Potion Type Things - Tumblr Posts

Quick Guide to Lotions and Potions

Infusion

Infusions work best for making tea from leaves and flowers as these plant parts give up their active constituents easily.

Allow the tea to steep for 10 to 20 minutes so the therapeutic properties can pass from the herb into the water.

To make an infused oil put dried herbs in the top of a double-boiler, cover with oil about an inch over the herb (olive works well for this because it has a fairly long shelf life), let simmer for 2 hours without letting it get too hot or boiling, a temp of 150 F is good. Strain the oil into a clean jar, date and label. Without any preservatives, infused oil will last about a year.

Decoction

Teas made from roots and twigs are most often brewed by decoction because it is more difficult to extract their medicinal properties any other way. Boil or simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the herb per cup of water for 10 to 20 minutes.

Poultice

A poultice is a paste of chopped, fresh (or dried and then re-moistened) plant material which is applied directly to a wound or skin infection. It is held in place by a wet dressing covered by a bandage. Poultices are most often used to prevent infection and hasten healing.

To make a poultice, boil, steam, or pound the healing herb of your choice to release more medicinal compounds. Then shape the material into a small, coin-size wad which can then lie flat against the wound. Many herbalists recommend mixing 1 part herb with 3 parts water, alcohol, witch hazel or vinegar. Thicken with flour to make the poultice easier to handle and apply.

Note: doing a patch test first would be a very good idea to make sure your skin doesn’t get irritated.

Tincture

Stuff dried herbs into a jar, add enough alcohol (usually vodka or everclear (natural grain alcohol), depending on the strength needed for the particular herb) to amply cover the herbs, and screw the lid on. Allow the mixture to stand for about a week, shaking it occasionally. Then strain it, discard the plant material, and store the tincture in a bottle with a dropper lid. Label and date the bottle. Most tinctures have a shelf life of 2 years.

Wash

A tea or infusion meant only for external use. A mild form of a wash would be ¼ ounce of herb to one pint of boiling water, steeped until lukewarm, then applied.

Keep reading

Tags for this blog

Drink Magic Masterpost

Sorry, not the alcohol type drink, but you can find a masterpost for that here! This masterpost is organized by purpose/need. The ones involving coffee are bolded, since most of them are teas! 

DO NOT CARELESSLY ASSUME HERBS IN TEAS ARE OKAY FOR YOU! DO YOUR RESEARCH.

Emotions + Emotional healing:

Drink your sorrows tea

Heal your heart potion

Moody Judy potion

Calm you the fuck down tea

Calming back to school tea

Calm thyself tea

Calm and happy tea

‘Give me sunshine’ potion for happiness

Rejuvenating tea

Self love latte spell

Overall positivi-tea

Mental reboost tea spell

Quick confidence potion

Health + Healing:

Tea to relieve a sinus headache

Headache soothing tea spell

Sore throat potion/tea

Magic sick tea

Soothing tummy tea

Tiny tea spell to feel better

Feel better tea spell

Pain relieving tea

“Ew, cramps” tea

Menstrual relief tea spell

Tea infusions to soothe the stomach

Easy energy tea spell

Energy boost tea

Energizing tea

Morning + Sleep:

Good morning potion

Morning sun cinnamon tea

What a Lovely Morning - Iced Tea Spell

Done fucking around coffee spell (productivity)

Coffee spell

Honey milk for restful sleep

Simple dream tea

Lullaby tea

A bedtime tea spell

Odds and Ends:

Good fortune tea spell

Nan’s good luck tea

“I am a Fucking Joy and Light to Behold” Tea

Spell to charge tea with power

Magical lemon spearmint green tea

Peachy potion to attract love

Hot chocolate spell for wellbeing

Hot chocolate magic

Magic spiced hot cocoa

Apple cider love bringing spell

Magic smoothie recipes

Daily coffee magic

Coffee grounding

Magical frappuccinos 

Enhance magical energy coffee spell

Correspondences:

General tea magic

Fruit tea magic

Floral tea magic

Floral tea correspondences

Herbal tea magic

Chai spells

Coffee brew correspondences

Make your perfect magic coffee - ingredients

Making your iced coffee - witchcraft style

Infused water magic

Milkshake magic

Related posts:

Orriculum’s beverage magic/potions post

Masterpost of simple beginner friendly potions

Drink before casting

Drunk witchery

RESEARCHING HERB SAFETY

Links updated April of 2020. Please inform me of broken links via askbox!

