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The Iron Bars

Intended to curse a person, separating the target from something else (You, a place, a feeling, maybe even success). I name it after the metal rumored to repel fair folk and often used in old fences, prison bars, etc.

Thurisaz is commonly used in rune sigils for it’s protective properties. Here it forms the barrier that encloses and contains the other runes.

Hagalaz is a very common symbol for unsuspected chaos or environmental disaster. It’s a rune of trouble and trials, often from impersonal forces much bigger than ourselves.

Isa is isolation. It can mean a feeling of being frozen, or with limited paths. It’s a rune of delay and being unable to act. This is the rune symbolizing the binding of your target to the chaos. It’s superimposed over Hagalaz for this reason.

I feel that rotational symmetry helps give this sigil a lasting and stable effect. Hopefully not letting the person weasel out of it or ‘turn around’ the situation.

Charge it with your negative feelings. Pour in your rage, pain, and sadness into the inscribed object and then find a way to discard it where you will never see it again. Burn it. Bury it. Cast it into the sea, if that’s your thing. Do not carry it with you.

Be wary! This curse is best against someone who has done you harm. You’ll want to be totally sure that this is what you want. Do not try to curse a person if you think you will regret it later, because once the intent is out there you can’t take it back. Like words. And bullets.

[ichaurade-blog]

help a chronically ill witch

hi friends, i am in a bit of financial trouble right now. i have a history of severe and enormous ovarian cysts (two of which were 5 pounds each), and i have another one growing that is affecting my ability to work. i have had to call out from work a handful of times this past week because i am having trouble standing for long periods of time, and i just found out today that my work is unable to do paid sick time off.

for this reason, my book, potioncraft, is on sale for 20% off right now ($6.40). it’s a recipe + ritual book about different beverages, like tea, cocoa, cider, sangria, and smoothies. it makes a great gift, and will help keep me financially afloat while i resolve my health issues.

click HERE for the listing! the sale is running now until march 1st. i would be so so thankful if you purchased! i hate asking for things like this but it would compensate a little bit for the time i can’t get paid while sick. xoxo

[ichaurade-blog]

Crystals in Death Magick 💎💀

Ajoite - overcome sorrow, emotional healing

Amethyst - eases grief and sadness

Andalusite - crossing over into the afterlife

Apophyllite - spirit communication

Bixbite (Red Beryl) - eases grief

Black Tourmaline - eases grief

Bloodstone - to strengthen ties with ancestors or loved ones who have passed on

Blue Lace Agate - connection to the spirit world, eases passage into the afterlife

Calcite - emotional healing, peace

Carnelian - eases sorrow, protection in the afterlife

Celestite - spirit communication

Charoite - eases passage into the afterlife

Cuprite - spirit communication

Halite - dispelling negativity, protection

Hematite - grounding, peace, transforming negativity 

Jade - protection in the afterlife

Jasper - safe passage into the afterlife

Jet - eases grief and mourning

Kunzite - eases heartbreak

Labradorite - spirit communication

Lapis Lazuli - spiritual connection

Obsidian - healing, deflecting negativity, grounding, protection

Onyx - grounding, protection

Pink Tourmaline - emotional healing

Quantum Quattro Silica - eases grief

Quartz - safe passage into the afterlife

Selenite - spirit communication, eases passage into the afterlife

Sunstone - spirit communication

Tanzan Aura Quartz - spirit communication

Tsavorite - connection to the spirit world

Turquoise - spiritual attunement

Violet Flame Opal - spiritual awareness

[ichaurade-blog]

Image: Five memes made from a photograph of a cheerleader on a field, wearing a blue puzzle piece “autism awareness” t-shirt and a sash that says “ABA therapist”, holding silver pom poms and kicking their leg enthusiastically above their head. The text overlaid reads, “How do I stay in shape? Mental gymnastics,” “I abuse children, yes I do, shut up or I’ll abuse you too,” “Together we can instill lifelong self-hate,” “A-B-A is how we say you could be a person one day,” and “Be aversive, B-E  A-V-E-R-S-I-V-E.” The sixth image is the original photo with no text overlaid. 

So I, uh, saw this article about cheerleaders wearing their “day jobs” instead of their uniforms. One of them was an ABA-ist in a blue puzzle piece tee shirt. Seeing as how I have no chill and too much Photoshop…

The last one is the original, in case anyone needs it. For reasons. 

[ichaurade-blog]

I’m a disabled and working housekeeper with no way of income, as I’m trapped in the snow in Washington State. I need your help.

I’m $-120.00 and trapped in the snow with no way of making any money as a housekeeper.

