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CALAMUS — Calamus is associated with money and luck, but also has legendary abilities to heal and protect. Depending upon the candle colors you choose, Calamus provides a powerful ally for all of these purposes. Use with red, pink, purple, white or blue candles. A word of caution, however: Calamus is poisonous and should be used with extreme care. (EO)

CALIPH’S BELOVED — This love oil, with a middle-eastern inspiration, is recommended for use in the early stages of a romance to turn things from a friendship into a sexual encounter. Wear or use on red candles. (O)

• CAMELLIA — Most New Orleans practitioners consider Camellia the queen of all money oils, because it is associated not just with enhancing cash flow, but with great riches. To make Camellia oil most effective in its money-drawing function, mix an eighth ounce of Camellia with a couple drops of Vetivert, a couple drops of Cinnamon, and one drop of Patchouli. (I, EO)

CAMPHOR — Although seldom used by itself, Camphor is a potent controlling oil, used to influence people or situations. It adds strength to any recipe and may be used with equal effect in white or black magical procedures. (EO)

CARDAMOM — Although Cardamom isn’t the pleasantest scent on the market, it’s widely attributed to stimulate carnal love. Normally, in a love potion, it is used with other flower or herbal scents due to its potent aroma. Use Cardamom cautiously! (NOTE: Cardamom is a pharmaceutical grade oil and costs $7 per quarter ounce. This oil does not qualify for discounts.) (EO)

• CARNATION — If you or someone you know is experiencing health problems, carve the ill individual’s name on a white, yellow, or orange candle and anoint with Carnation oil. (EO)

CAT’S BLOOD — Despite its decidedly gruesome (and misleading) name, this is one of southern candleburning’s legendary uncrossing/protecting recipes. It is particularly useful in situations where an actual hex has been placed. Use with red or purple candles. Works well in combination with Obeah, African Ju Ju, and Commanding/Compelling. (O)

CEDAR — As you might expect from its anti-moth capabilities, Cedar is widely associated with protection, but it has the added attributes of purification and prosperity. Use with white, purple, yellow, pink, or blue candles. (EO)

CHAMOMILE — This oil has particular rewards for gamblers, although it also has qualities of money-drawing, relaxation, and purification. Considered very lucky, Chamomile may be used with yellow, blue, green or white candles. (EO)

CHERRY — Cherry is associated with love in many traditions, but within New Orleans circles it is regarded as a mild commanding oil, similar in effect to As You Please. It is also considered a “psychological” oil because it is believed to lighten one’s mood and inspire confidence. Use with white, pink, red, yellow, or blue candles. (EO)

• CHOCOLATE — Everybody knows that few things smooth over a love problem like a box of chocolates, so this gives you a clue to how Chocolate oil works. Its power is to sweeten another person’s disposition and get them to seek ways to act more pleasantly toward you. Add a drop to any love or success oil. Use with yellow, red or brown candles. (EO)

CHRYSANTHEMUM — Chrysanthemum has only one attribution that I could find — protection. However, its reputation in that regard is quite impressive. Use with white, red or purple candles. (EO)

CHUPAROSA — According to legend, the person wearing this oil — male or female — will not be turned down when it comes to love and romance. The oil is used to attract love and to ensure that when you meet someone interesting, he/she will return your passion in full. Wear or use with red or pink candle symbolizing the person you love. (O)

CHYPRE — Another classic New Orleans luck oil, Chypre is recommended for any game of chance, particularly card games. Use by rubbing a couple drops into each palm prior to playing. Chypre may also be used with yellow or green candles. (O)

• CINNAMON — Cinnamon is associated with all manner of positive things. In Scott Cunningham’s “Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs,” spirituality, success, healing, power, psychic powers, lust, protection and love are all attributed to Cinnamon. In fact, while Cinnamon is a very positive oil, it is seldom used by itself. Rather, it is combined with other oils where it serves as a “catalyst” to activate or energize the other herbs. For example, a drop or two of Cinnamon oil added to Fast Luck, would make a more dynamic, faster working blend. (I, EO)

CITRONELLA — Although Citronella may turn mosquitoes off, within the New Orleans tradition it is believed to attract friends to your home and success to your business. Fine used by itself or in combination with luck and/or money oils. Use with white, yellow, or green candles. (EO)

CIVET — Despite its funky odor, Civet is an ingredient in many expensive perfumes. Associated in folklore with lust and passion, it is frequently used in combination with Ambergris and Musk. Use this one sparingly, because many practitioners feel that it is a commanding fragrance. (EO)

• CLEO MAY — Cleo May is similar to Thrifty in many ways, except it is particularly used in romantic situations where a woman has to contend with an extraordinarily stingy lover. Wear this oil when you are in his presence or use it on a pink or green candle representing the person you wish to influence. (O)

• CLEOPATRA — Cleopatra is one of New Orleans’ most exotic love fragrances. Its complex formula is unparalleled for invoking sexual possibilities into one’s life. Normally it is used either alone or in combination with a red candle to materialize a lover. Often burned in combination with Fast Luck, Commanding/Compelling, Flaming Power, Venus, or Goddess of Love. (O)

