Thor God of thunder, lightning, storms and sacred groves.
Thor is known as a protector who brings strength.
He has a hammer called Mjölnir.
Also associated with trees, agriculture, and has a chariot pulled by goats who he eats and resurrects.
Thursday is actually Thors day as it was named after the God Thor.
Growing up my grand mother would tell me stories of Thor (usually on a thundery day). We would sit with a candle and she would tell me how Thor would weild his magnificent hammer. Stories from mythology and more.
Thor is an honorable and loyal warrior God.
Thor, son of Odin, husband to the fertility Goddess Sif.
The sacred union between Earth mother and Sky God, this divine marriage was celebrated by the vikings.
Aswell as his hammer Mjölnir, Thor has a staff called Gridarvölr, the belt of strength in old norse is megingjarðar and iron gloves called Járngreipr.
Many of the stories around Thor is usually Thor defeating monsters and giants. One of which is the Midguard serpant Jörmungandr.
Thor is said to die at Ragnarök, the end of the world.
A small number of Gods will survive this, to name two are his sons Modi and Magni who inherit Mjölnir.
Thor has always been one of my favorite Gods from my early childhood. Hail Thor.
Morpheus God of dreams. In the arms of Mopheus, literally means to be asleep. Known to have to ability to take any human form. When asleep “in the arms of Morpheus” the dreams are of true and future evens.
Morpheus was the leader of the Oneiroi (Dreams). He and his brothers were the personified spirits of dreams. Phobetor (or Ikelos) created phobic or scary dreams. Phantasus created unreal or phantasmic dreams.
They emerge each night from the palace of Hypnos. Morpheus would pass through the gate of horn “truth” His brother would pass through the gate of Ivory “deceipt”.
It is said that when a person awakes they are reborn. Let us take this day as a new light of life. We are also coming into a full moon on the 7th Blessings to anyone celebrating Weseak. As we ebbe closer to Beltane. All my love and Brightest Blessings
Native American God of healing. He is the Underwater God with the power to see into the furture. He has power to heal the sick and injured. He lends this power to those whom he sees fit.
Kumugwe was known as the master of the seals. Also associated with sealions. He is responsible for the rising and ebbing of the tides, as well as the riches these tides deposit on beaches. He rewarded humans with spirit magic. In Native American tradition there is also a “healing dance”
Quote:
While on the Native American theme today I thought to include this in a post. Quote from… Flat-Iron (Maza Blaska) Oglala Sioux Cheif “From Wakan-Tanka, the great mystery, comes all power. It is from Wakan-Tanka the holy man has wisdom and the power to heal and make holy charms. Man knows that all healing plants are given by Wakan-Tanka, therefore they are holy because it is the gift of Wakan-Tanka”.
He is also the God of protection, warriors, knowledge, magic, fire, prophecy, weather, reincarnation, the arts, initiation, the Sun, regeneration, prosperity and plenty, music and the harp.
His name means “Shining divinity”
Dagda was also the God of the seasons and fertility.
Some of his titles include “Horseman or all father”.
Dagda often carried three sacred relics with him,
His cauldron “coire ansic” that could produce a bountiful feast.
His mighty club/staff “lorg mór”
This had two features first its head had the power to slay nine men in a single swing whereas its handle could revive the slain with but a touch.
Apollo is the God of healing, medicine, protection, prophecy, music, poetry and archery. He was also the God of justice. Twin brother of the Goddess Artemis. Son of Zeus. The healing staff known as the caduceus, was given to Hermes by Apollo. Apollo is known as the God of the Sun. He is depicted as a young man playing an instrument called the kithara. His symbols include a wreath, the raven, branch of larrel, bow, quiver of arrows and golden lyre. Apollo was beloved of the Gods. He is known to have a youthful and athletic appearance. Radiant with grace and beauty. Dolphins and swans are sacred to him
Greek God of medicine and healing, truth and prophecy. Known as Aesculapius in Rome. The art of healing was taught to him by the Centaur Chiron. He used medicines, incantations and aphrodisiacs in aid to healing. You can see him as a constellation in the sky.
Father of the Goddesses Hygia, Panacea, Aceso, Aegle. He also fathered several sons. He stands holding a staff with a snake entwined, this is still used as a sign of healing and medicine today. You may notice Hermes also has this staff.
