Healing with the Aid of Ancestors {Ritual and Herbal Powder Recipe}

I had been inspired by two events and two plants this year to finally do an Ancestral healing ritual this past Samhain. This is something that I had been wishing to do for a few years now, and had worked my way towards it on some counts, but also had been avoiding doing so, not ready to face or let go of some pain and anger. 

The first event of inspiration happened when I was at Tlachtga/Hill of Ward this past Bealtaine, after hearing the story of Tlachtga, I knew that I had wanted to do something on Samhain to honour her. In her story she is deeply betrayed by her jealous father, which lead to her rape and impregnation, causing her to birth three sons, which also ultimately lead to her death. But instead of her last words being of vengeance and hatred, they were of hope and love, the naming of her three sons: Cuma, Muach and Doirb. And as long as those names are remembered, Ireland and her people shall be safe from catastrophe. To me Tlachtga is a figure of strength and sovereignty; not necessarily encouraging forgiveness and most certainly not forgetting, but urging one forward to live their full potential, irregardless of what life throws at them. Also while at the Hill of Ward, I had my first of many experiences during my time in Ireland of communing with various nature spirits, this time being with Stinging Nettle. Already an ally, I was reminded of the many lessons that this plant can teach. One of them being that just like the pain one can get through harvesting them, it could be well worth going through the experience for the potential of nourishment and healing that both the plant and painful experience can bring. For only through such experiences can we truly gain the insights needed to heal ourselves and help others with the same. 

The second event of inspiration came this past summer during a get together up north, while visiting our family cemetery in a small village. The whole place was carpeted by beautiful Selfheal/Heal-all, another beloved plant ally. I harvested some, knowing that it would be perfect for helping heal family and ancestral wounds. 

While I did initialize the healing on Samhain, it is a work in progress, so this is something that I continue to do. I suppose it could be said that this has been incorporated into my devotional work with my Ancestors, hopefully that is mutually beneficial for both the living and the dead. 

I've decided to share some of that here, in case others are looking to do similar work with the aid of their own Ancestors.

Ancestral Herbal Healing Powder

A powder like this could easily be used in charms, in an incense, or as I have done and made it for adding to candles for ritual use. *Wearing gloves would be a good idea while making this, as some of the ingredients can be toxic. This was made on the full moon before Samhain, which happened to be a Sunday, to me a great time for healing work. I spent a good long while grinding everything in a mortar and pestle, in a meditative state focusing on healing. The mixture was then left under the light of the full moon to be blessed for nine days.

Stinging Nettle

Selfheal

Ancestor Graveyard Dirt

Ancestral Rose Thorns

Wild Rose

Cedar

Tansy {can be toxic}

Apple Leaves

Meadowsweet

Thyme

Bleeding Hearts {can be toxic}

Mullein

Heather

Linden Leaf and Flower

Forget-Me-Nots

Ancestral Healing Ritual

I carved on a black candle in Ogham down three separate sides "Clann" {Family}, "Shinsir" {Ancestors} and "Leighgeas" {Healing}, and over each carving placed three personal effects to consecrate the candle within the Three Realms: blood {Talam/Land}, saliva {Muir/Sea} and breath {Nem/Sky}. Then on each carving I rubbed some of the herbal powder from above, three times on each.

The candle was then placed in a silver bowl of Ancestral graveyard dirt, surrounded by three poppy pods, one at each point of the Ogham carving. Under this is kept names and situations being focused on for healing. Before being lit, the candle was anointed with nine drops of a healing oil, and sprinkled with more of the herbal powder. This is something I do every time before the candle is lit for a working.

Of course before beginning the ritual, I always leave offerings to those who I am asking help from, which I encourage everyone to do. During the ritual there are prayers, meditation and often divination as well, which I also encourage others to do, tailored to their own needs and personal practices. 

*********

It's never an easy thing, the process of healing. For those on that same journey, I hope that this post might be of some use to to you. 

