the
FOR THE WEEK OF MARCH 11, 2023
Books for Ostara Dandelion Uses in Herbalism Oracle Card Guidance
New Release Books & Card Decks A Weekly Magazine by
Witchy Moms
The Legend of Pussy Willows According to an old Polish legend, a mother cat was crying at the bank of the river in which her kittens were drowning. The willows at the river's edge longed to help her, so they swept their long graceful branches into the waters to rescue the tiny kittens who had fallen into the river while chasing butterflies. The kittens gripped on tightly to their branches and were safely brought to shore. Each springtime since, goes the legend, the willow branches sprout tiny fur-like buds at their tips where the tiny kittens once clung. 2
In This Issue
& Our Contributors
5 Dandelion: The World of Herbal Medicine, Folklore & Holistic Healing. By Carley Smith
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Guidance for the Week: Oracle card pull
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Ostara Themed & This Week's New Release Books & Card Decks
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Feature Vendors & The Marketplace
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Enchanted Morning Curious to know more of my story? As a young widow & later domestic abuse survivor, I struggled to find relief from all of the pain, sadness & anxiety I was feeling. In 2020, I wrote a bestselling book sharing our journey plus 10 tried & true ways to help heal & get your life back.
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Witchy Moms EDITOR PUBLISHER ADVERTISING SALES Natalie Ryan natalie@witchymoms.com
The Enchanted Morning is a Weekly Digital interactive publication supporting our magical community around the world.
Copyright Witchy Moms 2023. All rights reserved. No reproduction of any material without written consent .
From my
Kitchen table a note from the editor Thank you to everyone who took the time to message me with your feedback about the new weekly format of the magazine, as well as the name change. Your opinions do really matter to me! It has been an astounding yes to the changes which is great. I am really looking forward to future issues & seeing all of the amazing contributors who are coming forward wanting to share their magic with our Witchy Moms Community.
Sneak Peek For Next Week
It's our Ostara & Equinox Issue!
Join us on Socials
Thank you all again. Have a wonderful week,
Natalie
The Northern Lights danced across the sky a few weeks ago. It was absolutely stunning !
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Dandelion
THE WORLD OF HERBAL MEDICINE, FOLKLORE, & HOLISTIC HEALING
By Carley Smith
An herb that can cure almost everything that ails humanity, and makes you happy too!? People often ask me what herb I would choose if I only had one. Although maybe not one most people would expect, it’s actually Dandelion! I laugh at the reactions on my students faces when I first say that… Yep. Just a humble little weed. (Don’t worry, you’ll be as much of a weed worshiper as I am by the end of this article!) But that itself is the first clue, and something to think about. Why is Dandelion a weed here anyways? Did you know that Dandelions were so highly revered, that they were intentionally imported here to be cultivated as an important food crop, and a cure-all?!
(This month I’ve also included one of my favorite spring recipes which you can check out below!) There are very few herbs that I would classify as “cure-all’s”, and although this little weed might not cure EVEYTHING, it actually comes about as close to one as you can get. On top of that, it’s the medicine that is right beneath our feet smiling up at us!
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So why is this sunny little weed so wonderful? Let’s start off with one of its main medicinal actions. Dandelion is a bitter alterative. Alterative herbs are herbs that ultimately “clean up” the blood, lymph, and extracellular fluids and improve their quality. That may not seem like such an important thing, but when we consider that our bodies are made up almost entirely of those three things, that statement takes on a whole new meaning. When we clean up the blood and fluids of the body, that means every cell of our body gets more nutrition, more detoxification, and more vibrance and vitality. That’s pretty huge and pretty exciting! This is one of the main reasons that Dandelion has been used the world over as an anticancer herb. Classifying herbs as “anti” such and such, doesn’t really tell us a whole lot about things beacause they work differently than most of our western perspectives are used to. .
But, when we rearrange our perspective to see that certain plants are, for example, detox supportive, blood & vitality building, antioxidant, etc, then it makes more sense as to part of WHY these herbs have been so helpful in imbalances such as cancer and other ailments. And isn’t it interesting that one of our most common weeds treats one of our most common ailments!?
These fabulous little weeds are also classified as a nutritive herb, meaning that they cross the boundary of medicine-food, and contain high amounts of nutritional components. Dandelions have high amounts of vitamin A, C, E, B-complex, iron, protein, inulin (a prebiotic), calcium, potassium and a wide spectrum of minerals and other constituents. The leaves particularly, are also quite a strong diuretic (stimulating urine production and flow). This can be immensely helpful for helping clear edema and swelling as it draws the fluid out of areas where there’s excess.
One very sweet thing about this diuretic is that although is makes you pee a lot, it leaves you with a net gain of minerals, vitamins and particularly potassium, which many diuretics (especially pharmaceutical diuretics) cause long term depletion of. In this way, Dandelions act like generous little miners. They go dig deep in the earth, pull up all this great stuff, and then offer it up to us with a big smiling face. This is also a symbol of equinox, and a deeper message to us about the benefit of doing our deeper inner work. One thing that plants have shown me many times over the years, is that,
“Deep roots make beautiful blossoms.”
