Morbid Outlook - Ask Witch Hazel - Making Minty Tea, Wicca vs. Pagan & More

Hello all! I am so pleased to be writing this column, celebrating the 14th anniversary of Morbid Outlook this month! This time around, our readers asked:

I was wondering if there are restrictions in regards to what I read. I like to read fantasy, and I know in many religions you can not read fantasy books. Is it the same in Wicca? Thank you, Alex

There is only one basic rule in Wicca: “Do What Thou Will But Harm None.” You are not restricted on what you can read in any sense of the word, in fact, reading of all types of literature is encouraged.

Does eye cream puff up the skin under your eyes? I have been using an eye cream which I have stopped using months ago, unfortunately it caused bags under my eyes by making the under eye skin look puffy. What can I do?

The “magic” in many of these eye potions is in fact to make the eye slightly puffy to aid with the decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The under eye baggage could also be from a lack of sleep and/or allergies, which is not uncommon this time of year. You can always resort to the tried and true remedy of taking cold cucumber slices and putting them over your eyes while you relax a bit. If you are pressed for time, ice will work equally as well, though without the added relaxation and meditation. If you are seeking out something cosmetic, I highly recommend Kiss My Face. This company does not do any animal testing and the ingredients are quite nourishing for all skin types.

Dear Witch Hazel,
I love peppermint tea, so I planted peppermint and now have tons of it; it grows well and spreads like a weed. However, when I try to steep the leaves to make tea, it doesn’t taste like peppermint, no mint flavor. I’ve tried cutting the leaves into pieces. My tea still tastes strange. If I eat a leaf, it does have a refreshing mint quality. When I mow the lawn, if I clip a few stems, the aroma permeates the air. So... How to I go from fresh leaves to mint tasting tea, I ask?
Your answer will be much appreciated.
Thank you,
Salima Sharon Graham

In today’s day and age, we have become quite accustomed to bold flavors in our food and beverages. Most food companies will even admit to making items with “natural” ingredients while also adding flavor enhancers.

The mint leaves contain volatile oils which is what you smell when you cut them or taste when chewing. If you want a bolder mint flavor, the best thing to do is place a bunch in a pitcher of tea and leave it in the refrigerator for a day or so. With enough time, the natural flavors will seep out into the tea and you should be able to enjoy the summer beverage.

Dear Witch Hazel,
I’ve been feeling a little guilty when visiting my family. I was raised Roman Catholic, complete with weekly catechism classes after school, but when I moved away to go to college, I felt very differently about my family’s faith. I stopped going to Mass when I was 18 and began reading up and studying pagan and earth-based religions. I have been a practicing solitary Wiccan for the past 7 years and have yet to “come out” to my family. I don’t know what’s going to be worse, the arguments or their disappointment in me. What do you suggest? I feel like it’s ridiculous for me to live a lie and hide my beliefs from my parents, especially as I get closer to 30.
Thank you and blessed be, K.C.

Let me ask you this first: Is religion usually a topic of conversation when you are around your family? While I can fully understand and support your need and desire to come out of the broom closet, you also have to question to what end this needs to be done. Our immediate family is the one with the highest level of criticism and sometimes they just don’t need to know what is your personal and private business. Part of you still feels that nagging “guilt” for turning away from your childhood catechism, so essentially, that will permeate into any dialogue you may have with your family.

If you are seeking to tell them in order to shock them or have them change your mind, you are wasting your time on both counts. The old cliche about not talking about politics and religion still holds true when dealing with family because of the heated debate and outright aggravation it can cause. Religion is a personal thing, something that is a communication and dialogue between you and your God/Goddess, not with your entire family. They found Catholicism rewarding for them while you found Wicca comforting to you.

You could test the waters somewhat by opening a dialogue about the Burning Times when people here and abroad were burned at the stake for their beliefs. In some small way, this will shed some light on what they think Wicca is and you can enlighten them if you feel the need to do so. Just don’t jump into revealing something that you are not personally comfortable with in its entirety.

I have a question regarding teaching. Several acquaintances of mine have been coming to me to ask questions about Wicca and we have talked about organizing a sort of coven/school to help educate people who are interested in various pagan practices. I really love this idea but feel a little overwhelmed by this undertaking! What steps do you recommend to begin a forum for learning? I’m not even 100% sure I am ready to be a teacher, although I have been practicing for several years, but our community seems to be coming together and there is a real drive to unite. Help!

You don’t mention where you live, but I would venture a guess that there is at least one Occult supply shop. If so, you might want to tap into their knowledge about a Pagan Way type of class that they may be aware of. If not, mention that this is something you are interested in either starting or attending. If no such shop exists, you can always tap the great minds at www.witchvox.com

I’ve been doing some reading about various “names” in the pagan community: Gardner, Buckland and Crowley to name a few. Now, Crowley is associated with the Thelmic sect, but isn’t that a particularly dark path of paganism, as opposed to the shiny-happy white magick usually promoted with Wicca? I understand there are various sects of Wicca, but was is Wicca and what is just Pagan?
Thanks in advance, Annabeth

Crowley did indeed go down a very dark path which is far removed from Wicca. His work was more of a ceremonial “magick” that dealt with an assortment of entities that are not for the nervous.

A Pagan is one who has a belief system involving many Gods and Goddesses. Wicca is a form of Paganism, but then so is Hinduism. All Wiccans are Pagans but not all Pagans are Wiccan. Those who practice Voodoo and Santeria can also be called Pagan, but not Wiccan as well. Essentially, Pagan is the umbrella catchphrase for one with a belief of many entities, regardless of what “type.” Wiccan is one who believes in a God/Goddess and finds harmony and balance in this type of Earth centered reverence for Mother Earth.

Dear Witch Hazel,
I’ve been suffering from painful stomachaches about once a week and I’m trying to pinpoint the cause. I’ve been adjusting my diet to include more water (I eat a mostly vegetarian diet, with fish or chicken maybe once a month) and have cut out sodas and candy completely, but I’ve been feeling really bloated by the end of the day. I’m wondering if I’m becoming lactose intolerant or what other thing could be bothering me.
Risa

Risa, you don’t mention how long you have been doing this type of diet. If it is somewhat new, it could be gas from all the vegetables that are now entering your system, which will subside in a short manner of time. If the cramping and bloating is associated with diarhhea and you notice it is particularly prominent after consuming dairy, then you may have the problem you mention. If that is the case, you can purchase Lactaid milk in your grocery store and/or purchase Lactaid tablets.

If we are talking about a pain that is sharp and stabbing, however, this needs immediate medical attention as it could be anything from an ulcer to diverticulitis, neither of which you will want to play around with!

Thank you for supporting my column. Feel free to write to me at witchhazel@morbidoutlook.com. I can’t promise a personal reply to your questions due to the volume of mail I receive, but I will try my best to answer your questions in an upcoming column.