Herbal Charms are simple to make, and have many uses. They can be placed anywhere inside your home that you feel they would benefit you most. They can also be worn, whether during ritual, or in a time when you feel you need their specific energies/influence. They can also be placed outdoors. Charms are used for many purposes and can be powerful talismans, they can be made from any type material, and can be plain or embroidered with symbols, symbols can also be drawn or painted on. Cord and ribbon can be threaded into cloth in a drawstring fashion, or simply tied.

Once you've created your charm 'recipe' it's time to gather together all the materials you'll need. This includes all herbs, crystals, talismans eg coins for a money drawing charm (if you're using a talisman that is), fabric, threads and all the necessary tools eg needles and scissors.

What You Will Need

* Material of your choosing eg felt, muslin, cotton, flannel - Cut in to a shape that best suits your charm if you don't intend to sew your charm bag cut a circle of material and put your charm ingrediants inside, then you can draw it up and fasten with your cord or ribbon.
* Cord, Ribbon, Wool or Embroidery thread. - 3 strands, cut in 3 ft lengths ( or desired lengths to be braided) or use a single cord if preferred.
* Paper - I make scented paper using herbs and oils, lavender scented for a peace spell, cinnamon for a money drawing spell, peppermint for a healing spell. I also use coloured paper eg pale green for the healing spell, lilac for the peace spell, coloured paper is readily available from stationers or you can make your own. Using paper that you've scented and chosen the colour of is another one of those things that puts some of you into your spell and helps to enhance it. Feel free to use any type though, but it will have a more profound effect if you use something that is set aside just for spell work.
* Pen or Quill - Use a feather that you have trimmed yourself or a special pen be it a fountain pen or biro, as long as you use it only for magic it's fine.
* Cauldron or any fireproof container.
* Candles
* Incense
* Salt bowl - Use pure sea salt if possible.
* Water bowl - Use spring water (bottled if you can't get fresh), well water, river, stream etc.
* Mortar & Pestle - Used for binding your herbs and oils together.
* Herbs, crystals, talismans and any items going into your charm.

Preparation - Before we begin to prepare, a note on recycling in magic! It's okay to re-use a crystal or a pouch or any re-usable magical item for example a crystal as long as you cleanse all prior energies it's perfectly fine to re-use it. A lot of people think it is taboo to use a crystal a second time. Personally I don't see the harm, if the crystal, pouch or whatever is properly cleansed and 'programmed' for the new spell. I see it as a way of recycling, Mother Earth has only so much bounty she can provide us in the way of crystals it seems wasteful and an insult to her to just throw away a perfectly good crystal that could with a little effort be used again. We don't cook chilli in a pan and then throw away the pan do we? We clean and cleanse the pan and use it for soup or vegetables the next meal, it would be silly to throw away a perfectly good vessel just because it had been used once. A crystal is like that, it has magical properties but it awaits you to put something and direct it just like the pan does.

Crystals - Cleanse and charge your crystal using your chosen method. If re-using a crystal ensure that it is thouroughly cleansed of the old spell or use and completely recharged. Select a method that will help with your spell, if you're working moon magic then charge the crystal by the moon, a healing spell use sage smudge or salt water. Moonstorm has tips on Crystal Cleansing in her March 2005 installment of Crystal Cavern if you need inspiration.

Candles - Unless your candle was made for your spells specific purpose, you should try to ensure that your candle is a colour that enhances the spell eg red for a love charm and dress it with an appropriate oil either a pure essential or a blend that is specific to your charm. Whilst dressing the candle visualise your goal and focus your intent into the candle. Stroke the oil on to the candle from the middle to the bottom first, then from middle to top. You can further enhance the spell by carving symbols or a name or word into your candle. Note, if you don't have the correct coloured candle for your charm you can use a white candle and 'program' it appropriately. Some people dress candles and store them in advance, I prefer to dress the candle as needed, everything is fresh and full of new energy.

Words & Symbols - If you choose to write down your charm be it in words or symbolically, you may want to prepare it in advance. Think about your purpose, experiment first on some scrap paper, when you are happy you can then write it on to your magical paper. If you're using words from a book simply copy these onto your chosen paper. Memorise the words you've written if possible, but keep the written copy with you during ritual just in case. Make the words easy and simple so you can chant them as you prepare your charm.

