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
