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Q PERFUME OIL — “Q” Makes the wearer irresistible to others by lending a magical aura of fascination and irresistible charisma. It attracts attention in subtle ways, surrounding the user with a spell of enchantment. Wear or use on pink candles. (O)

QUEEN OF THE NIGHT — This long-time favorite among New Orleans prostitutes is a wonderful pick-me-up for marriages where the passion has started to fade. Wear the oil to bed or use to anoint a red candle symbolizing your partner. (O)

QUICK JOB — This oil has a highly specific function aimed at procuring immediate employment. Wear it on interviews, anoint applications and resumés. Also use it on a green or yellow candle representing yourself. (O)

QUIETING — When a situation is completely out of hand and chaos reigns, whip out a white or blue candle, anoint it with Quieting oil, and start to relax. This is a highly specialized oil, designed to bring calm and order to a crazed environment. This recipe is often followed up by using Peaceful Home or Pax/Peace to ensure that tranquillity is sustained. (O)

QUITTING — Similar to Job Breaker (above), this oil is used to inspire a boss or co-worker to seek other employment. More than one employer has used this potion to get rid of a bad employee without having to pay unemployment or other severance benefits. Needless to say, this oil is strictly in the province of baneful magic. (O)

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RAGS TO RICHES — A classic money-drawing incense and oil. I'm not certain of the origin of this recipe, but my experiments with it have been very successful in attracting business. This is a truly delightful fragrance! Use with green or red candles. (I, O)

RASPBERRY — Raspberry’s most common magical attribution is protection, but it has a highly specific area of operation. It is believed that following death, a soul may wish to re-enter the home it previously occupied. Raspberry is believed to guard against this possibility. Many practitioners also believe that Raspberry oil helps ease problems with a pregnancy. Wear or use on white, yellow or pink candles. (EO)

RELENTLESS — This is one of the nastiest vengeance formulas in the candleburning tradition. As its name implies, it sets in motion a relentless, inexorable series of punishing events in a culprit’s life. This recipe is used with purple and black candles and I caution you that while there are a few legitimate uses for this compound, there are far less treacherous ways to accomplish revenge. Normally Relentless is not burned in combination with other fragrances since it is venomous enough all by itself. (O)

REPENTANT — When you have done something to someone which you seriously regret (such as using Relentless on them!), this potion is designed to bring an opportunity for forgiveness and reconciliation. Use with blue or white candles. This may be burned either alone or in combination with one of the uncrossing recipes. (O)

• ROAD OPENER — This oil is often used in combination with Block Buster and it is believed to open up options and possibilities for someone who feels blocked or stifled in terms of career or romance. Normally, Block Buster is used first and a second ritual is performed using Road Opener. Use with white, red, pink, green, yellow, or purple candles depending on what area you wish to work on. Because this oil is very powerful, allow three to four days between each burning to allow time for results to manifest. Since this can sometimes prove to be too much of a good thing, it’s best to use it sparingly. (I, O)

• ROSE — Rose is the classic flower of love and almost every luck and love incense within the New Orleans tradition incorporates this fragrance. Even when burned as an individual scent, Rose conveys vibrations of love, healing, and tenderness. Burn alone or with white or pink candles. (EO)

ROSE GERANIUM — This lovely fragrance is an ingredient in many uncrossing and protection oils. Although it is not strong enough by itself to lift a heavy hex or psychological trauma, it can provide a potent psychic shield once a hex is lifted by more powerful oils. Rose Geranium is similar in many ways to Lavender, and many practitioners consider it an amazing healing oil. Use with white, pink, yellow, or blue candles. (O)

ROSEMARY — Rosemary is most famous as a healing oil, particularly apt when dealing with heartsick individuals. It is also associated with love with an uncanny ability to remove negativity. Because it is reputed to enhance mental powers, it is believed to clarify thinking. Some practitioners identify Rosemary with lust, but this strikes me as incorrect. Use with white, yellow, orange or blue candles. (EO)

RUE — Among Rue’s many attributions, perhaps the most interesting is its legendary ability to clarify thinking and enhance mental abilities. In addition to this, Rue is used in healing and love rituals. Because it has strong uncrossing abilities, Rue is employed in exorcisms and can work to banish negative spirits. Use with white, pink, blue, and purple candles. (EO)

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SAGE — Among many American Indian tribes, Sage is an herb of exorcism and protection. In addition to these uses, other traditions ascribe longevity, immortality and wisdom to Sage. Clearly, this is one of the most sacred plants and it is my feeling that no home is secure without some Sage in the house. Use with white, yellow and blue candles. (EO)

