Rekindling the Flame

~by Edain McCoy

There are probably no feelings quite so energizing to the human spirit as those awakened during the first few months of any new romantic relationship.  Passions run high, expectations are worn near the surface, and everything else in life seems to pale in comparision to the excitement of a new love.

In spite of all our vows to retain the passionate high forever and always, at some point, most established couples ask themselves where the excitement went.  What happened to all that barely restrained passion?  What happened to "us?"

From the bottomless cauldron of magical tricks, we can extract a spell to help rekindle passion's flame.  Before you begin, secure your partner's permission for the spell to avoid any negative repercussions of manipulative magic.

For this spell you will need a red candle, clove oil, vanilla extract, ginseng, damiana herb, and a clean piece of red cloth or a red handkerchief.

On the night you wish to begin the spell, mix the vanilla with the clove oil and use it to anoint a red candle.  Vanilla is a scent of romance, and clove is a fiery oil associated with high passion.  The color red is also related to fire and lustiness.  As you coat the candle, be sure to clearly visualize lots of lusty things to help project your desired outcome into the candle.  Take some of the herbs and tie them securely inside the red cloth.  As you do this, chant a charm to seal the spell such as:

Herbs of fiery passion's height, Sealed by you in my power tonight, Released again only at my will, Your energy spent to work this spell.

Place the red package underneath your mattress or under some other surface on which you frequently make love.

Using a tea ball, brew the ginseng and a small bit of the damiana to make two steamy cups of tea for you to share with your mate.  Be sure to visualize your goal as the tea is brewing.  The aphrodisiac properties of damiana are well-documented, as are its cardio-active agents.  Only very small amounts should be used to avoid overstimulating the cardiovascular system.  For those who would rather have a less potent, but still magically effective alternative, try substituting hibiscus for the damiana.

Sit down together with the tea in a quiet place whre you will be undisturbed and light the candle.  Drink the tea by the candle's light while the spell goes to work, firing your passion like in those early days of your romance.

~from Llewellyn's 1997 Magical Almanac, pgs. 24-25