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Sacred Sprays for Magical Self-Care, by Katrina Rasbold

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

One of the easiest ways to change your energy is by using sacred sprays. You can purchase these through online or brick and mortar establishments, but it is even more fun to make your own. Admittedly, my favorite is Pastor Davis 7 African Powers, which we call "The Holy Aquanet" at my shop because it is in a fat aerosol can. I have been unable to duplicate the scent, and we use it to seal our magical work, especially a spiritual cleansing.

For most people, sacred sprays create an immediate effect. I like to spray it into the air above me and then let it rain over me in a soothing rush of scent. For that moment, I can merge with the energy of the spray and give myself over to its power. That boost can carry me forward for several hours. I keep small bottles of magical sprays in my car to cleanse and refortify me after I have been out in the world too much and I am "over-peopled." It also comes in handy if I have a negative energetic encounter somewhere. The spray will reseat me and bring me back into myself.

There are sprays dedicated to refreshing you, calming you, protecting you, grounding you, and empowering you. The good news is that you can make the sprays yourself if you do not want to buy them. The outcome is a product that belies the simplicity of the process. The sprays discussed here are all safe for skin, fabric, and pets.

Why Do They Work?
The power behind sacred sprays is four-fold. In most cases, the recipe is a long-established, traditional combination, so there is power in using the same components that magical people have put together for hundreds of years. There is the natural power inherent in the ingredients, such as the magical properties of the herbs and stones used. Next, the fact that you are the one creating the mix, so your personal energy invests into the process. Lastly, there is the power of aromatherapy, both from a traditional standpoint and as elicited from your own conditioned triggers. If someone you love(d) always wore rose scent, then that will likely have a positive effect on you. If you had lavender in your garden growing up, then that may immediately relax you above and beyond its natural properties.

What Do I Need to Make my Own Sprays?
To make magical, sacred sprays, you will need to following items:

• Eight-ounce plastic spray bottles: In our post-COVID times, obtaining spray bottles can be a bit of hit and miss, but you can usually get a set of eight-ounce bottles on Amazon or even at your local dollar store. The eight-ounce bottles hold a good bit without becoming cumbersome to hold. I recommend a spray bottle with a fine mist rather than a utility bottle for cleaners and such (Those tend to give a fire hose effect that is not always pleasant).
• A large bottle of vodka: You will not make a superior product using expensive vodka, so leave the fancy stuff and get the cheapest you can find.
• Essential oils: There are numerous resources on the internet to tell you the magical properties of different essential oils. Most of the sources are consistent with their information. You can follow traditional recipes or you can experiment and make your own, using the magical properties resources as a guide to create the effect you want. Make sure the oils you use are skin-safe and not caustic.
• Dried herbs, resins: Dried herbs support the essential oils in the fulfillment of your goals. As with the oils, you can find information on the properties of resins and herbs through a quick Google search. Only use herbs if you are creating a "mother bottle" (more on that in a bit) and be sure to strain out all herbal matter before you put the liquid into the spray bottle. Herbs tend to clog the tube to the sprayer.
• Small stones: I put small stone chips, usually 1-2 depending on the size, in the bottom of my spray bottles not only to add their own energy to the process, but also to assist with the mixing when we shake the bottle to blend the oils and the vodka.
• A small funnel: It is much easier to pour the vodka or the spray mix into a spray bottle if you have a small funnel.
• A mesh strainer or cheesecloth: You will need this if you have a mother bottle of spray and need to remove herbal matter before putting the liquid into the spray bottle.
• Paper towels or shop towels: I recommend having a whole roll. It is rare for spills not to occur.
• A pipette to add oils: This lets you add oils a few drops at a time. Oils have different intensity levels, and it is easier to add more oil than to take it out after you add it.

How Do I Make the Sprays?
There are two ways to make amazing magical sprays, and both will render excellent results.

Slow and Patient
For this method, you will create a designated mother bottle. The mother bottle is where the spray will cure into a strong concentrate that you can then dilute when the time comes to pour it out into the spray bottles.

Vodka is your carrier. As an alcohol, it evaporates quickly, so you are not left with droplets all over your fabric and skin. I tend to pour out four to six ounces of vodka into a clean cup and use the large vodka bottle itself as a mother bottle. I then use a Sharpie marker to write the recipe for my mix onto the mother bottle once I am satisfied with the outcome.

You can also use a quart canning jar or any other large jar with a lid that seals well. You want to leave room in the bottle for your additions and then you can pour the excess vodka back into the mother bottle to top it off once your mix is right.

