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• GALANGAL — See Ju Ju (African). Galangal is known within the New Orleans tradition as “Low John the Conqueror.” (I, EO)

GARDENIA — Gardenia is one of the most delicate and spiritual of all the floral scents. Associated with healing, peace, and love, you may use Gardenia with a white, yellow or pink candle. (EO)

GERANIUM — Geranium is associated with a number of positive things — health, love, and protection to name just a few. However, another lesser known attribute is fertility. Women are encouraged to wear this oil when seeking to conceive. Use with white,yellow, purple and pink candles. (EO)

GET OUT OF JAIL (Salir de la Carcel) — Its name says it all. This recipe is used to help a person get out of prison (through legal means). It also places a protective spell around the inmate to protect him while behind bars. Get Out Of Jail may also be employed when you are feeling “imprisoned” by circumstances within your life. In this sense, it works similarly to Uncrossing or Zonka. Use with white candles. (O)

• GET AWAY — The impact of this oil is to remove someone from your home or property without having to engage in a confrontation. This oil is used to anoint their shoes and/or door knob. It may also be used on a purple candle upon which you’ve carved their name. This oil is similar in impact to Moving Out, but is said to be stronger. (O)

GINGER — Although the most common attributions of Ginger relate to money and success, this root also has legendary associations with power and love. Normally Ginger is not used by itself in candleburning procedures, but is added to other oils to enhance their fiery nature and to stimulate quick results. Use with any color candle except black. (EO)

GINSENG — Sometimes called “Wonder of the World Root” (for good reason!) Ginseng has numerous medical uses. However, from a magical standpoint, it is viewed as a strictly white magical power root. When used to anoint candles, it has the attributions of health, power, vitality, strength, and protection. Like most power oils, it can be used for commanding purposes. However, do not try to use Ginseng for any sort of baneful purpose because it will inevitably backfire on you. While it is just as strong as Galangal, it must only be used for positive, constructive purposes. Use with white, purple, red, yellow, or orange candles. (EO)

• GODDESS OF LOVE — If romantic love isn’t your cup of tea, and you’re looking for something more “down & dirty,” I suggest Goddess of Love. It is alleged to attract and stimulate women and men. Use with red or pink candles. Many practitioners select Goddess of Love as a background fragrance for lovemaking. The recipe for this potion includes two classes of herbs — erotic and spiritual — to ensure that we attract a person with both qualities, although passion is Goddess of Love’s primary objective. Works especially well when combined with Fast Luck, Joy, Come To Me or Venus. (I, O)

GOLD & SILVER (Oro y Plata) — This recipe is used when trying to get a loan or more money. Normally it is worn, but may also be used to anoint gold or yellow candles. (O)

GOOD FORTUNE (Buena Fortuna) — Similar in some ways to Gold and Silver in effect, one is supposed to wear this oil when seeking a raise or job promotion. You can also use it to anoint a yellow candle to attract new employment possibilities. (O)

GOOD LUCK SPIRITUAL — This recipe may be burned alone or in combination with other luck incenses. According to tradition, it was designed to attract specific “high level” spirits that work primarily in the area of luck. I particularly like the combination of Good Luck Spiritual with Joy, Lady Luck, Holy Spirit, Fast Luck, and Altar. Use with white or yellow candles only. (O)

• GOONA GOONA — This aromatic blend is African in origin and is one of the best balanced luck and success formulas. Goona Goona is specifically recommended for material world success rituals, although it contains a touch of Rose to ensure that the opportunities we draw are spiritually sound. I like Goona Goona because it generally works quickly. Use with brown and green candles. Excellent when burned in combination with other luck or power incenses. (O)

GRAPE — Although Grape is more commonly employed in the European tradition, its identification with Dionysus, the god of sex and wine, makes it a potent love attractant. In addition to sexual fertility, money, and enhancement of mental powers, Grape is also associated with bringing forth truth. Use with white, yellow, or green candles. (EO)

