Magical Mondays: Q-Tips!
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If you're new to Magical Mondays, here's how it works. Each Monday I'll post a photo of an item -- and the catch is, that it's *not* going to be a traditional magical object. No crystals, herbs, or other things typically associated with spellwork or magic. The idea is to see how many magical uses we can come up with for the item. No right answers, no wrong answers, just sharing ideas. Post your suggestions in the Comments section, and see what other readers have to say as well!
To see previous editions of Magical Mondays, you can read here: Magical Mondays. We took a break last week, but the Monday before, we talked about using a fork, and we didn't have many responses, but we got some great ideas. Readers suggested using them for faerie magic, as a wand or athame, or as a simple blessing tool. You can still contribute to that conversation, so feel free to chime in if you missed it.
So, back to Q-tips. I use them to clean the nooks and crannies on my laptop, as well as my kids' ears, but what else can you do with them? How would you use a Q-tip in a magical working?
Interesting. Listening and the paying attention to detail comes to mind as I think of Q-Tips. Well, I think adding them to the shelf in my bathroom, where I have placed two candles, and a place to put my pentagram, when I take a shower, maybe putting a few of them in a small blue glass, reminding me to listen to the details and the lessons of each day. Blessed Be!
Well I regularly use Q-tips to clean off my favorite pendant that has an inset moonstone. It is hard to clean inside the setting, so I get some cleaner of choice and get out the Q-tip and scrub gently at the stone and setting.
Also if you want a quick burning additive to any ritual fire or offerring that adds a bit of scents for the particular magic you are working, dip one end in a bit of your particular oil and set in your (safely contained) ritual fire.
They light up quickly (as long as the cotton isn’t too drenched in oil) and the quick burst of scent it adds to the air I think is really nice.
(Disclaimer: some oils are more flamable than others…just be cautious that you have your fires contained. Or test it in a safe environment first.)
Definitely for cleaning but I also can see then being used to draw or paint runes or symbols onto objects.
You could use them to anoint oils on to small talismans or even to anoint yourself with. You could also use them as a symbolic representation of cleansing for nearly anything.
I am a U.S. Marine recently home from Iraq. I used many of my first aid and medical supplies in my magickal workings. I used Q-Tips not only for cleaning wounds but blessed them for healing and peace of mind. When I ised them on another Marine, they would always tell me that later on they felt peaceful and slept well.
The minor injuries healed faster on my squad members than on anyone else in our unit. No joke.
Q-Tips are great for a touch of scent, as with oils, such as dipping the ends into the oil and then tucking it away such as in a pocket, purse or other area for the day. Very portable.
Also, on a more “artsy” note, laying them out in patterns, symbols and so on.
We use Q-tips instead of paint brushes to apply paints and dyes when crafting blessed objects. They require more focus and intent than brushes.