Miscellaneous Crafts

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#9999FF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03c76ba3.gif"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#99CCFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03d76bc1egdyqn.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>Wicca </B></FONT><B>   |   </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Wicca "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id113.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FAQ and Information on Wicca"><U>FAQ and Information on Wicca</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beginning Wicca The Basics"><U>Beginning Wicca - The Basics</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The God"><U>The God</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id16.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Goddess"><U>The Goddess</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id23.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Samhain"><U>Samhain</U></A>   |   <A 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VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> Get a good dose of good karma. Save a life. Click a button.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1a3d4e50.gif" border=0 width="212" height="229" ALT="Bitmap Image" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Caution: All herbal potions will have an effect on you in the mundane. A </div> <div> catnip potion for love will make you sleepy. A mugwort potion for astral </div> <div> travel will stimulate menstrual flow and calm nerves. A St. John's Wort </div> <div> potion for protection will also lift your mood. You should be aware of the </div> <div> medicinal properties of every herb you ingest. And if you have a medical </div> <div> condition, proceed with caution. When in doubt about the effects of an herb, </div> <div> ask your health practitioner. Also remember more is not necessarily better. </div> <div> People think that just because herbs are sold over the counter that there is </div> <div> no limit to what they can consume. Not so.</div> <div> Herbalists kick around a lot of terms, so let's define a few of them:</div> <div> Potion -- Well, witchy herbalists kick this one around. ;-) It's an herbal </div> <div> tea prepared during the appropriate lunar phase and made with herbal </div> <div> ingredients possessing the correct magickal properties. Potions concocted </div> <div> for love magick are called philtres.</div> <div> Infusion -- a strong tea. Many recipes will call for a full oz. of herb to </div> <div> one pint of water. Some think that's too much. I think Cunningham called </div> <div> for one teaspoon dried herb for every cup of water. I just throw in the </div> <div> amount that feels right. This is simply the process of soaking the herb in </div> <div> water. Heat water until just boiling, pour it over the herb, cover the cup, </div> <div> let sit undisturbed for 15-30 minutes. Drink it. Wash with it. Pour it in </div> <div> your bath or anoint yourself with it.</div> <div> Solar infusions -- put fresh or dried herbs in a jar with cool water. Place </div> <div> in the sun for 1-2 days. Solar infusions seem to have more plant spirit. </div> <div> It's good to work with the astrological signs here if possible -- an </div> <div> appropriate sun sign or other aspect.</div> <div> Lunar infusions -- same as solar infusions, but placed under the moonlight. </div> <div> Choose the best moon signs and phases here.</div> <div> Decoction -- a decoction is made like an infusion, but here it is OK to boil </div> <div> the herb. Usually decoctions are made from roots or other herbs with </div> <div> constituents that are not easily extracted. Roots, seeds, and stems make </div> <div> good decoctions. Begin with cold water, and add the toughest roots, etc., </div> <div> first. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 30 minutes covered. Then let </div> <div> cool completely. If adding leaves or dried herbs to a decoction, you can </div> <div> take the decoction off the stove and steep your less hardy herbs as you </div> <div> would an infusion. Be sure to cover throughout the process so your volatile </div> <div> oils don't boil away. Strain. Some recommend one oz. of herb to one pint </div> <div> water. Others use one part herb to 20 parts water.</div> <div> Tincture -- if long term storage is required, you will probably want to make </div> <div> a tincture. A tincture contains alcohol. Into a mason jar with lid, place 4 </div> <div> oz. of herb and 8 oz. of alcohol. (I use brandy). Seal the jar and keep it </div> <div> out of sunlight for two weeks. Begin this process on the new moon and finish </div> <div> on the full moon. Be sure to swish the herbs around in the jar daily. Strain </div> <div> and store in dark bottles.