Florida Water (response to blackbriar's original inquiry)
catherine yronwode
>
> cat yronwode wrote:
>
> >Contessa Zed wrote:
>
> > > Florida water containes the essense of
> > > kalanga flowers (Cat- is this spelled correctly?).
> >
> > Kananga is the English-language spelling. The taxonomic (Latin) name
> > is Cananga odorata. It is also known as Ylang Ylang, which may be
> > closer to its pronunciation in its native growth region (Indonesia
> > and adjacent areas). Commercial kananga plantaions were established
> > in Jamaica in the 19th century by the British.
>
> This was an excellent tid bit! I had to go look up Kananga/Yland Ylang
> in "The Directory of Essential Oils" by Wanda Sellar, a British pub.
> to quote:
>
> "Varieties of pink, mauve and yellow flowers grow on this small
> tropical tree though the finer oil is distilled from the yellow
> blooms. The first oil drawn from the flowers is the best quality
> though subsequent yields have similar therapeutic features, only the
> perfume is less refined. It is then known as Cananga.
>
> Excellent for excitable conditions regulating adrenaline flow and
> relaxing the nervous system, resulting in a feeling of joy."
>
> It never stops amazing me when I find old "folk" magic that can be
> supported by new science. A scent that removes negativities in the
> body and the spirit. Hummm. Does Florida Water have a cool looking
> bottle? I might consider spending money rather than making my own.
Thanks for adding the information about the various colours of flowers
-- my botanical books only show the yellowish ones.
Murray and Lamman brand Florida Water (actually now manufactured
distributed by Lamman and Kemp) has an old-fashioned Victorian-era style
label -- very floral and roccocco in slightly out-of-register pinks,
reds, blues, and gold. It depicts a hodge-podge of isolated figures on a
white background -- the Fountain of Youth, a woman with a bird perched
on her hand, a troubador with a lute, two parrots, two wreaths of
flowers, flowrers in a basket, ornamental leaves, etc. The bottles still
have an old-fashioned long-necked shape, are embossed at the shoulder
with Murray & Lamman Florida Water - New York," and are wrapped and
sealed with silver foil on which is imprinted a spiral black-and-white
trade mark notice in Victorian lettering with a spread eagle in a stamp
plus a handwritten signature ("Lamman and Kemp") -- but these days the
bottles themselves are now plastic, not glass. On the whole, yes, they
do look "cool."
The other brand of Florida Water -- Two Girls, from China, is also
cool-looking, featuring two girl chilren in a floral landscape, but i
have never been able to get a wholesale line on it, and so i sell the
Lamman and Kemp variety in my shop.
There is also a Vandi brand Kananga Water which i carry in my shop. This
is not a blended scent like Florida Water, obviously -- but it is used
in similar ways. All of these "waters" are actually weak perfumes i.e.
toilet waters.
cat yronwode
Lucky Mojo Curio Co. http://www.luckymojo.com/luckymojocatalogue.html
Send e-mail with your street address to cata...@luckymojo.com
and receive our free 32 page catalogue of hoodoo supplies and amulets
Hawk1052
How are you doing? Listen if I was to make my own Florida water, how would
I go about it?
The Florida water that are now in plastic bottles to me is the same as the
ones that my aunt used in her cleaning rituals. It was strong and powerful
and very effective for bringing down the fever. (grin) I remember it well.
The latest concoctions aren't strong but merely like you said, "Toilet
Water". Guess it's better to make your own then to rely on mass produced
products, eh?
So if you can and if it's not forbidden, can you instruct this poor soul on
how to make her own Florida Water?
Hawk
"catherine yronwode" <c...@luckymojo.com> wrote in message
news:38C22F...@luckymojo.com...
catherine yronwode
> Cat...
> How are you doing? Listen if I was to make my own Florida water, how
> would I go about it?
>
> The Florida water that are now in plastic bottles to me is the same as
> the ones that my aunt used in her cleaning rituals. It was strong and
> powerful and very effective for bringing down the fever. (grin) I
> remember it well. The latest concoctions aren't strong but merely like
> you said, "Toilet Water". Guess it's better to make your own then to
> rely on mass produced products, eh?
