obscurecrypticmystic

[obscurecrypticmystic]

Arsenic

Type: Metallic Mineral

Structure: Hexagonal, psudocubic; natural crystals rare; usually granular, massive; also mammillary, stalactic, reniform

Location: France, Germany, England, Italy, United States, Canada, Argentina, Bangladesh, Chile, China, India, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan

Environment: Largely found in mesothermal and epithermal veins, where it is associated with barite, nickeline, and cinnabar

Hardness: 3 ½ 

Cleavage: perfect, one direction

Color: Tin-white, tarnishing quickly to dark gray, metallic

Streak: Tin-white

Other Information:

Two forms of Arsenic

Organic

This term simply means the arsenic compound contains carbon. 

Inorganic

Research indicates that toxicity levels are higher and associated health effects are more severe with inorganic arsenic

Specific Gravity: 5.6 - 5.7

Fracture: uneven, brittle

Garlicky odor when heated (fumes are poisonous)

Melting Point: 1,502°F

Similar species: Antimony

Native, usually with some antimony, iron, nickel, silver, and sulfur

Arsenic is the 33 element on the periodic table. Its symbol is As

Arsenic’s name:

Arsenic gets its name from a Persian word for the yellow pigment now known as orpiment. For keen lexicographers apparently the Persian word in question Zarnikh was subsequently borrowed by the Greeks for their word arsenikon which means masculine or potent.

⚠️ Warning ⚠️

This is a highly hazardous mineral!

The following articles contain more information on the health risks of Arsenic.

Just in case you missed my post on Antimony, I feel that knowing how to identify the safe and unsafe rocks, minerals and crystals is important. I know people who have found hazardous minerals out in the wild near me which is why I feel that these are important even if you never come in contact with them.

[obscurecrypticmystic]

Antimony

Type: Metallic Mineral

Structure: Hexagonal, sometimes pseudocubic; generally massive, lamellar, and distinctly cleavable; also radiated, botryoidal, or reniform

Location: United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Bolivia, Russia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkey

Environment: Antimony is found in the Earth’s crust. It forms in small quantities in over 100 mineral species. It is restricted in its environments and is most commonly found associated with stibnite, nickeline, and sphalerite in mesothermal veins

Hardness: 3 - 3 ½ 

Cleavage: Perfect, one direction

Color: Tin-white to light steel-gray; metallic

Streak: Tin-white to light steel-gray

Other Information:

Antimony is difficult to distinguish by physical tests from arsenic, with which it is often confused.

Specific gravity: 6.6 to 6.7

Fracture: uneven; very brittle

Boiling Point: 2,889°F

Native, sometimes containing arsenic, iron and silver

It is the 51 element on the periodic table and its initial is Sb.

Antimony name:

The name derives from the Greek 'anti - monos', meaning not alone

The name derives from the Greek, anti + monos for "not alone" or "not one" because it was found in many compounds. The symbol Sb comes from stibium, which is derived from the Greek stibi for "mark" because it was used for blackening eyebrows and eyelashes.

⚠️ Warning ⚠️

Antimony can be harmful to the eyes and skin. It can also cause problems with the heart, lungs, and stomach. The levels of exposure depends on the dose, duration and work being done.

Now, some people may be wondering why I've posted this information on Antimony. The reason is so that you can identify it if you ever happen to stumble across it. We sometimes find Cinnabar wich is also a toxic mineral out in nature so I feel like it's important to be able to identify both the safe and unsafe rocks, minerals and crystals.

[obscurecrypticmystic]

Aloe Vera

Aloe Barbadensis Miller

Aloe Vera Variety Chinensis

Aloe Barbadensis Miller - Edible

Aloe vera variety Chinensis - Not Edible

Comparison

Background Information

Alternative Names:

Plant Type: Succulent Evergreen Perennial

Higher Classification: Aloes

Family: Asphodelaceae (Liliaceae)

Order: Asparagales

Habitat: Arid climates; Africa, India, Arabian Peninsula

Environment: 55 - 80 degrees fahrenheit, does well indoors

Zones: 8 - 11

Invasive: It is invasive in many world regions.

