Soothing Bath for Cold and Flu

After weeks of avoiding catching the current virus running around town, I got it.  Achy body, sore throat, sleepy and cranky.  Being sick is never fun, but taking care of yourself can ease the suffering.  Lots of fluids, especially tea with honey and vitamin packed juices, are a must, but there are lots of easy ways to feel better temporarily while ill.  I thought I would share my recipe for a soothing, healing bath.

You will need:

5 drops of rosemary essential oil (or a long sprig of fresh rosemary)
1 drop lavender essential oil (or a scant handful of dried blossoms)
5 drops peppermint essential oil (or several sprigs of mint leaves)
3 drops green food coloring
1 tablespoon of ground ginger

If using plants instead of oils, wrap them in a cheesecloth bag or in a loosely woven piece of fabric to prevent them from clogging the drain. Otherwise, add all ingredients to the tub as it fills with comfortably warm water.  Soak in the bath, inhaling the vapors deeply. Visualize green light flowing in with your breath and pushing out the illness.

Note: Mint can be a urinary irritant.  This bath recipe should not be used by pregnant women or those with allergies to any of the ingredients. I don't recommend using this recipe more than once every few days.

May you all be blessed with health, healing and positive energy!

Crow or Raven Divination

Birds have long been believed to hold the keys to the future.  From time to time, I will post some of these signs and symbols.  Customs and meanings vary wildly from place to place.  Typically, I will post an English or Irish meaning, as these are the ones I'm most familiar with.  Keep an eye out for interesting bird divinations this summer.

Crows and Ravens (which, depending on where you live, may be interchangeable terms for any large, clever, black bird) are frequently associated with witchcraft and death.  They are loved by some and reviled by others.  These clever creatures can often be seen alone or in groups.  These two English rhymes detail the meaning behind the number of crows you see at a particular time. In some versions, blackbirds or magpies are used as well.

Version I

One for sorrow,

Two for joy.

Three for a girl,

Four for a boy.

Five for silver,

Six for gold.

Seven for a secret, 

never to be told.

Eight for a wish,

Nine for a kiss.

Ten for a bird 

you must not miss.

Version II

One is for sorrow,

Two is for mirth.

Three is a wedding,

Four is a birth.

Five is for riches,

Six is a thief.

Seven a journey,

Eight is for grief.

Nine is a secret,

Ten is for sorrow.

Eleven for love,

Twelve for joy tomorrow.