Spiced Blood : Premiere Vampyre Tonic Recipe
We are headed as fast as the furious horde into the season of Hallows, clever ones, I can't wait!
I have always loved Halloween and when I was called to my Pagan path, Samhain became one of my most beloved of holy days. Maybe it is my Leo Moon that believes that we are all performing, some of us are just less aware than others, and Halloween is a time to try on different roles or better yet, be a bit more like we really are for all to see. While I celebrate Halloween as a cultural holiday, I look forward to the sacred sojourn of Samhain each year. I make sure to take time off around Samhain every year because it is such an important holy day and opportunity to connect with loved ones both living and of blessed memory as I start the new year (Samhain is, in part, a celebration of the New Year).
The fall and early winter are also times of great creativity for me. I dream up more of my remedies during this time of the year than any other time, including all of the recipes found in The Haunted Apothecary. I am looking forward to an extra-special Hallows celebration this year with a bunch of friends and family gathering together - so my Halloween decorating dreams are in full swing. I love giving away little gifts, so I decided to make a tea for everyone to take home with them. In the spirit of gift-giving I'm sharing the recipe with you!
I wanted to make a warming, spicy blend that was caffeine-free and a delicious red color. Hence, Spiced Blood: Premiere Vampyre Tonic for all of my night-kin, fancy Hallows tea drinkers, and midnight dancers.
If you're purchasing the herbs needed for this tea, I recommend checking out your local tea or herb shop if you are lucky enough to have one in your town. Otherwise, I recommend online sellers like Mountain Rose Herbs for your herbal needs.
Blend together the following herbs in your cauldron pot:
4 parts of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)
1 part of Roasted Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
1 part of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
1/2 part of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum)
1/4 part of Rose (Rosa damascena)
The tea blend can be brewed immediately, but it is better bottled in a tight sealing jar and left to mingle and awaken in the dark for at least one weeks time. Brew 1 teaspoon per cup of hot water.
I hope you enjoy your Spiced Blood either on a solitary night under the moonlit sky or with a gathering of wild-hearted kindred. Happy start of the Hallows season, clever ones!