>
> So if you can and if it's not forbidden, can you instruct this poor
> soul on how to make her own Florida Water?
In answer to several requests, i have compiled material from my previous
posts to usenet and added specific formulas, creating a brand new,
illustrated Lucky W Amulet Archive web page on both Florida Water and
Kananga Water. Herewith find the ascii version, which, of course, lacks
the picture and all the lovely inter-links that connect selected words
up with other important informational pages. The URL is
FLORIDA WATER and KANANGA WATER
by catherine yronwode
copyright 2000 cat yronwode
http://www.luckymojo.com/floridakanangawater.html
[IMAGE] Florida Water is a 19th century
formula for a
commercially-prepared toilet
water (see below for a definition
of toilet water) that blends an
array of floral essential oils in a
water-alcohol base. The name
refers to the fabled Fountain of
Youth said to have been located
in Florida.
A similar toilet water is Kananga
Water, which is built upon a
foundation of essential oil of
Cananga odorata, also known as
Ylang Ylang (which may be closer
to its pronunciation in its native
growth region of Indonesia and
adjacent areas). Commercial
kananga plantations were
established in Jamaica in the 19th
century by the British.
Both Florida Water and Kananga
Water are widely used in rituals
of home protection and spiritual
cleaning, to scent bowls of water set out for the spirits of the dead,
as a basis for making an ink-dyed scrying water, and for other
ritual and cosmetic purposes among people of African-diaspora
descent in the United States and the Caribbean. A third 19th
century commercial perfume with magical associations is Hoyt's
Cologne, which is used among African-American hoodoo
practitioners to draw gambling luck.
The specific blends of essential oils found in Florida Water and
Kananga Water used to vary from maker to maker so there is no
"one and only" way to make up these mixtures. Typical
commercial formulas for both products can be found in any
standard formulary in your local public library -- such as
"Henley's Formulas," or "Fortunes in Formulas" by Hiscox and
Sloane. (See below.) These days i know of only two commercial
sources for Florida Water, Lanman and Kemp and Two Girls (a
toiletry company in China) and two commercial perfumeries
supplying Kananga Water, the Vandi Perfume Co. and Lanman
and Kemp.
I used to make my own Florida Water and Kananga Water from
recipes in commercial formularies, but i find that the Lanman and
Kemp products are perfectly satisfactory and the labels are very
familiar to users, so i now sell that brand in my shop and online.
Murray and Lanman Florida Water Cologne (actually now
manufactured and distributed by Lanman and Kemp) has an
old-fashioned Victorian-era style label -- very floral and rococo in
slightly out-of-register pinks, reds, blues, and gold. It depicts a
hodge-podge of isolated figures on a white background -- the
Fountain of Youth, a woman with a bird perched on her hand, a
troubadour with a lute, two parrots, two wreaths of flowers,
flowers in a basket, ornamental leaves, etc. The bottles still have
an old-fashioned long-necked shape, are embossed at the shoulder
with “Murray & Lanman Florida Water -- New York," and are
wrapped and sealed with silver foil on which is imprinted a spiral
black-and-white trade mark notice in Victorian display lettering
with a spread eagle in a stamp plus a handwritten signature
("Lanman and Kemp") -- but these days the bottles themselves are
plastic, not glass.
The other brand of Florida Water -- Two Girls, from China -- also
has a cool-looking label, featuring two girl children in Chinese
costumes in a floral landscape, but i have never been able to get a
wholesale line on it, and so i sell the Lanman and Kemp variety
in my shop.
Murray and Lanman Kananga Water Cologne (now made by
Lanman and Kemp) is similar in quality to Vandi Kananga Water,
but the label is more attractive, so that is the brand i carry in my
shop. It is another Victorian-rococo confection of floral motifs and
scroll-work, centered on an image of a bunch of flowers and a
waterfall. The container is less ornate, however, being a simple
long-necked plastic bottle without embossing on the shoulder or
foil wrapping on the neck.
To order Florida Water or Kananga Water from
the Lucky Mojo Curio Co.
go to http://www.luckymojo.com/mojocatbaths.html
The following tecnical information is presented for the use of readers
who wish to try their own hands at commercial perfumery. It is expected
that before you begin such a task you familiarize yourself with the
terminology, systems of measurement, and methods used in a laboratory.
