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Enchantments: 200 Spells for Bath & Beauty Enhancement [Paperback]

Edain McCoy (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 8, 2001

Since before recorded time, women have performed spells using perfumes, hair brushes, mirrors, lotions, masks, and face coloring. These spells not only sought love but conferred protection, purified the spirit, opened the psychic senses, and prepared the woman for sacred ritual.

Enchantments shows you how to reclaim the conviction that beauty already exists in each of us as daughters of the Goddess. Now you can witness this magickal transformation in yourself as you make your own fertility soap, use a hair braid to attract a lover, or enact a glamour spell to draw the eyes of everyone in the room.


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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Edain became a self-initiated Witch in 1981 and has been an active part of the Pagan community since her formal initiation into a large San Antonio coven in 1983.  Edain has researched alternative spiritualities since her teens, when she was first introduced to Kaballah, or Jewish mysticism.  Since that time, she has studied a variety of magickal paths including Celtic, Appalachian folk magick, and Curanderismo, a Mexican-American folk tradition.  Today, Edain is part of the Wittan Irish Pagan tradition, where she is a priestess of Brighid and an elder.  

An alumnus of the University of Texas with a BA in history, she is affiliated with several professional writer's organizations and occasionally presents workshops on magickal topics or works individually with students who wish to study Witchcraft.

This former woodwind player for the Lynchburg (VA) Symphony claims both the infamous feuding McCoy family of Kentucky and Sir Roger Williams, the seventeeth-century religious dissenter, as branches on her ethnically diverse family tree.  In her "real life," Edain works as a licensed stockbroker.

Edain is the author of fifteen books, including Bewitchments; Enchantments; and her most recent release, Ostara: Customs, Spells & Rituals for the Rites of Spring.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The ingredients used for the magickal recipes in this book use many lotion and soap bases to which fresh or dried herbs, or essential or cold-pressed oils, have been added. Essential or aromatic oils are the volatile distilled plant extracts often sold as perfumes. Cold-pressed oils are fatty oils, such as olive or nut oils, that are usually used as a base for essential oil blends.

If you grow or purchase fresh herbs, you can preserve them by drying them. This is best accomplished by hanging them on a drying rack in a warm, dry place for six to eight weeks. You can create the perfect drying rack from the sweater-drying racks found in discount department stores.

Avoid using synthetic ingredients in magickal preparations, especially your essential oils. Perfumed or scented oils are created without natural ingredients. Natural ingredients work best in magick because their energies are in harmony with the magickal goals we seek and they contain the correct energies to act as catalysts to help us make our magick work. They resonate with the power of the Mother Earth in which they were grown and their energy patterns and precise scent¿both of which are needed for your best spellwork¿cannot be duplicated.

The herbs and oils selected for the recipes in this book are a combination of those known to have cosmetic effects on the skin or hair or that act as catalysts to help you achieve specific magickal goals. This chapter will explain some of those ingredients so that you will better be able to see how these recipes were created, and so you can begin to craft your own magickal bath and beauty spells for any need.

Herbs, oils, and other natural substances have a long history of use in magick. Their natural energies have been experimented with for so many centuries that those who practice magickal arts know almost intuitively what plants correspond best to energies of what magickal need. Always remember that the magick is not in the herb, but in you. The herb acts as a catalyst to help you focus your energy and, because it contains sympathetic energy, it helps you channel that energy toward its goal.

In some cases, the scent of the herb alone is all it will take to trigger the magick. This is known in popular culture as aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is gaining acceptance within the most mainstream circles since it has been ¿discovered¿ that lavender is calming, lemon is invigorating, jasmine is seductive, and so on. Magickal people have known these scent tricks for eons. Aroma magick is created each time you use a particular scent or scent blend for a particular spell. Over time, just a whiff of the scent is enough to trigger your magickal mind to action. This is the basis for some very strong magick. I know that just the slightest whiff of sandalwood oil mentally transports me back to one of my earliest and happiest times in magick, and it puts me in the right frame of mind for crafting successful spells.

All the recipes contained in this book are meant strictly for external, cosmetic, and magickal use and should never be ingested or placed in any body cavity. Most of the ingredients used are considered to be safe for general use in limited quantities. Be aware that some herbal concentrations are able to penetrate the skin and be absorbed into the body. Therefore, most of the recipes in the book are not suitable for women who are pregnant or nursing. They should also not be used on young children or on the elderly.

Many people choose herball health and skin care products under the mistaken assumption that ¿natural¿ means ¿100 percent free of side effects.¿ Wise herbalists never forget that plants were our first medicines and that many of today¿s miracle drugs were derived from plants. All living things have a chemical makeup that, when mixed with our own chemistry, may not peacefully coexist. Herbal side effects can be just as severe and just as deadly as those of any prescription drug. Use all herbal preparations with caution, even those not taken internally.

