Thoth Tarot: Balance, Allowing and The Queen of Swords

Over the years with my fascination for runes, I’ve collected images and descriptions typically associated with Witch Runes. Sets consist of varying amounts and I’ve collected them all and have come up with fourteen. A witch typically crafts her own runes. I usually make them from the branches of various trees that grow around my home. The pictures below are from one of the first sets of stone runes I crafted. I typically don’t use stone because I can’t carve them the way I can with wood. So other than this one and another Elder Futhark set I made from some flat stones I found on the beach, I typically purchase my stone rune sets.

∞

Sun: growth, happiness, expansiveness, strength, clarity, success, progress, masculine energy, vitality, dynamic, new beginnings, presence, Sabbat ritual

The Sun is a rune of positive energy and expansive growth. Clarity is also at hand, whether it be a clear path toward a positive end, clarity of thought, or perhaps something hidden is being revealed. Happiness should prevail at this time. Use this rune in magickal workings of increase.

Rings: relationships, attract love, bonds, connections, marriage, contracts, social groups, reunion,

material possessions

This rune is about connections and how they unfold. When this rune is drawn, we need to be mindful of our relationships with others. Are we moving in unison or are we experiencing some issues with that process? Are we attracting what we want in our relationships? Are we expressing love in a positive manner to then attract to us? In other words, are we using the Law of Attraction to our advantage? Used in ritual or magickal workings, the Rings can help bind together in positive and productive manner.

Flight: awareness, awakening, psychic ability, movement, unexpected visits, news, travel by air, progress, communication

Flight covers several types of thought-expression. It can indicate movement with respect to travel, news received, or perhaps you may have an unexpected encounter or visit with someone. In the nonphysical sense of thought-expression, we may experience an awakening of some kind or an increase in our empathic or psychic awareness. Flight indicates a need to be aware. Flight can be used in meditation or trancework to increase nonphysical awareness.

Ear of Corn: growth, change, unexpected news

The convergence of all in physical form. That’s what it takes for something to grow. It needs all Elemental energies and qualities to become. The Ear of Corn is about the blending of energies to create something new and can be used on the altar during magickal workings for that purpose. In that process of creation, we may experience unexpected results and we need to understand that we cannot control everything around us. Watch a garden grow. Can you predict every outcome? Can you control every outcome? Or do other energies contribute to the outcome of that growth?

Crossed Spears: arguments, opposition, frustration, stagnation, no results, challenges ahead, misunderstandings, need to make a decision

Lots of things happening around us, some of which may be hidden from view. We need to ignore the chaos surrounding us. It’s time to center, align, see through Source Vision, and then know the way forward. Place on the altar for ritual or magickal workings involving vision and revelation, or keep in a pocket when dealing with chaotic situations as a focus for alignment.

The Eye: vision, realization, awareness, clarity, transformation, psychic ability, protection

Awareness is available if you choose to see. The way forward is clear and transformation is at hand. You are protected at this time by loving energies. Go within and know. A particularly intuitive rune for magickal workings, place or draw the Eye on the altar or talisman to aid clarity.

Harvest: abundance, harvest, prosperity, money, positive growth, benefits, reap what we sow, on the right path, responsibility, don’t become complacent

As progress is made, remain engaged in the process. Harvest is a continuous, cyclical process of flow and ebb. Appreciate both aspects and own your result. In ritual, Harvest can be placed on the altar in gratitude for or in anticipation of a productive harvest or outcome of some kind. In magickal workings, it can be used to bring about prosperity and growth.

Man: catalytic, male figure, strength, vitality, gods, courage, perseverance, war, chaos, action, challenge, resources, increase, instability

This rune represents energy that is catalytic and projective. It either tells us of our inner strength or strength that is needed, or may represent a male figure in your life. There may be chaos surrounding you at this time. Courage and steadfastess is required. Assertiveness need not always be outwardly-focused. Quiet perseverance may be all that’s needed. In magickal workings, Man may be used as a catalyst in some form, or as a sending rune in the same manner as Fehu from the Elder Futhark.

