The Real Witches’ Kitchen: Spells, recipes, oils, lotions and potions from the Witches’ Hearth
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Divination
If you are learning divination, perhaps by reading the Tarot, or do this on a regular basis, then it is worth having a soap especially for the purpose.
6 drops myrrh oil
6 drops frankincense oil
4 drops bay oil
(or take 10 crushed bay leaves, cover with 2 tbsp boiling water and leave for several days before using this liquid as the water in your recipe)
Driving Away Negative Thoughts and Feelings
There are times when we all suffer from self-doubt or a lack of self-esteem or when it seems that everything is working out badly. This is an excellent soap for bringing the spirit back into balance, especially if used in conjunction with other uplifting recipes in this book.
6 drops frankincense oil
6 drops sandalwood oil
2 tsp jasmine flowers
4 drops jasmine oil
4 drops neroli oil
4 drops ylang ylang oil
2 drops ginger oil
4 drops rose oil
(optional as many people find it makes the scent too cloying)
All-Purpose Healing
Lavender is the all-purpose healer and works on mind, body and spirit. Living with a fairly standard accident-prone toddler I use this (or slight variants) as the daily soap in the home.
1 tablespoon lavender flowers (fresh if possible)
6 drops lavender oil
Antiseptic
This soap is good at combating infections, particularly of the skin, and is also helpful in healing general cuts and grazes.
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon thyme
4 drops tea tree oil
2 drops myrrh oil
Refreshing and Mentally Stimulating
This is especially good for studying or preparing for exams, or any time when you have a need of mental stimulus, as it helps the mind to focus and aids the memory.
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves
(dried can be used, but they should be added with the hot water at the start of the process so that they have time to soften)
1/2 tablespoon dried basil
6 drops rosemary oil
6 drops grapefruit oil
4 drops pine oil
4 drops peppermint oil
For Dry Skin
Dry skin generally benefits from not coming into contact with any kind of soap or detergent and I recommend washing in tepid water only. However, there will be times when soap is desirable, hence the following recipe. Instead of almond oil in the basic recipe, use coconut oil.
1 tablespoon rolled oats
6 drops geranium oil
6 drops sandalwood oil
4 drops lavender oil
2 to 4 drops patchouli oil or rose oil
(add the latter slowly as these are highly scented and not to everyone’s taste)
Insect Repellent
Whilst I usually recommend using no scent at all as the best way to avoid insect bites, I have also had good results with this recipe.
10–20 drops lemongrass oil
5 drops lavender oil
If you are not going to expose your skin to sunlight, you can also add 5 drops bergamot oil, but do be aware that it can make some skins photosensitive and has been linked to skin cancer when combined with exposure to the sun.
Bath Foams and Oils
Whilst soaps are excellent, there are times when you want to wash with something for a special purpose but do not intend to use that product day in and day out, or even for weeks at a time. In such cases it is easier to make a small quantity of bath foam or oil for the purpose. For your base you can use any unscented bath foam or oil. Many people choose those intended for babies, although they do have quite a strong fragrance of their own. My personal favourite base is the plain foaming bath oil from The Body Shop, as it has oil in the blend and therefore takes up essential oils quite well, but it is not all oil and so does not leave you with a greasy ring around the bath.
Whatever your choice of base, there are two routes you can go down. One is to make up a quantity of your recipe and store it in a well-labelled glass bottle in a cool dark place between uses. The other is to make just enough for the one bath immediately prior to use. The following recipes are based on the one-bath recipe, using about a tablespoonful of your base foam or a teaspoonful of oil, so you will need to multiply up the ingredients if you are making a larger quantity.
When using essential oils in the bath you should make sure that the bathwater is not too hot – not only does this release the fragrance of the oils too quickly, but it can also be quite debilitating. Try to make your bathtime a relaxing event – don’t rush and hurry, and whilst in the water spend time focusing on what you are about to do. Try bathing by candlelight – it is an excellent way of setting a mood.
Preparing for Magical Work
Use the time in the bath first to soak away the cares of the day and secondly to focus on the Magical work you are about to commence.
2 drops frankincense oil
2 drops sandalwood oil
1 drop orange oil
Divination Bath
Before undertaking any kind of divination, or to promote prophetic dreams, have a long soak in this formula. It is best to do this by candlelight and not to use a base oil or foam or any other scented products (such as soap).
Take 2 crushed bay leaves and 1 tablespoonful of thyme, add to 1 pint of very hot water and leave to stand for an hour. Strain this liquid and add to your bath with:
5 drops lemongrass oil
2 drops myrrh oil
To Promote a Good Night’s Sleep
This is an excellent bath to take just before bed and is also suitable for children over the age of two (for those under two, omit the valerian). Don’t use it every night, as you can easily become accustomed to the effects and find that it doesn’t work when you really need it.