Potion??

Potion - Share a recipe for any potion you like.

Well, it’s going to be more a POWDER than a potion, because I don’t generally do potions. Sticky things, take forever to simmer, often they smell bad, and gods help you if they’re not stored properly. Magical mold problems, yay.

Everybody knows my Banishing Powder, so here’s something a little different:

Lucky Day PowderIntent: To cause good luck and high probability of success to follow one for a single day.Ingredients:Orange PeelCinnamonFenugreekGingerLemon PeelOptional - Irish Moss (aka Carrageen)Materials:Mortar & Pestle (or spice grinder)FunnelMesh StrainerCollection DishContainerNote: Powdered versions of most herbs are available online. See my Online Resources page for recommended vendors.. Also, if you can get your hands on a good spice grinder, you can make your own powder from dried herb products.Grind each ingredient separately to produce fine powder. Sieve the material through the mesh strainer into the collection dish; this removes the larger unground pieces and gives you cleaner powdered herb. (Pro-Tip: Putting a funnel under the mesh strainer reduces lost material and makes collection much easier.)Combine the component powders in the collection dish, mix well, and bottle immediately. For volume, go heavier on the less expensive or more easily available materials like Cinnamon, Ginger, and powdered fruit peels.Put a pinch in your shoes before going out on any day that you need a boost of good fortune, or chance to sway in your favor. Also useful for spellwork related to finding or keeping employment and obtaining wealth. Add to incenses and charms designed to bring luck. Combine in a jar with sesame seeds for long-term household use.

(For more magical powder recipes, I highly recommend picking up The Witches’ Cupboard, written just this past year with my super-awesome co-author, Anna Zollinger. Available on Amazon, along with our first book, The Sisters Grimmoire.)

Masterpost of Simple Beginner Friendly Potions

Here is a masterpost of a ton of potions I have in my grimoire that are simple and easy to make with simple easy to get ingredients. 

Tea Potions

Headache Relief Potion

Ginger Root

Peppermint

Lemon Wedge

Steps: Add herbs to hot water and let them steep for a few minutes. Squeeze in lemon then let the wedge and skin soak for another 1 or 2 before drinking. 

Sour Tummy Be Gone Potion

Chamomile Tea

Spearmint

Ginger Root

Spoonful of Honey

Steps: Brew tea then add herbs to it, let them steep for 5 minutes before stirring in your honey counter-clockwise to banish the cramps and sourness in your stomach. 

Deep Slumber Potion

Chamomile Tea

Lavender

Dried Rose Petals/Buds

Lemon Balm

Steps: Brew tea then add in herbs to steep for 5 to 6 minutes, add sugar or honey to taste. Drink slowly before bed in a quiet place.

“Bring Me My Own Love” Self Love Potion

Rose Water or Rose Tea

Sugar

Milk or Milk substitute 

Steps: Brew your tea or warm your rose water. Pour in milk and sugar to taste and stir it clockwise to welcome in your own love. Drink while doing something you enjoy.

Release from a Bad Day Potion

Green Tea

Catnip

Lemon Wedge

Steps: Brew and steep your tea and catnip, squeeze in your lemon and stir it counter clockwise to banish the negativity that the day has given you. Add sugar or honey to taste

Give My Heart Strength Potion

Black Tea

Orange Peel

Honey

Steps: Brew tea and let orange peel steep for 5 minutes, stir in your honey clockwise to bring yourself emotional strength.

Open My Mind Awareness Potion

Black Tea

Cinnamon

Milk or Milk substitute

(Optional) pinch of Mugwort (use with caution)

Steps: Brew tea and add ingredients. Sit in a quiet place and drink the tea slowly while centering yourself and if you can meditate.

Cleansing Potion

Moon Water

Rosemary

Thyme

Steps: Heat your moon water and let herbs steep for a minute or two before drinking. You may add sugar if you desire

Protect Me From Parasites Potion

(protects from psychic and energy parasites)

Moon Water

Rosemary 

Mint

Steps: Heat moon water and steep your herbs for 5 minutes. Drink at the start of your day.

