The Witching Hour Read online

  Advantageous Timing: Earlier in this book we discussed timing by the phases of the moon, the moon in the signs, the day of the week, and planetary hours. Fluid condensers are traditionally tied to some type of timing mechanism, usually paying particular attention to the moon in the signs and the planetary hour, matching that information to the correspondences of the herbs you are using for your simple or compound liquid fluid condensers. For example, if you want to make a liquid fluid condenser for motivation, strength, courage, or power, you would choose Mars-oriented herbs and make your fluid condenser when the moon is in Aries in the hour of Mars on a Tuesday (if at all possible). How do you find out the magickal correspondences of a herb? Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs is a good start. There are several other books available on magick and herbs; one can never have too many!

  How to Make the Liquid Fluid Condenser

  Making the liquid fluid condenser can be as magickal as you desire. You can begin with a full ritual, create sacred space, or start with a prayer to clear the area. Incense, bells, rattles, or singing also may be a part of the brewing process; it is entirely up to you. I always make sure that all items to be used have been blessed with burning white sage from my garden and tuned with music or bells, as the fluid condensers take very well to magickal sounds. Many times I offer all my supplies to the east, using a Braucherei prayer to begin:

  Eastwards I stand for favors I pray

  From goddess divine and lord of the day

  Earth lends her power and breath sends the spell

  Day’s end will reveal that all will be well.

  Then I continue to chant “only the good remains” until I feel calm and serene.15

  The process itself is incredibly simple. Just put all the herbs in the pot and cover with water. Be sure that you have enough water to cover the herbs; if you don’t, make the adjustment—it won’t hurt your recipe. Don’t forget to put the lid on the pot. Boil at a very low boil for 40 minutes. Do not at any time lift the lid. By using a transparent cover, you will be able to see if you have the heat too high, as the boil will be too furious. My best suggestion is to bring the liquid to a boil and then drop to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature without lifting the lid.

  Stir the cooled liquid several times, impregnating it with a general chant or a focused one. I often use: “May the Web of the Wyrrd be turned in accordance with my wish and my will!” 16

  Strain the cooled liquid, trying to remove as much of the material matter as possible. Cover the pot and bring to a boil once again. We’ve noticed that the consistency of the condenser has a lot to do with the amount of water you initially added, the boil time, and the type of herbs used. In some cases it can be almost gel-like at the conclusion of the second boil; in others, slightly thick; and still others, no coagulation is shown at all. All the condensers I have made have worked very well regardless of the thickness after the second boil. The timing of the second boil depends on how much liquid you have left. You must watch this second boil carefully so as not to heat the pot dry. Usually, it will be 20–30 minutes to give you roughly one cup of liquid, longer for rendering less liquid. Bardon reduced his formula to 50 grams or about 1.7 ounces. I either stick at one or a half cup of remaining fluid because I always share what I have made with my magickal brothers and sisters.

  Allow the remaining liquid to cool to room temperature, then strain as many times as necessary to remove any plant matter. To this add an equal amount of spirit alcohol. Stir well. Then add your calculated drops of the tincture of gold that you made. Stir well. I use a whispered chant as I stir both times if the liquid condenser is for something specific; however, I ask only for the blessings of Spirit on the liquid if it will be used for a variety of magickal applications.

  The very last step is to add a drop of menstrual blood, semen, or another ingredient that will taglock the liquid fluid condenser specifically to you. This is an optional step.

  Your liquid fluid condenser is now ready to be bottled and stored out of direct sunlight. Your condenser can be used for a variety of purposes, from adding a drop to magickal powders and herbal blends to putting a tiny amount in your favorite magickal oil. You can use a paintbrush to add the liquid fluid condenser to talismans, poppets, ritual tools, mojo/conjuring bags, and the bottoms of candles (because the condenser contains alcohol, I am very careful when using it for candle or fire magicks).

  Element Recipes for Fluid Condensers

  Earth, air, fire, and water are patterns of energy. Each pattern has a guardian “spirit” that watches over it. In chapter two we discussed the correspondences of these four elements. Here I have provided their sigils and a formula for each. Feel free to develop your own recipes. You can use a combination of fresh and dried ingredients, only fresh ingredients, or only dried ingredients. The choice is up to you.

  Try to keep your magickal timing in line with the formula. For example, you might want to make an earth recipe when the moon is in the earth signs Virgo, Taurus, or Capricorn. Air would equate to the moon in Libra, Aquarius, or Gemini. For a fire formula, you might choose a time when the moon is in Aries, Leo, or Sagittarius. Water would be made when the moon is in Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces. The planetary hour would depend on the intent. Attraction, Venus. Banishment, Mars. Limitations, Saturn. Expansion, Jupiter. Connection, Mercury. Energy storage, Moon. Overall success, Sun. These are only suggestions; you choose what suits the situation.