For any of the recipes given, you can use the appropriate essential oil, herb, or resin, or you can use a combination of them all. For instance, if a recipe calls for lavender and lemongrass, you can use lavender oil, lemongrass oil, lavender flowers or sprigs, and dried lemongrass in any combination. If it calls for frankincense and dragon's blood, you can use both resins plus the essential oils, or just the resins alone. If you do not use the oils and rely on resins and herbs, you will need to let the spray cure for several weeks to get the stronger results. That is why this is the "slow and patient" technique.

I included recipes at the end of this article. In Conjure practice, the idea is that you use what you have readily available, either in your magical cupboard or what you can easily obtain. This will often influence how you make your sprays. None of the recipes here call for exotic, obscure ingredients.

Clear your working space and assemble your ingredients and tools. Make sure your mother bottle has a large amount of vodka in it, but still has room for your additions. Put in your oils first, then your herbs and resins, then your stone.

Close it up and shake it well. Check the smell. If you have not used oils, you may have to wait a week or two for the scent to develop. You will smell the vodka until the scent leaches out of the resins or herbs.

Put the bottle in a cool, dry, dark place to cure and check it once a week. Each week, it will become stronger until it levels out, usually in two or three months. You will know it is ready to use when you no longer smell the vodka.

When the scent is strong, use a mesh strainer or cheese cloth to strain the herbal matter into a measuring cup or other temporary vessel. Drop the stone into your spray bottle and carefully pour the spray mix into the bottle. Dilute the spray mix with additional vodka if it seems too strong.

Secure the cap onto the spray bottle and enjoy your spray.

Fast and Easy
With the fast and easy method, you must use essential oils as there will be no curing time to coax the scents out of the resin and herbs.

Add your stone first. Pour the vodka directly into the spray bottle, leaving approximately 2" of room in the top to add your oils. Drip your oils in a few drops at a time. Secure the cap, then shake the bottle vigorously. Uncap the bottle.

Close your eyes and center yourself, then smell the product. Does it need more sweetness (add florals)? Does it need more sharpness (try some citrus)? Do you have enough earth tones to it (add herbs)? Keep mixing until you find a blend you love, but carefully note each addition so you can duplicate your recipe later if desired.

You can add resins and herbs to the fast and easy mix, but the herbs will often start to disintegrate over time and clog your spray tube. Resins normally will not do this.

Be careful of adding too much oil or your spray will be sticky. Be sure to add enough oil or your spray will not have scent. In true Conjure, the scent is not the magic. Instead, the power lies in the properties. Admittedly, I am a fan of the smells.

With either method, be sure to shake your product well before using to mix the vodka and oils.

Recipes
We use sprays for many magical purposes. Here are some of my favorite recipes. They may sound simple, but they pack a powerful energetic punch. You will notice that there are no amounts listed for each ingredient. This is because it is important that you find your own identity with the sprays. Hint: start with equal parts of each ingredient and explore from there. When a recipe requires oil rather than the actual ingredient (such as "cucumber"), I have noted it in the recipe. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils but be careful of oils that have a high synthetic chemical component rather than natural ingredients. Synthetics can interfere with the desired magical properties.

Purification Spray: For a Quick Spiritual Cleanse

• Lavender
• Lemongrass

Inner Sanctum: To Engage the Higher Self

• Nag Champa oil
• Dragon's Blood

Motivation: –To Get People or Situations Moving

• Lemon oil
• Orange oil

True Romance: To Manifest or Encourage Love

• Rose
• Patchouli

Healing: To Promote Healing Energy

• Cucumber oil
• Rose

Protection: To Create a Protective Boundary Around a Person

• Dragon's Blood
• Myrrh
• Frankincense

Cut & Clear: To Break the Ties That Bind a Person to Another Person, Behavior, or Situation

• Peach oil
• Cucumber oil

Serenity: To Evoke a Feeling of Calm and Peacefulness

• Lavender
• Rose
• Cedarwood

I hope you enjoy making and using your own magical sprays. They make wonderful gifts and are a fantastic addition to your spiritual cupboard!