Coffee Potions

Strength For a Big Day

Coffee

Cinnamon

Sugar to Taste

Like a Storm Confidence Potion

Coffee

Hazelnut creamer

Cinnamon

Fresh Orange peel

Spark of Creativity Potion

Coffee

2 Drops Vanilla extract

Fresh Orange Peel

Spoonful of Caramel

Romancing Myself Potion for Self Acceptance

Coffee

Hot chocolate mix

Milk

Red rose petal

To Good Friends Friendship Potion

Coffee

Caramel

Sugar

A cherry

A good friend to share it with

Hot Chocolate Potions

Warm My Bones Happiness Potion

Hot chocolate

Marshmallow/Marshmallow fluff

1 drop vanilla extract

Cherry 

To Get Through Hard Days Potion

Hot Chocolate

Cinnamon

Milk

Fresh Mint Leaf

For Enhanced Energy Potion

Hot Chocolate

Orange Peel

Gem Elixir Potions

Note! Unlike the others, these ones are NOT edible nor should they be ingested! These potions are for anointing or bath magic.

None of these potions are made with the crystals in the water! I ALWAYS put my crystals around a jar or cup of water to charge over night. SOME OF THESE CRYSTALS SHOULD NEVER GO IN WATER!!! So please just place them around your jar of water over night, not in it.

I am Beautiful Potion

Water

Angel Aura Quartz

Clear Quartz

Coconut Oil (small amount)

Peaceful Thoughts Potion

Water

Amethyst

Moonstone

Lavender

A Pinch of Luck Potion

Water

Aquamarine

Sunstone

Spearmint

Divination Improvement Potion

Water

Amethyst

Nuummite

Orange Peels

🌙 Easy-to-make Anointing Oils:

For each of the following formulas, your base ingredient will be either unscented baby oil or plain mineral oil. Add in the other ingredients listed below while focusing on the intention you’d like to set for each bottle. Cleanse your bottle with an incense stick before filling for extra positivity.

*Glass bottles with droppers are best for anointing oils. Try to avoid plastic as often as possible when working with energy.

✨Universal Love

Oil base

5-10 drops rose essential oil

Rose petals

✨Money & prosperity

Oil base

5-10 drops patchouli essential oil

Clove

✨Heightened intuition

Oil base

5-10 drops frankincense oil

Thyme

✨Creativity

Oil base

5-10 drop sage oil

Rosemary

✨Relaxation & Meditation

Oil base

5-10 drops lavender oil

Eucalyptus

Dream Dust

For dreams and visions; for restful sleep with pleasant dreams.

Ingredients:

• 2 pt Marjoram • 1 pt Hibiscus Flower • 1 pt Jasmine Flower • 1 pt Valerian** • 1⁄2 pt Poppy Flower* ** • 1⁄2 pt Vervain

Materials:

Mortar & Pestle or Spice Grinder

Funnel

Mesh Strainer

Collection Dish

Container

Grind each ingredient separately for several minutes to produce fine powder. Sieve the material through the mesh strainer into the collection dish; this removes the larger ungrindable pieces and gives you cleaner powdered herb. (Pro-Tip: Putting a funnel under the strainer helps reduce lost material.)

If desired, use an electric spice grinder to reduce the herbs to usable powder. Combine the component powders in the collection dish, mix well, and bottle immediately. Label and date for future reference.

Use in magics intended to bring pleasant dreams, banish nightmares, and ensure a restful night’s sleep. This powder can also be used in any magic related to sleep or dreaming, including (but not limited to) dream-sending, dream manipulation, and protection from nightmares while sleeping.

To make a dream doll for sympathetic magic, mix a few pinches of powder with soft clay or melted candle wax and form the substance into a small human figure. Name the figurine for the person it is meant to protect, wrap it in cotton cloth, and tuck it under the mattress.

To increase the probability of prophetic dreams or visions, a small amount of Dream Dust may be combined with powdered incense and burnt before retiring to bed. Do not directly inhale large amounts of the smoke, and do not use this method if you are pregnant or nursing.

*= Use with caution. **= Do not use if pregnant or nursing.