- I can’t get out of the driveway, I tried and my car crashed into another car, sliding down the hill and I broke the driver’s side door, and it’s now parked in a Safeway parking lot.

- I’ve asked for rides, nobody is willing to drive on these roads.

- I have bills that were due that I didn’t anticipate not paying because this storm came out of nowhere and lasted and IS LASTING much longer than anticipated

- my credit is already not so great, but accumulating late fees and overdraft fees are going to destroy my credit and therefore my chances of getting out of here any fucking sooner.

- I already live paycheck to paycheck on a daily basis and I was already struggling to eat/buy medicine prior to this happening

- Washington is declared State of Emergency and I’m in the middle of fucking nowhere next to a state park.

- I live with my abusers, and I’ve desperately been trying to save money to leave, and this only prolongs it, I’ve been here since October now. Please help me.

paypal.me/munfie

cashapp: $munfix

If you need to ask questions, need more information or just need proof of any kind please DM me I’m willing to help clear things up however I can.

[ichaurade-blog]

Making Vegan Focaccia the Witchy Way

So, today my boo and I decided to make some bread, specifically focaccia. It was his first time making it and I’d only seen my momma do it before so it could have gone really badly, however I think it was a pretty good success.

Firstly we found a basic recipe on the interwebs and worked out what ingredients we needed:

300ml/½ pint tepid water

1½ tsp dried yeast or 2 heaped tsp fresh yeast

500g/1lb 2oz ‘00’ flour or strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting

1½ tsp salt

3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing

150 ml extra virgin olive oil for topping

medium coarse sea salt

2 sprigs rosemary, torn into small pieces

Along with this we also decided to add three cloves of garlic because garlic is good. Plus one of my flat mates may be a vampire and I don’t want him eating my food.

SO! After a wee trip to our local ASDA we finally had everything (we needed flour and yeast because I was so unprepared.) We also maybe accidentally bought cookies. The first step was to prep the yeast.

1. Pour a little of the tepid water into a small bowl. Add the yeast and blend using your fingers. Leave the yeast for five minutes to soften and dissolve.

Ok so I messed up this step. I didn’t read the instructions properly and boo was busy sorting out banging choons on spotify so I ended up adding my yeast to the whole 300ml of water. However it didn’t seem to be too bad and it smelled super good so I just powered through.

2. Mix the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl. You may like to transfer your mixture to a pastry board or other flat work surface at this stage and prepare the dough there, in traditional Tuscan style. Otherwise, mix the dough in the bowl.

Yeah I’m nowhere near fancy enough to have a pastry board so we did it ye olde English way. In a bowl.

3. Make a well in the centre of the flour and salt mixture. Pour the blended yeast and water into the well along with the olive oil. Mix thoroughly. Gradually add the rest of the tepid water until a sticky dough is formed.

This was really bloody sticky. Obviously I used my hands and even after vigorous washing they still smell like dough. MMMmmm.

4. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Gather any stray pieces. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, adding a little extra flour if necessary, until smooth and elastic and the dough no longer sticks to your hand. To see if it is ready, you can carry out the stretch test: pull off a piece of dough, it should be elastic enough not to break quickly when stretched out.

5. Next accumulate any stray ends and rough sections by 'chafing’ your ball of dough. Hold it and curve your hands around it, use your palms to pull at its sides gently while you slowly rotate it, letting your little fingers meet underneath. Do this for five minutes. You should be left with a neat, smooth ball.

6. Oil a bowl and place the dough inside and cover with either oiled cling film or a damp tea towel. Leave in a warm place to rise until doubled in size - about 1½ hours depending on the room temperature.

This was the point in the process where I remembered to take pictures. Also I messed up my elbow kneading the dough so boo took over. 

Before Proofing

After Proofing

That rose so much oh my word it was huge and the house smelled soooo good.

7. Use your fist to knock it back, then knead it again for a further two minutes.

8. Leave to rest again, but only for 5-10 minutes

It was at this point where I decided to go off recipe a bit and make up my own nonsense. I’d seen in other recipes that people had made a garlic and rosemary oil infusion to put on the focaccia and it looked goof so I gave it a go. 

9. Add a few teaspoons of the remaining oil into a saucepan and then add 3 cloves crushed garlic. Once the garlic has browned, add the rest of the 150ml of oil, and then add three sprigs of rosemary. When it reaches its boiling point remove from heat immediately and save for step 11.

10. After proofing shape the dough by placing into a shallow baking tray, using your hands to spread it out to a depth of about 1.5cm/¾in, then allow to rise again, covered with a tea towel, until doubled in size - this will take about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.

