There are multitudes of volumes written on rites of magic, white and black. It should be remembered that it is the intention that lies behind the work that categorizes the type of magic, and not the rite or magical process itself. Within this book, the emphasis has been placed on the responsibility of the aromatherapist, whether involved in an act of healing or a magical endeavor. It is without question that the one who blends and uses essential oils is, at the very least, involved in creating change in another’s life.
Some may question the virtue of altering another’s destiny through the use of natural arts and sciences, and not without some valid foundation. For this reason, personal belief dictates that magic is not truly black or white but different shades of gray. Even when the apparent results of a magical undertaking are positive, we cannot assume that we had the ethical right to enter into the magical process in the first place—or, indeed, that the outcome would have been any different had we left it alone.
That being said, there are some undertakings that are obviously of a darker gray than others. When we try to help a fellow spirit, we may well be doing an honorable act—whether or not we may be judged as having the right to do it! However, when we control and manipulate through the ancient arts and when we alter fates to coincide with our own desires or to meet selfish ends, it is more than the virtue of the method that is in question: our own motives are suspect.
Still, it would be an act of neglect to ignore the formulae that are borne of the darker side of magical practice. The oldest of magical traditions are not without a few blends directed toward the darker purposes. For this reason, and in order to offer this presentation as a complete sourcebook, the darker ds are included here for reference.
Bend Over Oil
rose (MA)
frankincense! (MA)
honeysuckle (MA)
vetivert (MA)
Background and use: Intended to bend another to the will of the magical practitioner, this oil is well suited for anointing candles or fith faths (voodoo dolls).
Black Arts (v)
patchouli (MA)
carnation (MA)
pine (mi)
camphor! (T)
Background and use: As there are general purpose blends for positive ritual work, such as blessing or altar oil, so the darker side has its own general purpose preparations. This one might be used as a personal anointing oil or in a bath to temper the mood of the practitioner for the ritual work about to be done, as a candle or altar anointing oil to set the tone of the ritual space, or in the actual magical act as a directive for the magical energies raised.
Black Cat (v)
myrrh! (MA)
bay (mi)
sage! (mi)
Note: The original version of this blend also included three black cat hairs. As a matter of personal preference and belief, no animal parts appear in any of the blends in this formulary.
Background and use: Most often employed as a hexing oil, this oil may also be used in rites of luck and love.
Break Up Oil (t)
lavender (MA)
bay (mi)
elderberry (T)
cinnamon! (T)
Background and use: Intended to separate a couple in love, this oil is used as an anointing oil for candle working.
Commanding Oil (t)
frankincense! (MA)
myrrh! (MA)
bay (mi)
cinnamon! (T)
Background and use: Used as an anointing oil on candles to bend another person to the magician’s will.
Confusion (t)
vetivert (MA)
lavender (MA)
galangal (mi)
Background and use: Used in candle magic, waters, or sprinkling powders to confuse an enemy.
Controlling Oil (v)
patchouli (MA)
bay (mi)
sandalwood (mi)
pine (mi)
cinnamon! (T)
Background and use: This preparation is yet another blend designed to subjugate the will of another to that of the magical practitioner.
Convince (t)
jasmine (MA)
violet (mi)
clove! (T)
Background and use: While this blend must be considered a dark side oil because it is designed to manipulate the will of another, it should be noted that it is a softer approach to persuasion. It is intended to sway another to the magician’s way of thinking rather than to force Cthe subject to act under the practitioner’s will.
Counteracting Oil (v)
lemon verbena! (MA)
rose (MA)
lily of the valley (MA)
bay (mi)
lavender (mi)
Background and use: Used as a candle anointing oil, this blend is designed to undo the magic of a fellow practitioner working against the magician.
Do As I Say (t)
frankincense! (MA)
myrrh! (MA)
dragon’s blood (pinch)
Background and use: One of the few blends that includes ingredients from the herbalist’s shelf as well as the aromatherapy lab, this is another oil intended to control the will of another. It is very popular for use in candle magic.
Domination Oil (v)
myrrh! (MA)
bay (mi)
sandalwood (mi)
cinnamon! (T)
Background and use: This blend is used to dominate the will of another in magical working.
Flying Devil (v)
patchouli (MA)
juniper (MA)
vetivert (MA)
myrrh! (mi)
galangal (mi)
Background and use: Used to exact revenge on an enemy, this mixture is said to enlist the aids of demon spirits who take pleasure in the payback.
Get Away (v)
bay (MA)
camphor! (T)
eucalyptus (T)
clove! (T)
citronella! (T)
Background and use: In candle magic, waters, and powders, this blend is used to send an enemy or undesirable in the opposite direction.
Hate Oil (v)
galangal (MA)
pine (MA)
camphor! (T)
clove! (T)
Background and use: Used in hexing rituals, this blended oil is intended to wreak havoc on the life of an enemy.
Jury Winning Oil (t)
hyacinth (MA)
lily of the valley (MA)
lavender (mi)
Background and use: This blend, while not truly of a malevolent nature, is included in this section due to the arena of influence in which it finds its application: it is employed for those seeking favor of a jury. While this may be used to promote the causes of justice and honor, it can also be us-ed in rights designed to help the criminal to escape the hands of justice by convincing a jury to decide in his or her favor.
Law Stay Away (v)
hyacinth (MA)
mimosa (mi)
sandalwood (mi)
cinnamon! (T)
Background and use: Another blend designed for the less than honorable element in our society, this magical preparation is intended for those who are being sought by law enforcement agencies to avoid capture and arrest.
Mystic Veil (v)
sandalwood (MA)
myrrh! (MA)
cinnamon! (T)
clove! (T)
Background and use: The original form of this oil was directed toward more ritual, spiritual purposes. This variation utilizes the facet of the original blend of melding with the world of spirit to more mundane applications. One of the most avid users of this blend is a trucker who drives cross country. He swears that this is what keeps him from getting speeding tickets while trying to keep to stringent deadlines. He says that it acts as a sort of invisibility oil. Highway patrol officers seem to pass right by him without noticing that he is in violation of the speed limit, while they may stop others driving along with him.
No Arrest (v)
patchouli (MA)
cedarwood (MA)
lemon! (mi)
cinnamon! (T)
Background and use: This is another preparation that is popular with those who walk on the shady side of the law. It is designed to help the perpetrator of a criminal offense to avoid being taken into custody by law enforcement officers.