Sunday 2 May 2010

Generic Herb Recipes

Tincture-
1 Part herb or plant material
5 Parts alchahol
Using a mortar and pestle, lightly bruise the chosen plants and place them in a glass jar. Add the alcahol, seal the jar and place it in a dark, warm location. Shake the jar twice a day for 14 days. Strain the liquid into a clear jar, making sure to get the full concentration. Store in a sealed, dark-colored glass bottle in a cool, dark location.
-Shelf life - 18 months to 2 years
(NOTE - The best alcohol for all recipes is 90 proof vodka unless otherwise specified)

Imfusion-
30g dried herbs or 75g fresh herbs
500ml hot water
Pour hot water over the herbs and let sit for 10 mins and strain
Shelf life: none. Shelf life can be stretched to 1 week of teaspoon of vodka is added

Decoction-
30g Dried herb or 75g Fresh herbs
750ml Water
Place the herb in a saucepan and add cool water. Bring to a boil, and then simmer for up to 1 hour until the volume has been reduced by 1/3. Strain.
Shelf life- None. Shelf life can be stretched to 1 week if a teaspoon of vodka is added.

Syrup-
500ml infusion or decoction
500g honey or unrefined sugar
Heat infusion or decoction in a saucepan. Add sugar or honey and stir constantly until dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool and pour into a dark glass bottle. Seal with a cork, as syrups can ferment and may explode of sealed otherwise.

Bug Bite Soother-
1/4 - cup sweet oil
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
5 drops thyme essential oil
6 drops chamomile essential oil
5 drops oregano essential oil or extract
Mix all together and keep in a dark glass bottle

Goddess Morrigan

The Goddess Morrigan is my patron Goddess. So Ive collected all of her invocations and spells into a catigory.
The Warrior Goddess, Morrigan, is symbolized as the raven. The carrion birds who feed on the dead from battle. Her colors are black, red, and green. Morrigan has an understanding of the natural order of life: Things are born, die, and are reborn. Morrigan is always ready for battle, yet is never vindictive and has a keen sense of justice. Call on her if you are in a difficult or stressful relationship, and want out.

Offerings- Ale, Crow/Raven feather, blood (especially menstrual), red meat (raw), and red wine.

Ending a Relationship Charm- Carry a black stone as a talisman and ask Morrigan to borrow strength and courage before confronting your partner about your source of friction. Be sure to make your final decision without thinking twice about it.

Invocation of Morrigan-
Morrigan, Morrigan, three times three,
Hear the words I ask of thee.
Grant me vision, Grant me power,
Cheer me in my darkest hour.
As the night overtakes the day,
Morrigan, Morrigan, light my way.
Morrigan, Morrigan, Raven Queen,
Round and round the Hawthorn green,
Queen of beauty, Queen of Art,
Yours my body, Yours my heart,
All my trust I place in thee,
Morrigan, Morrigan, Be with me.

Hymn to the Morrigan-
O Morrigan, we call your name
Across the dusty years
You speak to us, of blood and lust
You show us all our fears
You are a goddess, old and wise
Of holy power you have no dearth
Beneath your wings, black, red and white,
We learn of death and birth
You walk about, this ancient land,
your hunger raw and clear
You make the crops grow rich and strong,
as well your geese and deer
A flirting maid, a lusty hag,
A mother of great girth:
without the touch, of your black wings,
We cannot heal the Earth
You float upon, a blood red wave,
Of swords and spears and knives
Your voice inspires, fear and dread,
That youll cut short our lives
You try the warriors', courage sore,
Our inner souls unnearth
Without the touch, of your red wings,
We cannot know our worth
You fly above, the sliver clouds,
To Manannan's shining Gate
You lead the dead, along that path,
to meet our final fate.
The joke's on us, we find within,
A land of laughter and mirth
Without the touch, of your black wings,
We cannot have rebirth.

The Morrigan (poem)-
By the Water, By the Fire
Red with blood and feather black,
Comes the Queen of Life and Death,
The Morrigan, The Callieach
By the Fire, By the Water,
Beauty bright and bloody red,
Shrieks the raven's mournful daughter
'Oh my love is dead, is dead'
By the Water, By the Fire
the Mother stands astride the ford
And all the power of man's desire
Shall through Her come to save the world
By the Fire, By the Water
All shall know and all shall dream
Of Madness, Love and True Desire
Ridden by the Faery Queen
By the Water, By the Fire
Valley's formed in passing tread
Great the Lady, World in Making
Leaving mountains in her stead
By the Fire, By the Water
The Phantom Queen doth lift the veil
And walks astride the son and daughter
Ere the steps should falter, fail
By the Water, By the Fire
Strong the curse and weak the foe
A fear that tears the heart asunder
The Broken Man, A Fear Doth Know
By the Fire, By the Water
Veiled far from mortal sight
Enchantress weaving warp and weft
Magic webs of dark and light
By the Water, By the Fire
Horned Cow and Raven black
Shrieking call the bloody Queen
Morrigan! Mother! Callieach!