Read A Witch's World of Magick for Free Online Page A

dust must be added a piece of red ribbon, a gold ring, and a sprig of palm leaf that has been blessed. From this mixture a tea is made and seven doses are swallowed. However, the tea has an external efficacy also. It is suddenly poured into a brass kettle that has been heated very hot. The sizzling sound made by the escaping steam gives the patient a start, and acts as a sort of antidote to the shock from which he is suffering. 34
    In this recipe we find that dirt taken from the four corners of a grave or a crossroads, combined with the energies of a red ribbon, a gold ring, and a blessed palm leaf creates a potion that mixes with the senses to calm the nerves and soothe shock. We might suppose that the dirt from four corners of a graveyard or crossroads supplies a grounding effect, related perhaps to the four directions, and containing also the magickal properties inherent to such locations. The goddess Mictecacihuatl, later known as Santa Muerte, is strongly associated with graveyards and is believed to watch over souls while in the depths of death, darkness, or despair, while crossroads have long corresponded to transformation, occult forces, and magick.
    The inclusion of the red ribbon can probably be attributed to its Christian associations, the color red being associated with the blood of Christ and thus with the protection and salvation attributed to that godform. Red ribbons are commonly used throughout Mexico to attach milagros onto altars and shrines. Milagros are small metal charms symbolizing prayers or expressing gratitude, typically placed in holy places such as shrines to saints, or carried around in one’s pocket for good luck and protection. The red ribbon has other symbolic possibilities, as well. In Mexican culture, the color red is associated with life, blood, passion, strength, and protection, and its usefulness in an anti-shock potion could be due in part to its correspondences with these powerful and vital energies.
    The gold ring is included most likely due to the metal’s inherent symbolism: fire, the sun, illumination, divinity—indeed powerful forces with which to combat fright. The palm branch has merit for its associations with spiritual victory, and like the red ribbon, it also has links with Christian symbology.
    Although the choice of potion ingredients is indeed intriguing, the practical, mundane action of the brew is equally worth noting: this anti-shock tea surprises the patient back to their senses by producing a loud, sudden sizzling sound when poured into the hot brass kettle. Perhaps a modern witch might in a similar manner make use of steam, bubbles, flavors, textures, or other “surface” qualities of a potion when crafting his or her own unique magickal blends.
    In addition to combining energies by ingesting foods and potions, mixing magick can be carried out through externally applied blends, as well. In Jewish magick, for instance, consuming magick cakes, eggs, and charmed drinks weren’t the only ways to achieve magickal results. In Jewish Magic and Superstition , Joshua Trachtenberg writes: Liquids that had been magically charged were also applied externally. To gain favor the suggestion was to recite various Psalms over oil and to anoint the face and hands with it … “To behold great wonders” one must bathe in scented water over which a spell has been uttered … To destroy an enemy’s power one should recite given charms over wine or water and pour the liquid in front of his door … To calm a storm at sea … a mixture of rose-oil, water and salt over which the charm had been whispered, were recommended. 35
    We here find that the power of potions can be absorbed through direct contact, be it with the skin, the bottom of a shoe, or the sea. Again we find that through the simple expedient of close proximity, energies are magickally combined. Also to note here is the use of the word charm to empower and activate the potion: Psalms were recited, charms were spoken or