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I CAN, YOU CAN’T — As its name suggests, I Can, You Can’t is an oil designed to place obstacles in an enemy’s path. This oil is often worn by athletes, but is largely unlimited in who may use it. The idea is not only to impede a competitor, but also to enhance one’s own powers to achieve. Often employed by parents to control unruly kids. Use with yellow and purple candles. See Tame, below, for another similar recipe. (O)

INFLAMMATORY — This and the following oil are very difficult to obtain in the original recipes due to the rarity of one of the oils. I do not recommend the use of either of these two oils, but am offering them as curios. The function of Inflammatory oil is to cause dissension between two people, particularly lovers. It may also be used in business and legal situations. Use on red or black candles. (O)

INFLAMMATORY CONFUSION — Similar to Inflammatory oil, discussed above, but even more cantankerous because it injects chaotic confusion into the situation. Use on red or black candles. (O)

• INSPIRING — If you’re feeling down about your life and need something to give you a lift or stimulate new ideas for the future, Inspiration is the oil of choice. Wear this oil or use with yellow or blue candles. (O)

INSTIGATION — Instigation is occasionally used in combination with other oils to cause someone to do something we want them to do. However, Instigation has a darker function and is used to start problems in love or business relations. Its impact is to stir up arguments and strife between people. Use with yellow (to inspire cooperation) or black candles. (O)

INVISIBLE — No, this oil won’t really make you invisible! However, it is believed that when you wear it you will tend to fade into the woodwork in a public setting. Some celebrities wear this oil when they’re out on the town and I’ve heard very positive feedback regarding its effectiveness. This oil is not generally used with candles. (O)

IRIS — The ancient Romans considered Iris a flower of purification and attributed it to the goddess Juno. In addition, it is also associated with wisdom and inspiration. Use with white, yellow, pink or blue candles. (EO)

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JALOP — See High John the Conqueror for description. (I, O)

• JASMINE — Although Jasmine is well known as a love oil, it also has money-drawing abilities. Perhaps even more interesting is Jasmine’s alleged ability to inspire prophetic or lucky dreams. Use with red, blue, or pink candles. (EO)

JOB — Here’s a handy oil for those of you looking for a job or thinking about changing your line of work. Wear to interviews, anoint resumes and applications, or use on yellow or green candles. (O)

JOB BREAKER — Is there someone at your place of business who causes you problems time and again? Use this oil on a black candle to help them lose their job. Keep in mind, however, that what goes around comes around, and there’s potentially sme bad karma associated with the use of this type of oil. (O)

JOCKEY CLUB — Jockey Club is unquestionably the most famous New Orleans gambling recipe. As its name suggests, it was specifically designed for luck at the track, but it is said to be useful for other forms of gambling too. Some practitioners insist that this potion has uncrossing powers, but I think that attribution is related to its legendary ability to generate lucky situations. Burn alone or with green,gold, or purple candles. May be burned in combination with other incenses such as Fast Luck, Commanding, Obeah, African Ju Ju, or Lady Luck. (O)

• JOY — Feeling depressed or blah? Joy is New Orleans’ most famous mood elevating recipe. This blend works on spiritual planes to lighten or disperse dark vibrations that may oppress you. Burn in combination with a white or yellow candle. The inclusion of Acacia in this recipe, one of the most spiritual fragrances, is believed to draw high spirits to nurture and protect. Candle practitioners often use this formula in combination with Uncrossing (see below). Uncrossing lifts the problem; Joy brings in positive, upbeat events. Great to burn before and during parties. (I, O)

JUAN MINERO — This highly specialized oil from the Santeria tradition is used to bring back a lost lover, particularly if the relationship ended badly. I caution you, however, that I usually do not recommend oils that seek to recapture past love because I think it’s counterproductive to look backward. Use with blue or pink candles. (O)

• JU JU, AFRICAN (Galangal) — Ju Ju is an African term for magic and certainly there is no fragrance more legendary for magical power than this one. Called “Low John the Conqueror” by many practitioners, this root’s potency is unrivaled both for good and evil. Frequently employed as a remedy for legal problems, Ju Ju has many other uses ranging from protection, sending back hexes to their makers, uncrossing, and success. Although it can be burned by itself with any color candle, more often it is used in combination with other incenses to lend greater potency. For example, burning Ju Ju with a success, uncrossing or love incense is believed to radically enhance the power of the spell. Bear in mind, however, that African Ju Ju has a nasty reputation as a “twisting” root, i.e., it can all too easily turn on an unsuspecting or inept operator unless great care is taken to make certain the goal of your spell is clearly defined and without loopholes. Generally, I advise holding off on employing this tool until you are well-grounded in candle procedures and symbolism. (I, EO)

JUNIPER — One of the ingredients in Fast Luck, Juniper is associated with luck, success, and fertility (especially in men). Many traditions claim that Juniper is highly protective, particularly against theft. Use with white, yellow, green, purple or brown candles. (EO)

JUNIPER BERRY — Within the New Orleans tradition, Juniper Berry is one of the supreme luck oils. I just recently stumbled upon a source. Add to any luck, success, or money oils. Although Juniper Berry is similar in meaning to Juniper, it is considered to be MUCH stronger when used magically. Juniper Berry is also associated with male fertility. Use with green, yellow, or red candles. (EO)

JUPITER — This oil is a combination of herbs attributed to the planet Jupiter, the most benefic of all the planets. Jupiter rules luck, success, career, and all things positive. Use with brown, yellow, or white candles in any ritual aimed at those objectives. (I, O)

JURY WINNING — This oil is widely used to help win the day in a court case. Use on a white (or purple) candle representing the person who is being charged. Burn one candle each day for seven days prior to a trial. Often this oil is used in combination with Black Candle Tobacco (see above). (O)

JUST JUDGE (Justo Juez) — This oil is used to enhance the chances for victory in court cases, particularly if you have been falsely accused. It ensures that rulings will be fair and that the predicament will get untangled. Wear into court or use on white candles. (O)

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KEEP AWAY ENEMIES (Contra enemigos) — This is another very strong protection oil. Similar in effect to Fiery Wall of Protection oil, it is believed to surround the user with an impermeable shield. Wear and/or use on purple or white candles. (O)

KEEP AWAY HATE (Contra odio) — In addition to shielding you against bad vibes, this oil slowly but surely converts hatred into friendship. Although it is highly protective, in many ways this is a healing oil designed to repair relationships. Wear or use on white, yellow, or purple candles. (O)

• KINDLY SPIRIT — This oil is specifically designed to attract new friends to someone who is lonely. Wear the oil when you go out or use it to anoint white, yellow or pink candles upon which you’ve carved your name. Kindly Spirit may also be mixed with love oils to ensure that a potential lover will also be a friend. (I, O)

KING OF THE WOODS — We’ve all heard stories about powerful voodoo oils that inspire wild sexual desires in others. King of the Woods is one of the stronger “aphrodisiac” sexual commanding recipes I’ve uncovered. It is used only by men and is said to drive women crazy with desire. It may be worn or used to anoint red candles. Excellent when burned in combination with Goddess of Love or Venus. (O)

KHUS KHUS — See Vetivert for descriptive information. (O)

KUNDALINI — This oil was designed specifically for gay women to attract another woman. Wear it when you go out or use on pink or yellow candles upon which you’ve carved your name. (O)