Teas vs. Tisanes vs. Potions

 Dear Reader,

If you crack open an herbal you'll find a lot of recipes for everything ranging from herbal teas to potions. Today's post is an attempt to clarify the differences between these different uses of herbs and note some safety protocol necessary in their uses. Before I move on to the details, I want to note something very important. If you are incorporating herbal medicine into your daily care regimen, keep your doctor and pharmacist apprised of the situation. Medicinal herbs and plants can have interactions with medications, some of them potentially lethal.

Now, preface made, let's get down to talking shop, shall we? Herbal teas are made with a base of black, white, or green tea. They contain a percentage of caffeine and other elements that can be good for your health. This is part of the reason why they're so popular. Herbal teas have set ratios of herbs to tea. Different brands of herbal teas will have different ratios and different herbs (even if they claim to be identical to other brands). Generally, commercial brands keep these ratios as trade secrets. After all, Bigelow doesn't want Celestial Seasonings to steal the recipes or vice versa. 

When selecting a commercially prepared herbal tea, make a point of reading the ingredient list. There are herbs and spices that can evoke an allergic reaction despite the fact that you're not out in the wild sticking your face into the plant to smell the pretty scents. Chamomile, for example, is well known as a digestive aid but if you have hayfever, it is possible that you are going to have some stuffy sinuses after drinking a cup of chamomile tea because it is related to the plants commonly known for provoking hayfever allergies. In the case of teas for relaxation and rest, one must be careful because they can contain herbs such as valerian which can interact with cold medications and make you extra drowsy.

Tisanes are different from herbal teas. They are like teas and frequently marketed as herbal teas. The difference is a tisane does not have any tea leaf added to it. These have higher concentration of herbs and spices in them than herbal teas. This means that they can have a stronger effect on the body. The brewing process for a tisane is also different from the brewing process for most herbal teas. 

Most herbal teas are brewed in the same manner of regular tea. Water is heated to near boiling (or boiling, depending on the tea used) and poured over the herbal tea before being allowed to steep for several minutes. Tisanes have a different process. Water is heated to near boiling and then poured over the herbs. At this point, the cup is covered to allow the steam to condense on the cover and drip back into the cup, thereby preserving the concentration of the active components of the tisane. The time to cover the cup varies between different tisanes and what is being used. They are, in general, steeped at least 10 minutes to get the maximum amount of the active components out of the herbs.

Potions are entirely different from herbal teas and tisanes. Most of the time, potions are not intended for consumption. They will use inorganic elements, such as crystals, and can prove highly toxic. (Point of reference: If you see a potion that calls for a combination of urine and bleach, don't use it. That produces dangerous amounts of chlorine gas and can kill you.) There are some potions that are made with edible ingredients and should still be treated with the same caution as herbal medicine because the herbs used in the potion will have an influence upon your body's ability to metabolize medications, vitamins, and even food.

In the end, the biggest thing I would like for you to take away from this post is that natural products are not always safe. Cyanide is natural and completely lethal. Be cautious in your approach to herbal medicine and consult with doctors and pharmacologists who have the training to tell you how your medicinal herbs will interact with your body. This is true for recreational herbal usage. If you're using herbs for fun and profit, make sure you do it safely and with consultation with the people who went to school to make sure you can survive the experience.

Iron: It's uses in defensive magic and how to properly season cast iron.

 Dear Reader,

Iron has long been associated with protection magic. Defensive charms made of iron and steel have been found since humanity figured out how to make iron and steel. Now, it may sound silly, but cast iron is a really good defensive magical tool. It is heavy, which makes it a good energy sink and a good personal defense item in a pinch. It acts to neutralize most magical energy that it comes into contact with. Iron retains a very strong connection with the Earth's core (which is made up of, among other things, molten iron) which makes it a very good tool for grounding energy at large.