</div> <div> Wash -- a weak tea or infusion that is used externally. A mild wash -- 1/4 </div> <div> oz. herb to one pint boiling water -- can be used to cleanse magickal tools, </div> <div> crystals, or other magickal uses.</div> <div> Aspurger -- a weak tea (wash) put in a watering can or spray bottle used for </div> <div> spraying an area or thing. Many witches like to use the more natural tree </div> <div> limb with leaves still attached. Dip it in the wash and shake it through the </div> <div> area. Especially good for cleansing spells or exorcism when working with </div> <div> rooms, houses, or large areas.</div> <div> Ointments/Balms -- I include balms in these definitions because the oils </div> <div> used in balms are heated to a liquid state during preparation. Simply melt </div> <div> lard/vegetable shortening/or any fatty substance to a liquid form over low </div> <div> heat. Pour in herbs and let them simmer for about nine minutes. Strain out </div> <div> the herbs and store in an airtight jar. One cup fatty substance to three </div> <div> tablespoons powdered herb. For external use.</div> <div> Perfumes -- are made by blending essential oils together to create a </div> <div> fragrance. Choose oils to match your magickal intention, then add them to </div> <div> 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/4 cup witch hazel tincture, and 1/2 cup water. </div> <div> Shake well, then dab on pulse points. Aromatic herbs work best here.</div> <div> Oils --many of the essential oils you find in herbal shops have been </div> <div> distilled with steam. You can make oils at home by crushing herbs and </div> <div> placing them in a jar. Cover them with warmed oil (virgin olive, safflower, </div> <div> and almond are all good). Steep for 48 hours in sunlight. Strain and repeat, </div> <div> adding fresh herbs. You might do this several times until the oil smells </div> <div> good and strong like the herb. Store in dark bottles. I use oils to anoint </div> <div> candles and other magickal tools, myself, just about everything. I love </div> <div> them.</div> <div> Flower essences -- these work on energetic and psychic levels. Pick the </div> <div> flower and place them in fresh spring water -- just let them float on the </div> <div> top of the water. Place flowers and/or gems in your crystal bowl full of </div> <div> water in full sunlight for several hours. This process will extract the life </div> <div> essence and energy matrix from the materials. This is known as your Mother </div> <div> Essence. Add brandy as a preservative. From this essence will come your </div> <div> stock bottles.</div> <div> The recipe: </div> <div> two drops of the Mother Essence in one ounce pure water with a teaspoon of </div> <div> brandy. This is your stock bottle. From these stock bottles will come your </div> <div> dosage bottles. Simply combine 2 drops from your stock bottles into one </div> <div> ounce pure water and a teaspoon brandy in a dropper bottle. You can take </div> <div> your dose directly from the dosage bottle or drop the elixir into a glass of </div> <div> water.Works like homeopathic medicines.</div> <div> Gem elixirs -- made like flower essences, but using crystals and gems </div> <div> instead of flowers.</div> <div> Fluid Condensers -- you need two handfuls of herb, cold water to cover </div> <div> them, a cauldron or cooking pot, and gin or vodka. Place herbs and water in </div> <div> a pot with a tight fitting lid. Boil for 20 minutes. Cool for 13 minutes, </div> <div> then strain out herbs. Bring to a boil again and evaporate one-half of the </div> <div> liquid. Take from the heat and cover. When cool, add an equal amount of gin </div> <div> or vodka. Three drops of your own blood from your thumb will personalize the </div> <div> condenser and add energy. To use the condenser, put it in a cauldron or pot </div> <div> and simmer to release the herbal magick. Actually, those aromatherapy </div> <div> candle/ simmering potpourri holders work very well here. Place the liquid in </div> <div> the top bowl and light a tea light beneath it. Let it evaporate and release </div> <div> its magickal properties into the air. This liquid can be used as holy </div> <div> water -- sprinkle on parchment in petition spells, pour into the earth as a </div> <div> libation, sprinkle tools or working area, etc. You can also make one for </div> <div> each of the four elements and simmer them on your altar during workings.</div> <div> These are a few methods for making magickal potions. The thing that lifts </div> <div> these potions from the mundane, medicinal level to a magickal level is your </div> <div> enchantment of them and magickal timing. Enchant your herbs at the </div> <div> appropriate moon phases and signs (or other planetary aspects) before </div> <div> preparation by running your fingers through the herb while visualizing your </div> <div> need. You may want to simply enchant the finished potion. Gerina Dunwich </div> <div> uses a chant that I really like:</div> <bR> <div> Herbal potion, cauldron brew, </div> <div> Now be charged with magick true. </div> <div> With intent I speak this charm, </div> <div> All be blessed and none be harmed. </div> <div> Ever minding the rule of three, </div> <div> As I will, so mote it be.