A Druid's Handbook to the Spiritual Power of Plants: Spagyrics in Magical and Sexual Rituals - Jon G. Hughes 2014

Mediums for The Application of Complexes to The Skin
Mediums to Carry The Complex
Workings and Rituals

Whether using single or combined complexes, it is common to mix them with a suitable carrying medium. The carrying medium used depends on whether the complex is to be applied to the skin or ingested. Let’s explore each method.

Mediums for The Application of Complexes to The Skin

Within the Welsh Druidic tradition, applications come in four forms:

Salves (leddfu in Welsh)

Unguent (ennaint in Welsh)

Evaporations (ymageru in Welsh)

Poultices and fomentations (compresses) (powltis in Welsh)

Salves are used in the treatment of physical damage or imbalance, such as bruising, cuts, sprains, grazes, irritations, insect and plant stings, and against certain skin ailments. They offer physical comfort, provide relief from pain or irritation, assist healing, and stave off infection.

Unguents are used only in spiritual/magical workings. They are used to energize, strengthen, reinforce, increase potential, and otherwise influence the internal energy of the recipient.

Evaporations are again mainly used in magical workings. The exception is their use to treat sprains and bruising, where they are helpful primarily for their physical benefits.

Poultices and fomentations are used primarily for their physical benefits in easing pain and bringing comfort and for their nurturing properties when used over a longer period.

Crafting and Using Mediums for Skin Application

The work of crafting all of these mediums is usually done in the comfort and convenience of the Druid’s workshop. The tasks are simple ones and do not require the facilitation of a ritual working.

Salves are crafted by combining the desired complex with a mixture of vegetable oil and beeswax to create a soft, creamy ointment that may be applied to the skin.

To craft a salve, we will need:

· A small saucepan, in which to heat the oil and beeswax.

· Sufficient sterile, airtight jars to contain the finished salve.

· A corresponding number of grease-proof paper disks, cut to fit the jars. The disks are placed immediately on top of the salve inside the jars to prevent any air from coming into contact with the surface of the salve.

· 200 ml of good-quality vegetable oil. Any good vegetable oil will work. Do not use nut oils or any essential oils, as these will contaminate the complex.

· 100 ml of organic beeswax, preferably from a known source. This was a common ingredient in many Druidic potions along with honey, as most Druid priests and priestesses were also beekeepers.

· 25 ml of the selected complex, to add to the salve.

The most important part of the preparation for this working is the cleaning and sterilizing of all the equipment you intend to use, particularly the storage jars and their caps. Because all the ingredients of the salve are natural, unpasteurized materials, it is imperative that all the equipment be sterilized to prevent bacteria and mold from forming on the surface of the salve and rendering it unusable.

Caution! Raising the temperature of any liquid containing alcohol produces flammable vapors. Do not expose mixtures to unprotected flames or any other heat source likely to ignite such vapors.

Begin by placing the oil and beeswax in the saucepan and gently heating over very low heat. Stir the contents continually. As the beeswax begins to melt, stir the mixture more vigorously. After a short while, the oil and beeswax will combine into a smooth, creamy paste. At this point, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to body temperature.

Stir the complex into the salve. Keep stirring until the complex is amalgamated with the mixture. Before the salve becomes too thick, pour or spoon it into the waiting storage jars and seal the surface of the salve in each jar with the grease-proof paper disks.

When the salve is completely cold, screw on the caps and label the jars. The salve is now ready for storage or immediate use.

To use the salve, rub a liberal amount onto the appropriate area. Repeat regularly until the symptoms cease.

Unguents are crafted by combining the desired complex with a mixture of vegetable oil, surgical alcohol (or rubbing alcohol), and beeswax to create a thin, creamy ointment that may be applied to the skin. The surgical or rubbing alcohol that is used is of a very high percent alcohol by volume and creates an evaporating effect that stimulates the area it is applied to and simultaneously concentrates the effect of the cardinal being used.

To craft an unguent, we will need:

· A small saucepan, in which to heat the oil and beeswax.

· Sufficient sterile, airtight jars to contain the finished unguent.

· A corresponding number of grease-proof paper disks, cut to fit the jars. The disks are placed immediately on top of the unguent inside the jars to prevent any air from coming into contact with the surface of the unguent.

· 200 ml of good-quality vegetable oil. Any good vegetable oil will work. Do not use nut oils or any essential oils, as these will contaminate the complex.

· 100 ml of organic beeswax, preferably from a known source. This was a common ingredient in many Druidic potions along with honey, as most Druid priests and priestesses were also beekeepers.

