DIY Wicks - Matching Flame Color to Candle Color

Candle wicks should always be of 100% cotton. Try to get a flat braid - it curls back as it burns, consuming itself. And you don't want cotton that has been dyed, or bleached, and especially none that has wire in it.

Before you prime a wick - that is before you dip it in wax prior to the making of your candle, the wick should be treated in a flame resistant solution - this prevents it from being destroyed by the flame and your candle burning out. 

This process is known as mordanting.  Typically you dissolve about a tablespoon of salt, and a teaspoon of borax, in about a cup of warm water, and let your wick soak overnight. You must then let it dry completely, and then you prime it in wax.

Here are some additional chemicals that you can use in the mordanting process to alter the color of the flame, to match the color of your candle:

• A tsp of calcium burns reddish orange.
• A tsp of table salt brings a yellow flame.
• A tsp of Borax has a yellowish-green appearance.
• Add a teaspoon of potassium sulfate or saltpeter (potassium nitrate) for a purple flame.
• A tsp of Epsom salts burns white.
• A tsp of alum burns green. 

 

Folk Names for Herbs

Old Names For Herbs - A to Z


A Hawk's Heart: Heart of Wormwood Artemisia absinthium
A Lion's Hairs: Tongue of a Turnip [i.e., the leaves of the taproot] Brassica napus
A Man's Bile: Turnip Sap Brassica napus
A Pig's Tail: Leopard's Bane Arnica montana
A Titan's Blood: Wild Lettuce Lactuca virosa
Aaron's Rod: Goldenrod Solidago Virgaurea -or- Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
A Bone of an Ibis: Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica
Absinthe: Wormwood Artemisia Absinthium
Adder's Fork: Bistort Polygonum Bistorta
Adder's Mouth: Chickweed Stellaria Media
Adder's Tongue: Dogstooth Violet Erythronium multiscapoideum
Alison Alyssum Alyssum spp
Angel Food: Angelica Angelica archangelica
Angel's Trumpet: Jimsonweed / Datura Datura Stamonium
Apple of Carthage: Pomegranate Punica Granatum
Archangel: Angelica Angelica archangelica
Artemis Herb: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
Ass's Ear: Comfrey Symphytum Officinale -or- Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara
Ass's Foot: Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara
An Eagle: Wild Garlic Allium sativum
Auld Man's Bells: Bluebells Scilla Nutans, Scilla non-scripta, Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Bad Man's Oatmeal: Hemlock Conium Maculatum
Bad Man's Plaything: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Bastard: False or White Dittany Dictamnus Albus
Bat's Wings: Holly Ilex Aquifolium
Beard of the Monk: Chicory Cichorium Intybus
Bear's Foot: Lady's Mantle Alchemilla Vulgaris
Bear's Grape: Poke Root Phytolacca decandra -or- Uva Ursa Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi
Bear's Paw: Root Male Fern Dryopteris Felix-mas
Bear's Weed; Yerba Santa Eryodictyon californicum
Beggar's Buttons: Burdock Arctium Lappa
Beggar's Lice: Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale
Bird's Eye: Germander or Speedwell Teucrium chamaedrys
Bird's Foot: Fenugreek Trigonella Foenum-graecum
Bird's Nest: Indian Pipe Monotropa Uniflora
Bishop's Elder: Betony Stachys Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica
Bishop's Leaves: Water Figwort Scrophularia Aquatica
Bishop's Wort: Betony Stachys Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica
Bitter Grass: Ague Root Aletris Farinosa
Black Sampson: Echinacea Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea angustifolia
Blazing Star: Ague Root Aletris Farinosa
Blind Eyes: Poppies Papaver Spp. & Somniferum
Blood: Elder sap (or another tree sap) Sambucus Nigra
Blood from a Head: Lupine Lupinus perennis, Lupinus polyphyllus
Blood from a Shoulder: Bear's Breach Acanthus spinosus
Blood of Ares: Purslane Portulaca sativa
Blood of a Goose: Milk of the Mulberry Tree Morus nigra
Blood of a Snake: Hematite mineral form of Iron oxide (Fe2O3)
Blood of an Eye: Tamarisk Gall Tamarix orientalis
Blood of Ares: Purslane Portulaca Spp.
Blood of Hephaistos: Wormwood Artemisia Absinthium
Blood of Hestia: Chamomile Anthemis Nobilis
Bloodwort: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Bloody Butcher: Valerian Valeriana Officinalis
Bloody Fingers: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Blue Bottle: Bachelor's Buttons Centaurea Cyanus
Boy's Love: Southernwood Artemisia Abrotanum
Brain Thief: Mandrake Atropa Mandragora
Bread and Cheese Tree: Hawthorne Crataegus oxyacantha
Bride of the Meadow: Meadowsweet Eupatorium Purpureum