</div> <div> Or how about:</div> <bR> <div> Brew of flowers, Witches' tea, </div> <div> Filled with magick powers be.</div> <div> A chant you create yourself will have more power and pertain to the spell </div> <div> you are casting. Remember to visualize and focus your intent into the potion </div> <div> and herbs.</div> <div> So how do you know which sort of potion to make? Obviously infusions are </div> <div> easiest. They can be made quickly and don't require a lot of prep time. If I </div> <div> want my magick to affect my environment, I might make a magickal perfume. </div> <div> These work well in harmony spells, or to attract a mate, or for glamoury </div> <div> spells. I like oils for anointing myself and my tools (including poppets). </div> <div> Flower essences (which are easily bought in health food stores) assist me </div> <div> with inner work. I love them! I sometimes use the mugwort flower essence </div> <div> before reading tarot cards. I would need to make a decoction if I wanted a </div> <div> dandelion root potion for a psychic boost. The potions that use brandy, gin, </div> <div> or vodka are for long term storage. So if I wanted to make a mugwort </div> <div> tincture with all the fresh mugwort from my garden, I would make a tincture. </div> <div> (Tinctures are also excellent for healing potions).</div> <div> Speaking of healing potions, here's another chant to use while making </div> <div> (courtesy of Dunwich):</div> <bR> <div> Witches' potion, I enchant thee </div> <div> By intent and thrice told verse. </div> <div> Be a tool of magick for me </div> <div> Work thy spell to heal and nurse. </div> <div> Witches' potion, be now blessed </div> <div> By power of the universe. </div> <div> In the cauldron effervesce, </div> <div> Maladies and pain disperse. </div> <div> Harming none I know decree </div> <div> This charm is done. So mote it be!</div> <div> Repeat this three times as you visualize your intent while the potion boils </div> <div> or brews.</div> <div> As with poppets, if I'm adding more than one herb, I like to add them in </div> <div> multiples of three. For instance, for a divination potion, I might choose </div> <div> mugwort, yarrow, and dandelion root. I would make a decoction of my </div> <div> dandelion root, take off the burner, then steep (infuse) mugwort and yarrow </div> <div> in the decoction.</div> <div> For prosperity, I might make an infusion of herbs I know are safe to drink, </div> <div> or I might make a wash to sprinkle my work area and wallet with the </div> <div> inedible mandrake or may apple or periwinkle. The possibilities are endless, </div> <div> really. What you choose is just a matter of what works best for you. </div> <div> Experiment and see what you like.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Miscellaneous Recipes </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Asperger</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Mint </div> <div> Rosemary </div> <div> Marjoram </div> <bR> <bR> <div> Use sprigs of these fresh herbs. Tie the stem-ends together with white thread or string and use to sprinkle brews on yourself, on others or throughout your house. Visualize while utilizing the asperger. Also use for sprinkling salt water around the home to dispel negativity. Aspergers are used in Wiccan and magical ceremonies. Make a fresh asperger for each use</div> <bR> <div> Asperger #2</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Vervain </div> <div> Periwinkle </div> <div> Sage </div> <div> Mint </div> <div> Ash </div> <div> Basil </div> <bR> <div> Use sprigs of the fresh plant materials. Tie to a handle of virgin hazelwood (from a tree that has not yet borne fruit) and use for sprinkling as in the above.</div> <div> Back to the top</div> <bR> <div> Balefire (a magical fire)</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Cypress </div> <div> Laurel </div> <div> Oak </div> <bR> <div> Make a fire of the above woods and branches while visualizing its flames purifying and empowering all those near it. Use for any occasion when meeting with others for magical or ritual rites. It is purificatory and power-enhancing in its effects.</div> <bR> <div> Frankincense Protective Necklet</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Several ounces of Frankincense "tears" (small, rounded lumps) </div> <bR> <div> Empower the frankincense tears with protective energies. Thread a short, thin needle with yellow cotton thread. Heat the needle in a gas flame, in hot water or in a candle flame. (If using a candle flame, quickly wipe off the lampblack-if any- that forms on the needle). Push the hot needle through the center of a frankincense tear and move it down onto the thread. Repeat the heating and threading process until you've created a necklet of frankincense "beads" that you can slip over your head. Knot the ends well and wear for protection or during magical rituals.