Potions which cannot be consumed: It depends on their ingredients. Some might be applied to the skin, though some may be skin irritants. Some can be used to dress or feed a mojo bag, for example, or if the 'potion' created has a pleasant scent, it might be used in a reed diffuser. Some are intended to be kept in a sealed jar, with other ingredients, as part of an ongoing working.
Ashes from burned paper: This may depend on your particular tradition, but the way the ashes are disposed may in part need the purpose of their use in the working taken into consideration. If it was burned as symbolic destruction or riddance, then however spitefully one may wish, is a possible answer. A trash can, for example, for something burned and considered without value. If the item was burned to release it for the universe to do its thing, then there are such folk magic options as leaving the ashes at a crossroads and walking away (not looking back until you are home; release it completely), or releasing the ashes to the wind, or in a body of moving water to disperse the energy. These last three options are also methods to be rid of ashes burned as to destroy or be rid of what was written down.
But again, it relies heavily on which tradition you follow.
Re: What can you do with... By: RubyElysian / Beginner
Post # 4 Feb 19, 2018
About potions and tinctures that you cannot ingest you could always use them to anoint things such as candles where most people would use oils. It would definately lead to less oily fingers when touching ritual supplies. Or you could pour them into spray bottles with water and use them like that. I've seen people with 'calming sprays' and 'cleansing sprays' or things of that matter.
As for what to do with the ashes, you could simply throw them outside to the wind, bury them, or you could make use of them. I use ashes in my spellwork, but only if they have a positive connotation. For example I would not use the ashes from a banishing spell or a harmful spell (which I don't really do). You could also save the ashes and use them to make black salt. I made a step by step instructional on how to make and use black salt recently, I posted it here on SoM. I'll post a link to it down below.
Re: What can you do with... By: Nekoshema / Novice
Post # 5 Feb 20, 2018
1. Can un-drinkable "potions" have a purpose? If so, what?
a potion is basically a liquid spell, so a lotion can be considered a potion. a bath can be considered a potion. you would not ingest a lotion, you would apply it to your skin. same with a bath, you soak in it and breath in the aroma. there are also some potions you should wear [say a vile around your neck] this acts as a charm to attract/repel whatever the potion is for [attract a lover, repel negative energy] research the ingredients in any spell to make sure it's not poisonous before drinking it.
2. If you burn papers for spells, etc, what do you do with the ashes and stuff?
depends on the spell. sometimes the spell will specify, otherwise, use your best judgement. say you burned herbs to cleanse/protect your home, i would sprinkle the ashes around your property or in front of your door [if you live in an apartment, i would leave them outside, or sprinkle them on your door, but sweep them up, or leave them under a doormat for a day] if this spell was to remove something, i would throw the ashes in moving water, or turn on the tap and down the drain it goes [the waters taking it away form you anyway] i would also consider burying it if you want something to be 'dead and buried' or if you want something to have a strong foundation. where you bury it can also have some effect, on property if you want the energy to linger, or off property if you want it removed. you might also consider burying it beneath a tree or plant with a similar energy to the spell.
