Potions to inspire love in others have been used by the lovelorn since ancient times, and continue to be popular among many modern day practitioners of witchcraft. In the following interview, which was conducted in 2002 by author Joe Borgenicht, Gerina Dunwich (author of the best-selling
Wicca Love Spells and an authority on the subject of love magick) answers questions about the history, practical use, ethics, and dangers of love potions.
Q: How is a love potion made?
GERINA: Potions, also known as "philtres", are traditionally brewed in a
cauldron, and usually made with herbal ingredients possessing the
correct magickal properties, such as basil, magnolia buds, and roses. In
ancient times they often incorporated such things as human blood, urine,
feces, sexual secretions, and the reproductive organs of animals, which
were widely believed to possess great magickal powers.
Q: Is there a ritual?
GERINA: In order to work properly, a love potion needs to be prepared during the
appropriate lunar phase (waxing for attracting; waning for repelling).
The ingredients are charmed or enchanted (which means they are charged
with magickal energy while the practitioner concentrates upon the
desired outcome of his or her spell) and very often an incantation is
recited while the potion is being brewed or stirred. There are also
certain days of the year, such as Valentine's Day (February 14) and
Saint Agnes' Eve (January 20), that are traditional times for preparing
love potions. However, the actual rituals associated with love potions
vary from one Witch to the next.
Q: Is there a recipe?
GERINA: There exist numerous recipes for love potions, ranging from the most
simple to the most bizarre of concoctions. One of my personal favorites
that I've used to help others find romance is a simple brew made from
magnolia buds, rainwater, and honey. I brew it on a Friday (the day of
the week ruled by the love-goddess Venus). Incidentally, many recipes
for both ancient and modern love potions can be found in my book,
Magick
Potions (Citadel Press, 1998).
Q: What are the doses of magnolia buds, rainwater, and honey for your brew?
GERINA: Put a handful of fresh magnolia buds (unopened flowers) and two cups of
rainwater into a small cauldron and brew for twenty minutes while
concentrating deeply upon the person you desire. Remove from heat. After
the brew has cooled down, strain and sweeten it with a tablespoon of
honey and then serve it to your beloved.
Q: How do you use the love potion and are there any dangers?
GERINA: The most common way that a love potion is used is by adding it (usually secretly) to the food or drink of the person whose affections you desire. When he or she ingests it, the magick of the potion is supposed to take
effect. Many of the love potion recipes from olden times call for a number of
poisonous and mind-altering ingredients such as henbane, mandrake root,
etc. I do not recommend that anyone experiment with such recipes as the
results can prove to be quite harmful, if not deadly! Most modern
Witches who employ love potions typically make them from benign fruit
juices or herbal teas. Although safe enough to drink, such potions can
be viewed as "dangerous" if they result in psychological harm to a more
sensitive individual upon discovering that he or she has been the target
of bewitchment.
Q: Are there rules for making love potions?
GERINA: The application of love potions is governed by the same rules that apply
to all magickal operations. These include the requirement to raise, direct, and release energy (often through chanting and dancing), working in harmony with lunar phases and/or planetary hours, incorporating materials that correspond to your intent, and having a strong faith in yourself. Magick is energy which requires intellectual control.
Q: What do you mean by "working in harmony with lunar phases"? And
what are planetary hours?
GERINA: Working in harmony with the lunar phases refers to the casting of spells
to attract or increase things when the moon is waxing; and the casting of spells to repel or decrease things when the moon is waning. The calculating of planetary hours is an ancient system of dividing the day and night into sections of time ruled by different planets and corresponding to different magickal workings. Those that are ruled by Venus (such as the first planetary hour beginning at sunrise on a Friday) are appropriate for spells concerning matters of the heart. This includes the brewing of love potions. (Planetary hours are explained in detail in my book,
Exploring Spellcraft (New Page Books, 2001.) Not all Witches work their spells according to planetary hours. This is a system that seems to be more commonly utilized by the
ceremonial magicians.
Q: Are love potions unethical?
GERINA: Some individuals in the neo-pagan community
feel that the use of love potions, and all love spells for that matter, are unethical because they are designed
to manipulate the emotions of another and supposedly rob them of their free will. As a long-time practitioner of the magickal arts, I do not share these views because all magick is manipulative to one degree or another, and it is
not possible to completely control the will of another unless that
individual allows you to do so. To think otherwise is extremely naive.
Q: How do you undo the spell of a love potion?
GERINA: Undoing a magickal working can often be more difficult to do than
creating it in the first place, which is why many practitioners warn
that you should be careful what you wish for. There are a number of ways
to undo the spell of a love potion. One is to repeat the steps of the
original spell in reverse during the waning of the moon, including the
backwards recitation of any incantations that might have been used.
There are also many countercharms (such as talismans) and anaphrodisiacs
(potions that decrease the passions) to one's avail.
Q: What if a love potion doesn't work?
GERINA: There could be any number of reasons why a potion fails to work. It
could be bad timing, opposing magickal forces, lack of concentration or
faith in one's powers, a fear of failure, etc. My advice in such a case
is to retrace your steps to see what you might have done incorrectly and
then try again, perhaps with a different recipe if you are so inclined.
They say practice makes perfect; however, some people are simply born
with a knack for working magick while others are not.
Q: Are there any tips you can offer to someone who's potion doesn't work
the first or even second time? Exercises?
GERINA: Love potions, like amulets, talismans, and poppets, are no more
than mere tools of the trade. The real magick comes from within. However,
failure is common in the beginning for many magickal practitioners, and
a novice should never expect to master the complex art of magick
overnight. Oftentimes, many years of practice, self-discipline, and
learning by trial and error are necessary. Study as much as you can,
become a magickal apprentice if possible, work on fine-tuning your
powers of concentration and visualization, meditate daily, experiment
with different potions and spells until you find the ones that work best
for you, work in secret to prevent the negative thoughts of others from
acting as a counter to your magick, and never lose confidence in yourself.
Q: Do you get a lot of requests for love potions?
GERINA: Oh yes! Love potions are very much in demand. In fact, more than half of the spell requests I receive are for love potions or love spells of some kind.
Q: Have you ever brewed a love potion for your own use?
GERINA: (laughs) No. Luckily, I've never had to resort to using love potions or other magickal paraphernalia to win a man's affections. But that's not to say that I'm opposed to anyone utilizing magickal energy to spark the flames of love. On the contrary, I firmly believe in the old saying, all's fair in love and war!