Check my potions and powders tag for more recipes! You can also find this recipe and dozens of others in my book, Pestlework, now available on Amazon and in the Willow Wings Witch Shop. 😊

A Kitchen Witch's Magickal Oils

From Mrs. B’s Guide to Household Witchery: Everyday Magic, Spells, and Recipes by Kris Bradley

Before Making Oils:

Place layer of herbs at bottom of a clean glass jar & cover with oil of your choice. 

Cap with a nonmetallic lid or plastic wrap & let it sit for 1 week- 1 month. 

Strain oil well through cheesecloth or coffee filter into a clean jar. 

Use to dress candles or anoint charm bags, appliances, money, bills

            *Alternative: add oil & herbs to Crock Pot, set to warm, & let brew for 5-6 hours.  Strain & bottle oil in a clean glass jar with a lid

            *To increase shelf life, use 90% of chosen carrier oil (oil used in oil recipe) and 10% jojoba oil 

Attraction Oil

1 part red rose petals

½ part basil

Contents of a peppermint tea bag

Sweet almond oil to cover

Anoint pulse points before going out to attract attention of opposite gender

Dress red candle during a romantic evening

Banishing Oil

2 parts cinnamon

A parts black pepper

2 parts cumin

1 part cayenne pepper

Castor oil to cover

Dress black candle when need to separate from something or someone negative in your life

Employment Oil

1 part ground bay leaf

1 part ground coriander

1 whole raw (unshelled) pecan

Sesame oil to cover

Place small dab on envelopes when sending out resume

Rub a small amount on hands prior  to an interview

Make sure to shake hands!

Fire Oil

1 inch strip of orange peel or 1 part ground, dried peel

3 parts cinnamon

1 part clove

1 part nutmeg

Sesame oil to cover

Awaken passion, desire, increase bravery, spark action in someone who may be procrastinating

Use to anoint a red candle to burn while with partner, anoint court papers to get faster decision, or rub small amount on hands to increase confidence prior to speech, presentation, etc.

Make this oil on a Sunday if possible

Prosperity Oil

1 part alfalfa

Contents of a chamomile tea bag (increase for larger batches)

1 part coriander

Corn oil to cover

1 penny or small magnet (optional)

Can replace Business Success Oil if solely looking for monetary success in business

Anoint bank account statements, wallet/purse, piggy banks

Anoint green candle to burn while doing prosperity work

Anoint 1 dollar bill prior to placing in charity container (sharing = coming back to you!)

Make on Thursday (if possible) to maximize effectiveness

Reversing Oil

1 inch strip fresh lemon peel or 1 part dried, ground peel

1 part rosemary

Contents of a peppermint bag (increase to 2 bags for larger mixes)

Corn oil to cover   

Use when wanting to protect yourself from negativity or psychic attack to send negative energy back to its source

Visions Oil

1 inch strip fresh lemon peel or 1 part dried, ground peel

2 parts ground bay leaf

1 part nutmeg

1 part thyme

Cover with grapeseed oil

Used to anoint candles to burn while practicing divination.

Dab tiny amount on third eye to help increase psychic awareness or prior to bed to increase prophetic dreams

The best deodorant you will ever use Seriously. ¼ teaspoon in each pit and you can sweat your ass off, totally stink-free for like 2 full days. It’s a natural anti-bacterial so those little fuckers won’t multiply and make you smell. Plus it’s cheaper and healthier than any deod you can buy anywhere.

Use equal parts of the following:

-corn starch -baking soda -coconut oil -cocoa butter

With a few drops of whatever essential oil you want, for fragrance. Otherwise it basically just smells like nothing. I use tea tree oil & pine needle oil. Cuz they’re MANLY.

Note - It pretty much turns to liquid if it’s warmer than about 75 degrees. If you want to keep it solid, you can refrigerate it or add a little more corn starch.

Potions 101 Overview

what is a potion?

a potion, is any drink made to have a magical effect. from the latin potio and the french potare , a poisonous drink. however, as the connotation of the word has changed with popular media, it doesn’t have to poison anybody, in fact, let’s try not to do that. 

types of potions:

there are many names for potions, and they indicate different methods of creation and application.

