elements:

air + water + fire + earth

uses:

can be used for painting, dyeing, or scribing; specific ways to use indicated on notecard

the story:

Botanical inks and dyes have been used historically to write both the maddest and most liberating of spells. Containing the power of the plant from which the botanical part comes, these inks tend to fair well for ritual work and to commune with ancestors, spirits, and other guides. With the rawness of the materials used, what is created with these inks fairs well as talisman in their own right. Ancient Elder Hues is a series of inks hat can be used with quill pens and artist’s paintbrushes alike. These are inks made with berries, either poke or elder — you pick which one you want, if not both. Pokeberries and elderberries seem complementary, by ‘opposition’ or ‘polarity’ in nature. Poke, being distinctly toxic, holds the power of death and transformation as part of its magick; whereas Elder, in its creative essence, teaches us how to ensure more life. The recipes used for this is centuries old. The scope of color that we get from these inks range from blue to purple to burgundy to red. The colors can also be changed by exposed the dyed, painted, or written on material to sunlight. Though this offering is displayed in a clear bottle, it comes and must be kept in a brown bottle to preserve the color. It is important to note that the berries used can be potentially toxic and neither of them should be used internally. Each order comes with notecards detailing further uses for the ink as well as more information about the spiritual powers of each of the plant allies. Very limited batches — once sold, won’t be available again until the berries are back in season.

ingredients:

pokeberries and/or elderberries, vinegar or vodka, salt

invitations for use:

Use as indicated on notecards. For external uses only. Shake well before use. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

• FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY

• All berries sustainably wildcrafted by Gold Water Alchemy.