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Handbook for Hot Witches

Henry Holt and Company

Enchantress

Everything turns glamorous when the bewitching, charming, fascinating Enchantress touches it. She brings the party with her wherever she goes, and she is a delight and pleasure to all. Her beauty and charisma are unparalleled.

How to Be an Enchantress in Love

No one is going to lead you to true happiness except yourself. When you have fun and delight in being your own unique, adorable self, you will attract love naturally.

Be enthusiastic, but mysterious. Don't show him all your cards at once, but also, don't play games. Always tell the truth.

When a guy does something you like, acknowledge him (this is something that works with all people, no matter what their gender or how old they are).

Guys like to feel they are winning a challenge. If you back off so they can pursue you a little bit, they feel like they have won a prize when you finally do decide.

If you need advice about your boyfriends, talk to your girlfriends or your mom. Don't tell too many people. Keep it to just your best friends.

Guys are usually a little behind girls as far as matters of the heart and being civilized go. But that's not their fault. They're born that way, even the poetic and artistic ones. But just like you, they want compassion, understanding, and a chance to prove themselves. When a magical lady approves of and shows appreciation to a guy, he transforms from a feral animal into a prince!

Be confident. Men love to see women enjoy themselves, and for a man to be in the presence of a lady like that is irresistible — even if you do it quietly and subtly.

A guy wants to be the icing on your cake, not the whole cake itself. That's too much pressure, and too much cake! If he knows you have an elaborate, lovely cake of a life and he is just the manly frosting on top, then the pressure is off and he can have fun.

Maybe you think you are a weirdo and there are no guys for you, but in reality there are plenty to choose from if you are able to have fun wherever you are.

Make room in your life for a boyfriend, and one will manifest. While you wait for him to call, have fun with your life and fill it with friends. Granny always said, "A watched pot never boils." But she also said, "There's a lid for every pot."

Relationships are an opportunity and a privilege, not a right. You and he have equal responsibilities to make a relationship work, so if either of you is being a spoiled brat with an attitude of entitlement, knock it off, step back, and apologize.

If you don't like something, he's much more likely to hear you if you say it conversationally rather than screaming.

When a guy acts ignorant about girls, it's because he hasn't learned the truth yet. You can be the one who teaches him. And you can do it nicely.

What If I Don't Like Guys?

Being gay is as natural as being straight. In many cultures throughout history, it has been accepted as a viable way to be, and a ton of people today feel the same. If you question your sexuality and wonder if you may be a lesbian or bisexual, seek out friends or family that you trust to talk about it with. If you don't feel like you have anyone to talk to, go online and find communities in your area that can offer you advice, or seek a counselor. Don't take ignorant or hurtful comments to heart; many people say and do mean things to mask their own insecurities or avoid the questions they have about their own sexuality.

A Word About Soul Mates ...

A soul mate is someone you have known and been intimately connected to in another life. You meet again in this lifetime to continue the connection you began in another time and place.

If you meet your soul mate, you will be drawn to him or her at the cost of everything else. You will recognize this person as someone it feels like you have known forever. It will be an undeniable and irreversible bond that will change your life. If you are ready for a love like this, then you are ready to meet your soul mate. If it works, you will have your ideal partner, and one of the most magical bonds known to humankind. However, relationships between soul mates can be challenging and do not always work out. A soul mate is a mirror, one that reflects many aspects of your true self — every horrid detail and every beautiful dream. If both people are not ready to really look at themselves, they may attack and abandon a soul mate because they cannot step up. I think of it like a cobra striking at its own reflection.

Love Spells

Spell to Heal a Broken Heart

When the moon is waning (decreasing in size), take a mirror and put it in the bottom of a bowl of water. Light four silver candles, place them around the bowl, and gaze into the water at your own reflection for as long as the candles are burning (or whatever is comfortable). As you do so, say, "Take this pain from me and make it fade, as shadows do at the light of day."

Imagine the old you of the reflection being absorbed into the water. Imagine your pain being absorbed as well. Put it all there and really feel it. If tears fall into the water, that's fine. Let it all out. When the candles have burned down, throw the water away in a river or stream. The water must be moving away from you. If there is no moving body of water nearby, throw it down the drain. Take the mirror, wrap it in white cloth, and keep it in a drawer or another dark place for a month.

Love Potion Number Nine

Combine one spoonful of each of these seven types of leaves: rosehip, hibiscus, ginger, peppermint, lemon, red raspberry, and spice.

Boil water and pour it into a teapot. Place your blended tea into a tea ball and steep in the pot. Add lavender honey and almond milk — these are the eighth and ninth ingredients in your love potion.

Invite the one you love to tea or drink it yourself and set an empty place for your loved one. Write his or her name on a heart-shaped piece of red paper and your loved one will soon join you.

Serve hot!