• GUARDIAN ANGEL — This recipe is alleged to bring your Guardian Angel to your side and to facilitate communication with higher planes. Mostly used as a meditation incense, but also employed in uncrossing rituals where it is felt that divine intervention is the key to resolving a problem. Use with white or yellow candles. May be burned in combination with any positive incense or oil. (I, O)

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HAITIAN GAMBLER — Rub a bit of this oil on your hands before a hands-on gambling game to improve your luck. This potion is also used by men to inspire luck in love. Wear as a perfume oil or use to anoint green, yellow or purple candles. The incense may be burned in combination with another luck formula or commanding recipe. (O)

HAITIAN LOVER — This oil, designed primarily for men, provides a powerful, insistent sexual message to all who come within range of its fragrance. This oil is strictly carnal in focus, not particularly romantic. The root doctor who first told me about this oil said he often refers to it as “One Night Stand Oil.” Wear or use on red candles representing either yourself or your intended. (O)

HAPPY TIMES — Planning a party? This Haitian-inspired oil and incense will guarantee a festive time. Use with white, yellow, or pink candles. The incense form is delightful as a background fragrance at any get together. See "Joy" for a different formula that produces the same effect. (I, O)

HAS NO HANNA — If you’re someone who has difficulty sticking to a budget or holding on to money, this is the oil for you. Wear it, anoint your wallet and money with it, or use on green candles to ensure a steady flow of cash and a thrifty nature. (O)

• HEALING — This is a sacred oil used in healing rituals. It may be worn by the ill individual or used with white, yellow, or red candles. (O)

HEATHER — Luck and protection are the most common associations with Heather, but it is also alleged to attract rain. Many practitioners use Heather oil to anoint their wallets, purses, and checkbooks to protect their money. (EO)

HELIOTROPE — Heliotrope is ruled by the sun and is associated with the element of fire. Its attributions are wide-ranging: prophetic dreams, healing, invisibility, exorcism/banishing, and wealth. Use with white, pink, blue, purple, or yellow candles. (EO)

HELP FIX CREDIT (Compone Credito) — This oil is used to resolve credit problems. Use on a blue or white candle which you set on top of credit card statements. (O)

• HELPING HAND — This oil can be used in two ways. First, use it on a white candle to bring helpful spirits into your environment in times of stress. Second, use it on a blue or green candle to attract a worthy assistant to help you with a project. (O)

HEMLOCK — Hemlock is a poisonous plant, often associated with hallucinations. This oil must never be used internally and should only be employed by highly experienced practitioners. It has many defensive as well as offensive functions, but unless you’re very sure of yourself, this is an oil to avoid. The most common use for Hemlock is when witchcraft has been used against you or someone you know. Nothing sends a hex back faster than Hemlock (except maybe Flying Devil). Use with black or purple candles. (EO)

HE’S MINE — This is a subtle love oil designed to be used by women (or gay men) to attract and capture a male partner. The effect of this potion is to clinch a contact and facilitate romance. Use with pink or red candles. Particularly effective when burned in combination with Goddess of Love, Venus, Astarte or other strong love incenses. See Love Me or Dryad for a similar, somewhat more subtle oil/incense. (O)

HIBISCUS — In addition to its wide reputation as a lust-inducer, Hibiscus is also said to stimulate one’s psychic abilities. Since one’s psychic center is associated with the sexual chakra, it is perhaps this linkage that produces the combined erotic and psychic uplift. Use with red candles. (EO)

HIGH ALTAR — High Altar oil is used exclusively with white candles in formal uncrossing and healing rituals. Traditionally, it is used to anoint two white “altar candles” which are placed at the back of your altar. They serve as “spirit pullers” to attract only the highest level spirits to your altar. Other candles, symbolizing your goal, are placed in front of the altar candles, and they draw spiritual energy from the altar candles. High Altar is also very protective for the practitioner, which is important when you are removing a hex or disease from someone. (O)