Please do not email me with requests for help in locating essential oils
or lab equipent; i will not reply.
TOILET WATERS
From "The Ancient Book of Formulas" by Lewis de Claremont comes this
basic information on how to distinguish perfumes, colognes, and toilet
waters based on their relative percentages of essential oils, alcohol,
and water:
All perfumes contain alcohol to varying degrees. Most
important perfumes contain 2 to 3 ounces of oils per pint
of alcohol. Most domestic [cheaper] perfumes [and Colognes]
contain 1 to 3 ounces of oils per pint of alcohol.
However the amounts of essential oil or concentration is
determined solely by taste and price.
Toilet waters are just weak perfumes, generally containing 1
to 6 ounces of essential oil per gallon of alcohol. However
10% to 25% water is usually added according to the amount of
essential oils contained therein.
ALCOHOL USED IN PERFUMERY
From Hiscox and Sloane's "Fortunes in Formulas" comes this basic
information on the proper type of alcohol to use in perfumery:
The alcohol used should be that obtained from the
distillation of wine, provided a first-class article
is desired. It is possible, of course, to make a good
Cologne with very highly rectified and deodorized corn
or potato spirits, but the product never equals that
made from wine spirits. Possibly the reason for this
lies in the fact that the latter always contains a
varying amount of oenanthic ether.
COLOURING
It is traditional to dye Florida Water a pale aqua-green and Kananga
Water a pale orange. These dyes are not necessary to the formulas, but
if you intend to sell your product, their use will greatly enhance
customer recognition.
INCORPORATING GRAIN MUSK AND CIVET IN LIQUID PERFUMES
The formulas for Kananga perfumes below contain grain musk and/or civet.
Hiscox and Sloane's "Fortunes in Formulas" provides the following basic
information on the proper formulation of such ingredients in liquid
perfumes:
When grain musk is used as an ingredient in liquid
perfumes, first rub down with pumice stone, then digest
in hot water for 2 or 3 hours; finally add to alcohol.
The addition of 2 or 3 minims of acetic acid will improve
the odor and also prevent accumulation of NH3. Civet
should be thoroughly rubbed down with some coarse powder
and added directly to alcohol.
FLORIDA WATER #1
oil of bergamot 3 fluid ounces
oil of lavender 1 fluid ounce
oil of lemon 1 fluid ounce
oil of cloves 1 1/4 fluid drachms
oil of cinnamon 2 1/2 fluid drachms
oil of neroli 1/2 fluid drachms
essence of jasmine 6 fluid ounces
essence of musk 2 fluid ounces
alcohol 8 pints
rose water 1 pint
Mix and, if cloudy, filter through
magnesium carbonate.
-- From "Fortunes in Formulas For Home, Farm, and Workshop"
edited by Garner D. Hiscox, M.E. and
Prof. T, O'Conner Sloane, A.B., A.M., Em., Ph.D.
(The Norman B. Henley Publishing Company, 1937)
FLORIDA WATER #2
oil of bergamot 3 fluid ounces
oil of lemon 1 fluid ounce
oil of ylang ylang 1 fluid ounce
oil of lavender 1/2 fluid ounce
oil of cinnamon 20 drops
oil of cloves 12 drops
oil of neroli 10 drops
alcohol 1 gallon
rose water 1 pint
(or distilled water plus light rose scent)
-- From my own personal notes, circa 1973, source
not attributed but apparently adapted from an old
formulary to use what i had on hand at the time.
YLANG YLANG PERFUME (Basis for KANANGA WATER #1)
oil of ylang ylang 10 minims
oil of neroli 5 minims
oil of rose 5 minims
oil of bergamot 3 minims
alcohol 10 oz.
One grain of musk may be added
Dilute with distilled water to make a toilet water.
-- From "Manual of Formulas, Recipes, Methods, and Secret Processes"
edited by Raymond B. Wailes, B.S.
(Popular Science Publishing Co., New York, 1932)
BOUQUET CANANG (Basis for KANANGA WATER #2)
ylang ylang oil 45 minims
rose oil 15 minims
cassie oil 5 minims
almond oil 1/2 minims
tincture of orris rhizome 1 fluid ounce
tincture of storax 3 fluid drachms
grain musk 3 grains
civet 1 grain
tonka beans 3 (chopped)
alcohol (90%) 9 fluid ounces
Mix, and digest one month, then filter. The
above is a very delicious perfume.
