Herb Notes: Violet

Violet

Folk Name: Blue Violet, Sweet Violet

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Water

Deity: Venus

Powers: Protection, Luck, Love, Lust, Wishes, Peace, Healing

(Directly taken from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)

Protection: Carrying violets protect against evil spirits (1). Carrying a leaf will protect against all evil (3). To create a charm with violets, gather three of its leaves and several flowers, and bind them with a purple ribbon. Do during the waxing moon to increase protection, or preform during the waxing moon push away negativity (4).

Luck: Carrying violets also brings luck (1, 3).

Love & Lust: When mixed with lavender, violets enhance love and lust (1).

Wishes: Picking the first violet in spring will grant your deepest wish.

Healing: Said to cure headaches and dizziness, especially if made into a crown. If put in a green sachet, violets are said to cure wounds (1, 3). 

Violets are also said to help calm tempers and induce sleep (1, 3). They may also lead to prophetic dreams (3). 

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire -The Magickal Cat
4.) Cottage Witchery  

Herb Notes: Ivy

Ivy

Folk Name: Gort (1)

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Saturn

Element: Water

Deities: Bacchus, Dionysus, Osiris (1, 4) -- Mythology states the planet was named after a girl who danced for Dionysus until she died. He was so moved by her performance she put her spirit in the plant (4).

Powers: Protection, Healing, Love (1, 2, 3, 4)

Ivy is considered the feminine counterpart to holly. (1, 4)

Ivy is carried/worn by women for luck (1).

It is said where Ivy grows there is protection from negativity and disaster (1, 2, 4). In addition, if grown by the front door it will discourage unwanted guests (2, 3). It is also used for fidelity and love (1, 2, 4).

Ivy leaves are poisonous (4).

Pair it with holly for a wedding gift to offer protection to the new couple. Also burn with a yellow candle on Tuesdays to see who is casting magic against you (3).

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire -The Magickal Cat 

4.) Cottage Witchery

Herb Notes: Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus 

Element: Water

Powers: Love

Bleeding Hearts bring love, but they also can be used to indicate/predict the feelings of your paramour. If they bleed red when you crush the flower, then you love returns your feelings. If they bleed white, then your feelings are not returned.

Interestingly,  growing these flowers in your home bring bad vibrations, but sticking a coin in the soil can help prevent that (1).

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire -The Magickal Cat

Herb Notes: Devil's Bit

Devil's Bit

 Folk Name: Ofbit

Gender: Masculine (1)

Powers: Exorcism, Love, Protection (1,3), Luck (1), Lust (3)

Devil's bit is supposed to be worn around the neck to drive away evil spirits (1). Wearing it is also supposed to provide general protection it seems.

Devil's bit is specifically used to attract women.

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire -The Magickal Cat

Herb Notes: Mugwort

Mugwort

Folk Names: Artemis Herb, Artemisia, Felon Herb, Muggons, Naughty Man, Old Man, Old Uncle Henry, Sailor's Tobacco, St. John's Plant

Gender: Feminin

Planet: Venus

Element: Earth

Deities: Artemis, Diana

Powers: Strength, Psychic Powers, Protection, Prophetic Dreams, Healing, Astral Projection

(Directly taken from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)

Prophetic Dreams: Pairs well with Agrimony for sleep sachets (3). A sachet of Mugwort under your pillow will cause prophetic dreams (1, 3)

Protection/ Lust: Carry to increase lust and fertility (1, 2, 3,). Carrying it will also keep you safe from poison, wild beasts, or sunstroke (1), prevent back aches (1, 3). 

Psychic Powers: Drink an infusion sweetened with honey for divination (1). Burn with sandalwood or wormwood when scrying. Put near bed to aid in astral projection (1, 3). 

Healing: Cures disease and madness by carrying (1, 2, 3). 

Mentions of evil spirits being kept at bay (1).

Use an infusion to clean crystal balls and magic mirrors (1, 3).

 

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire -The Magickal Cat

 

Herb Notes: Agrimony

Agrimony

Folk Names: Church Steeples, Cocklebur, Garclive, Philanthropos, Sticklewort, Stickwort, Umkhuthula, Ntola

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Jupiter

Element: Air

Powers: Protection & Sleep

(Note: Above information ripped directly from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)


Good for sachets and spells. Can be used to banish negativity, and can protect against evil, poison (1, 3), and Goblins(1). No mention of it being an antidote, so must somehow be used as a detector or something similar (the word "ward" has been tossed around). No information on why/how it keeps Goblins at bay.

This may fall under the "banish negativity" banner, but  Agrimony helps with overcoming fear, internal blockage, and negative emotions (3).

Used to reverse hexes and spells cast against you (note - it doesn't just stop the spell, but turns it on the user)(1, 2, 3).

 Place a sachet of it under your pillow to sleep(1, 2), but be careful, the sleeper will not awaken until it is removed(1). Said to pair well with Mugwort for sleep sachet (3). 

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire -The Magickal Cat

 

Herb Notes: Angelica

Angelica

Folk Names: Archangel, Masterwort, Garden Angelica

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Sun

Element: Fire

Deity: Venus

Powers: Exorcism, Protection, Healing and Vision

(Note: Above information ripped directly from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs)

A lot of emphasis is put on Angelica's  use in exorcism and protection. Mentions of purification/protection against negative energy are also common, but so far mentions visions is hit or miss.

Attracts positive energy and promotes temperance (3).

Incense Uses: Exorcism and Healing (1, 2, 3). 

Bathing Usage: Yes. Bathe in it to remove curses, hexes, or any magic used against you/victim (1, 2, 3). 

Sprinkle outside home for protection (1, 3).

