The sage I planted this spring is ready to harvest so I've been making Sage Bundles. Sage and other herbs, such a red cedar, have been burned by cultures and tribes through out the world for thousands of years. Sage is most often associated with Native American Indians, yet not all tribes participate and the uses may vary, or even be taboo, depending on the time of the year and the tribe's beliefs. |
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Once the herbs are harvested, spread them out on cloth or paper to dry for 24 hours to begin the drying process. I use burlap but newspaper, brown paper or muslin will work. Turn them over several times to begin the drying process
Divide herbs into bundles. Measure pieces of natural colored twine or string 5 or 6 times the length of your bundles. Place the stem end of the sage over the center of the twine and tie a knot, wrapping several times. Cross the string in x patterns as you work up the bundle toward the top of the leaves. Tie securely. Trim the stem ends. Hang the bundles in a dark, dry area and allow to dry thoroughly, about 4 to 6 weeks. When mine are dry, I'll post on additional benefits and how to use them.
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Two days ago I posted about violets, and since then I've been working on a project in honor of this delicate flower. She has such versatility, presence and power. Her impact is really rather remarkable considering she only blooms for a short time each year. This little herb of Venus has influenced history, brought beauty and romance into our lives, and inspired Shakespeare, among others.
Sonnet 99 by William Shakespeare
The forward violet thus did I chide:
Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells,
If not from my love's breath? The purple pride
Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells
In my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed.
The lily I condemned for thy hand,
And buds of marjoram had stol'n thy hair:
The roses fearfully on thorns did stand,
One blushing shame, another white despair;
A third, nor red nor white, had stol'n of both
And to his robbery had annex'd thy breath;
But, for his theft, in pride of all his growth
A vengeful canker eat him up to death.
More flowers I noted, yet I none could see
But sweet or colour it had stol'n from thee.
Sweet thief, whence didst thou steal thy sweet that smells,
If not from my love's breath? The purple pride
Which on thy soft cheek for complexion dwells
In my love's veins thou hast too grossly dyed.
The lily I condemned for thy hand,
And buds of marjoram had stol'n thy hair:
The roses fearfully on thorns did stand,
One blushing shame, another white despair;
A third, nor red nor white, had stol'n of both
And to his robbery had annex'd thy breath;
But, for his theft, in pride of all his growth
A vengeful canker eat him up to death.
More flowers I noted, yet I none could see
But sweet or colour it had stol'n from thee.
All parts of the orange are used to attract love! Fresh blossoms are used in bouquets and baths. Dried blossoms, seeds and dried peels are used in sachets and potpourris. The juice of the orange can be mixed with wine or enjoyed alone to increase love and lust.
The orange is one of the Aquarius zodiac herbs, particularly prized for adding sunshine during a time of year that can be filled with gray days for many of us. In addition, this golden fruit is also prized for attracting wealth and abundance! Love, lust, health, wealth, and abundance - what more could we want?
The orange is one of the Aquarius zodiac herbs, particularly prized for adding sunshine during a time of year that can be filled with gray days for many of us. In addition, this golden fruit is also prized for attracting wealth and abundance! Love, lust, health, wealth, and abundance - what more could we want?
Rosemary symbolizes remembrance and devotion. It ensures constancy, fidelity, loyalty and eternal love. It was one of the first herbs to be used in weddings, first as a strewing herb and later used in bridal bouquets. It is used to beautify, cleanse, and protect.
These delicate little flowers, hiding innocently under their protective leaves, have been reputed to have some serious powers! In a 2003 study by American and German scientists, their fragrance was credited with not only attracting sperm, but causing the little guys to double their speed in hot pursuit! The study. called the "Lily of the Valley Phenomena" was recently declared false, stating that scents have no roll in fertilization.
Nonetheless, the Lily of the Valley has been carried in wedding bouquets to ensure fertility for centuries. The beautiful Kate Middleton carried these exquisite flowers in her bouquet and apparently they were effective! She has given birth to a prince, a princess, and is expecting another, with a rumor of twins, in September 2018!
Personally, I am relieved that the phenomena has been disassociated with fertility. I'm well past the age when that has any appeal and it is a relief to know I can safely wear one of my favorite fragrances with no concern about consequences!
Nonetheless, the Lily of the Valley has been carried in wedding bouquets to ensure fertility for centuries. The beautiful Kate Middleton carried these exquisite flowers in her bouquet and apparently they were effective! She has given birth to a prince, a princess, and is expecting another, with a rumor of twins, in September 2018!