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So here is one of my "deep root recipes" that is sure to put a smile on your face as well, and just in time for Ostara! Wishing you all the sweetness of the season and blessings on your path with the plants!
Dandelion Cocoa This delicious and nutritious drink brings some springtime playfulness! Harvest, scrub, finely chop, and dry a couple handfuls of fresh dandelion roots. Once they are fully dry, spread them on a cookie sheet, and bake at about 300 degrees. Check them about every 10 minutes (they will slowly start turning darker brown) Give them a stir every now and then, and repeat this process until they have turned a nice rich brown colour. A trick is to pay attention to the smell also… they will start smelling a bit like chocolate and coffee. 10
Once they’re done, take them out and let cool. Now you can make your Ostara Cocoa! (or any other occasion just because its good!) In a medium pot add ¾ tsp roasted roots, and 1-2 tsp of your favorite cocoa mix per cup of water. (or you can use a smaller amount of straight cocoa powder.) I like to add a little bit of vanilla, and sometimes a bit of cinnamon, ginger, or chili powder and a bit of milk to make it more creamy as well. The fun with this recipe is that you can be totally playful with it (dandelions are playful plants) so have fun and experiment! Simmer your mixture with a lid for about 10 minutes, sweeten to taste, then strain and enjoy!
DANDELION MEDICINAL SUMMARY PARTS USED: roots, leaves, flowers, fresh or dried. HAREVSTING TIPS: newer leaves are less bitter than older leaves. Roots can be dug up and cut off of the rest of the plant leaving a couple inches so the plant can be replanted and grow back if you want. (I have several “pet” dandelions that I’ve harvested roots from for several years) LOOK ALIKES: hairy cat's ear, sow thistle, chickory FLAVOURS: bitter MEDICINAL ACTIONS: bitter, alterative, diuretic, nutritive, laxative. ENERGETICS: cooling, drying over all, moistening initially. CONSTITUTIONAL AFFINITIES: stagnation, excess heat. Pitta/Kappha/(Vata to a lesser degree) SPECIAL TEACHINGS: Deep roots make beautiful blossoms. Joy in the little things. Equinox
Carley Smith is an Herbal Practitioner & teacher based on Vancouver Island, BC. She has been studying & working with medicinal plants for over 18 years & runs a small herbal clinic & apothecary out of her home in Coombs. From here she sees patients for 1 on 1 consultations, teaches classes & creates her renowned Herbal remedies for her business, Elder Tree Herbals, which is the culmination of her tremendous joy, passion and knowledge of the wonderful world of herbs. Registration is open for my program, Beginning With Herbs – A Foundational Course In Herbal Medicine & Working With Medicinal Plants. See my website for details!
www.carleysmith.ca 11
Do you have a Burning Question?
Ask a Cottage Witch! Imagine if Dear Abby had been witchy, what would you have asked her? How to ward off the evil eye of a co worker? A spell to sever ties with an ex partner? Which herbs to add when kitchen witch 'n for prosperity? How to use a pendulum? What your dream meant? Here is your opportunity to ask in a monthly column!
Ask Your Question Here Juliette is our cottage witch on the west coast of Canada receiving and answering your questions, you can find more about her at www.SelkieSanctuary.com 12
Guidance
for the Week ahead
Using the Human Spirit Oracle Learning to Reconnect Deck by Jena Dellagrottaglia
Available on our Amazon shop
This is an excerpt from the guidebook!
22 Wallflower Oh, there you are... I almost didn't notice you blending into that wall there! You have made it to the party, now get up off that wall, mingle, dance & find joy. I know sometimes it might be hard meeting new people, coming out of your introverted shell, while trying not to be seen. But you never know you might meet someone interesting, have a good laugh, dance until you sweat. At least you can say you got off the wall & gave it a try. 13
New Releases The Green Witch’s Garden Journal; from herbs & flowers to mushrooms & vegetables; Your planner & Logbook for a Magickal Garden Every green thumb needs a place to write their garden secrets, even green witches! A green witch embraces the power of nature, draws energy from the Earth and the Universe, and relies on stones, plants, flowers, and herbs for healing. Record all of your garden progress and secrets, making a log of how you’ve cultivated your magical space. With easy checklists, garden grids, and template pages, you will easily be able to keep a magical record of what you’ve planted, when it’s bloomed, how much water and light it needs, what it’s magical use is, and more. The Magickal Botanical Oracle: Plants from the Witch’s Garden by Maxine Miller Tap into the deeply rooted wisdom of the natural world with this dark and mysterious union of horticulture and occultism. Featuring plants commonly found in a witch's garden, apothecary, or spell book, Maxine Miller's detailed illustrations personify the true spirit of each plant while capturing the elegance and multifaceted nature of the botanical world. With lines and color moving in a symphony of esoteric beauty, this powerful deck is a must-have addition to your magickal collection.
