Florida Water: How I Make it and How You Can Use it.

Florida water is like a green miracle in a bottle. Or jar, or vial, or whatever you prefer to keep it in. It has so many uses that after a while you begin to wonder how you ever managed without it. From cleaning to skincare, it's range of purposes is quite impressive. Let's take a look at my method of making it and how you can use it not just in witchcraft but in many other things.

What you'll need:

-something to keep it in (bottle, jar, ect.)

-moon water

-witch hazel

-dried rose leaves

-rose oil

-lavender

-lemon

-orange

-91% isopropyl alcohol

You can customize this recipe to fit your needs and to fit what you have at your disposal. For instance, Florida water recipes generally have bergamot, among other things. But unfortunately, I don't have access to any. So, I left it out and worked around it. You can also add things in, if you'd like. The craft is yours.

As far as a container, use whatever you have at your disposal. I used a corked bottle, which probably wasn't my best choice. When you put a liquid in a corked bottle, the contents have the tendency to fully seep into the cork. This hasn't happened to me, but I wouldn't advise taking the chance.

In your container, pour your isopropyl alcohol in until it fills about half of the space. Then add a few tablespoons of moon water and witch hazel. The best thing to do would be to eyeball it. It's fine if its a little more or less. Then, add your rose oil. Around five drops is what I used, but go with your gut. Add your lavender, lemon, and orange. It doesn't matter if its oils or dried. I would just recommend not using fresh ingredients since they have a higher chance of going bad. Then add your rose leaves. If you're not going to strain it, I would recommend breaking them up before putting it in your container just so it doesn't block the flow of fluid out of the spout. The reason why I add rose leaves is because I didn't have any more rose petals left, which is what the original recipe called for. The leaves will dye your Florida water a rich green, but it will not stain your skin.

Once all of your ingredients are put together, close your container and shake lightly to mix. When it's finished, you should have something that looks similar to the picture above. But it does not have to look exactly like it. It doesn't have to look like it at all.

Florida water's history is quite interesting. In case you didn't already know, Florida water has no actual water from Florida in it, nor was it invented in Florida. It started as a cologne manufactured by Murray and Lanman in 1808, thirty-seven years before Florida was even a state. It is still sworn by to this day by witches and non-witches alike, especially in the Hispanic community, which is why you'll commonly find it in botanicas.

(Just please don't drink it. It is mostly made of isopropyl alcohol which is toxic).

As for it's uses, Florida water can help get rid of many things from headaches to mosquito bites (I'm allergic to mosquitos and I can confirm that Florida water takes down swelling almost immediately) and even negative energies. Here's a list of some, but surely not all of it's uses.

-Use on oily and acne prone skin to dry out pimples and minimize oil. It can also tone and brighten skin.

-Put on a fresh bug bite to make it go away.

-Put it in a floor wash for a home cleanse.

-Give it as an offering to deities, spirit guides, or ancestors. I've heard that deities associated with love and/or beauty especially appreciate this as an offering since it's a perfume.

-You can use it to dress candles, but let it dry completely before lighting because it is extremely flammable.

-It can calm your mood.

-Has been said to help with depression (but it is not a cure).

-Encourages the expression of emotions.

-Dabble some on your temples to help relieve headaches.

-Put in a smudge spray or use it as its own spray to repel negative energies.

-Anoint your home by mixing it with protective herbs and water. Put a little above doorways, windows, and mirrors.

-Add it to ritual baths to cleanse yourself. The lavender is aids in stress relief and the Florida water as a whole can relax muscles.

-Use as an ingredient in magickal inks

-Wipe your altar tools down with it on a rag. Use caution when cleaning some crystals with it as they might not be hard enough to come in contact with liquid, same for salt lamps. Also take care when wiping anything that will come into contact with fire. Make sure it dries completely before use.

-Lightly mist your pillow with it before you sleep to ward off nightmares and encourage dream divination. I'd advise letting it dry before laying your head down so you don't get it in your eyes.

-Carry a small spray bottle with you, so if you're met with more negative energy than usual you can spray it on as you would a perfume to help repel negativity.