The History and Use of oils in traditional Conjure practice
Conjure condition oils are the building blocks of traditional conjure practice. They are used individually for dressing candles, anointing objects/talismans/people, and in the preparation of many essential magical ingredients including: washes and waters, baths, incenses, sachet powders, ointments, salves, and soaps. The most commonly used oils are called condition oils because they have been formulated to address a specific life condition like the need for more money, a new love, a spouse to be faithful, or a child to do well in school. Condition oils are made from combining a base oil (traditionally olive oil, almond oil, and in some cases mineral oil) with a blend of essential and perfume oils as well as herbs, roots, minerals, and curios appropriate to the condition. The recipes for these special blends are usually called formulas and root doctors have always guarded their special oil formulas very closely. Aside from condition oils there are some special anointing oils like Holy Oil, also known as 7-11 or Hi Altar oil, that can be used for anointing people or objects and Special Oil No. 20, an old-fashioned and very strong multi-purpose dressing oil. Traditionally these condition oils would have flashy names like Crown of Success, Fiery Wall of Protection, and Dixie Love and they would be packaged with beautiful, boldly colorful graphic labels. As times changed and the production of condition and anointing oils moved from in-house small production scales to large factory scales the quality of many commonly available oils went drastically downhill. In many botanicas and conjure shops today, what is packaged as a condition oil is really nothing more than colored mineral oil with a little perfume oil added. Traditional conjure oils should be chockfull of magical ingredients that you can see. I carry Lucky Mojo Curio Comany oils because I know the LMC crew and I have witnessed firsthand the amount of time, energy, and love they put into handcrafting each small batch of oil.
Using Condition Oils--there are many ways to use condition oils. Here are some of the most popular.
Dressing a glass vigil light:
Take a glass vigil light in the appropriate color and poke several holes in the top of it. Take a pinch of finely ground dried herbs and roots that are appropriate to the condition(s) you are working on and sprinkle them over the top of the candle. Add accents that appeal to your eye and spirit if you feel so called--some workers like myself love glitter additions. Top off this blend by adding the condition oil(s) that are appropriate to your condition. You do not want to drown your dried herb mixture in oil, but you do want to get oil in the candle (it will go down into the holes) so that as the candle burns the scent of oil is released up into the air and up towards the heavens. Pray over your light, write out your petition if you have chosen to make one, and then light it and allow it to burn through.
Dressing a pillar, taper, or figural candle:
Take your candle and wash it down with an appropriate water (like rose for love-drawing work and orange for success/money) or a bit of your own urine. Carve or load the candle with names, dates of birth, your wish, and personal concerns of yourself or your target. Anoint the candle with the appropriate condition oil(s), stroking towards you if you wish to draw something in, and away from you if you desire to push something away.
Creating a Condition Lamp:
Get yourself an oil lamp with a clear well in the bottom. Place roots, herbs, curios, and minerals into the well of the lamp and fill the well with paraffin or kerosene oil. Finish off with several drops of the appropriate condition oil(s) that are in accord with the lamp's purpose. Light your lamp on a daily or weekly basis.