Women of Myth by Jenny Williamson & Genn McMememy Uncover the fascinating and complex women from mythology and folklore with this collection of stories profiling powerful goddesses, mighty queens, and legendary creatures. Get inspired with 50 fascinating stories of powerful female figures from mythologies around the world. From heroines and deities to leaders and mythical creatures, this collection explores figures of myth who can inspire modern readers with their ability to shape our culture with the stories of their power, wisdom, compassion, and cunning. Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield Ever wish there was a step-by-step blueprint to design your life for financial freedom, lifestyle flexibility, and major impact? Are you ready to go from being stuck and complacent to courageous and capable of creating a business offering you the time and financial freedom you never dreamed possible? Through sharing her tried and true strategies, inspiring stories, and mindset shifts, Amy Porterfield, host of the top-rated podcast Online Marketing Made Easy and a 9-to-5 escapee who built an 8-figure online business on her terms shares her secrets.
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All of these titles & more are available on our Amazon shop
New Releases 21 Days to Decode Your Dreams by Leon Nacson Discover the deeper meaning of your dreams and understand the messages behind various signs and symbols in just 21 days. We've all experienced dreams that have given us pause for thought or wondered what deeper insight these nighttime visitations have. Dreams can unlock the deepest parts of our minds, reveal solutions that the waking mind could not comprehend and provide important guidelines for our future. However, these valuable insights are useless to us without a simple, easy-to-follow guide to the symbols and messages submerged within our dreams. 21 Days to Decode Your Dreams is the package all dreamers need. That Sucked Now What by Dr. Neeta Bhushan The Brave Table podcast host offers a practical five-stage framework to embrace the possibilities in chaos, normalize sucky human moments, overcome setbacks with grace, and fly forward every time. You know those awful, terrible, sucker-punch moments in life? The ones that knock you down, burn you up, or make you cringe so hard you wish it was all a bad dream? Probably–because we all do. These epic, messy, oh-no-oh-crap moments of chaos are just part of life–yet, as Dr. Neeta Bhushan shows us, they're also beautiful opportunities for change. The Ultimate Guide to The Witch’s Wheel of the Year by Anjou Kiernan The Ultimate Guide to The Witch’s Wheel of the Year offers a complete guide to celebrating the eight Wiccan sabbats as part of your spiritual practice. Lavishly illustrated and photographed, The Ultimate Guide to The Witch’s Wheel of the Year illustrates spells and practices that will help you incorporate the old magick of the seasons into your modern life. Accompanying each turn of the Wheel as it cycles through the holidays of Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon, and Samhain. Ostara: the ultimate guide to spring equinox & how it’s celebrated by Mar Silva Learn everything there is to know about Ostara and celebrate an ancient tradition! Have you ever wondered about the origins of Spring? Do you have questions regarding how this season was celebrated? Do you want to become one with nature and revive ancient traditions with your friends and family? Celebrating the magical spring season through the Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, is an important marker for so many and has been for thousands of years. Whether you’re new to Wicca or have been practicing for a few years, this is the guide to help you deepen your practice.
All of these titles & more are available on our Amazon shop
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Ostara Themed
Ostara March 20, 2023
Children’s Intro to Ostara by Liam Carew Ostara is a Pagan spring holiday, with themes around life itself, new beginnings, growth of family, hope, and making traditions together. This illustrated guide uses a lighthearted narrative and immersive, watercolor imagery to paint the picture of the holiday for all types of audiences!
Ostara & the Hare by Alexandre Ravenhart What would you do if you awoke one morning to find that you had laid a rainbow-colored egg? That's what the Hare asks himself when he wakes on the morning of the Spring Equinox to find he'd done just that! Join the Hare on his journey to discover a surprising secret about his past, told to him by the Goddess Ostara herself!
Learn about Paganism: Ostara with Grani Hulda Grani Hulda loves the Wheel of the Year celebrations! Ostara is one of her favorite holy days. Grani Hulda shares what Ostara means and explains it to kids in a way that they can understand it. ·What is Ostara? ·What is the tale of the Ostara Hare? ·How do you celebrate Ostara? In this fun and magickal book, Grani Hulda celebrates Ostara by hiding eggs, having a fire, making Ostara baskets and creating an Ostara altar, and that’s just to start! Sabbats: A Witch’s approach to living the old ways by Edain McCoy The book is filled with ways you can follow the Wheel of the Year, whether you work with a coven, with your family, or by yourself. You will learn the secrets of ritual construction and handicrafts appropriate to each of the festivals. You will also learn recipes for traditional foods for each holiday and even songs appropriate to the Sabbats.
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All of these titles & more are available on our Amazon shop
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