Witches Brew  

A compilation of posts on the subject of brews.  Authors noted if know, otherwise posts left without credit.  If you know who belongs to any of the posts, please contact me and let me know.

Midnight Lightning Slashes the stormy sky. Three haggard figures on a lonely hill lean over a huge cauldron. They throw noisome ingredients into the boiling water - poisonous herbs, noxious reptiles, snake venom - and cackle as steam rises and the wind howls like tortured demons.

So goes the standard brew-making scene, thanks in large to authors such as William Shakespeare. They vividly capture and firmly, implanted such powerful but absurd images in our minds. Brews (also known as potions) may be as prosaic as herb tea, or as mystical as rainbow infusion.

They stem from early magical, ritual and medicinal preparations, and are as effective today as they were thousands of years ago. In herb magic, brews are little more than herbal infusions or teas. They needn't be prepared over an open fire in a forest clearing, your own stove or backyard will do nicely.

Their are so many different kind of brews, some are drunk, some are added to the bath and others prepared to release fragrant steam into the air, infusing the area with the sum total of the herb's vibrations.

It's The Water

The type of water used in brewing is of some importance. Well, spring and distilled waters are preferred over that which pours from the tap. You can buy these bottled or collect them from the source, so long as it's unpolluted and free running. Rain water is ideal for use except when gathered in smoggy areas. Tap water can be used as a last resort, but consider purchasing the bottles variety in the future.

Sea water and mineral water aren't recommended due to their high mineral content.

Brewing

The Heating: Fire, gas flame or stove coils will do for the heat source. I suppose you could prepare a brew in a microwave oven, but this isn't the best idea. If nothing else, it reduce some of the magic of the process. If you're the old-fashioned kind, try making a brew in a fireplace or outdoors over a blaze.

The Vessels

It's best if the water and herbs don't come into direct contact with metal while brewing. There are few exceptions to this in herbalism.  One is cauldron brewing, which is little-practiced today. Herb-pots. But in general, avoid metal. Clear glass jars work well for Solar infusions. Simply place the water and herbs into the jar and set this in direct sunlight, preferably outdoors. Leave it there for most of the day. Some brews ask for specific colored glass jars.

BASIC BREW

Not every brew in this section is made in the following manner. Use specific instructions where given.

Gather, grind & mix the herbs. For brews to be drunk, use specific culinary mortar & pestle for grinding, not the one used for heavy- duty magickal herbs.

Empower the herbs with your magickal goal.

Heat about 2 cups water to boiling. Place about one handful of mixed, empowered herbs in a teapot or some other heat-proof, non-metallic container. Pour the water over the herbs. Cover with an equally non-metallic, steam tight lid. let the herbs brew for about 13 minutes.

Strain through cheesecloth or a bamboo strainer & use.

Brews should be used as quickly as possible. If necessary, they can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. After this time, return them to the earth & create a new brew.

A note regarding "love" potions. There are no drinks that will emotionally enslave another person to you, no brews that will cause love. However, some brews have long been celebrated for relaxing inhibitions and mellowing the emotions. Also, a few have been used to smooth over difficulties during long-term relationships and marriages. (from 'The complete Book of incense, oils & Brews' by Scott Cunningham)

THE RECIPES

APHRODISIA: A Passion Drink

• 1 pinch Rosemary 

• 2 pinches Thyme

• 2 tsp. Black Tea

• 1 pinch Coriander

• 3 fresh Mint leaves (or 1/2 tsp. dried)

• 5 fresh Rosebud petals (or 1 tsp. dried)

• 5 fresh Lemon tree leaves (1 tsp. dried lemon peel)

• 3 pinches Nutmeg

• 3 pieces Orange peel

Place all ingredients into teapot. Boil three cups or so of water & add to the pot. Sweeten with honey, if desired. Serve hot.

APHRODISIA #2

• 3 Parts Rose petals

• 1 Part Each: Clove, Nutmeg, Lavender, Ginger

Make in the usual way, preferably in an earthen pot. Add this mixture to tea, or serve alone to increase the passions.

CLAIRVOYANCE BREW

• 3 Parts Rose petals

• 1 Part Each: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Bay, Mugwort

Place in a teapot, fill with boiling water, let steep, covered, for a few minutes. Remove cover, sniff steam - (not so that you burn your nose) for a few moments, visualize the mystic scent opening your psychic awareness, then lie down & prophesize. If you wish, drink a bit of the brew as well, & let the steam continue to rise as you stretch your psychic awareness.