Bride of the Sun: Calendula Calendula Officinalis
Brown Dragon: Wake Robin Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.
Bull's Blood: Horehound Marrubium Vulgare
Bull's Foot: Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara
Bull's Semen: Egg of a Blister Beetle beetles (Coleoptera) of the family Meloidae
Burning Bush: White Dittany Dictamnus albus
Buttons Tansy: Tanacetum Vulgare
Calf's Snout: Snapdragon Antirrhinum Magus
Candelmas Maiden: Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis
Candlewick Plant: Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Capon's Tail: Valerian Valeriana Officinalis
Carpenter's Herb: Sweet Bugle Lycopus Virginicus
Carpenter's Square: Knotted Figwort Scrophularia nodosa
Carpenter's Weed: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Cat: Catnip Nepta Cataria
Cat's Foot: White Balsam Gnaphalium polycephalum -or- Canada Snake Root Asarum Canadensis -or- Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea
Cat's Herb: Valerian Valeriana Officinalis
Chameleon Star: Bromeliad Vriesia, Billbergia, Aechmae, Annanas, Bromelia, Guzmania, Cryptanthus, Neoreglia spps
Cheeses: Marsh Mallow Althaea Officinalis
Christ's Eye: Vervain Sage Salvia Verbenaca
Christ's Ladder: Centaury Erythraea Centaurium
Christ's Spear: Adder's Tongue Fern Ophioglossum Vulgatum
Church Steeples: Agrimony Agrimonia Eupatoria, Agrimonia Gyposepala
Chocolate Flower: Wild Geranium Geranium manculatum
Clear Eye: Clary Sage Salvia sclarea
Cleavers: Bedstraw Galium Verum, G. Triforum
Click: Goosegrass Galium aparine
Clot: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Cocklebur: Agrimony Agrimonia Eupatoria, Agrimonia Gyposepala
Colt's Tail: Canadian Fleabane Erigeron Canadense
Corpse Plant: Indian Pipe Monotropa Uniflora
Cuddy's Lungs: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Crane's Bill: Wild Geranium Geraniaum Maculatum
Crocodile Dung: Ethiopian Soil
Crowdy Kit: Figwort Scrophularia nodosa
Crow Foot: Wild Geranium Geraniaum Maculatum -or- Wood Anemone Anemone Nemorosa
Crown for a King: Wormwood Artemisia Absinthium
Cuckoo's Bread: Common Plantain Plantago major
Cucumber Tree: Magnolia Magnolia acuminata
Dagger Flower: Blue Flag Iris versicolor
Daphne: Laurel/Bay Laurus nobilis
Dead Man's Bells: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Death Angel: Agaric Amanita Muscaria
Death Cap: Agaric Amanita Muscaria
Death Flower: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Death's Herb: Belladonna Atropa belladonna
Delight of the Eye: Rowan Sorbus Spp.
Devil Plant: Sweet Basil Ocimum Basilicum
Devil's Apple: Mayapple Podophyllum peltaltum -or- Mandrake Atropa Mandragora
Devil's Beard: Houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
Devil's Bit; False Unicorn Root Chamaelirium luteum
Devil's Cherries: Belladonna Atropa belladonna
Devils Dung: Asafoetida Ferula Foetida
Devil's Ear: Wake Robin Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.
Devil's Eye: Henbane Hyoscyamus Niger -or- Periwinkle Vinca major, Vinca minor
Devil's Flower: Bachelor's Buttons Centaurea cyanus
Devil's Fuge: Mistletoe Viscum Album
Devil's Guts: Dodder Cuscuta Europaea
Devil's Herb: Belladonna Atropa belladonna
Devil's Milk: Celandine Chelidonium Majus
Devil's Nettle: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Devil's Plaything: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Devil's Shoestring: Black Haw Vibrunum Prunifolium -or- Cramp Bark Viburnum opulus -or- Hobblebush Viburnum alnifolium -or- North American Goat's Rue Tephrosia virginiana
Dew of the Sea: Rosemary Rosemarinus Officinalis
Dogberry: Brier Hips Rosa Canina
Dog's Mouth: Snap Dragon Antirrhinum Magus
Dog's Tongue: Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale
Dove's Foot: Wild Geranium Geraniaum Maculatum
Dragon: Tarragon Artemisia Dracunculus
Dragon Flower: Blue Flag Iris versicolor
Dragon Wort: Bistort Polygonum Bistorta
Dragon's Blood: Calamus Acorus calamus
Dragon's Teeth: Blue Vervain Verbena Officinalis
Drunkard: Calendula Calendula Officinalis
Duck's Foot: Mayapple Podophyllum peltaltum
Dulcamara: Woody Nightshade Celastrus scandens
Dwale: Deadly Nightshade Atropa Belladonna
Eagle: Wild Garlic Allium sativum
Eardrops: Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Earth Smoke: Fumitory Fumaria officinalis
Earth Star: Bromeliad Vriesia, Billbergia, Aechmae, Annanas, Bromelia, Guzmania, Cryptanthus, Neoreglia spps
Eerie: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Egyptian Thorn: Gum Arabic Acacia senegal
Egyptian Gum: Gum Arabic Acacia Senegal, A. Vera
Elf Dock: Elecampane Inula Helenium