Rebirth Under a Full Buck Moon

The skull of a white-tailed buck skull waits patiently to be revealed under the full moon tonight, a suitable time, as July's moon is often referred to as a full buck moon. And this one is going to be a doozy, being the longest blood moon eclipse this century. Also auspicious, as this skull had been reddened before being wrapped to be symbolically reborn and consecrated to his new station. 

At some point I intend to do an in depth post on the whole process of reddening, rebirthing, consecration and binding a sacred object to oneself. 

{Deer skull was found by another in the forest, after dying a natural death}

I Am Going Home With Thee...

"I am going home with thee.

To thine eternal bed, 

To thy perpetual sleep."

~Carmina Gadelica Vol 3

May your Samhain be filled with joy and memories surrounded by loved ones here and past! 

Warm Hearts & Hearths,

Laurel

Rebirth

“I give you this to take with you: Nothing remains as it was. If you know this, you can begin again, with pure joy in the uprooting." 

~ Judith Minty

A Free Ancestor Printout

I had made this image to go in a frame I made a few months back that will hang over my Ancestor altar. I am sharing it with others to print out for free, should they wish to make a similar project or have something nice for their altar for Samhain.

 

The image features a Gàidhlig blessing:

"Cuiridh mi clach air do chàrn." {"I will add a stone to your cairn."}.

 

The background is a photograph that has been altered. The original photo is of cairns in Scotland, by Roy Lathwell which can be seen over on his Flickr page.

 

To download a full sized version {4 by 6 inches, 300 dpi}, click here.

 

Sláinte!

 

Laurel

Sparrow Wings, or Always Carry a Bag in Your Pocket

I have been preserving sparrow wings that were found on my doorstep; the aftermath of a kitty no doubt. All the was left was a pair of partially intact wings and a few feathers. Usually when I come across such a find I hold a little ritual and bury them. Besides items like feathers and shed antlers, I usually do not collect animal parts myself, although I have kept some dead insects that I have found, such as the bee that sits on my altar in a little bottle.

Given where I found the wings and their placement, I felt that I was meant to keep them. So I left them in cornmeal for one month in a shoebox in a dark, cool place. After the month was up I then carefully dusted off the cornmeal with a small paintbrush. I got the info on how to do it here.

Finding the sparrow wings reminded me of when a group of us first graders found a dead sparrow on the school ground, and we had a little funeral for it near the baseball diamond. The recess monitor who caught us in the act was horrified, marching us to the bathrooms to wash our hands, when one of my friends proudly pointed out that the bird was handled with a plastic bag that she had in her pocket. Turns out her smart Granny advised her to always carry one on her just in case. Bless her!

Since that day I have carried the advice and a bag with me, because you never know what witchy folks will find when out for their adventures. ;) 

For those who are called to work with found animals and want to do your own preserving, some great resources for you to check out are Ms. Graveyard Dirt and Sarah Lawless for practical info. Another great source of information for those who wish to purchase or sell animal parts, Lupa from The Green Wolf has a list of laws for these transactions {mostly focused on the U.S., but there is some info for other countries}.

Just one final note: I have no intention of selling animal parts; I am a complete greenhorn in this department and I am definitely not qualified to do so.
 

Sláinte!

Laurel

Season of Death & Decay

Being in the Autumn woodland reminds me that death is sacred; the colours and smell of the rotting leaves reminds me that dying can be a beautiful transition.

When we are faced with our own mortality, we are often at our best. In our twilight days we make amends, and pass on the knowledge of our lessons learnt. Many of these lessons come from the mini deaths in our lives, the big changes that makeway for something new. Through our mini deaths and twilight time our frailties are most obvious.

The trees wear their own badges of vulnerability in their fall colours, and just like those colourful leaves we are stunning in our mortality.

It is no wonder that this time of year has long been associated with ancestral reverence, when the veil is so thin and the Dearly Departed are so close that it seems we could reach out and almost touch them. Those who delight in our stunning mortality. Those who bring comfort of promise, and promise of wisdom.

