It is with Knightly honour that we are empowered to have great knowledge from within & without. With such knowledge comes power, a power that is naturally produced & requires no additional influences to achieve great things. Power is not about the control of others, it is about harnessing the inner strength & full understanding of one's purpose in this particular existence, such truth that can only be realised at a knightly level
“The last in the series of my ‘Earth Cycle’ potions; a little late this time yet still very relevant”
A magically charged potion to assist you in accessing your own inner realms of consciousness. Created of Wormwood, Kelp, Dill and Mugwort to connect you to the Energies ofAutumn. Use for travelling within, for connecting to the underworld and to the ancestral spirits and for increasing psychic powers.
These potions are individually prepared and magically charged as per our ancient Templar knowledge and wisdom. The potions can be used as an incense, kept in a pouch (hang in your home or wear as a pendant), sprinkled sparingly in a lighted tea-light or sprinkled in your bath water. Please be very careful around naked flames and using with candles.
Herbal magic, potions, spell work, sacred herbal preparations, the magical preparation and charging of potions and compounds and alchemy are just some of the aspects of the Knights Templar path; taught in the same way as originally taught many aeons ago by the original ‘Old Ones’
Autumn In the Gregorian year 2014
A warrior of the Serpent Path; always questing upon the sphere of time
Weaving Webs of Fate and Destiny: for Change and Transformation
I know that lots of folks are really scared of spiders and do not see their beauty and wonder at all; so I thought I would share this from my times of facilitating the Dark Moon Grove of Hecate, where I had a personal and profound connection to Arachne. She was our first goddess of the eastern quadrant; very apt then to be of air and to be our guide to our fate and destiny.
Where does one start when searching for Arachne? How does one crawl through her web to unlock her mysteries without becoming tangled up in her silken threads? I thought and studied long and deep about her magical correspondences, her connection to the dark moon grove, to the very air itsself and to the east. However all the normal correspondences for the eastern quarter did not seem to fit, did not ring true, did not connect to Arachne at all. None of what I was finding out or reading about rang true to the individual essence that meant Arachne. I had to get away from what was perceived in modern-day paganism as “correspondences” as finding the truth via the dark goddesses meant stripping away all previous knowledge. Little did i know at the time that i was following my true path, away from the misinformation of those who had bought modern day paganism to the for; i was indeed treading a very much older path.
This was a big challenge to me unravelling Arachne; there must be a way round this small challenge, a way into her world, a way to unravel her web. I knew that the answer to those elusive questions must be staring me right in the face but I just could not see it. I had to look differently, go deeper into another world to find Arachne and so to create a very special incense to her. And then it slowly began to dawn on me; I must visit her world, walk with her, into the secret, green world of barks, mosses and dark, damp corners. A world of morning mists and shimmering webs, for there I would find her secrets, her scents and her magic. I started studying the Arachne myths, reading them and re reading them in order to connect, to find her, to know her.
According to the old stories and myths, she was a determined, talented young lady who took upon herself a mighty challenge by a goddess. She, Arachne was a weaver of considerable acclaim and her work truly was a joy to behold. Purple in colour, it was said, and dyed thus by her father. But she was challenged in her weaving by Athene (Minerva) disguised as an old woman, undeterred though because in her mind she was the best, Arachne took on the challenge, maybe though she was just a bit too arrogant. It was a hard-fought contest of wills and weaving skills. Arachne and Athena wove and wove, shuttles weaving in and out as they frantically wove their many threads to create works of outstanding beauty. They both had a point to prove.
But Athene, being the goddess she is, eventually won the weaving dual and destroyed Arachne’s work. Arachne hung herself, stricken with grief and distress. The goddess however showed remorse and took pity on Arachne and sprinkled Aconite on to her corpse thus transforming her into the world’s first spider.
“ A gossamer scent, as light as a spiders footfall: touched with sighing mists: pallid flowers, dusty woods and soft herbs”
In another version of the tale the transformation is more graphic as the goddess
“sprinkled her with the juice of Hecate’s herb, and immediately at the touch of this dark poison, Arachne’s hair fell out. With it went her nose and ears, her head shrank to the smallest size, and her whole body became tiny. Her slender fingers stuck to her sides as legs, the rest is belly, from which she still spins a thread, and, as a spider, weaves her ancient web.”