Infusion  -  a drink prepared by soaking the leaves of a plant or herb in hot water or alcohol for 5-10 min. to be drunk when cooled

Decoction  -  an infusion prepared by simmering a tougher substance, such as a bark, for 10-30 minutes. to be drunk.

Tincture -  a medicine made by dissolving a herb in alcohol for a week. to be taken sparingly in small amounts

Vinegar - similar to a tincture, but instead of alcohol, vinegar is used. to be added into other foods in small amounts

Syrup -  ingredients that are preserved in sugar solution, a reduced infusion/decoction with added sugar. to be taken sparingly in small amounts

Poultice -  a soft, moist mass of fresh chopped plant material, applied to the body with a cloth. 

⚠️ safety first! ⚠️

however, knowing how the potion is prepared does not necessarily mean it is safe to use or consume, that depends on knowledge of the herbs you’re working with, how much of one herb is healthy to ingest, how they interact with other chemicals, and awareness of any allergies you might have to them. 

under no circumstances, is it recommended or legal to put a potions or herbs in someone else’s drink/food without their knowledge or consent. 

⚠️ please avoid working with toxic or dangerous ingredients unless you have the proper training, for your own safety. 

⚠️ ask your doctor about herbs conflicting with any medications you’re taking, before consuming herbal potions

⚠️ take extra precautions with herbal ingredients when pregnant or dealing with a medical condition. 

end note :

the idea of making a potion can be daunting, there are so many factors to get right, the herbs, combinations, potency, the preparation, storing, side effects or drug interactions, etc. however, to potions do not have to be a dangerous or complicated activity. 

a potion can be a simple, subtle brew of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or infused water, with simple, everyday ingredients added that correspond to various uses. these fall under infusions, the simplest type of potion to make, which is in fact what tea is. for beginners, working with ingredients you are familiar with that have not caused you problems before is the best route to take.

⏰ Hamilton Nonstop Motivation Spell ⏰

inspired by the play hamilton, a spell to give you motivation like alexander’s.

Why do you write like you’re running out of time? Write day and night like you’re running out of time? Ev’ry day you fight, like you’re running out of time Keep on fighting. In the meantime—

⏰  gather: aventurine or quartz, bay leaf, coffee, and consumable storm water

⏰  use storm water and coffee to brew a cup of coffee. 

⏰   charge the coffee with the aventurine above it. 

⏰   sprinkle bits of bayleaf into the drink. strain if you want. 

⏰   if you don’t want to drink it, dab droplets of the potion on your wrists and behind your ears.   

* for consumable storm water, rather than collect water from a storm, set out a sealed bottle of water in the rain, charging in the storm. clean off before use. collected storm water can be full of bacteria and atmospheric pollution and shouldn’t be consumed unless properly purified. 

Simple Purification and Protection Scrub

You need to purify, but you’re short on time. You need it to be quick, but just as effective as a ritual bath. Look no further than our Purification and Protection Scrub. 

Materials:

sea salt

coconut oil

essential oil of lavender

lemon rinds

Combine the salt mixture and coconut oil in a 2-to-1 ratio and stir. The salt should stick to itself without excess oil pooling at the bottom of the container. Then sprinkle in some fresh lemon rinds and add in one drop of lavender essential oil. 

Sea salt, coconut oil, and lavender purify and protect; lemon is a strong purifying and cleansing ingredient. 

In the shower, first massage the scrub over the skin in a counterclockwise motion while visualizing the coconut oil drawing negative energies from the body and the sea salt sloughing them away. Then, massage the scrub in a clockwise motion while visualizing the coconut oil and lavender forming a protective barrier on the skin.

Note: Because salt can often be irritating on the skin, we do not recommend using this scrub on the face and should be limited to body use only. 

Seven Useful Powder Spells for All Occasions

Powder spells (see my previous post on this subject for a full definition) are a powerful form of magick that has been used in many different forms across a variety of cultures. Whilst the powder spells of Hoodoo are the ones most widely recognised by novice Witches, especially those in the United States, Hoodoo practitioners are far from the only people to conclude that mystical powders can convey powerful magickal spells and properties upon the bearer, user, or target. Their highly portable nature, their lack of requirement for obviously “Witchy” paraphernalia that may belie the Witch’s status, and their simple and cheap construction from things easily obtained from homes and gardens, make them an excellent way to start getting a feeling for magick workings without worrying about protective circles and wards to keep you safe and centred.