Elf Leaf: Lavender Lavendula officinale or L. vera -or- Rosemary Rosemarinus Officinalis
Elf's Wort: Elecampane Inula Helenium
Elven: Common Elm Ulmus Campestris
Enchanter's Plant: Blue Vervain Verbena Officinalis
Englishman's Foot: Common Plantain Plantago major
Erba Santa Maria: Spearmint Mentha suaveolens
Everlasting Friendship: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Exile Tree: Be-Still Thevetia nereifolia
Eye of Christ: Germander Speedwell
Eye of Newt: A type of mustard seed with a black spot Cruciferae; Brassica
Eye of the Day: Common Daisy Bellis Perennis
Eye of the Star: White Horehound Marrubium Vulgare
Eye Root: Goldenseal Hydrastis Canadensis
Eyes: Any "eye" flowers such as daisies, bachelor's buttons, horehound, aster, eyebright, etc.
Fairy Bells: Wood Sorrel Oxalis Acetosella
Fairy Candles: Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Fairy Caps: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Fairy Cup: Cowslip Primula Veris
Fairy Smoke: Indian Pipe Monotropa Uniflora
Fairy Thimbles: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Fairy Wand: Devil's bit Chamaelirium luteum -or- False Unicorn Root Chamaelirium luteum
Fairy's Eggs: Nutmeg Myristica fragrans
Fairy's Glove: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Fat from a Head: Spurge Euphorbia spp.
Felon Herb: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
Felonwood: Woody Nightshade Celastrus scandens
Felonwort: Celandine Chelidonium Majus -or- Woody Nightshade Celastrus scandens
Field Hops: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Five Fingers Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis -or- Cinquefoil Potentilla Reptans, Potentilla Erecta
Flesh and Blood: Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
Flower of Death: Periwinkle Vinca major, Vinca minor
Flower of Flowers: Ylang-Ylang Cananga odorata
Flower of Immortality: Wild Amaranth Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
Folk's Glove: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Food of the Gods: Asafoetida Ferula Foetida
Foxes' Claws: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Fox's Clote: Burdock Arctium Lappa
Friar's Cap: Aconite Aconitum Napellus, Agrimonia eupatoria
Friar's Cowl: Wake Robin Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.
Frog's Foot: Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus spp.
From the Belly: Earth-apple / Potato Solanum tuberosum
From the Foot: Houseleek. Sempervivum tectorum
From the Loins: Chamomile Anthemis Nobilis
Fruit of the Gods: Apple Pyrus Spp, Malus spp.
Fruit of the Underworld: Apple Pyrus Spp, Malus spp.
Gall of Goat: Honeysuckle Lonicera Spp. -or- St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum
Gallows: Mandrake Atropa Mandragora
Ghost Flower: Indian Pipe Monotropa Uniflora
Ghost Pipe: Indian Pipe Monotropa Uniflora
Goat's Foot: Ash Weed Aegopodium podagraria
Goat's Leaf: Honeysuckle Lonicera Spp.
God's Hair: Hart's Tongue Fern Scolopendrium Vulgare
Golden Star or Goldy Star: Avens Geum
Good Luck Plant: Solomon's Seal Polygonatum Multiflorum, Polygonatum Commutatum, Polygonatum Biflorum
Goose Bill: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Goose Tongue: Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis
Gosling Wing: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Grains of Paradise: Cardamom Elettaria cardamom
Granny's Bonnet: Columbine Leaves Aquilegia Vulgaris, Aquilegia canadensis
Great Ox-eye: Ox-eye Daisy Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Gravelroot: Meadowsweet Eupatorium purpureum
Graveyard Dust: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Gypsy Herb: Sweet Bugle Lycopus Virginicus
Hag's Taper: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Hagthorn: Hawthorn Crataegus crusgalli
Hair of Venus: True Maidenhair Fern Adiantum Capillus-veneris
Hairs of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Seed Peucedanum graveolens
Hare's Beard: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Hart's Thorn: Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica
Hawk's Heart: Wormwood Heart Artemisia Absinthium
Heart Leaf: Liverwort Anemone hepatica, Peltigera canina
Heart of Osmund: Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Heart's Ease: Violet Viola odorata
Hedgemaids: Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Hellweed: Dodder Cuscuta Europaea
Herb of Angels: Angelica Angelica archangelica
Herb of Circe: Mandrake Atropa Mandragora
Herb of Grace; Blue Vervain Verbena Officinalis -or- Rue Ruta Graveolens
Herb of Mary: Pimpernel Anagallis Arvensis, Pimpinella spp.