· 50 ml of surgical or rubbing alcohol, to add to the unguent.

· 25 ml of the selected complex, to add to the unguent.

Caution! Raising the temperature of any liquid containing alcohol produces flammable vapors. Do not expose mixtures to unprotected flames or any other heat source likely to ignite such vapors.

Begin in the same way as for the salve, by placing the oil and beeswax in the saucepan and gently heating over a very low heat. Stir the contents of the pan continually. As the beeswax begins to melt, stir the mixture more vigorously. After a short while, the oil and beeswax will combine into a smooth, creamy paste. At this point, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to body temperature.

Stir the complex into the cool unguent. Keep stirring until the mixture begins to thicken. Before the unguent becomes too thick, add the surgical/rubbing alcohol and stir or whip the mixture to distribute the alcohol and incorporate some air. Spoon the unguent into the waiting storage jars and seal the surface of the unguent in each jar with the grease-proof paper disks.

When the unguent is completely cold, screw on the caps and label the jars. The unguent is now ready for storage or immediate use.

The unguent is invariably used only during rituals. The facilitating priest or priestess normally applies liberal amounts of the unguent to the appropriate part of the body. As we shall see later, unguents are used in Celtic sex magic rituals as stimulants and lubricants. In both these forms they imbue the recipient’s whole body with the energies and attributes of the complex(es) they contain.

Evaporations are crafted by mixing an amount of the selected complex with surgical or rubbing alcohol. The effect of this method of application is stimulation during the evaporation of the surgical/rubbing alcohol, and the additional penetration of the complex it carries. They are used almost exclusively during rituals to imbue the recipient with the spiritual and magical powers of the complex they contain.

To craft an evaporation, we will need:

· A 300 ml mixing beaker, in which to mix the evaporation.

· A long-handled spoon, to stir the mixture.

· A suitable storage bottle with an airtight stopper, to store the evaporation.

· 150 ml of surgical or rubbing alcohol.

· 50 ml of the desired complex.

To craft the evaporation, simply pour both the alcohol and the complex into the mixing beaker and stir. The mixture may then be poured into its storage bottle, sealed, and labeled.

To use the evaporation, pour a little onto the palm of the hand and rub into the desired area.

Poultices and fomentations are crafted by mixing the desired complex with oil, beeswax, and the complex’s incense. Poultices, in the Druidic context, are applied to the skin cold; fomentations are always warm or hot when applied.

To craft a poultice or fomentation, we will need:

· A small saucepan, in which to heat the oil and beeswax.

· 200 ml of good-quality vegetable oil. Any good vegetable oil will work. Do not use nut oils or any essential oils, as these will contaminate the complex.

· 200 ml of organic beeswax, preferably from a known source.

· 25 ml of the selected complex, to add to the salve.

· One tablespoon of the complex’s incense. Remember that, as in all other cases, the incense used must be from the same harvest that the complex was originally refined from.

· A 9-inch (23 cm) square of muslin or linen, to hold the solid element of the poultice/fomentation (the incense).

· A cotton or linen bandage, to secure the poultice/fomentation to the appropriate part of the body.

All fomentations and most poultices are used immediately following their crafting, so no provision has been made here for their storage.

Caution! Raising the temperature of any liquid containing alcohol produces flammable vapors. Do not expose mixtures to unprotected flames or any other heat source likely to ignite such vapors.

Begin by placing the oil and beeswax into the saucepan and gently heating over very low heat. Stir the contents of the pan continually. As the beeswax begins to melt, stir the mixture more vigorously. After a short while, the oil and beeswax will combine into a smooth, creamy paste. At this point, remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool to body temperature. Stir the complex into the salve. Keep stirring until the complex is amalgamated with the mixture.

Spread the complex’s incense over an area of three square inches (7.5 square cm) at the center of the muslin square and fold the square to form a three-inch (7.5 cm) pad. (If a larger square is needed to cover the intended area on the body, increase the amount of incense and the size of the muslin accordingly.)

Place the pad in the warm mixture and allow it to soak up as much of the mixture as it can. If the mixture is to be used as a fomentation, place the warm, saturated pad on the desired area and secure in place with the bandage. If the mixture is to be used as a poultice, remove the saturated pad and place it on a plate to cool. When cold, place it on the desired area of the body, forming it to fit as it warms and softens. Secure in place using the bandage.

Both fomentations and poultices should be left in place for at least two hours. Repeat as often as required to give relief or as part of a healing regimen.