July Newsletter
Welcome to our July 2023 Kitchen Witch newsletter.
England in July is full of sunshine (hopefully), and the gardens are packed with greenery and flowers. The bees and the butterflies are out in full force. It is a time for sitting in the garden while you eat your meals or have your morning coffee. Picnics are the height of fashion in July, whether they are taken in the woodlands or down on the beach. It is also a time for holiday, which might be at home, in your own country, or abroad. Wherever you take your vacation, do make time to connect with the land you are visiting, the energy of the ancestors beneath, and the area around you.
England has quite a few saint days during July (but when hasn’t it?). Whilst these days are obviously Christian and not Pagan, I do like to draw on the history of the area I live in and use it as a base for magic and celebration.
For the Anglo-Saxons, June and July were called Liða, meaning “mild” or “gentle,” I’m assuming due to the weather. To separate the months June was called Ærraliða/Aerra Litha, meaning “before mild” or “before Litha” and July was Æfteraliða/Aefter Litha, “after mild” or “after Litha.”It translates as “fulfilment of the moon before the sun relents.” There were also two other names for July, Maedmonath (meaning “meadow” or “mead month”) and Hewimanoth/Hegmonath (meaning “hay month”). July is named after the Roman Julius Caesar; who wouldn’t want a month named after themselves?
'From A Witch for Every Season'
Rachel x
What's Going on in Nature this Month from Ness Armstrong
As I sit writing this, it is mid June. The Solstice is next week and it is hard to believe that we are at Midsummer already.
We are now in a couple of weeks of glorious blue skies, sunshine - and Heat!! We went from drizzly, chilly days to 27 deg C in a few days. We mustn't complain, but its what we Brits are good at doing with regards to the weather.
Nature is thriving and bountiful at the moment. Grasses, nettles and cow parsley - all approaching 5 to 6 feet in height now. I just love walking through skinny brown earthy pathways flanked by tall greenery either side.
Burdock and thistles are growing well and dog rose and bramble flowers are in bloom. Elderflowers are still abundant - now, where is that recipe for my cordial?...
Mallow is in flower as are daisies, buttercups, mugwort, chamomile, plantain, clover and self heal.
I've not seen many bees yet, but I have seen a very early cranefly (daddy longlegs). They usually appear late August to early September.
Early morning birdsong is lovely to hear and there is something magical about an early summers morning. The sun has just risen, the birds sing, the crows caw and there is a perfect stillness in the warm air.
Probably my favourite part of a summer day!
Ocean Jasper from Sue Perryman
Other names: Sea Jasper, Atlantis stone, Atlantean Jasper, Orbicular Jasper
Ocean Jasper is another lovely stone that connects with this time of year. Although it is called a Jasper, the latest research shows that is it is a mixture of different types of Quartz: clear and coloured types of Chalcedony, banded agate and pockets of tiny druzy quartz crystals.
Ocean Jasper is a trademark name. It is only found in Northwestern Madagascar and there are only two deposits, about 10 miles apart from each other.
Energetically, this stone is positive, calming uplifting and peaceful. It eases stress and promotes tranquillity making it ideal for soothing anger and clearing emotional blocks.
Its supportive energy helps you cope with change, starting a new path or finding a new relationship.
A stone of joy and happiness, Ocean Jasper lifts your mood and encourages you to appreciate the blessings in your life.
Packed with the energy of oceans and seas, Ocean Jasper is perfect for working with ocean/sea deities particularly the Greek Sea goddess Electra, who was the mother of the rainbow goddess Iris and the Harpies.
Hold an Ocean Jasper crystal at the beginning of a meditation, its calming energy helps you get into that altered state of consciousness. It can then be either swapped over with another crystal that’s aligned with your intent or continued to be held during the entire meditation.
Because of its connection with water, Ocean Jasper’s uplifting energy helps you to go with the flow. It can also encourage you to express your emotions.
A gem elixir made with Ocean Jasper is believed to soothe the digestive system and ease nausea. It can also be sprayed or sprinkled around your home to cast out negativity.
Since it was originally harvested on the shoreline, some crystal therapists believe that Ocean Jasper has connections with Atlantis, and that it holds ancient wisdom. Its sometimes called Atlantis stone or Atlantean Jasper.
Magical Correspondences:
Transformation, change, new beginnings, calming, peace, oceans, seas, soothing, patience, centring, releasing stress, joy, happiness, nurturing, empathy, self-love, healing.