N.B. Cassie oil, also called cassie otto, is
derived from the flowers of Acacia farnesiana,
a.k.a. Mimosa farnesiana, L. (N.O. Leguminosae,
sub-order Mimoseae). It must not be confounded
with cassia otto, the essential oil obtained
from Cinnamomum cassia.
-- From "Fortunes in Formulas For Home, Farm, and Workshop"
edited by Garner D. Hiscox, M.E. and
Prof. T, O'Conner Sloane, A.B., A.M., Em., Ph.D.
(The Norman B. Henley Publishing Company, 1937)
EXTRAIT D’YLANG-YLANG (Basis for KANANGA WATER #3)
Essence d'ylang-ylang 24 grammes
Isoeugenol 4 grammes
Methyl-isoeugenol 2 grammes
Alcool a 90 [degree symbol] pour 1 litre
-- From "The Ancient Book of Formulas"
by Lewis de Claremont
(Oracle Products Corporation, New York, 1940)
Note: Bouquet Canang, Kananga Perfume, and Extrait
d’Ylang-Ylang are strong perfumes and as such may be diluted
with 10% to 25% distilled water as outlined above to make them
into Kananga Water.
Kirsten Rowe
I get home from work.
Kirsten
Kirsten Rowe
Claims to be an American version of the original Eau de Cologne introduced
in this country in 1808:
2 c. distilled water
1/4 c. vodka or grain alcohol
6 drops essential oil of lavender
2 drops essential oil of clove bud
8 drops essential oil of bergamot
Mix all ingredients in a sterilized glass container. Seal the bottle and
store in the refrigerator for two weeks for the scents to blend. Use within
two months if refrigerated, two weeks if not.
Kirsten
No offense to the author of the first recipe.
Sven
the one below:
1 gal. 90 proof alcohol
1 dm. Lemon
1 dm. Portugal
2 dm. Lavendar
2 dm. Clove
1/8 dm. Cinnamon
1 pint Water
Personally, I use the prepared variety by Murray & Lanman available at any
Botanica or available online from places like
www.mechanicaldiva.com/metaphys.html
Kirsten Rowe <kirst...@pcola.gulf.net> wrote in message
news:sc76u3t...@corp.supernews.com...
catherine yronwode
None taken, for sure! -- i was not the author of those recipes -- i was
simply passing along commercial (not new-age or home-made) formulas for
Florida Water and Kananga Water from some standard mid-20th century
manuals of perfumery in my collection.
And no offense to you, Kirsten, but i would like to point out that the
Nancy Booth recipe given abouve is too weak even for toilet water -- 2
cups of water to 1/4 cup vodka results in a mixture that must be
refrigerated for preservation and then will only keep for two months.
That is not the way perfumes are handled in real life -- we all know
that a good perfume will keep its scent for decades, unrefrigerated.
Some ancient Egyptian perfumes sealed in tombs were found to be still
fragrant after millennia!
Also, i think that the use of Vodka is not a good idea. I've tried it,
myself -- it's so darned easy to get -- but, as i quoted from Hscox and
Sloane's formulary last time, spirits of wine supply subtle fragrances
of their own which Vodka lacks -- and Vodka supplies a rather icky (to
me) "eau de potato" fragrance that can contrast unfavourably with the
subtle delicay of floral oils.
Booth's recipe is obviously NOT "the original Eau de Colgne" introduced
in 1808. I have three commercial formulas for Colognes, including one
also said to be "the original," and i'll gladly post them if anyw=one
wishes to pursue this further. For now, suffice it to say that Eau de
Cologne is similar to the Florida Water version #1 i gave in my post --
that is, is ia a complex blend of a variety of floral and spicy scents
(not just 3 scents as above) and it is alcohol-based, not water-based.
Thanks for taking the time to post this recipe, and, as i said, no
offense was intended . I find this discussion very interesting because
the use of perfumes and perfumed incense is important in several
branches of magic and religion, yet few people stop to ask what is
included in the scents they use.