CAULDRON OF CERRIDWEN BREW

• 1 part each - Bay, tobacco, Damiana, Mormon Tea & Broom (Non-toxic)      

-or-

• Equal parts each: Acorns, Barley, Honey, Ivy, Hellebore, Bay

(caution) - DO NOT DRINK!

Boil water in a cauldron over an open fire. Place all ingredients in the cauldron. Sit before it & entrance yourself by watching the flames. Smell its mystic scent & receive wisdom.

DREAM TEA

• 2 parts Rose Wheat

• 1 part Each: Mugwort, Peppermint, Jasmine flowers, Cinnamon

Mix, add one tsp to a cup. Pour boiling water over this & let steep, covered, for a few minutes. Drink before going to bed to promote psychic dreams.

EXORCISM BREW

(caution)

• 3 parts rosemary

• 1 part bay

• 1 pinch cayenne

Mix, add one tsp mixture to a cup, pour boiling water over the herbs & let steep for 9 minutes, covered. Drink a few teaspoons a day, or add to the bath.

Omens of the Witch's Brew --

From Gerina Dunwich's Book "Magick Potions"

• If a Witch's brew continues to boil after it has been removed from the fire, it is said to be a sign that the Witch will live to be a ripe old age! This omen originated in Europe in the Middle Ages.

• A quarrel with a friend or family member is portended if a Witch's brew should accidentally be spilled on the carpet. However, it is said to be a sign of good luck to accidentally spill some upon yourself.

• It is bad luck to brew philtres (love potions) when the moon is in a waning phase or during the time know as the dark of the moon. The ideal time is during a waxing moon, especially on Valentine's Day.

• If two Witches stir the same brew, they will be stirring up strife, according to an old superstitious belief from England.

  • If they both drink it from the same cup, it will bring them bad luck unless they are married or hand fasted to each other.

• It is said to be extremely unlucky for any Witch to heat his or her own brews and potions in a tea kettle or cauldron belonging to another. (To avoid this, a good rule of thumb is to always use your own magickal tools.)

• If a lady and a gentleman pour out a cup of brew from the same pot, this is an omen that a child will be born to them.

  • If two women pour, one of them will give birth to a red-haired set of twins within the year.

• It is an invitation to poverty and misfortune should you throw away herbs that are leftover from potions and brews.

• For good fortune to smile upon you, always dispose of used herbs by casting them into a fire.

• A stranger will soon be arriving on your doorstep if you accidentally leave the lid of the tea kettle or cauldron off while preparing a magickal brew. This superstitious belief hails from Victorian-era England.

• It is said to be unlucky to stir a Witch's brew in a counter-clockwise direction. To do so creates bad vibrations and attracts negative influences. Always stir in a clockwise direction.

• If your left eye itches while you are brewing a potion, this is an omen that sorrow shall soon find it's way into your life.

  • An itching of your right eye indicates precisely the opposite. How and where these originated is a mystery.

Witch's Daily Brew

~source unknown

Long ago I read Sibyl Leek's book "The Complete Art of Witchcraft". I think that was the book that started my daily herbal brews. She drank red clover tea every day as a body/energy strengthener. I tried that, but later switched to instant ginseng tea for convenience and as a daily ritual. This is the most recent development, and a recipe that friends can't get enough of, I've even sold/traded it occasionally.

The proportions are rather intuitive and dependent on what's on hand, but basically mix all of the following and use about a teaspoon of it in 6-8 ounces of very hot water, let steep for 5 minutes. I'll add botanical names and attributes of each ingredient as soon as I can. If you don't have all the ingredients, no problem, make it without them! This makes 2 of my friends VERY SLEEPY, so use at night if that happens to you too. Personally I feel energized by it.

• 1 handful lemon verbena

• 1 handful lemon catnip or regular catmint

• 1 handful red raspberry leaves

• 1 handful red clover blossoms

• 1 handful spearmint leaves

• 1/2 handful peppermint leaves

• 1 large handful chamomile flowers

• 1/2 handful chickweed

• 1/2 handful dried nettles

• 1 handful lemon balm

If you live in a country where it is legal, and have glaucoma, are under chemotherapy treatments, or for Sabbats, 1/2 handful of cannabis (sativa preferably, or indica if desired or for severe illness) leaves, NOT flowering tops can be added. Otherwise this addition may not be wise for a daily brew!