Old World Oak Gall Ink

For centuries, much of the world’s knowledge was preserved and transmitted through the magic of oak gall ink. The swellings on the oak tree–natural reactions to the attacks of parasites–were collected and ground up with additional materials to produce an important writing substance. Oak gall ink is waterproof and grows darker with age. It bites into the paper, like a kind of acid, making the text virtually indestructible. Iron gall ink turns light brown over time, as we see on old parchments. Oak galls have been used externally to blacken hair since ancient times. Containing tannic acid, they were ground and mixed with iron sulfate, gum arabic and rainwater  to form an indelible black ink. The use of iron gall ink eventually became popular from the fifth century CE, owing to the fact that it does not easily rub off or erase.

Created with wildcrafted oak galls and rusty iron under a witches Rowan tree for extra protection & strength.

“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.” Napoleon Hill . The oak is a symbol of strength, persistence, courage, wisdom, and honor. Inks can be used for all manner of useful things, from drawing and artwork to the creation of sigils, writing in a journal, or engaging in other magical work.

15ml amber glass apothecary dropper bottle