Wicca Spirit Newsletter Contests, Book Bargains, Herbs & Herbalism

Text Box: Each issue of Wicca Spirit will offer a contest for our readers. Contests will vary. They will range from simple question and answer games to writing or poetry contests voted on by readers, to anything else that we can think of or that may be suggested by our readers. Prizes will be chosen from items we stock in our metaphysical store and

Text Box: may be a book, incense, oils, crystals, or any other item chosen from the hundreds of items we stock. If you would like to suggest a contest please send us your ideas… Click Here Here is the contest for this issue: Unscramble the letters to find a stone with magickal uses: C L A T E H I A M

Text Box: What are the magickal properties or correspondences of this stone? Give an example of how you would use this stone. The answer will be provided in the next issue of Wicca Spirit. We will also announce the winner of this contest (who will be awarded an appreciation gift at our next meeting). Click Here to submit your answer

Text Box: Macerated / Infused liquid This can be made by steeping 1 oz (25 g) dried herbal material in 18 fl oz (500 ml) water at room temperature for at least 12 hours and then straining it. Macerated / Infused oils Oils can be made from herbs, using fresh or dried material. Heat 18 fl oz (500 ml) oil over boiling Water – bain-marie style (NOT directly on an electric plate or gas, and while doing this, ensure that there is always water in the pot underneath heating the oil). To this oil you should add 27 oz (750 g) fresh, or 9 oz (250 g) dried herbal material – and keep it heated for 3 hours. After cooling the plant material is strained. Take a jar and fill it with fresh herbs and use enough of the oil to cover the material, and then leave for 3 weeks to diffuse. Ointments They can be made by heating solid fats or petroleum jelly over boiling water (as above with the macerated oils) and adding 2.5 oz (60 g) dried material to 18 fl oz (500 ml) of fat/petroleum jelly. This mixture must be warmed over the boiling water for 3 hours and then strained and decanted into jars. Poultice This is made by making a paste from dried or fresh material (finely chopped) and/or powdered material by mixing it in water and heating it to a temperature where it is still bearable to apply to the skin. The poultice is applied to the skin without burning the skin, and replacing when cooled down. Powdered herbs Herbs can be powdered when dry, to mix with fluid when taken, but since the taste is not always acceptable, this process is often used in the

Text Box: Exercise caution when working with herbs. Information shared here should not be substituted for the advice, or care, from a qualified health care professional. _____ There are many ways to use herbs. You need to understand the terminology you will most assuredly come across when you begin working with herbs. Here are the most common uses:
Different ways to use herbs
-author unknown Compresses A compress is made by soaking a clean cloth in an herbal infusion, decoction or a diluted tincture. Decoctions They are made by using 2.5 oz (60 g) of fresh herbs or 1.25 oz (30 g) of dried herbal material and simmering it in 18 fl oz (500 ml) of water for at least 20 minutes. Bark and root are very suitable types of material to use when making a decoction. The decoction must be used the same day it is made and excess should be discarded. Infusions Prepare an infusion by pouring 18 fl oz (500 ml) near-boiling water over 3 oz (75 g) fresh herb or 1.25 oz (30 g) dried herb and let it steep for 5 minutes. Flowers and leaves are suitable when making an Infusion. The infusion must be used the same day it is made and excess should be discarded. Liquid extracts These are made by using one part alcohol to one part herbal material to create pharmaceutical grade concentrates.

Text Box: supplement/pharmaceutical industry for making pills and capsules. Syrups These are infusions or decoctions mixed with sugar to promote a more palatable taste. This also helps to preserve it. It is normally created by using 18 fl oz (500 ml) fluid to 18 oz (500 g) sugar. Tisanes These are herbal teas, and are infusions normally made from aromatic herbs such as fennel, chamomile, peppermint etc. They are taken without milk, but depending on personal taste, sugar or honey may be added. Tinctures The same process is followed as when making macerated oils, but instead of oils, a water/alcohol mix is used to extract the active ingredients. This is an effective way to extract the constituents. Tinctures are stronger than infusions or decoctions and are made by using one part material to four parts alcohol. _____ We welcome contributions for this feature of Wicca Spirit Newsletter - Submit your contributions for this feature via email - Click Here All contributors receive credit, bio, and link to their website.

Text Box: 10 % OFF! Save 10% off the listed price on any new book in stock - no limit!. We have many popular and helpful titles. Come browse our shelves now OR make your selections from Azure Green, send us your list and get 10% off your total! (does not include shipping … this special ends August 15, 2007 If shopping from Azure Green send

Text Box: your list to us via email. Prepayment required on all orders made for this special offer. Will send info upon receiving your list of books.

Text Box: We stock a huge collection of books in our store and will offer specials on selected titles in each issue of this newsletter. Be sure to always check this section of Wicca Spirit for big savings on popular books...both new and used. Here is this week’s special:

Text Box: Wicca Spirit

A publication from the
Shrine of Universal Living Spirit

Important Note: this contest is open to the members of S.O.U.L.S study group only!

Visit S.O.U.L.S. Group Site

Herbal ‘Vocabulary’ - there are many ways to use herbs!

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