I will write about a card a day. Upright and Reversed positions, various spreads and how to interpret them.
I start with:
The Fool.
One of the Major Arcana.
Element: Air
Ruling Planet: Uranus
This card is of the Jester, sometimes depicted as a beggar, wearing socks without shoes and in a somewhat ragged appearance. He has a stick that he carries on his back. He has originality as he embarks on a new beginning. At the start of a journey. Innocent and naïve believing in his luck and trusting in the universe. This card is number 0.
Upright Meaning:
New beginnings, Leap of faith
Reversed Meaning:
Being reckless when pursuing a new venture, element of risk, fearlessness
Roses have been used since ancient times, revered for their medicinal properties and loved for their romantic associations.
To zinc with my previous post about the Goddess Aphrodite I hope you enjoy my findings.
The rose associated with the Goddess Aphrodite, love, beauty, purity and passion.
According to Anacreon the poet, dripping seafoam from the body of Aphrodite as she is born, turns into white roses, representing her purity and innocence. Later, she tries to help Adonis, her wounded lover. A few drops of blood trickle from Aphrodite onto a white rose changing it to red. This possibly represents desire and passion.
Roses also appear as the mischievous symbol of love and earthly desires and are often associated with Eros.
In some Greek folklore, the magic of roses illistrated when a hero prince leans over a sleeping princess to kiss her, thereafter receives a pair of roses.
He then uses their magical powers to escape his evil pursuers. This was a story named “The Monk”.
It is believed the love he holds for the princess saves him.
Roses are also attributed to Flora Goddess of flowers and spring time.
As far as medicinal purposes, roses are a mild seditive, aswell as an antiseptic, anti parasitic and an anti inflammatory.
Rose petals can be used topically to treat wounds and rashes.
Tonics and teas can be drunk as a means of lowering cholesterol and attaining better heart health aswell as treating sore throats and ulsers.
Roses are known to stimulate the liver and increase circulation and known to relieve headaches.
Helps with respiratory problems such as asthma.
Being a mild laxative this can help with constipation and cramps.
Amazingly rose can help regulate menstrual circles and enhance mood.
Their anti inflammatory properties can also bring down a fever.
Roses are an anti viral which can be used to aid the recovery from colds and flus.
Rose hip is especially useful for joint care helping conditions such as arthritis.
High in vitamins C, D, A, E and B3 Roses have strong antioxidant properties due to flavonoids too.
Rose hip also is high in iron.
Rose has long been used in beauty products for its hydrating and anti aging properties.
In magical practices and spell craft.
Roses are often use in love and beauty spells,
Rose petals sprinkled into a bath to enhance self love and bring you into a better sense of being.
When using rose in spells, red roses can ignite passion in a relationship, lust and increase your sex appeal.
Pink roses are more self love and bringing love into your life or current relationship.
Yellow for friendship and so on.
Rose can also be used in an elixer although I’m not writing any spells in this post.
Rose can be drunk in infusions some of my favorite are paired with other flowers, roots or herbs like camomile for example.
As a grower of orchids, they bring me much joy, so I’ve decided to do this piece hope you enjoy it.
Orchid
Orchids are beautiful plants their flowers come in amazing varieties of different colours.
The name orchid comes from the Greek orchis, meaning testicle.
English variety of early Orchis is the “long Purples,” mentioned by Shakespeare in Hamlet and is sometimes named “Dead men’s fingers,” from the pale colour, and the hand-like shape of its tubers.
Quoted “That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do ‘dead men’s fingers’ call them.”
There are many types and species of orchids to name a few of the cool growing varieties are:
Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Odontoglossum and Miltoniopsis.
They enjoy temperatures between16°C- 21°C no temperatures below 10°C in winter
A few warm varieties are:
Phalaenopsis and Vanda. They like temperatures of between 21-29°C in summer and no less than 18°C in winter.
These make a good choice for centrally heated homes.
Orchids grown at an intermediate temperature include Cattleya, Cambria, Paphiopedalum and Oncidium. They like temperatures of between18°C-24°C.
The vitamin A and antioxidants present in orchid can make your skin healthy and young, keeping wrinkles and skin problem at bay.
