Ointments have a variety of applications. In witchcraft, most notorious are the flying ointments of yore. But ointments can be made to serve other purposes in a witches craft.
For a lightweight, soft feeling meditative state, a mugwort balm can be a big boost to your practices.
Mugwort is an amazing herb. As a tonic for the female reproductive system (not if you're trying to get pregnant or already pregnant though!), as a gorgeous gentle smoke that produces a very mild contentment and as a powerful smuding tool, to name but a few uses.
You'll need 200g of dried mugwort. Place in a heat safe container, and cover with a light oil such as rice bran or sunflower. You could get fancy and use one of the oils used in body products like almond or jojoba oil, which will work spectacularly. However this blog operates on the mindset of a witch on a trailer park budget with a scrouge-like mentality. Please excuse my hillbilly witchcraft :)
Place this container in a pot with about 1-2 inches of water in the bottom, creating a water bath to heat the oil. Once again, if you want to get fancy, already have access to one, or for some reason believe it is necessary, a double broiler makes the job so much easier, and is a worthwhile investment if you make your own ointments regularly. I have yet to see one I can justify the price of, so water back it is for me!
Heat the oil on a low heat for two hours. If there are bubbles in your oil after the first 5 minutes, the oil is too hot (air bubbles will work their way out during this time, fret not!). If you cannot smell the mugwort strongly after 30 minutes, the oil is too cold. Temperature control does not need to be more sophisticated than that in this instance, as we are not making a healing balm to target a specific illness. The goal is simply to get as much of the mugworty goodness in the oil as possible. You may wish to swap out the mugwort for fresh mugwort halfway through, to get a double punch. While not needed, the original 200g works fine, making it double strength will help those who find it hard to slip into a meditative state. Please note this is NOT a flying ointment. This ointment can help center your mind and energy, but that’s about all its going to do physically. Side note, excessive use will play havoc with your period. You have been warned. Do not use while pregnant!
Strain the herbs out, and measure the oil left over. Add an equal weight of soy wax, and allow to fully melt into the oil. Remove the container from the water bath.
Pour into jars or tins. This recipe should (should!) make 350-400g of ointment. I cannot tell you how long it lasts for, as I have never had any left long enough to know. The longest I've had a single batch on hand was 6 months unrefrigerated. Happy Crafting!
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