Blissful Blend: Basil Infusion Oil

Infusions have regained popularity as a way of getting as much of the herb into oil as possible, it is a method that brings the flavors of one food, in this case, fresh herbs, to another, such as oil. Basic Oil is unbelievably easy to make. You’ll need:

• 2 ounces fresh basil
• 3/4 cups virgin olive oil (you can use safflower oil or canola)

Ideally, you gather your fresh herbs in your own kitchen garden but any farmer's market or organic grocery will have green herbs. For the best and purest flavor, use fresh herbs at their peak. Rinse thoroughly in cold water. Gently pat dry with paper towels and give the basil a coarse chop. Place into a metal colander and dip into boiling water for 10 seconds. Rinse in an ice water bath and drain well. Gently pat dry and add the basil to the oil. After three to five days in a cool dark place, the flavor will have infused into the oil, adding the fresh bright green note of the herbs. Use liberally on roasts, salads, drizzling on top of cooked vegetables and soups. Basil not only confers much palatability but it also brings prosperity. Enjoy!

These herbs also make fantastic infused oils: rosemary. tarragon, parsley, chives, and cilantro.

A Pocket Full of Luck: The Advantage of Amulets

For an optimal outcome to any important meeting–whether business or social–take an amulet with you. It can be a tiny sack hidden in a pocket or contained in a locket. Fill your amulet with any of the following herbs:

For courage, try borage or mullein.

To avoid betrayal, snapdragon will serve you well.

For robust health, rue will do the trick.

To overcome nervousness, a mixture of dried yarrow and nettle is potent.

To identify another witch, ivy, rue, broom straw, agrimony, and fern work best.

For travel, always wear comfrey for safety.

For youthful energy, the oak’s acorn will vitalize you.

For strength and physical stamina, tuck some mugwort in your shoes.

To ensure victory, woodruff assures a winner.

To guarantee a friendly exchange, heliotrope will make for good conversation.

Envisioning Your Prosperous Future: DIY Visionary Incense

 

You can access your prophetic capabilities with a Wednesday incense ritual using:

• 3 palmfuls ground chicory root
• 1 palmful ground cloves
• 3 palmfuls cinquefoil

*Cinquefoil is in the dandelion family. If you can't find any, use dandelion roots and stems.

Mix and burn the herbs in your fireplace or on your altar while concentrating on a question like whether to take a new job or pursue a business venture. Use this time to cleanse your mind of all concerns, worries, and thoughts, making way for pure insight. Answers will come.

Herbal Wreaths Make a Home

Oftentimes, your kitchen is the heart of the home. Something about cooking and sharing food brings people together. An herbal wreath hanging on the kitchen door can be a source of love and luck. You’ll need the following for your creation:

• Freshly cut herbs of your choice
• A wire wreath frame, available from most craft stores
• Either string or florist's wire, ribbon, and a hot glue gun

This is truly one of the simplest craft projects you can ever make–simply use the wreath frame as a base, and use string or the florist's wire to anchor the fresh herbs into place. Finish it off with a colorful ribbon or other magical decorative touches you may want to add.

Curative Wreath: These are the ideal herbs for a wreath that brings curative properties including lavender, barley, comfrey, rosemary peppermint, borage, olive, eucalyptus, and apple blossom. Brown and green ribbons add a touch of healing color.

Security Wreath: Hang this guardian wreath on your front door using heather, holly, dill, foxglove, garlic, sandalwood, snapdragon, mustard, foxglove, mistletoe, and mugwort. White and blue ribbons add security and serenity.

Prosperity Wreath: Greet prosperity at the door with herbs associated with money magic which include clover, chamomile, sunflower apple, cinnamon, myrtle, basil, and bay leaf. Weave in gold and green ribbon to add to your luck. 

Ultimate Glamour

Few people know that the word “glamour” comes from the seventeenth-century Scottish word “glamour,” which meant to cast a spell or enchantment over anyone who looks upon you.

During the waxing moon, take the rings, necklace, and earrings you are planning to wear during a special tryst and lay them on your altar to imbue them with magic. Mix together one tablespoon each of the dried herbs vervain, thistle, chamomile, and elderflower. Cover your jewelry with the herb mixture and then sprinkle salt on top. Leave for at least 5 minutes, then shake off the herbs and pick up your gems. Hold the jewelry in your hands and chant:

    Bless these jewels and the hand and heart of the wearer

    with the light of heaven above.

    May all who look upon me

    See me through the eyes of love.

Now put on the empowered and enchanted jewelry and go off for your special date.