6 drops lavender oil
2 drops valerian oil (1 drop for children over two years)
Colds and ’Flu
As soon as you feel the onset of a cold, have a long relaxing soak in the following:
4 drops lavender oil
2 drops eucalyptus oil
2 drops jasmine oil
1 drop cinnamon oil
1 drop ginger oil
After bathing, wrap up warmly and go to bed with a warm drink.
Wake-Up Bath
This is excellent for those mornings when you feel sluggish or have a busy day ahead or even for the morning after the night before. Try to have the bath quite cool and stay in the water for at least 10 minutes to let the oils take effect.
3 drops rose oil
3 drops rosemary oil
3 drops rosewood oil
After Exercise
When you have exerted yourself and feel that you should ward off muscular aches and pains, try this one:
3 drops lavender oil
3 drops camomile oil
2 drops lemongrass oil
2 drops rosemary oil
Romance Bath
When preparing for a romantic encounter, whether out on a date or at home with a loved one, soak yourself in the following:
2 drops sandalwood oil
2 drops jasmine oil
1 drop neroli oil
1 drop ylang ylang oil
If you really want to add spice to the encounter, add 1 drop of cardamom oil, but be prepared for the results!
Self-Care Bath
We all have times in our lives when we need to care for our own physical, mental and emotional state. In fact most of us neglect ourselves in these respects far too often. But if you do not look after yourself, how are you going to do the best for those you care for? Take time out at least once a week to treat yourself. Make the environment as pleasant as you can – perhaps light candles around the bath and play some soothing music. Above all, turn off the phone and lock the door to make sure you are not disturbed even by your near and dear. Then relax in the following:
2 drops frankincense oil
2 drops jasmine oil
2 drops sandalwood oil
2 drops ylang ylang oil
1 drop rose oil
1 drop ginger oil
Stress Relief Bath
This is for those times when the world really has been getting on top of you and you feel really stressed out!
8 drops neroli oil
4 drops clary sage oil
4 drops lavender oil
2 drops cedarwood oil
‘Bath Teas’
There is another way of adding herbs to your bath and that is to make them into a ‘tea’. You will need to steep the herbs in a small amount of boiling water for around 15 to 20 minutes and then strain the resultant liquid into your bath. You can of course add the herbs to the water directly, but then you will have the problem of getting all the bits off your skin and the sides of the bath!
If you prefer to shower with any of these preparations then it is best to tie the herbs into a face cloth (wash cloth) or piece of fabric and rub it directly into the skin after washing but before your final rinse.
Magical Working
3 tsp rosemary
3 tsp jasmine petals
a pinch of ginger
a pinch of cinnamon
grated peel of half an orange
(try to ensure that you don’t get any of the white pith into the mixture)
Divination
3 tsp thyme
2 tsp rose petals
1 tsp sage
a pinch of nutmeg
grated peel of a lemon
To Remove Negative Influences
In addition to the herbs, some people also recommend placing a clear quartz crystal into the bath to absorb any negative influences. Make sure you remove this before pulling the plug, so as not to lose it, and then rinse it under cold running water for 10 minutes to cleanse it.
4 tsp rosemary
2 tsp lavender
1 tsp crushed juniper berries
4 crushed bay leaves
1 tsp salt
Self-Control Bath
For use when trying to break old habits or when going on a diet.
2 tsp rosemary
2 tsp fennel
1 tsp sage
1 tsp lavender
Healing Bath
4 tsp lavender
2 tsp rosemary
2 tsp rose petals
1 tsp salt
This is especially helpful after childbirth, in which case the salt should be increased to 1 tbsp, but then it is not useful for showering.
Easing Coughs and Colds
4 tsp lavender
4 tsp rosemary
4 crushed cloves
You can also add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil to the water.
Beauty Bath
Place a piece of amber in the bathwater (making sure you retrieve it before pulling the plug) and whilst bathing visualize yourself growing in beauty. Focus on your positive points; try not to think of any negatives at all. It is said that wearing amber also enhances beauty.