Personally, I am relieved that the phenomena has been disassociated with fertility. I'm well past the age when that has any appeal and it is a relief to know I can safely wear one of my favorite fragrances with no concern about consequences!
As we celebrate Christmas, let's remember the true meaning and hold that spirit in our hearts for everyone. Wishing you all peace, love, a safe journey and a safe and comfortable place to live.
Holly has no rivals as a protective plant! It guards against poisons, evil spirits, lightning, and theft. Carry it with you if you are expecting to see any lions or tigers or bears - oh my! All you have to do is throw it in their direction and they will immediately stop their attack, lie down and take a nap! Handy!
Holly is a masculine plant, an herb of the planet Mars, so men will find it particularly useful in promoting good luck and protecting them from witches!
For centuries, holly, also called Holm, Hover Bush or Bat's Wings, was a pagan plant.The name holly means 'prickly'. After the birth of Christ, it began to be associated with Christianity. One legend states that the holly plant sprang up under the footprints of Jesus. Another states that at one time the berries were white, but after Christ's death, they turned red from the blood he shed for all mankind. The prickly leaves are associated with the crown of thorns, and the white blossoms symbolize purity.
It is one of the most often used greens of the holiday season. Whether you need protection, a splash of color or both, it is an ideal decoration. It will also determine who will rule the house for the coming year. If the leaves are prickly, the man will be in charge, and if it is of a variety with smooth leaves, the woman will rule the home.
Holly is a masculine plant, an herb of the planet Mars, so men will find it particularly useful in promoting good luck and protecting them from witches!
For centuries, holly, also called Holm, Hover Bush or Bat's Wings, was a pagan plant.The name holly means 'prickly'. After the birth of Christ, it began to be associated with Christianity. One legend states that the holly plant sprang up under the footprints of Jesus. Another states that at one time the berries were white, but after Christ's death, they turned red from the blood he shed for all mankind. The prickly leaves are associated with the crown of thorns, and the white blossoms symbolize purity.
It is one of the most often used greens of the holiday season. Whether you need protection, a splash of color or both, it is an ideal decoration. It will also determine who will rule the house for the coming year. If the leaves are prickly, the man will be in charge, and if it is of a variety with smooth leaves, the woman will rule the home.
Ivy is another herb frequently associated with Christmas. It is most often mentioned in association with holly, its male counterpart. Ivy is the feminine, a plant of the planet Saturn.
The three points of ivy remind us of the Holy Trinity. She is an herb of protection and healing, often seen in bridal bouquets, providing good luck, fidelity and health.
The traditional English Christmas carol (carol translates to "a dance of celebration"), The Holly and the Ivy, dates back to 15 or 16th century. It was re-introduced by Cecil J. Sharp (1859-1924) in his collection of hymns and carols, in 1911.
There was a contest between the holly and the ivy to determine which should be the 'best in the hall.' I'll let you decide who took the prize!
The Holly and the Ivy
The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.
Chorus:Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet savior.
Chorus
The holly bears a berry as red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good.
Chorus
The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn.
Chorus
The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all.
The three points of ivy remind us of the Holy Trinity. She is an herb of protection and healing, often seen in bridal bouquets, providing good luck, fidelity and health.
The traditional English Christmas carol (carol translates to "a dance of celebration"), The Holly and the Ivy, dates back to 15 or 16th century. It was re-introduced by Cecil J. Sharp (1859-1924) in his collection of hymns and carols, in 1911.
There was a contest between the holly and the ivy to determine which should be the 'best in the hall.' I'll let you decide who took the prize!
The Holly and the Ivy
The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.
Chorus:Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,The playing of the merry organ, sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom as white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet savior.
Chorus
The holly bears a berry as red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good.
Chorus
The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn.
Chorus
The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all.
Juniper is another of the trees who offered protection to the holy family. After hearing of the birth of a baby destined to be king, Herod issued a command to have all new born baby boys killed. The family fled from the manger. As they were traveling, thunder began to rumble and lightning pierced the sky. They asked the trees to offer them protection, but they refused for fear of Herod's retaliation. The humble little juniper bush bravely offered shelter to the family, and they were safe, warm and dry during the storm. The juniper's reward for its bravery was to remain ever green. To this day, juniper is known for providing shelter from storms and lightning.
"My mission is
to help others see and cherish the beauty,
romance and treasures within and around them
that are often dismissed or completely overlooked."
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Mikell
Mikell is a writer, artist and professional treasure hunter, finding the greatest treasures in the wonderful people who enter her life!
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