Herb of the Cross: Blue Vervain Verbena Officinalis
Herb Trinity: Liverwort Anemone hepatica, Peltigera canina
Hind Heal: Tansy Tanacetum Vulgare
Hind's Tongue: Hart's Tongue Fern Scolopendrium Vulgare
Hog's Bean: Henbane Hyoscyamus Niger
Holy Grass: Sweetgrass Hierochloe odorata
Holy Herb: Yerba Santa Eryodictyon californicum
Holy Rope: Hemp (Agrimony) Eupatorium cannabinum
Hook and Arn: Yerba Santa Eryodictyon californicum
Horny Goat Weed: Common Polypody Fern Polypodium Vulgare
Horse Heal: Spikenard Inula Conyza
Horse Hoof: Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara
Horse Tongue: Hart's Tongue Fern Scolopendrium Vulgare
Hundred Eyes: Periwinkle Vinca major, Vinca minor
Hurtlesickle: Bachelor's Buttons Centaurea Cyanus
Ibis Bone Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica
Indian God Tree: Banyan Ficus Benghalensis
Innocence Bluets Houstonia Caerulea
Jack-Jump-About: Betony Stachys Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica
Jacob's Ladder: Celandine Chelidonium Majus -or- Lily of the valley Convallaria Magalis
Jacob's Staff: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Jesuit's Bark; Cinchona Cinchona pubescens
Joe Pye Weed: Meadowsweet Eupatorium purpureum
John the Conqueror: Galangal Root Alpinia Officianarum, Alpina officinalis, A. galanga
Jove's Flower: Carnation Dianthus spp.
Joy of the Mountain: Sweet Marjoram Origanum Marjorana
Joy on the Ground: Periwinkle Vinca major, Vinca minor
Juno's Tears: Blue Vervain Verbena Officinalis
Jupiter's Bean: Henbane Hyoscyamus Niger
Jupiter's Beard: Houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
Jupiter's Nut: Walnut Juglans Species
Jupiter's Staff: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Key of Heaven: Cowslip Primula Veris
King Root: Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
King's Clover: Melilot Melilotus officinalis, Melilotus alba, Melilotus arvensis
King's Crown: Black Haw Vibrunum Prunifolium
Kitten's Breeches Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Knight's Milfoil: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Kronos' Blood: Sap of the Cedar Tree Thuja occidentalis, Thuja orientalis, Biota orientalis, Thuja articulata,Cupressus thujoides, Juniperus virginiana, Cedrus libani, Cedrela odorata, Libocedrus bidwillii, and many more.
Ladder to Heaven: Lily of the valley Convallaria Magalis
Ladies' Meat: Hawthorn Crataegus Oxycantha
Ladies' Seal: White Bryony / English Mandrake Bryonia dioica
Lad's Love: Southernwood Artemisia Abrotanum
Lady Bleeding: Amaranth Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
Lady of the Meadow: Meadowsweet Eupatorium Purpureum
Lady of the Woods: Birch Betula Lenta
Lady's Cap: Cowslip Primula Veris
Lady's Foxglove: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Lady's Glove: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Lady's Smock: Cuckoo Flower Cardamine pratensis
Lamb's Ears: Betony Stachys Officinalis, Betonica Officinalis, Stachys Betonica
Laurier Sauce: Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis
Lion's Foot: Lady's Mantle Alchemilla Vulgaris
Lion's Hair: Leaves of a Turnip's taproot Brassica rapa
Leopard's Bane: Arnica Amica Montana
Lion's Herb: Columbine Leaves Aquilegia Vulgaris, Aquilegia canadensis
Lion's Tooth: Dandelion Taraxacum Officinale
Little Dragon: Tarragon Artemisia Dracunculus
Little Faces: Violet Viola odorata
Little Queen: Meadowsweet Eupatorium Purpureum
Lizard's Leg: Creeping plants such as Ivy
Lords and Ladies: Wake Robin Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.
Love in Idleness: Pansy Viola tricolor
Love Leaf: Damiana Turnera Aphrodisiaca, Turnera diffusa
Love Leaves: Burdock Arctium lappa
Love Lies Bleeding: Amaranth Amaranthus Hypochondriacus -or- Anemone Anemone Pulsatilla
Love Man: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Love Parsley: Lovage Levisticum Officinale
Love Ro,: Lovage Levisticum Officinale
Love Root: Lovage Levisticum Officinale -or- Orris Root Iris florentina
Love-In-Idleness: Pansy Viola tricolor
Low John, Low John the Conqueror: Galangal Root Alpinia Officianarum, Alpina officinalis, A. galanga
Lucky Hand: Male Fern Dryopteris Felix-mas
Lucky Hand Root: Lucky Hand Orchid / Salep Orchid Orchis latifolia
Lucky Nut: Be-Still Thevetia nereifolia
Lurk-in-the-Ditch: Pennyroyal Mentha Pulegium
Mad Root: White Bryony / English Mandrake Bryonia dioica
Madwort: Alyssum Alyssum Spp
Maiden Hair: True Maidenhair Fern Adiantum Capillus-veneris
Maiden's Gum: Common Elm Ulmus Campestris
Maiden's Ruin: Southernwood Artemisia Abrotanum
