Kate West - The Real Witches’ Kitchen - Spells, recipes, oils, lotions and potions from the Witches’ Hearth

Use this to enhance or empower any Magical working.

4 drops orange oil

1 drop cinnamon oil

1 drop ginger oil

1 drop pine oil

Anoint yourself and/or use this in an oil burner before any acts of divination.

2 drops frankincense oil

2 drops lemongrass oil

2 drops nutmeg oil

2 drops clary sage oil

1 drop bay oil

1 drop rose oil

Use this whenever you want to facilitate communication, perhaps a job interview or difficult meeting. If the situation affects you, wear the oil, if it affects another, use it on a talisman (Magical token) or on your Magical candle.

4 drops rosemary oil

2 drops sandalwood oil

2 drops jasmine oil

2 drops ylang ylang oil

1 drop cedarwood oil

Use this to drive away negative thoughts, feelings and influences. If you feel that the influences are coming from outside, you can put a few drops of this over each window and doorway to your home. Otherwise wear it personally or use it Magically on a candle.

4 drops frankincense oil

2 drops bergamot oil

2 drops clary sage oil

2 drops lavender oil

This oil will not simply bring you money – Magically speaking, that is very dangerous. It will, however, increase your opportunities to earn money.

3 drops basil oil

2 drops ginger oil

1 drop vanilla essence or extract (not flavouring)

This oil will aid restful sleep and, with the addition of 2 drops of clary sage, enhance dreams.

6 drops lavender oil

3 drops frankincense oil

1 drop valerian oil

Anoint yourself with this before and during periods of study, also before exams or other tests of memory. This blend can also be used in a burner whilst working or studying.

4 drops rosemary oil

4 drops basil oil

2 drops grapefruit oil

1 drop cajuput oil (optional)

This is an all-purpose blend which can be incorporated into 2 tbsp of any base and applied direct to the skin.

6 drops lavender oil

2 drops frankincense oil

2 drops myrrh oil

2 drops jasmine oil

Where there is muscular pain it is best to massage the oil gently into the skin. Unless you are qualified, it is a good idea to avoid attempting any deep massage involving the muscles themselves.

4 drops lavender oil

2 drops rosemary oil

2 drops marjoram oil

2 drops cypress oil

2 drops black pepper oil

As with the preceding blend, the lotion or cream should be gently massaged into the skin, but no manipulation of the underlying tissues should be attempted. If possible, the affected area should be covered (not bound), for about half an hour after treatment.

4 drops lavender oil

3 drops camomile oil

2 drops black pepper oil

2 drops juniper oil

Whilst you may think it unlikely that anything you put on your skin will help your digestion, you could well be surprised. Try:

4 drops lavender oil

3 drops peppermint oil

2 drops fennel oil

2 drops rosemary oil

If you’re suffering from either of these, you really should be in bed, but I know that that’s not always possible, so the following might help you get through the day. Place a few drops on a tissue and inhale at regular intervals.

4 drops lavender oil

2 drops cinnamon oil

2 drops eucalyptus oil

2 drops jasmine oil

2 drops cypress oil

1 drop ginger oil

For children under the age of three I recommend simply putting the lavender, eucalyptus and jasmine oils on a tissue and placing this near them but out of their reach.

Use this in a burner, on a tissue or to anoint yourself whenever you have emotional swings or thoughts and feelings seem to be getting out of hand.

4 drops geranium oil

4 drops lavender oil

2 drops grapefruit oil

1 drop bergamot oil

1 drop fennel oil

If you are exhausted, the first step to healing is to get enough rest, and for this the above Sleep Oil is excellent. However, if you have been through a prolonged period of overwork you may also like to use this uplifting blend to carry you through after resting.

3 drops basil oil

2 drops lavender oil

2 drops clary sage oil

2 drops lemongrass oil

Use this when your confidence needs a boost or when you need to impress someone, perhaps at an interview. Do not use too much of this oil, however – the idea is for it to work on the subconscious level, not for people to be able to detect the scent.

3 drops bergamot oil

2 drops jasmine oil

2 drops ylang ylang oil

2 drops neroli oil

Sometimes we all look back and wish we had done things differently. Whilst this oil helps to alleviate these feelings, in the Craft we believe that true healing will not come until you have also done what you can to put things right again.

2 drops bergamot oil

2 drops rose oil

2 drops benzoin oil

2 drops jasmine oil

2 drops hyssop oil

Use this to promote feelings of warmth, friendship and relaxation whenever friends gather. Anoint yourself, and anyone else who feels they would like to share in it, or use it in an oil burner.

2 drops frankincense oil

2 drops jasmine oil

2 drops clary sage oil

1 drop cardamom oil

Whilst essential oils all have their own healing properties, these can be Magically enhanced by invoking the Goddess and the God and the elements as well as focusing on your intent (see Chapter 1, ‘Witchcraft, and Empowering your Herbal Work’). However, when using them in a Magical context, such as anointing yourself or an object, there are also ways in which you can again increase their effectiveness.