Cordially,
cat yronwode
Free Spells Archive ------------ http://www.luckymojo.com/spells.html
Lucky W Amulet Archive --------- http://www.luckymojo.com/luckyw.html
catherine yronwode
>
> Herman Slater in _Magickal Formulary_ gives four recipes for FW
> including the one below:
>
> 1 gal. 90 proof alcohol
> 1 dm. Lemon
> 1 dm. Portugal
> 2 dm. Lavendar
> 2 dm. Clove
> 1/8 dm. Cinnamon
> 1 pint Water
The Lemon, Clove, Lavendar, and Cinnamon are obviously essential oils,
but i wonder what Slater meant by "Portugal"? Also, this is an unusual
formuation for Florida Water in that it omits oil of Bergamot. (Unless
that was what he meant by "Portugal" in some bizarre feat of aphasiac
dyslexia..)
> Personally, I use the prepared variety by Murray & Lanman available at
> any Botanica or available online from places like
> www.mechanicaldiva.com/metaphys.html
Yes, indeed. As i said, their Florida Water is excellent and
traditional, and, as far as i know, has been unchanged in formula for
about the past 100 years. I sell it too, at
http://www.luckymojo.com/mojocatbaths.html
cat yronwode
Kendar Deltos
alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic:
>Herman Slater in _Magickal Formulary_ gives four recipes for FW including
>the one below:
>
>1 gal. 90 proof alcohol
>1 dm. Lemon
>1 dm. Portugal
>2 dm. Lavendar
>2 dm. Clove
>1/8 dm. Cinnamon
>1 pint Water
>
>Personally, I use the prepared variety by Murray & Lanman available at any
>Botanica or available online from places like
>www.mechanicaldiva.com/metaphys.html
>
>
What is a dm?
catherine yronwode
>
> What is a dm?
A dram or drachm -- 1/8 of a fluid ounce.
cat yronwode
aik...@my-deja.com
catherine yronwode <c...@luckymojo.com> wrote:
[snip]
> Thanks for taking the time to post this recipe, and, as i said, no
> offense was intended . I find this discussion very interesting because
> the use of perfumes and perfumed incense is important in several
> branches of magic and religion, yet few people stop to ask what is
> included in the scents they use.
>
> Cordially,
>
> cat yronwode
>
What are the consequences magically do you think of using ambergis in
perfurmery for magic?
nguyen
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
kbry
> but i wonder what Slater meant by "Portugal"? Also, this is an unusual
> formuation for Florida Water in that it omits oil of Bergamot. (Unless
> that was what he meant by "Portugal" in some bizarre feat of aphasiac
> dyslexia..)
"Portugal" means sweet orange (peel) oil, as opposed to "Bigarade" which is
bitter orange oil.
The term Neroli means orange flower essential oil sometimes followed by
Portugal or Bigarade.
Petitgrain is the oil from the leaves of the orange tree.
Ischade
> Also, i think that the use of Vodka is not a good idea. I've tried it,
> myself -- it's so darned easy to get -- but, as i quoted from Hscox and
> Sloane's formulary last time, spirits of wine supply subtle fragrances
> of their own which Vodka lacks -- and Vodka supplies a rather icky (to
> me) "eau de potato" fragrance that can contrast unfavourably with the
> subtle delicay of floral oils.
>
I agree on the point about Vodka (and EverClear too -very medicinal) but
don't you use these because of the high alcohol content? I'm not familiar
with spirits of wine, are we talking about wines in general or is there an
actual item called "spirit of wine"? And isn't wine rather low in alcohol
(6% or so)?
catherine yronwode
>
> catherine yronwode wrote:
>
> > Also, i think that the use of Vodka is not a good idea. I've tried
> > it, myself -- it's so darned easy to get -- but, as i quoted from
> > supplies a rather icky (to me) "eau de potato" fragrance that can
> > contrast unfavourably with the subtle delicay of floral oils.
>
> I agree on the point about Vodka (and EverClear too -very medicinal)
> but don't you use these because of the high alcohol content? I'm not
> familiar with spirits of wine, are we talking about wines in general
> or is there an actual item called "spirit of wine"? And isn't wine
> rather low in alcohol(6% or so)?