SAINT JUDE (San Judas) — Known as the saint of the impossible, Saint Jude intervenes when all other hope is gone. Practitioners refer to this as a miracle oil because it can create completely unexpected options to escape from seemingly hopeless situations. Use on white or yellow candles. (O)

SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES — This oil, sometimes called the “soul of charity” is employed to help the poor and needy. You must never use this oil for yourself, only to help others. It is alleged to provide money or other support for those in dire need. Use on white candles. (O)

• SANDALWOOD (White) — Sandalwood is one of the most popular fragrances in the world, and is alleged to have powers of protection, healing, and spirituality. In many traditions, Sandalwood is considered an ideal background fragrance for meditation because it is alleged to make wishes come true. Use with white or yellow candles. (EO)

SASSAFRAS — If you’re looking for a unique scent for attracting money and protecting health, check out Sassafras. Sassafras oil is used to anoint wallets, mail boxes, and money to ensure consistent prosperity. It may be used to anoint white, yellow, blue, green, or purple candles, depending on your desired use. Sassafras is an herb of Jupiter, and as such it is said to confer success, physical and spiritual strength, and courage. (EO)

SELL YOUR HOUSE (Vende tu Casa) — This oil is designed to help sell your house or property. Use on yellow or red candles placed on top of any documents related to the sale of the house — deed, real estate listing, offering flyer, etc. (O)

SEPARATION — This recipe is used to break up relationships or to separate two individuals. Since intervening in other people’s relationships is strictly black magical, the only positive use for this recipe is in cases of infidelity. This potion brings all manner of problems into the adulterous relationship and, if used in combination with Spikenard (see below) is said to bring the errant marriage partner to his/her senses. Use with purple candles. (O)

• SEVEN AFRICAN POWERS — This is unquestionably my personal favorite recipe because it invokes almost unlimited power and protection. Because it has so many uses, Seven African Powers is perhaps the most versatile of all the New Orleans formulations. You can use it with any color candle (including black) for anything from uncrossing to delivering a nasty and unrelenting hex. The seven ingredients in this potion are each associated with a powerful African deity. Although none of these ingredients is venomous in nature and all convey themes of love, protection,success, personal power, and spiritual evolution, they are potently influenced by the candle colors you choose to use with it. Seven African Powers, when used with a black candle, is said to bring about a “karmic judgment” of the individual you specify without straying too far onto black magic’s turf. Use with white, yellow, red, blue, brown or black candles. (I, O)

SEVEN DAY UNCROSSING — This uncrossing recipe is reserved for only the most severe situations. It is used with white or purple candles and normally it is used with so-called 7-Day Candles which you can get at many New Age stores or botanicas. Seven Day Uncrossing may be burned in combination with other uncrossing recipes, but it is strong enough to be used by itself. (I, O)

SEXUAL ENERGY — This recipe is from one of herbal “maestro” Scott Cunningham’s books and it is supposed to cast a potent sexual allure to all who come in contact with its fragrance. Wear it when going out in public or in romantic situations where you wish a sexual opportunity. It may also be used to anoint red candles upon which you carve your name (or the name of the person who interests you). (O)

SHI SHI (CHINESE) — This legendary New Orleans recipe is used for cleansing and banishing evil from your premises or place of business. Considered very lucky for business, Shi Shi is said to create a wall of impenetrable protection around an individual or situation. It is also said to attract money. Use with white, pink, red or yellow candles. (O)

SHOWERS OF GOLD — This is another of the famous New Orleans recipes designed to attract wealth. Wear on important business occasions or use to anoint green or yellow candles upon which you carve your name or the name of someone you are trying to help. Very often Showers of Gold is used in combination with a luck recipe. (O)

SNAKE — One of the most famous oils for legal problems, Snake is a favorite with many practitioners. Employ alone or in combination with High John the Conqueror, Black Candle Tobacco or Jury Winning. Use with purple, brown or black candles. (O)

SNAKE ROOT — Snake Root is considered an extraordinarily potent luck and money attractant. It may be used alone or in combination with other oils. Many gamblers anoint their palms with Snake Root oil before playing card games. Use with green, yellow, or purple candles. (EO)

SNAPDRAGON — Snapdragon is traditionally associated with protection. While not as powerful in this regard as Dragon’s Blood to reverse hexes or stave off attacks, Snapdragon is useful for adding an element of subtle protection to love and success rituals. For example, a couple drops of Snapdragon added to a love attraction oil makes that oil more selective in the type of person it will draw. In a success ritual, a couple drops of Snapdragon can be helpful to eliminate feelings of envy or jealousy. Use with green, red, pink, or purple candles. (O)