</div> <div> Back to the top</div> <bR> <div> Mexican Healing Rub</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 1 handful Yellow Daisies </div> <div> 1 handful Violets </div> <div> 1 handful Poppies </div> <div> 1 handful Rosemary </div> <bR> <div> Mix together these fresh plant materials. Empower. Place in a large ceramic bowl. Wet the herbs thoroughly with vodka or some other nonodorous alcohol. If you don't wish to use alcohol, substitute apple cider vinegar. Rub the ill person's body with the wetted herbs, visualizing them absorbing the disease. When finished, bury the herbs and wash your hands.</div> <bR> <div> Money Pentacles</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 4 tbsp. ground Cloves </div> <div> 4 tbsp. ground Cinnamon </div> <div> 4 tbsp. ground Nutmeg </div> <div> 4 tbsp. ground Ginger </div> <div> a few drops Cinnamon oil </div> <div> a few drops Clove oil </div> <div> a few drops Nutmeg oil </div> <div> 2 tbsp. groun Gum Tragacanth (or Gum Arabic) </div> <div> 4 tbsp. Water </div> <bR> <div> Combine the spices. Add the oils to them and mix well. Empower. Add the gum tragacanth to the water and mix thoroughly. Let it sit until it has absorbed the water. Add the ground, empowered spices to the gum/water mix and blend well with your fingers. This should produce a stiff, dough like mix. If the mix is too mushy, add a bit more of the ground spices. With your hands, form into flat, one inch circular shapes. Using a sharp knife, trace a pentagram (five pointed star) onto each flat circle. Let sit in a warm place out of the Sun to dry. When dried to a rock hard consistency, carry in the pocket or purse to attract money. Or, place on the altar between two green, flaming candles that have been anointed with patchouly or cinnamon oil. If you wish, make a larger pentacle of the spices and ring with green candles to speed money your way. After four weeks bury the pentacle in the Earth with thanks and use a new one.</div> <div> Back to the top</div> <bR> <div> Astral Travel Pillow</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 3 parts Mugwort </div> <div> 2 parts Vetivert </div> <div> 1 part Sandalwood </div> <div> 1 part Rose petals </div> <div> 1 Vanilla bean, crushed </div> <div> 1 pinch ground Orris root </div> <bR> <div> Make into a small pillow. Sleep on it to promote astral travel during sleep.</div> <bR> <div> Dream Pillow</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 2 parts Rose petals </div> <div> 2 parts Lemon Balm </div> <div> 1 part Costmary </div> <div> 1 part Mint </div> <div> 1 part Clove </div> <bR> <div> Sew up into a small pillow and sleep on it to have vivid dreams.</div> <div> Back to the top</div> <bR> <div> Magic Pillows</div> <div> Use each herb individually, or mix for several purposes. Make these pillows small, about five inches square. Set them on top of your regular pillows.</div> <div> Anise: halts nightmares </div> <div> Bay: pleasant dreams </div> <div> Chamomile: restful sleep </div> <div> Eucalyptus: healing </div> <div> Hops: sleep, healing </div> <div> Mugwort: dreams, psychic dreams </div> <div> Peppermint: if used fresh, it induces sleep; replace daily </div> <div> Thyme: happiness (eases depression) </div> <div> Verbena: aphrodisiac </div> <div> Yarrow: dreams of loved ones</div> <bR> <div> Purification Blend</div> <bR> <bR> <div> 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar </div> <div> 1 handful fresh Eucalyptus leaves </div> <div> 1 handful fresh Rue leaves </div> <div> 3 pinches Salt </div> <div> 1 quart Water </div> <bR> <div> Add the herbs to the vinegar and let sit overnight. Strain through cheesecloth and add to the water with the salt. Use the mix to wash objects to be purified, such as jewelry, amulets or magical tools. Or add a half cup amount to your bath. This is actually a very weak, diluted tincture.</div> <div> Arthritis Salve</div> <div> Ingredients:</div> <div> 1 1/2 oz fresh Mint Leaf </div> <div> 1 1/2 oz crushed fresh Eucalyptus Leaf </div> <div> 1/4 oz crushed dried Bay Leaf </div> <div> 1/2 oz crushed or powdered dried Golden Seal Root </div> <div> 1/2 lb. Vegetable Shortening (in the "old days" lard was used) (if the fresh herbs cannot be found, substitution with dried herbs is OK)</div> <div> Mixing Directions:</div> <div> Mix all herbs together. Melt the Vegetable Shortening in a pot on low flame, adding a little at a time to speed the melting process. When all the Shortening has been melted, turn off the fire, and slowly stir in the mixed herbs. When all is mixed well, pour the liquid salve into a jar. DO NOT USE PLASTIC!!! USE GLASS ONLY!!! (plastic will draw out the essence of the herbs...) Cap the jar and refrigerate until the shortening has become a solid again, and is cold. Will keep for about a week. </div> <div> Directions of Use:</div> <div> Gather a small amount onto hand and massage onto skin of afflicted joint. Let set for at least one hour. Repeat as necessary.