I welcome the Season of Death and Decay! Blessings to the Beloved and Mighty Dead!

Sláinte!

Laurel

Another Wee Funeral

Sadly I found one of my chipmunk friends dead yesterday. Just like I had previously posted I held a small funerary ritual for her and then wrapped her body in a linen cloth and buried her in our yard. Her cute little face and antics will be missed.

A Wee Funeral

Yesterday I found a deceased mouse and bee while gardening, so I had a wee funeral for them. No doubt there are folks who would think that I am a nutter for doing so. Personally I am of the mind that if I come across something that has died on the land that I live on, I could at least take a few moments out my day to do something like this. Plus, it is a lot more respectful than just tossing them in the trash.

Plants for the Dying & Deceased

{a post originally from my other blog}

Der Tod by Hans Baluschek, 1895

Listed below are herbs that are associated with death and that can be used in rituals surrounding death. This is comprised of lore that I found in Paul Beyerl's Master Book of Herbalism and Selena Fox's Funeral Herbs and lore that I have gathered from advice of others over time.

As always, please do not ingest any herbs without being fully informed, and under the guidance of a qualified healer.

Sláinte!

Laurel

ACONITE is a VERY POISONOUS herb, and should only be administered by a qualified healer. It has been used to help the dying (at the time of death) transition comfortably to the stage after death. It can be planted on a burial, and used in an incense in ritual. The roots can be placed on an ancestor altar, especially around Samhain.

ANEMONE can be used in a ritual fire after the deceased has past over to encourage reincarnation.

ASPHODEL has traditionally grown on graves and washing the corpse. Gather in a bunch and tie in a red ribbon to aspurge the body in ritual.

BASIL is associated with love and protection, and is excellent to be used in an incense. It is used to help bring dignity and courage to one facing death. Can be incorporated into the ancestors' feast on Samhain.

BAY LAUREL is used for communication with the dead, and is sometimes used in funeral wreaths. Can be used in dishes for the ancestors' feast at Samhain.

BIRCH is often associated with rebirth and reincarnation. Blessings for the deceased can be written on birch bark and can then be buried or burnt with the corpse.

BLUEBELLS are planted on graves to bring peace and blessings, and may also be used to decorate the altar at the funeral, or on Samhain.

CHERVIL can be drank to aid one to in rituals of communing with the dead.

COMFREY is a helpful herb to help one get over the loss of a loved one. Excellent to plant in the garden in memorial of the deceased.

CYPRESS is associated with endings. Can be used to ritually bathe the body of the deceased.

ELDER is an excellent wood for a cremation pyre, or a sprig of elder can be buried with the deceased. Elderberries are excellent to decorate the funeral altar, or the altar at Samhain.

FRANKINCENSE can be burned at the funeral ritual, or in ritual while communing with the dead for purification, and spiritual transformation.

GARLIC is used for protection, and can be put on a grave, and cooked in dishes for the ancestors' feast at Samhain.

HOLLY is associated with resurrection and renewal, and can be buried with the deceased or used to decorate the funeral altar.

IVY can be planted at a grave to celebrate the life of the deceased and to encourage rebirth.

LAVENDER should be planted in memory of the deceased either on the grave or in the home of a living loved one to bring peace.

LEMON BALM is associated with immortality and happiness, and can be drank in a tea to lift spirits of the mourning.

LILY can be planted on a grave to represent resurrection.

LOTUS pods can be used as an incense burner to aid the soul seeking reincarnation.

MANDRAKE root can be buried with the body to protect the spirit and send it safely on its way. It also can be used to decorate the ancestor altar at Samhain.

MARJORAM can be planted on a grave and used in the ancestors' feast at Samhain.

MINT can be used as a strewing herb to bring joy to the mourning.

MISTLETOE can be buried with the deceased for protection.

MUGWORT can be drank by the dying to gain inner sight.

MULLEIN can be used to cleanse the body of the deceased.