CLOSE YOUR PATH — This oil is similar to Bottom #20, but works somewhat differently. It shields you from negative energy, but doesn’t send it back at the sender. Instead, it works to close the paths of your enemies so they encounter so much bad luck that they don’t have time to obsess about you. Use on purple or black candles, depending upon the seriousness of the situation. (O)

• CLOVE — Although Clove is associated with love in most magical formularies, it is actually a love-compelling fragrance, i.e., a mild commanding oil. While I never recommend using commanding or compelling oils in romantic situations, a single drop of Clove oil added to an eighth of an ounce of Rose oil is a potent, but strictly white magical love oil. Clove is also associated in many traditions with protection and money, although these are probably minor talents. Used with red, pink, purple, and blue candles. (EO)

• COCONUT — This tropical palm’s fragrance is associated with purification and protection, although many practitioners insist that it’s particularly potent in encouraging chastity. Use with white, yellow, or blue candles. (I, EO)

COFFEE — As you might suspect, Coffee is used as a “catalyst” or activating factor in recipes to lend fire and energy to the other herbal components. Similar in effect to Cinnamon and Allspice, but a contrast to these two spices because it is a bean. Coffee is prominent in South and Latin American magical rites, signaling power, energy and stamina. Use with red, yellow, green or purple candles. (O)

• COME TO ME — Perhaps more bottles of oil and sticks of this incense are sold than any other New Orleans love potion! This recipe is a subtle but forceful “invitation” to romance. It may be used by both men and women. The most commonly employed spell is to carve your intended’s name on a red candle and anoint it with Come To Me. Its incense form provides a potent backdrop to any ritual aimed at invoking love. (I, O)

COMMANDING/COMPELLING — I do not recommend the use of this formula to novice practitioners because it can slip too easily into the black arts. The positive use for this recipe is protection. However, it can also be coercive and used to manipulate another person’s will. This potion is used with purple candles. Commanding/Compelling is sometimes used by people with legal problems who seek to force issues to their advantage. The one potentially nasty component in this recipe is Patchouli which has very dark associations in most herbal grimoires. Indeed, in the New Orleans tradition, Patchouli is considered the perfect substitute for graveyard dirt in hexing recipes! Most candle practitioners consider Patchouli too baneful to be used by itself. Fortunately, the Commanding/Compelling formula has several components which balance the Patchouli and filter its more obnoxious qualities. Although powerful in effect, this recipe is also subtle in how it wields influence. Use with purple candles. (I, O)

CONCENTRATION — Students take note! This is the New Orleans antidote to a wandering mind. To use, place a drop below your nose prior to studying or taking a test. You may anoint a blue candle with this oil to bring luck with tests. Senior citizens who find their minds aren’t functioning as they once did often use this oil to improve mental acuity. (O)

CONFUSION — While the Confusion formula is technically a hexing potion, it has important uses as a protective fragrance. This incense is designed to bring confusion to a situation and is often employed to break up illicit love affairs and bring chaos to the plans of enemies. This formula has also been used to confuse obnoxious creditors. To employ this for purposes of protection, use with white or purple candles. (O)

CONQUERING GLORY — This is a very powerful commanding and success combination useful in business, legal, and competitive situations. Many athletes wear this oil during a game. Use with yellow, purple, orange or red candles. (O)

CONTROLLING — Controlling oil is somewhat similar to Commanding, except it is used to confine situations rather than instigate them. This oil is often used to stop infidelity or to put an end to unruly behavior by children. It can also be used to limit another person’s influence in your life, particularly if they are meddling in some way. Use with purple or orange candles. (O)

CORIANDER — Coriander is an herb mostly associated with healing and, to a lesser extent, with love. While it is fine used alone, more often it is combined with love and other healing oils. Use with white, yellow or blue candles. (EO)

CROSSING (Double Cross) — Although Crossing is a so-called hexing recipe, it can be highly effective in returning evil spells or bad vibes to the person sending them. While incenses like Uncrossing, House Dressing and Joy merely lift negativity from your shoulders, Crossing goes a step further by sending it back, full force, to from whence it came. For protection, burn with purple or red candles. After using Crossing, be sure to burn Uncrossing incense to clear the vibe from your space. (O)

• CROWN OF SUCCESS — Of all the New Orleans potions designed to attract success, this is my personal favorite. Use in conjunction with a green and brown candle. If you can find it, sprinkle some gold glitter around the candles. Crown of Success is a combination of four ingredients, all of which are highly positive in nature. The difference between the Crown of Success and Success formulas is that Crown of Success has an uncrossing frequency which removes obstacles that may be in your path. Also, Crown of Success is more related to worldly attainment than to a broader definition of success. (I, O)

CRUCIBLE OF COURAGE — Do you tend to be meek? Do you too often lose heart at critical moments? If so, candleburning tradition recommends this classic formula. Use with purple candles or wear the oil to important events. Burning this incense with power or commanding recipes is considered especially effective. (I, O)