Traditionally, cast iron has been used for everything from fences (obvious defensive measures) to cookware. That cast iron fence outside probably could benefit from a coat of paint or anti-rust products, but this does not neutralize its effect. The reason why is because the thin layer of product on the iron helps to preserve the iron and keep it intact. It is not enough of a layer to act as a buffer unless intentionally ensorcelled to do so. A wrought iron fence takes energy and directs it immediately into the ground beneath it creating a magical barrier that extends about where it is place.

If you wish to create such a barrier and can't afford wrought iron, there's the dirt cheap and kinda nasty way of doing it. That is burying steel nails around your property line. If you put them point up, potential trespassers are likely going to need a tetanus shot after stepping on them, depending on how deeply your bury your nails. To create a barrier at thresholds and similar liminal places of entry, a small steel finishing nail can be driven into the lintel about the doorway that will act as a barrier for unwelcome spiritual beings from entering.

Then we come to cast iron cookware. The cauldrons of old that were used for everyday cooking were also used for magical practice. They were, for the most part, iron. The iron worked like a magic circle to contain the energy of the spell craft being cast until the caster decided it was time to let it magic loose to do its work. Today, we don't use cast iron as much for cooking. If you are using cast iron for cooking it requires special care.

First, take your cast iron pot and scrub it well. I like using the steel wool pads because they don't impart too much soap in the process and they do a good job of getting burnt on material off. You don't want to use a lot of water or soap here because you want to retain the patina over the pot/pan you're working with. It is the patina that gives good cast iron cookware something of a non-stick quality. After you have scrubbed your pot and rinsed all the soap out, take a moment to dry it with a paper towel.

Your next step is to get out your cooking oil and another paper towel. Put a dab of cooking oil on the paper towel and massage this into your pan. You want to work the oil in across all of the cooking surface and the outside of the pan. Use a third (possibly fourth, depending on how much excess oil there is) paper towel to wipe the excess oil off of your pan. Then you want to place your pan into your oven on low heat until things begin to smell toasty. It is a good idea to put a baking sheet under your pan incase there are any oil drippings that come down from spots you possibly missed. Allow the pan to cool off at the same time as your oven. 

If you haven't used too much oil, your pan will have a smooth surface on the cooking surface. It will feel smooth to the touch (when it is cooled off) and it will work beautifully for cooking up pancakes because it will be nonstick. If you used too much oil, you will have to go back to step one in the process and re-season the pan. If too much oil is used, the pan will be sticky to the touch when it has cooled and things will tend to burn to the bottom of your pan. 

Important thing to remember, if you are heating your cast iron in the oven, make sure that it has a handle that can tolerate heat. Usually, cast iron pots have a cast iron handle. Some, however, have a wooden handle on them. For those pots, heat them on the stove top until they smell toasty and then allow them to cool off slowly. Do not thrust your hot cast iron pan into cold water in an effort to cool it. This will damage your pan and make it more brittle. Do not let your cast iron pan sit in water for an extended period of time because it will rust. And don't let it sit for an extended period of time on stainless steel because it will leave a rust mark on your steel that you'll have to scrub off with a good amount of effort.

Tarot Outlook for Quarter 1 of 2021

 Dear Reader,

This is a general, worldwide tarot outlook for the first quarter of 2021.

January: Isolation and contemplation. Pandemic restrictions are going to remain in place. We are encouraged to bear them with patience. The cards are exhorting us to use this time to look within and do an assessment of where we want to be and how we want to live our lives in the post-pandemic era.

February: For some, the pandemic restrictions are going to lift. They are going to find themselves in the position of working very had to bring ideals into reality. For the rest of us, there will be a great deal of restlessness and internal strife as we chafe against the restrictions. The cards are encouraging us to look at the big picture and not to loose our heads in the moment. We're encouraged to channel our frustration into artistic and creative activities. The key words here are "progress not perfection."