Love-Drawing Sachet

Cut two small pieces of red fabric into identical heart shapes, about 4 inches across. Sew the two pieces together on all sides but leave a small opening. This is called a conjure bag, which is used in many spells. Stuff rosemary into the hole and sew shut. Tuck the sachet inside your bra near your heart to draw love to you.

Acorn Youth and Beauty Spell

String three acorns together on a silk cord to keep your youth and enhance your beauty. If you have a charm of gold or silver acorns, this will work as well. Let the acorns charge under the new moon and wear them close to you.

Goddess Freya's Potion

Freya's favorite flowers are cowslips (sometimes called primroses). These flowers are also beloved among the fairies and are symbols of beauty.

1. Create an herbal infusion by pouring boiling water over cowslip blossoms.

2. When the water cools, strain out the blossoms.

3. Make sure your potion is completely cool and dab it on your skin with a cotton ball.

4. Use the remainder in a bath.

To Make a Pimple Go Away

Dab on lemon juice or witch hazel. It works. So does garlic juice — but, hey, the smell?

To Soothe Irritated or Sunburned Skin

Mix oatmeal with room-temperature water, make it into a paste, and put it on the skin. As it dries, it takes out the burn and leaves you with a smooth complexion.

How to Make Your Own Makeup

DIY Witch-a-riffic Lip Gloss with Tint

Makes about 35 milliliters (1.2 ounces)

1 teaspoon beeswax pellets
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons beet juice or raspberry juice (see note)
Little jars with screw-on tops, such as small jelly jars
½ teaspoon flavoring extract used for baking, like vanilla, peppermint, or almond (optional)

1. Using a small nonaluminum pot, melt the wax and oil together over low heat. Slowly stir until smooth.

2. Remove the pot from the heat, add the juice and, if desired, extract while stirring, and pour the mixture immediately into the containers. Allow it to cool completely before capping and using it. Your new concoction has a shelf life of approximately 6 months and will keep best in a cool place.

Note: To prepare the juice, run beets or raspberries through a juicer. Do not use juice from a store; it has additives that will dilute the tint or inhibit the staining properties you want in your lip gloss.

Glitter Makeup

Mix aloe vera gel with glitter. It's sticky at first and will be easy to apply to your eyelids, arms, cheeks, anywhere! When it dries, the glitter will adhere to your skin so you'll be sparkling all day.

Glycerin Soap

With glycerin soap you can create exciting soap art and detailed designs. The liquid will pour easily into simple or intricate molds. Try candy molds for some fun shapes. You can also color it any way you want and add dried petals and flowers. After the molding process is complete, you can use your soap right away!

2 cups glycerin soap base
Coloring
Essential oils or fragrance oils
¼ cup cocoa butter
Molds (A bread pan will make a big loaf of soap you can slice; candy molds will make fun-shaped
small soaps. You can experiment!)

1. Place the glycerin into a double boiler or slow cooker. Set the heat high enough to make it melt.

2. When the soap base is melted and gooey — don't let it get so hot that it bubbles — you are ready for the color. Add coloring, slowly so the glycerin is evenly tinted and absorbs it all.

3. Now the fun part begins: your signature touch! Stir in your selection of essential oils or fragrance oils slowly, adding only enough to make a pleasant scent, then add the cocoa butter. Make sure to keep stirring until the mixture is very creamy, even, and smooth.

4. When the mixture has blended together completely, carefully pour it into your molds. Wait for the soap to set (it should become hard and dry in a few hours), and then pop it out. You're ready to have good, clean fun — give some soap to your friends too (they will be so impressed)!

For Long, Luxurious Mermaid Hair

A mermaid is a creature who is half woman, half fish. The beauty and elusive mystery of mermaids will always capture mortals' imagination. They are the ultimate symbols of femininity and untamed emotion.

Rinse for Shine

Take a covered pot and boil the following ingredients for five minutes:

½ cup mint leaves
½ cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup water

After washing and towel-drying your hair, dip your hairbrush in this rinse and brush through those gorgeous locks.

Deep Conditioning

For a Mexican Fiesta Guacamole Conditioner, mix a spoonful of olive oil with just a dollop of mayonnaise, then add a mashed avocado. Apply to your hair and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse well with cold water. Decorate your hair with tortilla chips (ha, ha).

How to Have an Enchanted Social Life

To have a true friend, be a true friend. If someone says she likes you one day and hates you the next day, don't take it seriously. Often people who act mean are insecure themselves. Have empathy for them, but avoid them until they treat you with kindness and respect.

Remember that young people are all going through a very intense time of life. Changes are happening to their minds and bodies and making them act crazy and different day to day. When things get hard-core, keep this in mind and try to find a positive outlet for your feelings and energy.

Think of a role model for the kind of person you would like to be, maybe a famous person or someone from history. Read about your role model's life, and when you are in a jam, ask yourself, "What would she do?"

