the simple expedient of putting an ingredient of choice in a receptacle, pouring alcohol over it and waiting. While no particular skills are needed to do this, maybe accept for a steady hand, You will still need considerable knowledge if You are to make an effective and safe herbal tincture: knowing exactly how much alcohol (and what kind) to add, how long to wait and what to apply the result to.
Tinctures can be made of both fresh and dried ingredients with the fresh ones being, naturally, stronger. There are some exceptions, but no need to obsess over them. They are handy for internal use, and there is some backing to the theory of flavoured alcoholic drinks having evolved from medicinal tinctures, especially those intended to cure the digestive system. External use of alcohol-medicines depends on the condition of the patient’s skin, and the ailment in question (thank you, Captain Obvious), but they can be very helpful in that field, too. A tincture of calamus rhizome and certain additional ingredients is extremely effective against dandruff, for example. There’s also a whole range of recipes for obtaining alcoholic beverages that way.
Herbal tinctures are easy to make, inexpensive, and keep well. If You’re a beginner in the field, this is a good way to start.
You know that feeling when You have to do something and You just can’t? Walking around with this obligation hanging over Your head like a damn sword of Damocles, only not as cool and mythic? That’s how I feel all the time. I have no idea why I thought I could write something worthwhile and more than a page long.
Anyway, everybody knows music is good for stress. Or for relieving said stress, it depends on what music You choose. I chose this some time ago and I just can’t stop listening to it.
Odd, that. It just sticks to the mind and never lets go. Even worse when I try to sing it, as You can probably imagine, but I really envy You guys from across the ocean who can see them in person.
