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ABRAMELIN — Abramelin oil is a classic from ceremonial magic. The recipe is given in the grimoire “The Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin” and it may be used in any sort of ceremony aimed at a white magical goal. Use to anoint white candles. (O)

ACACIA — Acacia is a sacred oil used in many incenses aimed at enhancing clarity of thought and purification of the environment. Normally Acacia is blended with other fragrances to add a spiritual component to a mixture. Many practitioners suggest that Acacia is exceptionally useful for developing psychic abilities and many feel that it is also mildly protective. Use with white or yellow candles. (EO)

AFRICAN JU JU — See Ju Ju (African).

AFRICAN PLUM — Plum is associated with attracting and maintaining love. It is this latter function which gives Plum its potent reputation as a problem-solver in love situations. Plum is also useful for getting a love affair to blossom into something more and to keep the relationship growing in new and exciting ways. Use with pink and red candles. (EO)

AGAINST HARM — This oil is used to protect oneself from violence, whether verbal or physical. Basically, this is a strong protection oil and is normally used only in direful situations. You may wear this oil or use it to anoint purple or white candles. (O)

AL ANIMA SOLA — This is a Santeria oil that’s very popular among candleburning aficionados. Its purpose is to help the spirits of the dead cross over peacefully into their next life. It is used with white candles only. It is traditional when a person dies to burn a white candle anointed with this oil for three days following the death. After that, the oil is used once a year, normally on the deceased’s birthday, as a memorial. (O)

ALL NIGHT LONG — This oil is believed to have aphrodisiac powers and to inspire prolonged lovemaking. It is useful in marriages where the sex has gone stale or to help a shy lover overcome his/her inhibitions and turn in a stellar performance. You may either wear this oil or use it to anoint a red candle representing your intended. (O)

• ALL SAINTS — This African-inspired classic is a potent anointing oil for healing, success, and uncrossing rituals where the cooperation of the highest spiritual planes is desired. Due to its complex recipe, this oil is rarely available and I cannot guarantee how long I’ll be able to keep it in stock. Each of the 7 African deities is represented by an herbal oil and it is both loving and powerful in its effects. Use on white, yellow, or blue candles. (O)

ALLSPICE — Allspice is one of magic’s super nice guys. It is said to draw money, good health, and to enhance luck. It may be used alone or in combination with other oils. Because Allspice has a “fiery” nature, it is what practitioners call a catalyst. In some ways it is similar to Cinnamon in effect, but somewhat less frenetic. Use with white, yellow and green candles. (EO)

ALMOND — Almond is said to be a money attractor, and is associated with several of the prosperity incense and oil recipes. However, it is also related to the growth of wisdom and is an excellent meditation fragrance. Perhaps the connection to prosperity and success comes from Almond’s ability to stimulate sound ideas. Use with white, blue, pink, or yellow candles. (EO)

ALTAR — When New Orleans candle practitioners work a white magic spell, they generally use one of three so-called “altar incenses” — Altar, Holy Spirit, or Van Van. The altar incense is regarded as separate from all other incenses that may be used in a ritual and is alleged to “pull” helpful spirits to the altar. Altar incenses are used to open and close a candle ritual. Since all of Altar’s ingredients are purely white magical in nature, it must never be used in any sort of harmful procedure. Altar may be used with any candle color except black to enhance the positive impact of other incenses and oils you may use and ensure that only sunny spiritual personalities attend your working. (O)

AMBER — Amber is used as an ingredient in recipes aimed at calming, relaxing and bringing peace to a situation. Although it may be used by itself to good effect, more often it is combined with other oils. Use with white, blue, or yellow candles. (EO)

AMBERGRIS — Long a staple in perfumes, Ambergris is associated with passion, lust, and sexuality. Originally this scent was extracted from the stomach of sperm whales, but nowadays high quality synthetic versions are available. Use with red candles. (EO)

