For anyone who wishes to know what the newest products offered on Enchanted Works are, or wishes an up to the minute update whenever new articles are posted on Enchanted Works, you can go to ouramazingly cool RSS page and it will let you choose whether you want the articles or the new items.

As most people know, we already have an RSS feed for this journal that can be accessed by clicing on the RSS button that is usually located on the top of the main page, although Bravenet might move it at some point making my statement at least partially untrue

We now return you to your regular insanity.

The Agate is a stone of grounding and protection. Agate is said to help with metabolic functions including lithlessness and depression. There are many different types and colors of Agates, and they are quite similar to Jaspar. In general, Agates are more lusterous than Jasper stones, Otherwise it is sometimes difficult to tell them apart.

Agates with very strong bands running through them are said to be the most protective. These stones help with mustering personal courage or to face stress.

Blue Agate is good for memory

Blue Lace Agate is an excellent stone to promote marital fidelity.It is also said to strengthen sight. Many arthritics use Blue Lace Agate to help with their symptoms.

Botswana Agate is excellent for those who are very sensitive to the vibrations of Others. It can help with emotional understanding and is said to guard the immune system.

Dendriatic Agate protects the user during travel. They are powerful protection stones.

Moss Agates are often used as a talisman for gardeners because of their coloring. Many stones appear to have ferns growing inside of them. This stone strengthens the wearer's connection with the Earth.

Pink Lace Agate strengthens self esteem and a feeling of overall happiness.

Plume Agate looks almost like a sunburst. This stone is used for creative visualization and for focusing the mind.

White Lace Agate is of great assistance to those who seek happiness.

Enchanted Works tries to find the best quality agate possible for our hand beaded Kestra's Kreations. Please remember to take a look at our offerings. We also offer tumbled stones, and are ever expanding our product line in our stone section

Well, it was my own damn fault.  When we built the New and Improved Enchanted Works site at  www.enchantedworks.com, I decided not to re-invent the wheel, and mapped many of the pictures to /www.witchysupplies.com which is another one of my websites.  Well, Monday it seems that Yahoo decided to change the addressing it uses to map graphics.  I lost over 1000 graphics, which had to be rebuilt, resized, renamed, etc.  Thankfully, most of this was scripted by the most wonderful programmer who dealt with the site.  However, it still took many many hours worth of insanity.

On the good side, we have MANY more items, and you can see what has been added over the last two days at www.enchantedworks.com/db/list_new.php.  Included are new books, a section on stones, some new pendulums, new essential oils, and more. 

The site is happy.  The Kestra is happy.  All is happy.  Hooray!!!

A movement towards natural remedies, holistic healing, naturopathy, etc. has been growing over recent years. However, an important point has been missed through all the hoopla. Natural is not always "better."

Here at Enchanted Works, we sell all manner of herbs and oils, some of which can be used for medicinal purposes. So, if you wish to purchase herbs for their magickal properties, to use to burn, to put in a poppet, to make a sachet, to put in a ritual bath, or sprinkle to cleanse your space, have a marvelous time doing it. Herbs and oils can definitely be used for these purposes without much fear of harming yourself or others. Of course, you should be careful that anyone sensitive to smoke is out of the way before you burn any herb or oil, and check for allergies, but under most circumstances you're going to be fine.

On the other hand, if you choose to use herbs or oils in ANY medicinal manner, for example, putting oils into a lotion or cream, making a tincture or tea, or otherwise using the herbs or oils inside or outside of your body, you'd better know what you're doing. Not all plants are harmless. Remember, hemlock is natural. Poison ivy is natural. Some of the herbs and oils that we sell at Enchanted Works CAN kill you.

If you decide to use anything that we sell, inside or outside of your body, you are on your own. There is a reason we don't tell you what herbs are used for what purpose. Enchanted Works will not be responsible for anything that happens, good or bad, from your internal or external use of our products. We expressly disclaim the warranties of fitness for a particular purpose and the warranty of merchantability.

Just as you would not walk into a pharmacy, buy a few random bottles of prescription medication, and take them without knowing what they are, the same precautions should be taken with herbs. Just because they are not regulated by the State, as prescription drugs are, does NOT mean they are safe.