3 tsp lavender
3 tsp rose petals
2 tsp rosemary
2 tsp jasmine flowers
Of course you do not have to limit yourself to the recipes given here. Using herbs, flowers and essential oils you can create any number of your own bathing preparations. The secret to successfully creating your own recipes is to take your time in experimenting. Make sure you are relaxed, take a herb and smell it. What does it remind you of? How does it make you feel? Is it uplifting or relaxing? Does it remind you of spring, summer, autumn or winter? If it is edible, taste it and ask yourself the same questions. Secondly, keep a record of your experiments. If, after using a blend, you find you have vivid dreams, then make a note of it. Remember that everyone can react differently to different plants or blends. If a blend intended to give a good night’s rest makes you feel alert and ready to take on the world, then that is how it works for you. Above all, have fun with it.
Oils, Lotions and Potions
‘Here I charge you in this sign…’
From earliest times people have used oils to soften the skin, to perfume themselves, to heal and to enhance Magical workings. Some ancient civilizations rarely used soap in any form, preferring to apply oil and then scrape it from the skin, removing not only dirt but also loose dead skin. These days many of us find oil too greasy and prefer to use creams and lotions on a daily basis. However, creams, whether solid or liquid, are simply a way of suspending oil and water in a user-friendly way. To do this effectively other ingredients are added which stop the blend separating out or going off. Whilst it is possible to make your own creams and lotions, blending lanolin, animal fat and water, it is far simpler to start with an unscented lotion or cream which has been mass produced.
The main practical difference between a lotion, cream or oil is in how you intend to use it. If the area to be covered is large, then you will want a lotion, which can be easily spread and is relatively rapidly absorbed. If you are treating a small area or one which requires a level of massage, perhaps a bruise or a sore joint, then a cream may be more practical, being thicker and more slowly absorbed. There is also the matter of preference. For some any cream is too thick, for others a lotion simply does not suit the skin. Oils can be added to baths, as out-lined in the preceding chapter, and whilst you may notice that some of the following recipes are similar, you will also notice some differences. This is because these are intended for direct contact with the skin, rather than the larger dilutions you get in a bath or when using soap. They are Magically no less effective, they are just safer to use undiluted.
Magical application is somewhat different as in this case you want the essence of the ingredients rather than the effects of the base. Additionally many of the following oils need not simply be used on the skin but may be applied to a candle or talisman in the course of Magic or ritual. You can also choose to use the recipe in an oil burner, although you may wish to scale down the quantities and add them direct to the water in the burner.
The following recipes are designed to be used with 3 tbsp of cream, lotion or of base oil. Choose a cream or lotion which is unscented or carries very little obvious perfume and which suits your skin and your pocket. My favourite base lotion is a cheap unscented general purpose handcream which I’ve been using all over very successfully for years. For a cream to be used medicinally I often favour petroleum jelly.
When it comes to selecting a base oil for anointing and Magical work, again choose one which suits your skin and purse. If you can, try out sweet almond, avocado, wheatgerm, apricot kernel and jojoba. Even olive oil works for some people. Select the one you prefer; contrary to the statements of many practitioners, as long as you buy from a reputable source, the oils and your Magical intentions will overcome any so called ‘impurities’ in the cheaper varieties. Often is it worth enquiring at your pharmacy, rather than a New Age or specialist supplier, who may charge more.
When using the following recipes please remember not to use aromatherapy oils, other than lavender, on pregnant women, nursing mothers, babies or children under 12 without consulting an experienced aromatherapist.
Esbat Oil
This is for personal anointing before any Full Moon ritual. It would not usually be used on any candle or object for Magical intent, as either a specially prepared oil or an empowering oil would be used instead.
2 drops frankincense
2 drops rosemary
1 drop jasmine
1 drop sandalwood
Sabbat Oil
An oil for personal anointing before any of the eight Sabbats, this can also be used to anoint the Altar candle at a Sabbat celebration.
3 drops frankincense
2 drops myrrh
2 drops sandalwood
1 drop cinnamon
Goddess Oil
Wear this to honour the Goddess or apply it to a candle to invoke her assistance.
2 drops jasmine oil
2 drops myrrh oil
1 drop rose oil
God Oil
Wear this to honour the God or apply it to a candle to invite his strength.
2 drops sandalwood oil
2 drops orange oil
1 drop cinnamon oil
Power Oil
Use this to enhance or empower any Magical working.
4 drops orange oil
1 drop cinnamon oil
1 drop ginger oil
1 drop pine oil
Divination Oil
Anoint yourself and/or use this in an oil burner before any acts of divination.
2 drops frankincense oil
2 drops lemongrass oil
2 drops nutmeg oil
2 drops clary sage oil
1 drop bay oil
1 drop rose oil
Communication Oil
Use this whenever you want to facilitate communication, perhaps a job interview or difficult meeting. If the situation affects you, wear the oil, if it affects another, use it on a talisman (Magical token) or on your Magical candle.