Articles — 2018

Grove and Grotto Fall 2018 update

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Grove and Grotto Fall 2018 update

Greetings from the Grove! It's been a very, very busy year for us, with no signs of slowing down. Samhain is just around the corner...and after that, the holiday shopping season. If updates to the blog have been few, it's because we're prioritizing filling orders and keeping your favorite items in stock. Here's what's been happening around the shop in the six months or so since we've posted a business update: New product lines One of our favorite new items is the clearing sprays from Sun's Eye. These are made for people who want to cleanse and purify a place,...

Read more →

Purple candle magick

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Purple candle magick

Wisdom, dreams, and psychic vision. That’s what it says on the product page for our Basic Purple Candle. But what if you want to know more? Welcome to the first installment in our advanced color magick series. This article takes a long look at aaaaaallll (well, most) of the things you can do with a purple candle. Purple is one of the most versatile and magickal colors. Here’s an overview of the types of spells you can cast with just a simple purple candle: Wisdom and spiritual attainment Psychic awakening Honoring and remembering the dead Friendship spells (lavender) Making a...

Read more →

New Witch's Runes!

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

New Witch's Runes!

    We're excited to announce the completion of our new Witch's Runes! Our exclusive set of eight rune tiles will be available in the shop at the beginning of August 2018. (Hooray! They're here.) The Eight Witch's Runes are an extremely accurate, concise, and portable oracle. The system has its roots in the early human art of lithomancy, where stones, bones, and wood tiles were shuffled as a method of divination. The Witch's Runes use simple, evocative symbols to provoke a universal response. Our Witch's Runes are burned onto round tiles of Baltic Birch. Each set comes with a...

Read more →

Eight famous magickal oils (and how to use them)

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Eight famous magickal oils (and how to use them)

A row of little potions with colorful names and indescribable fragrances: Uncrossing Oil, Black Cat Oil, Four Thieves…where did they come from, and what are they used for? Most of these oils have their origins in American rootwork, Hoodoo, or Conjure. They were developed by magick workers in rural and minority communities, and the recipes were often passed down by word of mouth. Families might hang on to a formula for generations, or an apprentice of the magickal arts could learn them from an elder teacher. Conjure oils are often partially descended from—and yet distinct from—Western high magick. It’s not...

Read more →

The no-nonsense smudging guide: Easy tips and tricks for clearing your space

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The no-nonsense smudging guide: Easy tips and tricks for clearing your space

Freshen up your life with the cleansing power of herbal incense! Smudging questions are some of the most common ones we get around the shop, so I’ve put them together in little bundle (heh). We cover why and when to smudge, some popular smudging herbs, and other questions people ask about smudging and space cleansing.  Skip to the bottom of this article for a sample smudging ritual that is easy to do and suitable for most situations. What is smudging? Smudging is the practice of spiritual cleansing with smoke, especially from sacred herbs.  You can smudge a person, a place,...

Read more →