Which to me denotes that change and transformation can often be (and indeed is) very painful, yet the outcome is that of which to beautify. So it seems I was on the right track and Aconite, sometimes known as Hecate’s Herb was to be a very important ingredient, as too, would be the barks and herbs and scents of my own garden. This incense was to be an incense of courage and transformation which is the message I believe Arachne brings to us. She did not shy from her challenge, her destiny and yet when cruelly beaten she was forever transformed by her experience.
Arachne Incense: gathered from where she weaves her webs….
Slithers of Willow bark gathered from the riverbank.
Shavings of damp Apple bark
Shreds of last seasons dried Honesty
Fresh scented shoots and stems of Bergamot
Twigs of winter Evergreen
Spring shoots of Evergreen
Sprigs of Heather
Fresh shredded Bay leaf from the kitchen garden
Sweet Lemon Balm gathered from the gardens edge.
New leaves given by Lady Elder, the fairy tree.
Musty, dusty Seed Pods from the woodpile.
Dark, damp Ivy
Hecate’s Herb (Aconite) The bark and leaves given with love
Three Strands of your hair with which to weave the web
Sweet Geranium, over which Arachne left her tracks.
Moss gathered from underfoot.
Use this incense carefully in specific ritual, spell work or magical rites to take on the challenge of courage and transformation. Of course if one has ‘webs to weave’ of ones own, one may of course put this incense to real good use….
Arachne: weaving fate and destiny
April 2006
A warrior of the Serpent Path; always questing upon the sphere of time
Bringing LIGHT to those open to receive
Written during the times of the ‘Dark Moon Grove’
The beautiful energies from the sisters of the grove are acknowledged
“Another of my magically prepared Templar Potions that can connect each individual to the seasonal cycles and sacred energies of our planet. Created on request for you or if a follower of the path they can be prepared as and when required“
A magically charged potion to assist you in accessing your own inner realms of consciousness and empowerment. Created of Lavender, Apple Leaf, Acacia and Eucalyptus to connect you to the Energies ofSummer. To raise energy, create abundance and expansion, fulfilment and love, inspiration and psychic abilities.
These potions are individually prepared and magically charged as per our ancient Templar knowledge and wisdom. They can be used as an incense, kept in a pouch, (hung in your home or worn on your person) sprinkled sparingly in a lighted tea-light or sprinkled in your bath water. Please be careful when using lighted candles and tea-lights.
Herbal magic, potions, sacred herbal preparations, the magical preparation and charging of potions and compounds and alchemy and spell work are just some of the aspects of the Knights Templar path; taught in the same way as originally taught many aeons ago by the original ‘Old Ones
The two witches sat huddled around their cauldron, staring intently and intensely into the softly glowing embers. The night was cold, dark and still. They pulled their cloaks around them and continued to gaze into the fire. They knew that knowledge was about to be gained and shared and that their lives would be forever changed because of it, whether for good or bad, they knew not. But it felt right to do it; felt right to do it now after the deep, dark rite to Hecate. The night had been heavy, unmoving, oppressive and dark; very, very dark. They had desired rebirth or destruction. The goddess had heard them and had come. They were a little afraid at first, but they felt the presence of a wonderful powerful energy. Magic had sprung into life in that dark tree grove. Breezes had lifted, elementals had danced with mischievous swirls and rustlings and bells tinkled mysteriously in the bare winter branches.
They had stared deeply into the embers, had let the flames die to become alive. And so they had huddled, warmed around their iron cauldron and had been drawn into the other world. They had sat and shared and had bonded on that cold dark night. Their friendship had transcended a lifetime in only an hour: time travel shared. In the embers the witches had watched as armies marched and civilizations rose and crumbled. They looked on like powerful gods, in what seemed an aeon of time, but in reality under an hour. Layers of the amber came and went. They gazed as Lucifer rose with dragons, angels took flight and glowing Egyptian eyes stared back at them. Salamanders took to the wing, with fey folk, dragonflies and butterflies. Gods and goddesses stared back at them; mermaids and sea creatures appeared and disappeared. The messages came and went, the embers told the story.