Moon: subtle, long-term change, feminine energy, transitions, emotions, instability, impulsive action, secret actions, magick, Esbat ritual

The Moon brings receptive energy to the forefront. Subtley is the key when this rune is drawn. Avoid impulsive action at this time for emotions may be high. There may be manipulation from others in play, hidden from your view. Used in magickal workings, the Moon can illuminate what’s hidden. The Moon also indicates the transitory nature of our lives. Change is as much a given as the Moon’s effect upon the tides. We must learn to move effortlessly, through and around change, in loving non-resistance.

The Scythe: breaks curses, hexes or bad luck, dissolving a relationship, endings, danger, death, something needs ending, swift change, caution

Useful to include in binding spells as well as with more definitive magickal workings, the Scythe brings swift change to any endeavor. When drawn in a reading, it may indicate that a relationship is either ending, or needs changing in some significant way. At any rate, center, align, and know is the rule of this rune, because moving forward in truth is essential at this time.

The Star: desire, wishing, attract fortune, hopes, destiny, faith, ideals, inspiration, opportunity, unattainable love

As children we learn about wishing upon a star. The Star represents our hopes and desires. In a reading it may indicate opportunity ahead of some kind. It also may mean that we need to remember to live our ideals. It’s when we’re aligned with our true purpose that we can achieve anything. The Star reminds us to embrace who we truly are. In magickal workings, the Star may be used to strenthen our magickal will and knowing.

Wave: travel by water, friendship, family, relationships, intuition, spirituality, transformation, inner essence, emotion, illusion

Another rune of movement, the Wave reflects Elemental Water. It reflects the spiritual transformation of Self as well as how we relate to others. When drawn in a reading, the Wave indicates that our intuition and knowing can discern truth from illusion. In magickal workings, the Wave can be used to hold the intention of clarity.

Woman: female figure, divine feminine, Goddess invocation, birth, fertility, nurturing, healing, Motherhood, relationships, birth of something new

Woman, the rune of Goddess blessing and energy, representing the Divine Feminine in physical form. This rune can be placed on the altar for such magickal workings involving blessings, fertility, or healing. In a reading, the Woman appearing suggests nurturing is either available or needed, or may indicate a nurturing female presence in your life.

Some refer to this rune as the Blank rune. But it’s not blank and the symbol represents alignment to me, so I prefer its other name, Black Rune. This rune indicates that alignment is needed to gain clarity over a situation. We really need to see with Source Vision when this rune appears. What we see as the world is an expression of collective thought or consciousness. If we understand that a nightmare isn’t real, how is it that we don’t give the same meaning to the world around us? If it’s all a projection of collective thought, then we can see it any way we choose. We give everything around us the meaning it has. When this rune is drawn, it tells us to center, align with our Source Energy, and see with Source Vision. It’s the ONLY way out of the abyss. Hold this rune while in meditation or trancework and feel its energy of alignment.

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RuneName &
 MeaningIndicates or
 RepresentsMagickal 
 ApplicationsElement &
 NatureTarotColorStone &
 Tree

Fehu
 Cattle/wealthwealth, motivation, abundance, life force, manifests productive energymanifest psychic energy, sending rune, has positive effect on surrounding runes, hastens things along, strengthens any runescriptFire
 feminine
 The Tower
 High Priestessgold
 redamber
 birch, flax, alder

Uruz
 aurochs, strengththe rune of changes, endurance, courage, energy shaping matter, focus into form, draw something to you, remove self-doubt and obstaclesEarth
 masculineHierophant/High Priest, The Tower, High Priestessbrownish green
 tiger eye, hawk eye
 oak

Thurisaz
 giant, chaosnew beginnings, catalytic situation, catalyzes changes, neutralizes opposition, what opposes youweather working, love magick, protection, defenseFire
 masculineEmperor/Lordredhematite, agate, bloodstone, oak, hawthorn

