Try Something New: How to Make a Tincture

Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs that you take orally. They are
usually extracted in alcohol, but they can also be extracted in vegetable glycerin or ap-
ple cider vinegar. Tinctures are easy and convenient to use. Tinctures are also easier to
give to children as they have to take only small amounts. Because they are taken direct-
ly under the tongue, they enter the bloodstream much more directly than by any other
means. This means that the action in the body is usually quicker. Although some herbs
will have an immediate effect, such as those used to help one relax. Others that are
more nutritive and building in nature may take several weeks of continual use before
best results are seen (much like a multi-vitamin).

Raspberry Leaf Tincture

Take a quart jar and fill halfway with raspberry leaf herb. Pour enough boiled water on
top of the herbs to moisten. Then, pour enough preservative of your choice (vodka, glyc-
erin, apple cider vinegar, etc.) on top to fill the entire jar. Close tightly. Set in a dark
place for 4 weeks to steep, shaking the jar several times a week. After 4 to 6 weeks,
strain the liquid out, bottle, label the jar, and you’re done.

To take a tincture, it is best to take the drops directly under the tongue. This
November 2017
gets the herb directly into the bloodstream. If necessary, it is fine to dilute the tincture
in a small amount of water or juice. It may be flavored with lemon or honey to disguise
the taste. (Note: never give honey to a child under one year of age.) You may also put
the tincture into a cup of warm or hot water for an instant cup of herbal tea. Heat your
water first, before adding the herbs. Heating the herbs in a microwave may kill or weak-
The Supreme
en their healthful benefits. Taking the tincture directly under the tongue and avoiding
any liquids or foods for at least 15 minutes afterwards provides the best results.

Resources & References Contents:

Lilly, Sue, and Simon Lilly. Healing With Crystals & Chakra Energies. Anness , 2006
 Gemstone: Sodalite
Cynova, Melissa. Kitchen Table Tarot. Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd, 2017
 1 Bundle of Black Sage
Alexander, Skye. The Only Tarot Book You'll Need. Adams Media, 2008
 1 pkg. of Raspberry Leaf
Flower Essence Society — flowersociety.org
 1 pkg. of Ajne Chakra Herbal Resin Incense
Sarah M. Chappell — sarahmchappell.com
 1 Sodalite gemstone bracelet
Sister Spinster — sisterspinster.net
 1 mini Universal Tarot deck
Thank you for being a part of the Box of Shadows Circle!  1 pkg. Gentle & Protective Loose Herbal Blend by Brown Bear
Herbs
*The postal system isn’t perfect and neither are we. If your box arrives with a broken, damaged, or missing item,
please let us know ASAP so that we can replace it in a timely manner.

**Articles may be edited and/or shortened to conform to space restrictions. See publication listed for articles in
their entirety.
Greetings Circle Members, Sodalite
With Samhain having past, this time of the year is a great time to explore self reflection,
Sodalite, named for it’s high sodium content, can be easily confused with Lapis
intuition, and opening your Third Eye. In my experience, tarot has been one of the most Lazuli. While sodalite can often be found as one of the minerals making up Lapis, the main
useful methods of exercising this sixth sense. difference are a slight variation of blue—lapis is more brilliant, sodalite darker. Lapis con-
tains specks of iron pyrites and has a speckling of different colors, while sodalite has thin
What is tarot? Tarot is a deck of cards used as a metaphorical mirror to reflect back what
veins of white running through it. These veins are said to suggest a flow of fine level of
we most need to know in the present moment. Like dreams, tarot presents images that information.
trigger our intuition and speak to our inner knowing. By engaging with these images, we
Sodalite is a useful stone for the brow (Third Eye) chakra. It can help access intui-
are able to unravel the past and see the present clearly, so that we can examine the trajec- tive knowledge and promote understanding of ideas and concepts. This stone is highly
tory of the future. The purpose of the tarot is to help us probe our own subconscious and recommended for anyone who is looking to increase their intuitive abilities. Sodalite will
to find answers within ourselves. help you to hear your inner guidance even stronger, working in a way that is calming, as
well as clearing out the mental chatter of the mind.
A tarot deck consists of 22 Major Arcana cards (from the Latin word arcanum meaning
secrets or mysteries) and 56 Minor Arcana cards that roughly correspond to a playing card
deck. The Major Arcana represents the big movements and energies of this world that will
either knock us down or propel us forward depending on how we engage with them. Raspberry Leaf
While the Minor Arcana offers us the details; the hows and whys of these energetic move- As its name suggests, Raspberry leaf is the leaf of the raspberry plant. It is some-
ments. The Minors can also show us the steps or changes that need to be made. Simply what well known for its benefits during pregnancy, but it is beneficial to women at all
put, the Major Arcana tells us which universal forces are surrounding us, while the Minor stages of life.
Arcana tells us what we can do about it. It is naturally high in magnesium, potassium, iron and b-vitamins which make it
helpful for nausea, leg cramps, and improving sleep during pregnancy. The specific combi-
I recently had the pleasure of attending a tarot workshop called Tarot and Flower Essences
nation of nutrients in Raspberry Leaf makes it extremely beneficial for the female repro-
for Self Care; led by writer, herbalist, and tarot reader Sarah M. Chappell. We learned how ductive system. It strengthens the uterus and pelvic muscles which some midwives say
to use flower essences as a method of intention setting when it comes to tarot. Sarah chal- leads to shorter and easier labors.
lenged us to think of tarot as the roadmap and flower essences as the transportation.
The tannins in raspberry leaf give it astringent properties which make it soothing
Flower essences help get us in the mindset we need to be in to accept the truth tarot both internally and externally. A strong raspberry leaf tea or tincture will sooth sunburn,
brings to light. eczema, and rashes when used externally. Swishing with a tincture or infusion of Raspber-
ry Leaf is great for the gums and can help alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis or gum dis-
What’s a flower essence? Flower essences are the energetic imprint of a flower in water,
ease. The high concentration of Vitamin C in Raspberry Leaf makes it great during illness.
preserved with alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin. Unlike tinctures, essences contain no physical
Raspberry Leaf has a golden energy that helps restore connections between the
plant matter or medicinal properties. These energetic imprints work on the principle of
womb and the third eye. The womb is the belly of our creative dreams, a place where
vibrational resonance to bring parts of our emotional and spiritual selves back into bal- magical possibilities can be dreamed up. When the womb can communicate clearly with
ance. Flower essences ask us to find the imbalance at the core of our concern and to select the third eye, it’s a little like the subconscious being able to convey a dynamic idea to the
an essence to bring us back to center. We can choose essences based on the state we are conscious mind. Possibilities seep up from your depths to inspire you. The flow of energy
in or the state we want to be in. can also run in the other direction; hand the seed of an idea over from your third eye to
your womb and your womb will hold it with love, almost like a child, providing it with safe
During the workshop, we had the opportunity to sample a flower essence formulated to space within which to unfold. If the seed has good potential, the womb will flesh it out
help open the Third Eye and do a few readings amongst ourselves. I must say it was “eye” and eventually give birth to it in a more fully formed manner.
opening. No pun intended. When traveling the road to self enlightenment, be sure to stay Though there may be male equivalents that are better suited to them, Raspberry
grounded and centered. Leaf can help a man bond with his children, and improves the co-parenting relationship.
This herb can be used in quite a magical way to improve circumstances for men whose
Blessings, parenting is being blocked or hindered by their partners.
Chatonia Underwood, Founder