MYRRH was once used in embalming, but can now be used as an incense at the funeral to bring healing, purification, and protection.

OAK is a tree of strength, and is an excellent pick to plant in the memory of the deceased.

PARSLEY can be strewn on the path of where the body is being transported, and can be planted at the grave site for good luck in the after life.

PENNYROYAL is used to bathe the corpse to assist in the soul being reborn.

PERIWINKLE is a herb of immortality and can be used in a funeral wreath or used to decorate tombs. Often used in the passing of children.

POMEGRANATE can be eaten at the ancestors feast on Samhain to represent rebirth.

POPPY can be used in funeral wreaths or planted at a grave site to bring restfulness to the deceased.

ROSEMARY can be thrown into grave sites, carried on funeral processions, or burned as an incense. Can be used in the ancestors' feast at Samhain, especially to commune to deceased friends.

ROSES represent love and purification, and are used in funeral wreaths and planted in memory of the deceased.

ROWAN is associated with protection. The berries can be buried with the deceased or used to decorate the funeral and ancestor altar, and can be planted on a grave site.

RUE can be burnt for karmic completion.

SAGE can be used as a smudge for purification, and ingested when communing with the dead, and to bring wisdom.

SANDALWOOD is an excellent purification incense that can be used during the funeral ritual.

TANSY was once used for embalming. It can now be used to aspurge the temple and the body of the deceased, and used to decorate the ancestor altar.

THYME makes an excellent ritual cup to drink before communing with the dead, and can be used in a ritual incense or bath for purification.

VIOLETS are appropriate flowers for the graves of children.

WILLOW is said to ease the soul at the time of death if it is planted by the deceased in their lifetime. Willow baskets can be used as offering containers for ancestors.

WORMWOOD can be used as an incense for transformational healing for the mourning, or to bring insight to the dying.

YARROW can be grown on graves in in the gardens of the mourning to bring protection and healing.

YEW is associated with immortality and endings, and was often planted in graveyards to protect the bodies of the deceased.

Sláinte!

Laurel

Common Bluebell {Hyacinthoides non-scripta}

{originally posted over at my other blog}

Photo from MichaelMaggs

A fine and subtle spirit dwells
In every little flower,

Each one its own sweet feeling breathes

With more or less of power.

There is a silent eloquence
In every wild bluebell

That fills my softened heart with bliss

That words could never tell.

Yet I recall not long ago

A bright and sunny day,

'Twas when I led a toilsome life

So many leagues away;

That day along a sunny road

All carelessly I strayed,

Between two banks where smiling flowers

Their varied hues displayed.

Before me rose a lofty hill,

Behind me lay the sea,

My heart was not so heavy then

As it was wont to be.

Less harassed than at other times

I saw the scene was fair,

And spoke and laughed to those around,

As if I knew no care.

But when I looked upon the bank

My wandering glances fell

Upon a little trembling flower,

A single sweet bluebell.

Whence came that rising in my throat,

That dimness in my eye?

Why did those burning drops distil --

Those bitter feelings rise?

O, that lone flower recalled to me

My happy childhood's hours

When bluebells seemed like fairy gifts

A prize among the flowers,

Those sunny days of merriment

When heart and soul were free,

And when I dwelt with kindred hearts

That loved and cared for me.

I had not then mid heartless crowds

To spend a thankless life
In seeking after others' weal

With anxious toil and strife.

'Sad wanderer, weep those blissful times

That never may return!'

The lovely floweret seemed to say,

And thus it made me mourn.

~The Bluebell by Anne Bronte (1820-1849)

Other Names: English Bluebell, Auld Man's Bells, Ring-o'-Bells, Culverkeys, Wood Bells, Jacinth.

Description: The Common Bluebell is a perennial that is native to Britain. It can now also be found growing is some parts of North America, as well as other parts of Europe such as Portugal, France, and Ireland.