Identification:

Aloe vera barbadensis Miller has thick, wide, fleshy upright leaves which are gray-green in colour, and are arranged in a very distinct circular rosette form.

The younger leaves are spotted with white flecks or streaks, just like the non-edible variety, but these markings disappear as the leaves get older. The mature leaves are plain in colour, without any white spots or streaks.

This variety produces yellow flowers, which are different from the non-edible variety that has orange flowers.

Aloe vera variety Chinensis has narrow spotted leaves that are a blue-green in colour, and and are arranged in a flatter and stacked form, rather than a round rosette form kike the edible variety.

Both the young and older leaves are spotted with white streaks or markings, which are retained right through to maturity, and never disappear

This variety produces orange flowers, which are different from the edible variety that has yellow flowers.

Uses:

Aloe vera barbadensis Miller -

May reduce blood sugar levels: In human and animal studies, aloe vera gel helped reduce blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity

May suppress inflammatory signals: In animal and test-tube studies, aloe vera extract suppressed inflammatory signals such as TNFα, IL-1 and IL-6

Reduce dental plaque: If used as a mouthwash, aloe vera juice may be as effective as a regular mouthwash in reducing dental plaque build-up

May boost memory: In one animal study, consuming aloe vera gel helped enhance learning and memory while also reducing symptoms of depression

Rich in antioxidants: Regularly eating aloe vera gel may raise blood antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help combat the damage caused by free radicals, which are compounds linked to many chronic diseases

Aloe vera variety Chinensis - The thick leaves contain a gel which is commonly used externally to treat skin irritation, minor burns, sunburns, itching due to allergies and insect bites, sores and skin ulcers.

Note:

It’s important to understand that there are different varieties of Aloe vera, and the common variety for burns is not meant to be eaten, it’s just meant to be applied to the skin.

To quote the San Marcos Growers website article on Aloe vera:

“The scientific name assigned to this aloe has been changed several times in the last few years from Aloe vera to Aloe barbadensis and then back to Aloe vera. It seems that this controversy dates back to the two names being published a couple weeks apart back in April of 1768. In “The Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons” (Edited by Urs Eggli, Springer-Verlag 2001) L.E. Lewis, the author on the section Aloaceae, lists the plant as Aloe vera (Linné) Burman and notes that Linné (Carl von Linné or Carolus Linnaeus) did not pubish the combinations of Aloe vera as a numbered species and that Gilbert Westacott Reynolds in “The Aloes of tropical Africa and Madagascar” (1966) argued that the name should be A. barbadensis but had overlooked the combination published by N.L. Burman (not later than April 6, 1768), which has priority over Miller’s name [A. Barbadensis]. Lewis cites as reference for this information L.E. Newton’s article “In defence of the name Aloe vera” in the the “Cactus and Succulent Journal of Great Britain” (1979:41-2).”

Currently, according to botanists, all these names refer to the same plant:

Aloe vera

Aloe barbadensis

Aloe vera barbadensis Miller

Aloe vera var. barbadensis

Aloe vera var. chinensis

Magical Properties

Healing, Beauty, Love, Protection, Luck, Water, Ease Pain

⚠️ Warning ⚠️

Eating aloe vera latex, a yellow substance that is found inside the leaf, has potential risks.

In small doses, eating the latex may help treat constipation by promoting contractions. However, in 2002 the US FDA banned the sale of over-the-counter products containing aloe vera latex due to safety concerns.

Long-term consumption of aloe vera latex has been linked to side effects, including stomach cramps, kidney problems, irregular heartbeat and muscle weakness.

In high doses above 1 gram per day, prolonged use may even be fatal.

Pregnant women should avoid eating the latex, as it may stimulate uterine contractions, which could cause a miscarriage.

In addition, people with digestive disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or Crohn’s disease, should avoid consuming aloe vera latex as it may worsen their conditions.

Aside from the latex, consuming aloe vera gel is not advised for people taking diabetes, heart or kidney medications, as it may worsen potential side effects from the drugs.

