happy full moon in aries! today i am showing you guys how to make lavender milk ♡ lavender has been prized for centuries for its gentle healing properties & soothing fragrance. as most of you already know, every year i grow lavender in my garden. throughout the season i harvest the plant (when the purple flowers are bright and young), tie the branches together, and hang in a cool dark place to dry. the dried lavender can be used in beauty products, aromatherapy, baking, tea, herbal remedies, spiritual rituals, and in drinks! when ingested, lavender can help promote relaxation and sleep.
lavender milk is floral, pretty, and comforting. the flavour is at once fragrant and light from the flowers, but full, warm, and sweet from the milk and honey. i use nut milk (almond or cashew), because i think the nuttiness pairs well with the slightly bitter lavender, complimented by the addition of raw honey and pure vanilla extract. raw honey, ideally ethically and locally produced, still carries a range of health benefits that processed honey does not. it is antibacterial, antiviral, and soothing. give this recipe a try & experience the healing powers of drinking lavender ♡
ingredients:
♡ 1 cup nut milk (cashew or almond tastes best. if you’re allergic, you can use soy, rice, flax, or oat milk. you could also use a flavoured alternative milk- try vanilla!)
♡ 2-3 tablespoons of lavender, more or less depending on how strong you want the lavender flavour to be.
♡ 1 tsp of raw honey or more to taste
♡ ¼ tsp vanilla extract
directions:
in a small pot, combine milk and dried lavender. let simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes (do not boil- the goal is to achieve a nice infusion of lavender, which involves a longer, slower heating process. you don’t want to scorch the milk or flowers!), longer if you desire a stronger flavour. you’ll notice the lavender beginning to lose its colour. remove pot from heat, strain, and compost the flowers. while it’s still hot, dissolve a teaspoon or more of raw honey to taste, and add the ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract. and there you have it, your own lavender milk! fragrant, soft, and delicate. let it lull you to sleep or incorporate it into your relaxation routine. you can try this recipe with a variety of other edible flowers, like rose, chamomile or borage, or a blend of flowers! nothing will make you feel more like a princess ♡
Smoke Cleansing: Formerly referred to as “smudging” (but should not be because that term referred to a specific Native American tradition and should not be appropriated) smoke cleansing is the most widely known form of home cleansing. One should take a bundle of dried sage or cedar and let it on fire until it is lit. Then, walk around the effected room or building spreading the smoke emanating from the bundle until the smoke has sufficiently permeated the air.
Saltwater Cleanse: A simple and effective form of cleansing in a pinch. Mix 1 part salt to 6 parts water (1:6 because the number 6 is considered to be “The Caretaker” in Numerology). This can be mixed in a bowl, cup, or even in a spray bottle for easy use. Spray/flick the saltwater in all of the corners of the room/house that you want to cleanse. It can also help to repeat a relevant chant or prayer while moving throughout the area.
Van Van Oil Home Cleansing: Wash down all of the wood work in and outside of the house with Van Van Oil mixed in water (also known as Chinese Wash). When you are finished, throw the remaining wash out the front door, facing East. Finish off by sweeping the house back to front with a brand new broom.
Herbal Cleansing Bottle: Get a large bottle. First, put in a sturdy sand bottom layer. Then, add in the following herbs in this order, one of top of the other; Rosemary, lemon peel, sage, cedar, black peppercorns, lavender, dill, bay leaf, and rowan. When the bottle is full, visualize your energy going into it. You should notice a slight yellow/golden glow when it is charged. Seal it fully and inscribe a pentagram or sigil of your choice on the bottle. Set it by a window and uncap and recharge every 6 months.
Home Purification Burn: Make your own incense out of dried Pine needles, Juniper, and Ceder (1 tbs of each). Grind ingredients together and burn them while reciting a chosen chant or prayer.
Candle and Salt Cleanse: Get a white candle and some salt. Put the candle in the center of the room that needs cleansing. Pour the salt in a circle around the candle and let it burn until it goes out.