</div> <bR> <div> There are a number of herbal preparations that do not fall into any of the other catagories, or for which I have only a few recipes, not enough to make a whole catagory. This is the place for all of these odds and ends.</div> <div> Herbal Sleep Pillows</div> <div> These are small pillows filled with herbal mixtures to help you fall asleep, or to help you to have pleasant or prophetic dreams.</div> <div> <B>Basic Sleep Pillow</B></div> <div> Make a small pillow following the directions given in the sachet section. Stuff the pillow with two parts dried hops flowers, one part chamomile flowers, and one part lavender flowers. Place atop your regular pillow when going to bed.</div> <div> Aspergers</div> <div> These are used for sprinkling consecrated water to purify an area of negative vibrations and energies.</div> <div> <B>Herbal Asperger</B></div> <div> For this you will need fresh herbs. These should be available in the produce section of your supermarket if you don't have them in your garden. You will need one or two sprigs about six inches long each of the following herbs: Rosemary, Sage, Mint. Bind their stems together at the top with white thread to make a bundle. Dip into the consecrated water and sprinkle it throughout the area to be purified.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Ointments</div> <div> These are recipes for several ointments, a flying ointment that won't kill you, a great ointment for skin problems for your familar or yourself, a couple of herbal ointments for healing and several other miscellaneous ones. None of these ointments are meant to substitute for seeking the care of a Doctor or Vet for serious injury or illness. Also, it is possible to be allergic to some of the ingredients so test the ointment on a small patch of skin before you use it for the first time.</div> <div> <B>Yellow Dock Ointment</B></div> <div> This ointment is great for annoying skin problems your pet may pick up such as ringworm on cats or mange type diseases in dogs. It will work on you too, for any sort of itchy or rashy things. To make this recipe, you need flowers of sulfur, available at the pharmacy, a small jar of vaseline, a bottle of apple cider vinegar and the roots. You will need to gather about 6 or 8 yellow dock roots. They are long yellow tap roots, and difficult to dig up. Look for plants growing in moist ground, it's a bit easier to dig them there. Dice up your roots and place them into a small saucepan. Pour in enough apple cider vinegar to just cover them and simmer over low to medium heat until the roots are soft. Put the roots through the blender or a sieve to mash them thoroughly. Scrape the vaseline out of the jar into a bowl and add the mashed roots. Add 1 teaspoon of the flowers of sulfur. Stir to mix completely. You can put the blend back into the vaseline jar. To use just apply to the affected area twice a day for about a week, or less if it goes away sooner. </div> <div> <B>Violet Ointment</B></div> <div> For this you will need two bars of cocoa butter, violet leaves and a bit of lanolin. Melt the cocoa butter in the top of a double boiler. Add as many violet leaves as you can mash down into the cocoa butter and cook till the leaves wilt. Add as many more leaves as you can mash into the cocoa butter and wilt again. Do not boil, but simmer over the hot water for about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add two teaspoons of lanolin. Stir, then pour through a sieve into a glass jar. If the ointment is too hard, remelt in a water bath and stir in a bit more lanolin. This ointment is good for any minor scrapes and cuts you might get. It helps them heal faster and keeps them from getting infected.</div> <div> <B>Flying Ointment</B></div> <div> This ointment will not make you fly. Witches never could fly. I hope that doesn't disillusion you too much, but they were getting high, not flying. The old Flying Ointments had all sorts of poisonous plant alkaloids in them and if they didn't kill you, they certainly got you loaded. The goal was not to fly, it was to astral project. The flying thing came in because ignorant peasants couldn't understand the concept of astral projection. This ointment contains herbs that are known for aiding astral projection. It is made exactly like the violet ointment above except the following herbs are substituted for the violet leaves. Dittany of Crete, Cinquefoil, Mugwort, and Parsley in equal parts. Chop up the fresh herbs and simmer in the cocoa butter as above. Add the lanolin and strain into a jar. As above, if the ointment hardens too much remelt in a water bath and add more lanolin to give it a creamy texture. Rub the ointment on to help you to astrally project.