11. Strain the oil and save the rosemary and garlic pieces. Gently drizzle the oil onto the dough, don’t worry if it looks like there is too much, there isn’t. Then add the rosemary and garlic pieces and press into the dough with finger tips, creating dimples.

12. Sprinkle with sea salt/coarse salt and then bake for 25-35 minutes or until the top is crusty and cooked through to the base. Serve.

I’m not gonna lie, I forgot about the salt until about 15 minutes into cooking but I added it then and it turned out pretty well.

Voila! The finished focaccia! Made with love. I couldn’t have made it without @dommadude so thank you <3

★ Peace out witches!!! ★

[ichaurade-blog]

Foodie Friday: Wassail!

Image Credit: Alton Brown; Recipe Credit: “How to Drink”

Ingredients: -4 tart apples, cored -Raw Sugar -1 Orange -13 cloves -2 Qts Cider -4 oz port -4 oz Madeira -1 tbsp ginger, grated -1 tsp nutmeg, grated -6 whole allspice berries -2 cinnamon sticks -6 eggs, separated -5 oz cognac (optional)

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees (Fahrenheit). Fill cored apples with raw sugar. Pierce the orange with the cloves. Arrange on a baking tray and bake in the oven until aromatic, or 40 minutes.

2) In a large sauce pot, add your cider, port, and madeira. Grate some nutmeg and fresh ginger into the pot, add allspice and cinnamon sticks. Use a whisk to integrate and allow to heat.

3) In a stand mixer, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Use a hand whisk or hand mixer to emulsify egg yolks until bright yellow and frothy. Then, fold the yolks into the whites.

4) When the cider mix is steaming, strain it and gradually add the egg mixture to the cider, whisking gently to incorporate.

5) Transfer the baked fruit to a large punch bowl, and cover with the wassail. Add cognac if desired. Serve in small glasses!

Chef/Witch’s Note

Normally I would include an entire segment on the magical ingredient for this drink. However, it is Solstice today. The drink itself is magical, and given that today is a day of merriment and celebration, I think that should be the focus. Next week, I’ll have a more typical Foodie Friday. But until then,

Happy Solstice and May All Your Meals Be Blessed! )O(

[ichaurade-blog]

Charmed Chocolate Babka

You will need:

(Regular ingredients)

Dough

1 Packet Active Dry Yeast

½ Cup Warm Almond Milk

3 Cups all-purpose flour + extra to reduce stickiness

3 tbsps unsalted butter

2 ¼ tbsps olive or coconut oil

1 egg

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp Sugar

Filling

¼ Cup Cocoa Powder

Glaze

½ Cup Sugar

½ Cup Water

1 tbsp Honey

(Witchy Ingredients)

1 Cup Nutella

1 bar (4 oz) 80% dark chocolate

Instructions:

1. In a big bowl, stir yeast, almond milk (warmed up), 1 tsp sugar, and 1/3 cup of the flour. Let proof for 15 minutes until bubbly.

2. Once proofed, add the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook. Alternatively, if you would like to knead by hand, just transfer to a larger bowl. Add in butter (softened), oil, egg, and salt. Mix well before gradually adding in flour, 1/3 cup at a time. Knead by hand or with hook for ten minutes until the dough is smooth and uniform. Add more flour as needed to prevent excess stickiness. Refrigerate covered for 6 hours or overnight.

3. Let dough come to room temperature and roll out into a rectangle, about 12 x 20 inches. Chop your chocolate bar into small pieces. Spread nutella over the rectangle, leaving a ½ inch border. Dust with cocoa powder and sprinkle chocolate pieces evenly over the rectangle.

4. Roll up jelly-roll style and place seam side down. Leaving about a ½ inch section to spare on one end, cut down the middle lengthwise so you have two sections connected at the end. Braid the sections together (over-under) and then loop the braid over itself, as if to create an infinity loop.

5. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan and then line with greased parchment paper. Place folded dough in the pan and cover. Let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.

6. Heat glaze ingredients in a saucepan until boiling. Boil for 4 minutes, ensuring that the sugar has dissolved before you take it off the heat. Set aside.

7. Bake the babka for 40 minutes at 375 F (190 C). Let cool and then brush the top with the glaze.

What is magick about this babka?

Nutella - Nutella is primarily made from hazelnuts which have many correspondences in witchcraft. In Celtic lore, the Hazel tree is known to provide great wisdom and clairvoyance. Hazelnuts also promote fertility, divination, and protection.

Chocolate - As I’ve covered before, chocolate is primarily used in love potions due to it being a natural aphrodisiac. Chocolate is also great for grounding and prosperity, especially if it is dark. 