In Essence:

Aloe vera gel and skin can be eaten. The gel, in particular, may offer several health benefits.

Be sure to wash the gel or skin thoroughly to remove all traces of latex, which has an unpleasant bitter taste and may cause harmful side effects.

Never eat aloe vera skin care products. They do not offer the same benefits as the leaf and are not meant to be ingested.

Care Guide

Growth Height: 2 Ft High

Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Water intake: very drought tolerant

Soil preference: Aloe vera will grow in most soil types, it doesn’t like ‘wet feet’, where the soil stays wet and soggy for long periods, especially during colder weather. Dig in compost before planting to help with drainage in clay and other water-retentive soils.

In locations which are too shady, Aloe vera plants becomes weak and vulnerable to disease, so it’s best to ensure they get sufficient light when grown outdoors.

When growing Aloe vera in a pot or container, it’s important to use a very well draining potting mix such as ‘cactus and succulent mix’, and most gardeners use terracotta pots to grow them in because they drain much better. Water frequently in hot, dry extreme weather as Aloe vera plants growing in pots can get quite burnt and wilted if they are in a harsh, exposed open position and their water supply runs short.

Season: Summer, will tolerate cold, it’s hardy to -2°C (28°F)

Spread: 3 Ft Wide

Spacing: The ideal pot size for an aloe plant is between 5 and 10 percent larger than the size of the plant right now. This will leave no more than 1 or 2 inches of extra room around each side of the plant.

Maintenance: With both Aloe vera varieties, harvest the older outer leaves when required. If you need to create more plants, give the plants time to grow and they’ll multiply prolifically, whether in a pot or in the ground. Gently pull up the offshoots or pups growing around the parent plant and repot them.

[obscurecrypticmystic]

Allegheny Spurge

Pachysandra Procumbens

Background  Information

Alternative Names: Mountain Spurge

Plant Type: Perennial Evergreen

Higher Classification: Pachysandra

Family: Buxaceae

Order: Buxales 

Habitat: Southeast North America; can be found in pockets of Pennsylvania and New York but truly resides from North Carolina and down along into the southeastern states.

Environment: It grows under trees and shrubs and other shady places. Its natural environment includes moist rich woods.

Zones: 4a - 9b

Invasive: No

Identification: Allegheny spurge is a low perennial, spreading with long rhizomes. Toothed leaves crowd near the top of somewhat fleshy, 6 in., erect stems. Fragrant, white flowers cluster in a spike, the many staminate flowers above, the few pistillate flowers below. Leaves and stems are "evergreen." Once the new shoots mature, the previous season’s growth disappears. Leaves have scalloped margins and are marbled with silver and purple.

Uses: Spurge is an excellent ground cover for shady areas. It is considered more attractive than the over-used, Asiatic Pachysandra terminalis. Deer-resistant, disease-resistant and drought-resistant, this is a versatile native groundcover that covers the ground densely without the domineering qualities of P. terminalis. It is useful for erosion control and shady sloped banks and works well in areas where the lawn is shaded out by dense tree coverage.

Magical Properties

Mmm.... I haven't seen any Magical Properties associated with this plant so take the following with a heavy dose of skepticism.

From its basic nature and uses the following could be inferred:

Durability, Perseverance, Relationship Bonds, Familial Bonds, Connections, Slow but steady progress, Holds everything together, Strength, Persistence, Manifestation

Spurge is from late Middle English: shortening of Old French espurge, from espurgier, from Latin expurgare ‘cleanse’ (because of the purgative properties of the milky latex)

From this, it could be considered as a Banishment, Purification or Cleansing plant.

Could be used as a Hex or Curse plant in any of the above areas due to its toxic nature. - Corruption

⚠️ Warning ⚠️

Can be toxic and sometimes fatal to animals and humans if eaten.