Spirits of wine means distilled wine 90% alcohol -- like vodka in
strength, but made from fermented grapes rather than fermented
potatoes.
In working with medicinal herbs, by the way, where you DRINK the
conconction rather than apply it as perfume, the difference in these
forms of distilled alcohol bacome even more obvious: You will often find
that commercial herb tinctures of bitter-tasting herbs (e.g. wild yam,
feverfew, dong quai, whatever) are made with denatured grain alcohol,
and taste "medicinal" AND bitter but that equally efficacious tinctures
can be made at home using cognac (distilled wine) for the base and the
taste will be far more palatable. That's because the wine spirits have
their own scent and flavour that is pleasing and will vitiate bitter
herbal flavours. Likewise, wine spirits will enhance pleasant floral
aromas, whereas potato and grain-based alcoholic spirits will detract
from floral fragrances. Of course, you PAY for that goodness, but since
the work is being done to pelase yourself, cost should not be a major
issue.
catherine yronwode
>
> > The Lemon, Clove, Lavendar, and Cinnamon are obviously essential
> > oils, but i wonder what Slater meant by "Portugal"? Also, this is
> > an unusual formuation for Florida Water in that it omits oil of
> > Bergamot. (Unless that was what he meant by "Portugal" in some
> > bizarre feat of aphasiac dyslexia..)
>
> "Portugal" means sweet orange (peel) oil, as opposed to "Bigarade"
> which is bitter orange oil.
Thanks. I'd never heard that term. Around here, we just call it Sweet
Orange Oil.
> The term Neroli means orange flower essential oil sometimes followed
> by Portugal or Bigarade.
This is the place to note that Slater's formula did not include Neroli
oil, often one of the ingredients in Fliorida Water. Neroli is
admittedly expensive, but it really does blend well with the other
citrus scents in the mix. I think he was substituting orange peel oil
for neroli -- it's not as nice, but it's cheaper.
> Petitgrain is the oil from the leaves of the orange tree.
cat yronwode
catherine yronwode
>
> In article <38C54D...@luckymojo.com>,
> catherine yronwode <c...@luckymojo.com> wrote:
>
> > I find this discussion very interesting because
> > the use of perfumes and perfumed incense is important in several
> > branches of magic and religion, yet few people stop to ask what is
> > included in the scents they use.
>
> perfurmery for magic?
Heheh. Well, whale vomit (ambergris) has a long history of magical and
commercial use in perfumery. It is a fixative that helps scents remain
stable over a long period of time. It is also one of those magical items
with a miraculous origin -- it is found floating in the ocean, like
amber, hence the name. It is also so expensive z(due to whale
depopulation) that i doubt that any but the most dedicated perfumiers
are able to get their hands on it these days. I have never had any in my
possession, so i have no first hand experience with it. I guess that its
"specialness" is one of its chief magical qualities -- it may also
convey something mysterious and marine. Anyone here ever use it? How did
it make you feel?
Josh Geller
catherine yronwode <c...@luckymojo.com> wrote:
> Spirits of wine means distilled wine 90% alcohol -- like vodka in
> strength, but made from fermented grapes rather than fermented
> potatoes.
Vodka's usually 40% - 50% alcohol.
Starting with 40% brandy, the first distillation normally takes you
somewhere close to 75% alcohol. Subsequent distillations will take you
slightly above 90%: about the limit by distillation.
Rectification is accomplished by mixing quicklime and distilling
again. This will give you pure alcohol, or close to it.
catherine yronwode
Thanks, Josh -- i appreciate the scientific clarification,
rectification, and just general all-around correctness!
Ischade
> Ischade wrote:
> >
> > catherine yronwode wrote:
> >
> > > Also, i think that the use of Vodka is not a good idea. I've tried
> > > it, myself -- it's so darned easy to get -- but, as i quoted from
> > > Hiscox and Sloane's formulary last time, spirits of wine supply
> > > subtle fragrances of their own which Vodka lacks -- and Vodka
> > > supplies a rather icky (to me) "eau de potato" fragrance that can
> > > contrast unfavourably with the subtle delicay of floral oils.
