Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard
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Course Five: Spectrum, Part 1 223<br />
POMEGRANATE: Pomegranate<br />
juice is great to drink<br />
during <strong>the</strong> heat of Summer,<br />
and it can also be<br />
used to lower fevers.<br />
According to <strong>the</strong><br />
prophet Mohamed,<br />
eating pomegranates purges anger<br />
and jealousy out of <strong>the</strong> system.<br />
POTATO: When you eat potatoes always include <strong>the</strong><br />
skin, as that is where <strong>the</strong> vitamins are. However, if <strong>the</strong><br />
skin has turned green cut that section off or discard<br />
<strong>the</strong> potato, as it will <strong>the</strong>n contain alkaloids, a type of<br />
poison. Did you know that potatoes<br />
are in <strong>the</strong> same family as deadly nightshade?<br />
If you mix potatoes and corn<br />
toge<strong>the</strong>r it makes a complete protein.<br />
Potatoes have citric acid, which<br />
builds <strong>the</strong> immune system and repairs<br />
tissue, and <strong>the</strong> skins have vitamin K,<br />
which aids in blood clotting.<br />
PUMPKIN SEEDS: Eating pumpkin seeds will help<br />
get worms out of your system. (Did you know that at<br />
any given time 80% of <strong>the</strong> human population has<br />
worms? We get <strong>the</strong>m from walking around barefoot<br />
and from frequent contact with dogs, cats, and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
animals.) You will need to fast from o<strong>the</strong>r foods while<br />
eating <strong>the</strong> seeds. Start on an empty stomach and eat a<br />
handful of seeds every hour <strong>for</strong> three hours. Chew <strong>the</strong><br />
seeds thoroughly. You can also drink “pumpkin milk”<br />
at <strong>the</strong> same time, made by placing <strong>the</strong> seeds in <strong>the</strong><br />
blender with cold water. Follow with a dose of castor<br />
oil to drive out <strong>the</strong> worms. Repeat <strong>the</strong> whole process if<br />
necessary. If you have a tapeworm be sure <strong>the</strong> whole<br />
thing comes out!<br />
PRUNES: Prunes are actually<br />
dried plums. They are slightly<br />
laxative and should be eaten<br />
stewed by those who need help<br />
maintaining healthy bowel movements.<br />
(We all do from time to time!)<br />
VINEGAR: Vinegar is an ancient and respected<br />
folk remedy <strong>for</strong> many conditions. Apple<br />
cider vinegar is an amazing aid to health. Many claim<br />
vinegar has magickal healing properties. As a daily<br />
tonic and cleanser, drink a glass of water with a teaspoon<br />
of honey and 3 tablespoons to ¼ cup of apple<br />
cider vinegar. Vinegar is also a great rinse <strong>for</strong> your hair<br />
(<strong>the</strong> smell goes away in a minute or two). To keep your<br />
cauldron clean, use vinegar to dissolve any crusty<br />
residue that may build up from use in burning. Vinegar<br />
is great <strong>for</strong> cleaning any metal ritual objects; rinse<br />
with clear water and wipe dry.<br />
WATERCRESS: Watercress<br />
grows in streams. It is a valuable<br />
source of trace minerals<br />
and also helps clean <strong>the</strong><br />
liver. By eating watercress<br />
and parsley often, you will get<br />
just about all <strong>the</strong> minerals<br />
available from land vegetables.<br />
Only seaweeds have<br />
more blood-building and tissuenourishing<br />
trace elements. Watercress is<br />
used as a garnish and added to salads and egg dishes.<br />
Its leaves contain phosphorus, potassium, iron, manganese,<br />
fluorine, copper, sulfur, iodine, and zinc.<br />
Lesson 3: Magickal Uses<br />
of Herbs<br />
In addition to <strong>the</strong> above medicinal uses of herbs in<br />
healing and kitchen witchery, wortcunning includes<br />
<strong>the</strong> magickal uses of herbs <strong>for</strong> spells, amulets, talismans,<br />
and so on. Just as with gems and minerals, plants<br />
also have <strong>the</strong>ir own prana, or life <strong>for</strong>ce. Indeed, because<br />
<strong>the</strong>y are living things, <strong>the</strong>y each have a spirit<br />
unique to <strong>the</strong>ir species. Many feel, in fact, that Faeries<br />
are really plant spirits (sometimes called devas), who<br />
may be perceived in quasi-human <strong>for</strong>ms as our minds<br />
interpret <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
For millennia, certain roots and herbs have been<br />
used in spells <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> magickal qualities attributed to<br />
<strong>the</strong>m. Many herbs and roots are used not only <strong>for</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong>ir properties, but also because of <strong>the</strong>ir appearance.<br />
Mandrake root is used to gain power over o<strong>the</strong>rs, but<br />
is most powerful if it is in <strong>the</strong> shape of a person. Mullein<br />
promotes gentleness partly because of its soft,<br />
fuzzy appearance. Magicians through <strong>the</strong> ages have<br />
concentrated on <strong>the</strong>se various plant powers and have<br />
thus built up particular morphogenic fields around<br />
<strong>the</strong>m. By working with <strong>the</strong> appropriate plants, you can<br />
tap into <strong>the</strong>se fields and use <strong>the</strong>m effectively <strong>for</strong> your<br />
own purposes.<br />
Most of <strong>the</strong> roots and herbs listed below are activated<br />
by being carried on your person in a mojo bag.<br />
Sometimes, however, when <strong>the</strong>y are meant to influence<br />
o<strong>the</strong>rs (as in healing), you must put <strong>the</strong>m onto<br />
<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r person—or at least as near to <strong>the</strong>m as you<br />
can. Most of <strong>the</strong>m can also be ground into powder<br />
and burned as incense in a ritual (see below under<br />
“Incenses”). Always keep a strong intention in your<br />
mind when making up an herbal spell or charm. In<br />
making a charm <strong>for</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r, explain to <strong>the</strong>m what each<br />
element is <strong>for</strong>. This will help <strong>the</strong>m to understand and<br />
concentrate on <strong>the</strong> intent. You must also tell each herb<br />
or root exactly what you want it to do—creating a combined<br />
<strong>for</strong>ce of your own will with <strong>the</strong> spirit of <strong>the</strong> plant.<br />
Many of <strong>the</strong>se herbs and roots you will find only<br />
in botanicas or magickal herb stores. When using <strong>the</strong>m,