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

I have been working for a while to integrate some of the darker aspects of my psyche and become a more balanced person. Recent developments have added more urgency to this. I do a lot of remote energy healing for close friends who have asked for my assistance. I do most of this work out on my deck at night. It seems to help to be near nature, and the quiet of the night allows me to let down and relax. When I facilitate a healing, itís like a form of astral projection. I go where I'm needed and assess and address any problem areas while maintaining contact with whichever archangel chooses to guide me. (This is how I ensure my actions are in the best interests of the client.) Sometimes when I venture forth in this manner, my energy is different. I am super confident and many voices travel with me. I get the sense that they are all part of me somehow and I am not afraid of them. During these times, I am very powerful and my healings are particularly effective, however, I have to be extra diligent and verify each step with my guides as I am less scrupulous. I am guessing that this wild energy is a darker aspect of myself and am eager to safely integrate this to become a more balanced person. I would also like to prevent any wild cards from popping up during my energy work that might adversely affect a client. I would appreciate any input or suggestions you might have. Thank you!

Phil

Susyn:

How wonderful that you have advanced to this level of spiritual healing work. Your ability to assess and address problems and astral project your energy to help others is a rare gift, so it's understandable that you would want to be sure you are performing at the highest level possible.

While you refer to the wild energy as a darker aspect of yourself, my sense is that your greatest challenge is to identify when ego tries to interfere with your spiritual aims. Spiritual work often produces euphoric energy. This naturally creates the desire to experience that euphoria again and again, so what you describe is a common struggle.

You mention that you are diligent in remembering to verify each step of your healing process with your guides. This is the key to making sure your work is of the highest caliber; it will also allow you to monitor what's happening and separate out any aspects of your self that might interfere with your healing work.

As for how to integrate these darker aspects of yourself, in my experience, it's not so much about integrating all aspects of ourselves, both dark and light, but more about setting up boundaries so all parts of ourselves can remain whole but also be accessed separately as needed. Just as we refrain from bringing our personal lives into the work place or mixing certain foods together, we can enjoy all aspects of ourselves without combining them. Sometimes, it isn't even wise to integrate them all because doing so may do more harm than good.

Awareness is half the battle; the more cognizant we are of what we are doing and on what level we are performing, the more powerful our efforts become. Willingness is the other half of the battle. If we come across darker energy or realize that our egos are displacing spirit, we have to be willing to face that truth so we can change our approach and redirect our focus.

My sense is that the wild energy you are experiencing is necessary to the work you do and not harmful to you or your clients. I would only be concerned if you were to stop checking in with your guides or begin to operate under the delusion that you are doing the healing yourself instead of acting as a channel for Spirit.

As you continue to evolve in your healing work, areas of your personality you consider dark will begin to transform naturally. It is important to have a healthy ego and confidence in order to do your work. The only time it becomes dark is when it is out of balance with other parts of yourself. I feel that you are on the right path and needn't worry about working against yourself as long as you continue to bring your guides with you when you perform your healing work.

*****

Oceania:

Good for you for being committed to ongoing self-examination; it is critical for healers to do what you're doing so that personal issues donít interfere with their clients' welfare.

We all have many aspects of Self, which are like facets on a crystal. Integration means our parts work together as a team, like an inner United Nations. If some part of us was unacceptable to the family we grew up in (for example, our creative part), we may disown it. Our job as adults is to reclaim any lost parts.

An extreme example of internal separation is found in Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder), where parts have little to no awareness of each other. In isolation, parts can develop into full-blown personalities known as alters. The goal of treatment is to introduce them to each other and unify them.

For most of us, personality parts are separated by chain link fences, not walls, and they communicate through inner dialogue. When the impulsive child craves brownies, the critical parent may scold and lecture about junk food while the rational peacemaker may settle the matter by choosing ONE brownie instead of a dozen. However, if our impulsive child is ignored or shunned, it may sometimes take over and go on a binge!

While you sense that these emerging voices may be helping you in your work, since you don't know them very well, you naturally feel a need to vigilantly oversee them. The fact that you feel less scrupulous when you allow them to participate indicates that you are struggling to meet your own highest standards for integrity.

You refer to your newly discovered parts as wild and dark. Shadow parts are those we reject or remain unaware of. Left to their own devices, they can be destructive, but when working in tandem with other parts (such as your own sense of integrity), they can bring special gifts to the table. For example, on its own, our anger can be destructive, but when cooperating with positive, patient and goal-oriented parts, our anger can be transmuted into strength, self-preservation and wise choices.

While you are getting more familiar with the newest members of your inner team, I think you'd be wise to keep them on the sidelines. A therapist trained in Voice Dialogue may be particularly helpful to you at this time. Drs. Hal and Sidra Stone developed this technique, which enables sub-personalities to meet, greet and work together. You can learn more about this approach online.

With continued personal work, you will have a more unified, qualified group of selves, at which point you will more power as a healer and greater inner peace.

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.