> >
> > I agree on the point about Vodka (and EverClear too -very medicinal)
> > but don't you use these because of the high alcohol content? I'm not
> > familiar with spirits of wine, are we talking about wines in general
> > or is there an actual item called "spirit of wine"? And isn't wine
> > rather low in alcohol(6% or so)?
>
> Spirits of wine means distilled wine 90% alcohol -- like vodka in
> strength, but made from fermented grapes rather than fermented
> potatoes.
>
> efficacious tinctures
> can be made at home using cognac (distilled wine) for the base
THANKS! Alcohol NOT being my recreational drug, I have know idea what all
the boozes are made from.
DanceOn>>>n.joy
aik...@my-deja.com
> > catherine yronwode <c...@luckymojo.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I find this discussion very interesting because
> > > the use of perfumes and perfumed incense is important in several
> > > branches of magic and religion, yet few people stop to ask what is
> > > included in the scents they use.
> >
> > What are the consequences magically do you think of using ambergis
in
> > perfurmery for magic?
>
> Heheh. Well, whale vomit (ambergris) has a long history of magical and
> commercial use in perfumery. It is a fixative that helps scents remain
> stable over a long period of time. It is also one of those magical
items
> with a miraculous origin -- it is found floating in the ocean, like
> amber, hence the name. It is also so expensive z(due to whale
> depopulation) that i doubt that any but the most dedicated perfumiers
> are able to get their hands on it these days. I have never had any in
my
> possession, so i have no first hand experience with it. I guess that
its
> "specialness" is one of its chief magical qualities -- it may also
> convey something mysterious and marine. Anyone here ever use it? How
did
> it make you feel?
>
> cat yronwode
>
Yes, well ambergis is clearly cited in Burton's translation of the
'1001' tales of the Arabian nights in one of Sinbad's seven journeys.
Also the encylopedia brittanica (search Ambergis at
www.encyclopediabrittanica.com) says that in times of antiquity it was
known in China and Japan where it washed up on the shores. As such, I
expect it to be a critical ingredient in certain older perfumes,
ointments, and potions.
My interest in it is its use in recreating or reconstructing certain
formulas of interest to my technical magical research.
And yes, I call it whale vomit too. Though it is somewhat closer
supposedly to a cross between a hairball and a pearl. Like pearls are
created when shellfish laminate small intrusive particles, a whale may
secrete ambergis to coat an irritating intestinal obstruction.
Eventually like a hairball in a cat, it builds up enough volume and
solidity to be hacked back up where it floats on the water.
I would very much like to get access to some to experiment upon its
properties, which represent a concentrated discharge of the essence of a
whale (or "leviathan") and an inherently marine nature.
Jo
a dram or 1/8 fluid ounce
Jo
recall it being from a whales vomit however.
I remember it being excreted from some gland. ,':-/
Peace,
~*Jo*~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
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To respond via email,please take out the "garbage".
Dread_not
Dread_not
Jo wrote in message <20000308181239...@ng-da1.aol.com>...
Grrr3000
>Rectification is accomplished by mixing quicklime and distilling
>again. This will give you pure alcohol, or close to it.
As will going down to your local home-brewing- supplies outlet, and
saying to the fellow behind the counter 'please Mr. brewery man, give
me some pure alcohole.'
* * *
Mysticism: The way of treading lifes' path in order to "become" truth;
by venturing into- and/or welcoming pain: whereby conflict of error in
being is exalted -- The only way left, out of conflict, being; the
realization of 'truth.'
MagicK: The tautological, experiential, esoteric (and foremost,
ecclectical) science of occultic practice, that collates and
exemplifies the practice of belief- in relation to the formation of
the human organism and its observational sense of a terrain.
Wiccans: A group of subordinate miscreants who have been condemnned to
live for-ever-more in a determination of belief that an etch-e-sketch
can be configured to control the World Wide Web. Go figure.
Grrr3000
gr...@helo.net.au
Kendar Deltos
alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic:
>Isn't it short for Dungeon Master? :-}
>
>Dread_not
That's DM, not dm.
Kendar Deltos
wrote, in alt.paranormal.spells.hexes.magic:
>Wiccans: A group of subordinate miscreants who have been condemnned to
>live for-ever-more in a determination of belief that an etch-e-sketch
>can be configured to control the World Wide Web. Go figure.
I like that one.