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​I have a nice size patch of lavender in my garden. I love it. Forgetting all its wonderful properties, it's beauty and intoxicating scent, lavender is one of my favorite herbs because it reminds me of why I believe in magic. Let me explain. Last summer, while harvesting my lavender I had one of those moments that don't come along enough. That you know are special as you're living them. 
I was sat in the middle of a ring of lavender bushes. The sun warms me up as the clean sweet smell of lavender wafts over me with each gentle breeze. One of those perfect days where the temperature is neither to hot nor too cold. The gentle buzzing of 30 or 40 bees working their little hearts out puts a smile on my face. I take what I need, but leave them enough to get their job done. They seem happy to work along side me. I know I am enjoying their company.
Some may say oh cool, or yeah that sounds nice but magic? Magic is what you make of that moment. Not just the bees, the plants and especially not me, but the magic comes when you sit there in that moment. Nothing else can come inside. You connect with nature on a level that you know is rare and hard to do yet when all the these amazing things align it is the most natural thing to do and if you let it then it can change you. That is magic. 
I still sometimes get flashes of that moment and they make me smile every time. In fact I'm smiling right now. I must look insane, typing away with a cheeky grin, like I know a secret that no one else does. I have shared it now. You can use it as you like. 
Some will read this and think the lady is daft. Some will read it and think about their own magical moment and some will be just a little sad and I hope a little hopeful, that even though they've never experienced this kind of moment, that if its possible for me, it is possible for them. That it's never too late to be this at one with the things around you.

​Lavender is lovely and it has many uses. Here are five of my favorite. 

1) Lavender has calming and relaxation properties. It has long been associated with dreaming and a good sleep. Making or buying a lavender pillow that can be kept in your bed, will help you fall asleep faster and give you a more restful and peaceful sleep.

2) Lavender is also associated with purity and cleansing of the body. Making a bath tea with lavender and chamomile will lighten your spirit and make sure you are feeling renewed. I good hot relaxing soak with will make you feel brand new.

3) Lavender doesn't just cleanse your spirit either. Its antiseptic and anti inflammatory properties can help calm red inflamed skin, bug bites, small cuts and minor burns. 

4) After your body feels renewed and protected from bad energy, you'll want your home to feel the same way. This can be done by burning a smudge stick of lavender. Let the cleansing smoke rid your home of any energy left over from a bad time or just to make your home your own. When people move out of a house they take their belongings with them, but they almost always leave whatever energy they bring to this world. You want your home to be yours alone. Smudging using lavender will do the trick.

5) Because lavender is such a calming clean smell I encourage you to use it in all areas of your home. Potpourri, make dryer bags to scent your clothes, sachets in your drawers and one of my favorites is adding it to some coconut oil. Have a nice relaxing bath then massage the oil into your skin. You will sleep like a baby. 
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In a world that is filled with guns and violence, hatred and betrayal, lies and deceit, it is easy to feel like there is nothing good to be found. I don't agree, but it doesn't surprise me that people feel that way. Magic explains it all. Magic is about intent. It's the ultimate in karma. It's why it appeals to me. If you do things with pure intention then what you get back will reflect that. When all we hear is negative then it is so very hard not to reflect that.
Magic is not something that needs to be practiced by a few. It can be practiced every day. Bake something with love and it will taste much better. Grow something and take care of it, talk to it, make sure it is treated with care and it will flourish. If magic was preformed by everyone this world would be a much better place.
Magic isn't some special gift we are born with like in my books. Only given to a special few. It's an ability we all have. We can change things in our lives, by wanting that change and putting that desire into the effort it takes to do so. Sometimes we need help. A smudge stick can cleanse the feel of a home, but it is your intent that does the magic. The smell and the burning, the ritual helps you focus your mind, but it is you and your want of a safe, welcoming home that makes it so. 
If you want to create something in your life, be it a new love, prosperity, or letting go of a long held pain, a hex bag or a witch jar filled with things like herbs and crystals can bring your mind into focus. The touch of the cold glass jar or the soft velvet of the bag can remind you what you want. Keep it with you always so you can always have a reminder that it is what you want the most and your actions need to reflect that. 
A witches alter is no more than a place where you can have the things you need to keep your life on track. We have lost our connection with nature and these things help us reconnect. They have always been there for us and because we have forgotten them for shinier newer things that clog our mind and distract us from what we truly want and what we need to do to get it we are lost. Magic brings us back. 
It envelops us and protects us. We are nature and breaking that tie is a dangerous thing. I plan to take the things I've learned and help others. I am going to open my store of Magical Things. Things that will help you return to what is important. Things that will reconnect you to nature, to what you want and how to get it. 
I am growing the things that are needed with love and care. I walk the forest and take the things she offers me. I don't cut the trees, I take the ones that have fallen. I don't harm nature, it isn't necessary.
So stay tuned, write me with requests or just tell me what you think. Magical Things are coming your way. 

