Homemade Florida Water Recipe
well, it's been a minute since I did some writing. Life has gotten a bit intense as the year is winding down, and I have to say I'm happy to see the change of season and the upcoming new year.
The Full Moon in GEMINI lunar eclipse was a couple days ago, along with a big snow fall here in Southern Ontario which ushered in the first of December. This time of year I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, and this year there's been a spike in baking and cooking in my house and I'm in a very experimental phase of my cooking and kitchen witchery.
So I decided to make some Florida Water!
This is something I've been wanting to try for at least the last 9 months. This year it's been especially important to take care of our mental, spiritual and emotional well-being, and my favorite go-to energetic cleanser is Florida water, for its versatility and potency.
For those that are unfamiliar with Florida water, it's not a water at all, it's actually considered a cologne and is made up of mostly alcohol. It is for external purposes and is not meant to be ingested.
My favorite uses for it include:
- Splashing it on my hands and wiping down my aura
- Using it tool cleanse and charge my altar space and magickal tools.
- Washing my hands with it before or after a reading.
- Adding a dash or two to my mop water and cleaning products.
- sprinkling it around my environment to refresh the energy, clean out negativity, and invite blessings.
- Add some to my bath water for a spiritual boost.
I find it to be a great alternative to sage and smoke, because it will cleanse just the same. It does have a more potent energy to it, since it includes several plant spirits and not just one. I find it to be very refreshing and it an essential part of my spiritual practice. Use it to compliment your cleaning and purifying routine, or replace sacred sage and the need for smoke.
The first thing you'll need is Vodka, cheap stuff is fine. About 3 cups.
Next you'll want to visit your local apothecary if you don't already have a good herbal collection at home. You will need:
1 stick of cinnamon
1 tbsp. of whole cloves (you can substitute with Star anise, or add both)
1/4 cup of dried organic rose petals, or fresh from your garden or pesticide free greenhouse.
6-7 slices of licorice root
1 tbsp. of dried calendula flower
1/4 cup of dried lavender.
Start by heating the Vodka + 2 cups of spring water over low heat and add the dried ingredients. Simmer do not allow to boil, for about 15 minutes.
Next you'll need to add some fresh herbs and citrus. Organic is always best, homegrown is even better. But if your in a hurry you can always use what you find at your local grocery store. Use a cast iron dutch oven if you have one, avoid steel pots since the metal can affect the energetic properties of your potion.
2 large stems of rosemary
one bunch of mint, or about 1/5 cup
5-6 slices of ginger
Half a bunch approx. 10 stems of thyme
2 large stems of tulsi, holy basis. Regular fresh basil will work if you can't find it, or dried tulsi works as well.
The rinds of one fresh lemon, grapefruit, and orange.
Plus the juice from the fruits.
After you've added the fresh ingredients, cover and set on low heat for about 40 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon often, in a clockwise direction, as you set your intentions or visualize positive and uplifting energy flowing into the pot.
Once you're done, strain the liquid into a glass container with a lid. Avoid any direct contact with metal if possible, so use cork lid or natural material as a lid. It should be able to seal properly to extend shelf life.
Lastly, charge your Florida Water by placing your favorite crystals on top of or next to the jar and place it in a special place such as an altar. You can also place it out in the moonlight or sunlight to charge, use whichever resonates the most to you.
I used a clear quartz tower to amplify, green jade for abundance and luck, and a black tourmaline for protection. I placed mine under the Full Moon for one night, on my altar for one night, and in the direct sun for a day. While it was on my altar, I lit a prayer candle and circled it with rosemary and seasalt for added protection and purity.
This recipe can be followed exactly, or improvised based on your own intuition. What's most important is that you use what feels right to you. If you are going to improvise I would suggest keeping at least two dried ingredients, two fresh ingredients, and two citrus ingredients from the list above.
I hope you enjoy my recipe, and if you tried it please let me know!
B.B.
Sara