Time passed quickly and the magic began to fade. They looked at each other knowingly, then grudgingly had moved away from their cosy red world. The sky was lighter now and all the heavy oppressiveness was gone. All negativity, was banished and in its place a burst of pure energy. They had been lost in time and time had passed and had been lost to them. They had sought answers and answers had come. They had come and done what they had to do. The witches knew it was now time to depart. Time to be their other selves, to enter the world of the mundane once more; until the next time that is….
Pyromancy: (fire scrying) is the art of fire reading and it always produces very profound and far-reaching results. Results that weave their way into your dream world, that work deeply on your subconscious and manifest into your waking, living life. If you require answers then this could be the way to find them. When fire scrying as with all scrying, a relaxed, comfortable state of mind and body is most important. And you need to be very aware of your health and safety generally, so please take all the usual precautions and be sensible when using fire. Glowing embers produce very good results as they allow you to be relaxed and sit very near to the fire. But candles and night-lights can also be used, as of course can hearth fires and bonfires. Fire scrying when used as part of a ritual can give significant results too.
Relax and look, look deeply, deeply into the embers, look beyond what you think you see and you will be surprised what you will see there. Patience and perseverance is required at first (as you are looking deep within) and also an awareness of the planetary and moon phases, as they can relate directly to the questions asked and the answers sought. The signs scryed and their interpretations are personal to each individual; some of the following are universal, although some are from personal experiences too.
Wings: Taking flight, successful rise in energy, new projects can begin, a go ahead sign, endeavouring to be the ‘real’ you, seeking freedom.
Dragons: Ancient Earth magic, grounded, contented, the hearth, power, earth energy. With eyes half-shut, curled up – peace, stability, safety, the Old Ways, guardians.
Dragonflies, Butterflies, Winged Salamanders, Fairies: Rebirth, re-growth, new growth, spreading wings, rising up from negative situations, new strength, new awakenings, re-awakenings, loss of self-doubt, metamorphosis, eyes opened, an opening up to new worlds and new ways.
Angels/Demons: Protection, divine connection, to learn, knowledge gained, knowledge to come, a path to come, the truths.
Animal in feminine garb: Getting in touch with natural instincts, femininity, femininity and strength.
Beasts with horns (inc. goats face): Approval from the God/Universe, accepting the darkness/hidden nature within, the old path, hidden ways, old magic, power. Horned God: Divine human with animal super-senses, the Old Ways.
Fire itself: Purifying, cleansing, to dare, culling, Lucifer, illumination, Goddess of destruction, fire within, passion, sexuality, destruction and rebirth – see Phoenix.
Phoenix: Death and Rebirth, the Bennu Bird, Egypt, Mary Magdalene.
Warming, Warmth: Relaxing, seductive, passion, consuming, contentment, giving in to the universe.
Living and Dying within the embers: Sexual, Salamander, Michael, Dragons, phoenix of rebirth, cycles. of life, cycles of energy.
Spiders: Arachne, fate, destiny, weaving one’s own life, taking control, tangled in a web, trapped.
Civilisations, Cities, Buildings: Life, past lives, past worlds, shared lives, strength, stability.
Crumbling Civilizations: Fate, inevitability, death, a loss, facing up to a situation, allowing what will be to simply be, acceptance, moving on. leaving the past well and truly in the past.
Of course there are many more interpretations; all questions and answers are very personal so this is just a general guide to get you started. You may be surprised at how quickly your own visions and consequently own answers will manifest.
Dark nights: a time for scrying around the flames
Written in an ageless time during the times of the ‘Dark Moon Grove’
The beautiful energies from the sisters of the grove are acknowledged
“An example of a carefully prepared Templar Potion that connects to the seasonal cycles of our planet and which can be created on request or if on the path can be prepared and made as and when required“
The Energies of Spring: An Earth Cycle Potion
A magically charged potion to assist you in accessing the inner realms.