Maid's Hair: Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum
Mangold: Beet Beta Vulgaris
Man's Bile: Turnip Sap Brassica rapa
Man's Health: Ginseng Panax quinquefolium
Master of the Woods: Woodruff Asperula odorata
Masterwort: Angelica Angelica archangelica
May: Black Haw Viburnum prunifolum
May Lily: Lily of the Valley Convallaria magalis
Maypops: Passion Flower Passiflora incarnata
May Rose: Black Haw Viburnum prunifolum
Miracle of Nature: Century Plant / Maguey Agave americana
Mistress of the Night: Tuberose Polianthes tuberosa
Monk's Head: Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Monk's Hood: Aconite Aconitum Napellus, Agrimonia eupatoria
Mortification Root: Althea Althaea Officinalis
Mother of the Herbs: Rue Ruta Graveolens
Mother of the Wood: Blackthorn Prunus Spinosa
Mother's Heart: Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Musk of the Wood: Woodruff Asperula odorata
Mutton Chops: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Naughty Man: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
Naughty Man's Cherries: Belladonna Atropa belladonna
Noah's Ark: Ladies' Slipper Cypripedium pubescens, Cyprepedium parviflorum
Nose Bleed: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Nose of Turtle: Turtle's Cap / Balmony Chelone Glabra
Old Gal: Elder Bark Sambucus Nigra
Old Lady: Elder Bark Sambucus Nigra
Old Maid's Nightcap: Wild Geranium Geraniaum Maculatum
Old Man: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
Old Man's Flannel: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Old Man's Mustard: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Old Man's Pepper: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Old Uncle Henry: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
Old Woman: Wormwood Artemisia Absinthium
Oliver: Olive Olea europaea
Osmund the Waterman: Royal Fern Osmunda regalis
Our Herb: Basil Oncimum basilicum
Our Lady's Flannel: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Our Lady's Tears: Lily of the Valley Convallaria Magalis
Palma Christi Castor Ricinus communis
Passions: Bistort Polygonum Bistorta
Password: Primrose Primula Vulgaris
Peter's Staff: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Physician's Bone: Sandstone
Pidgeon's Grass: Blue Vervain Verbena Officinalis
Pigeon Berry: Poke Root Phytolacca decandra
Pig's Tail: Leopard's Bane / Arnica Amica Montana
Pitchforks: Beggar's Tick Bidens pilosa
Plague Flower: Butterbur Petasites Vulgaris, Tussilago Petasites
Poor Man's Meat: Bean Phaseolus Spp.
Poor Man's Treacle: Garlic Allium sativum
Priest's Crown: Dandelion Leaves Taraxacum Officinale
Priest's Pintle: Wake Robin Arisaema Triphyllum, Arum spp.
Prince's Feather: Amaranth Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
Princess Feather: Amaranth Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
Pucha-pat: Patchouli Pogostemon cablin Benth
Purple Medic: Alfalfa Medicago Saliva
Quaker's Bonnet: Lupine Lupinus polyphyllus
Queen of the Meadow: Meadowsweet Eupatorium Purpureum
Queen of the Night: Vanilla Cactus Cereus Grandiflorus
Queen's Delight: Queensroot Stillingia sylvatica
Racoon Berry: Mayapple Podophyllum peltaltum
Ram's Head :American Valerian / Ladies' Slipper Cypripedium pubescens, Cyprepedium parviflorum
Ram's Thorn: Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica
Rat Root: Calamus Root Acorus calamus
Red Cockscomb: Amaranth Amaranthus Hypochondriacus
Red Robin: Knotgrass Polygonum aviculare
Resurection Plant: Rose of Jericho Anastatica hierochuntica
Ring-o-bells: Bluebells Scilla Nutans, Scilla non-scripta, Hyacinthoides non-scripta
Robin-Run-in-the-Grass: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Robin-Run-in-the-Hedge: Ground Ivy Glechoma hederacea
Satan's Apples: Mandrake Atropa Mandragora
Scaldhead: Blackberry Rubus Fructicosus
Scale of Dragon: Tarragon Artemisia Dracunculus
Sea Dew: Rosemary Rosemarinus Officinalis
Sea Spirit: Bladderwrack Fucus Vesiculosis
Seal Root: Solomon's Seal Polygonatum Multiflorum, Polygonatum Commutatum, Polygonatum Biflorum
See Bright: Clary Sage Salvia Sclarea
Seed of Horus: White Horehound Marrubium Vulgare
Semen of Ammon: Houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
Semen of Ares: Clover Medicago Sativa
Semen of Helios: White Hellebore Veratrum, album
Semen of Hephaistos: Fleabane Erigeron annuus, Erigeron strigosus
Semen of Herakles: Mustard Rocket / Arrugula Eruca sativa
Semen of Hermes: Dill Peucedanum graveolens
Serpent's Tongue: Dog's Tooth Violet Erythronium Americanum
Seven Year's Love: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Shameface: Wild Geranium Geraniaum Maculatum