HIGH CONQUERING — Among the many commanding oils available in the New Orleans repertoire, High Conquering is among the best known. Because it contains High John (see below) in its recipe, in many ways this is about the strongest commanding oil you can obtain. However, because High John is the “ultimate” power root, this oil should not be used for any sort of coercive procedure and most practitioners reserve it for protection purposes. Use with purple or red candles. (O)

HIGH JOHN THE CONQUEROR (Jalop) — High John the Conqueror (Jalop) is without peer in the New Orleans tradition. It is a root that is considered supremely fortunate, with particular effectiveness in legal matters. Mostly, High John is highly protective, but given its power, its protective abilities are sometimes rather extreme. This is not the oil to employ for merely routine matters, but one to save for dire emergencies. High John normally cleans up a messy situation quickly, but often lacks subtlety in how it solves the problem. High John is not afraid to apply “muscle” to dispel a dilemma, and sometimes people get hurt if they persist in their harassment. Use with white, yellow, blue, brown, red, or orange candles. (I, EO)

HOLD YOUR MAN — This oil is similar to Unfaithful and Stay at Home and is used when a mate has a tendency to wander. Apply a tiny drop to the soles of the shoes they will be wearing when they go out. The philanderer will be assured of having a lousy evening! (O)

• HOLY SPIRIT — See my comments about Altar incense above. Holy Spirit is also used to facilitate meditation and to screen against negative or destructive entities entering our thoughts at such times. Some New Orleans practitioners consider Holy Spirit to be particularly helpful in getting lottery numbers, although that bonus doesn’t seem to be the main function of this potion. Burn Holy Spirit in combination with any candle color except black. (Some practitioners insist that Holy Spirit should be used exclusively with white candles.) (I, O)

HONEY — Another of New Orleans’ secrets is Honey oil. Normally, it is not worn by itself, but is added to love oils to enhance their ability to attract and seduce. (EO)

• HONEYSUCKLE — Technically, Honeysuckle is a commanding/compelling fragrance, but a very subtle one. One employs Honeysuckle when one wishes to influence a situation without being obtrusive. The impact of Honeysuckle, according to most practitioners, is to inspire someone to do things we want them to do without any sense of being coerced. Indeed, Honeysuckle is alleged to operate with great subtlety and make it appear as if the desire to cooperate arose spontaneously within the individual him/herself. Use in combination with purple candles. (EO)

HORN OF PLENTY — This oil, probably Haitian in origin, is said to inspire luck and bounty. Wear or use on green, gold or red candles. (O)

HOT FOOT — This oil is similar in effect to Get Away, but employs different ingredients. Normally it is used when someone has overstayed his/her welcome, but where you wish to avoid a confrontation. Place a little bit inside their shoes and soon they will be inspired to move on. You may also use it to anoint a red or purple candle representing the unwanted lodger. (O)

HOUSE DRESSING — This recipe is similar in effect to the Pax/Peace formula and is referred to by practitioners as a “quieting and calming” preparation. If there are problems in the home, or to keep problems from occurring, House Dressing is a popular remedy. Use in combination with white, yellow, or blue candles. House Dressing may be burned in combination with a success incense or Joy. (O)

HYACINTH — Hyacinth is a floral scent with many uses. It is alleged to convert grief to joy, to close down unhealthy fixations, particularly in the romantic arena, and to ensure happiness. Use in combination with other oils or by itself on white, green, yellow, or blue candles. (EO)

HYDRANGEA — Hydrangea is a protective fragrance and is frequently used in legal situations where it is known that someone is lying. Use with brown, white, or red candles. (O)

HYSSOP — Hyssop is undoubtedly the most used purification herb in the New Orleans tradition. It may be added to the bath water (as may any uncrossing oil) to remove negativity and evil. In addition to its spiritual cleansing abilities, Hyssop is also strongly protective. Use with white, yellow, or purple candles. (EO)