Created of Hawthorn, Camphor, Olive and Apple Leaf for connection
to the Energies ofSpring,
to uplift the spirit, raise consciousness and assist in love.
These potions are individually prepared and magically charged as per ancient Templar knowledge and wisdom; they can be used as incense, kept in a pouch, sprinkled sparingly in a lighted tea-light or sprinkled in your bath water. Be careful around naked flames.
Herbal magic, potions, sacred herbal preparations, the magical preparation and charging of potions and compounds and alchemy are just some of the aspects of the Templar path; taught in the same way as originally taught many aeons ago by the original ‘Old Ones’
“My specially prepared Templar Potions that connect to the seasonal cycles of our planet and which can be created on request or if on the path can be prepared and made as and when required“
The Energies of Winter: An Earth Cycle Potion
A magically charged potion to assist you in accessing your own inner consciousness. Created of Burdock Root, Myrrh, Sage and Solomon’s Seal to connect you to the Energies ofWinter, for discovering your inner depths & quietness, for accessing the ‘within’, for recharging & re-establishing energies, inner strength & focus.
These potions are individually prepared and magically charged as per our ancient Templar knowledge and wisdom and can be used as incense, kept in a pouch, sprinkled sparingly in a lighted tea-light or sprinkled in your bath water.
Herbal magic, potions, sacred herbal preparations, the magical preparation and charging of potions and compounds and alchemy are just some of the aspects of the Knights Templar path; taught in the same way as originally taught many aeons ago by the original ‘Old Ones’
Camphor is collected from the evergreen tree ‘Camphor Laurel’ and is native to Taiwan. Camphor is a transparent solid with an aromatic odour. It usually comes in the form of pure white tablets.
CAUTION: BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN USING CAMPHOR AS THIS HERB IS POISONOUS IN HIGH DOSES
Physical Use: Used for flavouring sweets and in small doses for general cooking. It is further used in the making of embalming fluid or as a scent. When made into a paste with olive oil it can be applied to the skin as a mild anaesthetic. It is an anti-itch agent and is also able to reduce congestion. It can reduces chapped or rough skin is and particularly good for the feet.
For muscle pain and congestion use in a paste with olive oil and apply for seven days only. It can be used in combination with other herbs such as lavender and white willow bark as a pain relieving massage oil. It can be made into ointments using less oil.
Magical Use: Camphor enhances sexual desires and assists in love. When camphor is burnt it is a symbol of the consciousness. It is best used within ritual for raising and controlling spirits.
Camphor is used within Craft voodun rites as a Loa Potion, together with Sage and Agrimony, when seeking magical assistance from the Loa (Spirits) and also as a key ingredient in mojo bags.
Camphor is associated at various stages of development with Amalug the Goddess, with the Snake (Sibbu), the Holy Ghost, Mary Magdalene and the Sword
* Always be very careful when using herbal potions and always under a trained tutors eye.
* To safely learn more about magical herbs and potions we teach the Craft of the Old Ways at our Knights Templar Preceptory
Within the Craft path of the Serpent Priesthood (the Ansar) as within many magical paths, the knowledge of sacred herbs is given. On this path not only is the connection to the earthly plane taught but also of how each herb and stone connects on a universal/multiversal level to a much bigger picture. Everything connects and interacts, everything is of vibration and can act for or against depending on how it is used and from which aspect; different combinations of sacred herbs and stones have different purposes and work on a magical and alchemical level on the mundane plane as well as the spiritual.
Rosemary has been used by practitioners almost since the dawn of time and its heady, pungent, invigorating aroma can transport you back in time to a far distant land, to a time when rosemary was burned in the temples of Greece as an offering to the Goddess and God. The Greeks dedicated rosemary to Apollo, their solar deity, who was acknowledged as the god of medicine, poetry and prophecy. Rosemary is also connected to the snake (Sibbu) and the sword thus connecting directly to the Serpent Priesthood and the teachings thereof. Rosmarinus means ‘dew of the sea’ thus also connecting to the goddess Amulug, Mary Magdalene, Kiam and the universe at every level of understanding through time. The connection to Mary Magdalene who is also known in truth as Kiam is most significant.