• ANGEL — A lovely, sacred fragrance, particularly useful to help healing and to remember the dead. Use with white or yellow candles only. When conducting a memorial service for a deceased loved one, carve his/her name on a white candle and anoint with Angel oil. (I, O)

ANGELICA — This essential oil is a component in many of the sacred incenses, particularly those deemed to help cleanse one’s environment or aura of negativity. Said to be helpful for those who suspect they may have entered this life with bad karma. Often employed when there appears to be no hope left. Use with white, pink, or yellow candles. (EO)

ANISE — Anise is associated with the qualities of protection and purification. It is a highly spiritual herb, ruled by Jupiter. In the Italian Strega tradition, it is considered a potent protection against the Evil Eye and evil spirits in general. Some herbal practitioners feel that Anise is helpful in restoring youth! Use with white, yellow or brown candles. (EO)

ANTINOUS — This is a recipe designed specifically for gay men to attract a lover. The effect of this oil is similar to Dryad, described below. Wear or use on a red candle representing yourself. (O)

APPLE — Although Apple is often associated with sexual temptation, its magical attributes are to peace and contentment. Use with white, pink, yellow, or blue candles. (EO)

APPLE BLOSSOM — Although Apple Blossom has similar meanings to Apple, the blossoms are mostly associated with love and romance. You may wear this oil or use it with white or pink candles. (O)

APRICOT — Within the New Orleans tradition, Apricot is associated with love and the protection of love. It is believed to be a mild aphrodisiac. Use with red, pink, or yellow candles. (EO)

ARABIAN NIGHTS — This classic love oil enjoyed great popularity in New Orleans magical circles around the turn of the century. Based on an ancient Persian recipe, it is said to cast an irresistible magnetic allure around the person who wears it. It may also be used to anoint red candles. (O)

ASTARTE — This is one of my favorite love potions and for years I’ve had clients rave about its effectiveness. Astarte is a Middle East formula and although it doesn’t employ herbs common to the New Orleans tradition, it is uniquely powerful to attract new opportunities for love. It is also considered by many practitioners to be a potent aphrodisiac while making love. Use alone or with red or pink candles. This love incense also lends itself to use with other incenses such as Fast Luck, Goddess of Love, Venus, All Night Long, Scorpio, and Attraction. (O)

ASTROLOGICAL OILS — Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces — Every astrological sign has a traditional formula associated with it. Many practitioners consider a ritual that doesn’t employ their astrological incense or oil as half complete. Astrological scents can be burned to attune your environment to the specific vibrations of your sign. A common use for astrological oils is to symbolize various individuals in a candle ritual. For example, if you are working a love spell and you are a Virgo while your intended is a Taurus, burning Virgo and Taurus oils together helps to clarify your wish. Often one’s astrological oil is burned in combination with an incense such as Crown of Success, Success, Fast Luck, Venus, etc., depending upon the specific nature of your intended result. (O)

AS YOU PLEASE — This recipe is used to break down barriers between people, particularly in the romantic arena. It is believed to loosen inhibitions, remove psychological or physical obstacles, and cause a willing surrender on the part of your intended. Although this is technically a compelling formula, it is a very gentle one. As You Please is sometimes used by business people to soften up a recalcitrant loan officer or investor. Use with brown, red, green and purple candles. (O)

• ATTRACTION — Whether you wish to attract love, success, passion, or luck, the Attraction formula is designed to amplify the power of any white magical working. Normally Attraction is burned in combination with other incenses because it is non-specific in function until you define your desire through candles, oils, or other incense fragrances. For example, if you combine Attraction with Fast Luck, it will amplify the impact of that recipe. If you combine Attraction with Cleopatra, it will cause that potion to be even more dynamic. If you burn Attraction with a red candle, it will bring love; if you burn it with a yellow candle, it will bring joy; if you burn it with a blue candle, it will bring peace and better communication. (I, O)

• AUNT ANNA WISHBONE — There are several “wishing” potions in the New Orleans repertoire, but none is more heralded than Aunt Anna Wishbone. You can wear this oil (particularly while meditating or before you go to sleep at night), you may use it on candles (white, yellow or pink) or you can use it to anoint photos of something you want or need. (I, O)

