***Planning Your Magickal Powder***

Ingredients:

Although I've provided a list of magickal powders for your experimentation in this section, let's go through the actual creation of a powder. As in other magickal applications I've taught you, we need to get down to the one-two-three process. Before you purchase the ingredients, you need to answer some specific questions. What will this powder be used for? Is this a one-time situation, or will you want to make a larger batch of powder to use for several things (such as spiritual cleansing powder)? Do you have time to order special ingredients, or do you need to make the powder right away? If so, what ingredients can you substitute for those you do not have? Do you want to add a "signature" ingredient? Some magickal practitioners add a signature ingredient, something that encompasses their essence and melds the powder to their energy field or vibration. For example, I always add a little ground silver to all my powders, as that is my signature ingredient. Depending on the use of the powder, what moonphase, day, or planetary hour would be appropriate to make what powder? Do you wish to add the particular energies of a diety, totem animal, or element to the essence of the powder? If so, what correspondences go well with that deity, totem animal,element, or Spirit? Do you want to employ the energies of a magickal alphabet or the powers of the rune symbols to the activation of your powder? If so, will the rune spirits be comfy with any other energies you may wish to use? Along with these decisions, you might want to write a specific charm or ritual designed for your magickal powder development and subsequent application.

Directions:

The Expense -O, the Availibility! What if you can't afford to buy some of the ingredients in a magickal powder formula? Learn to substitute. It won't hurt you, and it won't mess up your powder. Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs (Llewlyn, 1985) is a tried and true must-have volume for any magickal person, In this book, Scott provides hundreds of substitutions. What if you can't get your hands on tonka beans and you need them RIGHT NOW? Get to know your supermarket and health food store well. Sometimes, when I want to work a spell but haven't the faintest idea what ingredients to use, I'll browse through the supermarket aisles and purchase what feels right. You'll find yourself amazed at what you can come up with. If you are really in a pinch, you can take standard boxed cone incense, grind it up, and use this powder along with your natural ingredients. I know, the purists are shuddering, but it works. Many supermarkets contain floral areas, too. If you wish to make magickal powders from fresh items, you'll have to cut very small pieces and let them dry. Work with a hand grater for many fruits and vegetables. Lay the pieces on paper towels and allow to dry. Change the towels as necessary. Tie items such as coriander, parsley and othe leafy plants together in small bunches and hang on a dowel rod attached to akitchen wall with inexpensive cup holders. I did this for years. My father hangs his herbs from his rafters inth attic. Although some magickal individuals use a microwave to dry their herbs, I can't quite bring myself to do that, becuase I'm not sure if the waving process destrys the magickal properties of the herbs. I have used the microwave to banish the effects of an incident I did not create. I put the situation on a piece of paper, sprinkled herbs inthe center, rolled the paper, and nuked it for 57 seconds (the number 57= 5+7=12=1+2=3). Poof! No more problems. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm sure you will find other substances that you may wish to combine with oils and powders, or use seperately. I can think of four, including salt, brown sugar, refined sugar, and honey, as well as the famous Florida Waters. In Pow-Wow magick one pours salt in the path of an enemy, in their footprints, or better yet, on their underwear (No kidding). Honey, brown and refined sugar make excellent ingredients for sweetening a situation. You can also mold brown sugar and various herbs together for a healing poppet.

Source: Silver Ravenwolf "To Light A Sacred Flame"