Care Guide

Growth Height: 2 - 8 inches

Exposure: Part to full shade

Water intake: Can tolerate drought once established

Soil preference: Moist, humus-rich acidic soil

Season: Late Spring/Early Winter

Spread: 1 - 2 Feet

Spacing: 12 inches

Maintenance: Low

Tips: Avoid areas with full sun or with poor soil drainage as this will harm the plant. Good air circulation and drainage lessens the risk for leaf blight and root rot.

[obscurecrypticmystic]

Everyone's a Beginner

Now, what is this about?

Something that I see a lot is how people are just born with abilities, like me, and for some reason, there's a general consensus that those of us in that position are better than others who weren't born with those abilities.

This is a complete fallacy.

Everyone starts out as a beginner at some point in their lives. Abilities can be acquired just as easily as they are lost. It just depends on whether or not you practice.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that everyone has different abilities and no one is a master of them all. You just have to find your own abilities and talents.

Most people have abilities of one sort or another, however, most people just don't realize it. For example, you know that feeling when you are talking to someone and you feel uneasy buzzing like you know that this person is off even though you don't know why you feel that way? That's your 6th sense talking to you and a lot of times it comes from picking up on the other person's energy. Another example is when you spend time doing something like spending time decompressing. This is releasing pent up energy and balancing yourself. A lot of people don't realize that this is working with Energy.

Your Clair senses are always working whether or not you're aware of it so quite literally, everyone is born with these abilities, some people are just aware of them sooner than others. With practice, you can hone those abilities to be able to use them just like the more advanced people that you see all around you. It just takes time. Time to learn and time to grow. If you do that then you could potentially become more powerful than some of the people who were 'born' with them but don't practice like they should because it comes naturally to them.

How does this make everyone a beginner?

That's an easy question to answer, honestly. Nobody can possibly know everything about everything. Where you might be more advanced in an area than someone else, that person is likely more advanced than you in another area. This means that everyone is on the same level whether or not you like to admit it. It's also partially why finding reliable sources can be difficult.

I will use myself as an example here. Energy Magic, Spirit Work and writing spells are my advanced areas. I've been practicing those skills for about as long as I can remember. Recently I started to look into Divination and studying from books. I can tell people how I do things however I typically can't tell people where to look for more information because I have absolutely no idea where to find reliable information because I never learned from books. I learned from my intuition and various entities. Other people on the other hand, could probably give you mega lists of various resources to check out. They also have different methods to achieve the same results that I do. It's what makes the world of witchcraft so fascinating.

My advice is to take your time and explore the world and information around you. Remember that absolutely no one is a master in everything so don't limit yourself by saying that you could never do this or that because someone is more skilled in an area than you. Remember to stay humble because you're not the only expert in your field of practice and there's always someone out there more experienced than you are.

See you all tomorrow, my witchy friends~

[obscurecrypticmystic]

Hmm... I suppose that I can start with an introduction post to get that out of the way.

We are a suspected D.I.D system. We have nine known personalities although you'll probably only ever meet seven of us on here. Our trauma tends to traumatize listeners and readers so we won't be talking much about that.

The seven of us practice witchcraft in various ways and we each work with different entities.

We don't really label ourselves however for simplicity, we are a Polytheistic Pagan Witch who works with Un Cailleach, Demons, Dragons, the Fae, Elements, Energy, Herbs, Crystals and Spirits. We also occasionally use Divination, Sigils, Dream Interpretation and Candles as well.

Now, we do feel like we should mention that we've been practicing our craft for about twenty years now. That being said, we have only recently started reading books on these subjects. This is because we live in a bible belt area that only recently got internet access. This means that we never had a human mentor either. Our craft was taught to us by Un Cailleach, various spirits and other entities.

Since we never learned from outside sources, our craft is pretty unique and quite often we will use things or do things in our craft that very few other people have. This is why we tell everyone to take what calls to you and leave out the rest.

Honorable mention facts -

We love animals. We have three cats (7 years, 1 year, 8 months) and a dog (13 years).

We have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

We are 29 years old.

We also possess absolutely no sleep schedule. Lol

Anyway, that's our basic information. We'll see you later this week with a hopefully fun and informative post.