Tea Time

Tea Time

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Valerian

Valerian root is well known for its sedative properties and is often taken to promote good sleep. However, it can also ease tension, both physical and emotional. Too much can make you lethargic. It should not be used by kids under 12 years of age. Blue vervain

Another herb associated with easing sleep troubles and calming the nervous system is blue vervain. Research has shown that it can be effective against certain nervous conditions, but it should not used used for long periods of time. Catnip

If you have cats, try stealing their catnip. Cats rarely seem stressed or nervous, perhaps because the herb fights symptoms of anxiety. It can also reduce muscle tension while providing mild stimulation. If your troubles are making it difficult to fall asleep, try catnip in a tea before bedtime. It could also help if your lack of sleep is giving you headaches. Even people with severe anxiety may benefit. Chamomile

Many people reach for chamomile tea to relax. It helps soothe the stomach and decrease mild anxiety. It is one of the herbal remedies that can be given to children, though it is not recommended for prolonged use in anyone. Chamomile and catnip could both stimulate an appetite lost due to stress. In addition to a cup of tea, people can add chamomile to a warm bath for increased relaxation. Lemon balm

Anything with the name “balm” should be soothing, and lemon balm is no exception. Lemon balm acts on the nervous system to make you feel less nervous, anxious or upset. Generally taken in a tea, lemon balm may also reduce headaches. Let it steep up to 15 minutes and use it in a hot or iced tea. Kava

Kava is arguably the best herb for treating moderate to severe anxiety. Many studies have shown its effectiveness for anxiety and stress. Some herbal remedies ease the symptoms of anxiety, but kava might actually reduce anxious thoughts. There are some concerns about the safety of kava, so even though a cup of kava tea probably won’t hurt you, talk to a doctor anyway. Passionflower

People with moderate anxiety who want the benefits of kava without the possible risks can try passionflower tea. Passionflower might help with severe anxiety, but it is recommended for people with a mild to moderate condition. This herb is known to decrease muscle tension and calm nerves. It could also help with headaches and sleep difficulties. Hops

Although a main ingredient in beer, hops are also used in tea and may soothe nervousness and stress. It could also fight insomnia, indigestion and headaches. If your stress level has weakened your immune system and you end up with a fever, hops could also help that too. Green tea

Besides its high antioxidant content, green tea could help you relax because it contains theanine. Research shows that this amino acid promotes alpha waves in the brain, which are linked to relaxation. Green tea does have caffeine though, so if you’re looking to calm down, you may want to try the decaffeinated kind.

Herbs, Trees and Plants Used in Weather Magic

Below is a list of herbs, trees and plants used in weather witching. I’m sure there are plants and herbs that are missing from this list. However the herbs on this list were corroborated by multiple sources which confirmed their use in weather magic. If you know of any other plants, trees or herbs used in weather magic please feel free to add them to this list.

Alder – Raises winds: Turned into whistles to ‘whistle up a wind’

Broom – Thrown into fire to calm winds or thrown into air to raise winds

Cotton – Thrown into fire to bring rain

Ferns – Thrown into fire to bring rain

Garlic – Worn on person to ward off bad weather

Heather – Thrown into fire to bring rain

Henbane – Thrown into water to bring rain

Oak/Acorn – Protects against lightning strikes and bad weather

Pansy – Brings rain and storms: If picked on a sunny day it will bring storms but if picked in early morning while covered in dew it will bring rain.

Rice/Grains/Wheat – Thrown into the air to bring rain

Saffron – Raises winds, Assists with control of the weather

Thistle – Thrown into fire to redirect lightning

Snake Sheds Magical Uses

You could use the shedding of a snake a few ways, Both Good and bad. First, Think of why the snake sheds its skin. They do so, To allow for further growth and to remove parasites that may have attached to their old skin, And to allow the snake to fully grow. 

Now a Witch would interpret this and use this energy to:

Banish unwanted entities

To heal

To bring growth, And change to a situation. 

Think “Out with the Old, In with the new” 

Snakes are also known to be very protective, Sly, And feared. So for these reasons A Witch would use the skin to bring:

Protection

Transformation

Strength

Jinxes

curses and crossings

In Hoodoo practices the skin of a snake can be used to bring good and bad things. On the light side it is used to bring luck, break crossings (hexes) wisdom,  protection, and good fortune especially to Gamblers. And on the darker side it used to hex. To confuse an enemy, to harm them, or to bring rotten luck. 

Herbs/Food/Plants by Purpose

Banishing: Basil, Betel Nut, Black Pepper, Black Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Chamomile, Cactus, Cloves, Dragon’s Blood, Elder, Garlic, Heliotrope, Horehound, Juniper, Morning Glory, Mullein, Mugwort, Oleander, Onion, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Sea Salt, St. John’s Wort, Thyme, Tobacco, Vinegar, Wood Betony, Yarrow Flower

Beauty: Avocado, Beet, Catnip, Chamomile, Evening Primrose, Flax, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, Henna, Lady’s Mantle, Lemon, Lilac, Lucky Hand (Orchid Root), Magnolia, Maidenhair, Myrtle, Orange, Orange Blossom (Neroli), Orchid, Pea, Prune, Rose, Sunflower, Violet, Yerba Santa

Binding: Agrimony, Calamus, Crowfoot, Hydrangea, Ivy, Knotweed, Morning Glory, Skullcap, Snapdragon, Solomon’s Seal, Spiderwort, Vinegar, Witch Hazel

Cleansing/Purification: Angelica, Anise Seeds, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Cedar, Coconut, Dragon’s Blood, Fennel, Fern, Frankincense, Garlic, Ginger, Grapefruit, Guava, Honey, Horehound, Horseradish, Hyssop, Lavender, Lemon, Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena (Vervain), Lime, Marjoram, Melon, Mesquite, Parsley, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Sea Salt, Solomon’s Seal Root, Tangerine, Thyme, Turmeric, Vinegar, Yucca

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