An Easter Monday Bìcáben

In the old days (back in the 1800's), this is how the Hungarian Gypsies celebrated Easter Monday. They made a wooden box or receptacle called the bìcáben, pronounced like the English gypsy word bitchapen and meaning the same, that is ~ a sending, a thing sent or gift.

In this, at the bottom, two sticks were placed across, "as in a cradle," and on these were laid herbs and other fetish, or meaningful stuffs which every one touched with the finger...

,,, I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Gypsy Magick and Lore, and can be found in its entirety here: An Easter Monday Bìcáben

Simple Luck Charms

• Spread candies and coins around your house, especially in the corners of rooms.
• Wear coral, wash it with Holy Water and/or Coconut water (the liquid from a coconut) to replenish it's powers.
• Bathe in Laurel leaves...

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Apothecary, and can be found in its entirety here: Simple Luck Charms

Spell for Luck and Granting Wishes

Here is a great spell for good luck and for having your wishes come true:

Gather together:

• 4 red candles
• 4 green candles
• Cinnamon
• glass of wine
• edible seeds or nuts
• round pebble

The red candles are for luck and the green for prosperity, but you may wish to substitute other colors more suitable to your specific wish. The seeds hold the promise of regrowth...

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found here: Spell for Luck and Granting Wishes

An Old Story About A Gypsy

Here is an old story about a gypsy. It's kind of long, and a little odd, but I think it gives an interesting view of gypsies way back in the 1800's.

KIRK YETHOLM

There are two Yetholms - Town Yetholm and Kirk Yetholm. They stand at the distance of about a quarter of a mile from each other, and between them is a valley, down which runs a small stream, called the Beaumont River, crossed by a little stone bridge. Of the town there is not much to be said. It is a long, straggling place, on the road between Morbuttle and Kelso, from which latter place it is distant about seven miles. It is comparatively modern, and sprang up when the Kirk town began to fall into decay.

Kirk Yetholm derives the first part of its name from the church, which serves for a place of worship not only for the inhabitants of the place, but for those of the town also. The present church is modern, having been built on the site of the old kirk, which was pulled down in the early part of the present century, and which had been witness of many a strange event connected with the wars between England and Scotland. It stands at the entrance of the place, on the left hand as you turn to the village after ascending the steep road which leads from the bridge....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Gypsy Magick and Lore, and can be found in its entirety here: An Old Gypsy Story

Top 5 Houseplants to Purify Your Living Space

Witches know that ultimate Magic comes from the heart of nature. Forging a strong bond with nature by nurturing house plants is very empowering and can sort out your health too!

The top five plants all remove chemical vapors that build up in the home from paints, cleaners, solvents and other unhealthy things - and they have magickal abilities too as listed below:

• GERBERA DAISY Great to encourage happiness.
• PEACE LILY Encourages harmonious energies and good communication.
• BOSTON FERN Encourages psychic ability and intuition.
• ENGLISH IVY For protection and luck - especially good for newly weds.
• ARECA PALM (or Butterfly or Yellow Palm) For peace and creativity.

More information on magickal plants can be found at my new website, Magickal Ingredients.

To Remove a Headache

Here are a few old Gypsy cures for a headache:

• Rub your forehead with a stone and then cover the stone with soil.
  The ache is said to be absorbed by the soil.
• Alternatively, you can rub a headache away by rubbing a horseshoe on your forehead.
  (A piece of iron is said ...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Gypsy Magick and Lore, and can be found in its entirety here: To Remove a Headache

Dreaming in the Garden

Dreams can be merely entertaining or intense and prophetic. Many natural aids to dreaming can be found in the garden!

• If you want peaceful dreams that are relaxing, place a vase of jasmine by your bed.
• If you are having nightmares and wish them stopped, place morning glories in the vase instead.
• If you need to learn something in a dream, place a bay leaf under your pillow and ask for the knowledge....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Dreaming in the Garden

Kissed by a Star

Here is a spiritual cleansing ritual for the new moon:

Tools and Ingredients:

A star. Not as in a movie, but as in the sky. It can be a piece of jewelry, a Yule tree decoration, a picture of a star, a crystal window ornament, a pentacle, or whatever other star you might have. If you are outdoors, or have a window with a clear view on a clear night, you have many stars to choose from.