</div> <div> <B>Calendula Ointment</B></div> <div> For this ointment you will need about a cup of calendula flowers, also called pot marigold. You will also need a jar of vaseline, a double boiler and a strainer. Scoop the vaseline out of the jar into the top of the double boiler. Put water in the bottom and place on a medium heat to melt the vaseline. When the vaseline is liquid, add the flowers and simmer for about 30 minutes, but don't boil. Allow to cool a bit then strain the mixture to remove the spent flowers and pour the vaseline back into the jar. This ointment is good for skin irritations, small cuts and scrapes and the like.</div> <div> <B>Basic Herbal Ointment</B></div> <div> This is a basic ointment that you can make with any herb you want to use for a magical purpose. Just choose the herb you want by consulting the correspondences and add it as directed. You'll need 1 ounce of lanolin or cocoa butter and 1/2 oz of beeswax, 3-4 ounces of apricot kernal oil, 1 ounce of strong herb infusion of your choice, and 5 drops of essential oil of your choice. You can match the infusion and essential oil or use different herbs. Melt the lanolin or cocoa butter and the beeswax in the top of a double boiler. When completely melted begin adding the oil, pouring a very stream into the pan while stirring constantly until all the oil is added. Turn off the heat and slowly add the herb infusion stiring constantly until the cream has cooled. Add the essential oil and stir in completely. Spoon or pour the cream into an opaque white jar or clear jar covered with paper. You may add 6-8 drops of tincture of benzoin to the mixture when you add the essential oil as a preservative if desired.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Magical Soaps</div> <div> A couple of simple recipes for soap to use for ritual cleansing and purification. These are based upon purchased castile soap which you can get at health food stores. I learned this method from one of Scott Cunningham's books, "The Complete Book of Incense, Oils and Brews". You will need one bar for each recipe. Either put the soap through the food processor on grate or grate it by hand. Put the grated soap in a bowl. To the grated soap you will add a bit, between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of hot water to soften the soap. Allow the soap and water to sit for a few minutes and then try working it like dough with your hands. If it is still too hard add a bit more water and let it sit a bit longer. Now add the essential oils to give it scent and the powers of the herbs. You will need to add a fair lot of oil to overcome the existing smell of the soap. Try about 1/2 teaspoon and add more if need be. Mix throughly and then mold with your hands into rough rounds. Wrap each round with cheesecloth and tie up tightly. Suspend in a warm dry room for several days to dry.</div> <div> <B>Purification Soaps</B></div> <div> 1. Use a 50/50 blend of Lemon and Lemon Verbena oils. 2. Use Lavender oil straight. 3. Use Peppermint oil straight. 4. Use Tincture of Benzoin, about 1 T. </div> <div> <B>Psychic Power Soap</B></div> <div> Use Honeysuckle, Rose, and Lemongrass. Aids development of psychic powers.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Bath Salts and Herbal Bath Mixtures</div> <div> Blends of herbs in cheesecloth bags you can use like giant tea bags to produce beautifying and purifying baths, and bath salts for purification and a number of other magical purposes.</div> <div> <B>Purification Bath</B></div> <div> Use dried herbs for this herbal blend. Place the herbs in a square of cheese cloth 3-4 layers thick and about 7 inches square. Place into center of square 1 T Rosemary, 1 T Sage, 1 T Mint. Bring the edges of the cheesecloth together into a bundle and tie with a piece of string. (see diagram below) To use, place under faucet as bath fills and allow to steep a bit to release the herbs essences into the water before you get in. Immerse yourself completely in the water at least once.</div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="627" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER HEIGHT= 134 WIDTH="3"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="134" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="617"><div> <B>Citrus Purification Bath</B></div> <div> Use the same method as above with 1 T Orange Peel, 1 T Lemon Peel, 4 drops Orange Oil, and 1 T Lemon Verbena.</div> <div> <B>Exorcism Bath</B></div> <div> Use the same method as above with 2 T Basil, 1 t Rue, and 1 t Yarrow.</div> <div> <B>Protection Bath</B></div> <div> Use the same method as above with 2 T Rosemary, 2 Bay leaves, 1 T Angelica.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B>Psychic Power Bath</B></div> <div> Use the same method as above with 2 T Lemongrass, 1 T Marigold Flowers, and 1 T Mugwort.