Potent Potions & Witches' Brews
They're not always what you think
*NOTE: The video and podcast editions of this post are in progress and should be up later today. Save yourself frustration and wait for the emails. It’s possible they might not be up until Monday morning. It’s was a holiday weekend for us (No Kings) plus a grandson’s birthday!
I do not say “thank you for your patience” because I am so deeply appreciative of your impatience. I’ll go as fast as I can.
Potent potions & Witches’ brews
The words call up the image of a black iron cauldron suspended over an open fire, filled with bubbling green goo. It usually smells awful and has ingredients straight out of a nightmare.
The reality is far different. Wise women of old were forbidden by law to practice medicine. Yet they knew the power of herbs to heal. So they had to ply their trade under cover, make it a silly superstition instead of a local medical practice. Body parts for which part of the plant, animals or people for which plant was to be used.
Blood means sap, head means blossom, heart means seed, foot mean root, arms and hands are branches and leaves, and so on. The furry leaves of the mullein plant become the ear of a lamb. If it’s a newborn lamb, then the very smallest leaves. The head of a queen might be the blossom of a rose, but that of a princess, might mean a rosebud. The sahlep root or orchis mascula is famously shaped like a human hand, and is called for in many spells.
But it’s all code for herbs. So nobody try to acquire the ingredients they might find described in an old spell book! That shit would be Ash Vs. The Evil Dead all over again!
Herbs, Herbs, Herbs
Ohhh, how I love this website I’m about to share with you right here. Read the rest first, then come back and click the image to explore JEAN’S GREENS. She has all kinds of herbs, whole leaf as well as ground herbs, and a plethora of tea-making supplies and a whole lot more. I’ve been shopping on this site for more than a decade.
What are potions?
Same as brews. So what are brews? Anything you brew, as in bubble, simmer, steep. Potions are just magically charged herbal teas. Don’t be disappointed. This means you already know how to make them.
My very favorite novels often feature one character who knows how to make all kinds of magical herbal teas. Magical, because she enchants them, but also because she uses the right herbs in the right combinations for excellent flavor as well as medicinal and other sorts of benefits. A few rose petals can add a boost of romance to your life, while mint can bring good fortune and wealth.
I have several tea balls that I like to use. They are either metal with holes or mesh spheres, and you can open them, fill them with your herbal blend, close them again, and the drop into a cup of boiling hot water to steep.
I am particularly fond of another method, though, the Press and Brew sealable teabags from Jeans Greens. They come in two sizes, small for a single cup of tea, or large for a whole pitcher of tea. And they seal with heat.
Now the instructions say to fill the bag with herbs, then lay the bag on its side, and press the open edge with a flat-iron. However, it’s far easier and faster to use your hair-straighter. Clamp it on the edge of the teabag, count to three, and it’s sealed. That’s like a little bit of magic right there.
Step by Step Magical Tea (Potion) Making
CHOOSE THE GOAL
First, choose your goal for the tea. Is it for relaxation, sleep, calm? Is it for energy, vim, & vigor? Is it for victory? Is it for attracting love or money? Is it for finding the solution to a problem? Be very clear about the goal.MULL ON THE GOAL
Once the goal is set, mull on it a bit longer. This time think about how you’ll feel when you achieve the goal or acquire the thing. Then think of other things in your life that make you feel that way now, or that have brought that feeling to you in the past. Spend some time focused on those things, which will raise your vibration to match the goal.CHOOSE THE HERBS
Check your reference books (I recommend Incense, Oils, & Brews by Scott Cunningham, my personal go-to book for magical teas.) Read about the qualities of herbs, and make a list of those that match your goal. Then pick from among them according to what flavors you think might compliment each other. Do not be afraid to experiment! That’s how we learn.
Do not pick at random, though. Take a few breaths, focus your intent, soften your vision’s focus, and pick the ones that feel like they want to be chosen. Pick what speaks to you. Feel the subtle energies shift when you consider one, in a different way than when you’re considering others. This is important work.
The number of different herbs you choose is an opportunity to sprinkle some numerology into your potion. Choose the number that matches your goal, 1 for beginnings, 2 for decisions, 3 for integration, 4 for foundation, 5 for gathering resources, 6 for balance and perfection, 7 for love and creativity, 8 for victory and competition, 9 for completion and manifestation. (That’s very broad and general. Get a good numerology book to get deeper insights.)CHARGE THE HERBS
Hold your hands palms-down over the herbs and push your will into them. Speak to them, and tell them which of their energies to share in your brew. Each plant has hundreds of qualities. Call up the ones you most need.
GRIND HERBS & FILL THE TEA BAG
After grinding the herbs as finely as you can, using mortar and pestle* or grinder, scoop the herbs into the teabag or tea-ball. If using a tea ball, put in all the ground herbs you can fit. *If mortar and pestle, you should continue charging them with magical intent as you grind.