Shepherd's Heart: Shepherd's Purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Silver Bells: Black Haw Vibrunum Prunifolium
Silver Branch: Apple Pyrus Spp, Malus spp.
Silver Bough: Apple Pyrus Spp, Malus spp.
Simpler's Joy: Vervain Verbena officinalis
Sleep Wort: Lettuce Lactuca, sativa
Snake Grape: White Bryony / English Mandrake Bryonia dioica
Snake Head: Balmony Chelone Glabra
Snake Lily: Blue Flag Iris versicolor
Snakeberry: Woody Nightshade Celastrus scandens
Snake's Ball of Thread: Soapstone steatite
Snake's Grass: Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Snake's Head: Leech Hirudo medicinalis
Snowbells: Benzoin Styrax Benzoin
Soapwort: Daisy Bellis Perennis -or- Comfrey Symphytum Officinale
Soldier's Cap: Dutchman's Breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Son-Before-the-Father: Coltsfoot Tussilago Farfara
Sorcerer's Berry: Belladonna Atropa belladonna
Sorcerer's Root: Mandrake Atropa Mandragora
Sorcerer's Violet: Periwinkle Vinca major, Vinca minor
Sparrow's Tongue: Knotweed Polygonum aviculare
St. Bennet's Herb: Hemlock Conium Maculatum
St. James' Wort: Ragwort Senecio jacobaea
St. John's Plant: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
St. John's Herb: Hemp / Agrimony(this is not St. John's Wort)Agrimonia Eupatoria
St. Joseph's Wort: Sweet Basil Ocimum Basilicum
St. George's Herb: Valerian Valeriana Officinalis
St. Mary's Seal: Solomon's Seal Polygonatum Multiflorum, Polygonatum Commutatum, Polygonatum Biflorum
Star Flower: Borage Borago Officinalis
Star of the Earth: Avens Geum urbanum
Starweed: Chickweed Stellaria Media
Starwort: Aster Callistephus chinesis
Summer's Bride: Calendula Calendula Officinalis
Sweet Balm: Lemon Balm Melissa Officinalis
Sweethearts: Goosegrass Galium Aparine
Swine's Snout: Dandelion leaves Taraxacum Officinale
Tallow Shrub: Bayberry Myrica cerifera
Tanner's Bark: Common Oak Quercus, robur
Tartar Root: Ginseng Panax quinquefolium
Tear Grass: Job's Tears coix lachryma jobi
Tears of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Juice Peucedanum graveolens
Thor's Helper: Rowan Sorbus Spp.
Thousand Seal: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Thousand Weed: Yarrow Achillea Millefolium
Thunder Plant: Houseleek Sempervivum tectorum
Tiger's Chaundron; Lady's Mantle Alchemilla Vulgaris
Titan's Blood: Wild Lettuce Lactuca virosa
Toad: Toadflax Comandra Umbellata
Toad Shade: Trillium Trillium Species
Toad Bastard: Toadflax Comandra Umbellata
Toe of Frog; Buttercup Ranunculus Acris
Tongue of Dog: Houndstongue Cynoglossum officinale
Tooth of Wolf: Leaf of Wolfsbane Aconitum Napellus, Agrimonia eupatoria
Torches: Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus
Tree of Chastity: Hawthorn Crataegus Oxycantha
Tree of Doom: Elder Sambucus Nigra
Tree of Enchantment: White Willow Salix Alba
Tree of Life: Yellow Cedar Thuja occidentalis
Tree of Love: Apple Pyrus Spp, Malus spp.
True Love: Bethroot Trillium Species
Turtle Head: Balmony Chelone Glabra
Unicorn Horn: True Unicorn Root Aletris Farinosa -or- False Unicorn Helonias Dioica
Unicorn Root: Boneset Eupatorium Perfoliatum -or- Ague Root / Star Grass Aletris farinosa
Unshoe-the-Horse: Moonwort Fern Botrychium Lunaria
Virgin Mary's Nest: Nutmeg Myristica fragrans
Wachsgagle: Bayberry Myrica cerifera
Water Dragon; Marsh Marigold Caltha Palustris
Wax Dolls: Fumitory Fumaria officinalis
Weazel Snout: Yellow Dead Nettles/Yellow Archangel Lamium Galeobdolon
Weed: Ox-Eye Daisy Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum
White: Ox-eye Daisy Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum
White Man's Foot: Common Plantain Plantago major
White Wood: White Cinnamon Canella, alba
Winter Bloom: Witch Hazel Hammamelis virginiana
Witch Bane: Mountain Ash Rowan Sorbus Spp.
Witch Grass: Dog Grass Agropyron repens
Witch Herb: Mugwort Artemisia Vulgaris
Witch Tree: Mountain Ash Rowan Sorbus Spp.
Witch Wood: Mountain Ash Rowan Sorbus Spp.
Witches' Asprin: White Willow Bark Salix Alba
Witches' Bells: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Witches' Berry: Belladonna Atropa belladonna
Witches' Brier: Brier Hips Rosa Canina
Witches' Gloves: Foxglove Digitalis Purpurea, Digitalis Lanata
Witches' Herb: Sweet Basil Ocimum Basilicum
Witches' Weed: Cinquefoil Potentilla Reptans, Potentilla Erecta
Wolf Claw: Club Moss Lycopodiella alopecuroides
Wolf Foot: Sweet Bugle Lycopus Virginicus
Wolf Grape: Woody Nightshade Celastrus scandens
Wolf's Herb: Valerian Valeriana Officinalis
Wolf's Milk: Euphorbia Euphorbia spp.
Wool of Bat: Holly leaves Ilex Aquifolium