These are seven simple powder spells useful for various events and actions, both the everyday kind and the infrequent and precious. I felt seven, starting and ending on constructive spells, would be a good magickal number. I hope you find some usage!

NB: Most powder spells (and all of the ones listed below) are simply “grind up into a powder and shake or stir them to combine, often whilst invoking some kind of chant or powerful thought or emotion”. Whether shaking or stirring should be used will be indicated in the title - stirring should be used for constructive spells (things that make something or add to something, not necessarily good), and shaking for destructive (things that break something or that take something away, not necessarily bad).

—————-

Bringing Joy And Blessings (stir) Best sprinkled over a person’s pillow or head, this spell brings joy and peace to all who use it.

Cinnamon

Sugar

Nutmeg

Dried wildflowers and grasses; any will work

Peppermint

Chocolate

—————-

Easing The Loss Of A Precious Thing Or Person (shake) Best worn in a phial around their neck, wrist, or stored in their bag or pocket. Don’t take it off until you feel truly at peace with what you’ve lost.

Soil from beneath the Earth (i.e not top soil)

Salt

Sugar

Frankincense or some other fragrant incense

A slip of paper containing the name of the thing or person you lost

A small amount of nightshade (remember, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant/aubergine and tobacco are all nightshades! It doesn’t have to be a toxic nightshade)

—————-

Blessing A New Space Like A Home Or An Office (stir) Best sprinkled across all the entry points to the space,, or if this is not practical, sprinkle it through the air so that it drifts wherever it pleases before landing. 

Seeds, especially edible ones

Dried rosemary

Dried sage

Top soil taken from your old home if you’re moving into a new one, or from your current home if you’re moving into a new office or similar.

Iron filings or slivers (you can get these by cutting them off of steel wool)

Turmeric

—————-

Bringing Misfortune On Those Who Harmed You (shake) Best used as part of the filling for a poppet of the person or people who wronged you, or sprinkled over a taglock of them (like a photo or a hair) as you burn it.

Black salt (see my post here for information on making and using)

A taglock of the target

Cayenne or other chillies

White peppercorns, or 

Sand or soil collected at night, preferably on a new moon

Any form of nightshade (if you plan to burn the powder, do NOT use a toxic nightshade!)

—————-

Encouraging Plants To Grow (stir) Best mixed into the soil of a pot or bed that you wish to enhance, or added to a small amount of moonwater and poured over the plants you want to encourage.

Sugar

Soil from a healthy bed

Eggshell powder (bake cleaned eggshells at 200°C in an oven for 10 minutes, then grind into a powder)

Ground fennel seed

Rosemary

Ash or charcoal

—————-

Dispelling Nightmares And Traumatic Memories (shake) Best worn around the neck in a phial as a necklace, or placed into a bottle or pouch and slipped into the pillow that you rest your head on as you sleep.

Lavender

Salt

Mugwort (if you can get it)

Ash or charcoal

Dust from a roadside

Chamomile

—————-

Bringing Health And Strength of Body (stir) Best sprinkled over the head or worn as a phial necklace, this spell strengthens and brings health to those who utilise it.

Ground fennel seed

Cinnamon

Sugar

Fertile soil (not topsoil)

Salt

Grated candle wax (use a fine grater and a dribble of wax to make a sort of powder)

Hope that helps some people!

– Juniper Wildwalk

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Image credits, in order from top to bottom: karmakisses.com honeycolony.com kingsseeds.co.nz juniperwildwalk.tumblr.com (post author) webmd.com www.tidyhouse.info/ http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/

From infusions and tinctures to oils and salves: The basics of herbal healing and the beginnings of any potion.

Decoction: A decoction is needed to extract the deeper essence from harder substances such as barks, roots and stems. Place the raw materials in a pot and fill it with fresh water. Simmer uncovered until the water lever is reduced by 1/3. Strain the resulting liquid to remove particulates then drink or use as needed.

Infusion: Pour freshly boiled water over the desired herb or planar matter, roughly 8 ounces of water per teaspoon of dried plant parts. When using fresh herbs roughly 3 times as much is required.

