Brews (also known as potions) may be as prosaic as herb tea, or as mystical as rainbow infusion. They stem from early magickal, ritual and medicinal preparations, and are as effective today as they were thousands of years ago. In herb magic, brews are little more than herbal infusions or teas. They needn't be prepared over an open fire in a forest clearing; your own stove or backyard will do nicely.
The brews on this page answer a variety of needs and are utilized in various ways. Some are drunk, others added to the bath, and still others prepared to release fragrant steam into the air, infusing the area with the sum total of the herb's vibrations.
It's the Water
The type of water used in brewing is of some importance. Well, spring and distilled waters are preferred over that which pours from the tap. You can buy these bottled or collect them from the source, so long as it's unpolluted and free running. Rain water is ideal for use, except when gathered in smoggy areas. Tap water can be used as a last resort, but consider purchasing the bottled variety in the future. Distilled water is used for medicinal preparations, "which is fine, but not for magickal operations, for it is inert." If your going to drink the brew (or even if you're not), distilled water is definitely better than chlorinated, fluoridated, bacteria filled tap water. If it's all you have, use it. Sea water and mineral water aren't recommended due to the high mineral content.
Brewing
The Heating
Fire, gas flame or stove coils will do for the heat source. I suppose you could prepare a brew in a microwave oven, but this isn't the best idea. If nothing else, it reduces some of the magic of the process. If you're the old finished kind, try making a brew in a fireplace or outdoors over a blaze.
The Vessels
It's best if the water and herbs don't come into direct contact with metal while brewing. There are few exceptions to this in herbalism. One is cauldron brewing, which is little practiced today. Herbal products prepared with double boilers may also require metal pots. But in general, avoid metal. Clear glass jars work well for Solar infusions. Simply place the water and herbs into the jar and set this in direct sunlight, preferably outdoors. Leave it there for most of the day. Some brews include here are made with glass jars of various colors.
The Brew
Not every brew included on this page is made in the following manner; use specific instructions where given. For a basic brew: Gather, grind and mix the herbs. For brews to be drunk, use a separate culinary mortar and pestle for grinding, not the one used for heavy-duty magickal herbs. Empower the herbs with your magickal goal. Heat about two cups water to boiling. Place about one handful of mixed, empowered herbs in a teapot or some other heat-proof, non-metallic container. Pour the water over the herbs. Cover with an equally nonmetallic, steam tight lid. Let the herbs brew for about 13 minutes. Strain through cheesecloth or a bamboo strainer, and use as directed.
Brews should be used as quickly as possible. If necessary, they can be stored in the refrigerator for three or four days. After this time return them to the Earth and create a new brew. A note regarding "love" potions. There are no drinks that will emotionally enslave another person to you, no brews that will cause love. However, some brews have long been celebrated for relaxing inhibitions and mellowing the emotions. Also, a few have been used to smooth over difficulties during long-term relationships and marriages. A few of these are included here, but they're definitely not love potions.
The Recipes
Aphrodisia: A passion drink
1 pinch Rosemary 2 pinches Thyme 2 tsp. Black Tea
1 pinch Coriander 3 fresh Mint leaves (or 1/2 tsp. dried) 5 fresh Rosebud petals (or 1 tsp. dried)
5 fresh Lemon tree leaves (or 1 tsp. dried Lemon peel) 3 pinches Nutmeg 3 pieces Orange peel
Place all ingredients into teapot. Boil three cups or so of water and add to the pot. Sweeten with honey, if desired. Serve hot.
Aphrodisia #2
5 parts Rose petals 1 part Clove 1 part Nutmeg
1 part Lavender 1 part Ginger
Make in the usual way, preferably in an earthen pot. Add this mixture to tea, or serve alone to increase the passions.
Cauldron of Cerridwen Brew (caution)
Acorns* Barley Honey
Ivy* Hellebore* Bay
Boil water in a cauldron over an open fire. Place all ingredients into the cauldron. Sit before it and entrance yourself by watching the flames. Smell its mystic scent and receive wisdom. (Do not drink. Why? It's poisonous, that's why)
Cauldron of Cerridwen Brew (nontoxic)
1 part Bay 1 part Tobacco 1 part Damiana 1 part Mormon Tea 1 part Broom Use according to the above directions.
Clairvoyance Brew
3 parts Rose petals 1 part Cinnamon 1 part Nutmeg
1 part Bay 1 part Mugwort
Place in teapot, fill with boiling water, let steep, covered, for a few minutes. Remove cover, sniff steam (not so that you burn your nose) for a few moments, visualize the mystic scent opening your psychic awareness, then lie down and prophesize. If you wish, drink a bit of the brew as well, and let the steam continue to rise as you stretch your psychic awareness.
Dream Tea
2 parts Rose petals 1 part Mugwort 1 part Peppermint
1 part Jasmine flowers 1/2 part Cinnamon
Mix. Add one teaspoon to a cup. Pour boiling water over this and let steep, covered, for a few minutes. Drink before going to bed to produce psychic dreams.
Exorcism Brew (caution)
3 parts Rosemary 1 part Bay 1 pinch Cayenne*
Mix, add one teaspoon mixture to a cup, pour boiling over the herbs and let steep for nine minutes, covered. Drink a few teaspoons a day, or add to the bath. (Cayenne pepper is marked here with a caution because it is a strong herb. Use with care and respect)
Headache Brew
Ingredients: A pinch of: White Willow bark, Blue Vervain, Feverfew leaves, Rosemary leaves, Skullcap.
Directions: Brew and drink half a teaspoons of dry tea daily. Can be used daily. DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR LACTATING.
Indications: The herbs in this blend can help relieve pain and fix the underlying cause. Chronic pain is often a signal of an underlying problem, so please get diagnosed by a doctor. Do not take this tea if you are pregnant or lactating. Always ask your doctor before taking any herbs
Headache or Insomnia Tea:
Put a pinch of Willow bark, Chamomile, Wild Clover, and a Catnip in a coffee filter in your coffee maker, (or a teaball in a mug) with enough water for one serving. Brew. (For insomnia, Willow bark can be excluded because it acts more as a pain inhibitor, I'd recommend putting it in the mixture anyway.) Within about 15 minutes to half and hour of drinking the mixture, you should feel quite tired and less sore. Be sure to have a comfortable place to sleep.
Tags: voodoo doll pictures book of shadows love spell astral projection wiccan creed authentic voodoo doll astral projection i astral projection i ancient gods and goddesses
