All posts tagged: Alchemy

How to Make Four Thieves Vinegar

*All items in Four Thieves Vinegar not pictured Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose Herbal vinegars have been used as medicine since the time of Hippocrates, the father of Western Medicine. Four Thieves Vinegar comes to us from a time when the plague was rampant in Europe, which is also known as the Black Death. It is also known as  Marseilles Vinegar. It is also an old magickal remedy, a protection against evil and the magick of others. It is still commonly used today by modern practitioners. The story behind it involves a band of thieves in the city of Marseilles in the seventeenth century.  Four of these thieves were caught were robbing the sick and the graves of the dead during a plague outbreak, never falling sick themselves. They are said to have covered their bodies and face masks in this herbal vinegar, which we now know contains antibacterial and antiviral properties. When they were caught, they were to be tried and burned at the stake for their crimes. The judges noted that they had an …

Herbal Magickal Baths For Love, Purification + Money!

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose Water has always been a purifier from the beginning of time; it cleanses everything it touches. Water is also a spiritual cleanser, washing away energies that are not our own while purifying both body and spirit. It is the essence of life, releasing psychic blocks, restoring us to balance and harmony. Taking a magickal or ritual bath permits us to open ourselves to higher energies, and those energies we wish to attract to ourselves. The history of the ritual bath is ancient. Many cultures ancient and modern use water as a method of spiritual purification. Ritual bathing was a n important part of Roman, Greek, Middle Eastern, and Japanese societies. The faithful washed themselves before prayer, entering a temple or participating in spiritual activities. The use of water in purification is also used by Muslims washing before prayer, Catholics dipping hands in holy water, Native Americans in the sweat lodge, and some modern Witches before entering the sacred circle. In many magickal faiths and folk magic, the bath often becomes spellwork …

Magickal Uses of Mint

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose Of all the well known culinary herbs, Mint is one of the most versatile. Whether its aromatic foliage is used in cooking, as a deodorizer, teas and drinks, a garden insect repellant, medicinally, or in spellwork, mint lends its own unique magic. There are over 40 species of Mint which hybridize easily, producing infinite variations. Peppermint is in actuality a natural occurring hybrid of spearmint and water mint. As an herb, Mint originates in the Mediterranean and Western Asia, and was cultivated in ancient times by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Egyptians – most notably used in Egyptian and Roman funeral rites. Mints commonly used are: the Chocolate Mint is used in desserts, Spearmint for drinks, Peppermint for drinks & desserts Pineapple Mint for salads, and regular garden mint is used for general cooking. The name Mint comes from Greek mythology, there are many versions of the story but the most popular legend tells us Minthe was originally a nymph, and was seduced by Hades. His wife Persephone, in a fit …

Lavender: It’s History, Use, Lore and Magick

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose “And lavender, whose spikes of azure bloom shall be, ere-while, in arid bundles bound to lurk admist the labours of her loom, and crown her kerchiefs witl mickle rare perfume.” ~William Shenstone, The School Mistress 1742 Lavender is one of the most ancient aromatic herbs, used and cultivated since the beginning of recorded time. Even to modern times, lavender has been valued mostly for the virtue of its fragrance. It is a woody evergreen member of the vast mint family, originating as a native plant of the mountains of the Mediterranean region. Its cultivation and use has spread, but the most common are the English Lavenders. These hardy varieties were brought to England during the Medieval period and are mentioned in the writings of William Shakespeare. There are over 15 different species of lavender and many varieties, each with their own fragrance and color, which can vary  from deep purple, pink, to white. The name lavender has its roots from the latin “lavare’ meaning to wash. It as used in ancient …

How to Do a Spiritual Protection of the Home

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose In another article, spiritual purification for the home was covered, which is different than protection and banishing. Although purification can remove many negative influences, it likely will not do so permanently, and has to be kept up with repeat applications. Protection for the home can be more permanent in nature, and is to be done after the purifications are finished. Protections might include charms, amulets, talismans, floor washes, incense, and living plants. Rather than go into information that is more sophisticated magickally, it is easy for an average person to use herbs and other items in terms of simple folk magick. These protections might include reflecting the evil eye, setting up barriers, repelling negative energy or negating it. The following are suggestions from varying cultures and practices: Iron horseshoes They are though to be luckier when found at the side of the road, but must have been worn by a horse. Some hang them over doors with points up to contain luck to keep wealth in and poverty out, or with …

How To Do a Spiritual House Cleansing

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose I’ve often been asked about changing the energy in a home, and how to spiritually purify it. The trick to having a spiritually calming environment is to treat the home as a temple, a sacred place. Although this article is not about banishing spirits in a home, purification sets the stage for our environment and what we attract in our life. Peace of mind is everything, and it is the foundation of all we do. While we might not have control over our outside environment, our inside environment is something we do have control over. The first thing to do is to physically clean your home. There is no point in spiritually cleaning your house unless this is done first. If your home is attracting any natural pests, these have to be gotten rid of too. Straighten up any clutter as well. Why spiritually cleanse your home? To increase fruition, abundance, luck and to alleviate discord. This is especially important when moving into a new home. The remaining energy and residue …

Meditation for the Rose Moon

Written By: Psychic AlyciaRose June 20th marks the Rose Full Moon of 2016. The full moon in June is also known as the Strawberry or Mead Moon, and falls this year on the cusp of the sign of Cancer, which is ruled by the Moon. The Rose is an ancient symbol of the Goddess. The rose is known as the queen of flowers, is the symbol of beauty of youth, love, joy, silence, and has long been associated with the Mysteries. I wrote the following meditation for a ritual on the Rose Moon for our temple some years ago, and will be included in my book of meditations. May it bring you love, joy and beauty. Each participant should be handed a red rose prior to the mediation.  Pick the best ones, the most lovely of the ones you can find, but not fully opened. Begin by breathing in and out, slowly and purposely, conscious of the air moving within the body. The air begins to turn white with the light of healing energy, moving in through …