Oil: Place flowers, herbs or other plant parts in a sealed glass container. Fill the container with an organic oil (ex: Olive, sesame, etc…) until it is an inch above the material being used. Place the bottle somewhere warm for 2 weeks, next to a stove while cooking, on the mantle, a sunny window sill, etc. Upend the container daily to ensure the oil saturates the material.

Ointment: Heat 2 cups of pure lard to frying temperature. Add 4 handfuls of crumbled dry herbs or 6 handfuls of chopped fresh herb to the lard. Stir to to blend and let simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat, cover and let sit over night. Reheat until liquid then mix in 4 tablespoons of an organic oil, this will prevent it hardening to much. Squeeze through a cheese clothe to remove solids and store in a crockery or glass container.

Salve: Mix 3 ounces of finely pulped plant parts, 7 ounces of lard and 1 ounce of beeswax. When thoroughly mixed simmer over low heat in active red pot for 1-2 hours. Remove from eat and allow to cool.

Tincture: A tincture uses alcohol to extract the properties of a herb or plant. Loosely fill a glass container with fresh or dried herbs and add some sort of food grade spirit (ex: vodka), vinegar can also be used for certain ingredients. Cork or otherwise seal the container and leave somewhere warm for 2 or more weeks.

*Information from “Healing Teas - How to prepare and use read to maximize your health” by Marie Nadine Antol. **images from google.

Powder Spells: An Introduction, and Powdered Luck

Image Credit: Juniper Wildwalk (post author) (BY-SA licence)

Sometimes, brewing a potion or constructing an altar is either impractical, expensive, or simply impossible. In those situations, it’s often possible to create a simple powder spell that will perform the desired action, and is also transferrable between people if you want to make the spell for someone else or give it to them as a gift.

What is a powder spell?

A powder spell is a piece of magick that uses the mixing together of different powdered ingredients to create a magickal powder. This powder can then be use as a form of incense in some cases, but more commonly is carried around in a pendant or is sprinkled around a doorway, on an object, or even on a person or animal you want to imbue with magickal properties.

Powdered Luck

This powder spell will bring luck to all those who use it. There are two versions – the one with pennyroyal, and the one with peppermint.

The pennyroyal spell is more potent, but cannot be consumed or burnt! Pennyroyal is extremely poisonous, and could seriously injure those who inhale the smoke, consume the herb, or sometimes even touch it if they have an allergy. The pennyroyal version should be considered pendant and altar-only. Do not use it on or around living things, and never set it on fire!

The peppermint spell is still quite strong, but not as strong as the pennyroyal version. However, it CAN be consumed and it is safe to burn, and so I recommend crafting this version unless you specifically need pennyroyal.

You will require:

1 part dried, powdered peppermint OR pennyroyal

1 part ground black pepper

1 part cinnamon

1 part fresh soil

1 part sugar

1 part ground nutmeg

Mix your powders together within a pot or bag, and push a little bit of magick inside the pouch to kickstart the reaction. Think of the magick you give it as being the seed you plant into the Earth, and the magick you get out as the harvest.

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A note about powder spell history

Powder spells are a combination of European and African/Hoodoo traditions, and as such you must respect that a part of this practice came from another culture. However, since it has ALSO been an element of European practices, those witches who practice European witchcraft can feel free to use powder spells, provided they’re not appropriating original Hoodoo recipes without permission. Please respect original Hoodoo spells and their workers by refraining from appropriating old recipes. 

– Juniper

A guide to Protection part 2

The moon is waning so what better time to do protection spells than now? (you can do protection magick whenever, I just like a little boost from the moon phase)

In my previous post I covered some warding methods and now I’m gonna go over some spell recipes

Protection oil

honestly, chef’s kiss, iconic, it’s probably my most used oil. You may apply some on your skin, anoint candles, talismans, charms, etc.

what you’re gonna need:

a carrier oil of your choice. Here are some of my favorites :

castor oil is great for absorbing negativity

coconut oil has protective properties

olive oil is an all purpose oil

sunflower oil

almond oil

essential oils:

some great essentials oils are lemon, peppermint, sage, frankincense, orange, cinnamon, benzoin and cedarwood

herbs:

cloves, basil, rosemary, garden sage, angelica, mint, bay leaves

Use whatever you have on hand, it doesn’t need to be expensive. Some of these ingredients are probably in your kitchen already.