We are not saying "don't buy our herbs or oils." That isn't the point at all. The point is, know what you are doing. Know what you wish to achieve. Know the actions, interactions, effects, chemical breakdowns, dosage information, etc. of the component you wish to use.

If you are really interested in therapeutic uses of herbs, there are many wonderful resources out there that you can learn from. Merely going through Google and looking up the herb name is definitely not enough. Take the time to study, or go to a certified herbologist for help. Kestra is a certified Master Herbalist , board certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She MAY, at some point, offer herbal consultations online under certain circumstances. Maybe even some herbal formulations that are nutritional supplements. However, even a Master Herbalist is not allowed to diagnose medical conditions or to prescribe herbs or other substances for your use. Those activities are restricted to licensed physicians.

Be sure of what you are looking for BEFORE you buy from us. We don't take returns on herbs or essential oils, as it is impossible to resell them, and they must be discarded.

Just remember - be careful out there.

Ok, we're not really going to talk about mice, just about herbs and essential oils. Both herbs and oils have many things in common. For example, they are both made from plant materials. Gee, aren't you glad you read this to tell you that? :-)

Anyway, Enchanted Works offers many different types of herbs and oils. Wherever possible, we ensure that what we sell is labelled appropriately on our website. Examples of terms we use are the following:

Organic: When we mark an herb or oil as "organic" it is certified as such by the appropriate state authority. Lots of people call their products "organic" but ask whether or not they are certified organic.

Wildcrafted: These are herbs havested from the wild. Ask whether or not these wildcrafted herbs have been ethically collected. If the herbs are on the "at risk" list from the United Plant Savers, AND they are listed as "wildcrafted" think twice before purchase. "At risk" plants should be cultivated specifically and not taken from the wild.

There are other questions to ask about your herbs and the oils made from them. Find out whether or not they were sprayed with ethylene oxide or other chemicals. Find out if they were irradiated. Make sure no pesticides or herbacides were used besides natural ones.

You may find that herbs and oils that meet all of these standards costs a bit more than herbs that don't. However, sometimes it costs a bit more to get the best product and to protect the Earth. Its worth it.

Enchanted Works and other vendors offer so many different kinds of ritual candles, different sizes, different types, and different colors, that sometimes it gets really confusing about which kind of ritual candle is right for you. Does it really matter? Do the Gods fail to listen to you if you use the wrong color or shape of Wiccan ritual candle?

As with all other ritual tools and altar supplies, they are used in order to help you focus your energies and your intent. So what is YOUR best way of focusing? For some people, it is researching what colors of ritual candles have historically been used for what types of Wiccan rituals. Many people, especially beginners to Wicca, feel most comfortable by using the same "tried and true" colors and types of ritual candles. This comfort can often translate into better focus.

Now, of course, if a specific color means something special to you, and it is not the "standard" color that you read about here, or in a Candle Magick book, that's ok. Strong personal feelings are definitely one way to help you channel and focus. You may even have strong feelings about not using any colored candles at all, and sticking to black or white. That's ok too. Your focus is not the same as my focus, and what works for you may not work for me. If you want strict rules for rituals, try Ceremonial Magick. Wicca is a lot more relaxed

So, anyway, what are our color correspondances for our ritual candles? I'm glad you asked.

White: White ritual candles are your typical "all purpose" candles that you can use in place of just about any other candle. White candles are also often used to signify the Virgin Goddess, so if you wish to use Her energies, white ritual candles are always a good choice. White is for purity, for cleansing, and for good clean fun

Black: Black ritual candles can be used to signify the Crone Goddess. All energies associated with the Crone are appropriate for use with a black candle. When dealing with banishing, repelling, or otherwise pushing something away from you, black ritual candles are also appropriate.

Red: Red ritual candles signify the Mother Goddess. Kestra generally always burns three candles for each ritual, PLUS another color if applicable. White for the Maiden, Red for the Mother, and Black for the Crone. Red is used by some to signify love, will, strength, and sex.

Silver: Silver ritual candles are sometimes used in place of the white, red and black Triple Goddess candles. They can be used to signify "the Goddess" as a generic Deity, or if you wish to involve one particular Goddess with your working. Silver is said to help develop psychic abilities, and mediation of disputes.

