Monday, July 29, 2019

House Blessing/Smudge Box DIY


My very good friend and old roommate Kristina bought a new place and wanted to 
cleanse her house of any odd spirits and negativity. 
She found a smudge box on Amazon for $25.93 and asked if I thought
what it offered was worth the price. 
The package includes:
  • 1 natural Abalone shell
  • 1 wooden display stand (to hold shell)
  • 1 gray feather (states its traditional for smudging)
  • 1 Kokopelli good luck key-chain
  • 2 White Sage sticks
  • 3 Palo Santo sticks 

Even though the smudge kit may come at a moderate price 
(especially when you think about purchasing all of these items separately it adds up!), 
Kristina preferred a more authentic kit that I could put together in New Orleans
known for its witchcraft, Voodoo, and Hoodoo. 

So I went shopping in my altar supply box at home and in the French Quarter.
The items I did not have on hand I searched through many stores for the best price.
I went to the usual places I frequent like Hex, Nola Rock Co.,
& The Artists Market & Bead shop all on Decatur & Barracks St. 
I found some new places like Conjure, Voodoo Authentica, & Boutique Du Vampyre. 
There are many more places that sell the necessary supplies but on this 
day I ventured to these stores:




Here are the items I made or bought in the French Quarter:
  • 1 White Sage stick - $4 (Voodoo Authentica)
  • 1 Palo Santo stick - $2 (Conjure)
  • 1 Mystifying Mints Ouija tin - $5.43 (Reverend Zombie's House)
  • 1 Selenite wand - bought for $5 which was almost a foot long so I cut it in half (very easy to do) = $2.50 (Nola Rock Co. on Royal)
  • 1 black Tourmaline - rough cut $2 (Nola Rock Co. on Decatur)
  • clear Quartz - rough cut $2 (Royal Street Stones)
  • 1 black small altar candle - $1 (previously bought in Salem 2018)
  • 1 brown small altar candle - given as a gift 
  • 3 white tea light candles with herbs & crystals added (on hand)
  • Bay leaf sachet - bought previously on Amazon 
  • Feather stick with added stones/thread - found feathers 
  • Full Moon incense cone sachet - previously bought at Walmart 40ct for $2 & came with metal cone stand 
  • 4 Four Corners jars - glass jars with metal screw tops bought a 12pk  for $6+ at Michaels (with a 40% coupon) 
    • Rice - $0.78 1 lb at Walmart
    • Sea Salt - Hain 21oz. $1.78 at Walmart  
    • Dried Lavender - 5 sachets $1.90 from Wish
    • Dried Sage - from my garden $3+ for the plant at Lowes 
    • Black & yellow wax - from a Halloween tea light candle - 8pk probably $1 
  • 1 Match book - caught during one of many Mardi Gras parades 2019
  • A handful of Salem rocks from Collins Cove bay 2018 
  • Red Brick dust bag - homemade from a brick found under my house
  • Cardboard Day of the Dead skull shaped box - held candles, matchbook, & rocks; Dollar Tree
  • Cardboard rectangle box with magnetic closing lid - held all supplies; Dollar General $2
Total: Around $22 NOT including the Four Corners jars since I made multiple sets (3).

I wrapped most of these items in tissue paper, luckily I received a wonderful deep brown
tissue paper from one of my purchases that day & used it on most of the pieces.  
Salem rocks, a matchbook, & three white tea candles inside the skull shaped box:

  • The white tea candles were placed in an old sauce pot with enough water added to not exceed the side of the candle tin & heated to boiling. 
  • Once most of the wax melted I turned off the stove & let the wax cool somewhere between translucent & opaque wax. 
  • Then added dried lavender, wild yellow flowers, bay leaf pieces, & clear quartz chips (same chips as the ones on the feather stick). 
  • Once the wax hardened, I wrapped each in tissue paper, also hoping they won't melt when shipped.
Altar candles - each candle color has a meaning, the colors I included are black & brown & are perfect for home blessings. Light these candles while performing the Four Corners home blessing or during smudging:
  • black - safety, protection, banish negativity, pride, & shape shifting
  • brown - home blessing, pets, animals, stability, locating lost items
The selenite wand is used in conjunction with the black tourmaline stone for home protection:
  • Selenite (white/clear): good luck, protection, removes energy blocks, & powerful intuition stone & physic awareness. It brings a very protective, yet calming and angelic energy into your home to promote a peaceful space. Selenite crystals also have the ability to quickly unblock any stagnant or stale energy, 
  • Black Tourmaline: protection against negativity = repels & blocks, transforms negative energy into positive. The powerful minerals absorb electromagnetic radiation, which makes it excellent for placing near computers and other electronics. One of the most powerful and effective crystals for anxiety, you'll feel instantly calm and relaxed by holding a stone in each hand.
  • When combined: Selenite greatly magnifies the energy of anything that is placed upon it - Black Tourmaline; this makes a powerhouse protection combo. They have slightly different energy frequencies. Look at Black Tourmaline as the protective shield and Selenite as the guardian angel for your home.
Bay leaf sachet & it's uses:
  • For protection, good fortune, success, strength, purification, healing & psychic powers, 
  • Write a question on the bay leaf, burn it in an open flame, if it crackles & burns brightly the outcome will be positive, if it refuses to burn or smokes the outcome is negative. 
  • Place a leaf under your pillow to induce prophetic dreams, also place between the bottom sheet & your mattress to attract luck while sleeping & a good night's rest. 
  • Place one in each corner of your home to protect all that dwell there.
  • Carry in your pocket to protect yourself against black magic.
The Mystifying Mints Ouija tin: the mints inside are the shape of a planchette (ouija eye) and are quite tasty (I have a tin for myself). Once the tin is empty, use it to place the smoldering Palo Santo or Sage stick in so you'll have a free hand to use the feather stick to waft the smoke into high ceilings. Be careful the hot tin does not burn you. Maybe use a pot holder!



Smudging: 
  • Smudge sticks are used in ceremonies and rituals involving smudging, a practice that involves the burning of certain herbs (white sage, desert sage, cedar, lavender, palo santo sticks, etc.) to create a cleansing smoke bath, which is then used to purify anything from people to ritual and ceremonial space, to tools and objects. Sacred to many cultures, particularly Native Americans. 
  • Sage are burned in smudging ceremonies to drive out evil spirits, negative thoughts and feelings, and to keep negative entities away from areas in which ceremonies take place.
  • White sage is very common, also called salvia apiana, grown in parts of Mexico & California. Can be burned as incense sticks, tied up bundles, or individual dried leaves. Sage has a very strong potent odor similar to earthy tones & mint. 
  • Palo Santo: translates to "Holy wood"  best when used for deep healing and clearing energy. Its benefits include relieving the symptoms of headaches, inflammation, emotional trauma, stress, colds and much more. Palo Santo has a citrus- like scent.



The feather stick contains one seagull tail feather (found in the sand in Long Beach, MS)
and one blue jay tail feather (found in my backyard).
*I determined the origin of each other feather here*
The blue jay feather was hot glued at the base of the seagull feather, I added a metal Rune bead to
the base and wrapped tan thread around the shaft.
Before I finished wrapping the end I glued on pink and green threads (with added quartz crystals)
to the shaft and then wrapped the rest of the tan thread around it, finished the end with hot glue for security. 
The labels were cut from a brown paper bag that I received while shopping.
I made a simple outline tag, added fancy font with a black ballpoint pen, & used an
X-acto knife to cut an X to string the cord through.
Simply tied the label around each wrapped item. 
All wrapped up
I added a rolled up instruction sheet to the box with all of the items included and their purpose. 
This photo was taken before I added instructions on using the red brick dust and the brown candle.
The sheet was made out of the same brown paper bag that was used for the labels. 
Front of instruction sheet
Back of instruction sheet

Everything fit nicely in a cardboard box approximately 8"x5"
After I laid everything down I added crumpled tissue paper to fit in the empty
spaces so the items would not move around during shipping.
Also I plan on updating this when I hear back from Kristina to see if the wax & candles
melted by the time it arrived in Orlando from New Orleans. Hopefully the tissue paper helped!



