Courage - what does it mean?

Today’s topic is “courage”, which is defined as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain etc. without fear; bravery.”

But what else is courage? I spent some time thinking about this in relation to my life and craft.

I decided that, for me, courage is:

✨ being your authentic self.

✨ acting in accordance with your beliefs, especially in the face of criticism.

✨ being honest with yourself, and others.

✨ stepping out of your comfort zone; trying new things without fear of failure.

✨ commitment to the development of oneself; undertaking Shadow Work.

✨ dedication to your path.

✨ having integrity.

✨ knowing and accepting there aren’t enough lifetimes to learn all is there is to know, and being ok with that.

✨ loving, honouring, and respecting yourself, the way we do others.

What do you think courage is?

Some magical correspondences for courage:

HERBS - borage, Rosemary, yarrow.

CRYSTALS - carnelian, bloodstone, aquamarine.

COLOURS - red, dark red.

FLOWERS - edelweiss, protea, thyme.

DEITIES - Athena (Greek), Bellona (Roman), Inanna (Sumerian).

ANIMALS - buffalo, lion, wolf.

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Daily Card Reading

Create calm out of chaos by forming a plan. When you create a plan, you create order. You will also create a drive to get things done, as you make your way toward your goal. As the momentum builds, this creates efficacy. Before you know it you will have achieved what you set out to do, and you’ll be making your way towards the next goal.

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Deck: Vikings Tarot 

Daily Card Reading

Handle your words carefully. You can cut through the bullshit and crap with them, using them for good; or you can blindly throw them around, causing harm when none was meant. Which person are you going to be today? Think before you speak.

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Deck: The After Tarot 

The Wisdom of Land Wights

Today I wanted to talk about finding and identifying herbs and plants, and gaining other local wisdom, in relation to land wights.

Land wights are the unique spirits that reside in each herb, plant, rock, crystal, mineral, animal, and stone. Collectively, they form the genius loci; the living, breathing, spirit of a place.

I moved to this area a year and a half ago, and felt instantly connected from Day 1, despite growing up several hours away. A recent genealogical DNA test has revealed that despite no family living here, my ancestors originate from here. Now here’s where it gets interesting.

Since moving here, I am being imparted with wisdom. Whilst I am fascinated by foraging and herbalism, I am by no means an expert. Weirdly, when I am travelling through the countryside I am being magnetically pulled to certain plants, which I am intuitively identifying. When I get home and research I find out I‘m correct! This has happened twice in the last week alone. I am also getting ‘the feels’ that a particular herb or plant is nearby, and sure enough it is. Last week we came across a small body of water which I was ‘told’, by some inner knowing, was a Canal. My husband who grew up here insisted it wasn’t, but my research revealed that this stretch of water was the last part of a Canal that was built in 1802, and has since been filled in except for the part we had found.

I feel like the land, and the spirits that reside within the land, are revealing themselves to me, furthering my education. It is a truly magical feeling.

Is this wisdom coming from the land wights? I know I am totally honoured if that’s the case, but it does feel that way.

Have you ever felt instantly connected to a place? Did it reveal its secrets to you? Have you experienced what I am? 

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Meadowsweet

A couple of days ago I shared a meadowsweet foot soak, and promised to write more about this ultimate self-care herb.

Known as the Queen of the Meadow, Brideswort, and Meadwort, its name refers to its favourite place and most obvious characteristic.

It is a plant high in aromatic oils, and the flower heads were strewn on the floors of churches and houses before proper floors; such is its sweetness. Culpepper tells us that meadowsweet “makes a merry heart”, and so it does, such is the beauty of its scent. Whilst a favourite of the Druids, old folklore insists that bringing meadowsweet into the house also brings death.

As well as glorious foot soaks and mentally uplifting aromas, meadowsweet is rich in iron and magnesium, essential for the production of red blood cells; so a daily meadowsweet-infused water is perfect for women who are anaemic due to childbirth or menstruation. It also makes a lovely tea.

It is said that many witches will dry the flowers in the garden shed, but will not be tempted to bring a living spray into the house, in case it puts one into a death-like sleep.

I think she is beautiful. I’ll take my chances.

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Daily Card Reading

When the Moon appears, not everything is as it seems. You are possibly being kept in the dark over something, or the situation has not yet been fully illuminated. The trick here is discernment - you need to discern what you can using the information you do have, and use your intuition to work out the rest. Be wary of making decisions at this time, it might be safer to wait until you have the full picture. The Moon has no secrets - eventually she will reveal all. 

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Deck: Angels & Ancestors Oracle 

Daily Card Reading

All sorts of magic can happen when you create collaboratively! No-one is indispensable, even if you have tons of skills, there is always something someone else can offer. You know what you want to achieve, now it’s time to implement your plans, and see how others can help in the process. Teamwork is everything.

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Deck: The After Tarot 

Daily Card Reading

When you can’t see the wood for the trees, or you’ve got that nagging voice on your shoulder, drowning out your ability to think, it’s time to go hermit. Hit that cabin in the woods, and hunker down. It doesn’t have to be literally! Just remove yourself from all life’s distractions so that you can think, assess, and process. Seek the peace, and find the answers you were looking for. You’ll then be able to move forwards with a great plan.

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Deck: The After Tarot 

Fresh Meadowsweet Foot Bath

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), also known as Meadwort, hars been used for its medicinal purposes since the Bronze Age.

Today, its job was to soothe my tired, aching feet, and lend some comfort to my frazzled nerves ahead of a busy week.

I’m going to share a bit more about Meadowsweet over the coming days, including a photograph of this wonder herb, but today I want to share with you my recipe for a foot bath.

FRESH MEADOWSWEET FOOT BATH.

🥣 Take ten heads of Meadowsweet and place in a large pan. Cover with 1.5L of water.

🥣 Bring to a boil, then leave to steep for 15 minutes.

🥣 Strain into a basin. Add some cool water if needed.

🥣 Soak your feet, and relax!

Whilst this recipe is simple, it is super-refreshing, and my feet always feel like new afterwards. They are soothed, softened, and moisturised. The fragrance and time out has made me ready, mentally, for the week ahead.

Do exercise some caution as the Meadowsweet stains some materials yellow.

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