Ansuz
 Odin’s Rune
 primal soundcommunication, confidence, wisdom gained, spiritual consciousness, Mind rune, clarityincrease magickal energies, eloquence, past life regression, channel Higher SelfAir
 Triple GodFool, Hierophant/High Priest, Hermit, Deathdark bluelapis lazuli
 hazel, ash

Raidho
 journey
 ridephysical/spiritual journey, rhythmic motion, harmony of purpose, travel, process is goalbalance unstable situations, astral travel, alignment with Higher Self, directs energy in specific manner,Air
 masculineSun, Hierophant/High Priestbright redtourquoise, oak, holly

Kenaz
 Fire, Torch, LightRune of Openings, healing, love, passion, reveals secrets, enlightment, purificationspells for clarity and awakening, strengthens any runescript, awakens creativity and intuitionFire
 feminineMoon, Wheel of Fortune, Chariotlight red, orangeamber, flint, fire agate, smoky quartz

Gebo
 GiftWhat will be given to you, balanced energy exchange, marriage, partnership, equilibriumcreate an link between forces, fertility, marriage spells, increase magickal powersAir/Water
 feminineHigh Priestess, Loversblue, emeraldemerald, jade, ash, apple, heartsease, elm

Wunjo
 JoyThe Wish Rune, harmony, contentment, like mindedness, peace, sensuality, empathygoverns bindrune creation, attract a partner, seductionEarth
 masculineHierophant/High Priest, Strength/Adjustmentyellow, purple, greenrose quartz, topaz, flax, ivy, bramble, ash

Hagalaz
 Hailpositive result, working within a fixed framework, the Witch rune, disruption in preparation for change, protection, luck, crystallizes life patternNorn rune — past — Urdh, marriage blessing, banishing, shamanic passage & hedgeriding, turns away storms, bring down a feverWater, Ice
 Triple Goddess, feminineEmperor/Lord, World/Universe, Devil/Cernunnoslight bluejet, crystal, ash, nightshade, elder, yew

Nauthiz
 Needlink between forces of destiny, overcoming distress, achieving goals, positive change in storeNorn Rune — future — Skuld, love magick, binding spells, banishing, cleansing, shaping outcomesFire
 feminineDeath, Tower, The Devil/Cernunnosblackobsidian, alder, rowan, beech

Isa
 Ice, inertiastandstill, situations on hold, development of will, inward focus, clarity, focusNorn Rune — Static realm — Verdandi, halt unwanted forces, blocking rune, clarity, concentrated will, weather magick, shieldingwater, Ice
 feminineJustice/Lust, Hermit, Hanged Manwhite, blackdiamond, henbane, alder, beech, blackthorn

Jera
 Yearbrings events to pass, legal matters, fertility, rune of transformation and balance, luck, gardening, relationship energy alignmenttransformation, gardening rune, move energy, invoke changeEarth
 feminineJustice/Lust, Foollight blue, green, redmoss agate, rosemary, oak

Eihwaz
 Yewrune of paradox, connection between opposites, attaining one’s objective, strength, prevents self-destructive behaviortrance work, link between realms, axis of transforming magickal energy, banishing, protection, survivalAll
 masculineDevil/Cernunnos, Hangman, Chariot, Deathdark blue, light greensmoky quartz, hemlock, mandrake, beech, yew

Perthro
 Chance, cup for throwing lotsmystery of fate, the womb, evolving ideas, childbirth rune, unknown or Wyrd, cause/effect, power of Norns to decide fate health, healing, finding lost things, divinationWater
 feminineTower, Wheel of Fortuneblack, white, red, purpleonyx, aconite, elder, yew, beech

Algiz
 Elk, protectionprotection, BiFrost bridge, connection between physical/nonphysical realms, Guardian rune of higher consciousness, friendshipincrease magickal field around you, protectionAir/Fire/Water
 masculineLovers,The Moongold, silver/blueblack tourmaline, angelica, rowan, yew