If using Press and Brew teabags, leave 1/2” or so of headspace so there’s room to seal the teabag. When the teabag is full, squeeze it in your pre-heated hair straightener or press with an iron. Hold for a few seconds, and it’s done.EMPOWER
I like to put my teabags into a clear glass jar. That way, I can charge them even further by leaving them in the light of a full moon or lunar eclipse, or of lightning and rain, or of the sun for a little while (too long will sap the flavor) so they can absorb those energies, if they match the main goal. Eclipses reveal things, for example, and lightning is pure power and energy, and a full moon vibes with completion and manifestation.
This is an extra step, but it’s unnecessary. You’ve already empowered the brew.BREW & ENCHANT
Heat your water until it whistles. OR pour cold water over the herbs and place in a sunny window to make sun tea. This part’s important: Use spring water, or untreated well water. No chlorine. No fluoride. Not bottled in plastic. You want living water.
As you pour the water over the teabag or tea ball in your cup, say:
Sister leaf and brother shoot, Stem and seed, and bud and root, Arise, awake and heed my call Empower this brew for the good of all! So mote it be.
IMBIBE
Sip the tea in a silent, contemplative state. Location counts. Choose an outdoor space with nature surrounding you. Choose an indoor place near a window, so nature spreads out before you. If it’s warm enough, open the window. Take your time. Drink the tea, and you drink the magic.
SOME RECIPES
For Passion (aphrodisia)
Rose petals (4 to 5 parts)
1 part each of clove, nutmeg, ginger
a few shredded bits of orange peel, maybe a tablespoon full
To Enhance Psychic Powers - Visions
3 parts Rose petals
1 part Mugwort
1 part Cinnamon
1 part Nutmeg
Money Brew
3 parts Sassafrass
1 part each allspice, clove, dill, vetiver, calamus
Healing Brew
Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Cinnamon in equal parts
Purification and/or Sleep Brew
Lemon verbena, chamomile, Lemon peel shreds (equal parts.)
In the summertime, make sun teas, put them in the fridge, and drink throughout the day. Mint and cucumber and other cooling herbs can even help us beat the heat a bit.
Special Waters
Aside from brewing the teas, you can create special waters:
Moon Water: Bless the water, perform the Great Rite in Token, let it soak in the moonlight overnight, but bring it inside before dawn, and then cover it and never let it be exposed to any light other than moonlight or candlelight. For magical uses.
Sun Water: Same thing, only leave it soaking in the sun. The energy will be far different. This water loves to live in windows, near light. Wrap in white cloth by night.
House and Space Purification Water: Choose any 9 herbs in a non-metallic bowl or pot. Cover with rain water and let soak, covered and in the dark, for 3 days. Strain, then use for asperging yourself, your home, your sacred space, or anything at all.
Bath Teas
If you choose the larger sized Press and Brew teabags, and pack two or three of them full of herbs, you can steep them in your bathtub. Draw the bath as hot as possible, and drop two or three of the large teabags into the bath.
For relaxation and peaceful sleep, blend lavender, valerian, datura, chamomile, elder (don’t burn it!) and grind together while you are in the most relaxed state you can achieve while awake. You need to be really chilled out before you even begin. Then grind clockwise with a mortar and pestle all the herbs listed, or all the ones you have on hand, that’s fine. While you grind, you might sing,
Lullaby and goodnight, sleep sound and sleep tight, deep rest and quiet dreams, Peace on silver moonbeams
Make a few teabags at a time. They’ll smell great in the bathroom while they await their turn in the water. And since they’re contained in a bag, you don’t have to worry about clogging your drain. After use, remove the teabag and drop into your composter or compost pile.
Turn a locket into an amulet
If you have a locket without a photo inside, you can place a pinch of your magically charged herbs inside, and wear it to attract what you want.
If it’s love, put in two rose petals, one white, one red. Grind those up with some unbleached raw sugar with your mortal and pestle.
Get yourself into a really lovey-dovey mood by watching or reading a romance, and thinking about the scenes that took your breath away.
As you grind, say:
Soulmate, partner, I decree, Lover lover come to me, As I will, so mote it be!
Keep your ideal one in mind as you do this. Think of all the qualities you want. An even temperament, a progressive mindset, a pastime they’re passionate about, bonus if it’s also their job. A sense of humor, a pretty face, a sexy bod, a decent rod, not too possessive, but just the right amount of attentive. And so on.
Most will tell you not to do this with a specific person in mind. I have a work-around. If you really are longing for someone real, you’re not going to be able to set that wish aside while you’re working, even if you try.
So to avoid manipulative magic, try thinking of the reasons you want that person. The things you love about them. This way it’s the qualities you're casting for, and they just happen to have them all.
Be sure, since you’re really walking a line here, to include in your spell, the line, “With good to all and harm to none,” before your so final so mote it be. You can also add, “Let this spell in no way reverse, nor result in any curse.”
Hey, let me know if you’re enjoying our new video and podcast editions in the comments! Talk to you soon!