Saturday, July 13, 2019

July Birthday Presents: Paintings


Well I moved out of my hometown a couple of years ago so sending gifts 
usually means selecting something from Amazon Prime
since the shipping is included but sometimes gifts from online feels impersonal. 
Dollar Tree sells multiple sizes in white canvas (not much bigger than a book).
They conveniently weigh nothing so it only cost about $1 to send each gift. 

Kristina's birthday gift
I don't think I have ever painted anything for Kristina that wasn't a skull or skeleton. 
She always receives an annually late skeleton christmas gift (see past posts)
White background, black skull outline I found online, & black
arrow stamps that I made out of a bent paperclip. 
Black skull outline & paperclip stamps 


Elizabeth's birthday gift
We both share a love for all things Harry Potter 
and this painting has been on my list for some time.
 I researched a couple of youtube videos on Starry Hogwarts to paint my base. 
I like how it turned out but there's always room for improvement. 
Starry Night at Hogwarts 

Monday, May 6, 2019

DIY Herb Drying Pentagram Rack


Supplies:
  • Sticks (find them in your backyard)
  • Cotton twine (Dollar Tree)
  • Something to hang it on: I had a black v-style shelf bracket (don't know the real name) from a previous buy, I believe less than $2. 


The sticks I used were about 20" long. It took my three tries searching in the backyard to find the perfect combo.
I ended up with extra sticks which is what I used for the photo diagram.

Align the sticks in a star position and have them interchange/overlap.

Tie the twine around once, wrap the twine as much as you prefer, and then tie the end and cut the string at the knot.
For the hanging strings, measure out 4-6 strings at equal length (approximately 18 inches) for each point of the star. 
Tie the 4-6 strings together at the end of each star and when finished with all 5 points tie all together towards the middle.
And hang!
Add your herbs!

I used the same Dollar Tree twine to tie the ends of my herbs to dry
On the far left point is dried basil and on the far right point is fresh basil, approximately 2 weeks from fresh to dry (brittle) 

Saturday, April 13, 2019

UPDATE: DIY Spellbook Tea-dyed pages


Well I am starting over on my Stregheria....
The funny [not really] thing is I haven't even completed the first spellbook,
but I decided about half way through that I would make a new one
WITH LESS MISTAKES.
So a lesson I have learned while writing in the first book is that I should not have binded the book (sew in the pages) until I was finished with the artwork/spell writing.
I like to trace beautiful artwork or tough fonts onto the pages from my desktop screen (taken off the stand) but this has proven to be difficult when the book is bound. 
SO, I am starting over. 
Drawing out the pages first then binding the book after.
If I mess up on a page I can throw it out and start over instead of keeping the crappy page in the book or ripping it out (which is not an option in my mind). 
Also I'll be making a new type of cover, not with paper mache but with faux leather from a thrift store.... we'll get to that in a year or two 😁. 


The first step is to dye the spellbook pages with black tea BUT
this time I'm adding in a little extra to the water:
  • 9 black tea bags (at first 5 tea bags weren't dark enough) 
  • 2 chamomile tea bags - for health, peace, luck, money, reversing hexes, & purification 
  • Handful of loose dried lavender - for love, purification, clarity of thought, visions, & wishes   
  • 8-10 bay leaves - for protection, psychic powers, divination, success, granting wishes & good fortune
  • Handful of dried sage - for protection, peace, sacred purification, & consecrating magical tools  


Heat the water to just before boiling & steep the herbs for 20 minutes.
Look at that steam


Set-up your kitchen factory and follow the steps from the previous DIY project (because I don't want to photograph the whole process again 😊) (make sure the tea water is cool)

*Be gentle with the pages when dipping them because they will tear easily
**Dip the page once & hang, once it has dried (about 40 minutes), dip the page again for a darker color
***I bet the tea is drinkable (before factory processed paper was added) but let's just go ahead & state: DON'T DRINK THE WATER!

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Spell book pages from my DIY spell book



A collection of my hand-drawn/written spell book pages.
Most of these spells/tips/information on all-things-witchy came from Pinterest.
I altered some ideas and added ingredients to the spells/sachets.
And there are [many] errors that give it "character".
I've been working on the spell book for over a year (summer 2018) and will keep updating the spell pages as they are completed.

