For my first challenge entry, I am tackling the first challenge - Try Something New. For this challenge, I decided to add Hel’s rune to my nails as an offering to her.
The first step was to find a good photo of the rune to send to my nail artist to ensure it was doable. She instantly agreed.
During my appointment, while she was adding the rune to my ring fingers, I said a silent offering prayer to Hel. I usually give physical offerings like wine, chocolate, flowers, or dead insect/ animal bones, so I wasn’t sure how she would respond to this type of offering.
Here is the final product:
The night I had them done, I had a dream in which several large black dogs visited me. I felt comfort and approval from the dogs. This is how she appears to me in my dreams, so I was excited that she approved of my offering.
Bonus points for being able to educate my nail artist on what the rune was and the meaning behind it. She was fascinated by the idea.
For challenge entry #2, I decided on Celestial Magick. I was slightly lost when determining what I wanted to do for the Celestial Magick challenge. I already make moon water and have rituals that go along with the moon’s phases. I’ve dipped my toes in astrology, which isn’t new to me either. So I do what I always do when this happens…Hit Google for ideas.
I came across the book Moon, Magic, Mixology by Julia Halina Hadas. The ideas presented by the author in this book are as follow:
You will learn how the moon’s power can extend beyond basic rituals or celebrations into potent astral potions that can heighten or even serve as complete energy workings, manifestation magic, spells, and more.
You had me at alcohol!!
I decided to try out a few of the recipes.
Wise Moon Amaretto Sour: This recipe has the following energies: longevity, prosperity, relationship optimism, and wisdom. It is a perfect drink to accompany moons in Aquarius, Virgo, Taurus, and Gemini, as well as a full moon.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 2 pear slices
- 4 medium fresh sage leaves, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, divided
- 1/2 ounce Simple Syrup (purchase or use the recipe in the book)
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1 jigger (1 1/2 ounces) amaretto
- 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur
- 1 egg white
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the pear, three sage leaves, and 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg in the Simple Syrup.
- Add lemon juice, amaretto, elderflower liqueur, and egg white.
- Shake without ice, then add ice to fill and shake a second time.
- Double strain into a martini glass and garnish with remaining sage leaf and nutmeg.
Lunar Purification Potion: This recipe has the following energies: purification, healing, and mood booster. It is a perfect drink to accompany the third quarter and waning moons.
Ingredients (serves 1)
- 1 spring rosemary
- 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice
- 1 ounce gin
- 1/4 ounce Honey Syrup (recipe below)
- 4 dashes rose water
- 2 ounces sparkling white wine
Directions
- Place rosemary, grapefruit juice, gin, Honey Syrup, and rose water into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake ingredients, also shaking away any negative energy.
- Strain into a coupe glass with one large ice cube/sphere.
- Top with sparkling wine.
I used full moon water to make large square ice cubes in these cocktails. Some of these ingredients can be made at home, while others are more convenient to purchase. Most of the syrup recipes are straightforward.
Honey Syrup (Yields 7/8 cup)
Ingredients
- 1/2 c water
- 1/2 c amber honey (I use honey from local hives)
Directions
- Boil water in a small pot over high heat. While waiting for the water to boil, place honey in a small, heatproof glass jar. Pray over the ingredients as you wait in any way you wish.
- Pour boiling water into the jar with the honey. Stir and let cool for 10 minutes. You can also add any herbs for flavored syrups when adding hot water. Strain these out after 10 minutes.
- Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to use for up to one month.
I was excited to try these that I forgot to take pictures!
For my last challenge entry, I chose the Earth-Friendly Magick challenge.
As a green witch and a scientist, I try to do things as eco-friendly as possible. I shop locally for anything that I can (food, goods, etc.) or try to support small businesses that I know have ethical and eco-friendly procurement processes. If I shop on Amazon, I use my Prime days to have a single package delivered instead of multiples to cut emissions (I like to think this makes a difference, but who knows, lol).
I have started to forage for items I can find around me here in the Houston area. You’d be surprised what you can find if you look! I also grow a few of my herbs (rosemary, mint, kitchen sage, and sweet basil), as well as jalapenos and tomatoes. Well, my vegetables didn’t survive our heat this year, but I usually have so many jalapenos and tomatoes I give them to friends.
I drive my husband nuts by saving jars to keep things in instead of buying new ones. I prefer to find items for my altars or offerings at thrift shops or Goodwill.
I try to find little ways to stay green. It might not be much, but I believe that if everyone did just a little, we could improve our planet’s health.
https://forum.spells8.com/t/weekly-witchy-challenge-catch-up