March: The percentage of the population that are going to be under severe restriction due to the pandemic is going to reduce as vaccinations ramp up during this month. There will be a measure of relaxation of general pandemic restrictions for many regions because of the advent of the vaccination efforts. This will trickle down into improved morale for the community at large. We will also see an increase in communication (reliable communication) through various channels regarding how the fight against the pandemic is faring. The key words here are "Keep calm and carry on." While things are improving, continue to use all safety protocols as you have been.

Posting on Hold.

 Dear Reader,

I have some mundane things to get sorted out before I can jump back into posting on a semi-daily basis again. I anticipate this will take about a week. The good news is that my son is Covid-19 free and ready to go back to school tomorrow. The bad news is that my home looks like a tornado went through it and the kitchen is a nightmare. So, first on my list of mundane things is going to be cleaning house in a big way.

I am also in the process of reevaluating the blog performance here. That means looking through the posts in the past and finding out what topics were of most interest to you. It's going to take me a day or two to accomplish that. If you have topics that you would like me to comment on, please let me know.

Happy New Year (belated) and now to get to work on ... Well, everything that needs to be picked up after Yule and a kid being sick at home for a week and a half. Wish me luck. I'm about to be eyeballs deep in dishes. LOL

Untitled

 Dear Reader,

It has been a trying day in my neck of the woods. I have had my elder son home from school for the last week because he was sick. The school, in an abundance of caution, are not allowing students who have been ill back for in session classes until they have tested negative for Covid-19. The act of going essentially across the county to the hospital that is administering the tests wasn't that bad. The testing process wasn't too awful. My son was quite happy that it was faster than the last time he had to get the test done. 

He helped me run a few errands. And we got home in plenty of time to meet his brother when he got home from school. The boys had a fairly good afternoon. The difficulties today come out of the fact that I slept terribly last night. And the combo of black ice and snow at one intersection. (Thank the gods it was empty when I slid past the stop sign at 15 mph in a 30 mph zone, the roads were ugly this morning.) I just emotionally have been having a rough week.

I'm still furious with the Trump insurrection attempt. I am disgusted with the Asatru people who participated in it. I am livid with the people who have applauded from the sidelines. I am equally furious with the people who are attempting to be apologists for it. At the same time that I am consumed with this rage, I am depressed and disheartened. We were supposed to be better than that. We were supposed to be the bastion of democracy.

I am fearful for my country. I am fearful for my family. To some extent we can pass as a 'normal' family, we are what the Trump supporters hate. I am a disabled woman who happens to be on the mouthy side and with a bit of education behind my words. My husband and sons are autistic. We are not a 'normal' family. We're not Christian of any flavor. We're aggressively supportive of human rights for everybody (that includes all races, belief systems, and your status as a citizen). We are "liberal" in our political orientation.

We are at a point where things are complicated. It is a point where systems are breaking down egregiously. I am severely limited in what I can do to influence the situation. We live in a region where we are in the minority on politics. Trump has emboldened the racists and hateful people through out the country, including in my little backwater town. It has reached a point where I don't feel safe going out wearing my pretty scarves because of how people react. It's been this way for about two years now.

I don't get more harassment because I am white. If I weren't, I would be afraid for my physical safety. I grieve the country I grew up in. The country that didn't give Nazis the time of day. It's been revealed to me that was an illusion. I, the descendant of Joseph Knight, a Revolutionary War hero, must say that this country is not living up to its potential. It is not living up to the promises that had been made. 

When Donald Trump was elected, I said to my husband that we were witnessing the end of Pax Americana. Last week only shows that I am correct in this estimation. All, however, is not lost. When the god of mischief and chaos himself tells you, "Chin up. It's not over. You still have a chance. Keep fighting." it is a good thing to listen. He's not the driving force behind this mess. I am sure there are people who will try to pin this on the Lokeans and others who deal with chaos entities. I am sure there are people who will try to pin this on the Satanists. But the driving force behind this mess is neither the chaos entities or Satan.