Focus on the things you like to do and try to find something you can be passionate about. Act in a play, go to the skate park, learn how to play an instrument and start a band, take ballet or soccer, join a poetry club or an art or a philosophy class.

When you make friends with all different kinds of people, you won't ever be stereotyped, and you will have a more interesting and well-rounded view of things.

No matter where you are in the popularity ranks, if you believe in yourself, stick up for yourself, and feel and appear confident, you can be unique; people will respect you. Don't take anyone seriously who says or does negative things to you.

Even if you feel insecure, fake it till you make it. Act confident and sassy, and you will win the admiration of everyone around you.

Another way is to create a mystique. Don't let just anyone know who you are.

Start your own parties. Seek out people who seem "familiar" to you. This is the way to recognize your own. Invite them to your magic party, and it won't matter who is having another party with or without you.

Popularity Spell

Do this on a Wednesday, during the waxing moon (when the moon is growing fuller), at three o'clock in the afternoon. (Wednesday is the day ruled by Mercury, so it's good for quickness and communication.)

Place a class photo in a dish — or a photo of anyone you want to be your friend. This spell will charm and enchant a person or a group of people so that they desire to please you. (If you don't have a photo, write the names of the people and anything you know about them.)

Mix together licorice leaves, honey, sugar syrup (heated sugar and water), carnation petals, and olive oil.

Pour this mixture over the images or words at the bottom of your dish.

Stir your magic brew while envisioning the perfect scenario with your new friends. Think about what you want, but in a kind and unselfish way, because every loving and good thought has in it the seed of success.

Visualize these scenes, and if you have a fear or negative thought, imagine scissors are cutting around you and your new friends, keeping you together and cutting out the negative person or thought.

While stirring, say these magic words: "Thank you, Divine Spirit, for this perfect day. Miracle shall follow miracle, and wonders shall never end."

Next time you go out, watch for and expect things to change in a positive way. Really believe it, and your world will change in the twinkling of an eye.

Stir your dish once a day for the next three days and then bury the contents under a flowering bush.

Friends Forever Spell

Cut small locks of your hair and the hair of your best friend. Braid them together and tie with pink thread. Place it inside a pink silk conjure bag and keep it in a safe place.

Many Friends Spell

Do this spell on a Wednesday during a waxing moon.

Gather together these items: one long yellow candle (yellow is the color of social gatherings, fun parties, and happy friendship), rosemary leaves, dried sage, salt, and sugar. Collect as many sewing pins of various sizes as there are people you want to befriend, plus one for you.

Mix the rosemary, sage, salt, and sugar in a blender or mortar and pestle to make friendship powder. Take the powder, the candle, and the pins outside at noon, during the brightest hour of the sun. Make a circle of friendship powder, sprinkling it clockwise around the candle. Push a sewing pin through the candle and say the name of a person you'd like to befriend as you do so. Push a second pin through the candle just beneath the first with the tip pointing up so it forms an X, saying the name of another friend-to-be.

When you have inserted pins for all the people you want to befriend, insert one for yourself at the bottom. Then light the candle. As it burns, the heat, energy, and power from the flame will first touch the pins representing your friends-to-be, then yours, bringing you together, for there is a place where you connect at the center of the X.

The Enchantress's Witch Holidays

Spring is the season of the Enchantress! Her favorite holidays are all about life, love, and happiness.

This celebration of the spring equinox in the Northern Hemisphere occurs on March 20 (March 21 in some years). It is the time when day and night are nearly equal in length. At Ostara, we celebrate the coming of spring and the beginning of new life. Many symbols of fertility and rebirth associated with Ostara (like eggs and bunnies) are a familiar part of Easter celebrations as well. The significance of this time in the year has been noted and celebrated throughout human history.

OSTARA GARDEN

Begin planting your garden on this day. Make sure there are plenty of flowers!

OSTARA EGGS

Write the names of goddesses on hard-boiled eggs with fancy crayon lettering. Fill teacups with warm water, a teaspoon of white vinegar, and a few drops of food coloring. Let your eggs bathe in the tinted water, and the names will appear in relief.

Place the eggs in a basket and have everyone pick one. The name on your egg will indicate your patron goddess for the year to come.

Beltane (May Day)

Beltane is a celebration of life and Mother Earth. As May arrives, the land is in bloom again and passions are stirred! Celebrate by throwing a Beltane party. Choose a May Queen to embody the goddess Flora and make a flower crown for her.

Play a sweet fairy trick and weave together flower wreaths or posies with ribbon to leave on the doorsteps of people you admire. Ring the doorbell and run away as fast as you can so your gifts are a mysterious surprise.

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Excerpted from Handbook for Hot Witches by Dame Darcy. Copyright © 2012 Dame Darcy. Excerpted by permission of Henry Holt and Company.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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