lavendercure:

qedavathegrey:

I have a particular fondness for ivy – admittedly my house
looks like it’s being swallowed by it – but its uses seem rarely discussed.
Even doing a compulsory sweep of the net, few things were turned up that were little
more than speculation and supposition. I can’t speak for all – but I use ivy
(common ivy, English ivy, Hedera helix)
for protection (the leaves grow 5-pointed), love (given its twining nature),
and longevity and strength-of-will (evergreen and resilient). There are other
varying correspondences applied (associated with the rulership of the Moon and
Saturn), but these are the three I note most emphatically.

One of my favorite ways to use ivy is as a purse or satchet –
of which the construction is simple.

You Will Need

• (2) Ivy Leaves – large and as alike in size and shape as
  possible

• Red/Black Thread – any color would do, I just have a
  fondness for black and red; white works fine if nothing else is available

• Needle

To construct…

Simply trim the woody stems from the leaves and turn their
faces in on one another, aligning them as best you can. Thread your needle and
stitch around the leaf leaving at least a ¼ in. “allowance” around the outside –
though you will not be turning it inside-out. Tight stitching is required,
otherwise once the leaves dry they will shrink and leave spaces for the
contents to fall through. Leave at least an inch, though I recommend two (as
the leaves have very little give) at the top by which you can stuff the purse.

Hint: If you are unaccustomed to sewing (or sewing by hand)
you can hide your initial knot by beginning the first stitch from “inside” the
leaves – simply cut off any excess thread left visible.

With that, step one is complete!

Recipes

Protection

Ivy – used passively as a protector – might divert disaster
or hard-ship when grown on the house and I’ve found it also helps to keep
unwanted or unsavory spirits from entering. For a more “offensive” form of
protection, you can use this. This can be used for the protection of “self” or “home”
(of course, “self” extends to any person) – the only real difference will be
the simple glyph painted on the exterior.

• Rose Petals (dried) – red or white
• Rosemary
• Angelica
• Basil
• Salt – black or white
• &
• Brick Dust (just a pinch)

Finish by stitching the purse closed. For “self” upon its
face paint a simple figure (think the little dolls the Blair Witch makes) and
surround it with a circle – this may be carried or place in an actual purse or jar. For “home” just
paint a simple house shape and, again, circle it – hang it above the door
through which guests enter.

**You can also bless it with a prayer to St. Michael**

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Love

Ivy has been used in wedding rites for centuries often as a
symbol for protection and longevity – but it also presents an innate love
drawing quality – given its shape.

• Lavender
• Rose Petals – red, pink or coral
• Rosemary
• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon

For this one, while unnecessary, I find you can actually
stitch the icy in a heart shape – best with red thread. Fill, and finish by
stitching the top closed. Spritz with a bit of perfume and either carry or
place under the bed to attract love. You can also thread red ribbon through it
and hang it above the bedroom door.

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Health & Longevity

• Basil
• Bay
• Apple Seeds
• Oak – either dried, crushes leaves or an acorn (if it will
  fit)

Fill and finish. On its face you may paint the caduceus – the
double helix – or a sigil/glyph of your choosing. Collect from the four corners
of your yard, a handful of dirt – combine the dirt with a mix of your hair,
blood, etc. and place half of it in a suitable sized jar. Place the purse in
the jar so that it sits vertically and fill the rest of the way with dirt. Lid
and keep near you while you sleep – i.e. under the bed, on a bed-side table,
etc.

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photo source

Be careful gathering ivy, some people (me) are allergic to creeping Virginia. And it’s EVERYWHERE! Especially, ironically, in Virginia. Be super careful if you are allergic to poison ivy!

Witches are wise to be wary.

VERY TRUE! Ivy should also not be ingested, it is toxic – and can cause mild contact dermatitis in some.

swampseer:

I think every witch has moments of question and doubt. In my eyes, it’s part of the growing process and learning from your mistakes. I’ve been a witch for the majority of my life and still often question things.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I’m sitting outside and throwing snow balls at all the neighborhood cats. They are freaking out. And chasing them and I’m laughing so hard I’m crying.

Sure – but I’m afraid it’s really not all that interesting. My (fellow medium) friend and I were playing cards (as we always do) and she just kept looking to the doorway behind me and after a few hands, she finally asks me: “What witchcraft have you been doing this time?” I told her the truth – actually, very little (in the last week at least). I asked why.

She said there was a woman standing in the door who has been watching me – she described her as a young, black woman in “peasant clothing.” I haven’t seen her myself, as I think she is a watcher – or one who vanished just as you look in her direction, but what her purpose is, I’m unsure. I consulted with RC and she said someone had sent her to me, I just haven’t figured out who or why, yet.

It may prove a little tricky, as my house is a spiritual-stronghold and my “usual” place for spirit work is currently inaccessible due to snow, so I may well simply have to wait until the snow melts a bit more.

I suppose I could do a little travelling this evening, though, I still have one night of the moon.

This may sound strange, but did someone send a spirit to me?