Gold: Gold ritual candles are sometimes used to signify "the God." Gold is said to aid with anything that utilizes solar energy, or understanding.

Purple: Kestra loves purple. Purple ritual candles can be used to win legal battles (yeah, how do you think Kestra wins all those cases? ). Purple is good for wisdom, for power, and for general success. Purple ritual candles signify royalty, which is perfect for Kestra, since she's a Princess.

Lavender: lavender is not just another pretty color. Lavender ritual candles are used in cases where you desire intuition, to spiritually shield, or to provide yourself or another with dignity.

Blue: Blue ritual candles are often used to promote general inner calm and tranquility. Blue can used anytime you wish to send someone gentle calm energies, or it can be used in conjunction with any other type of candle.

Light Blue: Communication, inspiration and peace are all associated with light blue ritual candles.

Brown: Brown ritual candles signify the earth, help with concentration, and help you to make decisions. Brown ritual candles can also be used in conjunction with any other ritual candle colors. It is also said that using a brown ritual candle will help you to find objects that have been lost.

Green: In general, green ritual candles are associated with healing, prosperity, money, and success.

Dark Green: Dark green ritual candles are used to counteract "too much green." In other words, greed, jealousy and too much ambition. Useful to draw these things away from you.

Yellow: Yellow ritual candles stand for creativity, concentration and imagination. They can also be used to attract solar energies. Some use them for clairvoyance and communication.

Orange: Most people associate orange ritual candles with Samhain. However, they can also be used at other times of the year. They generally signify success, strength, and joy.

Grey: Neutral grey makes a great ritual candle for pondering important complicated issues during meditation. It can also be used to help neutralize negative influences in your life.

You may have noticed that many "aspects" listed by each color of ritual candle are duplicates. For example, you can use brown or yellow for concentration. This is by design. Wiccan rituals have always been built around what people have had around their houses, or could easily make. And, as stated before, your milage may vary. Use what YOU think is right. These suggestions are just that, suggestions.

Many Blessings

As you read about rituals, candles, ritual tools and altar supplies, you've likely come across hundreds of opinions (all correct, of course) about what to do with candles. You've likely seen lots of information telling you to "dress" your candles prior to ritual.

So what does "dressing your ritual candle" entail? Do you make a cute little hat and dress for your ritual candle? Can you find some cute little shoes and a blouse? While you could do that, it would then be a bit difficult to burn the ritual candle. So perhaps this article should cut to the chase and tell you how to dress your ritual candle.

Please note: If you buy Enchanted Works Ritual Candles from Crystal Journeys, they are ready for ritual, appropriately scented, and all you have to do is light them. They are "ready to go." You CAN dress them if you would like, but they are so highly scented, that you may possibly get two highly incompatable scents that might make you see strange things. While hallucinations might be part of some people's rituals, they are not always desirable. So please be careful out there, ok?

There are as many opinions on how to properly dress a ritual candle as there are on what color or style candle you should use for each working. In other words, as many opinions as there are ritual candles. These techniques are suggestions that you should take or leave depending on your own personal ideas. Don't let anyone tell you there's only "one true way" to dress a ritual candle. "One true way" ism is not Kestra's idea of Wicca.

The ritual candle's flame is the "head" of the candle, and signifies you. The bottom of the ritual candle is the "base" and signifies the world outside of you. This makes it easier to think about, at least from personal experience.

If you want to bring something to you, whether it be good health, happiness, positive thinking, or whatever it may be, dress the candle from the outside (base) to the top (head). Kestra likes to make a spiral by taking a drop of oil on your finger (make sure it's not overly strong essential oil that will burn your finger) and working from the bottom of the ritual candle to the top in a spiral. Kestra goes clockwise for drawing spells, and does them in the waxing part of the moon phase. You might wish to affirm your intention as you do this, and ask that it manifest.

Conversely, if you want to draw something away from yourself, such as negativity, someone else's energies from a tool, sickness, unhappiness, etc. all you need to do is reverse the process. Start at the head of the ritual candle, and sprial down to the candle's base, counter clockwise, during the waning part of the moon phase.

Of course, if you find something that works better for you, by all means use it. If it works for you,