Midsummer is really the beginning of summer here in central Massachusetts. We are about six weeks off from the traditional British harvest holidays, with the cross quarter fire festivals marking the height of each season rather than its beginning. At least that’s been my experience. There are a number of sacred herbs that can be […]
Read More Taking in the Midsummer HarvestThis past week has been one of splendiferous adventures in plant identification. My best friend recently introduced me to the New England Wildflower Society’s plant ID website, and it has been so much fun tracking down all manner of flowering plants. Blooming this week in the Assabet River bioregion, we have Common Cinquefoil, White Campion, Motherwort, […]
Read More Motherwort and Other CharactersI was fortunate enough to find this lovely old mirror in the thrift store for six dollars. I figured with a little bit of elbow grease and some homemade furniture polish it would brighten up in no time. Apparently, homemade furniture polish is only slightly different from homemade salad dressing: vinegar, oil, and lemon juice. There […]
Read More Kitchen Witchery: Mirror, MirrorThe same day that Sarah F. and I were making hag tapers, we were also cooking up a batch of fire cider. Actually, it was the fire cider that was the impetus for the get-together, as apparently someone, not the person who originally wrote down the recipe,* has decided to sue anyone marketing a similar […]
Read More Kitchen Witchery: Fire CiderMullein is one of my favorite plants. First, it’s great for the garden since it breaks up compacted soil and brings all sorts of yummy nutrients to the surface. Second, it’s a wonderful herbal remedy. Third, you can make candles with it! Which is exactly what Sarah F. over at Starflower Alchemy and I did […]
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The Druid's Well 