Directions to Your Astral Temple

I first became aware of astral temples probably about 20 years ago when I came across a book on the Sylva Mind Control Method - actually, I came to that book through a book called "The Beautiful Side of Evil". The idea of constructing habitations in the imagination, I found to be wondrously thrilling a notion.

I have just recently managed to acquire some astral property.  It happened in a rather peculiar manner.  What got me interested again was Jason Miller's blog post on the Astral Temple. After that I came across Benjamin Rowe's "A Short Course In Scrying", which if you haven't read, I would suggest you immediately do so.

I wanted to learn more, but there didn't seem to be a whole lot proffered on the subject by Google. Then one day Nick Farrell posted a video: How to construct a basic ritual. Nick always seems to offer up eye-opening information that nobody else is. Stuff that I have questions about. I really wanted my own astral temple after watching.

I still was hungry for more information.  That's when I came across Bernard Alvarez on Youtube. I would listen to his Consciousness Classes Playlist  on break, while I cat-napped.  So, I was sort of in and out of consciousness. He would take you through a relaxation technique at the beginning of the videos, and I would be sound asleep before the end of it. During the second video, on creating your safe space, I somehow arrived at my astral temple. I woke up from being asleep knowing exactly where I was to build.  There was a rock in a field at the edge of some woods.  To the north the land descended into a large valley with a large mountain in the far distance.  To the East was a steep drop, covered in laurel bushes, with mountain ranges in the distance. To the south were dense woods, and the faint sound of a stream.  To the north was the base of a mountain, which I have not climbed to see what's at the top of yet...