*Might sell this book and start over...because who doesn't have 1+ years of free time?! Kidding, but I still might sell this book and other mini versions of it (another project) in the future.

Currently on page 116 of 146

All of the pages are named so if you're having a hard time finding that Pin on Pinterest just search for it by the Pin name (ctrl+F). 

 First page
My second page (not pictured) is my Table of Contents page.
I wish I left a second "Table of Contents" page right behind this one in case I ran out. 
Also I'm not filling this in until the book is complete.
Some of my pages: 


I had planned on writing on both of the front and back pages but after starting to write with various markers and pens I noticed they bled through the other side.
If you wish to write on both sides try sticking with a school marker (my sheet above in brown marker didn't bleed through). 
Witch tools 
Moon Phases
Moon Magic/Calendar 
Moon Magic

And I messed up (not just once)
When I was drawing out the Pentagram I messed up one the bottom left leg and tried to fix it by adding a criss-cross design to all the legs...ugh
After a couple of days I decided I just couldn't live with it anymore!
So I cut out a circle from my extra dyed paper stash and used a glue stick to cover it up. 
And that's a lot better.   
Pentagram


Finding Feathers
Crystals
Pendulum 
Pendulum board
Crystals: recharge yourself
Incense
Candles
Palm Reading 
Healing Hand
Chakra 
Chakra 
Tarot table of card meanings 
Tarot birth card

Tarot tips & tricks
Tarot: Good morning spread
Tarot: Life advice 
Tarot: Are they the one?
Tarot: Full Moon 
Tarot: Present life explained by past life
Tarot: Bad feeling 
Tarot: Should they be trusted?
Tarot: Whispers of your ancestors 

Tarot: Deathly Hallows 
Witchy Tips: Mint, Walnuts, Eggs
Witchy Tips: Bay leaf uses
Witchy Tips: Basil, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Protection Sachet 
I made the sachet here with more details.
Witchy Tips: Chili Peppers, Almonds, Pine Branch, Rice, Potatoe, Seaweed, Lemon Juice
Cinnamon oil, Cloves, Dressing Candles 
Witchy Tips: Cinnamon oil, Cloves, Dressing Candles 
Witchy Tips: Thyme, Toilet Paper, Sugar, Mint, Thursdays
Sachets & Jars: Protection, Anti-Anxiety, Nightmares
Sachets & Jars: Prosperity, Creativity, Motivation  
Sachets & Jars: Vehicle Protection, Door Protection
Smudging: Sage 
Magical Wood
Spells (I might add a table of contents on the left page) 
Spells cover 
I added "To Enchant Your Pen" on the left of the Spells page. I probably would have added this on the next page after the Spells intro if I had planned better! It still works out on the page before Spells to help when making or writing the spells to come!

Spells: Good times of the day, Days of the week
Spells: To Calm & Center Your Emotions 
Spells: To Improve Psychic Vision 
Spells: To Find a New House
Spells: Home Protection
Spells: Chant for Peace of Mind
Spells: Cleansing Chant
Spells: Sleep Spell
Spells: To Dream of your Soulmate
Spells: Dream Chant 
Spells: Moon cycle 
Spells: Full Moon Wish, Full Moon Enchantment
Spells: Full Moon Wish & Blessing
Spells: New Moon Wishing 
Moon Spell Cookies
Healing Moon Chant
Spells: Jewelry Enchantment 
Spells: Protective Cat Charm
Spells:  Lost Objects
Spells:  Return a Lost Cat 
Spells: Broom, House Blessing
Spells: Release 
Spells: Break-up Cleansing, To End Unwanted Romantic Feelings
Spells: To Heal Heartbreak 
Spells: To Bind a Bully

Spells: To Bind and Heal a Painful Memory

Spells: To Release Negative Energy 

Spells: Banishing Someone

Spells: Depression Banishing 

Spells: To Gain Forgiveness 

Spells: White Magick Revenge 

Spells: Instant Karma Spell

Spells: To Reveal an Unseen Enemy  

This is the very last page in the book. I love this passage and thought it would sum up the spell book nicely.