Hyssop is a fantastic multi-purpose herb. It can be used in many ways for its purifying and healing properties. A flowering herb that is from the mint family it is beautiful as well as fragrant. 
I plan to grow it this year and I can't wait to smell it. I already have a nice size area of peppermint and spearmint, this will be a perfect edition to that. 
I had heard of hyssop before, but never knew of its magical properties. Hyssop will give you two bloomings if you cut them back after the first bloom. Bees love them. You will have a healthy and happy garden if you plant this herb. The beautiful blue or purple long blooming flowers will strike quite the sight.
Dried this herb has many uses. The exquisite smell can be used in potpourris. As a tea it's said to have healing properties. Aids in digestion, a cough suppressant and it has anti-septic properties. All of these make it a lovely bath tea. 
Hanging the herb in cheesecloth under the tap fills the bath with its pleasant scent and healing abilities. A cleansing, healing relaxing bath.
Hyssop has a minty flavor and can be used in cooking, but you must be careful as large doses can cause seizures in adults and smaller amounts in children. Not good for pregnant or breastfeeding women just to be on the safe side.
 In magic and rituals hyssop is used primarily for cleansing. It can be infused in your washing up water as you clean your house to remove any negativity. Or dried and made into a smudge stick to burn and purify.
Some carry it on them in a sachet to protect themselves from negativity. 
A bath with the herb will cleanse the body of negativity and hexes. Anything holding you back will be washed away.
You can get hyssop capsules, teas and essential oils at most drugstores or online. It's truly one of natures magical herbs. I can't wait to grow it this spring. 

While writing both of my series, I've done oodles of research into pagan rituals, Wiccan's, and all things mother earth. It has opened my eyes in many ways. I love the idea of our connection to the earth. No matter what religion you follow, or maybe don't follow any, we all are shaped and affected by the ground we walk on.
The feel of grass beneath our bare feet. The sound of the waves crashing on the sand. The feel of a cool breeze on a warm day. You feel the stress of life falling away. Nature is a healing salve if you let it still your mind. I believe that we all need to be connected to nature in some way to be healthy.
In one of the scenes from my next book in the Cassandra Myles Witch Series, Blood and Pack a witch does a cleansing of a home with a smudge stick. I loved this idea of clearing a space of all the old energy and starting off new. Who doesn't want a fresh start? Even if you don't believe the herb has magical properties you can consider it in another way.  You are focusing your mind on a task. That task is to rid your home of anything negative you associate with it
Clearing your mind and taking stock of things you need to deal with makes sense, using a ritual to help you do that makes sense. Having someone come into your home and help you is a personal choice.  Smudging can cleanse a person, a home or an object. Different herbs perform different purposes.

Sage is the most common herb used in smudging. It is used to clear away negative energy. It could be an old relationship, it could be a room that had been used to convalescence,  a home that needs a new start or any reason you need to clear away the past and start anew.

pine needles and balsam fir is used for purification. To aid in healing or clean away a dark energy

mugwort smudging can bring about lucid dreaming for those seeking answers in their subconscious and it also has a calming affect.

lavender is also used for calming. This herb has long been associated with aiding in sleep,

Rose petals added to a smudge stick will attract love. 

peppermint is used for healing and protection. Add this to your smudge stick if you feel anxious or not well. It will help to drive that feeling away. If you are sick it will help you center your mind on getting well.

lemon balm is used for calming and I can attest to its calming properties as I've grown and made tea from my garden many times. 

I intend to grow these and many more herbs this year in my garden.  Of course you will need a fire proof bowl while performing any rituals, some use an abalone shell if available. Many feel they need to repeat an incantation as they perform a smudging it is useful for focusing the mind on the task at hand. I will write about those in my next post.