The Real Witches’ Kitchen: Spells, recipes, oils, lotions and potions from the Witches’ Hearth

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 (#ulink_f16c4996-0528-5c5d-87a0-bbb05aa96b9f)

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