  Earth: Potato peels, fern, patchouli, turnip slices, horehound

  Air: Lemongrass, eyebright, mint, mistletoe, maple

  Fire: Cedar, dragon’s blood resin, ginger, nutmeg, chili pepper

  Water: Chamomile, cucumber slices, grapes, eucalyptus, rose petals

  Universal Formulas, Fluid Condensers, Powders, and Herbal Blends

  A universal formula in magick is a blend of herbs, magickal oils, and pure essentials that form an energy link between the seven classical planets through their correspondences. Mixed in ritual, the end result can be used for any circumstance (thus the title “universal”). Universal formulas are based on two criteria: herbal correspondences culled from historical data and what is available in your area. Although unusual items (such as herbs not native to your area) can enhance the formula, those plants that are native to your area or that you have grown on your property have a strong energy conduit to your natural surroundings, particularly if most of your work will be in that same area. As there are many herbs associated with any particular planetary energy, your choice among them may be predicated on your experience in working with a particular herb, research, or your feelings when working with the individual herb.

  A simple universal blend has one herb for each planet represented. A compound universal blend has two or more herbs for each planet represented. In chapter two I gave you an element universal compound that lends itself well to powders and herbal blends. Here are two formulas for liquid fluid condensers based off of Sybil Leek’s and Bardon’s work. These formulas are designed with the planetary signatures of the herbs.

  Simple Universal Blend

  sage leaves (Jupiter), chamomile flowers (Sun), peppermint leaves (Mercury), willow bark (Moon), violet flowers or leaves (Venus), patchouli (Saturn), ginger (Mars)

  Compound Universal Blend

  sage leaves (Jupiter), sassafras leaves or bark (Jupiter), chamomile flowers (Sun), cinnamon bark (Sun), willow bark (Moon), cucumber peels (Moon), violet leaves or flowers (Venus), rose (Venus), ginger (Mars), basil (Mars), patchouli (Saturn), ivy (Saturn), peppermint leaves (Mercury), lavender (Mercury)

  Liquid Fluid Condenser Healing Spell

  (air and water elements)

  One of my favorite uses for the liquid fluid condensers is when working water and air magicks, particularly for healing. This working uses Sybil Leek’s technique given on page 147 of her book To Cast Your Own Spell, although I have expanded it to suit
my Braucherei work. This working was actually the spell I used to test my universal liquid fluid condenser the first time I made it. I used only blessed spring water that I chill to 34 degrees Fahrenheit (the temperature that water takes the best charge, according to Bardon). The water is placed into a healing cooking pot (a pot used explicitly for heating water magicks on the stove) along with the individual’s name to be healed written on a piece of paper. I also add the birthdate if I have it. There should only be enough water in the pot to cover the bottom and wet the paper. Next, I add 5–10 drops of my liquid fluid condenser. I have a particular liquid fluid condenser for healing that is a combination of lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, white sage, African basil, and lemon verbena. You can make each of these as a single liquid condenser and then mix them together or you can make a compound liquid fluid condenser with these ingredients all in the same pot.

  In this healing spell you bring the water to a soft boil and then state the individual’s full name you are working for and the intent of your magick. Link, sync, and sink your mind into the person (or into their aura), breathing deeply. If this bothers you and you don’t want to be too attached, sink only into their outer spirit body. Begin chanting your favorite healing chant, holding that individual’s image in your mind for as long as you can, or you could envision a silver tether from your third eye to the individual’s third eye or a golden energy from your hands flowing into the individual’s heart chakra—all will work. Try to fully embrace their image until the kettle boils dry (but if you can’t, that’s okay). Regardless of your technique, hold the image in your mind as long as you can. When you have lost the thought, the magick is done. My only cautions are that you should not inhale the steam or touch the hot pot with your hands. If it helps you concentrate, stir the boiling water with a wooden spoon used only for this type of work. I have a fun decorated spoon that I embellished by creating a spirit head fashioned out of Fimo clay on top of the handle. I have a friend who uses a spoon with a carved wooden figure on it that he calls “my Spirit of the Divine Circle” because he stirs in a circular motion.

  You can end your working in your own way or you can draw an equal-armed cross over the dry pot and paper, saying, “May this spell not reverse, nor place upon me any curse. May all astrological correspondences be correct for this working. Peace with the gods. Peace with nature. Peace within. Only the good remains. So mote it be.” Be sure that as you say these final words, you carry the emotion of gratitude that the healing has taken place, especially if you felt worried or frightened when you began the working. You must feel better! At the end of the enchantment, with the operative word being “feel,” do what works to make your mind flip from worry to “all is okay, and I feel good.” This twist, from fear to delight, can play a significant role in the working. Allow both pot and paper to cool. Burn the paper. Clean out the kettle with sea salt and a dry paper towel, rubbing the bottom and sides of the pot thoroughly with the salt and towel combination. Not only does this clean the pot in the material world, but it also cleans it in the astral as well. To complete the spell, wash your hands and face with cold water, being sure to pat the back of your neck. This is a Braucherei technique that ensures that any energy work doesn’t backfire to the practitioner, and it helps to cleanse the aura after an intense healing experience.