I dropped in a small piece of tourmaline for some extra spice

After it was done I used a black yarn to tie a bay leaf around the jar

Black salt

Black salt is a must have in a witch’s apothecary and it’s fairly easy to make.

You’re gonna need a mortar and pestle to grind up the ingredients;

any kind of salt,

ashes from previous works or incense,

activated charcoal (it’s not necessary so don’t stress if you don’t have it around)

frankincense resin (again, not necessary)

crushed eggshells

While grinding the ingredients listed above make sure to focus on the intention of being protected, meditate on it if you can

You may sprinkle some black salt in the corners of your house, at your doorstep, anywhere really (don’t add salt to plant soil though)

Rosemary water

Rosemary can be used to cleanse your aura and promotes protection

Add rosemary leaves to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for about 20 minutes

Pour the infusion into a spray bottle and you’re done!

Given the fact that rosemary water is great for the scalp and stimulates hair growth I’d recommend this method of cleansing and protecting to people who are in the broom closet.

Eggshell spell

I don’t neccesarily enjoy making spell jars and I find using an eggshell instead of a jar really convenient (and cheap lol)

Cleanse the egg and add salt/ black salt and some protective herbs, one at a time, thinking about what each thing represents and how it relates to your intention. Seal it with wax and you’re done!

Fire Oil

Fire oil (OR Fire Water)  is used to add that extra “oomph” to your magic. Use it when ever you want to add extra power into your spell work. Excellent for “Return to sender” spells, Or protection spells.

To make it, all you need is

Clean, Glass container 

Sunflower Oil

Red Pepper Flakes

Cayenne Pepper (Optional)

Once your oil is prepared, Seal it up and give it a vigorous shake. Imagine your peppers releasing fire into your oil, Visualize the Oil giving off light, And heat.

Once it feels “right” to you sit it in a dark place.Shake daily for a minimum of 2 weeks, Each time visualizing the flames and infusing it with your intention of fire and power. 

Disclaimer: This oil can burn your skin if you touch it directly so be cautious when handling. (I use bamboo skewers when handling my Fire Oil)

Mama Bree's Magical Powders

Finally, all my powder recipes in one place! Go nuts, witchlings.

All-Purpose Cursing Powder

Banishing Powder

Clean House Powder

“Eye of Sauron” Revelation Powder

Heal Thy Heart Powder

Hexbreaker Powder

Jackpot Powder

Lucky Day Powder

“Outta My Way” Powder

Peacekeeper Powder

Persuasion Powder

STFU Powder

Traveler’s Luck Powder

Truthfinder Powder

For those of you who may not be able to find herbs locally, here are some online suppliers who consistently have affordable and high-quality products.

Ruth Roy’s Wellcat Herbs - A highly reputable seller with quality herbs, teas, incense, and botanicals. Also runs a booth every year at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. (*HIGHLY RECOMMEND*)

Starwest Botanicals - Bulk herbs, spices, oils, and teas. Good amount of organic and Fair Trade products, as well as supplies for holistic medicine and tea-making.

Mountain Rose Herbs - Bulk herbs, spices, and sundries. Also carries organic products and essential oils, and has link to schools that offer courses in herbalism and herbology.

The Magickal Cat - Online shop with just about everything you could want for your craft, from herbs to books to cauldrons, and everything in between. Reliable shipping and excellent customer service.

Bulk Apothecary - Bulk herbs, spices, and oils, in addition to materials for the home production of soap, candles, wine, and beer.

For more online resources and information on herb magic and spells, check out my website here.

Protection Oil Recipe

This is my favorite protection oil I have made. It may have a lot of ingredients in it but the friends i have sent samples to have said it works better than anything they have tried before. I love this recipe, I use it all the time, so here you go.

PROTECTION OIL RECIPE

Carrier oil of your choice (sweet almond, avocado, olive, corn, etc) garlic rosemary cinnamon bay leaf frankincense Cloves devils claw root Angelica Root sage

(substitutions can be vervain, safflower, wormwood, horehound, jasmine, red pepper, lavender, star anise, caraway seeds, calendula, sage, and other protective herbs you have. you don't have to follow the recipe exact, just use what you have)