It is a bulbed woodland plant that is member of the Hyacinthaceae family. The plant has leaves that are a long lanceolate shape, which are located at the bottom half of the plant. The stem rises to a curve with spikes of their signature blue, pensile bell-shaped flowers on the top; the flowers themselves give of a wisp of a sweet fragrance.

It is thought that the Common Bluebell is under threat due to hybridization, and it is a protected species in the United Kingdom under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. You can view a video here on how to identify different types of Bluebells.

Warnings: As with all herbs, one should make sure to be thoroughly informed before ingesting them, and is best to do so under the guidance of a qualified healer.

From what I understand, all parts of the Common Bluebell are considered poisonous, especially the bulb.

In a report released by the Canadian government, there are cases of both people and livestock being poisoned after ingesting the plant.

Reported symptoms of poisoning for humans included: abdominal pains, diarrhea, heart rate slowed, flushed skin. For cattle symptoms included: slowed heart rate, shallow breathing, lethargy, and depressed temperature; for horses: abdominal pains, diarrhea, moist and cold skin, absent urination, depressed temperature, and vomiting.

So I think it's safe to say not to ingest any parts of the plant, and to make sure that pets and livestock don't either.

Artwork from Deutschlands Flora in Abbildungen

Cultivating: The Common Bluebell's natural habitat is deciduous {often ancient} woodlands, hedgerows, and sometimes in shady meadows. It typically does well between hardiness zones 5 to 7. Depending on your region, it will flower anywhere from April to June.

It is an excellent plant to have in a woodland garden, or in a spot that is part sun to dappled shade. It prefers a slightly acidic soil, and it is probably best to use a fertile loam. However, I have heard that it can also grow in a heavy clay, and it can grow in 'dry' soil, providing that it gets enough shade and moisture.

The best way to start Common Bluebells from seed is to grow them in a pot for the first year, after a period of about 5 weeks of a cold-moist stratification. It can then be planted in its permanent home in the second year, once the leaves are dormant {late summer or early fall}.

Before planting it is a good idea to prepare the soil with an organic fertilizer {like compost}, and to mulch afterwards.

Some great plants to grow with it are Ferns, Daffodils, Tulips, Sweet Woodruff, and Hostas.

Medicinal/Remedial Properties and Lore: Diuretic, styptic.

The Common Bluebell is rarely used for medicinal purposed today, although there is research on its potential use for treatment in cancer and HIV.

It was historically thought by some to cure snake bites, as well as calm the effects of a bee sting if the juices from the stem were rubbed on the wound.

Sir John Hill recommended it for as a styptic for leucorrhoea, by drying the bulb and making into a powder, but he warned not to use anymore than 3 grains in a dosage.

Photo from Dave&Lynne Slater

Magical/Spiritual Properties and Lore: This is one plant that is strongly associated with the Fair Folk, as well as death.

In English folklore, Faeries were thought to congregate in a 'Bluebell wood'. If one were to trample into such a wood they could be cursed by the Faeries. They would leave them maimed or sick{ultimately leading to their death}, or the carry them away to never be seen again.

To hear the ringing of the Bluebell would be a harbinger of death or a signal that a troop of malevolent Faeries were near by.

For those who want to attract the sympathies of the Fair Folk, you can grow Common Bluebells in your garden. To attract them at Bealtaine, make posies of the flowers (not sure about what the law in the UK would say about picking them in the wild, but of course, this should be done respectfully!) to adorn your altar or ritual space.

Common Bluebells are a funeral plant, and some appropriate uses are planting it on graves to bring peace and blessings, or to decorate as a decoration for a funeral, as well as a ancestor altar at Samhain.

They can also be an excellent charm to sew into a dream pillow to ward off not only nightmares, but also protect someone from a potential run in with a Succubus.

Other Uses: At one time the juice from the bulb was used as a replacement for starch in the days when stiff ruffs were worn was much in request {Mrs Maude Grieve}; English herbalist John Gerard told of the juice's usefulness to set feathers onto arrows, and it was also popular at one time to create a gum to bind books.
Sláinte!

Laurel