Herbs and Oils
There are many thorough and comprehensive books on herbs and oils and their magickal uses and I won’t try to list them all here. What I have done is listed everything that is in my magickal pantry right now to give you an idea of what is handy to keep on hand. It’s worth noting that herbs used in magickal work are kept just for that – don’t use them for cooking (unless you’re doing a food spell) – and it’s best to grow them yourself when possible.
A Tip on Making Magickal Incense
Take one teaspoon each of three different dried plant herbs, one teaspoon of resin, and one of wood or woody substance all relating to your magickal intent, grind them together in a mortar and pestle (or coffee grinder if you can’t be bothered doing it by hand), then add a specific number of drops of various oils depending on your intent and the scent (try not to add more than nine drops to this proportion of ingredients).
Don’t add too much resin or oil or else when you burn it on charcoal discs it will get all gummy and put itself out. The above proportions are suggestions only, though, and can be increased proportionally for larger quantities. Don’t be afraid to experiment, just make sure when you hit on a great smelling and magickally powerful combination you jot down the exact combination in your Book of Shadows.
Herbs, Gums and Resins
Belladonna: Poisonous herb which produces out-of-body states when ingested. I never take it internally – instead I have a flying ointment which includes a little of this and a couple of other things in a base of coconut oil with a few drops of wintergreen, which, when applied to the pulse points, is good for achieving the frame of mind required for divination.
Benzoin Gum: Has purification qualities and is a good base for any incenses.
Chamomile: Prepares the mind and body for magick work by opening the inner psychic doors. Drink it and float a muslin sachet filled with the flowers in your purification bath before ritual. If you wash your hands in cool chamomile tea it can help ensure dexterity and success with manual tasks.
Comfrey: Ensures safety during travel and protects against your money being stolen. An external poultice of the leaves will help knit broken bones and heal burns, swelling, broken skin and bruises, and the root can be boiled in wine or water to make a tea to help with coughs, lung infections and diarrhoea.
Copal: Another resin that makes a good base for incenses and works well in love spells.
Damiana: Used in lust and love spells and to induce visions of future lovers. Drunk before bed, it can relax one for lovemaking and promote pleasant dreams.
Dittany of Crete: When burnt it is thought that spirits will appear in the smoke. When included in incense it’s good for astral projections.
Dragon’s Blood Powder: This dramatically named substance is actually resin from a palm tree. I use a pinch in nearly all spell workings as it binds good fortune to any outcome and protects against spells misfiring in any way.
Elderflower: I mainly use this to make a mild tea as it is a blood purifier. I also a make a light infusion, cool it in the fridge and splash my eyes with it after working on the computer for too long as it eases eye strain.
Frankincense: A magickal substance! Can be used in any spell and is extremely potent as a base for any incenses with its protection and opulence qualities. If you’re feeling really spooked about anything, burn some frankincense as it increases your safety straight away. Baby Jesus was thrilled when three wise men gave him some – it’s precious stuff!
Galangal: I have dried pieces of this root – it’s used in Indian and Thai cooking, but is very effective for lust spells, and at the other end of the spectrum, it can help win the favour of a jury!
Gardenia: This is my favourite flower and I dried the petals from my own plant. They can be used in healing and love spells and are a good offering to the Goddess during Full Moon rituals.
Hemlock: A classic Witches’ herb. I make a small brew of this and dip my athame into it every now and again to keep it charged and aligned with the ‘worlds between the worlds’ (so that I can slice through astral veils more effectively to access those worlds).
High John the Conqueror Root: I keep a piece of this root soaking in jojoba oil with three drops of peppermint oil, and one of lemon, in a sealed glass container out of the sun. I use this as an anointing oil any time I’m doing a spell where I’m concerned I’m not focused enough but I really need to do the spell. It helps ensure success at endeavours.
Hops: I make sleep charms with these to help deal with my insomnia (which I often have because I worry too much!). I stuff a pale blue cloth bag with hops, vervain and lavender and hang it from the bed post.
Lavender: Lavender is one of those herbs that can be used in any spell to enhance its effect. Good for spells for love, peace, youthful vigour and also for dealing constructively with grief over any kind of loss.
Mandrake Root: An infamous Witches’ herb. Myth has it that the plant is so powerful and inherently evil that it kills or sends mad anyone who tries to pull it up. Apparently the only safe way to acquire it is to tie a dog firmly to the plant and then entice the dog away so that it pulls up the plant by the root. It has narcotic properties and can be used as an aphrodisiac. It is prized by Witches for use as a poppet, as the root resembles the body of a human. The root is hard to come by and generally will be dried. To reactivate the mandrake root for magickal use, place in a glass or crystal bowl filled with spring water and a quartz crystal and leave out under the moon – it will be charged according to which moon you leave it under, waxing (for building), waning (for banishing), dark (divination) or full (just about anything).
Mugwort: Use to enhance psychic powers (burn in incense) and prophetic dreams (drink a cup of tea before bed and place some under the pillow). Purify any items you use for divination and prophecy (such as a crystal ball) by placing them in an infusion of the herb and also store some of it dried with your Tarot cards and runes, etc. It can also be used in protection spells, and spells to do with physical endurance (Roman soldiers used to place it in their shoes before commencing long marches) and libido.
A Few Essentials
It’s a good idea to have a basic supply of a few commonly used herbs and oils. If you are doing a spell from a book it will often have a lengthy list of ingredients and, especially if the book was written overseas, some of these may be very hard to come by. From experience I have found that there are a few staples that will get you through any ritual, because it’s OK to substitute if you really can’t get hold of something.
One essential is frankincense gum. It can be used in any spell and its purification and protective powers always come in handy. Another good thing to have is some sandalwood, either the chips or the powder. It also has protective and purification powers and can be substituted for any missing ingredient in healing spells.
Dragon’s Blood Powder is another staple. It can be used as a purification and protection agent and is an important ingredient for spells focusing on love energy. The above three substances might seem bizarre and exotic but they are easily available at New Age and Witchcraft supply stores.
I always have a jar of rosemary on hand too as it has purification qualities and can be added to any healing and love sachets, or incense mixes. Mugwort is another essential. It is often called ‘the Witches’ herb’ as it pops up in heaps of spells, mainly for the role it plays in increasing psychic powers.
Lavender oil is an important staple. It’s not too expensive and can be used in spells of protection, purification, healing and love. Bergamot oil is another I always have on hand now. It has qualities of protection and is good for attracting prosperity in all areas of life. I also always have basil oil on hand as it is great for spells that