SPANISH MOSS — Spanish Moss is a particular favorite of Santeria practitioners. It is used for protection and is said to shield its user from black magic. Personally, I would not use it if a hex were already on. Then something stronger would be necessary. But as a day to day shield against hexes Spanish Moss works very well. Use with white, yellow, or blue candles. (O)

SPECIAL OIL #20 — If you have reason to believe that someone is keeping a secret from you, try carving their name on a white or purple candle and coating it with Special Oil #20. This oil is designed to loosen a person’s tongue. See 9 Mysteries and Untruthful for similar oils. (O)

SPIDER QUEEN — If someone has needlessly complicated your life or thrown obstacles your way for no reason other than spite, this oil turns things around FAST. I sometimes think that of all the nasty oils in the New Orleans tradition, Spider Queen is the most insidious because it forms a seamless web of horror around an individual or group. Used defensively, this oil can resolve otherwise impossible situations and ensure that an enemy is rendered impotent (sometimes quite literally!). It creates so many hassles for your enemy that he/she has no time to worry about you. Use with black, purple, or orange candles. (O)

SPIKENARD — Spikenard, according to the New Orleans tradition, is the herb par excellence for controlling marital infidelity. Use in combination with purple candles. It should be noted that Spikenard is unlikely to control infidelity in a noncommitted relationship and most practitioners feel that it is only useful in marriages. However, I have found it useful in non-marriages where individuals have made specific agreements which one partner has subsequently violated. Unlike a “commanding” or “controlling” formula which works to shut down a philanderer’s relationship through quasi-black magical means, Spikenard works on the lecher’s conscience and brings them home. This herb works equally well on both men and women. One legendary spell suggests getting some Spikenard, grinding it into a fine powder, and sprinkling an imperceptible amount of it in the adulterer’s shoes. (EO)

• SPIRIT GUIDE — Meditators take note! Spirit Guide is probably Southern Voodoo’s most potent “spirit puller.” Use alone or with white or yellow candles to induce positive thoughts and spiritual help in difficult times. You may burn Spirit Guide in combination with success or love incenses. Many practitioners believe that Spirit Guide provides a “screening” vibration that prevents unworthy projects or lovers from materializing in our lives. It can also be used similarly to Altar or Holy Spirit as a general purpose altar incense. (I, O)

• SPIRITUAL VISION — Similar in some ways to Spirit Guide, Spiritual Vision is said to facilitate clairvoyance and spirit communication. This makes an exceptionally fine meditation incense. Often used at seances, this incense is not normally combined with others. The recipe has built in protective herbs to make sure that the spirits you call to your side are strictly positive in nature. It is traditional to burn this with a white or blue candle. (I, O)

STAY AT HOME — Problems with a philandering spouse? Then it’s time to order a bottle of Stay At Home. Use to anoint the insides of his/her shoes and also to anoint orange candles upon which you’ve carved the adulterous one’s name. Also see Unfaithful, below. (O)

STEADY WORK — Wear this oil daily to help keep your job steady and secure. May also be used to anoint yellow or green candles. (O)

• STOP GOSSIP — If you’re being bothered by busybodies who pry into your business or spread rumors about you, here’s a quick way to put a stop to it. Anoint a purple or black candle representing the gossiper with this oil. (O)

STRAWBERRY — Strawberry is a universal symbol of passionate love. Wear or use to anoint red candles. (EO)

STUDENT (Estudiante) — This oil helps students pass tests and enhances their understanding of the material under study. The student should rub a little bit onto their forehead and/or use the oil on a yellow candle while studying. (O)

• SUCCESS — Four herbs, a root and a gum combine to form one of the best “long-term” New Orleans success fragrances. Use in combination with a green and/or brown candle. This incense makes an excellent follow-up to an uncrossing procedure because it is a broad-spectrum success recipe with enough inherent power to overcome the inertia one often discovers in newly uncrossed individuals. You can burn Success in combination with other compatible incenses such as Crown of Success, Fast Luck, Van Van, etc. You can also burn Success in combination with a love incense such as Venus to lend potency to rituals designed to attract a sweetheart. (I, O)

SUN — This astrological blend is said to draw the power of the sun to lend strength to rituals aimed at healing, success, and happiness. Use with yellow candles. This is a highly spiritual fragrance. (O)

• SWEET GRASS — Sweet Grass is a “spirit puller” and may be used prior to any white magical procedure to evoke positive, friendly spirits to help you accomplish your goal. You may also wear this oil to enhance your aura and elevate your mood. Use with white or yellow candles only. (EO)

SWEET PEA — Within the New Orleans tradition, Sweet Pea is mostly associated with chastity and platonic friendships, but it also has a wide reputation for granting strength and courage in trying circumstances. Wear or use to anoint white, pink, yellow or purple candles. (EO)