AUNT SALLY DREAM — New Orleans practitioners placed great stock in dreams, believing they could bring prophetic information about forthcoming events, lucky numbers, and love. To use, place a drop under your nose before going to sleep or anoint blue, yellow, or pink candles. (O)

AZALEA — Azalea is a so-called “magnetic” oil, alleged to attract people or possessions to you. Normally it is used in combination with other oils which symbolize the specific thing you wish to attract — love, money, luck, etc. Use with white, pink, red, green, blue, or yellow candles. (EO)

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BANANA — This tropical scent is a delightful oil which is said to inspire sexual passion, fertility (particularly in men), and luck. In some traditions it is used to symbolize the male reproductive organ. Use with yellow, red, green, or pink candles. (EO)

BASIL — Basil is alleged to stimulate sensuality. In the Haitian voodoo tradition, Basil is associated with the love goddess Erzulie. In addition to sexual stimulation, Basil is also associated with financial success in business ventures and some practitioners claim that it has special benefits in controlling marital infidelity. Use with red, green, or yellow candles. (NOTE: Basil oil is only available in pharmaceutical form and costs $6.00 per bottle. Discounts do not apply to this oil.) (EO)

BAT’S HEART — If an ex-lover did you wrong, Bat’s Heart oil is a quick and nasty remedy. It has several effects. First, it throws disharmony and stress into the life of the cad; second, it helps you to forget the rat; and third, it ensures that he/she will never do unto another what he/she did unto you! Use with black or purple candles. (O)

BAY — Within the New Orleans tradition, Bay is felt to be the most protective of all fragrances. Very often a potentially threatening situation can be controlled using Bay oil alone. Many candle practitioners place a bay leaf over each transom in their homes to serve as a constant watchdog over their security. Use this oil on purple, green, red, or green candles. (EO)

BAYBERRY — Bayberry is a particularly interesting oil because it has two completely opposite attributions. First, it is associated with prosperity and good vibes (which is why many folks often burn Bayberry candles at the holiday season). However, Bayberry has a darker side and when mixed with baneful herbs it takes on a positively gloomy character. Used by itself with green or yellow candles, however, it is perfectly safe and can produce good results. (EO)

BEND OVER — As you might expect from its name, Bend Over is a commanding recipe, but very subtle in how it works. The purpose of this scent is to get others to willingly perform favors for you or to gently push an obstructive person (or situation) aside. Use with purple candles. It is important when using Bend Over that you symbolize your specific goals through other candles on the altar (such as green if you’re working for money or success, blue if you’re seeking communication or peace, red if you’re looking for love., etc.) See Thrifty, Instigation, and As You Please for other “gentle persuaders.” (O)

BENEFICIAL DREAM — Light a stick before you go to sleep and this potion is said to inspire prophetic dreams. Normally this recipe is employed by those seeking to dream numbers to play the lottery, but it is also said to inspire visions of the future. Aside from this use, business people, artists, writers, and others looking for new and practical ideas could make good use of this blend. As a rule this incense is not burned with candles or other incenses. (I, O)

BENZOIN — Normally Benzoin is not used by itself but is added to other oils to bring speed and spiritual potency to a recipe. While this may not sound particularly exciting, it would be a mistake to ignore Benzoin’s protective and “activist” powers when combined with any positive-oriented recipe. (EO)

BERGAMOT — Money, money, money. This herb of Mercury is used either on candles or to anoint wallets and purses to attract wealth (or at least a steady cash flow). Use with yellow, green or brown candles. (EO)

• BETTER BUSINESS — As its name implies, this potion is specifically designed to help a business improve the bottom line. Use with green and gold candles, plus anoint over entrance doors, mail box, and telephone. (I, O)

BEWITCHING — This is a so-called “enchantment” oil which is alleged to bind others to you with a bond of love and affection. In a sense it is a mild commanding oil, but it works not through any sort of coercive energy, but playfully and with a gentle, seductive quality. Wear or use on pink or yellow candles. (O)