Having a regulating authority declare an herb generally safe, such as is done by the United States Food and Drug Administration, does not mean that substance will not cause an allergic reaction in certain sensitive individuals. You should do an allergy test prior to using any herb as a cosmetic. Do this by crushing some of the herb and placing it under a bandage against the skin on the inside of your arm, just below the elbow fold. The same should be done for oils and other substances. Leave this in place for twenty-four hours, or until an adverse reaction occurs. If twenty-four hours pass with no itching, swelling, or redness, you probably will not have any problems using that substance. Treat any reaction as you normally would, with topical or oral antihistamines or, if the situation merits, seek emergency medical help. Also remember that allergies can develop at any time during your life and can even cause a substance you¿ve used for years to suddenly become potentially dangerous to you.

Don¿t be tempted to pick your own wild herbs unless you are an expert botanist. Many plants are easily confused, even by the pros, and Mother Nature has protected her babies by having the most poisonous plants masquerade as some of the most benign. There are so many reputable dealers who sell inexpensive dried herbs and plants that taking risks is pointless. Look to your local occult bookstore for assistance or check out Appendix A in the back of this book for a list of mail-order resources.

The Major Ingredients

Almond Oil

A low-scent oil often used as a base for essential oil blends, almond oil is very hydrating and often found in high-quality moisturizers. Almonds are used in spells for fertility, grounding, beauty, love, and prosperity. Do not be tempted to substitute peanut oil for almond oil. Peanut oil is a common cooking oil and, like most cooking oils, is a fatty oil derived from a cold-pressed process. It is not an essence and is not hydrating. Peanuts are also common allergens that produce dangerous reactions in many people, especially children.

Aloe Vera

This is a popular ingredient in skin lotions. The gel that comes from a broken aloe leaf can be used to help soothe and heal burns. In magick, aloe vera is used for spells of protection, wealth, and beauty. Keep refrigerated.

Apple

Apples are used in love magick, in rites to honor ancestors and call spirits, and in spells to honor the Goddess. Apples can be puréed in a blender and added to magickal formulas that produce a mild astringent effect. Apple blossom is a sweet scent sometimes used in love or beauty spells.

Anise

Used as a hair rinse for darker hair, anise is also popular in spells to create lust and passion and to enhance psychic energy. Don¿t confuse anise with licorice, though; they are not the same thing.

Castile Soap

This is an olive oil soap first produced in the Castile region of Spain in the thirteenth century. It is easily grated and meelted to make other solid soaps and provides a low-scent base for magickal soap products using essential oils. Castile soap is very mild and nonastringent. It also comes in a liquid form that makes the perfect base for shampoos and gel soaps, though it may be too hydrating for oily hair. A note to vegetarians or those who eschew animal products: Some castiles include animal fat, which originally gave the olive oil soap the fatty acids it needed to give it its cleaning power. Today some of these still contain lard, but most use vegetable oils, so check your ingredients list carefully when purchasing castile soaps at drug stores or by mail order.

Chamomile

This is used in spells for relaxation and is often found in herbal hair preparations, especially for blondes. Avoid using chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed. They come from the same plant family, so people sensitive to ragweed may have an unpleasant reaction to chamomile.

Cinnamon

This spicy herb is used frequently in spells for lust and protection. The oil is very irritating to the skin.

Clay

Our grandmothers tried to tell us about this one. Clay is a great skin softener and makes an excellent facial mask for extracting dirt and oil. Don¿t use clay straight from your backyard, which has too much dirt and trace minerals. Pure clay is cheap and worth the purchase.

Clove

Clove oil is a rich scent, but is toxic and can irritate the skin, so use it with caution. Clove is often added to spells for protection and warding and makes a great catalyst to halt gossip.

Eucalyptus

This oil is reputed to have natural antibiotic and antiviral properties. Not surprisingly, it is used primarily in spells for healing and health.

Glycerin

The hydrating and moisture-retaining substance we know as glycerin is actually a byproduct of soap processing. This complex process is not covered in this book, but the byproduct is recommended in several of the skin lotion recipes. Bottles of glycerin can be purchased inexpensively in most drug stores.

Honey

Honey and the bees who create it are sacred to many of the world¿s Gods and Goddesses. Honey appears in spells ancient and modern as a catalyst for love, beauty, and health. It is also used in medicinal preparations and in skin care products.

Jasmine

Jasmine is actually the general name for over two hundred species of tropical shrubs. The one we use for perfume is from a vine with waxy white foliage that has an exotic and sensual quality. It makes a fine oil or incense, or can be used dried. It is used in magick for prophetic dreams, psychic powers, and love and romance.