Burn to bring back a lost love (3).

Can be sprinkled in shoes to prevent tiredness (3).

Fun Note: Root was carried in pocket as a gambling talisman by some American Indian tribes (1). 

Sources:

1.) Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs

2.) The Wiccan Way
3.) Herb Grimoire - The Magickal Cat

Official Announcement of Herb Notes

All right, after hemming and hawing over what to do with this blog that isn't just me spouting off writing nonsense, I have come up with an idea. I've been planning to do herb research for one of my stories for a while now, so I will use this blog for my notes. That being the case, I will add addendum and such whenever I find new material.


With that being said, time to get to work on those posts/notes.

Royal Theft Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Royal Theft

by A.C. Harrah

Giveaway ends June 09, 2014.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Paperback

So if you haven't already heard the news, not only is there a new edition of Turning Curse out with a brand new cover, but you can now purchase a paperback version. I don't know about you guys, but I'm super excited about this. Also the excitement will continue, because there's still some new stuff to be announced over the next few weeks. For now, please enjoy this image of the new cover:

Status Update

So for the last few months blog posts have been lacking/skimpy. Part of the reason has more to do with my own feelings as mentioned in a previous post. However, part of it is due to the fact that I have been focusing more on promoting my currently published stories while also writing and editing others. Now some of that promoting has been mentioned in past posts, while others have been mentioned on Facebook. I still plan to focus a lot of more energy on promoting my books for a while, but I have also been thinking about ways I could utilize this blog.

In the past I considered handing out writing tips, and I tried not so subtly to do that by talking about my thoughts as I write and edit my novels. I also considered writing reviews, but the one thing that has always stopped me is that I am a very critical reader. I am not exaggerating. I have put a book down after one sentence because it "just didn't sit right with me". I can't even live up to my own writing expectations so it seems unfair to ask others to. Then again, reviews seem to be one of the best ways for authors to get their names out there without approaching every blogger/reviewer to read their novel.

As I said, I am still thinking and I will hopefully come to a decision soon.

Turning Curse Excerpts Blog Tour Schedule

Book Blog Tour Schedule. Get an eBook Review Wacky What Ever Wordpress Wacky What Evers Blogspot Books with bite Joey2711 Booklikes Blog Tour Genie Extaordinaryreads

Dates. Get an eBook Review 15th March Wacky What Ever Wordpress 21st March Wacky What Evers Blogspot 16th March Books with bite 17th March Joey 2711 18th March Booklikes 19th March Blog Tour Genie 20th March Wrap Extaordinaryreads 22nd March

Third Stop Redirected

Hello again, everyone!

So it seems something came up and the third stop on the blog tour has been changed to Top Shelf Books. I wasn't informed why the stop was changed, but so far I am pleased.

Barring any future changes my next stop should be at The Reading Cat, and it will be an author interview.

Was/is: The Worst Words

I have always been hesitant about giving out advice to writers, mostly due to the fact that writing is an artful and it is ever changing and no one style is right or wrong, but recently I have been reading through other writers' works and one thing sticks out that always puts me off: the constant use of "was/is". Now I know, "was" and "is" are two very important and basic words to English which makes it almost impossible--if not impossible--to write a novel without at least one of them showing up. However, what really irks me is when I read a paragraph and the verb of every sentence is "was"or "is".

Two paraphrase another writer I worked with, "is" is stagnant. You don't want things to be stagnant you want them to be moving. You don't say the picture is on the wall--you say the pictures hangs on the wall. That wall isn't just being--it props up the ceiling and barricades the kitchen from the living room.

As writers we need to inject life into our words and this is one tactic. So please, fellow writers, take this advice under consideration when writing or editing your novels. No one expects your novel to be "is/was" free, but the less they are featured the better.

Third Stop (Orangeberry Book Tour)

Hello again, everyone.

If you haven't already checked it out you can see my author interview at Mommy Adventures With Ravina.

This Friday I will have a guest post on Bunnysreview. So for those of you who have been craving a long post this will be a treat for you...maybe. Okay, I'll be honest with you Internet, I really do not find my blog posts all that entertaining or thought provoking--it's part of the reason I have shied away from extensive posts recently. Even so, I hope the few of you out there who like reading my more wordy posts enjoy my aforementioned guest post.

Second Stop of Blog Tour

Hello again, everyone!

This week there will be an interview posted on Mommy Adventure's with Ravina! Look for it this Friday.

Also, it appears I misinterpreted what would be posted on Peace from Pieces. I thought it would feature an excerpt of "Turning Curse", but it appears that is not the case. Sorry about the confusion.

Until next time, everyone.

Blog Tour

Hi Everybody!

So I recently signed up for a book tour with Orangeberry Book Tours, and tomorrow is the first day of the book/blog tour for Turning Curse that will be be going on for the next five weeks. The first stop will be at Peace from Pieces, and will feature a book excerpt or two.

I'll do my best to let everyone know when and where the next stop on the tour will be posted beforehand, but if you don't trust me, or you can't handle the anticipation (...is it really that exciting?) then you can also check out the schedule posted on Orangeberry.

Spread the Love!

Valentine's Day is only a week away, so you know what that means, don't you?

It means candy! Loads and loads of candy!

But it also mean special sales and deals, like this one here:

Go to Smashwords and use this code (AS42Z) to get Turning Curse for $2.14. This code expires on February 15th, so act now while you can.

Back from Break

I'm back!

You know what that means, right? No more Panicking Rabble (for now).

I've spent the last couple months doing some reading and planning projects. Also, for those of you who haven't noticed, my books are available on Smashwords now. Enjoy.

Obligatory

Happy New Years!