Sowilo
 Sunwhat guides you, Rune of Higher Self, illumination, self-confidence & guidance, victory, spiritual energy & strengthstrengthens other workings, journeying, strenthens magickal willFire
 feminineJudgment/Aeon/Rebirth, Sun, Temperance/Art/The Fferylltwhite, goldsunstone, mistletoe, juniper

Tiwaz
 Warrior, Justicevictory, might for right, competition, confidence, ardent male, high ideals, justice, order, oaths, promises, what must beused in a bindrune for legal matters, vicgtoryAir
 masculineEmperor/Lord, Justice/Lust, Strength/Adjustment, Star, World/Universered, crimsonsage, monkshood, oak, bloodstone, hematite

Berkano
 birch, fertilityfertility, family, protection, ideas coming to fruition, motherhood, new beginningshealing spells, invoke Gaia energies, protection, fertilityEarth
 feminineMagician/Magus, Empress/Ladygreen, whiteamber, jet, birch

Ehwaz
 Momentum, Intuitive Bondsafe travel, abrubt change, partnership, marriage, movement over obstacles, transportation, witchcraft, Sleipnerfeminine magick, Seidr, Merkaba, astral travel, spells invoking swift change, Sleipner for journeying to HelWater
 feminine/masculineLovers, Sun, Chariotorange, red, whitetourquoise, ragwort, alder, oak, ash

Mannaz
 humanityunion of body/mind/spirit, rational mind, humanity, partnership, thought rune increasing intelligence, Rune of Mani, individual’s part in society, social integrationgain assistance from others, psychic harmonyAir
 masculineMagician/Magus, Hanged Manred, white, greenamethyst, elm, holly, ash

Laguz
 waterintuition, imagination, clairsentience, strong assertive female, rune of the occult, dream realm, step back and wait for clarity before actingintuition, clairsentience, gather energies, drawing down Moon energy, used to cast out for magickal energies, invoke sleep/happy dreams, dreamwork.Water
 feminineJustice/Lust, Moon, Stargreen, pale blue greenmalachite, willow, leek

Inguz
 Seedpotential, male energy, contemplation, fertility, sexuality, conception, gardening, focus, centering, desire within, male counterpart to Berkano, genetic inheritanceerotic spells, awaken masculine fertility, calm domestic difficulty, use to release energy suddenly, and to prevent energy drain at end of runescript, concentrates inner focus, invokes desire withinEarth, Water
 masculineEmperor/Lord, Judgment/Aeon/Rebirth, World/Universeyellowivory, boggart stone, apple

Othala
 Kinship, ancestral landcommunity issues, family, kinship, inheritance, ancestry, Rune of Sacred Space, tradition, balance between order/chaos, Crone health, protecting possessions, spells for balance and protection, prosperity, opening to Akash, sacred spaceEarth
 masculineHigh Priestess, Empress/Lady, Moonyellow, gold, greenpetrified wood, oak, hawthorn

Dagaz
 Dayenlightenment, end of one phase/beginning of new, increase, awakening, all doors openalignment, center of energy, invoke perfection, clarity, witch as balance and resonance, use to begin/end rituals, the inbetween, rune of present momentFire/Air/WaterMagician/Magus, Hierophant/High Priest, Temperance/Art/The Fferylltlight bluefluorite, spruce, clary sage, St. John’s Wort

Must Haves..

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I plan to talk about my experiences with energy healing on this page. I’ll probably nest some posts I’ve already done as well.

Also, on the side panel to the right is a section for Reiki Distance Healing requests. Please feel free to add your name to my offering of daily Reiki. I don’t keep a list of people who submit their names. I just use it as a focus for a general Reiki offering. I’m not going to contact anyone, nor do I keep a copy of the email. I thought it could be a way for others to set an intention to tune in when I invoke Reiki. So please don’t hesitate to add your name. Reiki is such a blessing, and it’s one that I freely extend to all.

Stay tuned and Reiki blessings to all!