</div> <div> <B>Exorcism Bath Salts</B></div> <div> Blend 1 C Epsom Salts, and 1/2 C Rock Salt. To this base add the following essential oils in the proportion indicated Frankincense 2 parts, Rosemary 3 parts, Rose 3 parts. The amount of oil will depend upon your nose, keep adding until you like the scent.</div> <div> <B>Healing Bath Salts</B></div> <div> Use the same method as the previous recipe to make the base. Add Eucalyptus 3 parts, Pine 1 part, and Wintergreen 1 part. Use food color to dye the bath salts blue or purple.</div> <div> <B>Love and Romance Bath Salts</B></div> <div> Use the same method as the previous recipes to make the base. Add Rose 3 parts, Basil 1 part, Lavender 1 part. Use food color to dye the bath salts pink.</div> <div> <B>Purification Bath Oil</B></div> <div> Combine 1/2 cup avocado oil, 1 cup apricot kernal oil, 1/2 ounce each Orange and Lemon oils in a bottle. Shake to blend before each use. Use 1-2 tablespoons per bath. Smells clean and citrusy.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Magical Inks</div> <div> Inks you can blend yourself to use with a dip pen to write out amulets or your Book of Shadows. Actually, it's hardly worth doing when there are such wonderful prepared inks available at the art supply store, but for those who insist.... For the herbal ones you use the herb indicated steeped in 1 oz of hot water to disolve the pigment. You will need to add about 1/4 to 1/2 t of Gum Arabic or Gum Tragacanth in order to make the liquid thick enough to write with.</div> <div> <B>Red Inks</B></div> <div> Use Dragon's Blood resin prepared as described above, or beet juice straight or with the gum added, but with no water.</div> <div> <B>Purple Inks</B></div> <div> Use fresh juice from blackberries, poke berries or grape juice concentrate.</div> <div> <B>Dark Brown Ink</B></div> <div> Use black walnut hulls, the green outer casing of the nut, boiled in a small amount of water.</div> <div> <B>Yellow Inks</B></div> <div> Use saffron or tumeric boiled in a small amount of water.</div> <div> <B>Black Ink</B></div> <div> This can be produced using lampblack, the black powder you get from holding a spoon over a burning candle, mixed with water. This is easier said than done however, the lampblack is very lightweight and floats on water. You must add a drop of water at a time to the lampblack and mix it thoroughly. Why not just buy some ink? You can put a quartz crystal into the bottle and consecrate it for magical use.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Sweet Smelling Sachets</div> <div> These are several recipes for nice smelling pomanders and small sachets you can use to scent your dainties or ritual robes.</div> <div> <B>Citrus Pomander Ball</B></div> <div> I'm sure you've seen these before, oranges studded with cloves. All you need is an orange, tangerine, or a lemon; about two cups of whole cloves, and a skewer. Remove the little hard button on the stem end of the fruit and any stickers that the store put on. Using the skewer, poke rows of holes through the skin of the fruit and insert the stem end of a clove into each one. They can be done in patterns or in rows. Place the cloves about 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch apart and cover the entire surface of the fruit. Then you dry them for about two weeks in a warm, dry place. Check them every few days to watch for signs of molding, if they start you will need to find a dryer place to put them. I dry mine a bit faster in my oven, turned to about 100<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#6633CC" FACE="BlackChancery" >o</FONT>. Those who have gas ovens won't even have to turn them on, the pilot light is enough. When the fruit is completely browned and dry they are ready to use.</div> <div> <B>Apple Cinnamon Sachets</B></div> <div> For this recipe you will need a small jar of prepared applesauce and about 3 cups of powdered cinnamon. Buy the cinnamon in bulk or this is too expensive to do. Put the cinnamon into a bowl and add the applesauce in stages, mixing as you go until you have enough applesauce to moisten all the cinnamon and produce a dough. This dough can be rolled and cut out with cookie cutters if you are careful not to make it too thin, about 1/4 inch thick is right. If it is too thin, the 'cookies' will be too brittle. You can also roll balls of it and if you like, flatten them into patties. Once dried, these cinnamon 'cookies' keep for years and smell great.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>If you need any help with anything Wiccan, Witchy or Pagan. need a potion or spell help </B></I><A HREF="mailto: ask_a_witch@hotmail.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: ask_a_witch@hotmail.com"><U><I><B>E-Mail</B></I></U></A><I><B> me, or add me to your MSN Messanger with ask_a_witch@hotmail.com</B></I></div> </td> </tr></table></body>