It's Only Magic

but dear,

don't be afraid of love,

it's only magic. 

~r.m drake 

Love is the strongest form of magic! You don't need a lover to LOVE. 

   Start with yourself. 

Then love EVERYONE a little harder .  

The ingredients to the 'love charms' in this post are all listed below. 

All the flowers and foliage in this post are British, seasonal and foraged locally by me. 

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Make an order from my Etsy shop before Valentines day and recieve a little herby nosegay wrapped in velvet ribbon as a token of love and appreciation from me to you. 

Click on the link at the bottom of this page to visit my Etsy shop. 

There is FREE UK SHIPPING on all orders. 

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I V Y ~ 

Often with heart shaped leaves, Ivy is a symbol of binding. It can not live with out something to cling on to and to grow with. Always growing through adversity. 

Ivy binds us together. 

B A Y  L A U R E L  ~

Traditionally lovers would place a bay laurel leaf under each others pillows on valentines day and that night dream of love. 

If they dreamt of each other it was said that they would be married within the year. 

Bay is a very powerful manifesting tool. 

R O S E M A R Y  ~ 

Symbolising a constancy in love. 

Traditonally presented at weddings by bridesmaids to the groom bound with ribbon as a token of true love and loyalty. 

L A V E N D E R ~ 

Given by many a lover to impress and attact with lavender's beautiful colour and aroma. 

Charles II would take sachets of dried lavender tied up wth ribbon to his secret meetings with his mistress Nell Gwyn. 

T H E  H E L L E B O R E ~ 

Helebore's don't actually have any association with love, but in the language of flowers they mean to 'Relieve my anxiety', I thought that was a fitting one for anyone who dreads valentines day because of what it symbolises. 

Think like the Hellebore, standing tall with beauty and grace through the toughest of winters, bringing hope of Spring and better times ahead. 

Warning: Hellebores are very poisonous! Make sure you wash your hands throughly and do not combine with herbs that you intend to keep and use afterwards! 

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The Turning Of The Wheel

 Yule  = Wheel 

The Winter solstice is traditionally time for 'the turning of the wheel'

The wheel of cycles and the wheel of life. 

This year Dec 21st will be our darkest day and the longest night, with it the 22nd marks the returning of the sun, there will now be an increase in the amount of daylight we have, sparking off the return of the growing seasons.

It is the perfect time to embrace the darkness and go inwards to find the parts of us we need to let go and the parts of us we need to nurture and grow. 

All of the ingredients in this post represent just that, I hope it will inspire you to go out and forage for some of your own yule time magic. 

• Holly:  A Protector plant- reminding us to look inwards at this time and reflect
•    Ivy: Representing growing through adveristy and Binding us together 
• Pine: Representing strength, fire and longevity
• Yew: Representing transformation and rebirth
• Mistletoe: The sacred plant of the druids- healer, protector, representing fertility and the giving of life... Also great for kissing!

Our Christmas tree is always toadstool and reindeer themed so I was delighted to find this article (thanks to Karen) all about 'Mother Christmas' and what the Reindeer and Amanita Mascaria symbolise at this time of year

Sorry Rudolf! 

http://gathervictoria.com/2014/12/04/doe-a-deer-a-female-deer-the-spirit-of-mother-christmas/

The wreath you see in this post was made at a Sensory Solutions wreath making workshop held at Deans Court. Go and have a read about what they do, they are very special ladies changing the face of how we medicate and heal ourselves. 

 

I spent the day with some gorgeous like minded ladies, really getting to know the plants, learning all about their medicinal and healing properties, drinking homemade Chai tea, singing carols and listening to gorgeous Fi's endless wisdom. It was very special day and I came away feeling so inspired. 

Winter Solstice blessings and a very Happy Christmas to you all. 

xx