Thursday, August 23, 2007

Conjurations Newsletter, Vol I, Issue 3

Conjurations

8/23/07


Hello!

This week you can really tell that falls bones are trying to settle here. The 80 degree weather is broken up with the occasional grey and cool day. Our tomato plants out back are giant, green towering things with emerald green fruit. They were planted late in the season, so they will be brought in when the weather cools.

Conjure Updates
Things have been pretty status quo here in Conjure land. Not to bring up the past, but the debaucle has done nothing but send business my way. I have had more orders in the last 32 hours then I have had in days. I'm glad to see people trying the oils out for themselves! But I have read my bible this morning and I am taking solace in the 37th Psalm which I've posted on this community's info page if you care to read it.

But upward and onward!

The Oily Bits
This week I want to feature an oil that I've had in my collection forever. Fast Luck Oil. In fact, the recipe for this oil is in Zora Neale Hurston's _Mules and Men_ among other places. It's from, I do believe, New Orleans and was popular in the 1920's and 1930's. It's a combination of vanilla, cinnamon and wintergreen essential oil. The mix can be strengthened by adding bits of pyrite, alkanet and chips of cinnamon. I like to rub it on my palms and buy scratch-its. :) I remember one time I played poker for the first time with a bunch of friends. I put the oil on my hands and I won the kitty! Beginners luck plus fast luck = unstoppable!

Here's a recipe for Fast Luck Oil if you want to make it yourself:

add 10 drops each:
Wintergreen, Vanilla and Cinnamon essential oils.

to 90 drops of a base oil of your choice. Some great base oils are sweet almond, grapeseed, or jojoba. Try to avoid heavy oils such as castor oil, or oils with their own scent such as olive.
If the cinnamon is still too strong for you, you can always add more base oil.

In that mix, you can add bits of cinnamon, pyrite and alkanet. The alkanet is pretty cool because it turns the oil a lovely shade of red and red is certainly a lucky color!

Try it out and see what happens!

Spirtual Oils

While I market Conjure Oils as both perfume and as a spiritual oil, above all else they're a spiritual product. In this recent flurry of criticizm, someone claimed that they didn't need to wear their spirituality like a name tag. Well I do and please allow me to explain why...

If I am going to go to a doctor, I make sure that they went to medical school. If you are going to buy spiritual oils, aren't you more comfortable getting them from someone who has dedicated their life to the Divine? That has taken the time to study the subjects that they represent? I would never make an oil that I didn't think I had the experience and knowledge to make. I am an initiated priest. I am a graduate of Cat Yronwode of Lucky Mojo's Hoodoo Rootwork Correspondence course. If this doesn't make me fit to produce spiritual oils, then I don't know what does.

Well, what about perfume blending? Some ask. It's an ancient craft that you can't learn overnight. Well good thing I didn't. I have been blending for myself and friends for well over 15 years. Remember, I am a working rootworker with clientelle. I'm no newbie! I have made oils, sprays, bath salts, washes and incence for clients since 2004. These aren't "oils I've thrown in a bottle" or "dangerous oils carelessly put together." I've taken the necessary steps to ensure these oils are diluted and safe. Everything I use is body safe and blended at such a concentration that they can be used all over your body, should you so choose for anointing purposes.

So, you can rest assured that I have the ability and experience and education to serve you. I have just as much right to make my product ans sell it as the next person does and so I will continue.

I don't need bad vibes, attacks and insults to opeate a business. I work with a heart of love and happiness. And if you're reading this, I'm sure you do too. There are so few of us out there - the ones who refuse darkness and drama. We stand on our own merit!


After all, Conjure Oils isn't just perfume! :)

Next week:

I won't be around. I'm going to help my godmother move. I'll be closed for production starting this Sunday night and I won't be resuming production until after the first of the month. At that time, I hope to have the Halloween and Vodoun oils available.

Blessings,

Vajra

St. Therese's Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of you.

***

See you later this afternoon with the newsletter...

<3

Vajra

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Hoodoo Bottles and Freebies!

Hello everyone!

I was kicking a thought around in my head and I needed some feedback.

Most of Conjure Oils come in heavy 5ml amber bottles. Well, the Hoodoo line does too, but inside those bottles are bits of roots, herbs and minerals that are honestly quite lovely.

I was wondering if I should sell the Hoodoo line in the same bottles as the Apothecary line. Same price, bigger size and you can see the contents. Here's a picture of what the Apothecary bottles look like:

front and back:




(These bottles are sealed with beeswax - that's the stuff on the cork)

Here's the freebie bit: as a thank you for taking the time and offering me some feedback, I'll email you a code to use with your next order for a free sample of your choice (Apothecary line included!)

So folks, what do you think?

Thank you so much for your time!

Vajra

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Apothecary and other additions to the Conjure Family

Good evening!

Just a quick note to bring your attention to a few new items I've been working on. You'll notice that the navigation bar has a couple more entries on it:

apothecary, conjure ltd., goetia and vodoun

The Apothecary section is complete - more single notes that you can shake a stick at! I was inspired because I wanted to make fantastic single fragrances more user friendly, fun, affordable and above all else, beautiful - not to mention that they're made up of the best materials possible. Simply intoxicating.