Rosemary is a member of the mint family, growing up to one and a half meters tall; its leaves are evergreen and needle-like and it thrives in the
Dew of the Sea
sun soaked shores of the Mediterranean. Breathe in deeply that enticing aroma and be transported to the sun drenched shores of your own imagination. Rosemary was one of the earliest plants to be used for food, medicine and of course magic. The country people of ancient Greece did not have access to any prepared incense, so burnt Rosemary in sprigs on their shrines and it thus became known as the incense bush. Today, gently smoldering the sprigs on charcoal is still the quickest and easiest way of using fragrant rosemary as incense.
Traces of rosemary have also been found in Egyptian tombs which is not at all surprising considering that the Egyptians knew a thing or two about magic… During the middle ages it was used to smoke out devils during exorcism and it was also burnt in sick rooms as a fumigant for many centuries. Rosemary continued to be burnt in hospital wards in France until the present century and was abandoned at about the same time that modern research had actually proved its antiseptic properties.
Rosemary can delay or prevent putrefaction in meat but we are unable to tell if it was first used in cooking for the flavour or to preserve the meat, for in distant times there was no means of keeping meat refrigerated in hot climates. Rosemary has a long folk magic tradition as a love stimulator and many ancient charms and spells use rosemary for this reason. Bridal wreaths were entwined with fresh rosemary and bridesmaids gave sprigs to the groom to symbolize love and loyalty. The plant has and still is used in countless rituals to promote love. Nowadays we can inhale the scent and visualize its subtler energies bringing love and transformation into our lives.
It seems like rosemary has always been in our lives yet to discover its magical properties we have to find how to open a secret door to the abundant garden within….. Aroma is an important tool for magic and ritual as it facilitates the unlocking of subtle pathways to the subconscious. In ritual we transcend our daily lives and become one with our gods and goddesses. A specially prepared incense wafting around the temple or sacred space can quickly evoke an atmosphere of divine worship. In spell casting and magical rites the power to cause change in ones lives can be greatly enhanced by the appropriate incense intensifying and charging the atmosphere.
Rosemary can be used fresh or dried for incense making and the essential oil can be used as an ingredient in oil blends. The ruling planet of rosemary is the sun, its element is fire and its gender is masculine. Its powers for magical workings and spell craft are that of protection, love, lust, exorcism, purification, healing, sleep, youth. It is also burned in order to receive insight and the smoke is inhaled to promote visions. The essential oil can be sprinkled on to cotton wool balls or tissues and taken into exams or placed in a car during long car journeys to aid in concentration and awareness or while at home the oil can be used in a burner for the same refreshing reasons.
Physical Use: In healing uses rosemary assists the nervous system. It can be made into a into a paste (with olive oil) then added to water for pre-ritual cleansing. Rosemary is used as a representation of union when used within Handfasting Ceremonies, being the suitable replacement of confetti. It is appropriate to use within a Funeral Rite, where onlookers cast the rosemary to the grave. Within the higher degree workings of the Serpent Priesthood, rosemary is the plant that is a part of sacred alchemical and magical combinations.
Magical Use: Rosemary aids intellectual achievements, assists purification, protection, and love. Use rosemary within the Last Rites Service. Rosemary can be used in combinations with other herbs and sacred stones as taught in the Serpent Priesthood as part of a student’s magical training and is part of a sacred alchemical combination within the higher degrees and beyond.
When using herbs for incense making start with simple combinations and then when you feel more confident experiment a bit more. You will soon become familiar with all the correspondences and magical properties. An interesting way to start is to make the appropriate incense for each festival and rites, to be used in your own ceremonies.
Rosemary on its own does make a very divine incense but it also combines very well with other sacred herbs such as sage and lavender. An incense blend which uses half quantities of sage and rosemary or lavender and rosemary (fresh or dried) can be used for purification of the temple, chapel or home and all within including self, clothes, magical tools (if that is your preferred method). It is ideal to burn before a ritual or ceremony of any sort, whilst you are preparing. Let the smoke waft around your temple to cleanse and purify the space. It will create a lovely white smoke that will very easily add the right touch. The aroma is gentle, soothing, almost antiseptic and cleansing in its properties. This incense induces a lovely feeling of relaxation and cannot fail to put anyone in the right frame of mind for ritual, meditation or path working of any description. Please try it, and thoroughly enjoy your experience of Rosemary; the dew of the sea.