Ritual - Make sure your altar is prepared, eg covered in it's cloth you can use your general purpose altar cloth or one that is coloured to suit your spell. Make a last check that you have all the items you need, means to light your candle, candle snuffer all charm ingrediants, tools and your notes or Book Of Shadows.
It's beneficial to prepare yourself before with a ritual bath or shower, most people use a bath but a shower means you cleanse and all the negativity etc is washed away instead of laying in it for a while. Whilst cleansing and purifiying yourself make sure your relaxed, you can meditate or simply contemplate your goal. Once you are positive that you are ready to begin then do so, cast your circle, call forth the elements, do whatever you usually do as part of your ritual routine.
Focus on your with as much intensity as possible, use your emotions and feel your goal materialise. Visualisation is the secret ingrediant that makes a spell work. Try to hold the visualisation strong in your mind throughout the entire ritual. Start chanting your rhyme (if you have one, you don't have to chant if you don't want to but it helps to read your goal aloud at least once). Translate your chant into writing while visually projecting it on to the paper, if you've already written it hold it over your incense and chant your words and empower the paper.
Place your material on your altar, put the paper on top of it. Pass the crystals through the incense and charge them with your intent. Do the same to the herbs, when done grind them together in your mortar and pestle, add any oils or other ingrediants and bind them all together. Then place all the spells ingredients in to the centre of your material or pouch, while projecting your goal. Carefully put the paper with your words and or symbols into the candle flame, then drop it into your cauldron or fireproof container, allowing it to turn to ash. Then place the ash from paper in with all the other ingrediants. Take your ribbon or cord and tie off bag with one knot. Pass the charm through salt (earth), candle flame (fire), incense smoke (air) and sprinkle with water (water) and hold the charm in your hands, charge it with as much energy or your energy as possible, whilst still focusing on your goal. Finally close your circle and ground yourself in your usual manner. Your work is done!

Charms To Make Yourself Below are the herbs, crystals, colours and the appropriate moon phase for some spells and charms. You will need to add your own words or words from a book to complete the charms.

Love (Attracting A New Love) Moon Phase: Waxing or Full Candle Colour: Red Incense: Rose or Amber Cloth: Red Cord: Red, white or pink. Herbs: Roses, Lavender, Poppy Seeds, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang & Cherry Blossom. Crystals: Rose Quartz or Amber. If trying to attract a lover for a long term relationship, use a gold or silver ring in with the charm. Money Drawing Moon Phase: Waxing Moon Candle Colour: Green Incense: Patchouli Cloth: Green Cord: Purple, silver & gold Herbs: Pineapple Mint, Bergamot Mint, Vetivert, Ginger, Basil, Cinnamon. Crystals: Lodestone, Green Aventurine, Golden Tigers Eye. Healing Moon Phase: Waning Moon Candle Colour: Green or Blue Incense: Pine Cloth: Green or Blue Cord: Green or Blue Herbs: Rosemary, Peppermint, Allspice, Eucalyptus & Sage Crystals: Bloodstone, Green Moss Agate, Amethyst. Peace Moon Phase: Any Incense: Lavender Candle Colour: Blue Cloth: Blue Cord: White Herbs: Lavender, Pennyroyal, Magnolia, Tuberose & Gardenia Crystals: Aquamarine, Blue Tourmaline

Protection Moon Phase: Any Candle Colour: White Incense: Sandalwood or Patchouli Cloth: Blue Cord: Blue, white and silver Herbs: Angelica, Mugwort, Anise, Clover and Fennel. Crystals: Tigers Eye or Obsidian Divination Moon Phase: Waxing Moon Candle Colour: Purple or Dark blue Incense: Clove Cloth: Deep purple Cord: Silver Herbs: Clove, Cherry, Dandelion, Wormwood, Poppy, Rose & Mugwort Crystals: Tigers Eye or Jet Happiness Moon Phase: Waxing Moon Incense: Apple Blossom or Lavender Candle Colour: Pink Cloth: Pink, Lilac or White Cord: Pink, Lilac or White Herbs: Rowan, Lemon Verbena, Rose Crystals: Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Pink Lace Agate. Self Confidence Moon Phase: Full or Waxing Candle Colour: Purple Incense: Rosemary Cloth: Purple Cord: Purple, Silver & Gold Herbs: Yarrow, Thyme, Fennel, Geranium, St John's Wort Crystals: Tigers Eye or Amethyst Also add a personal item of your own (or the recipients) in with the charm, such as a lock of hair or a nail clipping.