Conjure, Ltd.
is a page dedicated solely to the limited editions. Right now the Environmentalist line is still going, but come September, the Halloween scents should be rolling in!

Goetia is the beastie line I've been developing. Simply stated, Goetia is summoning demons of varying degrees of benevolence to aid the summoner. This is a line to evoke the demon in us all. A little nice, a lot naughty and a whole lot of fun. The beasts hould be unleashed in September!

Vodoun will be dedicated to the Lwa - the various spirits venerated in Vodoun (aka Voodoo). I've enlisted the assistance and knowledge of my Madrina, who is also an initiated Mambo, in the creation of these scents so they may be as genuine and delicious as possible. Look for them come September.

Have a look of you get a minute.

Thank you so much!

<3

Vajra

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Conjurations Newsletter, Vol II

Conjurations

8/15/07

Hello Again!

    Oh dear, someone must have leaned against the great thermostat in the sky, because it’s been in the 90’s here off and on this week. Not something I particularly enjoy. Nonetheless, the skies have been the most brilliant shade of blue and match perfectly the hydrangeas growing in the front yard.

Conjure Updates
    This has been a GREAT week for Conjure Oils! I got to meet   and drop off her order at EsoZone as well as hand out a few samples. I also sent out six orders – two to the UK and the rest to the states. There’s about a week lag time for orders now – I’m getting them out as fast as they’re coming in. My goal is an order a day – one out and one in and so far, it’s been met.
    Conjure Oils is also pleased to announce that Magical Omaha has expressed interest in carrying our products both on their website as well as in their store! I sent them a pack of 16 samples today to try out, so keep your fingers crossed for us, please? I’ve heard really good things about them!
    We will also be supplying the Salem Witches’ Ball in, obviously, Salem, MA on October 26th with 100 perfume samples that will be handed out to the first 100 witchie-poos through the door. I’m going to create a custom blend for them – my working title is “Old Salem Village.”  - what it was called back during the witch craze.
    I also created two new blends that should be up on the website within the week. I made a blend for Gaia and for Yemaya Okoto. Gaia is a handful of basmati rice, the sharp smell of tomato leaves and a freshly cut wildflower bouquet. Delicious!
    Yemaya Okoto is a “road” of Yemaya (one of her manifestations). I was inspired by her as she is the road of Yemaya I received when I made Ocha. I’d never heard of her before, so I did a little research and found out she’s more or less a witch pirate queen that represents the deadly and destructive aspects of the ocean; she drags sailors and ships lost at sea into the depths and her crown is the jaw of the shark. She is dressed in a pirate flag and decorated with seven scimitar swords! Needless to say, her perfume smells like an ancient weathered pirate ship – sandalwood, cedar and amber really create something dark and dangerous in this blend.
    More great news - Papa Legba, Maman Brigitte, Erzulie Freda, Erzulie Dantor, Papa Ogou, Baron Samedi as well as Papa Ghede and others will be making a fragrant debut! The Lwa – the spirits that are honored in Vodoun, will come to Conjure in September! My godmother, who is also an initiated Mambo in Vodoun, is going to help me design the blends. I can’t wait!
    Don’t forget - at the end of the month, we’ll be adding the Halloween LE’s and the Bestiary! Yay!

The Oily Bits
    Have you recently had a falling out with a lover and you want to make up? Are you at odds with some good friends? Then why not try out some Reconcile oil in the Hoodoo line? Its sweet violet fragrance lifts the spirits and the genuine Balm of Gilead bud in each bottle helps to mend a heart that is sad and aching. Anoint your heart, a white candle or add a few drops to a mister and spray the rooms where fights have broken out. It really is balm for the sore soul. I find that it’s great for depression as well. But I’m no MD – just a root doctor.


How-To-Do-The-Hoodoo

    Hoodoo may have its roots in African Americana, but it can be practiced by anyone anywhere! Here is an all purpose way to use oils spiritually. This technique comes out of the hoodoo tradition, but you can use any spiritual oil with it.
    Get a brown paper grocery bag and rip a 3” x 3” square. Don’t use scissors – you have to hand tear the edges. Get a pencil with no eraser and write out your petition. The way I like to do it is, I write down what I want to happen three times and then turn the paper 90 degrees and then write my own name over it three times. I then anoint the paper in a quincux (like the 5 side on a die) a drop on each corner and one in the center. If I’m drawing something to myself, I fold the paper toward myself. If I’m sending something away, I fold the petition paper away from myself. I then anoint a white candle with the same oil – from top to bottom to draw and vice versa to repel.
Melt the bottom of the candle and stick it to a saucer. Put the petition paper under the saucer, say a prayer and light the candle. One of my favorite prayers is the 23rd Psalm – the Psalms have been prayed with so often that the very words have immense power, regardless of your spirituality or religion:

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever."

When the candle burns out, take the paper and the wax and, if it was a prayer to draw something toward you, bury it in your yard. If it was to take something away, throw it in a river, in the crossroads, burn it, etc.

Next week

Some essential oils and their properties.