My astral space has since come to have an altar and two pillars. I plan to flesh-out what type of trees the forest consists of, what herbs are growing around, and such and so forth as described in Rowe's work linked above.  The main thing was just having a place to begin from.  Now that I do, each time I go there, it's like returning to a familiar and secluded spot; the most relaxing and private place in the world. 

Divination for a Love Satchet / Mojo Hand

This all started when I decided I wanted to make a Holly wand.  Holly clandestinely goes by the name "bat wings" in certain writings, for obvious reasons. It corresponds to Mars, to Fire, and some say Saturn (I'm a Capricorn, so - good).

There is the Holly Man and the Holly King. It is the whitest of all woods, and has been used to make piano keys. Considered sacred by the Druids, and put to use by the Greeks and Romans; especially suitable for divination, and believed to repel all evil spirits. Hanging it over the door lintel is said to be an invitation to helpful spirits. Holly and Ivy crowns for married peeps. Reputed to tame wild beasts, and protect against elementals and lightning. Bestows wisdom and courage. Particularly useful in dream magick.

So, I go about making the wand - with a red hemp-wrapped handle.  I left some bark on. I'm very pleased with it. I'm pleased with the Holly shrub I took it from, which is surrounded with Ivy. Holly and Ivy just belong together. Bliss.

I was left with some Holly leaves and berries.  I had read that men sometimes carried the leaves and berries in a satchet to enhance their ability to attract women.  Also,after midnight on a Friday, in silence, one may gather 9 holly leaves, wrap them in white cloth, and tie 9 knots, the ends being tied together. Place beneath your pillow for your dreams to come true.  I dream some weird schijt, so I was more interested in attracting women.

I spent three entire evenings and nights reading magician's herbal tables and Catherine Yronwode and Hoodoo stuff. I spent a lot of time gathering a lot of things - it was like item questing in Hyrule, and really, since I got involved with Holly, I've had that magickal Hyrule Field feeling of adventure and wonder. I've gotten new insights into invoking earth pentagrams. I'm eating better, not drinking. It's like a current opened up, and I want to be sensitive to it. If I give in to gluttony, I don't feel it - I feel like a glutton. I want to keep this current open.

So, the Moon is in its 1st quarter, waxing.  I had picked out a plethora of traditional and corresponding herbs for love, as well as male and female lodestones. I set them all out on the altar. I made some divination tea, and drew a bath.  I added half a handful of dill seed to the bath, 27 drops of Ylang Ylang oil, and a handful of Jasper flowers. This was awesome.

After I got out, I donned my robe, and threw together some divination incense, and had another cup of divination tea. I lit the charcoal, the candle, and turned out the lights. It was dark enough to not be able to read labels or see the contents of my jars. I took out my pendulum and went to work.

This is what my bag will contain:

Beet Powder         -      feminine, Saturn, Earth

Catnip                  -      feminine, Venus, Water

Dragon's Blood      -      masculine, Mars, Fire

Holy Basil             -      masculine, Mars, Fire

Holly                    -      masculine, Mars, Fire

Lavender              -      masculine, Mercury, Air

Wild Cherry Bark   -      feminine, Venus, Water

Tomorrow, the day of Venus, in the hour of Venus, I'll combine these (I may add a sigil) in red cloth, and fix, tie, name, and feed. Throughout this entire process spanning around a week, I've not ejaculated. This is high strangeness, and points to the non-use of Florida Water.

Also, electronics have been cutting out on me during the process - at home (loss of internet at a highly ironic moment), at stores (ready to pay, and the computer acts bizarrely, preventing me from paying), at work (3 breakers having been knocked off in 3 different locations, over 3 days). I note everything I observe and will sort it out later. Just reporting facts. I also saw something in a window moving at work, from outside in the parking lot, when nobody was there. I couldn't tell what it was, but something was moving - it was dusk, and the light was on in the room, and there was movement.  I walked the entire building and found no one. I talked with a woman 3 days after the incident who works in that room during the day, and find her father was a Rosicrucian and Mason, and she's knowledgeable of Hermetics and several other things I am not use to finding people know about other than me - in day to day life (outside of cyberspace).  Fascinating. I'd call that not a sign, but movement. It's like the Work begins to work before you can even work the Work.