Element: Water
Chakra: Heart
Sources:
The Crystal Bible 2 by Judy Hall
The new Crystal Bible by Cassandra Eason
Mint by Heather Dewhurst
The word mint is derived from the Latin word Mentha or menta, which in turn is thought to be from the Greek words mintha, minthē or mintē meaning spearmint. The plant was personified in Greek mythology as Minthe, a nymph who was loved by Hades and was transformed into a mint plant by either Persephone or Demeter.
Mints are aromatic, usually perennial herbs, which have wide-spreading underground and overground runners, with erect, branched stems. Mints will grow 10–120 cm (4–48 inches) tall and can spread over a large area. Due to their tendency to spread unchecked, some mints are considered invasive.
The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, are often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colours range from dark green, grey-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow. The flowers are produced from leaf axils, and range from white to purple.
Although it is a common ingredient in many consumer products, mint may cause allergic reactions in some people, inducing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, headaches, heartburn, tingling or numbing around the mouth, anaphylaxis or contact dermatitis.
Magic of Mint
Planet – Venus
Element – Air
Uses – communication, power to your voice, wealth, abundance, luck, love, cleansing, purification, protection, calming, healing.
Mint & Prosperity
When casting a money or prosperity spell, add some mint essential oil or dried mint to the mix: scatter on an altar, dress a candle with mint oil, and so on.
Mint with basil - take fresh leaves and simmer them in 3 cups of water. After the water cools, add it to your bath or use some as a wash for your floors and front door.
To protect your money, add some dried mint leaves, nutmeg powder, ginger, and cinnamon to a small bag and keep it in your wallet, place of business, or near important documents such as bank statements.
Mint & Purification
Steep fresh mint in hot water when mopping your floors to help cleanse negative energy (or unwanted visitors) out of your space.
Place a mint leaf in the sole of your shoe, or crumble a little bit of dried mint over it, before traveling for the day to protect you from picking up negative energy.
Burn dried mint leaves with some sage, in each corner of your home stating your intention to cleanse away negativity.
For an uncrossing blend, mix mint with rosemary and hyssop. Add them to a cup of salt. Add this to a bath for spiritual cleansing and take a few tablespoons to sweep the outside of your front door to push the negativity away from you.
Mint & Protection
Planting mint near your front door or under a bedroom window will help ward against or hostile energies.
Mix mint with parsley or eucalyptus, burn this mixture over a charcoal disc every Saturday. You can use this recipe with some salt and place it directly under the bed where you sleep, or place a pinch in every corner of your home.
Simple Mint Recipe
Mint chutney
Ingredients
3 tbsp mint leaves, about 10g
1 tsp caster sugar
150g tub of low fat natural yogurt
squeeze of lime or lemon
Method
Blitz the mint leaves, sugar and yogurt with some freshly ground black pepper until well blended. Add the lime or lemon juice before serving.
Sources & further reading –
A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Plants & Herbs by Rachel Patterson
A Kitchen Witch’s World of Magical Food by Rachel Patterson
The Secret Craft of the Wise: Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham
https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/10-varieties-of-mint-to-grow/
https://magickalspot.com/mint-magical-properties
Rune of the month from Ness Armstrong
This month's rune is Fehu - the rune of money matters, mobile wealth and material objects.
With these runes, I also like to put what words or feelings come to me when I draw a rune for any particular month. The thoughts that I am feeling
from Fehu is knowing your worth this month. Looking at your self esteem - how you value and perceive yourself. Have faith in your abilities and your attributes. You may not feel that you are as 'good' as the next person, or you have too high expectations of yourself. Nothing wrong with wanting to aim higher - you go for it! - but know that for now YOU are good enough!
With blessings of the month from
Rachel Patterson, Ness Armstrong, Sue Perryman, Heather Dewhurst
What's On?
Every WEDNESDAY Morning, 9am UK time join Rachel for a live chat on www.facebook.com/RachelPattersonbooks
& www.youtube.com/c/RachelPattersonwitchauthor
2023
Rachel has online courses running with The College of Psychic Studies, check out their website for details
The Kitchen Witch Team will be at Wandering Witches Fair - details at https://www.facebook.com/WanderingWitches
Rachel is doing a talk and the Kitchen Witch team will also be at Witchfest International. Details at https://witchfest.net/events/witchfest-international/
For Kitchen Witch students - study hall and readings events - check the forum for details
Catch up
Find replays of our online talks and rituals over on the YouTube channels
YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UCglVkEiBII3NVPFgYGR7twQ
& www.youtube.com/user/Kitchenwitchuk
And our blogs
www.kitchenwitchhearth.net/blog and www.rachelpatterson.co.uk/blog
Contact
Email - HQ@kitchenwitchhearth.net
Website & Blogs – www.kitchenwitchhearth.net & www.rachelpatterson.co.uk
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