BLACK ARTS — I only carry this oil because I am a strong believer in free choice. I would never recommend its use and wish to warn anyone who employs it that it carries serious karmic consequences. Although there are several hexing oils in this catalog, this is by far the most devastating. Use only with black candles and keep in mind that what goes around comes around.... (O)

BLACK CANDLE TOBACCO — This is a very famous New Orleans recipe which is used in seemingly impossible legal situations. It is used to influence the judge and jury and to take fire away from your opponent’s case. Use with a black candle. (O)

BLACK CAT — Among the various luck oils, Black Cat is one of the most commonly employed. Although it is traditionally used with a Black Cat figure candle, it may also be used with ordinary black candles. Black Cat is most often prescribed when it is believed that a hex has been placed on someone’s luck. (O)

BLACK DEVIL — Despite its rather ominous name, Black Devil is used to control marital infidelity. It works by souring the adulterous relationship. Surreptitiously place a little bit in the philanderer’s shoes or use to anoint an orange or purple candle on which you carve the adulterer’s name. (O)

BLACK PEPPER — Often included in hexing recipes along with red pepper, Black Pepper is also an ingredient in certain “boomerang” recipes such as Flying Devil. This oil is almost never used by itself, but can be combined with other oils to stir up animosity. When used defensively, Black Pepper oil works quickly and often dramatically to return any evil being sent your way by a malevolent individual or group. Use with black candles only. (NOTE: Black Pepper is a pharmaceutical grade oil and costs $8 per quarter ounce. This oil does not qualify for discounts.) (EO)

• BLESSED — This has to be one of the nicest oils available. It is a “blessing oil,” i.e., an oil used to attract or bestow blessings. You may use it to bring nice things to yourself, or use it to draw good fortune to others. Use with a white, yellow, pink, or blue candle. (O)

• BLOCK BUSTER — If you are feeling blocked on every level and nothing’s moving in your life, particularly your career, this oil is legendary for kicking down walls and barriers and getting some action moving. This is a VERY POWERFUL uncrossing oil. Use with white, yellow, or purple candles. (I, O)

BLUEBERRY (Bilberry) — Blueberry has a mixed reputation. Some traditions believe that it is a protective fragrance while others attribute it to hexing. Probably the best way to make sense of this contradiction is to consider Blueberry a power fragrance that is highly susceptible to the intent of its user. While there are far more devastating hexing ingredients available to those who employ such things, Blueberry is generally used to inflict a slap rather than all-out vengeance. Use with purple or black candles. (EO)

BLUE BONNET — Blue Bonnet is a favorite among gamblers, particularly card players. Rub a little bit on the hands prior to playing or use with yellow or green candles. (EO)

BOSS FIX — Having problems with a surly, ill-mannered, tight-fisted boss? New Orleans has just the answer for you. Surreptitiously place a tiny bit under his desk or use on an orange candle representing him/her. (O)

BOTTOM #20 — This is a protection oil with “boomerang” abilities to return confusion and havoc to someone who may be bombarding you with negativity. This is what is known as a “double-action” oil, because it doesn’t just shield you, it pushes the bad vibe back upon those who sent it. If you prefer your protection to be somewhat less aggressive, I suggest either Fiery Wall of Protection or Protection. Use on purple candles. (O)

• BRASS KNUCKLES — If someone has harmed you, there are two possible courses open to you: forgive and forget OR hand it back in spades. If you opt for the second course, Brass Knuckles is a merciless karmic “twisting” recipe that not only returns the assault to the person who sent it, but it also magnifies it three-fold. While I do not recommend using this potion except under dire circumstances, I realize that there are situations that call for reprisal. I have employed this recipe in cases of domestic abuse and rape where police are unable or unwilling to act. Use with purple or black candles. Excellent when burned in combination with African Ju Ju, Commanding or Uncrossing. (I, O)