A Brief History: The holly leaf is originally native to America; it should always be used with caution and care especially in regards to the berries which are poisonous. It is very important to bear in mind that twenty berries do constitute a lethal dose.
The bright red berries and sharp thorns of the Holly are thought of as a tree traditionally sacred to the ‘God of Winter’ and yet interestingly within the Gnostic teachings Holly is aligned with the Goddess and in particular has close sacred associations with Mary Magdalene. It is said that in the past, wands were made of it and used in the recurring ritual battle between the Holly and the Oak, the winter and summer tree kings. Before the Yule tree was born those of Craft would hang a large ball of evergreen and Holly within the home at Yule, the 21st of December. From the ball would be draped red, white and black ribbons and paper roses, apples and oranges. The Holly especially at Yule is often associated with the Ivy, known in the past as a goddess tree; also being green in midwinter and once again used for decorations and for wand use when twined around a suitable host. The Holly and Ivy do have further very deep symbolism associated with them, for they represent man and woman, going on forever; the Lord and the Lady; the Holy couple.
Physical Use: For use with potions and healing the holly leaf needs to be ground very finely in a pestle and mortar and then can be made into a paste with olive oil and thus applied directly onto the skin to reduce wrinkles, calm arthritis and for the cleansing of facial tissue. Also the resulting paste can be added to an oil burner within the home to reveal the truth of suspicion. In Craft the potions are always magically charged before use by using an effective ‘charging rite’ specifically taught to Craft.
Magical Use: Hang a small sprig of holly above the door to prevent enemies from entering and to encourage useful spirits to enter the home. Holly is further used within Spell Craft for raising energy and for communication across the five plains and will be used in specific Craft rites and ceremonies of which further knowledge and wisdom is attained with in the teachings of the path. Holly leaves when placed under a pillow will enhance travel within dreams.
“Upon the ground the gifts were hidden, the magics left so all could find.
Use them well and ye shall see the truth before your eyes is given”
White Willow
Having a few important and powerful herbs at ones disposable as part of a well stocked healing or magical ‘cupboard’ will mean that one always has the correct herbs ready for use for whatever potions are needed at any one particular time. Templar knowledge of the magical and healing properties of herbs does differ from that of a medical herbalist or a modern-day pagan and the knowledge reaches far back to ancient times when such wisdom was common among mankind.
For it is the sacred ‘energies’ contained within the plant and the universe without that we work with. The combination of the outer universal energies and that contained within the plant and the knowledge of their use by the practitioner are utilised at a high level within Templar healing and magic.
White Willow Bark is very easy to obtain in the uk, whether naturally harvested or purchased ready prepared, it is indeed a very useful herb to have in ones ‘cupboard’. White Willow Bark is native to Europe and Asia and is considered to be the essence of relieving pain and in particular for use within reducing fever.
It can be ground into a powder to reduce fevers and to calm pain and can be made into a paste or massage lotion with olive oil and thus massaged into painful joints and muscles. Used in this way it will also sooth the pain of rheumatism. White Willow Bark can also be used in the treatment of nausea, infection, sexual problems and lethargy.
The White Willow Bark can also be combined with other soothing herbs such as lavender and a very small amount of camphor to produce a very effective and efficient pain killing massage potion/lotion. As a part of Templar training one is taught how to prepare, cleanse and charge herbs in a sacred way prior to use, thus rendering them very potent indeed.
Magically, white willow bark may be used for healing and love spells and may be used for visions of the future, raising power and cleansing space. All under the watchful eye of a trained tutor and practitioner of course.
It is with Knightly honour that we are empowered to have great knowledge from within & without. With such knowledge comes power, a power that is naturally produced & requires no additional influences to achieve great things. Power is not about the control of others, it is about harnessing the inner strength & full understanding of one's purpose in this particular existence, such truth that can only be realised at a knightly level