  I use this spell often because it requires so few supplies and so little time, yet it yields excellent results. It is good for emergencies or when a friend calls asking for healing help or a text message appears asking for healing work and you have a full schedule and no time for a ritual of any great length.

  Liquid Fluid Condenser Water Healing Working

  This technique uses a clear bowl of blessed, chilled water placed on top of an individual’s photograph. Add five drops of your favorite healing liquid fluid condenser. Rather than stirring the water in the bowl, I let it sit perfectly still.

  Connect with the sea of potential (as you learned in chapter 1) and activate that field for the healing of the individual; say the person’s name three times aloud. Link, sync, and sink your mind into the aura of the individual while staring at the photograph. Cup your hands so that they are loosely around your mouth, then whisper your healing chant directly onto the water as you focus on the picture (that you can see through the bottom of the bowl). Your fingers should be loose enough so that your breath skips across the top of the water. Keep repeating your healing chant until you lose the thought. Seal the working as in the previous spell. Take the water outside and pour it on the ground.

  This is an excellent spell to do when it is raining outside, as the water-to-water link will quickly take place. Wash your hands with salt water after the completion of the working.

  Liquid Fluid Condenser Single Formulas

  The single formula liquid fluid condensers function in accordance with the nature of the plant and its planetary and element correspondences. To fully understand each liquid fluid condenser that you make, research the plant’s growing pattern, medicinal uses, and lore. I make most of my liquid fluid condensers from wildcrafted plants that I find in the woods and fields in South Central Pennsylvania or from herbs I have grown in my garden. Here are a few that I have found most useful.

  Mega Protection—Wild Blue Violet: element: water due to its heart-shaped leaves and delight of moist soil. planetary association: venus or saturn/pluto. There are over 400 species of wild blue violet. If you have a garden or property in the Northeast, you will quickly learn just how invasive wild blue violet can be! The plant self-seeds and spreads across the ground; left unchecked, it will choke out your garden, winding in and around other herbs along the base of the plants. Most wild blue violets are actually edible, both the leaves and the flowers, meaning they are happy to play with humans. Medicinal uses under professional guidance include combating cancer and helping with immune deficiency diseases. The flowers have also been used as an expectorant. All this information tells us that the wild blue violet liquid fluid condenser you make primarily functions as a protective and healing mechanism, particularly if you feel like you are being railroaded, cheated, or taken advantage of in any situation. The logic here is like against like to cancel out the problem. The flowers and leaves are also used to change one’s bad luck or a run of unfortunate occurrences in your life. The liquid fluid condenser can also be applied to people who have ganged up on you—for example, a negative family unit or a pocket of unhappy people at work. Not only does the plant protect, it breaks apart what has been bound together by unhappiness, cruelty, or downright evil. The aroma is used as a sleep aid, and the blue color is thought to bring peace into an area.

  Super Healing, Super Blocker, Dark Mother—Elderberry: sacred to dame holle/mother hulda.17 element: water. planetary association: venus and saturn. Elderberry liquid fluid condenser has a wide variety of uses, including stopping an attack, healing, rewards for hard work, breaking hexes, bringing prosperity, and keeping one’s home safe.

  Liquid Fluid Condenser and Magick Mirror

  for divination, truth, and wisdom

  I love to experiment and find personal satisfaction in taking unusual ideas and turning them into something magickal. Recently, when one of my students wanted to make a magick mirror, I looked through my notes to see the past projects I’d done. I gave away my last magick mirror, so I decided that to help her, I would do some more research and create a new formula. I was working on this book at the time, and designing a new type of magic mirror would fit right in with the section I was developing, writing instructions on fluid condensers. I decided to review the work of known experts, so I looked into the material of Pascal Beverly Randolph, Franz Bardon, and Sybil Leek. Now, there is something that I have to tell you, and I know that I digress here, but I feel I have to get this out in the open. Trust me, it does apply.

  Here goes. Years ago I had several friends who were avid Sherlock Holmes fans. Once a month they would all get together and discuss the characters a
nd stories of this marvelous fictional masterpiece, and, of course, they would also talk about the author, Arthur Conan Doyle. What I found most interesting were the psychological leaps that these individuals would take when discussing the author and his intentions. I saw that some read too much into the stories, and others too little. I didn’t think much of it at the time—my career was young, and I was far too focused on my writing and my family to concentrate on my observation. More than twenty-five years later, as I was sitting on my front porch in my favorite rocking chair, I found myself discussing the internet and how much of the information I was reading had no basis in fact, resting highly on inaccurate statements and opinions. These sentiments, by the way, were about something I had written in one of my books that had been taken out of context—nothing new there. It boggled my mind that the comments being made had absolutely nothing to do with my original intent in the material that I had written. In fact, some of the assertions were so far off that I wondered what world these people were living in; it was definitely not mine.