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I love herbal oils. They’re simple to make. I use the Simpler’s method, by adding about 2/3 herb to a jar and cover up to the top with my oil of choice. If I’m using fresh herb, then I wilt them a little to get some of the water content out of them before pouring oil over them. Water content of fresh plants can dilute the strength of the infused oil. It can do the same with alcohol tinctures so I use Clear Springs when tincturing fresh herbs to offset any water content they might still have. I can always dilute with water or glycerin later to reduce the alcohol to a more manageable level. If I’m using dried herb, I tincture with 100 proof vodka. I should probably put that on the tincture page when I make one.

Neuralgia Oil

I made this oil by researching neuralgia. I sort of have it in my feet because of constant swelling over the course of thirteen years from RA. St. John’s Wort and Vervain as nervines, act on the nervous system to control pain. Mullein flower deals with pain and inflammation. So, I put equal parts in a jar and covered them with grapeseed oil. Grapeseed is delicate and light and it absorbs into the skin well. I put the jar out in my sand bucket that I use in the summer for my infusions.

Some folks say to put it in a dark cupboard, but I like the solar infusion method instead. I try to remember to shake the jar every day. I typically have several infusions going at once so with them all in the same sand bucket, there’s a better than average chance that I’ll remember to shake them.

Anyway, the oil should sit there for a month or so, then strain it. Now, for the salve:

Neuralgia Oil Salve

Salves are ridiculously simple to make. Heat a cup of herbal oil. Add 1/4 cup beeswax. I use beeswax pearls instead of the slabs. I don’t like grating the slabs or even trying to cut the smaller ones. Eventually, my bees will let me have some of their beeswax, but we’re not there yet. Until then, I buy and use the pearls. They melt easily and it’s simple to measure them out.

When the beeswax is melted, do a spoon test. Dip a spoon into the mixture, taking out a small amount on the spoon. Put it in the refrigerator and if in 1–2 minutes it’s the consistency you like, then you’re good to go. Otherwise, either add a little oil, or add more beeswax. While you’re waiting, add a few drops of essential oil if you like.

When you’re happy with the consistency of the spoon test, then pour your oil mixture into containers. I like small round tins, but small jars work too. I get some of my jars in the canning section of the grocery store, and my tins and amber dropper bottles from Specialty Bottle. They have really cool stuff and it’s reasonably priced. And, where I live, it’s only a day away with ground shipping.

St. John’s Wort/Arnica Oil

Another oil for my RA..it’s great for pain and inflammation. St. John’s Wort and Arnica are wonderful infused into grapeseed oil. Almond oil is another oil that can be used. Apricot is another light feeling oil which absorbs into the skin well. I don’t like greasy oils that don’t absorb in. It’s one reason I don’t care for olive oil as well as grapeseed, although medicinally, it’s probably the best oil to use.

I blended equal amounts of St. John’s Wort and Arnica and filled 2/3 of the jar, covering it with grapeseed oil up to the top. Again, I shook it daily (okay, not daily) and set it out in the sand bucket for a month. It’s lovely, and the oil seems to help the pain I have in my elbow, but I haven’t made any salve yet, which I should definitely do.

General Herbal Oil for Salve

So this is what happens when I walk around my property. I begin gathering herbs. I can’t help myself. And then I bring them back and I infuse or tincture them into something. One afternoon, this is what I gathered:

• calendula flower — good for rashes, promotes cell repair/growth, and heals wounds
• comfrey leaf — heals tissue
• mullein leaf/flower — bruising and pain
• dandelion leaf/root — joint pain
• plantain — draws toxicity, sooths inflamed tissue

I used almond oil for the menstruum, again fresh wilting the herbs to reduce their water content, then put them in a jar two-thirds full, and then covered the herbs with almond oil up to the top. I put it in the sand bucket with the other oils so that they can all wait together for me to remember to shake them. A month or so later I strained and bottled it. I haven’t made the salve yet.

So that’s enough for now..I’ll post some more later..

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The thing about teas..

Some herbs are infused, some are decocted. Roots are decocted. There are several ways to do this, but I put them in a quart of cold water and then bring to boil on low heat. Yes, it takes a while, but you should watch it anyway so it doesn’t get carried away on its way to boiling. When it starts to boil, drop the temp down so that it simmers for typically 20 minutes or so, but don’t worry if it goes longer. Longer is stronger, so there’s that.

