I recommend getting your ingredients from the local “ooga booga” store, as I once heard them called, or Metaphysical Shop.  If you live in Santa Cruz, head over to Sacred Grove.  Birch always is able to help find what you need.  If you are in San Jose, stop by Moonfyre in Campbell and talk to Edward.  Anywhere else and you are on your own. However, I do believe Sacred Grove will take email orders, so just drop Birch a line and let him know what you need.

Ingredients for the mixture are as follows.

• I part Cinquefoil
• 1/2 part Green Tea
• 1 part Vervain
• 1/2 part Rue
• 1 part Valerian Root
• 2 part Damiana Leaf
• 2 part Scullcap

Cinquefoil:

Ruled by: Mercury, Jupiter

According to Beyerl, “During the Middle Ages, Cinquefoil acquired quite a reputation as a magickal herbe. It is said to be an herb frequently chosen by Witches for their spells and was one of the ingredients in the renowned flying ointment. It is also used in treating fevers.

Green Tea:

Ruled by: Mercury

Generally good for the health and vitality. Green tea is known primarily as a stimulant as well as its reputation for a high count of antioxidants. We use this in the brew so the quafer may stay alert during the dream visions.

Vervain:

Ruled by: Venus

Vervain (also known as Verbena) is a well known psychic cleanser as well as a nervine (calms the nerves) and will “promote a comfortable night’s rest” according to Beyerl.

Rue:

Ruled by: Sun/Leo, Mars

According to L. Rosean, Rue is known as “The Queen of Herbs”. Although considered more generally as an herb of protection, Rue is also known as a strong antispasmodic, and as a nervine can treat nervous afflictions.

Valerian Root:

Ruled by: Mercury

Known quite popularly as a calming herb, sold in drugstores as standardized capsules, however is known as an agent of sleep and of alleviating pain. Excessive doses cause opposite reactions.

Damiana Leaf:

Ruled by: Pluto

Damiana is long known as an aphrodisiac and an ingredient in love and sex spells, however is also known as increasing magickal energy when smoked or drank before or during ritual. Also reported to improve psychic ability and clairvoyance by Beyerl.

Scullcap:

Ruled by: goddess of the hearth, Saturn

Scullcap is widely known in fidelity and handfasting rituals.  Those that choose to break commitment with the one they love after using in such a way are said to receive dire consequences. It is also listed as a powerful antispasmodic agent.

Charging the mixture: Some shops may offer a Reiki charging or similar services for your whole herbs, but you can charge the mixture in a special rite or ceremony depending on your style of witchcraft or magick.

Brewing and Dosage: Brew approximately 1/4 cup of the mixture per two cups hot water.  Let steep for 10-15 minutes.  The taste will be slightly pungent and bitter.  See Experimentation for recommendations to alleviate the bitter pungency.  The dose should be about two cups per individual, however some might feel the effects on a single cup, so go slow and wait 30 minutes after your last cup before taking another and record your experiences.

Experimentation: It might take some fiddling to get this right for you, example; up the Damiana and Scullcap if you are feeling only slight effects.  You should feel a dreamy sort of relaxation, but the mind will be awake.  Both Green Tea and Damiana have slight stimulant effects. If you dislike the pungeancy of the brew, then add honey to your cup or add in a part of Chamomile or Jasmine.

Sources:

Online, http://herbalmagickinc.com
Paul Beyerl, The Master Book of Herbalism
Lexa Rosean, The Encyclopedia of Magickal Ingredients