The driving force behind this is simply hate. We can over come hate. We can defeat people who weave it. Pax Americana may have passed, but this need not be the decline of the Republic. Let us resist the hatred being spewed at us. Let us resist the divisive attempts to make us fight each other as the "moral majority" play the game of let's you and him fight. Put sand in the gears of war. Bind up the wounds of your neighborhood. And drive out the ones who seek to destroy what truly makes this country worthwhile.

Friday Recommendations: Contact your Congress Critter!

 Dear Reader,

I try not to get political on here because politics and religion mix about as well as gasoline and a lit match. That said, I am going to be direct here. What happened on the sixth was insurrection and what the sitting President of the United States did was incite it. That, my dear Reader, is treason. I recommend that you contact your local representatives at Congress and remind them of this fact and demand his removal from office post haste. He has proven himself a threat to democracy and the People of the United States. We need him removed from office as quickly as possible. We can not wait two weeks, because gods only knows what kind of stunt he will pull.

Additionally, if you have any knowledge, footage, or information about the assault on Capitol hill, please contact the FBI. This is not about differing political opinions anymore. This is about an active attempt to overthrow the government.

If you're of the inclination and have the ability/resources, drop a curse on the participants in that assault. If you have the means to interrupt their communication between their cells, go for it. I've seen what a bunch of determined and angry people on the internet have done to petty souls who were abusive towards people on their forum. This is just a larger scale. To be honest, there's a lot more of us than there are of them. So, do what you can to resist, interrupt, and disable their actions. Don't let this be democracy's last gasp.

Epiphany & Revelations.

 Dear Reader,

Yesterday, the Filianic and Déanic holy day of Epiphany happened. (It coincides with the Christian holy day of Epiphany because the calendars happen to line up that way, much like Nativity falls on the same Julian calendar date as Christmas. I do not think this was entirely intentional or an effort by the founders of this young religion to appropriate these holy days. I think that it was an attempt at de-Christianizing the mid-winter holy season and open up access socially for celebration in other faiths as well. This, however, is a topic for another day.)

Back to Epiphany. That is the date that the Holy Mother comes out of the seclusion of the Cave of the World and reveals to creation the Holy Child, the Daughter of Déa who is Déa. The Light that comes from Pure Light. The Perfection that comes from Perfection. The Holy Child mediates the brilliance of the Holy Mother's Light so that creation might see them together at this time.

Epiphany is a word that means revelation. We witnessed here in the United States a horrific revelation regarding the broken power structure of our nation, the broken social systems of our nation, and a small portion of the systemic problems that we have ignored for a very long time. I do not think it mere coincidence that this revelation by way of a failed coup happened on the date of Epiphany.  I think it is a cosmic wake up call for this nation and a warning to our society that we have failed to be vigilant against forces that would destroy us.

I believe that there is a road forward that navigates the perils that lay about us. It is my belief that the first steps forward is to reaffirm our commitment to our democracy, the denouncement of facism and white supremacy, and the rebuilding of the social network that took care of the People of this nation. I think this is something that can be accomplished at all levels of the country: individual, local, regional, state, and national. We did not defeat the Nazis in World War II. Because they resided among us and acted as 'Good' Americans to fly under the radar. Look up the German-American Bund. Look at the origins of various hate groups. You will find at the root are Nazis and their ilk.

I formally denounce these people. I hereby decry their abysmal behavior as shameful and horrific. The members of the attempted raiding party on Capitol Hill yesterday who wore the emblems of my faith are not supported, encouraged, embraced, or approved by myself. Further more, I curse them to suffer the harshest of punishments that can be meted out by the High Ones and by our judicial system. And when they pass from this world, let them wander alone and rejected by the halls that would comfort them until they have paid full penance for the evils they have wrought in the days leading up to and on yesterday. And may this curse carry forward and harry them through whatever evils they attempt in the future, frustrating their efforts, blunting their weapons, and rendering them speechless.