Step 1: place your star before you. Or, if your star is in the sky, be in a place where you can see it....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: Kissed by a Star

Magickal Properties of Common Herbs

ACACIA: divination
ADDER"S TONGUE: divination
ANGELICA: excorcism, healing, and protection against evil influences.
AVENS: soul purification.
BASIL: exorcism, love spells and protection against evil influences.
BAY: clairvoyance, healing, good luck and protection against evil influences.
BERGAMOT: prosperity.
CAMPHOR: divination....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Magickal Ingredients, and can be found in its entirety here: Magickal Properties of Common Herbs

Astrological Herbs

Herbs can be mixed and combined to produce a "recipe" that's just right for each of us. Since the Sun sign you were born under has such an amazing influence on your health and well-being, using the herbs that correspond with that sign alone can be a tremendous help in times of stress or illness. Here's a short list of herbs that seem to be tailor-made for each of the signs, due to their associations with both the planetary ruler and the positive qualities of that sign....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been divided up and moved to my new website, Magickal Apothecary, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and the links to each individual zodiac herbal blend can be found below.

Aries - Mars

• Allspice,
• Basil...

It's no secret that Aries is the astrological equivalent of a bullet. It's a red-hot burst of energy that's capable of overcoming any obstacle by charging straight for it.... read more here:
Herbs for Aries

Taurus - Venus

• Apple,
• Apricot...

Taurus is the sign that's fondest of the pleasures that life inside these bodies can provide. Whether it's a blazing sunset, a symphony by Mozart, or a delicious meal... read more here:
Herbs for Taurus

Gemini - Mercury

• Clover,
• Eyebright...

The quick-witted, fleet-footed mercurial energy of Gemini just loves variety - in fact, the expression "variety is the spice of life" was written with you in mind.... read more here:
Herbs for Gemini

Cancer - Moon

• Aloe,
• Lemon Balm...

Cancer is the nurturer. Nurturing is your business, and you distribute your soothing touch to one and all. There's nothing you like better than a home that smells good, too... read more here:
Herbs for Cancer

Leo - Sun

• Chicory,
• cinnamon...

Leo, your planet is the Sun, the source of life and warmth that keeps us all alive and provides us with the energy we need to keep pursuing our life's quest.... read more here:
Herbs for Leo

Virgo - Mercury

• Caraway,
• Dill...

Virgo is a quick-thinking meticulous sign likes nothing better than a mental challenge, whether it's organizing a pile of papers at the office, solving a puzzle, or learning a new skill... read more here:
Herbs for Virgo

Libra - Venus

• Catnip,
• Passion Flower...

There's no sign as fond of pleasing others as Libra, whether it's by saying just the right thing to bring warring factions together, or by using your polite charm to draw the object of your desires closer.... read more here:
Herbs for Libra 

Scorpio - Pluto/Mars

• Ginseng,
• Dill ...

Scorpio is the sign of intensity and intimacy, so it's no wonder the herbs you'll love best are famous for their use in stirring up passion.... read more here:
Herbs for Scorpio

Sagittarius - Jupiter

• Anise,
• Clove...

There's no sign that hangs on to youth with more fervency and determination than Sagittarius. To keep that youthful appearance and disposition going as you travel the world... read more here:
Herbs for Sagittarius

Capricorn - Saturn

• Comfrey,
• Horsetail...

Capricorn has always been described as a very "focused" sign, intent on self-sufficiency and material success. The influence of your planet, Saturn, gives you the ambition and self-discipline to attain those goals... read more here:
Herbs for Capricorn

Aquarius - Uranus/Saturn

• Anise,
• Bittersweet...

The sign of Aquarius is a cerebral one, and your ability to turn "odd" or eccentric ideas into strokes of genius is well known. Since communication is your specialty... read more here:
Herbs for Aquarius

Pisces - Neptune/Jupiter

• Aloe,
• Bay...

As the most sensitive and psychic of all signs, Pisces is the one that requires help to ward off the adverse thoughts and intentions of others. Since you have no boundaries to keep you separate from others, you also need protection... read more here:
Herbs for Pisces