They contain vitamin C and fibre assisting your immune system.
Some health benefits include releiving stress, improving air quality and improving recovery after surgery.
A study of 90 people recovering from a hemorrhoidectomy were randomly assigned to either control or plant rooms. With half the patients, live plants were placed in their rooms during postoperative recovery periods. Data collected for each patient included length of hospitalization, analgesics used for postoperative pain control, vital signs, ratings of pain intensity, pain distress, anxiety and fatigue.
Findings of this study confirmed the therapeutic value of plants in the hospital environment as a noninvasive, inexpensive, and effective complementary medicine for surgical patients.
Orchids are known to do a lot more.
Dating back to hundreds of thousands of years, orchids have been used to alleviate symptoms as well as cure sickness. Across the world in a multitude of different cultures, from Asia to Australia.
Medical professionals and horticulturalists have experimented with the use of this tropical species and have found some amazing possibilities.
According to ancient Chinese history the orchid flowers, stems and bulbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine, some practitioners continue to use these remedies today.
Juice extracted from the orchid flower can help in relieve stomach ulsers which occur due to stomach acid. The mild compounds found in orchid can help you in relaxing and removing an ulcer condition.
Orchids tubers, roots and petals have been utilized in elixirs that are then added to teas and powders.
In most cases, orchids can be quite harmful and in some cases deadly so its best to either ask your doctor or visit a reputable health food store outlet.
I found the common house orchid to be edible since my daughter attempted to eat one as a toddler. Petrified I called 111 who assured me the only thing I needed to worry about was with any new food an allergic reaction which thankfully didn’t occur.
Obviously poisons in edible plants can be present if specific fertilisers are used instead of soil for growing fruit and veg for example.
NOT all orchid species are edible.
Dendrobium Orchids can be used to increase the immune system, has anti inflammatory properties, can increase eyesight and eliviate some symptoms of cancer.
Cymbidium Orchids can assist fertility in both men and women.
Vanda Orchids is also an anti inflammatory, can reduce fever, treat arthritis and is used by alternative practitioners as a remedy for bronchitis.
Orchids for magical purposes and spell craft:
Ochids revered for love, lust and potency.
Both the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the Orchid could stimulate male virility and was widely used in love matters.
The famous New Orleans “jezebel root,” seemed to have been well sort after to be used by women to attract men.
I won’t write any love spells on this post but I’ll just say
that the use of Orchids (root) in love magic is not only effective, it can also be exceptionally potent.
Orchids are also associated with Beauty, Wealth, Love, Spirituality, Harmony, Concentration, Will Power, Memory.
Orchid flower can be cooked like other vegetables in a pan or grilled. It can be blitzed into juice.
Added to cakes and cocktails or just enjoy them added to salads and sauces.
Today I want to write about an oil I absolutely love.
Patchouli (pogostem cablin)
Patchouli has been used over centuries.
A bush exhibiting beautiful white and purple flowers.
The leaves can be dried, oil is also extracted from the stem.
Associated with the celtic Goddess of healing Airmid.
Also a member of the mint family.
Patchouli has long been used in magical and spiritual practices.
Originating in Asia, its uses date back centuries as an important medicine used to treat diorreah, snake and insect bites.
Also used in ancient times to prevent the spread of fevers and epidemics. This oil was also believed to strengthen the immune system.
Patchouli can be used in a variety of spell work most commonly associated with love and prosperity.
Some ritual uses are to the aspects of attraction and fertility.
Patchouli oil is known to have anti inflammatory, antifungal and antibacterial properties.
It is known to relieve symptoms of depression easing anxiety and stress.
Used topically can treat a range of skin conditions.
Some include dermatitis, acne and dry or cracked skin.
Patchouli oil has also been proven very effective as an insecticide, without being as damaging to the environment than man made pesticides.
Patchouli can be diffused as aromatherapy to better your overall mood by increasing dopamine and seritonine levels in the body these are “feel good hormones” also known to boost libido.
A less known fact about Pachouli oil is that it can help fade scars by generating new skin growth.
Patchouli oil must be diluted with a base oil when applying directly to skin or hair. Lots of love and brightest blessings