CUCUMBER — Said to inspire chastity and healing, Cucumber is also reputed to promote fertility in a marriage. Interestingly, in some New Orleans formularies, Cucumber is said to place impediments in the path of those it is used on. Other formularies associate the Cucumber with the male reproductive organ which it is said to symbolize and influence. Apparently, Cucumber is very susceptible to the intentions of the user and takes its cue from the purpose of your candle ritual. Use with red, pink, yellow, or black candles. (EO)

CYCLAMEN — This oil has many functions, mostly associated with the lustful side of love. In the New Orleans tradition, Cyclamen is alleged to increase fertility and to inspire sexual passion. Other traditions view Cyclamen differently, regarding it as highly protective. Its particular ability in this regard is to help stave off grief or heartache. Wear or use with a white, red, yellow, blue or pink candle. (O)

CYPRESS — Cypress is a controlling fragrance and is most commonly employed by parents on unruly, disobedient children. It is similar to I Can, You Can’t in impact. Cypress may also be employed when working on addictions or other troublesome habits, to add magical power to counseling or other de-addiction therapies. Use with orange or purple candles. (EO)

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DAISY — Associated with love in almost every tradition, the Daisy bespeaks innocence, romance, and flirtation. Not a particularly lustful plant (like Jasmine), Daisies are a bridge between platonic friendship and a deeper relationship. They are seductive in a subtle way, but always with a playful, childlike vibe. Use with pink or white candles. (O)

DAMBALAH — Dambalah is the high god of Voodoo and this oil, although potentially vicious in its results, is primarily a justice oil to be used against those who have wronged you. Dambalah is relentless and merciless when it comes to dispensing vengeance, so this oil should be reserved for only the most serious offenses. Use with a black candle on which you’ve carved the villain’s name. (O)

DESIRE — This oil is designed for lesbians and gay men to inspire sexual desire in a person of the same sex as the user. Wear or use to anoint red candles representing yourself or your intended if you have someone specific in mind. See also, Dryad, Antinous and Kundalini for similar oils. (O)

DILL — When used positively, Dill is considered very powerful to invoke money and protective spirits. However, you may also mix it with any love oil to amplify the lust levels or, when combined with hexing herbs, Dill lends a vicious psychic dimension to their mischief. Use with green, yellow, or white candles. (EO)

DOGWOOD BLOSSOM — Dogwood has a wide renown as a wishing oil, but most practitioners agree that it’s also highly protective. To use as a wishing oil, write your desire on a piece of paper and place it face up under the candle holder. Use a white, pink or yellow candle upon which you carve your name. (EO)

DOUBLE ACTION — This is an unusual recipe which may be added to any other mixture to increase its potency. It can be used to enhance the action any positive or negative potion. However, it is next to useless by itself. It is only when it is mixed with other oils that it achieves its power. Use with white, yellow, green, blue, red or pink candles. (O)

DOVE’S BLOOD — Dove’s Blood is an uncrossing and protection formula that works powerfully on both fronts. It is particularly useful for mending a broken heart and for resolving problems within a family or between lovers. Dove’s Blood is particularly effective when used in combination with an oil designed to bring happiness or joy. Use with white, red, or purple candles. (O)

• DOVE’S HEART — No recipe from the New Orleans tradition has a stronger reputation for resolving love problems. Pining away from a broken heart? Reach for the Dove’s Heart. Feeling neglected? Reach for the Dove’s Heart. Being cheated on by a spouse? Reach for the Dove’s Heart (as well as some Spikenard — see below). Burn alone or in combination with a white, pink, or yellow candle. Excellent when used in combination with Uncrossing, Holy Spirit, Van Van, Joy, and Altar. (I, O)

• DRAGON’S BLOOD — Next to High John the Conqueror, this rare oil is considered the most protective and positive in the New Orleans repertoire. It may be used to add power to any positive purpose from uncrossing to love. Use with white, blue, purple or red candles. See Draw Back, below. (I, EO)

DRAW ACROSS — This recipe is used to bring someone (or something) to you, be it a lover, a business opportunity, or a friend you haven’t heard from for a while. Carve the person’s name (or the name of the company) on a purple or brown candle and anoint with Draw Across. (O)

• DRAW BACK — If someone is threatening you and you need to push them away, Draw Back is renowned for its protective and forceful handling of negative individuals or events. Draw Back is strictly defensive and is normally used only as an incense. Burn in combination with Uncrossing, Obeah, or Seven African Powers. Use with pink, blue, red or purple candles. Draw Back is another name for Dragon’s Blood (see above). (I, EO)

DRYAD — Dryad is a classic New Orleans oil to be used exclusively by gay men. The oil has two functions — attracting and keeping a lover. Wear it to attract and use it to anoint orange candles to maintain and protect the relationship. (O)

DUME — Dume is one of the most notorious New Orleans recipes designed to pay back someone who has harmed you in some way. Similar to Brass Knuckles, Black Arts, Weed of Misfortune, and Relentless, this oil should never be employed offensively, but when used defensively it is believed to inflict a karmic slap that can sometimes prove quite debilitating. Use with black candles only. (O)