Notes/Tips:

•As I mentioned above, you can chill the dough overnight as opposed to doing the 6 hours during the day.

•To make it vegan: replace 3 tbsps butter with more oil (approx. 2 ¼ more tbsps) and replace the egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. There are other substitutions for eggs as well!

•After my loaf had baked for about 40 minutes I actually removed it and baked for an additional 10 minutes to crisp up the bottom. You don’t have to do this but it would make the crust texture more even.

Here’s the loaf I made a few weeks ago:

[ichaurade-blog]

Hi guys! Since Beltane is right around the corner, I thought i’d share this cute orange cookie recipe, perfect for a spring treat 🌱✨🍊

This recipe makes about 2 dozen, depending on size of your cookies(:

What you’ll need: 

~ 1 ¼ cups of butter, softened (about 2 ½ sticks)

~1 1/3 cups of white sugar

~3 cups of all purpose flour

~½ teaspoon of salt

~1 tablespoon of baking powder

~1 tablespoon of vanilla extract

~1 egg, beaten

~2 tablespoons of orange zest (thats about how much comes off one orange, depending on size and type; I use navel oranges most of the time, but it doesn’t really matter) 

~The juice of one orange (this bit is optional, depending on how orange-y you want your cookies to turn out, you could also use a little lemon juice to help the flavor) 

~½ cup of white chocolate chips

Directions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350 degree F (I think thats about 175 degrees C but you may want to check me on that) Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or cooking/baking spray 

2) Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and orange zest in a separate bowl

3) In a different, larger bowl cream the butter with medium speed (this bit can be done with a hand mixer which will probably make your life easier) and add the sugar in gradually. Once sugar is completely mixed in, add the vanilla and the egg, then begin to slowly add in the dry mixture from before.

4) Once dough is at desired consistency, gently fold in the chocolate chips 

5) Drop bits of dough onto your baking sheet, about one inch apart from each other, flattening out the backs with a spoon. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until lightly brown. allow to cool completely, cookies should be a bit crispy when done. 

[ichaurade-blog]

Loving sugar recipe!

This year I want to focus on self-love and accepting the love from others so I made this sugar to help me a little bit! (I need it, haha)

Here’s the recipe!

The ingredients :

- Sugar for love, sexual desire and to sweeten your mood

-Hibiscus for passion and love

-Jasmine to attract a more spiritual kind of love and to promote new, innovative ideas

Directions:

1. Consecrate your jar (I did it with the help of my patchouli encens)

2. Grind your herbs with a mortar and pestle

3. Put them in your jar and add the sugar

4. Shake it to blend it!

5. voilà!

Uses:

-To put in a tea

-Charge crystals, magicals objects, jewelry and other stuff

-Offerings

Now go get all the love and sex you deserve  but mostly all the love you owe yourself!

Give and receive!

P.S. : MAKE SURE ALL THE HERBS YOU USE IN THIS RECIPE IS SAFE TO CONSUME!

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Time for Cooking with Cayde!™ Lol Today’s recipe is!!! Elderberry Cider! Ingredients: *Big ass cinnamon stick *Some orange rinds (twist those bitches my witches) *Couple star anise uhh stars? *Small handful of dried elderberries *About a handful of dried rose buds *Throw some lavender in that bitch *Like 6 cloves *ALLSPICE (about 12?) *2 cups of sugar *3.5 cups of water *Magick Throw all that into your pot/sauce pan/ cauldron and set the heat to medium high. Bring to a rolling boil for like 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then strain it off into a different pot or directly into a mug. Voila! I usually like to drink it with a little milk mixed in but that’s your preference! Also, if y'all don’t easily have access to any elderberries, SAFE dried rose buds, or lavender then shoot me a message and I’ll try to hook you up! Faeries love this stuff btw! Stay witchy my friends 💙

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❤️ Love Infused Sugar ❤️

Love infused sugar can be used in a wide range of recipes to help promote and sweeten already love infused concoctions! Here’s one way I make mine:

What you’ll need:

✨ raw vanilla bean 

✨ a cup of milk

✨ cutting knife

✨ jar of sugar

How to make:

1. Take your vanilla bean pod and slice it down the middle, until the seeds are visible. Do not scrape the seeds out - they’re what’s needed to infuse the sugar! 

2. “Activate” the vanilla bean pod by slow cooking it in a pot of milk until the milk is warm and infused with flavour. Do not bring the milk to boil. 

2. Retrieve your vanilla bean pod and dry it before placing it in a closed jar of sugar. Store sugar away and allow a few days for the sugar to be infused with both loving properties and flavour of the vanilla bean. 