Blessings,

Vajra

Saturday, August 11, 2007

EsoZone - Free Samples and Coupons!

Hello Everyone!

Just a li'l heads up that we will be handing out 10% off your first purchase at Conjure Oils coupons as well as free generously sized samples of Whore of Babylon!

Thanks for reading. Have fun at EsoZone!

<3

Vajra

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Conjurations Newsletter, Vol I

Conjurations

8/8/07


Hello!

Well, here is the first installment of Conjurations, a weekly, hopefully informative newsletter where we’ll discuss perfume, magick and maybe learn a thing or three in the process.
The organization of the newsletter will start of with updates, then featured oil, and then a wild card section where we can mix it up. This newsletter will be posted on LiveJournal, on the blog and the yahoo group, but not MySpace as that’s an abbreviated venue and I may just post the updates section there.
Anyhoo! Welcome and thank you for your interest in Conjure Oils! It’s been a cool and cloudy week here in Portland and thank goodness! Heat really makes me wilt and I’m much more energetic and active when the mists roll in. In fact I was out walking yesterday and I could swear that fall was whispering in the air! My favorite! Well, along with spring; I like the transitional times of the year when nature takes the brush of instability and paints crimson leaves and pink hyacinths.

Conjure Updates

What’s new with the website? Well, I’m revamping a bit and have got the code down to add a paypal cart to the site, so look for that shortly. I’ve also done away with all of the samplers in the different categories and exchanged them for broader choices - $3 each, 10 for $25 or 20 for $45 (and multiples thereof.) Shipping included, of course!
I’ve also added more to the FAQ on the About page. Some folks have asked me if I use synthetics or essential oils. I’ve also added a bit about the strength of Conjure Oils for those love and fear sillage.
Other than that, I’m cookin’ up some Samhain treats, feeding the beasts in the Bestiary and also contemplating Happy Places. I was at the Portland Japanese Gardens yesterday and that is, hands down, my happy place. I’m considering a line of oils based on Happy Places. Where are some of yours?

EsoZone is in Portland, Oregon this weekend! I am hand delivering some orders to folks and I'll be happy to deliver yours!

The Oily Bits

This is the time of year when we’re in the dog days of summer; hot, humid nights, twilight parties and fireflies. This is the time of year for juicy berries, ripe fruits and oils like Jezebel in the Mythos line. Jezebel is true passion fruit – not sickly sweet, or bitter. Like little bear says, “it’s just right!” Rounded out with pink roses and a tiny touch of black mission fig, which is very much in season right now out here. Ever cut a fresh fig in half? I dare say its one of the sexiest fruits in the world.
Jezebel became associated with sexuality not only because she was in cahoots with the Goddess Astarte, but because she appeared in the Bible in the book of Revelations as a prophetess in the city of Thyatira where she is accused of inducing members of the church into committing acts of sexual immorality. Because I guess it’s her fault that they can’t keep it in their pants, eh? Jezebel is a good example of how women are often blamed for their sexuality turning men into monsters, to hell with self control or accountability!

Recipe Time!
Conjure Oils are great for adding to your own handmade bath and body goodies! Here’s a recipe for a REAL chocolate face mask! Let’s keep it sexy for Jezebel!

Passionately Chocolate Moisture Mask
(You’ll need a food scale to make this one)

3/4oz HIGH QUALITY chocolate chips, pref. organic
.1oz Cocoa Butter (that’s one tenth)
.3oz Sweet Almond oil (that’s three tenths) – (this isn’t the scented oil. It’s in the massage oil section)
Jezebel Oil to your desired fragrance strength

Combine chocolate chips, cocoa butter and almond oil in a double boiler and slightly melt. Remove from the double boiler and gently stir until everything is melted.

Allow to cool slightly and add Jezebel Oil to boost the mix to your desired strength.

Once it's completely cooled, slather it on your face, relax - read a book, the Conjure Oils website, or take a bath! Be sure to rinse well. It is great on the hands, face, neck, and back leaving a great scent on your skin. Since there are no preservatives in the blend, it’ll keep for about a week.

Next week, how to use the oils magickally…

Blessings,

Vajra

Friday, August 3, 2007

Free global shipping for all samplers!!

Good afternoon everyone!

So, I shipped some orders today - two to England, one to Sweden and one to NY and they all cost a fraction of what I thought they were going to cost, so for the time being all orders consisting of only samplers ship for FREE.

Otherwise, it's $5 flat rate all over the world no matter how much you buy.

Let's see how this works! Check it out.

Thank you so much for your interest!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

conjureoils.com is complete! Freebies!

First off: Happy Lammas everyone!

At long last, the Conjure Oils website is completely finished! That means it is a catalog complete with descriptions. The only things that will change now are additions and artwork tweaks. I may try to add shopping cart buttons, but the paypal address is on the orders page and that seems to work for everyone.

I don't want to sound like a crazed marketing executive, but really, if you tell someone about Conjure Oils and they drop your name with their order, you will get free goodies with your next order. Period. I think that's so awesome that people do that!

So what else is in the works? I'm working on a new line at the moment. A bestiary of sorts, so keep your eyes peeled!

Check out the sleek updates!

Love,

V.