Jojoba Oil

Used to add shine and moisture to the hair and scalp, jojoba oil has properties similar to collagen, the elastic in your skin, that can help strengthen the skin and may have some beneficial effect on hair follicles.

Lavender

The soft, feminine scent of lavender releases chemical...

Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (October 8, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0738701688
  • ISBN-13: 978-0738701684
  • Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #643,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edain McCoy has written more than twenty books on metaphysical and occult topics since she was first published in 1993. Her popular titles include Celtic Women's Spirituality, Astral Projection For Beginners, How to Do Automatic Writing, Karmic & Past Life Tarot, The Sabbats, Advanced Witchcraft, If You Want to Be a Witch (Llewellyn Worldwide), and The Healing Power of Faery (Adams Media).

An alumnus of the University of Texas with a B.A. in history, she is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at Butler University. She is affiliated with several professional organizations including the Authors Guild and the American Translators Association. She is listed in the reference guides Contemporary Authors, Who's Who Among American Women, and Who's Who In America, and her articles have appeared in Fate, Circle, Enlightenments, and similar periodicals.

Edain held positions related to education including handscoring standardized testing, substitute teaching, music education, and private tutoring. She spent many years as a licensed stockbroker and financial advisor for several international investment firms before making the leap of faith into her first love--writing full time. In 2006 she was granted a Certificate in Paranormal Investigation from Flamel College, an online institute devoted to training leaders and scientists who study various aspects of the occult. This training assisted her and her expatriate friends in Argentina (visit them at www.TangoWithJudy.com) to investigate haunted sites that have been, and continue to be, denied to other investigators. In December 2008 she completed her studies to become a Reiki Master of the Usui-Rand linage, an intuitive healing art that is still opening new doors to both spirit and spirituality.

She often gives workshops on metaphysical and New Age topics, and has taught the art of guided mediation to many students eager to use this technique for spiritual exploration. Pagan festivals energize her spiritually because she says she learns something wonderful from every person she meets. To view her speaking schedule, learn more about her books, or to find her e-mail address, visit her website at www.EdainMcCoy.com.

 

Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for the beautiful wiccan!, October 13, 2001
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This review is from: Enchantments: 200 Spells for Bath & Beauty Enhancement (Paperback)
When I first skimmed through the book, I was going to give it 2 stars... It was not what I had expected it to be. I had expected it to be a book about spells in enhance or increase beauty, but in fact, it is mostly about spells using beauty products (such as soap, lotion, perfumes, etc.). I was rather disappointed at first. But, then I decided to read through it a little more thoroughly. It does include some recipes on beauty-enhancing spells and items (beauty soap, beauty perfume...). In addition to that, it explains how to make basic soap (but not from scratch!), lotions, perfume bland, massage oils, shampoos, conditioners, and other products. For anyone interested in both spellcraft and natural beauty products, I would definitely reccomend this book. Anyone looking for a get-ptretty-quick spell, don't bother with this, there's nothing like that in here. My final vote: 4 and a half stars
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!!!, June 20, 2003
By 
Neil J. Hajba "neil_in_la" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Enchantments: 200 Spells for Bath & Beauty Enhancement (Paperback)
This book is full of fun recipes and ideas for daily magickal living, but is definately not one of McCoy's best pieces of work. I am a big fan of Edain McCoy and was slightly let down by the content and writing style. Recommended for the formulary or for the McCoy Groupie, but not much else.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Magickal Glamour!, December 19, 2001
This review is from: Enchantments: 200 Spells for Bath & Beauty Enhancement (Paperback)
Beauty is part of Goddess-hood! This book has fresh, wonderful smelling and natural recipes for a variety of purposes, to be used in spells or to just enjoy. There is also information to help create your own blends. It even has a "wash that man out of your hair" shampoo! If you love bath and beauty products as well as natural magick, this is a great addition to your library!
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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
The ingredients used for the magickal recipes in this book use many lotion and soap bases to which fresh or dried herbs, or essential or cold-pressed oils, have been added. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cup grated castile soap, magickal perfumes, glamoury spell, ounces liquid castile soap, magickal bath, magickal need, ounces spring water, sulfonated castor oil, undefined safety, teaspoon tea tree oil, negative magick, magickal goals, lilac oil, dream magick, solid soaps, gel soaps, making magick, love magick, magickal energy, drops sandalwood oil, apricot kernel oil, facial steam, faery folk, mild astringent
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Mother Earth, Love Attracting Soap, Enhancing Beauty, Massage Oil Base, Tuatha De Danaan
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