3. After a few days… viola! Your love infused vanilla sugar is ready to use. Leave the vanilla bean in the jar to maintain love and flavour overtime.

[ichaurade-blog]

☽ Lavender Cake and Glaze

A special recipe for all of you, as this recipe is my significant other’s favorite for me to make and fairly simple for the budding kitchen witch. I hope you enjoy, and I appreciate every last one of you.

Ingredients:

Cake -

¾ c milk

3 tbsp finely chopped culinary lavender

6 tbsp softened butter

1 c white sugar

2 eggs

2 c all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

Glaze-

½ c milk

1 tbsp dried lavender buds

1 c confectioner’s sugar

To Begin:

Cake -

Preheat the oven to 325ᵒ F and grease/flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan.

Combine the milk and lavender in a small saucepan over medium heat; heat to a simmer, then remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly     In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt and stir into the creamed mixture alternatively with the lavender milk until just blended. Pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean; cool in the pan and/or on a wire rack

Glaze -

Place the milk in a saucepan over medium heat; when it starts to boil, remove the pan from the heat and add dried lavender buds.

Let the mixture steep for 5 to 8 minutes, then strain. Whisk it into the sugar one tablespoon at a time until it is smooth and opaque

Pour or spoon onto the cooled loaf

[ichaurade-blog]

Witches’ Easy Herbal Shortbread Cookies

🌱1/3 Cup of Sugar 🌱1 Cup of All-purpose flour 🌱2 teaspoons of fresh herb of choice- can also substitute with dried herbs just do 1 teaspoon or to taste (pictured here is rosemary) 🌱1 stick of salted butter (cold and cut into little chunks)

Briefly pulse everything in a food processor until combined but still crumbly. Butter can still be a bit chunky. If you don’t have a food processor you can use forks or other utensils. Avoid using your hands because you don’t want to melt the butter.

Press crumbly mixture in a 9-inch round pie or cake pan. It will appear thin but it’ll rise. If you want it thicker, use an 8inch pan or only cover ¾ of the pan.

Bake at *325 F for 30 minutes or until a tiny bit golden on the eyes. Cool a few minutes before cutting.

I use this recipe when I want to add a little herbal magic to my life. Very simple and very tasty. Try adding lemon zest, rose, lavender, sage, cinnamon, or whatever herbs your find tasty. Can also be made as an herb free treat.

[ichaurade-blog]

Rose Elixir Recipe

(based on a recipe from Sacred Year, by Anni Daulter)

2 ounces of dried rose petals 

4 - 6oz honey

10 - 12 ounces of vodka or brandy

1 pint canning jar

Mix together in the jar and let infuse in a cool place protected from sunlight (you might also like to charge up your elixir under the full moon or new moon).

(This elixir is intended to offer support with anxiety or emotional stress. It can be dropped under the tongue, stirred into water or tea, or added to a bath)

[ichaurade-blog]

Springtime Teas~ 🌸☕️

Happy March! Warmer weather doesn’t mean to stop drinking hot tea - light-bodied teas with floral and citrus notes are perfect for the season’s transition, and will carry you through the rainiest spring day.

Here are some of my favourites:

*Please be mindful of individual allergies and ensure all ingredients are food-grade and organic.

🌸 Hibiscus-Rose:

• green tea base (sweeter greens like Dragonwell will work best)

• dehydrated hibiscus flower

• dehydrated rosehip

• orange and lemon peel (substitute with dried raspberry every now and then to switch up the recipe)

• heat water to 160° and steep for 5 minutes

• stir in honey as a sweetener, to taste

See similar: Chinese Flower, Harney and Sons

🍑 Ginger-Peach:

• black tea base

• ginger, peeled and sliced

• dehydrated peaches (if making this into an iced tea in the summer, use frozen peaches and add them as ice cubes instead)

• a pinch of cinnamon

• vanilla

• boil water to 200° and steep for 6 minutes

See similar: Ginger Peach Chocolate Dessert Tea, Republic of Tea

🥥 Coconut Green:

• green tea base

• dried, shredded coconut OR stir coconut oil into heated tea

• vanilla

• heat water to 175° and steep for 5 minutes

See similar: Bangkok, Harney and Sons

🌹 Rose-Milk Tea:

• black tea base

• dried rose petals

• vanilla

• organic soy milk (my favourite, but you can substitute with any milk, sweetened or unsweetened)

• I prefer to steep the tea and flowers directly in the milk, in a pot on the stove, however you can also steep in boiling water and add the milk to taste after

Happy brewing!✨