Infusions are for more fragile herbs and some roots with high volatile oil content such as valerian and goldenseal. I pour boiling water over the herbs in a mason jar and then put the lid on tight, letting it steep for 15 minutes or so. Again, if it’s longer that’s fine.

Now, some of my teas are a combination of herbs as with the first tea listed. I decoct first, then remove the mixture from heat to infuse the remainder.

Teas can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days, but mine never last that long.

~Blessings to all!

Menopause Support Tea

Might as well put this one first..I made it into a tincture as well.

• 2 T black cohosh root emmenagogue, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, alterative, nervine
• 2 T licorice root expectorant, demulcent, emollient
• 2 T dong quai root uterine tonic, antispasmodic, alterative
• 2 T St. John’s Wort aromatic, nervine, astringent, resolvent, sedative, diuretic, vulnerary

Roots are decocted, not infused (except for valerian and goldenseal). So, add the root herbs to a quart of cold water in a covered pan on low. Bring to a boil slowly, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and infuse the St. John’s Wort by adding it to the hot decocted mixture. Re-cover the pan, leaving it off the element, and let infuse for 15 minutes or more. Strain and drink.

This helped my hot flashes somewhat. And it tastes wonderful!

Lemon Balm Tea

• 2 T lemon balm diaphoretic, calmative, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenaogue, stomachic
• 1 T chamomile tonic, stomachic. anodyne, antispasmodic, stimulant, bitter, aromatic
• 1 T spearmint stimulant, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, aromatic, carminative, nervine, anti-emetic
• stevia sweetener

Infuse into 1 quart of boiling water, steeping for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain and drink

Crone Tonic Tea

• 1 T oatstraw
• 1 T horsetail
• 1 T nettle leaf
• 1 T red clover
• 1.5 T motherwort

I made this on my 58th birthday..

Infuse into a quart of boiling water, steeping for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain and drink.

Feminine Divine

• 1 T spearmint healing
• 1 T lemon balm healing, Feminine Divine
• 1 T holy basil Spirit, Fire, purification, Feminine Divine
• 1 T chamomile purification, healing, Water, Feminine Divine
• 1/2 T dandelion leaf divination
• 1/2 T mugwort strength, protection, psychic powers, astral travel, hedgeriding

I love this tea. I make it in bulk, so feel free to adjust the amounts any way you want.

Infuse herbs together into a quart of boiling water, letting steep for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain and drink. If making it ahead, add about a tablespoon of herb to a cup of boiling water. It’s wonderful!

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I wanted to create a page for some herbal teas and salves I’ve created. Then I decided to nest some pages beneath this one. That way, it will be easier to organize everything. I’ll have a pages for teas, oils, salves, tinctures, and some cannabis preparations. I’ll add recipes and formulas from time to time. I tend to free-wheel things a bit when I’m creating a tea or an oil. I keep track of what I use, and then if I like it, I write it down for posterity. I’ll include magickal properties if I know or can find them, as well as medicinal properties of the herbs.

I think the best teas are created by walking around my property, gathering various herbs that I see, and bringing them back to brew a cup to sip and enjoy. I might gather a little spearmint, followed by some chamomile, a little holy basil added in, along with a pinch of lemon balm. I might add a stevia leaf for natural sweetness, gathering everything to take back to my kitchen where my favorite cup awaits. I steep the herbs, and when done, I sit back and enjoy a lovely cup of tea. It’s the interaction with the herbs that brings the magick. It’s gathering with love and respect these wonderful life-affirming herbs and drinking in their essence that heals and nourishes our body and our spirit.

So check back from time to time. I’m going to figure out a way to list the pages on the widget side of the blog. I’ll be adding more recipes and formulas as I create them. If I find something I like from another herbalist, I’ll include that too, with a link back to their blog or website, or wherever I find it.

~Herbal Blessings!

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